Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Mar 20, 2017 - Politics & Policy

The highlights from Spicer's Monday briefing

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek

Andrew Harnik / AP

Spicer's briefing comes amid a host of other big events taking place today, including the House Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's election meddling, as well as Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearing. The highlights:

Obama wiretapping claims: "No," the president is not ready to withdraw his allegations, said Spicer, even though Comey and Rogers confirmed today that they are unsubstantiated. "There are a lot of things not being covered in this hearing... we're still at the beginning phase."
House Intelligence Committee hearing: The president is "happy" they're investigating Russia's election role. Following this hearing "it's clear that nothing has changed... there is no evidence of Trump-Russia collusion."
Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn's campaign involvement: Spicer said Manafort — who was chairman of Trump's campaign — played a "limited role", and Flynn was solely a "volunteer."
Spicer Anticipates Gorsuch will be confirmed by Thursday.
Obama playing golf vs. Trump: The difference is in "how you use the game of golf" to advance U.S. interests, said Spicer. Added that Trump uses it as an opportunity to get to know foreign leaders better, like Prime Minister Abe.
Spicer Takes aim at the N.Y. Times: "You guys could use some headline help... you could probably use some story help too." One headline that should've come out of today? That the leaks are "unusually active," said Spicer.

Go deeper

Sara Fischer, author of Media Trends

27 mins ago - Economy & Business

Facebook to lift political ad ban imposed after November election

Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Facebook will finally allow advertisers to resume running political and social issue ads in the U.S. on Thursday, according to a company update.

The big picture: Facebook and rival Google instituted political ad bans to slow the spread of misinformation and curb confusion around the presidential election and its aftermath.

Go deeper (2 min. read)

Bryan Walsh, author of Future

33 mins ago - Technology

AI is industrializing

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Artificial intelligence is becoming a true industry, with all the pluses and minuses that entails, according to a sweeping new report.

Why it matters: AI is now in nearly every area of business, with the pandemic pushing even more investment in drug design and medicine. But as the technology matures, challenges around ethics and diversity grow.

Go deeper (3 min. read)

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

National Guard chief: Pentagon's "unusual" Jan. 6 restrictions led to 3-hour delay

William Walker, commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, testified Wednesday that a three-hour delay in approval for National Guard assistance during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack was exacerbated by "unusual" restrictions on his authorities by Pentagon leadership.

Why it matters: Walker testified that if Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy had not prohibited him in a Jan. 5 memo from using the National Guard's "Quick Reaction Force" without authorization, he would have "immediately" sent troops to the Capitol after receiving a "frantic call" from then-Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund.

Go deeper (1 min. read)