Axios PM: "Acts that defy humanity"

Plus: GOP results | Friday, January 27, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Amazon   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Jan 27, 2023 Good afternoon. Today's newsletter, edited by Sam Baker and copy edited by Sheryl Miller, is 433 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Memphis reels RowVaughn Wells, mother of Tyre Nichols, joins civil rights attorney Ben Crump at a news conference in Memphis today. Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP Attorneys and local officials are telling the public to expect the worst from a video of police officers brutally beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. "You're going to see acts that defy humanity," Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said today. Attorneys for the Nichols family have said the video shows an "unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating." Nichols died three days after police beat him. Five police officers have been fired, arrested and charged with second-degree murder in his death. The big picture: Video of police misconduct, like the death of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, makes those acts impossible for officers to deny and impossible for the public to ignore. Davis said the video in Nichols' case doesn't appear to show any probable cause for the initial traffic stop or evidence to support officers' claim that he was driving recklessly. Memphis police are expected to release the video this evening. Cities across the country are preparing for protests, per the N.Y. Times.     2. Axios interview: Yellen taunts Putin Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sits in a newly assembled vehicle while touring a Ford plant in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. Photo: Themba Hadebe/AP Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned South African leaders not to undermine U.S. sanctions against Russia, Axios' Hans Nichols reports from Johannesburg, South Africa. Russia's navy is scheduled to conduct training exercises with South Africa's defense forces next month on the one-year anniversary of their invasion of Ukraine. Yellen said she raised concerns about South Africa potentially evading Russian sanctions in her meetings with South African officials. "My main message is that we take very seriously these sanctions that we've placed on Russia in response to its brutal invasion of Ukraine," she said. Go deeper.     A message from Amazon Free technical training helped Francisco build a career at Amazon     After starting in a fulfillment center, Francisco joined the Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship. He now earns four times more as a trained technician. Here's how: Amazon offers 10 technical training programs, so employees can learn new skills without losing a paycheck. Read more.     3. Catch up quick RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel speaks today in Dana Point, Calif. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Ronna McDaniel was re-elected as chair of the Republican National Committee. Go deeper. A shooting in a Jerusalem synagogue killed at least seven people. Go deeper. Walmart and CVS plan to reduce their pharmacy hours because they can't find enough employees. Go deeper.     4. Virtual Holocaust remembrances Auschwitz-Birkenau foundation director Wojciech Soczewica speaks with Brooke Hammerling at DLD 23. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios   The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp will soon offer technology-assisted remote tours for people who can't travel to Poland to visit in person, Axios' Ina Fried reports. Online tours will be conducted by an experienced guide, traveling with a mobile phone through the still-intact site of Nazi Germany's largest extermination camp. Why it matters: As more Holocaust survivors get older and die — and amid a rising tide of antisemitism worldwide — education and outreach will need to adapt. Related: In Miami, 93-year-old Holocaust survivor David Schaecter plans to memorialize his story into a holographic display to help future generations hear firsthand from survivors. The hologram will be part of the forthcoming Boston Holocaust Museum, per Axios Miami's Martin Vassolo.     A message from Amazon Amazon helps veterans like Anthony grow their careers     Amazon is committed to hiring 100,000 veterans and military spouses by 2024 and providing free skills training, mentorships and growth opportunities. The impact: Anthony is a veteran who started as a temporary associate. He's now a site safety manager. Learn how Amazon is supporting veterans.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: