Axios

Britney Spears took to social media Monday to thank fans and supporters of the #FreeBritney movement days after a judge removed her father, Jamie Spears, as the conservator of her estate.

Catch up quick: Spears has lived under a conservatorship headed by her father since 2008, enabling him to exercise control over her finances, health and whereabouts.

COVID vaccinations were linked to a reduction of roughly 265,000 COVID-19 infections, 107,000 hospitalizations and 39,000 deaths among Medicare beneficiaries between January and May this year, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Why it matters: The findings reflect the "devastating effect COVID-19 has had on our vulnerable seniors and demonstrates that efforts to prioritize and vaccinate this group directly correlate to saving lives," the agency said.

The Treasury Department informed Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) Tuesday that he cannot use federal COVID-19 funding on education grants directed at discouraging mask mandate in schools, AP reports.

Why it matters: In a letter to Ducey, the department said Arizona was misusing the funds by utilizing them to undermine compliance with public health measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus, per the New York Times.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) system announced Tuesday that it will no longer charge late fines on overdue books and other materials to ensure "access to knowledge and opportunity."

Why it matters: The announcement comes after other prominent libraries, such as the Boston Public Library system and the Burbank Public Library system in California, implemented similar policies to eliminate financial barriers among low-income communities.

Incidences involving unruly passengers on commercial flights are on the rise, according to Federal Aviation Administration data released Tuesday, CNN reports.

Why it matters: The new figures come as the FAA has sought to crack down on unruly passenger incidents, which have surged during the pandemic.

The son of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos announced his presidential bid Tuesday after weeks of speculation about his political future, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The announcement by Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. follows that of another high profile candidate, Philippine Senator and boxer Manny Pacquiao, upping the stakes for next year's election.

The United States must rethink its investment in human capital, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said at an Axios virtual event on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Warner's remarks come amid a broader discussion about workforce development in the Senate and how investment in job training may play a vital role in the economy's recovery.

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe is tugging on the heartstrings of Taylor Swift fans with new digital ads highlighting rival Glenn Youngkin's professional connection to the music star, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The five-figure digital buy — while relatively small — seeks to draw on Swift's cultural appeal and relevance to win over younger voters.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Zurich, Switzerland, this week to meet China's top foreign policy official Yang Jiechi, according to a National Security Council spokesperson.

Why it matters: It will be the most senior-level, in-person meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials since Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met their counterparts in Alaska in March, where a post-summit press conference devolved into a verbal sparring match.

The Justice Department said Tuesday it is reviewing a previous decision not to charge FBI agents accused of mishandling the investigation into disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Why it matters: Less than a month ago, FBI director Christopher Wray formally apologized to the U.S. gymnasts abused by Nassar, noting that the FBI's failure to stop Nassar was "inexcusable."

Latinos in the U.S. are more affected than other groups by scammers pretending to be utility companies or young family members in danger, with 2 in 5 Latino adults saying they've been victims of a scam in the past year, according to an AARP poll.

By the numbers: 23% of Latino adults in the U.S. say they are very concerned about falling prey to identity theft, compared to 17% of white non-Hispanics and 20% of Black non-Hispanics.

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen told lawmakers Tuesday she believes the social media giant won't change its ways unless Congress makes it.

Why it matters: Haugen is finding a receptive audience among senators who have pledged to pass laws on online privacy, altering online liability shields and increasing algorithmic transparency.

Capitol Police said officers pulled a man from a "suspicious vehicle" that was illegally parked in front of the Supreme Court Tuesday after closing several streets and advising the public to stay away from the area.

The big picture: Police said the man, identified as 55-year-old Dale Paul Melvin from Kimball, Michigan, is in custody and no one was injured.

Former President Trump has fallen off the Forbes 400 list of America's richest people for the first time in 25 years, Forbes reports.

Driving the news: Trump, worth an estimated $2.5 billion, was $400 million short of the cutoff to make this year's list.

National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins on Tuesday announced he will step down from his post by the end of the year.

Why it matters: The 71-year-old pioneering physician-geneticist is the only presidentially appointed NIH director to serve in more than one administration. Collins has served in the role for 12 years, longer than anyone else, and has been at the forefront of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic response.

