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💥 "Tanker for tanker" strikes begin Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photos: Getty Images The U.S. military attacked two Iranian government tankers as part of yesterday's round of strikes, Axios' Barak Ravid writes. Why it matters: This is the first time the U.S. military has struck Iranian tankers in retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz — rather than to prevent them from violating the naval blockade. A U.S. official said the move was part of a new "tanker for tanker" policy approved by President Trump to further deter Iranian attacks on tankers that move through the strait. Keep reading.

🕺 AI's tricky safety dance Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios OpenAI and Anthropic are trying to strike a delicate balance: convincing Wall Street that their businesses are sound and fast-growing, while assuring governments and the world that their models don't pose unacceptable risks, Axios' Ina Fried writes. Why it matters: Both companies are aiming for potentially record-breaking initial public offerings soon. OpenAI announced yesterday it will soon release its Astra model broadly. But the company said the model has reached a "critical" level of cybersecurity capabilities, meaning its most powerful cyber features will be initially limited to a small group of trusted testers. Anthropic debuted updated versions of its latest Fable and Mythos models. The changes are designed to address major complaints about their initial release, including cost, data sharing and a tendency to reject legitimate requests. 🔬 The intrigue: Anthropic is striking a commercially friendly note with its release. OpenAI is sounding more sober on the safety front. In addition to limiting the release of Astra, OpenAI's head of strategic futures, Dean Ball, penned an essay saying the Hugging Face breach is likely only the beginning of AI systems escaping human containment measures. "They will pay their own bills for the compute they run on," he predicted. "If they answer to humans at all, they will only do so partially, for example by providing services to humans in exchange for pay."

🤖 AI tensions surface at summit Axios' Maria Curi writes from the G20 innovation summit in Chapel Hill, N.C.: Trump administration officials came to this week's innovation summit to project a united front on U.S. AI leadership. But tensions between the Commerce Department and the White House's tech policy shop are playing out behind the scenes. Why it matters: The Trump administration wants the world to follow its lead on AI policy, even as it grapples with divisions at home. The two-day G20 Innovation Ministerial, which culminates today, features some of the tech industry's heaviest hitters and officials from the world's most powerful countries. Officials and executives pitched the U.S. as a model for other countries on AI, contrasting its lighter regulatory approach with the European Union's heavier hand. 🔭 Between the lines: The Commerce Department and OSTP are jockeying for control over the administration's AI policy agenda as key regulatory decisions remain unsettled. Commerce holds many of the administration's most important AI policy levers, including the Bureau of Industry and Security and the Center for AI Standards and Innovation. Keep reading.

Axios interview: Lutnick's summit flex CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who'll preside over a parade of tech tycoons at today's G20 innovation summit, tells me he's confident the U.S. will stay ahead of China in the AI race by continuing to define the frontier. "It's teacher-student," Lutnick said yesterday in a sunny conference room at the Carolina Inn, between meetings with Chinese and Turkish officials. China's open-weight models, he told me, "study off of the large language models of America. ... The teacher is the smartest person in the world, and relentlessly pushing to the frontier." Why it matters: Lutnick, a late-night confidant of President Trump, will use today's G20 Innovation Ministerial to project American brio on the world stage, at a time when China sees openings to best the U.S. and Silicon Valley faces an escalating populist revolt. When I asked Lutnick if he sees the administration taking a heavier hand in regulating AI releases, imports and exports, he said instantly: "No, the opposite." He sees the temporary June controls on Anthropic's most powerful models as a one-off, with the takeaway that models should be allowed to compete if they're guardrailed "reasonably." "I think it's going, actually, well," he said of the administration's current approach. 🎤 Nevertheless, the White House showed it's willing to intervene aggressively. So when Lutnick asked some of the world's most powerful tech moguls to appear with him today for fireside chats, he got a hearty response. Lutnick will open with a breakfast conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, then interview Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (lunch) and Palantir CEO Alex Karp.

Hegseth's Pentagon storm Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Getty Images The Pentagon has entered a period of profound institutional turmoil, as a crisis of leadership at home converges with a crisis of capacity abroad, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. Why it matters: Six months into the Iran war, Pete Hegseth presides over a Pentagon with fewer senior leaders, fewer critical weapons and less public accountability than at any point in President Trump's two terms. 🔎 Zoom in: The most striking departure yet came Monday with the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll — Vice President Vance's close friend and Yale Law classmate, once viewed as a potential successor to Hegseth himself. Driscoll, a rising star tapped by Trump for sensitive diplomacy in Ukraine, is stepping down after months of clashes with Hegseth over the Army's leadership and modernization. Driscoll's exit, following Hegseth's firing of Army chief Gen. Randy George last spring, leaves the service without Senate-confirmed civilian or uniformed leadership in the midst of the Iran war. 🔭 Zoom out: Hegseth has fired or forced out senior officers across nearly every service, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Navy's top admiral and the Army chief of staff. The Washington Post counts more than two dozen top officers dismissed under Hegseth, who has remade nearly the entire Joint Chiefs. Only the Marine Corps and Space Force chiefs Hegseth inherited are still serving. The New York Times reports that Hegseth has personally removed at least 45 officers from promotion lists this year — an extraordinary intervention in a system traditionally insulated from political leadership. NBC News reported yesterday that Hegseth has blocked more promotions in recent weeks, including more than a dozen Black, Hispanic or female officers across the services. 👀 Between the lines: The cumulative effect is a thinner senior command at the precise moment the Iran war is testing the limits of what the U.S. military can sustain. The WashPost reports that the commanders overseeing Europe, the Pacific and Latin America — along with the replacement top admiral — formally objected to extending forces for the Iran war. They warned that prolonged deployments are degrading their ability to confront threats elsewhere. Adm. Daryl Caudle, chief of Naval Operations, told Hegseth that barely one-quarter of U.S. destroyers are ready to deploy, according to the Post. The only dedicated Pacific carrier has also been diverted to the Middle East. The war has consumed 65% of the U.S. Patriot interceptor inventory, squeezing supplies for NATO and forcing the Pentagon to preserve weapons that would also be critical in a war with China. (AP)

> US launches new round of strikes against Iran, with President Donald Trump accusing Iran of planting more sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz; Jordan says it intercepted 10 ballistic missiles as of this writing (More) | See war updates (More) > Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) heads off primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton (D, MA-6) (More) | House votes 370-48 to pass bill extending funding by three months in effort to avoid federal government shutdown Oct. 1; the bill already passed the Senate and heads to President Donald Trump's desk for signature (More) > Judge orders jurors deadlocked in Lindsay Clancy case to return to deliberations (More) | See previous write-up (More)

> US stock markets close down (S&P 500 -0.7%, Dow -0.8%, Nasdaq -1.0%) as rising bond yields and oil prices weigh on stocks (More) | Why do bond yields matter? (More, w/video) | ... and why global bond yields are rising to multiyear highs (More) > Camera maker GoPro to merge with Starman Optical in $285M deal, expanding into AI, defense, and aerospace; GoPro shares jump 40% on the news (More) | GoPro's unlikely surfing origins (More) > Shein shares drop 9% after the Chinese e-commerce giant debuts on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (More) | Dell shares rise 8% in after-hours trading after reporting better-than-expected earnings, fueled by demand for AI servers (More)

Definitely what God wanted.

> Waymo expands its autonomous vehicle services to San Diego, Denver, and Tampa, Florida; Amazon plans to test its Zoox robotaxi in Houston and San Diego with human supervisors (More) | How do self-driving cars navigate? (More, w/video) > New map of the brain region responsible for movement control, decision-making, and habit-forming could lead to more efficient drugs for Huntington’s disease, addiction, schizophrenia, and other disorders (More) > Reheating clay pottery can offer researchers a new way to identify counterfeits; the approach reveals a time stamp left behind by Earth’s magnetic field when a piece was originally fired (More)

> Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke announces he will purchase the Los Angeles Angels, reportedly at a record $4B valuation; deal is expected to close early next year. > Federal judge dismisses harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Lizzo’s production company from her former wardrobe stylist (More) | Miley Cyrus changes stage name to “Miley” ahead of 10th studio album (More) > Jonathan Bailey drops out of West End production of "Sunday in the Park with George" weeks after his "Wicked" costar Ariana Grande also dropped out (More)

Russian Drones in Germany The German government accused Russia yesterday of directing three drones to Leipzig/Halle Airport in the eastern town of Schkeuditz last month. Germany's second-largest cargo airport serves as a key logistics hub for shipments bound for Ukraine. On Aug. 4, an airport employee found a drone carrying military-grade explosives near a Ukrainian cargo plane parked in a secure area. A second drone hit a different cargo plane approaching the airport. A third landed in a nearby field. None of the drones detonated. Germany’s investigation revealed elements of the attack were consistent with hybrid operations Russia has employed against Ukraine. In response, the government announced yesterday that it is tightening restrictions on Russians entering the country, terminating the lease of a Russian cultural center in Berlin, and closing its last Russian consulate. The Kremlin denies responsibility. Germany did not call for NATO action in response to the attack. Here’s how the alliance works (w/video).

