Nov 21, 2017

Tillerson accused of breaking federal law against child soldiers

Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP

Several U.S. State Department officials have written a dissent memo, accusing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of violating a federal law — the Child Soldiers Prevention Act — by leaving Iraq, Myanmar and Afghanistan off of a list of offenders for using child soldiers, Reuters reported.

Why it matters: Tillerson made the decision despite public knowledge that children were enlisted in those countries and the heads of the State Department's regional bureaus advising otherwise. Leaving the countries off the list makes it easier for them to receive U.S. military aid.

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Jim VandeHei

The next American struggle: Waiting out the coronavirus

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

There are now a lot of known knowns about the coronavirus: It's here, it's spreading, it's stressing hospitals, it's crippling the economy, it's slowed only by distance and isolation — and it's sure to get much worse before it gets much better.

Why it matters: Similarly, there is a sameness to the patterns and known unknowns. So now we hit the maddening stage of waiting.

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Sara Fischer, Kim Hart

Coronavirus pushes traditional businesses into the digital age

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

A slew of old-line industries that once hesitated to embrace digital technologies are now being forced to do so for the sake of survival.

Why it matters: Once consumers get used to accessing services digitally — from older restaurants finally embracing online ordering, or newspapers finally going all-digital — these industries may find it hard to go back to traditional operations.

Go deeper38 mins ago - Economy & Business

Caitlin Owens

America's grimmest month

Trump gives his Sunday press briefing in the Rose Garden. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

President Trump asked Americans to continue social distancing until April 30, officials warned that tens or even hundreds of thousands of Americans could die — and that's the least depressing scenario.

Why it matters: April is going to be very hard. But public health officials are in agreement that hunkering down — in our own homes — and weathering one of the darkest months in American history is the only way to prevent millions of American deaths.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Health