President Trump is rallying behind Kash Patel as Trump's MAGA base fractures over the FBI chief's handling of the investigation into Charlie Kirk's assassination.
Why it matters: Trump's support is crucial for any administration official hoping to keep their job — and the president's backing has been enough to satisfy some MAGA backers, despite Patel's missteps early in the Kirk investigation.
A framework deal is in place for the sale of TikTok, with the U.S. guaranteeing certain "Chinese characteristics" of the app can remain, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told multiple news outlets on Monday.
Why it matters: Congress banned TikTok last year in a rare show of bipartisanship over fears of Chinese influence over American kids.
Google, the biggest search company in the world by far, has faced relatively few legal threats from publishers over AI scraping, but public criticism is starting to ramp up.
Why it matters: IP owners that are heavily reliant on Google's search engine for traffic have been reluctant to target the tech giant. Now that their traffic has started to dramatically decline, any incentive to play nice is over.
An online group known as the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation is crowdsourcing a database of social media users who purportedly criticized the late conservative activist or celebrated his death last week.
Why it matters: The anonymous organizers say their goal is to "clear out Leftwing Radicals" and "reshape the rank-and-file of America's institutions."
The Qilin ransomware gang is officially selling data stolen during an attack earlier this month on New Orleans' sheriff's office, according to a dark web listing seen by Axios.
Why it matters: Hackers typically dump the data they steal online if a victim doesn't pay the ransom — putting confidential business and citizen information at risk.
The U.S. Army on Monday launched its "Fuze" program, motivated by Secretary Dan Driscoll's desire to instill venture-capitalist thinking into the service's trying-and-buying practices.
Why it matters: The Defense Department has long been chided for its poor behavior as a customer: product tunnel vision, slow uptake and failed launches.
Driscoll, sworn in some six months ago, told Axios he has become "frustrated by the calcified bureaucracy that slows our acquisition system."
Fuze, he said, "will finally unite the Army innovation ecosystem to speed acquisition."
President Trump on Monday suggested U.S. and Chinese negotiators had reached a deal on a sale of TikTok, and said he would talk to Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday.
Why it matters: If there is a deal, which remains unclear, it would theoretically end a long saga that saw TikTok banned by Congress, only for Trump to tell his administration not to enforce it.
AI's backers are touting lofty visions for how the technology can change our lives for the better — claiming it will cure cancer, solve climate change and make us all rich.
Why it matters: The hype sounds outlandish, but it will need to deliver.
Stocks keep hitting record highs in large part due to excitement over artificial intelligence. That growth is clouding recessionary signals in more cyclical corners of the market.
Why it matters: Don't confuse record highs for signs of economic growth.
Best Buy is making televisions the star of its holiday lineup — and not just any TVs, but units so big they could double as a wall.
Why it matters: The Minneapolis-based retailer is betting that shoppers will splurge on massive screens, even as high inflation and cautious spending shape this holiday season.
AI use is spreading unevenly, with wealthier countries, people with more skills and certain U.S. states more likely to benefit, according to new usage data from Anthropic.
Why it matters: The data shows workers adopting AIfaster than past tech advances, but uneven adoption threatens to worsen existing inequalities.
President Trump indicated Sunday he could again extend this week's deadline for TikTok to be sold or banned.
What he's saying: "I may or may not, we're negotiating TikTok right now," Trump said when asked by a reporter in Morristown, New Jersey, if he'd extend the deadline beyond Wednesday.
