The Full Belmonte, 1/13/2024
The Supreme Court will decide whether local anti-homeless laws are ‘cruel and unusual’
“The Supreme Court agreed Friday to review lower-court rulings that make it harder for cities in the western United States to prevent people from sleeping on the streets when there aren’t enough beds in homeless shelters.” Read More at AP News
Scientists explain why the record-shattering 2023 heat has them on edge. Warming may be worsening
“The Associated Press asked more than three dozen scientists in interviews and emails what the smashed records mean. T’he heat over the last calendar year was a dramatic message from Mother Nature,’ said University of Arizona climate scientist Katharine Jacobs.” Read More at AP News
F.D.A. scientists have recommended that the federal government remove marijuana from its most restrictive category of drugs.
“Newly disclosed documents show that scientists recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration make marijuana a Schedule III drug, alongside the likes of ketamine and testosterone, which are available by prescription.”
Read more at New York Times
Trump shows signs of worry
Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign stop at Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee, Iowa, on January 9, 2024. (Photo by Christian MONTERROSA / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)
“DES MOINES — Former President Trump — who for months appeared to be coasting to a wide win in Iowa's caucuses — is showing signs of worry ahead of Monday night's voting, Axios' Sophia Cai and Alex Thompson report.
Why it matters: If Nikki Haley finishes a reasonably strong second to Trump in conservative Iowa, she'd be set up for success in the Jan. 23 primary in more moderate New Hampshire, where polls indicate she trails Trump only by single digits.
Trump's team is lowering the bar for what it would consider a success in 2024's first presidential contests.
Since the fall, Trump has had polling leads in Iowa of more than 30 points over Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy.
But yesterday, Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita reminded reporters that no one's ever won the Iowa caucuses by "more than 12.8%" — and that he'd count a Trump win by more than that as a success.
What's happening: Trump's team stepped up criticism of Haley this week, claiming she's weak on border security, would seek higher taxes and is propped up by donations from Democrats.
Trump is calling Haley — his ambassador to the UN — "Nikki New Tax."
Trump also has turned to race-baiting tactics he used to criticize former President Obama — falsely suggesting Haley shouldn't be eligible to be president because of her parents' heritage as Indian immigrants.
The other side: "This is a two-person race between Nikki's conservative vision for a strong and proud America, and Trump's continued obsession with the chaos and drama of the past," Haley communications director Nachama Soloveichik said.” [Axios]
Freezing your caucus off
Reproduced from AP. Table: Axios Visuals
“Former President Trump said in a video message to Iowans that he expects to arrive in the Hawkeye State tonight despite the brutally cold weather — ‘one way or the other, I'm getting there.’
Freezing temperatures, plus strong winds, foreshadow possibly life-threatening conditions for Monday night, when caucuses begin at 7 p.m. CT.
‘Our people are more committed than anybody else, so maybe it's actually a good thing for us, ‘Trump said.
Reality check: Axios' Alex Thompson points out that the extreme weather could hurt Trump because many of his supporters are in rural areas, where it'll be harder to travel to caucus sites.
And given expectations, lots of people could stay home — assuming Trump will win. So no one knows.
Plows attack Walnut Street in Des Moines yesterday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
GOP campaign events are falling as swiftly as the Iowa snow, AP reports:
Trump, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis are all shuffling their final-hours schedules.
Trump — who hasn't stumped in Iowa in the closing week, instead making court appearances in D.C. and New York — shifted a handful of events to tele-rallies. He's still slated to appear at an in-person rally tomorrow in Indianola.
‘Wear a coat,’ Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita quipped. ‘It's old-school: ... People who pick up people and drive 'em to the polls. So we have all of that stuff planned.’
Haley shifted a trio of events yesterday to tele-town halls — at which, unlike at in-person events earlier this week, she took questions from caucusgoers.
DeSantis postponed four events yesterday that had been planned further from Des Moines. He stopped north of the capital city with Gov. Kim Reynolds, saying he was impressed with those who turned out.” [Axios]
Former Connecticut mayoral candidate pleads guilty to Jan. 6 Capitol breach charge
“A former Connecticut city alderman who won a Republican primary for mayor while facing charges related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for his actions in Washington. He faces up to six months in jail under federal sentencing guidelines.” Read More at AP News
Nearly 2,000 flights canceled as massive winter storm slams Midwest
“Extreme weather alerts have been issued in every state across the lower 48 as a powerful winter storm brings blizzard conditions to the Midwest, causing severe disruptions to air travel.
Already today across the country, nearly 2,000 flights have been canceled, and more than 4,500 fights are delayed, according to FlightAware.
