Amazon.com is in talks to invest as much as $50 billion into OpenAI, per reports late Thursday, in a sign that the funding frenzy for AI shows no signs of stopping.
Why it matters: The potential deal comes as Wall Street has been shunning the stocks of companies that have already partnered with OpenAI (see Microsoft's decline on Thursday) as investors worry whether the AI upstart behind ChatGPT will ultimately be able to pay off all its backers.
In a win for the Trump administration, Panama's Supreme Court on Thursday canceled a crucial Panama Canal ports contract operated by a firm with ties to China's government.
Axios exclusively reported earlier that the White House expected the ruling Thursday evening to cancel the contract.
Why it matters: Removing Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere is central to President Trump's strategy to reassert unquestioned U.S. dominance from the Straits of Magellan to Greenland.
The newly sworn in chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission signaled Thursday that the agency will write new rules governing prediction markets.
Why it matters: Prediction markets are booming, but legal questions are mounting — the move could bring clarity to how event contracts are used to bet on sports, politics, entertainment and news.
Waymo says one of its robotaxis struck a child near a school in Santa Monica, and federal safety officials are investigating.
Why it matters: As more robotaxis are deployed across America, public trust remains an issue. The latest incident comes amid an ongoing investigation into Waymo robotaxis failing to stop for school buses.
Bots are driving about one-third of social media discourse about the ICE operations in Minneapolis, according to data from PeakMetrics, a nonpartisan data intelligence company.
Why it matters: Bots can warp public perception of fast-moving events, as bad-faith actors seeking to inflame tensions spread misleading narratives that audiences accept as fact.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is directly engaged with the White House on a plan to avert — or shorten — a partial government shutdown, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Why it matters: The compromise, if agreed to, would pass five of the six appropriations bills and then fund the Department of Homeland Security with a short-term spending stopgap.
America's retreat from vaccines is likely to reduce venture capital investment in vax startups, and also could cut into the valuations of some private equity-backed clinical research organizations, according to investors in the sector.
Why it matters: Many vaccines save lives and future health-care costs. It's a societal self-own.
Former Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner has invested in Public Opinion, the company behind popular music game show Track Star, he and CEO Jack Coyne exclusively tell Axios.
Why it matters: The deal pairs one of legacy media's most recognizable names with a New York-based media startup aiming to be a modern MTV.
Starbucks is revamping its loyalty program again, with new tiers and benefits rolling out in March and a long-requested change to a fan-favorite freebie.
Why it matters: Just as U.S. store visits are rising for the first time in nearly two years, the coffee giant is trying to make Starbucks Rewards easier to use — and make the perks count.
Tesla robotaxis are consistently cheaper than Uber, Lyft or Waymo in San Francisco, according to a fresh study of the rapidly evolving market.
Why it matters: The economics of ride-hailing are changing quickly as robotaxis hit the road — and over time, their high utilization and lower labor costs could make them the cheapest option.
With AI presenting a looming entry-level job crisis, and more tools available than ever to make a quick buck on your phone, Gen Z is becoming America's "get rich quick" generation.
Why it matters: The American dream is no longer defined by years of hard work paying off with a home andjobsecurity. It's now about hope for a big break after taking bigger risks.
From "Clueless" to "Inception," 25 films spanning more than a century were added to the National Film Registry, securing their place in America's film heritage.
Why it matters: By elevating everything from Cher Horowitz's iconic plaid outfit to Christopher Nolan's brain-twisting blockbuster, the National Film Registry is defining which pop-culture moments will endure as part of America's shared cultural memory.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said 2026 will be the year "AI starts to dramatically change the way that we work," as his company flattens teams and provides AI tools to boost individual productivity.
Why it matters: Meta is under pressure to justify its aggressive AI spending as it predicts its capital expenditures could nearly double this year to a whopping $135 billion.
My son doesn't say many words yet, but he often yells "Ba!" while pointing up to birds, ceiling fans, light bulbs and the sky.
I think the loose translation is: "Look up, Mom!"
Why it matters: When the news feels heavy and screensdemand our attention, he's a reminder that curiosity — and gazing upward — can offer some steadiness and connection.
