Apr 21, 2017

WH officials to meet with top drugmakers next month

Greg Baker / AP

Top Trump administration officials are slated to meet with a number of executives from drug companies and government scientific researchers at the White House on May 8, according to an agenda obtained by Bloomberg. The meeting is described in the memo as a chance for "private sector and thought leaders to describe their institution and its connection to federal funding."

Why it matters: This could give biotech executives a chance to make a direct pitch for the value of federal medical research funding, something they've wanted to do ever since President Trump's budget proposed a nearly 20 percent cut in NIH funding.

Who's coming: Vice President Mike Pence, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, HHS Secretary Tom Price, and NIH Director Francis Collins, among others.

Not mentioned: Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney, the main advocate of the NIH cuts.

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Minneapolis unrest as hundreds protest death of George Floyd

Tear gas is fired as police clash with protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd outside the 3rd Precinct Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Minneapolis police used tear gas during clashes with protesters demanding justice Tuesday night for George Floyd, an African American who died in police custody, according to multiple news reports.

Driving the news: The FBI is investigating Floyd's death after video emerged of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck for several minutes, ignoring protests that he couldn't breathe. Hundreds of protesters attended the demonstration at the intersection where Floyd died, per the Guardian.

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U.S. coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios. This graphic includes "probable deaths" that New York City began reporting on April 14.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced plans Tuesday to make wearing face coverings mandatory statewide for most people over the age of 10 when inside public places like retailers, on public transportation and government buildings. He announced the measure, effective Friday, as coronavirus case numbers increased to 39,342.

By the numbers: More than 98,900 people have died from COVID-19 and over 1.6 million have tested positive in the U.S. Over 384,900 Americans have recovered and more than 14.9 million tests have been conducted.

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World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

Japan is preparing a second coronavirus stimulus package worth $1.1 trillion, or about 40% of the country's gross domestic product, Reuters first reported Tuesday night.

Zoom in: The new measure will be funded by government bonds and will include "a raft of loan guarantees and private sector contributions," per Bloomberg.

Go deeper (2 min. read)ArrowUpdated 2 hours ago - Health