In Chicago, nearly 1,000 flights were canceled across O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Most of the cancellations are at O'Hare, where a ground stop was issued for part of the morning due to snow and ice.
Blizzard warnings are in effect across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes, where heavy snow will combine with 40 to 50 mph wind gusts.
Parts of Iowa could see up to a foot of snow, and the blast of arctic air pushing into the region could make Monday’s caucuses the coldest on record.
On the southern side of the storm, 29 million people are under the risk of severe weather, including Tupelo, Memphis, Charlotte, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Birmingham.
By Saturday morning, the heaviest snow will target parts of the Great Lakes, with lake effect snow bands developing along the interior Northeast. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a state of emergency for western New York ahead of the storm.” [NBC News]
Houthis vow retaliation after U.S. leads strikes in Yemen
“The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen vowed to continue attacking ships in the Red Sea, after a series of U.S.-led strikes on the militant group’s positions in Yemen on Thursday.
The military spokesman for the Houthis, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, said the strikes would ‘not go unanswered or unpunished,’ in a taped address.
The U.S. and U.K. strikes targeted multiple locations with fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles fired from Navy ships, officials said.
The strikes involved more than 60 targets at 16 locations, and more than 100 ‘precision-guided munitions of various types,’ were used, according to the officials.
President Joe Biden said he ordered the strikes ‘against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,’ in a statement.
For weeks, the Houthis have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea in support of Hamas, following the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel.” [NBC News]
DOJ to pursue death penalty for Buffalo supermarket shooter
“The Justice Department will seek the death penalty for the white gunman who killed 10 Black people in a racist shooting rampage at a Buffalo, New York supermarket in 2022, according to court papers.
The shooter, who was 18 when he carried out the massacre at the Tops Friendly Market, was indicted in July 2022 on 27 federal counts, including 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in deaths.
This is the first time the Justice Department has pursued the death penalty under the Biden administration.
Last year, the gunman was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to state murder and hate crime charges.” [NBC News]
IRS says it collected $360 million more from rich tax cheats as its funding is threatened yet again
“The IRS says it has collected an additional $360 million in overdue taxes from delinquent millionaires as the agency’s leadership tries to promote the latest work it has done to modernize the agency with Inflation Reduction Act funding that Republicans are threatening to chip away.” Read More at AP News
Biden says Austin still has his confidence, but not revealing hospitalization was lapse in judgment
“Speaking to reporters as he toured local businesses outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden said ‘yes’ when asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin not to tell him about his condition. He replied, ‘I do,’ when asked if he still had confidence in Austin’s leadership.” Read More at AP News
Democrats' big problem
Data: Gallup. Chart: Axios Visuals
“The share of Americans identifying as Democrats hit its lowest level since Gallup started regular polling on the topic over 30 years ago, Axios' April Rubin writes.
Why it matters: By a growing margin, voters say they don't identify with either party.
By the numbers: An average of 27% of adults identified as Democrats last year — down from a record 36% in 2008, according to Gallup.
43% identified as independent in 2023.
27% said they identify as Republicans.
Between the lines: The share of people who say they're Republicans has traditionally been lower than those who identify as Democrats.” [Axios]
Pulpits propel Trump
Photo illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios. Photos: Mark Wilson, Paras Griffin, Ida Mae Astute, Al Drago, Dustin Franz, William DeShazer, Suzanne Cordeiro, Brendan Smialowski/Getty
“DAVENPORT, Iowa — Evangelical pastors, heavily for Donald Trump, are a huge reason Monday night's Iowa caucuses have become a race for second place after the former president.
Why matters: They don't just embrace Trump because he appointed three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. Many of them share — and preach — his apocalyptic view of U.S. politics, Axios' Sophia Cai reports.
Trump's flock includes MAGA pastors who, in speeches and podcasts, cast Democrats as demonic, promote Christian nationalism and tout Trump as chosen by God to save Christianity.
Many echo Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
They include Joel Tenney, a 27-year-old Iowan primarily known for his Armenian advocacy work.
‘You cannot be Christian and vote for a Democrat,’ Tenney, who spoke at a recent Trump rally in Coralville, Iowa, told Axios.
Trump's team of faith leaders includes former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, who has been stumping for Trump in Iowa.
In a packed Grace Family Church in Davenport on Wednesday night, Carson — a Seventh-day Adventist — sought to reassure anyone in the crowd who had misgivings about Trump's profanity.
‘Would you rather have somebody whose tongue is maybe a little wild but has incredibly good policies that make your life better,’ Carson thundered, ‘or somebody who has a silver tongue but terrible policy?’
What's happening: Trump has an easier time reaching evangelicals now than in the past two election cycles, in part because of changes in the evangelical world, Tim Alberta, author of "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory," told Axios.
‘He once needed the name-brand Christian conservatives to vouch for him,’ Alberta said.
But thanks partly to the demand for content on social media, ‘Trump benefits today from a decentralized cast of less-established, more-online influencers.’” [Axios]
Stunning airport stat
Data: TSA. (Loaded firearms estimated from percentages provided by TSA.) Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals
“A record 6,737 guns were discovered at airport security checkpoints in 2023. About 93% (!) of the weapons were loaded, Axios' Ivana Saric reports from a TSA announcement.
2023 was the third consecutive year a record was set.” [Axios]
A Florida school district removed 1,600 books from libraries last year.
“What books? Dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference books on topics including science and the Bible were pulled from schools in Escambia County.
Why? A state law prohibits books that mention “sexual conduct.” Florida has been one of the states leading a national surge in school book challenges.”
Read this story at Washington Post
In this year’s presidential and congressional elections, $6 trillion in taxes are at stake.
“The question is whether to extend tax cuts scheduled to expire after 2025. Republicans generally want to maintain all expiring cuts from the 2017 law former President Donald Trump signed at a price tag of $4 trillion over a decade. President Biden proposed extending Trump’s tax cuts for only households making under $400,000 annually and raising taxes further on top earners and corporations. That plan, including increases Biden hasn’t fully detailed, would generate more than $2 trillion beyond current forecasts. But before the November elections come the Iowa caucuses, which kick off 2024 nominating contests on Monday. Trump’s support from rural America (Hello, Hawkeye State!) is helping propel him past legal woes and GOP challengers.” [Wall Street Journal]
Taiwan’s ruling party set to win historic third consecutive presidency as opposition concedes
“Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party is set to win a historic third consecutive presidency after the two opposition parties conceded defeat on Saturday night as voters shrugged off warnings by China that such a victory would increase the risk of conflict.
Hou Yu-ih, the opposition Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate, congratulated the DPP’s presidential candidate Lai Ching-te for his win.”
Read More at CNN
Taiwan voters ignore China warnings
Taiwan President-elect William Lai attends a rally in Taipei after his victory today. Photo: Ann Wang/Reuters
“TAIPEI — Taiwan's ruling party candidate, William Lai (Lai Ching-te), won today's presidential election after the opposition candidate conceded defeat, Axios China author Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian writes.
Why it matters: The election was viewed as a referendum on Taiwan's cross-Strait policies after eight years of Democratic Progress Party rule and growing pressure from Beijing.
The Chinese government warned against voting for Lai, the current vice president, saying his election would ‘trigger cross-Strait confrontation and conflict.’
The Chinese government is likely to ratchet up its pressure campaign against Taiwan in response to the election of a politician Beijing called a ‘separatist through and through.’
‘I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy. We have shown the world how much we cherish our democracy,’ Lai said after winning.
Lai said he'll uphold the cross-Strait status quo and pursue dialogue with China — but that he's ‘determined to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threats and intimidation from China.’” [Axios]
Israel reaches deal to deliver medicine to hostages in Gaza
“Israel has reached an agreement with Qatar that will allow medicine to be delivered to hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
The medications will be transferred to the hostages ‘in the next few days,’ Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
A group representing families of hostages said it would demand ‘visual proof’ the hostages had received the medications.
Many of the hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attacks are elderly, and require medications for chronic illness, their families say.” [NBC News]
Not Backing Down
Houthi fighters hold Palestinian flags and brandish their weapons during a protest against U.S. and U.K. strikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on Jan. 12.Mohammed Huwais/AFP
“Yemen’s Houthis vowed to continue targeting ships in the Red Sea ‘whatever the cost’ on Friday, mere hours after U.S. and U.K. forces launched a large-scale attack against the Iranian-backed militant group. ‘All American-British interests have become legitimate targets,’ the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council said in a statement.
On Thursday, the United States and United Kingdom launched more than 100 precision-guided munitions at the Houthis, hitting more than 60 targets at 16 different locations in Yemen, including military bases near airports in Sanaa, the capital, and the city of Taiz; a naval base at the Red Sea port of al-Hudaydah; and military sites in Hajjah region. At least five Houthi fighters were killed.
The Biden administration said the targets were strategically chosen to weaken the Houthis’ ability to carry out future attacks on ships. However, the strikes ‘are unlikely to completely rid the Red Sea shipping lanes from the Houthi threat,’ FP’s Christina Lu and Robbie Gramer report, and ‘in the short term could embolden the Houthis and other Iranian proxies in the Middle East to ramp up their attacks against Israel and the West’ at a time when regional tensions continue to worsen.
