Axios

Speaker Mike Johnson faces repeated failed rule votes in the House due to a bloc of Republicans blocking legislative action over the SAVE Act. The ninth failed vote occurred last week, with members objecting to the National Defense Authorization Act for not including a SAVE Act amendment. Johnson aims to pass the SAVE Act through Senate reconciliation, but time is limited before the November midterms.

Meta's new AI image generation tool, Muse Image, allows users to create images using the likenesses of people with public Instagram accounts, requiring opt-out rather than affirmative consent. The feature has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, talent agencies, and labor unions, who argue it violates privacy rights and calls for explicit consent and control over likeness usage.

Prominent conservative figures are attending the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, highlighting Kirk's role as a unifying figure in the MAGA movement. The case has been marked by conspiracy theories and political divisions, with supporters like Donald Trump Jr. and Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) present.

Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are facing scrutiny over their transparency regarding AI's environmental impact, including rising emissions and water use. The UN has called for full disclosure of data-center footprints, but companies vary in their reporting standards and willingness to share details.

The article highlights a growing AI class divide in the U.S., where power users leverage advanced AI models for complex tasks like coding and research, while most Americans experience AI through basic tools like search bars and chatbots. This divide raises concerns about economic inequality, trust, and understanding of AI, with models like OpenAI's Sol and Anthropic's Fable symbolizing elite access and capabilities.

Fidji Simo is stepping down as OpenAI's head of product and business due to a worsening chronic illness. She went on medical leave in April, and OpenAI President Greg Brockman assumed her responsibilities during her absence. Simo will remain at OpenAI as a part-time advisor.

Regional mediators including Qatar and Pakistan are working to de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions and revive a nuclear deal after recent airstrikes and violations of a memorandum of understanding. President Trump declared the MOU 'over' following Iranian attacks on vessels, but U.S. officials emphasize continued commitment to technical-level negotiations to avoid all-out war.

President Trump uses Truth Social to share videos and memes of U.S. military strikes in Iran, framing the conflict as a spectacle of power while seeking an end to hostilities. Experts warn his posts desensitize the public to the human toll of war, with the administration amplifying war-as-entertainment through media comparisons to video games and Hollywood.

AIPAC is spending $865,000 to support Rep. Wesley Bell against Cori Bush in Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary. Bush, a Democratic Socialists of America member, was previously ousted by AIPAC in 2024. Justice Democrats, backing Bush, claims AIPAC's spending harms Democratic politicians.

Graham Platner will officially withdraw from the Senate race on Monday, the deadline for exiting, causing anxiety within the Democratic Party. The Maine Democratic Party plans to hold a convention to select his replacement, with Platner's team excluded from the process.

Mexico plans to file criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of Mexican nationals in ICE custody. The Foreign Minister stated Mexico will move beyond diplomatic channels to directly request U.S. prosecutors investigate these incidents as criminal matters. Data from Detention Watch Network indicates 14 Mexican nationals have died in ICE custody since President Trump returned to office.

The momentum trade, which drove market gains in 2026, has sharply declined since July, with the iShares MTUM ETF down over 11% and tech stocks like Micron Technology and Intel contributing to its prior outperformance. The selloff coincided with the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision under new chairman Kevin Warsh, which raised short-term rates and shifted market expectations.

Three AI trends are accelerating: models are becoming more powerful (e.g., Anthropic's Fable, OpenAI's Sol, SpaceXAI's Grok 4.5), governments are developing regulatory frameworks, and the U.S. and China are considering restricting access to their most advanced AI. The global AI race is shifting toward national security concerns as autonomous agents and open-source models like China's GLM-5.2 redefine competition.

U.S. states are divided in their tax revenue sources, with 27 states relying heavily on sales and consumption taxes in 2025, while 21 depend more on income taxes. States like Texas and Florida, which lack income taxes, generate most revenue through consumption-based taxes, whereas states such as California and New York rely on income and corporate taxes. This shift may disproportionately affect lower-income households and exacerbate racial inequalities.

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in escalating military actions over the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire ended, with Trump shifting to military pressure to secure control of the energy chokepoint. Iran retaliated against U.S. strikes, asserting its claim to the strait, while Trump indicated openness to de-escalation amid stalled diplomacy.

Graham Platner, a Maine Democrat, announced he is suspending his Senate campaign following sexual assault allegations he denies. His withdrawal creates uncertainty for Democrats in a critical midterm race, with the party planning a convention to select a replacement candidate by July 27.

House Democrats' anti-Jeffries caucus is expanding as upcoming primaries may bring new members who have not committed to voting for Hakeem Jeffries as speaker. This growing bloc, including members of Democratic Socialists of America and candidates like Melat Kiros and Cori Bush, could challenge Jeffries' leadership despite no clear alternative emerging.

Republican megadonor Ken Griffin expressed support for Marco Rubio over JD Vance in a hypothetical 2028 GOP presidential primary. Griffin, a major donor to Rubio in 2016, aligns with establishment Republicans favoring Rubio, while anti-establishment factions prefer Vance. Griffin previously supported Nikki Haley over Trump in 2024 and has recently engaged with Trump-aligned circles.

Graham Platner, a Maine Democrat, faced private concerns over a Nazi tattoo, social media rants, and rumors about past relationships with women before a rape allegation emerged. Democratic leaders ignored these issues, rationalizing Platner's potential as a Senate candidate, while his media consultants at Fight Agency downplayed controversies. The situation highlights how Trump's influence has pressured Democrats to prioritize political gains over addressing internal values conflicts.

Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau is suspected of miscommunicating U.S. policy to two countries regarding Maria Corina Machado's attempts to enter Venezuela after earthquakes. The Trump administration opposes aiding Machado's return, but Landau's actions caused internal arguments, international confusion, and tensions with Machado supporters.