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Israel to implement humanitarian pause in Gaza after international pressure

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will implement a humanitarian pause in several population centers across the Gaza Strip beginning Sunday morning and lasting until the evening, according to senior Israeli officials.On Saturday night, the Israeli Air Force conducted air drops of food into Gaza. The IDF said additional air drops are expected in the coming days, including from Jordan and the UAE.Why it matters: The pause is part of a broader set of measures approved Saturday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to mounting international criticism over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.It marks the first time Israel has [...]

Prison debt is crushing Black women, advocates say

Nearly all states allowing jails and prisons to charge incarcerated people for room and board or medical care highlights a deeper problem: their families, especially Black women, are forced to cover the costs, according to a new report.Why it matters: Black people account for about 37% of the local jail and state prison population, according to Prison Policy Initiative, and the debt caused by the incarceration fees may be pushing women of color deeper into poverty.The big picture: When incarcerated individuals can't pay — and most can't — the debt is passed to a loved one or follows them after [...]

Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell secures DOJ "limited" immunity: News reports

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was granted "limited" immunity by the Justice Department to answer questions about the child sex trafficking ring that led to her 20-year prison sentence, multiple outlets reported of anonymous sources.The big picture: The Trump administration is facing intensifying pressure over its handling of information tied to the Epstein case, with bipartisan calls demanding the release of related documents.Context: Proffer immunity agreements are standard practice for cooperators in criminal cases, and Maxwell's immunity was dubbed "limited" because it only applies if she tells the truth, NBC News reported.Zoom in: Maxwell, who is currently appealing her conviction, [...]

Trump team rethinks Gaza strategy after six months of failure

"We need to do some serious rethinking," a visibly frustrated Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a group of hostage families on Friday after the latest round of Gaza talks broke down, two people who attended the meeting tell Axios.The big picture: Six months into his presidency, President Trump is no closer to ending the war in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is worse than ever, negotiations are deadlocked, and the U.S. and Israel are increasingly isolated internationally.Trump campaigned on ending the war and bringing the hostages home. As it drags on, and images of starving Palestinians are shared all over [...]

Progressive upstarts shake up 2025 mayoral races in challenge to Democrats

Left-wing challengers to sitting Democratic mayors are shaking up at least four major races this year, tapping into exploding anger at the party's establishment leaders.Why it matters: The races will offer early clues into the mood of progressive voters and the direction of the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms and the 2028 election.The big picture: Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary sparked a political earthquake after the 33-year-old democratic socialist ran a grassroots campaign focused on affordability in America's largest city.His win garnered national coverage and highlighted the divisions within the Democratic Party over its [...]

Trump ignites chain reaction with early redistricting gamble

Data: Axios research; Map: Jacque Schrag/AxiosThe Trump White House is pushing ahead with an extraordinary effort to game the system by redrawing congressional maps ahead of the midterms. Democrats are finding it tricky to fight back. Why it matters: The push to add Republican House seats is sparking a chain reaction as the parties fight tooth-and-nail over the majority. "Why the f**k are we responding and reacting to the other side instead of taking offense on these things?" potential Texas Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke told Democrats this week.But going on offense is easier said than done: Democrats would need a [...]

Trump-Epstein saga splinters the Murdoch empire

Rupert Murdoch's media empire is playing both sides of the Trump-Epstein scandal, breaking bombshell news with one hand and largely ignoring it with the other.Why it matters: The Wall Street Journal's scoop about Trump's alleged letter to Jeffrey Epstein drew national headlines — just not on Fox News. The divergence underscores how Murdoch's dual media arms serve different audiences, but the same bottom line.Driving the news: President Trump is suing the Journal and Murdoch himself and has expressed frustration with the conservative media mogul over the Epstein coverage. But there seems to be little he can do to stop one [...]

