Axios

The Israel Defense Forces targeted the head of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Sinwar, in an airstrike on a bunker underneath a hospital in Khan Younis, three Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: The death of Sinwar, if confirmed, would mark another huge blow to the Palestinian militant group that launched the Oct. 7 attacks and has been fighting a war against Israel for the last 18 months.

President Trump announced in a speech in Saudi Arabia that he is lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria "to give them a chance."

Why it matters: Trump's announcement is a dramatic shift in U.S. policy towards Syria less than six months after the collapse of the Assad regime. The sanctions crippled the Syrian economy and brought the country to the verge of bankruptcy.

The Trump administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court for permission to resume deportations of Venezuelan migrants.

Why it matters: Nearly 200 people accused of being gang members have been detained in Texas since the court stopped the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act.

North Korean IT workers are setting up front companies across China as part of their global operation to trick Western companies into hiring them, according to a new report shared first with Axios.

Why it matters: Nearly every Fortune 500 company has struggled with the problem of North Korea-based IT workers trying to get hired at their firms.

A startup using AI to guide geologic exploration believes it has found a major Australian deposit of indium, a rare metal used in solar panels, LCD screens and semiconductors.

Why it matters: Earth AI's location of what appear to be commercial concentrations shows applications for AI in the mining sector.

On everything from international diplomacy to personal business, hostage negotiations to investment deals, Gulf countries are President Trump's partners of first resort.

Why it matters: Trump, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, is spurning traditional democratic allies in favor of Gulf monarchies — drawn by their wealth, deal-making and growing global clout.

Top MAGA influencers Ben Shapiro, Laura Loomer and Mark Levin broke sharply with President Trump Monday over his decision to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari government.

Why it matters: The revolt marks one of the few times since Trump's return to power that key voices in his base have publicly questioned his judgment — revealing cracks in a MAGA coalition built on unwavering loyalty.

The backchannel talks that led to the release of Edan Alexander began with a message from a Hamas official to Bishara Bahbah, the former leader of "Arab Americans for Trump," two Israeli officials, one Palestinian official and one U.S. official tell Axios.

Why it matters: Hamas was seeking a way to convince President Trump to put more pressure on Israel, and Trump's team was intent on freeing the last living American held in Gaza. Bahbah, a Palestinian-American businessman who helped Trump make inroads with Arab voters in 2024, became the unlikely intermediary.

China's leader Xi Jinping took an apparent swipe Tuesday at President Trump's tariff policies.

Why it matters: Xi's first remarks since China and the U.S. agreed to cut tariffs on each other for 90 days were far removed from those in the U.S.-China joint statement that spoke of recognizing the importance of a "mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship."