Axios PM: Pope heads to war zone

Plus: Biden goes after "Neanderthal thinking" | Wednesday, March 03, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Amazon   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Mar 03, 2021 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 461 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Pope heads to war zone Data: Vatican News; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios Pope Francis is forging ahead with the first papal trip to Iraq despite new coronavirus outbreaks and fears of instability, Axios' Shawna Chen reports. The big picture: The March 5–8 visit is intended to reassure Christians in Iraq who were violently persecuted under the Islamic State. Francis also hopes to further ties with Shiite Muslims, AP notes. The trip comes after two decades of attempts to bring a pope to the birthplace of Abraham, a prophet considered the patriarch of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Between the lines: Recent rocket attacks and the presence of rogue Shiite militias have heightened concerns for security. Iraq's number of daily coronavirus cases has also been on the rise since late January, according to Johns Hopkins University. The pope is expected to travel in an armored car with a security detail, per AP. Itinerary: March 5: Welcome ceremony with civil authorities and visit with the president at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. Visits Syro-Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation. March 6: Visit with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani in Najaf. Inter-religious meeting in Nassirya and Mass at the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Baghdad. March 7: Meeting with religious and civil authorities from Iraqi Kurdistan in Erbil. Prayer for victims of war and visit with the Qaraqosh community in Mosul. March 8: Farewell ceremony in Baghdad.     2. Cuomo: "I am not going to resign" Screenshot from CNN New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo apologized for acting in a way that made women feel "uncomfortable," but insisted that he has "never touched anyone inappropriately" and said he will not resign. "This is what I want you to know, from me directly. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never touched anyone inappropriately." "I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts from the attorney general's report before forming an opinion." Scoop: Republican Rep. Tom Reed has begun hiring staffers to work on a campaign for governor of New York, Axios' Alayna Treene reports. Go deeper: Democrats' hypocrisy moment     A message from Amazon How better wages lead to better lives     In 2018, Amazon established a starting wage of at least $15/hour for all U.S. employees. They've seen the positive impact that has on Amazon employees - knowing they can better care for their families. It's time to raise the federal minimum wage.     3. Catch up quick Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department today. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds via Getty Images Secretary of State Antony Blinken's first major speech highlighted eight top priorities for the Biden administration, including promoting democracy and dealing with China. — N.Y. Times (subscription) President Biden said states are making a big mistake by reopening: "The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking." Video. Facebook will now allow advertisers to resume running political and social issue ads in the U.S. Go deeper.     4. 1 smile to go: States open floodgates A shipment of the J&J vaccine arrives at Northwell Health South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York. Photo: Johnny Milano/Bloomberg via Getty Images   States and cities are rapidly expanding eligibility for vaccines, the AP reports. Arizona, Connecticut and Indiana have thrown open the line to the younger age bracket. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are reserving the first doses of the new one-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson for teachers. Detroit factory workers can get vaccinated starting this week, regardless of age.     A message from Amazon Watch what happened when Amazon raised their starting wage to $15/hr     Amazon saw the need to do more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. In 2018, they established a $15/hour starting wage, and they've seen the positive impact it's had on their employees and their families firsthand. That's why they're calling on Congress to pass the Raise the Wage Act.     Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: