“High risk” tornadoes take aim at the South as historic outbreak unfolds

A dangerous Saturday into Saturday night is set to unfold across the Deep South and into parts of the Southeast as a prolific tornado outbreak hits at least half a dozen states. Threat level: The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare “high risk” outlook indicating forecasters’ confidence in numerous, powerful tornadoes, particularly in … Read more

Sinema takes revenge on Democrats over filibuster hypocrisy

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, a Democrat turned independent, is taking revenge on Democrats who criticized her longstanding push to keep the Senate filibuster. Why it matters: This week’s Democratic campaign to shut down the government called for using the filibuster, which some Democrats spent the last few years arguing shouldn’t exist. Zoom in: … Read more

Where Gen Zers are buying homes

Data: CoreLogic; Chart: Axios Visuals More Gen Zers are looking to break into the home market, new data shows. Why it matters: High housing costs and a supply crunch have made it harder, especially for younger people, to become homeowners. The big picture: Gen Z represented 13% of U.S. home mortgage applications in 2024, up … Read more

Tracking Trump: The trade war, Ukraine and Columbia

Chart: Axios Visuals President Trump‘s whirlwind of policy hauls kept spinning this week as he navigated international trade disputes, a ceasefire proposal for Ukraine and turbulence over his claims of antisemitism at Columbia University. Here’s our recap of major developments. U.S. economic outlook sours amid trade war Global investors are becoming wary of the possibility … Read more

Boehler withdraws nomination as special presidential envoy for hostages affairs

Adam Boehler, who oversaw unprecedented direct negotiations with Hamas on behalf of President Trump, has withdrawn his nomination for the position of special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, according to two White House officials. The intrigue: A senior Trump administration official claimed that the move has been planned for two weeks and was intended to … Read more

First look: Third Way’s plan for Dems to fight back

Third Way, the well-connected center-left Democratic think tank, today will launch an 18-month Signal Project, including polling, to identify Trump administration actions “that are most relevant to key voters and how best to frame those issues.” Why it matters: Anything “that seems performative will be tuned out or backfire,” Third Way says. “It is a … Read more

AI malware is ready

Hackers already have the AI tools needed to create the adaptable, destructive malware that security experts fear. But as long as their basic tactics — phishing, scams and ransomware — continue to work, they have little reason to use them. Why it matters: Adversaries can flip that switch anytime, and companies need to prepare now. … Read more