Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. and Iran were "very close" to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and launch talks on limiting Tehran's nuclear program.
Why it matters: The signing of the MOU would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war started, but a final agreement tackling President Trump's nuclear demands would require further intensive negotiations.
The Department of Justice is investigating the nonprofit of billionaire Reid Hoffman, which made contributions that were partially used for E. Jean Carroll's legal expenses during her civil lawsuit against President Trump, a source familiar tells Axios.
Why it matters: The investigation raises concerns about a pattern of retaliation against Trump critics while testing the independence of DOJ officials.
Republican lawmakers want a $250 bill featuring President Trump for the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, but the proposal faces legal and legislative hurdles.
Why it matters: Federal law bars living people from appearing on U.S. currency, creating a significant obstacle to the proposal without congressional action.
Prediction market platform Kalshi is rolling out a new index to measure which political party has a firmer grip on power in Washington, the company shared exclusively with Axios.
Why it matters: Kalshi is wading deeper into politics even as prediction markets are coming under a spotlight in Washington.
Americans exposed to Ebola in Africa will quarantine in Kenya and be moved to treatment facilities in Europe if they test positive, senior Trump administration officials said on Thursday.
Why it matters: The administration's plan to keep affected Americans from returning to the U.S. has angered some public health experts, who say there already are specialized facilities stateside to treat them.
At least $2 million in settlements has been agreed to after employees and other critics were fired or penalized over their posts about Charlie Kirk following his killing.
Why it matters: The settlements illustrate the limits employers can have in regulating their workers' political rhetoric.
Casino giant Caesars Entertainment has agreed to sell itself to the owner of the Golden Nugget casino chain amid a downturn in Las Vegas.
Why it matters: The deal drives further consolidation of major Las Vegas properties and marks the culmination of a years-long pursuit by billionaire Tilman Fertitta.
Fertitta, an ally of President Trump, is the current U.S. ambassador to Italy and the owner of the entertainment company Landry's and the NBA's Houston Rockets.
A Trump administration plan to overhaul wage levels for visa holders is jolting hospitals and long-term care facilities that are heavily reliant on foreign-born workers.
Why it matters: It's the latest immigration-related policy change to loom over the health care workforce, coming after President Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee and the suspension of certain immigrants' work authorization renewals.
The Trump administration is bracing for the potential collapse of Cuba's totalitarian government as early as this summer, and has war-gamed new military response plans in case the island descends into chaos, U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: President Trump hasn't authorized an invasion and prefers a peaceful transition to a free Cuba, so the administration will keep pushing economic sanctions to try to strangle the regime in Havana in a slow-motion constriction.
