National

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced Sunday that he had dismissed the country's prime minister and frozen the parliament amidst mass protests in the country, Reuters reports. 

Why it matters: The move, which comes on the 64th anniversary of Tunisia's independence, escalates Saied's longstanding feud with Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and poses a challenge to the 2014 constitution that "split powers between president, prime minister and parliament," per Reuters.

The latest: The State Department released a statement Monday saying it is monitoring the situation and that it has been in contact with Tunisian government officials to "stress that solutions to Tunisia’s political and economic troubles should be based on the Tunisian constitution and the principles of democracy, human rights, and freedom."

"Tunisia must not squander its democratic gains. The United States will continue to stand on the side of Tunisia’s democracy," the statement concludes.

The big picture: Saied defended his decision as in line with the constitution and said he would assume executive authority alongside a new prime minister, per Reuters.

Saied also suspended the legal immunity of members of parliament. 

State of play: Hours earlier, Tunisia was rocked by mass protests in several cities that were fueled by public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the coronavirus and a worsening economic crisis, Reuters reports. 

In several cities, protesters and police clashed violently, as crowds stormed the offices of Ennahda, the biggest party in parliament, while demanding the prime minister's resignation and the dissolution of parliament, according to Al Jazeera. 

Sunday's protests were the largest in months and the biggest to target Ennahda in years, per Reuters. 

What they're saying: "Many people were deceived by hypocrisy, treachery and robbery of the rights of the people," Saied said in a statement on state media, per Reuters.

"I warn any who think of resorting to weapons... and whoever shoots a bullet, the armed forces will respond with bullets," Saied added.

The speaker of Tunisia's parliament and the leader of the Ennahda party, Rached Ghannouchi told Reuters that the president had launched a "coup against the revolution and constitution."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information. 

Tunisian president ousts prime minister, suspends parliament amid unrest

Tunisia was rocked by protests Sunday fueled by dissatisfaction with the handling of COVID-19 and a worsening economic crisis.

Protesters in Tunis meet a line of policemen 

Tunisians stage a protest in response to the problems in the health sector in the country, demanding the resignation of the government and the dissolution of the parliament in Tunis on July 25. Photo: Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tunisia

World

Hill Leaders

Axios Hill Leaders

Senate negotiators are finalizing how to pay for the $579 billion bipartisan infrastructure package, tapping everything from unused 2020 COVID-relief funds to targeting the Medicare rebate rule, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.

Driving the news: The core group of negotiators plans to present a finished version of their deal to the broader G22 group on Sunday evening.

There are lingering disagreements about how much to spend on public transit, but if the expanded bipartisan group approves the emerging deal, passage on the Senate floor could happen later this week.

“We’re about 90% of the way there,” Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), said on ABC New's "This Week."

Why it matters: By settling on actual dollar amounts, including $70 billion leftover from President Trump's coronavirus relief packages, the negotiators are closer to convincing members of both parties that pay-fors will offset proposed new spending — making it more likely a finished bill passes the Senate.

It's also a double-edged sword: By getting specific, they risk antagonizing industries and interest groups now realizing they're being singled out to fund billions in new roads, bridges and broadband.

“We are, and have, agreed jointly on about roughly $70 billion of funds that were not spent that will be redeployed to help pay for this infrastructure package,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told Martha MacCallum on "Fox News Sunday."

“A very, very important category for me is how all this is going to get paid for,” said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) told CNN.

“There are people who think this is monopoly money, but it’s not,” said Toomey. He is not a member of the bipartisan G22.

Go deeper: In addition to $70 billion in leftover COVID-19 relief money, there’s roughly $50 billion to be gained by repealing proposed changes to how Medicare pays drugmakers.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had also targeted that rebate money for his separate $3.5-trillion package.

In addition, the bipartisan group will target unused unemployment insurance and proceeds from Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales, and the same of unused IP addresses and a telecommunications spectrum auction.

The intrigue: Some senators are awaiting an official “score” from the Congressional Budget Office, which may — or may not — help the bipartisan group bolster its case that new spending is paid.

A generous CBO score will help lawmakers sell the package to their colleagues.

An unfavorable CBO score won't necessarily kill the bill if the bigger group of G22 senators all agree the pay-fors will cover the new spending.

Infrastructure deal on brink

The core group of negotiators plans to present a finished version to the broader G22 group this evening.

Construction workers are seen rebuilding a bridge in Georgia.

Highway construction on Interstate 285  in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Infrastructure

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Competitiveness of House districts in relation to state overall

Data: Ohio State University election law program via The Cook Political Report; Chart: Will Chase/Axios

Some of the most competitive battleground states have some of the least competitive House districts, according to a new data analysis first seen by Axios. 

Why it matters: Big gaps between the voting margins in districts and states overall demand explanation, researchers say, since they could be a sign of gerrymandering. An alternative is they're a reflection of Americans increasingly living near like-minded people — a potential boost to candidates on the political extremes.

