Jul 8, 2017

Putin's side of the Russia election hacking story

Evan Vucci / AP

After their sit-down meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thinks Trump believed his denial of any Russian meddling in the 2016 election, per AP. But he later said it's best to ask Trump himself what he thinks.

Trump's administration wouldn't deny that Trump "accepted" Putin's denials, per pool reports.

Putin clarified that Trump asked "numerous" questions about this issue during their meeting that lasted 2 hours 16 minutes instead of the originally scheduled 30 minutes. Axios' Jonathan Swan breaks down how Trump and Putin both got what they wanted out of the meeting, including Putin looking like a respected world leader and Trump directing the media narrative by even asking about election hacking.

Putin also said that US-Russia relations would improve if the two countries treated each other the way he and Trump did in their meeting.

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Orion Rummler

13 hours ago - Health

15 states broke single-day coronavirus records this week

Data: Compiled from state health departments by Axios; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

At least 15 states broke their single-day novel coronavirus infection records this week, according to state health department data reviewed by Axios.

The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Withershoop and Caitlin Owens report.

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Axios

Updated 14 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 11,143,945 — Total deaths: 527,681 — Total recoveries — 6,004,593 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 2,818,588 — Total deaths: 129,584 — Total recoveries: 883,561 — Total tested: 34,213,497 — Map.
States: Photos of America's pandemic July 4 — ICU beds in Arizona's hot spot reach near capacity.
Public health: U.S. coronavirus infections hit record highs for 3 straight days.
Politics: Trump extends PPP application deadline — Kimberly Guilfoyle tests positive.
World: Mexican leaders call for tighter border control as infections rise in U.S.
Sports: 31 MLB players test positive as workouts resume.
1 📽 thing: Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback.

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Rashaan Ayesh

14 hours ago - Health

In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it can add July 4 to the list.

The state of play: Axios' Stef Kight writes public parades and fireworks displays around much of the country are being canceled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread. Hot-dog contests and concerts will play to empty stands and virtual audiences — all while American pride treads an all-time low.