May 11, 2018

Joe Biden: White House “hit rock bottom” by mocking McCain

John McCain receiving a medal from Joe Biden. Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden said the Trump administration's "decency" hit a new low in a statement released Friday calling out White House aide Kelly Sadler for dismissing Senator John McCain saying, he "is dying anyway."

"People have wondered when decency would hit rock bottom with this administration. It happened yesterday. ... Given this White House's trail of disrespect towards John and others, this staffer is not the exception to the rule, she is the epitome of it."
— Joe Biden in a statement

The backdrop: Biden has characterized McCain, who is battling brain cancer, as a "good friend" in the past and recently came out in his defense after McCain said he would reject Gina Haspel's appointment as CIA director.

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Dave Lawler
57 mins ago - World

Macron visits Beirut promising a "new political pact" for Lebanon

Macron visits the hard-hit Gemmayzeh neighborhood. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron walked through the blast-damaged streets of Beirut on Thursday, swarmed by people chanting for the fall of Lebanon's government and pleading for international aid.

Why it matters: Lebanon is at a breaking point. Its economy was collapsing and its government hardly functioning — all before a massive explosion destroyed swathes of the capital city, including its vital port.

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Kendall Baker
1 hour ago - Sports

The PGA Championship is golf's first major in over a year

Photo: Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images

The 2020 PGA Championship tees off Thursday at San Francisco's TPC Harding Park, which is hosting its first-ever major.

Why it matters: It's the first major in more than a year — and the first of seven majors in the next 12 months. Though there won't be any fans in attendance, the excitement is palpable.

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Dion Rabouin
1 hour ago - Economy & Business

July's jobs report could be an inflection point for the coronavirus recovery

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Even if Friday's jobs report shows a big number, it is becoming clear hiring slowed and likely even reversed course in July and real-time indicators suggest the employment situation worsened into August.

Driving the news: Payroll processor ADP's monthly jobs report showed private companies added 167,000 jobs last month, well below the 1.2 million expected by economists and far below June's 4.8 million jobs added.

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