Scoop: Democrats think they can get their hands on Epstein's birthday book

House Democrats are trying to get their hands on the now-infamous book celebrating Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday after it was suggested the disgraced financier's estate is in possession of it, Axios has learned.Why it matters: As the minority party in Congress, Democrats have been largely toothless in their attempts to investigate President Trump. They believe this is a rare opportunity to obtain concrete information.Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who is leading the effort alongside Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), said it would be "very difficult" to obtain the book if the Justice Department had it."In this case, you literally [...]

Trump administration to release billions in frozen education funds

The Trump administration will release more than $5 billion in frozen funding for schools, the Department of Education announced Friday.The big picture: The administration has been facing bipartisan pressure to release the funds, with GOP senators issuing a public plea.The delay exacerbated uncertainty over educational initiatives, including after-school and summer programs, leaving schools and families in limbo.Driving the news: The White House Office of Management and Budget completed a review of Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, and Title IV-A ESEA funds and Title II WIOA funds and directed the Education Department to release them, department spokesperson Madi Biedermann said [...]

House Ethics Committee orders AOC to pay additional $3,000 for 2021 Met Gala showing

A House Ethics Committee report released Friday found that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) underpaid for costs related to her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala and instructed her to make additional payments.Why it matters: The committee said it will consider the matter closed once the payments are made, marking the end of a years-long saga triggered by Ocasio-Cortez's headline-making "Tax the Rich" gown.In a 26-page report, the bipartisan, 10-member committee said Ocasio-Cortez's "conduct was inconsistent with House Rules, laws, and other standards of conduct.""While the Committee did not find that Representative Ocasio-Cortez's violations were knowing and willful, she nonetheless received [...]

Trump signs order allowing forced hospitalization for homeless people

President Trump's new executive order to combat homelessness encourages local governments to revive civil commitment, a process to place people with mental health issues in treatment facilities without their consent.Why it matters: Involuntary civil commitment has historically been used as a preventative method to confine people before they harm themselves or others, and most frequently affects vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+, people of color and people with disabilities, according to several studies.Context: The order Trump signed Thursday calls for shifting homeless individuals into "long-term" institutions for "humane treatment" which the administration says will "restore public order." The order directs officials [...]

"Finish the job": Trump says Israel must "get rid" of Hamas after ceasefire talks break down

President Trump signaled on Friday that after the breakdown in negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should escalate the war to "get rid" of Hamas.Why it matters: The crisis in the negotiations comes as the humanitarian situation grows increasingly catastrophic, with more and more reports from the UN and other agencies of Palestinians dying of starvation. Trump made the comments after a phone call with Netanyahu. What he's saying: "Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die, and it's very bad. It got to a [...]

Exclusive: Schumer probes $50 billion rural hospital "slush fund"

Top Senate Democrats on Friday accused Republicans of using a $50 billion fund for rural hospitals to "pay off" GOP lawmakers for their support of the "big, beautiful bill," Axios has learned.Why it matters: Democrats are demanding clarity on how the fund — created to ease the brunt of GOP Medicaid cuts — will be distributed to states.Over a dozen Senate Democrats penned a Friday letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz seeking the state-level decision details."Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members' votes and give their caucus political [...]

Dollar weakness persists even amid trade deals

The trade deals keep coming, yet the dollar continues to weaken, down over 10% this year after the biggest first-half loss since 1973.Why it matters: The greenback slump could be a sign that countries are now embracing de-dollarization: moving away from dollar-denominated assets as uncertainty about fiscal policy in the U.S. remains a headwind.Mass de-dollarization is not just bad for the dollar. It can weigh on stocks.What they're saying: "I check the dollar every morning the first thing when I wake up," Mohamed El-Erian, the former PIMCO CEO and current president of Queen's College, Cambridge, told Axios."Policy-induced uncertainty" is driving [...]

Scoop: DNC targets vulnerable House Republicans with Epstein ads

The Democratic National Committee will target MAGA voters with ads about Jeffrey Epstein in a dozen GOP-held House districts at the start of the August recess, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Democrats, after suffering debilitating losses in 2024, have found their mojo in pushing for the release of the Epstein files. Democrats are pitting squeamish Republicans eager to move on from Epstein against MAGA voters who want validation of theories around the late financier's sex trafficking operation, its clientele and his 2019 death, ruled a suicide.Driving the news: The ads will run before videos on right-wing YouTube and Meta [...]