"If a lack of competitiveness is caused by gerrymandering, that's really bad for voters and for democracy, and we'd like to squeeze that out of the system," Ned Foley, an Ohio State University redistricting and election expert, told Axios.

Foley is leading the project to analyze the trends.

The data: Researchers at Ohio State looked at the 2020 Biden-Trump election margin for every U.S. House district using data from the Cook Political Report. Then they computed an average for each state.

Next, they compared the average to the Biden-Trump margin for the state overall.

They viewed that as a way to measure whether states have disproportionately uncompetitive districts.

By the numbers: The battleground states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin had the biggest discrepancy between the competitiveness of the state overall and their average district.

This gap existed despite major court decisions forcing new, fairer maps to be drawn in Pennsylvania and North Carolina after the last redistricting cycle in 2010.

The gaps largely benefit and protect Republicans in those states, Foley said, although the trend in Arizona — which came in fifth for the largest competitiveness gap — likely favors Democrats.

All but Pennsylvania have more Republican members in the House than Democrats. And even in Georgia, where Republicans have only two extra House seats, GOP districts are far less competitive than Democratic ones.

What to watch: Gerrymandering concerns aside, increasingly uncompetitive House districts allow more partisan candidates to thrive.

Biden won Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) district by 16 points more than his average margin throughout New York state — underscoring how decidedly blue the population is that elected one of the most progressive members of the House.

Trump’s margin over Biden in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) district was almost 50 points in a state that was almost even between Trump and Biden.

The average margin in Georgia districts was already large at 30.5%, but Greene's district was even less competitive.

Yes, but: Not all uncompetitive districts in competitive states are unfair.

Following the Voting Rights Act to ensure fair representation can result in compact, uncompetitive districts.

Between the lines: The data is just a first installment of a larger project by Ohio State University's election law program focused on election competitiveness and gerrymandering. It was timed ahead of the redistricting cycle, which will kick off with the release of additional census data in August.

Foley thinks there could be more action from Congress to prevent gerrymandering using data like his.

Congress could pass laws requiring states with big competitive gaps to go through pre-clearance and explain the discrepancy to the Justice Department or else make a new map, he told Axios.

Or, they could create an avenue for litigation over maps with competitive gaps, so states would have to defend it in court.

First look: Battleground imbalance

Some of the most competitive battleground states have some of the least competitive House districts

Redistricting

Tampa Bay

Axios Tampa Bay

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Sunday that she has appointed Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) to serve on the House select committee investigating the Jan 6. Capitol riot. 

Why it matters: Pelosi's announcement comes after she rejected two of the five Republican appointments offered by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Pelosi's refusal led to McCarthy revoking all of his appointments, later making threats that he would form his own committee. 

Rep. Liz Cheney (R.-Wyo.) was the lone Republican appointed by Pelosi. 

Kinzinger has been outspoken in his opposition to Trump and voted for his second impeachment following the Jan. 6 attack.

The big picture: Asked on ABC's "This Week" whether she would be appointing more Republicans to the committee, she said, "that would be my plan." 

"[Kinzinger] and other Republicans have expressed an interest to serve on the select committee and I wanted to appoint three of the members Leader McCarthy suggested but he withdrew their names."

What they're saying: "Speaker Pelosi’s rejection of the Republican nominees to serve on the committee and self-appointment of members who share her pre-conceived narrative will not yield a serious investigation," McCarthy said in a statement on Sunday. 

"We have had an unprecedented action, an assault, an insurrection, against our government. An assault on the capitol building, which is an assault on Congress," Pelosi said.  

“Maybe the Republicans can’t handle the truth, but we have a responsibility to seek it," she added. 

What to watch: The committee's first hearing is scheduled for July 27.

Editor's note: This story has been updated.

Pelosi appoints GOP Rep. Kinzinger to Jan. 6 committee

Pelosi initially rejected two of the five appointments offered by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Nancy Pelosi

New Capitol Police chief Tom Manger said officers testifying before the Jan. 6 select committee this week "need to be heard."

Driving the news: The select committee's first hearing is set to take place on Tuesday and will feature testimony from law enforcement officers who were subject to some of the worst of violence during the insurrection.

The big picture: Manger, who was sworn into his position Friday, told CBS News on Saturday that he "absolutely" supports the testifying officers and that he would cooperate with the select committee and testify if called to do so.

Manger added that his focus is on figuring out how USCP should move forward in the wake of Jan. 6.

What they're saying: "Those officers need to be heard, I think we need to pay close attention to what they're saying," Manger said.

"I would be foolish not to think it could happen again, but we are better prepared," Manger added of the prospect of another attack.

"There's a lot of things that you can point to that, that may have made a difference on the 6th, but what I'm really focused on is, okay, so what do we do about that now?" he said.

