Jul 9, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Trump defends decision to not back UN breastfeeding resolution

President Trump. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump defended the U.S. move to not back a UN resolution promoting breastfeeding as the healthiest options for babies, tweeting Monday that the intention was to send the message that women should not be denied access to milk formula since they “need this option because of malnutrition and poverty.”

Why it matters: Trump said he thinks the U.S. “strongly supports breast feeding,” and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promotes programs to encourage breastfeeding in the U.S. The NYT article on Sunday said the U.S. delegation was "embracing the interests of infant formula manufacturers."

Go deeper

Axios

Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 6 p.m. ET: 20,452,313 — Total deaths: 745,530— Total recoveries: 12,640,013 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 6 p.m. ET: 5,187,611 — Total deaths: 165,831 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
Politics: Pelosi says Mnuchin told her White House is "not budging" on stimulus position.
Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
Public health: America's two-sided COVID-19 response — America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
Education: New Jersey governor allows schools to reopen — Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Axios

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Harris previews dual role in debut speech: Attacking Trump and humanizing Biden

Sen. Kamala Harris began her first speech as Joe Biden's running mate excoriating President Trump for his "mismanagement" of the coronavirus and scorn for the racial justice movement, before quickly pivoting to how she came to know Biden: through her friendship with his late son Beau.

Why it matters: The debut speech on Wednesday underscored the dual roles that Harris will take on for the rest of the campaign — humanizing Biden during a moment of national crisis and "prosecuting" the case against Trump as a failed president.

Go deeper (2 min. read)

Bryan Walsh

2 hours ago - Health

The two sides of America's coronavirus response

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

America's bungled political and social response to the coronavirus exists side-by-side with a record-breaking push to create a vaccine with U.S. companies and scientists at the center.

Why it matters: America's two-sided response serves as an X-ray of the country itself — still capable of world-beating feats at the high end, but increasingly struggling with what should be the simple business of governing itself.