Sen. Padilla to propose bill easing immigrant residency rules amid anxiety over raids

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is introducing a bill that would amend decades-old requirements for immigrants seeking permanent status — another long-shot proposal amid the Trump administration's immigration raids.The big picture: Congress has not passed a major immigration overhaul since 1986, resulting in residency requirements that are now over 50 years old. Zoom in: Under a bill that Padilla will announce Friday, the Immigration Act of 1929 would be amended so some immigrants may qualify for lawful permanent resident status if they have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years. The current registry cutoff date is January 1, [...]

Democrats' 2028 presidential race is going fast and furious

Dozens of ambitious Democrats are looking at the next presidential contest and thinking: why not me?Why it matters: The 2028 Democratic presidential primary is set to be the most wide-open field in a generation. It could also be the longest presidential contest ever.Several Democrats told Axios they're preparing for multiple candidates to formally jump in the race even before the midterm elections. Democrats are stashing millions of dollars, quietly hiring presidential-level campaign staff, fine-tuning potential stump speeches, sitting for glossy profiles, trying to grow their social media followings, and visiting early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.A [...]

U.S. slams Macron's plan for France to recognize Palestinian state

The Trump administration on Thursday night strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in September. Why it matters: Macron's announcement could push other European countries, including the U.K., to take a similar step in the coming weeks. The Trump administration is opposed to any country or international organization recognizing a Palestinian state.Macron's announcement comes amid growing concern in Europe about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. France's move and its aftermath could further isolate Israel internationally over the war in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank.Data: [...]

Alina Habba to remain N.J. prosecutor: "I don't cower to pressure"

Alina Habba on Thursday proclaimed herself the acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, days after federal judges replaced her from the position.The big picture: The move potentially sets up another fight with the courts after Habba, President Trump's second U.S. attorney nominee, was replaced by the judges in a signed court order.Driving the news: "Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey," Habba declared in a post on X. "I don't cower to pressure. I don't answer [...]

Deputy attorney general meets with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he met with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday.The big picture: The Trump administration has been facing mounting pressure over its handling of the case as well as bipartisan calls to release all its documents on Epstein.A House Oversight Committee this week subpoenaed Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida for sex trafficking, to testify at a deposition.Driving the news: "Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow" Blanche said in a post on X. "The Department of Justice will share additional information [...]

FCC approves Skydance-Paramount merger

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved Skydance's $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global.Why it matters: The long-awaited approval concludes a heavily scrutinized merger and regulatory clearance process. The deal was cleared by a 2-1 vote as commissioner Anna Gomez, the last remaining Democrat on the commission, dissented.What they're saying: FCC chair Brendan Carr said in a statement he welcomes "Skydance's commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network."He added, "In particular, Skydance has made written commitments to ensure that the new company's programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum."Skydance [...]

"This whole thing is just such bulls**t": Not every Democrat wants to talk about Epstein

House Democrats are at odds over whether to use Republicans' blowup over the Jeffrey Epstein files as a talking point while they are in their districts for the five-week summer recess.Why it matters: Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) leadership team has encouraged its members to maintain the drumbeat on Epstein, but some Democrats say they are sick of talking about it.House Democrats' messaging arm sent members an alert Wednesday urging them to "amplify" a Wall Street Journal report that President Trump is in the Epstein files and demand that "House Republicans stop covering up for Trump."Several House Democrats said they [...]

U.S. blames Hamas for crisis in ceasefire talks, eyes "alternative" hostage plans

White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday that Hamas' latest response in Gaza talks "shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire," and warned the U.S. is now considering "alternative options" for bringing the hostages home.Why it matters: The breakdown of negotiations came as Witkoff arrived in Italy for talks on Gaza with Qatari and Israeli officials. Witkoff hoped to then travel to Doha to seal the deal for a 60-day ceasefire this week.Shortly before Witkoff issued his statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he's recalling Israel's negotiators from Doha after Hamas made new demands in response to [...]