Go deeper: Pelosi appoints GOP Rep. Kinzinger to Jan. 6 committee

USCP chief: Officers testifying before Jan. 6 committee "need to be heard"

The select committee will hold its first hearing Tuesday and feature testimony from law enforcement officers.

Thomas Manger, the new chief of the U.S. Capitol Police

Thomas Manger, the new chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Capitol riot

Axios AM

New research shows Americans have fewer friends than in the past, and are less likely to have a best friend.

Why it matters: At a time of excruciating mental and societal stress, this is another sign we're breaking apart. And the friendship drought could get worse with more people working remotely or hybrid-ly.

Here are two key findings, from May polling by the Survey Center on American Life, a project of the American Enterprise Institute: 

Our number of close friends has declined considerably from 30 years ago, when 33% of U.S. adults reported having 10 or more close friends, not counting relatives. Now, 13% say that. 

In 1990, 75% of us said we had a "best friend." This year, 59% said that. 

AEI senior fellow Daniel Cox, who conducted the research, told me that as he's discussed the findings on podcasts and online, people get it: "Everyone has their own anecdote." 

"We realize the importance of friendship, and we're just not investing the time," he said, adding that it's another way the nation is "vulnerable."

I got a different lens from Kate Murphy, a Texan who is author of "You’re Not Listening," and wrote for the N.Y. Times (subscription), "The Pandemic Shrank Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way."

In urging the curation of friends, Murphy cited Suzanne Degges-White, chair of counseling at Northern Illinois University, for the term "friendscape."

"People want fewer and better friends," Murphy emails. Pre-pandemic, "we were in the grips of a loneliness epidemic. That loneliness wasn’t necessarily from being alone. In fact, it was often a feeling of alienation while in the presence of other people."

I love this: "You can be friendly with a lot of people but you can only have a few good friends," Murphy added. "An occasional lunch, back slap at a cocktail party or exchange of texts is sociability but not social support." 

 [W]hen your social life becomes a mad dash between events driven by FOMO,  you don’t have the time or emotional energy to develop those truly meaningful relationships and attachments that are essential to human health and happiness. And, of course, engaging with people digitally is a poor facsimile. The pandemic showed us that for sure.

Context: This trend is nothing new, of course. Robert Putnam's bestselling "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community," was published in 2000 — 21 years ago. 

America's "Friendscape" crisis

Our number of close friends has declined considerably from 30 years ago, research shows.

United States

Media Trends

Axios Media Trends

Jeff Bezos' flight into space generated more interest from the public than Richard Branson's, and both billionaires overshadowed their respective space companies.

Why it matters: Data shows an outsized public interest in the personalities at the center of the space trips, compared to the companies behind them — which could reinforce public suspicion that the ventures were partly vanity plays.

The big picture: Branson's launch happened first, and Virgin Galactic put together a slick livestream stuffed with celebrity cameos. But the world's richest man still commanded more attention a few days later.

Bezos' launch-day Google searches were 38% higher than Branson's and generated 19% more mentions on social media, according to data from Keyhole.

There were nearly twice as many stories written about Bezos around his launch compared to Branson nine days earlier, according to NewsWhip data.

By the numbers: Branson and Bezos both put themselves at the center of commercial space tourism this month, and the moguls themselves — not their space companies — held most of the public's attention.

For Tuesday's event, Google searches about Jeff Bezos were nearly twice as high as searches for Blue Origin, according to Google Trends. 

Interest in Virgin Galactic was a little more even — there were 35% more searches for Richard Branson than his company.

Stories published online about Blue Origin that did not highlight Bezos generated 2.5x less engagement on average than those that did, according to exclusive data from NewsWhip.

Virgin Galactic stories not centered on Richard Branson got nearly half the engagement as those that were.

Between the lines: Famous billionaires may bring in more attention, but much of that reaction — particularly to Bezos — was scornful.

Bezos' comments that Amazon employees and customers "paid for all of this," and the ensuing backlash, were among the launch-related stories with the most social interactions, according to NewsWhip data.

Another top headline: "Jeff Bezos Takes Spaceflight. 165k People Sign Petition To Keep Him There."

Bezos beats Branson in space billionaires' battle for attention

The flights could reinforce public suspicion that the ventures were above all vanity plays.

Photo illustration of RIchard Branson and Jeff Bezos riding a bullhorn into space. 

Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Imtiyaz Shaikh (Anadolu Agency), Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Space

News and analysis of the scientific advances fueling AI and quantum computing, revolutionizing biology and medicine, and tackling climate change. Science is changing the world and colliding with the global politics that shape it.

Science

Swimmer Chase Kalisz became on Sunday the first Team USA Olympian to win gold at the Tokyo Games.

