Apr 8, 2018 - Politics & Policy

U.N. Security Council expected to meet about Syria attack

Members of the United Nations Security Council voting on a ceasefire in Syria in February. Photo: Don Emmert / AFP / Getty Images

The United Kingdom's delegation to the United Nations said that the U.N. Security Council is expected to meet on Monday amid calls for a prompt meeting over this weekend's alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government. The U.K. was joined by the United States, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Kuwait, Peru, and the Ivory Coast in calling for the emergency meeting.

The backdrop: There has been growing international outcry regarding Saturday's deadly attack in the rebel-held suburb of Douma, east of Damascus. It prompted President Trump on Sunday to level his most direct criticism yet at Russian President Vladimir Putin for aiding President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Russia is a veto-wielding member of the Security Council, and it has pushed back against reports of the attack, calling it a "spread of bogus stories."

Go deeper

Zach Dorfman of the Aspen Institute

3 hours ago - Technology

The CIA's new license to cyberattack

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

In 2018 President Trump granted the Central Intelligence Agency expansive legal authorities to carry out covert actions in cyberspace, providing the agency with powers it has sought since the George W. Bush administration, former U.S. officials directly familiar with the matter told Yahoo News.

Why it matters: The CIA has conducted disruptive covert cyber operations against Iran and Russia since the signing of this presidential finding, said former officials.

Go deeper (3 min. read)

Ina Fried

3 hours ago - Technology

Tech hits the brakes on office reopenings

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Tech was the first industry to send its workers home when COVID-19 first hit the U.S., and it has been among the most cautious in bringing workers back. Even still, many companies are realizing that their reopening plans from as recently as a few weeks ago are now too optimistic.

Why it matters: Crafting reopening plans gave tech firms a chance to bolster their leadership and model the beginnings of a path back to normalcy for other office workers. Their decision to pause those plans is the latest sign that normalcy is likely to remain elusive in the U.S.

Go deeper (2 min. read)

Dion Rabouin

3 hours ago - Economy & Business

The existential threat to small business

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the game for U.S. businesses, pushing forward years-long shifts in workplaces, technology and buying habits — and forcing small businesses to fight just to survive.

Why it matters: These changes are providing an almost insurmountable advantage to big companies, which are positioned to come out of the recession stronger and with greater market share than ever.