Mar 16, 2019

Students push back against Chelsea Clinton's criticism of Ilhan Omar

Chelsea Clinton. Photo: Archuleta/Getty Images

At a Friday night vigil for victims of a fatal New Zealand shooting in 2 mosques, NYU students confronted Chelsea Clinton for her past comments on language used by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), the Washington Post reports.

Details: Chelsea Clinton, among other prominent Democrats and Republicans, criticized Omar for using an anti-Semitic trope while arguing against U.S. policy in Israel. Omar later “unequivocally" apologized. At the vigil on Friday, NYU students said Clinton's reaction to Omar "stoked" hatred of Muslims, per the Post.

The big picture: In New Zealand, the Jewish community will reportedly close its synagogues on the Sabbath for the first time as people have received warning to stay away from mosques in the aftermath of the deadly attack.

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Axios
Updated 7 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 20,412,501 — Total deaths: 744,649— Total recoveries: 12,629,465 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1:30 p.m. ET: 5,163,509 — Total deaths: 164,994 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
  3. Politics: Pelosi on state of coronavirus stimulus talks: "It's a chasm"
  4. Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
  5. Public health: America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
  6. Education: Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.
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Orion Rummler
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi on state of coronavirus stimulus talks: "It's a chasm"

Democrats and the Trump administration remain "miles apart" on negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus deal, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Wednesday.

Driving the news, via Axios' Dion Rabouin: Congress' failure to renew enhanced unemployment measures for millions of Americans at the end of July is already affecting consumer spending patterns, holding down retail purchases and foot traffic, economists at Deutsche Bank say.

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Barak Ravid
2 hours ago - World

U.S. threatens to veto UN peacekeeping in Lebanon over Hezbollah concerns

Peacekeepers with Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty

The Trump administration is threatening to veto a resolution to extend the UN's long-standing peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon if its mandate isn't changed, Israeli and U.S. officials tell me.

Why it matters: The U.S. is the main funder of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has an annual budget of $250 million. The veto threat is a tactical move, and part of a broader effort to put pressure on Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah.

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