The Houthis have launched at least 27 strikes in the Red Sea in recent months. However, it was a Houthi assault against Red Sea vessels on Tuesday that was the straw that broke Washington’s back, U.S. officials implied, with Navy forces intercepting 21 missiles and drones. The following day, the United Nations Security Council passed a U.S.- and Japanese-led resolution that demanded the Houthis ‘immediately cease all attacks’ and reaffirmed U.N. member states’ right to ‘defend their vessels from attack.’ The U.S. and U.K. operation furthers a U.S.-organized multinational initiative formed in December 2023, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, that aims to counter Houthi aggression against global shipping.
‘These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation,’ U.S. President Joe Biden said, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak adding that Thursday’s strikes were in ‘self-defense’ to restore stability to the region. Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands all supported Thursday’s large-scale operation. Saudi Arabia, which has long backed Yemen’s government in a war against the Houthis, urged ‘restraint and de-escalation.’ And Tehran, which supports Houthi forces, condemned the West’s attack.
Thursday’s strike and the Houthis’ promise of retaliation hurt confidence in global supply chains. Oil prices rose more than 1 percent (or more than $2) on Friday over fears that deliveries could be disrupted. At least five oil tankers diverted their paths from the Red Sea on Friday, with Danish crude group Torm saying it will pause all voyages through the southern Red Sea.” [Foreign Policy]
“Ukraine commitments. The United Kingdom unveiled a new support package for Ukraine on Friday during Sunak’s trip to Kyiv, which includes $3.2 billion in military funding for long-range missiles, drones, and ammunition, among other air and sea security measures. It is the United Kingdom’s largest commitment to Ukraine thus far, exceeding its previous annual contributions by $233 million. London has long been one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters and remains Kyiv’s second-biggest military aid donor after Washington.
Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on Friday, which will remain in effect until Kyiv secures NATO membership. The diplomatic victory sheds light on the European Union’s and United States’ failures to approve similar emergency aid packages. ‘Without continued U.S. military and economic aid for Kyiv,’ FP’s Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon, and Jack Detsch explained, ‘Ukraine may not lose the war tomorrow, but it will undoubtedly tip the scale of the war in Russia’s favor.’” [Foreign Policy]
“President Xi Jinping’s sweeping purge of China’s military came after it emerged that widespread corruption undermined efforts to modernize and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war, according to people familiar. Even still, a war with Taiwan would have devastating human and financial consequences — around $10 trillion in economic damage, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates. That’s equal to about 10% of global GDP — dwarfing the blow from the war in Ukraine, Covid pandemic and global financial crisis. Then there’s Xiongan, Xi’s dream city, meant to lure people from Beijing. It remains nearly empty despite the enormous cost.” [Bloomberg]
An empty street in Xiongan. Source: Bloomberg
“Cease-fire in Myanmar. Myanmar’s military junta secured a cease-fire with an alliance of ethnic minority guerrilla groups, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, on Friday in China-mediated talks. Beijing hopes all sides will ‘exercise maximum restraint toward each other and solve the issues through dialogue and consultations,’ Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. Neither side honored the last cease-fire pact, agreed to in December 2023.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance is backed by a pro-democracy coalition and has actively opposed the ruling junta since it took power in a February 2021 coup. Through offensives along Myanmar’s northern border with China—including taking control of Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang region, last week—the alliance has disrupted cross-border trade and refugee flows, worrying Beijing of further instability if steps toward peace aren’t cemented.” [Foreign Policy]
“PiS supporters protest in Poland. Thousands of people gathered outside of Poland’s parliament in Warsaw on Thursday to protest the new government’s changes to state media. Prime Minister Donald Tusk altered outlets’ leadership to restore the balance of coverage after eight years of the newsrooms allegedly distributing propaganda for the then-ruling far-right Law and Justice party (PiS). President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has condemned Tusk’s efforts as ‘anarchy.’
Protesters also denounced the arrests of two former PiS ministers charged with corruption on Tuesday, who appeared to take refuge in the presidential palace before being detained. Duda criticized the decision and has already begun efforts to formally pardon them.” [Foreign Policy]
Bad vibes on Aisle 4
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chart: Axios Visuals
“Americans are furious about high inflation, according to the Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll. But economists say high inflation has mostly been vanquished.
Both are correct, Axios chief economic correspondent Neil Irwin writes.
Between the lines: If you look at the level of prices, they're way up since 2020. But if you look at the rate at which prices are changing, it has returned to fairly normal levels.
