Oct 27, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Trump: U.S. needs to stiffen death penalty laws

Before boarding Air Force One on his way to the Future Farmers of America convention, President Trump responded to the Pittsburgh shooting saying the U.S. should "stiffen up" death penalty laws and people who commit such crimes should "pay the ultimate price."

Trump also added that places of worship should consider adding armed guards at doors. "If there was an armed guard inside the temple they would have been able to stop him, maybe there would have been nobody killed, except for him frankly," he said. The president says he will release a statement when he attends the Future Farmers of America event Saturday.

When asked about how heightened gun laws would have played in a situation like this, President Trump responded, "this has little to do with gun laws ... if they had protection inside this would have been a lot better. Maybe it could have been a much different situation, they didn't [have protection] and he was able to do things he shouldn't have been able to do."

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Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m. ET: 21,243,513 — Total deaths: 766,488— Total recoveries: 13,272,162 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m ET: 5,314,814 — Total deaths: 168,462 — Total recoveries: 1,796,326 — Total tests: 65,676,624 — Map.
  3. Health: The coronavirus-connected heart ailment that could lead to sudden death in athletes.
  4. States: New York to reopen gyms, bowling alleys, museums.
  5. Business: How small businesses got stiffed — Unemployment starts moving in the right direction.
  6. Politics: Biden signals fall strategy with new ads.
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Fadel Allassan
4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kamala Harris and the political rise of America's Indian community

Vice presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

When Democrats next week formally nominate the daughter of an Indian immigrant to be vice president, it'll be perhaps the biggest leap yet in the Indian American community's rapid ascent into a powerful political force.

Why it matters: Indian Americans are one of the fastest-growing, wealthiest and most educated demographic groups in the U.S. Politicians work harder every year to woo them. And in Kamala Harris, they'll be represented in a major-party presidential campaign for the first time.

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Bryan Walsh
5 hours ago - Health

The cardiac threat coronavirus poses to athletes

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Cardiologists are increasingly concerned that coronavirus infections could cause heart complications that lead to sudden cardiac death in athletes.

Why it matters: Even if just a tiny percentage of COVID-19 cases lead to major cardiac conditions, the sheer scope of the pandemic raises the risk for those who regularly conduct the toughest physical activity — including amateurs who might be less aware of the danger.

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