The big picture: The Rio 2016 silver medalist's winning time in the men's 400 meters Individual Medley Final was 4 minutes 9.42 seconds. His teammate Jay Litherland took silver .86 seconds later.

Kieran Smith then grabbed a third medal for the U.S. when he won bronze in the 400m freestyle.

In the women's 400m individual medley race, Emma Weyant won silver and Hali Flickinger snatched bronze. Japanese swimmer Yui Ohashi won the race.

In the women's 400m freestyle relay, Erika Brown, Abbey Weitzeil, Natalie Hinds and Simone Manuel won bronze for the U.S. Australia won gold and Canada bronze.

Of note: Jagger Eaton added to the U.S. medals haul when he won bronze in the inaugural street skateboarding final.

Japan's Yuto Horigome won the event's first ever gold medal, while Brazil's Kelvin Hoefler won silver.

Fellow American Nyjah Huston, considered by many as the world's best contest street skater of all time, was hotly tipped to win but placed seventh after falling on his last four tricks.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Swimmer Chase Kalisz first American to win Olympics gold medal

Team U.S. teammate Jay Litherland took silver.

Chase Kalisz from the USA cheers for gold at the Tokyo Games

Chase Kalisz of Team United States celebrates after winning the Men's 400m Individual Medley Final on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

2021 Olympics

Beijing Winter Olympics

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

Bryson DeChambeau has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the Tokyo Olympic Games, USA Golf announced late Saturday.

What he's saying: "I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA," DeChambeau said in a statement. 

"Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo. I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so."

What's happening: "Patrick Reed will replace DeChambeau and is undergoing the requisite testing protocol" Sunday and Monday before his expected departure for Japan, per a USA Golf statement.

Of note: Reed is the only two-time USA Olympian for the men's golfing competition, having previously represented the national team in 2016.

Reed in a statement wished DeChambeau well and said he's  "excited" to represent the U.S. "I will do my best to play my best," he added.

The big picture: Along with Reed,  Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele will represent Team USA Golf in the men's competition.

The American women's Olympic golfing team is represented by Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang and Jessica Korda.

What's next: The first round of golfing competition is due to take place this Thursday local time. 

Go deeper... Axios AM Deep Dive: The Covid Olympics

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Reed and further context.

Golfer Bryson DeChambeau will miss Olympics after testing positive for COVID

"I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA," DeChambeau said in a statement tonight.

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States on the 18th tee during Day Two of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 16, 2021 in Sandwich, England. 

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States on the 18th tee during Day Two of the 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 16 in Sandwich, England. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Coronavirus

The U.S. health system faces critical questions about cost, access and equity. Technological advances and new discoveries about diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are transforming patient care and reshaping public health.

Health

The Department of Justice has decided not to launch a civil rights investigation into whether policies in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan contributed to pandemic deaths in nursing homes, according to a letter sent to Republicans. 

Why it matters: The Trump DOJ requested data from the three states plus New Jersey last August "amid still-unanswered questions about whether some states, especially New York, inadvertently worsened the pandemic death toll by requiring nursing homes to accept residents previously hospitalized for COVID-19," per AP.

The big picture: While the letter sent to House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.)  Friday said it wouldn't open investigate "any public nursing facility within New York, Pennsylvania, or Michigan at this time," it stated that investigations into two New Jersey nursing homes remained ongoing.

Scalise in a statement described the decision not to open an investigation into the three other Democratic-run states as "shameful" and accused the DOJ of being "complicit in these Democrat governors' cover ups."

Of note: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been critcized for his handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes early in the pandemic. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, released a report in January accusing his administration of undercounting coronavirus deaths in nursing homes by up to 50%. Cuomo's office has said there's nothing wrong in the accuracy of the health department's numbers.

Cuomo has previously said the Justice Department inquiry was politically motivated.

What they're saying: Bobby Leddy, a spokesperson for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said in an emailed statement that it was "deeply disturbing that Republicans sought to politicize" the pandemic. 

"With both the United States Department of Justice and Michigan Attorney General rejecting these baseless attacks, it's time to end the political games and work together to get things done for Michiganders," Leddy said.

Leddy stressed that at "no point were nursing homes ever forced to take COVID-positive patients." 

"Instead, we made the smart decision to require that residents who contracted this deadly disease be kept as far away from others as possible to prevent more people from getting sick," Luddy added.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the DOJ, nor from representatives for Cuomo or Penn. Gov. Tom Wolf.

DOJ won't investigate nursing home deaths in N.Y. and 2 other states

Republican Steve Scalise called the decision not to investigate the Democratic-run states "disgraceful."

People who've lost loved ones due to Covid-19 while they were in New York nursing homes attend a protest and vigil on March 25, 2021 in New York City. 

People who've lost loved ones due to COVID-19 while they were in New York nursing homes attend a March protest and vigil in New York City. As of this month, Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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