Terry McAuliffe says that he lost money on his investments with The Carlyle Group, whose former co-president is challenging McAuliffe to become Virginia's next governor. It doesn't make much sense, based on publicly available information.

The big picture: Virginia's gubernatorial race has tightened, despite the state's developing reputation as a blue bastion.

An independent commission said Tuesday that more than 200,000 minors have been sexually abused by Roman Catholic clergy members in France since 1950, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: The report by Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church, which was established at the request of the Catholic Church, comes amid a nationwide reckoning with sexual abuse in France.

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday directed the FBI and U.S. attorney's offices to meet with law enforcement over the next 30 days to address growing threats to school board members, teachers and other employees in public schools.

Why it matters: The order comes amid a "disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence" directed toward school staff, Garland wrote in the memorandum to federal authorities.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told CNBC on Tuesday that the U.S. could face a recession if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling by Oct. 18.

Driving the news: President Biden on Monday urged Republicans to "get out of the way" and let "Democrats vote to raise the debt ceiling this week."

A trillion-dollar platinum coin could be minted "within hours of the Treasury Secretary's decision to do so," Philip Diehl, former director of the United States Mint, tells Axios.

Why it matters: Congressional solutions to the debt-ceiling problem could take weeks to implement, especially if the reconciliation process is used — and time is running out. In case of emergency, a trillion-dollar coin could be deployed to bridge any gap between the money running out and the debt ceiling being raised.

Venezuelan officials were preparing to reopen the country's border with Colombia on Tuesday, nearly three years after it closed amid a diplomatic struggle between the two nations.

Why it matters: Venezuela is in the grip of a yearslong hyperinflationary economic collapse, which has caused a massive humanitarian crisis and forced hundreds of thousands to flee. Many continue to head for the U.S.-Mexico border, seeking to escape the political, social and economic crisis.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a statement late Monday clarifying its support for the Senate-passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill if passed independently. But it rejected President Biden linking it to his broader, $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.

Driving the news: The statement came shortly after the Chamber told Axios it opposed passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, given Biden linked the measure to his reconciliation proposal during his meeting with House Democrats on Friday.

Former President Trump must submit to a deposition before Christmas for a defamation lawsuit filed by former "Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos, a New York state court ruled Monday.

Why it matters: This would mark the first time that Trump would have to answer questions in court under oath since he took office in 2017.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday recommended a full posthumous pardon for George Floyd for a 2004 drug charge he received and served 10 months in prison for in Houston.

Why it matters: The decision on whether to grant clemency for the charge now lies with Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who must approve or reject the state board's decision.

The Ukrainian president may have pledged to reform the country's corrupt system of politics, but the Pandora Papers tell a different story.

Driving the news: Ukraine is the country with the highest number of politicians named in the leak of offshore data, which implicates hundreds of people linked to offshore companies — including President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The vast majority of state Senates have rules making it harder to filibuster legislation than in the U.S. Senate, according to new research from the nonpartisan advocacy group RepresentUs.

Why it matters: This comes as Senate Republicans threaten to filibuster raising the debt ceiling, calling on Democrats to do it alone. Requiring 60 votes to close debate on a particular legislative topic has been a major factor of partisan gridlock in Congress — especially in the current 50-50 Senate.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is withdrawing its support of the Senate-passed $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill just hours after Punchbowl News reported House Republicans were booting it from its strategy calls, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The Chamber's chief policy officer, Neil Bradley, announced the policy shift in a letter to its Board of Directors on Monday. The pretense for his decision: President Biden formally linking the "hard" infrastructure bill with the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package during a meeting with House Democrats on Friday.

Senate Republicans are warning President Biden not to nominate Lael Brainard, currently a Fed governor, to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — hinting she could face a difficult confirmation process.

Why it matters: With a 50-50 Senate locked in a dangerous standoff over the debt ceiling, the president has to decide how much political capital he’s willing to expend by passing over Powell, a Republican nominated by former President Trump, to put his own stamp on the Fed.

Former Trump aide Stephanie Grisham said in an interview with ABC on Monday that it was a mistake to serve in the previous administration.

The big picture: Grisham's new tell-all book about her years working in the White House is out Tuesday. Grisham served as White House press secretary and communications director for former President Trump, and also as former first lady Melania Trump's chief of staff.