This intuition is crucial to understanding this confusing moment for inflation trends and public opinion around them.
Zoom in: Suppose, in December 2019, you had a weekly grocery budget of $100. At the end of 2020 your weekly grocery bill would have risen to $103.97, based on Axios' analysis of government data. Not ideal, but manageable.
But over the course of 2021, those prices really took off, to $110.78 that December. Then they kept soaring, bringing your grocery bill to $123.88 at the end of 2022.
In 2023, the price of ‘food at home’ (as the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls it) kept rising — so that weekly bill was $125.51 last month.” [Axios]
Washington's Kalen DeBoer expected to replace Nick Saban at Alabama
READ FULL STORY→ USA Today
GAME OF THE WEEKEND
Chris Ochsner/Kansas City Star, via Getty Images
“Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs, N.F.L. playoffs: At times this season, it seemed as though nothing could slow down the Dolphins’ offense. But what if they’re too cold to move? Mother Nature is most important player in tonight’s first-round matchup, as the temperature in Kansas City is expected to be below zero degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, making it one of the coldest games in N.F.L. history. (With the wind chill, it could feel between -20 and -30 degrees.) That could be bad news for Miami, who have lost the past 10 times they played in a game below 40 degrees, according to SB Nation. 8 p.m. Eastern on Peacock [New York Times]
THE WEEK IN CULTURE
The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, at the British Museum. Toby Melville/Reuters
“The British Museum started a search for a new leader, four months after the last director resigned over revelations that a curator had looted items from its storerooms.” [New York Times]
“Franz Welser-Möst, the Cleveland Orchestra’s longest-serving conductor, is beginning to wind down his career.” [New York Times]
“The Field Museum in Chicago covered several display cases that feature Native American cultural items, as a federal law took effect requiring museums to obtain tribes’ consent to display their artifacts.” [New York Times]
“Sinead O’Connor died from natural causes, according to a London coroner’s office. The singer died in July at 56.” [New York Times]
“Video game developers are increasingly selling unfinished games — a practice known as an “early access” release — which helps them finance their work and identify bugs.” [New York Times]
“Álvaro Enrigue has long been obsessed with the first meeting of the Aztecs and the Spanish conquistadors. His new novel, “You Dreamed of Empires,” brings the moment to life.” [New York Times]
“Amalija Knavs, the mother of Melania Trump, died this week at 78. She was a formative influence on the first lady’s sense of glamour.” [New York Times]
“Lois Kirschenbaum was known as a steady presence in the cheap seats at the Metropolitan Opera. So New York arts groups were surprised to learn she had left them $1.7 million in her will.” [New York Times]
“The Directors Guild of America awards nominations were announced, with Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig and Yorgos Lanthimos in the running for the top award.” [New York Times]
“Pete Davidson revealed in his new Netflix stand-up special that he was high on ketamine at Aretha Franklin’s 2018 funeral, Rolling Stone reports.” [New York Times]
Scientists found the oldest known pieces of preserved skin.
Scientists aren't sure what species the fossilized skin comes from, but the patterning is similar to crocodile skin. (Current Biology/Mooney et al.)
“How old? About 289 million years — when Earth had a single supercontinent. The tiny pieces of fossilized skin were found in a cave in Oklahoma, paleontologists said yesterday.
Why it’s significant: Skin fossilization is extremely rare. These samples could reveal more about how the ancestors of today’s animals adapted to life on land.”
Read this story at Washington Post
Mel Tucker appeal of sexual harassment case denied
“University leaders will now determine any sanctions to issue former Michigan State University head football coach Mel Tucker. The long-running campus sexual harassment investigation involving Tucker concluded after an outside attorney hired by the school to review Tucker’s challenge to findings of fault against him denied his appeal. Although he is no longer an employee, they can still ban him from campus, future employment at MSU or participation in school activities, such as attending football games.” Read more at USA Today
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker watches the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Nov. 12, 2022, in East Lansing, Michigan.
Al Goldis
Fruit Stripe gum discontinued
Image: Amazon
“No more "Yipes! Stripes!"
Fruit Stripe gum, long a childhood icon, is heading over the rainbow with its mascot Yipes the Zebra, AP reports.
Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co. told Food & Wine: ‘The decision to sunset this product was not taken lightly, and we considered many factors ... including consumer preferences, and purchasing patterns.’
Lore & legacy: Young customers joked that the packs' temporary tattoos lasted longer than the gum's flavor.
So notorious was the gum's ephemeral taste that it ended up in a fittingly brief gag on the animated sitcom ‘Family Guy.’” [Axios]