Jun 3, 2018

Uber driver fatally shot a passenger in Denver

Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

An Uber driver in Denver shot and killed a passenger Friday morning, claiming he fired shots in self defense, reports the Washington Post — it is being investigated as a first-degree murder.

The backdrop: This comes amid concerns about the ride-sharing company’s ability to properly screen its drivers, as well as allegations of sexual assault and rape involving Uber drivers. The company prohibits drivers and passengers from bringing firearms into vehicles while using the app. A company spokesperson told the Post they're working with authorities during the investigation. She declined to say when last the company did a background check on the driver, Michael Hancock.

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David Nather

17 mins ago - Politics & Policy

The biggest crisis since 1968

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Bettmann/Contributor

The year 1968 has been on a lot of people’s minds lately — another year of protests, violence and upheaval that seemed to be tearing the nation apart.

Yes, but: This crisis also has moments we’ve never seen before — and some historians and experts say the differences suggest that 2020 doesn't compare well at all.

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Dion Rabouin

28 mins ago - Economy & Business

SoftBank to launch $100M fund backing companies led by people of color

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

SoftBank COO Marcelo Claure said in a letter to employees early Wednesday that the firm will create a $100 million fund that "will only invest in companies led by founders and entrepreneurs of color."

Why it matters: The Opportunity Growth Fund is one of the first to put significant capital behind companies' statements of empathy and outrage in response to protests over systemic racism in the U.S. typified by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other African Americans by police.

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Bob Herman, Andrew Witherspoon

58 mins ago - Health

Coronavirus hospitalizations keep falling

Data: COVID Tracking Project, Harvard Global Health Institute; Note: Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee and Puerto Rico have not reported hospitalizations consistently. Chart: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to decline, particularly in New York and other northeastern states that were among the hardest hit by the virus.

Yes, but: Some states are still recording stagnant or rising amounts of hospitalizations.

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