Axios

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is battling a series of major setbacks that portray the Pentagon as an agency in deep turmoil — including a fresh bombshell report on his use of Signal and the brutal defection of a one-time close ally.

Why it matters: The new revelations raise questions about Hegseth's ability to run the nation's largest government agency and who's been privy to typically secret Defense Department communications.

Chipotle Mexican Grill says it's going to its "homeland" with plans to open its first restaurant in Mexico by early 2026.

Why it matters: It's a move that didn't pan out for competitor Taco Bell when it went south of the border into Mexico or when Domino's opened pizza restaurants in Italy.

Mexico's avocados star in some of Americans' favorite dishes. Beyond the plate, the fruit is driving real economic impact on both sides of the border.

Phillips 66 on Monday went on the attack against Elliott Investment Management, which has been pushing the Houston-based oil refiner to sell or spin off its midstream business.

State of play: In a shareholder letter, Phillips 66 accuses Elliott of being conflicted, because an Elliott portfolio company is simultaneously bidding for Phillips 66 competitor Citgo.

International trade negotiations often impact deals, but never before have the two seemed so enmeshed.

The big picture: Pending transactions have become high-stakes bargaining chips, in at least three situations.

The Internal Revenue Service — the agency with which you share some of your most personal information, and to which you remit a very large chunk of your paycheck — has had a torrid few months.

Why it matters: For such a crucial component of government machinery, it has been hard to tell who, if anybody, is in charge.

More people of color have become homeowners over the past decade, but a wide racial gap remains, according to a recent report.

Why it matters: Owning a house is how most people in America build wealth and pass it down to younger family members.

The big picture: Some racial and ethnic groups are seeing faster homeownership gains than others, per the report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Easter eggflation is striking for the third straight year with prices elevated by the ongoing bird flu outbreak.

Why it matters: The sticker shock is leading some consumers to break traditions, like dyeing eggs, and driving them to swap ingredients in holiday meals.

Influencers have typically thrived during shaky times, from the pandemic recession to sky-high inflation. But something is shifting.

Why it matters: The backlash against this industry — built on selling aspirational lifestyles — is gaining new momentum as economic uncertainty spikes.

The most popular U.S. botanical garden accounts on Instagram are in New York City, Philadelphia and Denver, according to data from Sprout Social.

What they're saying: "Eye-catching visuals draw users in, while educational videos and resources keep them coming back," Layla Revis, VP of social, content and brand marketing at Sprout Social, tells Axios.

Your options are limited if you need to shop for eggs, Easter candy or last-minute gifts for baskets.

The big picture: Expect some retailers to keep stores closed Sunday and others to operate with limited hours.