Trump tours Fed construction project, attacks Powell again

President Trump toured the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion headquarters construction project Thursday, continuing his demands for lower interest rates from chair Jerome Powell.Why it matters: It amounted to a dramatic made-for-the-cameras moment, following weeks of Trump allies apparently laying the groundwork to oust Powell for cause over the project.Driving the news: Powell toured Trump through the under-renovation 1930s Marriner S. Eccles building, both wearing white construction helmets.A reporter asked Trump if there was anything Powell could say to convince him to back off of his criticisms. "Well, I'd love them to lower interest rates," Trump said.Powell, mostly stone-faced during the [...]

What are the Epstein files? All you need to know as pressure builds on Trump to act

Calls for the Trump administration to release the remaining Epstein files are growing.The big picture: Attorney General Pam Bondi released in February more than 100 pages of documents that she described as the "first phase of the declassified Epstein files," but she faced scrutiny over why the lack of significant new revelations — something she blamed on the FBI.The Department of Justice's handling of evidence in the case has triggered a rare conflict between President Trump and his MAGA base — and prompted a Republican-led House committee to pass a Democrat's motion to subpoena the Justice Department on the Epstein files.What [...]

OpenAI's GPT-5 is coming in early August, per sources

OpenAI is expected to release its next big model — GPT-5 — in August, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The race to create the biggest and best AI models is accelerating as the Trump administration has said the U.S. must do "whatever it takes" to beat China. The big picture: GPT-5 was expected earlier, but OpenAI's release plan has shifted several times. CEO Sam Altman posted on X on July 19 that GPT-5 would be released "soon." Then Altman appeared July 23 on Theo Von's podcast, where he praised the abilities of the new model.GPT-5 use is already cropping up [...]

A new analysis projects a 24% cut to Social Security benefits by late 2032.

Retirees are facing the prospect of substantial Social Security cuts in just seven years, sooner than projected, due to the "big, beautiful bill," per an analysis out Thursday from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.Why it matters: If policymakers don't stop this from happening, it would at least double the poverty rate of America's seniors, per several estimates.By the numbers: The new analysis projects a 24% cut to benefits by late 2032. That's equal to an $18,000 annual benefit cut for a dual-earning couple who both retire in 2033.They also might experience reduced healthcare access, per the analysis, due [...]

Trump birthright citizenship order "unconstitutional," appeals court rules

President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. is "unconstitutional," a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.Why it matters: The 2-1 ruling upholds a nationwide pause on enforcement of the policy, which is likely headed for the Supreme Court.It appears to be the first time an appeals court has weighed in on the matter since the Supreme Court last month limited lower courts' ability to freeze federal policies — specifically, Trump's effort to eliminate U.S. birthright citizenship.Driving the news: "We conclude that the Executive Order is invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth [...]

U.S. trade agreement with Japan includes $550 billion in unanswered questions

Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis; Chart: Axios VisualsOne key element of the U.S.-Japan trade pact raises more questions than answers about the future of the two nations' economic relationship.The big picture: A reported $550 billion investment commitment from Japan would reflect a massive surge in the nation's financial exposure to the United States. But no one in either the Japanese or U.S. government has articulated key details about how it would really work.In U.S. officials' description of the commitments, President Trump would have the discretion to direct the investment funds and the U.S. would receive 90% of the profits.It's unclear [...]

Lara Trump won't run for Sen. Thom Tillis' seat in North Carolina

Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, will not be pursuing a run for retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis' seat. Why it matters: The announcement comes after multiple outlets reported RNC chair Michael Whatley will join the race. Lara Trump's connection to the president would have made her a highly competitive candidate in a swing state like North Carolina, giving Republicans a boost in a race that could be a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats in 2026.Senate Democrats are expecting former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to announce his run for the seat [...]

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