Police officers raided Al Jazeera's Jerusalem bureau Sunday and pulled the network off the air in Israel after the Israeli parliament passed a measure forcing the closure of the Qatari-owned news outlet's local office.
Why it matters: The move silences one of the largest international media outlets on the ground covering the Israel-Hamas war. It complicates current conflict negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
Colleges are bracing for a month of commencement and graduation events while student unrest is near a boiling point on some campuses over the war in Gaza.
Why it matters: Tensions mounted, then spread when Columbia University called police to break up protesters' encampments last month, but so far, many schools are keeping with their graduation plans.
Young Republicans are notablymore moderate on immigration than the elders in their party, according to an Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll.
Why it matters: The Trump-led GOP has embraced a hardline stance on immigration, but younger party members are more skeptical of the GOP's political narratives on the subject.
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maryland is rapidly devolving into one of the most bitter intra-party contests of the 2024 election cycle.
Why it matters: Whoever emerges from the bruising May 14 primary will likely face an electoral juggernaut in Republican former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said Sunday that an anecdote about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shouldn't have been put into her upcoming book, but didn't say that a meeting never happened.
The big picture: Noem's book, slated for release on Tuesday, has stirred up controversy for the Republican governor with accounts of killing a 14-month-old puppy named Cricket and a billy goat, as well as an alleged meeting with Kim.
The class of 2024 has suffered through one of the most disruptive and unconventional college experiences in modern history.
Why it matters: The most formative four years of their young lives began with the chaos of COVID. It's ending with pro-Palestinian protests bringing news cameras, lawmakers and riot police onto campus — and threatening graduation for the second time.
"Star Wars" went presidential when actor Mark Hamill stopped by the White House the day before commemorating Star Wars Day on Saturday.
Why it matters: The informal annual observance celebrates the "Star Wars" franchise created by filmmaker George Lucas and cherished by fans as a launchpad for the science fiction boom in film.
The Republican Jewish Coalition on Monday endorsed Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.V.) in her race against former House of Delegates member Derrick Evans, citing Evans' comments on Israel and his criminal record.
Why it matters: The group lauded Miller as "a strong ally to the Jewish community," and blasted Evans as a "fringe extremist who believes it's reasonable to conclude that 'Israel had a whole lot to do with January 6' and that we need to investigate whether 'Jews stole the [2020] election.'"
President Biden and former President Trump are in hot pursuit of a big — and possibly determinative — group of voters who loathe both men.
Why it matters: This bloc of "double haters" has ballooned in size thanks to the surge in Biden's unpopularity since 2020, with polls suggesting they now represent 16% to 20% of the electorate.
House Republicans are preparing to pressure colleges to stem violence and destruction at campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Axios in an interview.
Why it matters: While a resolution condemning antisemitism passed the House with strong bipartisan support, Johnson said he is directing an array of panels to conduct investigations into the matter.
Donald Trump's ritzy fundraiser in Palm Beach, Fla., this weekend will double as an audition for several contenders to be his vice presidential nominee.
Why it matters: The months-long shadow campaign to become Trump's running mate in the race for the White House is moving into the light.
Student journalists covering protests over the Israel-Hamas war at college campuses across the country have been impeded, threatened, arrested and assaulted.
Why it matters: With outside media access limited, their work has illuminated the events reminiscent of college protests against the Vietnam War and divestment demonstrations against South Africa's apartheid system.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) on Friday became the first House Democrat to call for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to resign over federal conspiracy and bribery charges.
Why it matters: Cuellar is the second sitting member of Congress currently under indictment, along with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who has faced calls for resignation from over half of his Democratic colleagues.