A Glimmer of Dark? Hundreds of physicists are poring over a finding that may signal the first-ever detection of dark matter—or is otherwise difficult to explain using any known particle. They published their findings yesterday in the hope of gathering input from scientists across the world. Dark matter accounts for about 85% of the matter in the universe. We cannot see or touch it, but its existence is considered necessary to explain how galaxies rotate, among other phenomena (watch our favorite explainer). To detect dark matter, scientists filled a tank with liquid xenon and placed it a mile underground. The goal was to minimize, isolate, and identify particles passing through. Visible particles would predictably release light and electrons; however, there is one case—recorded in June 2023—where a particle released energy on a scale suggesting its mass is more than 200 times that of a proton. Researchers say there is a 0.5% chance the recording could be explained by other known physical properties. Go deeper with one potential dark matter candidate: supersymmetric particles.

For almost 15 years, Vermont was technically its own country before joining the United States in 1791. It had its own coins and postal service. James

🌄 Parting shot: Alpine glow Photo: Ashley Mahoney A sunrise lights up Lake Bled and its island church in Slovenia, seen from Ojstrica. Axios Charlotte reporter Ashley Mahoney and her husband hiked up the mountain during their two-week honeymoon in Slovenia, the Dolomites and Venice.

Sen. Ed Markey, 80, wins Mass. Democratic primary over opponent who called for generational change U.S. Sen. Ed Markey secured the Democratic nomination in Massachusetts’ Senate primary Tuesday, once again fending off a push for generational change as he seeks a third term. https://apnews.com/article/massachusetts-senate-primary-election-markey-moulton-7968135279320c758b0fd4750d864db9?

Judge sends Charlie Kirk murder case to trial with defendant facing potential death penalty PROVO, Utah (AP) — The murder case against the Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk last year is headed for trial, and the defendant could face the death penalty if he’s convicted. https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-preliminary-hearing-a70241ea50824c0b7ea5b53b9ed1c5f1?

📺 Scoop: Transgender ad attack A super PAC working to reelect Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is plowing $1.1 million into an ad campaign attacking Democrat Troy Jackson for supporting state legislation that allows transgender women to be housed in women's prisons. Why it matters: The ad is the latest example of Republicans using visceral attacks on transgender policies to draw sharp contrasts with Democrats on a hot-button cultural issue. But for the first time this cycle, Republicans are taking the transgender issue into a blue-state Senate race. 🚗 Driving the news: The strategy behind the two-week blitz from Pine Tree Results is clear: drive Jackson's negatives higher. ✍️ "As Senate president, Jackson signed the bill requiring state prisons to house biological men if they identify as female with women prisoners," the narrator says. The other side: "Susan Collins and her allies are desperately trying to change the subject because she can't defend her own record," said Dan Gottlieb, a spokesperson for Jackson. "She voted with Donald Trump 96% of the time," Gottlieb said. "No amount of dishonest fearmongering is going to distract Mainers from that." 🌎 Zoom out: In Texas, Republicans have recirculated a 2021 floor speech from state Rep. James Talarico in which he declared that "God is nonbinary" and expressed his love for trans children. In Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) welcomed state Rep. Josh Turek to the general election with an ad accusing him of supporting children changing gender without parental consent. And in Ohio, Sen. Jon Husted has accused former Sen. Sherrod Brown of supporting "boys in girls' sports," reprising an attack that Sen. Bernie Moreno successfully used against Brown in 2024. — Hans Nichols

☄️ Jeffries gets blindsided After a pair of centrist Democrats unexpectedly helped Speaker Mike Johnson pass a procedural vote this afternoon, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is under pressure to punish the defectors. Why it matters: The episode underscored how little control House Democratic leadership enjoys over some of its more independent-minded members — even at crucial moments. The two centrists, Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), joined with Republicans on a rule vote — which typically falls along party lines — that prevailed 210–208. 👉 Jeffries told reporters the defections were a "significant breach of trust" and said potential repercussions are "under discussion right now." "People want it," a senior House Democrat told us tonight, referring to punishment for Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez. 😳 Driving the news: The defections blindsided Jeffries and inflamed behind-the-scenes tension between leadership offices. "You'll have to talk to Katherine," Jeffries told reporters right after the vote, referring to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), whose primary job is to get Democrats in line. A spokesperson for Clark, asked if the whip had gotten a heads-up from the two rogue Democrats, told us "No, she didn't." "Let's just say it's creating tension between some of the leadership," said the senior House Democrat. The lawmaker said some House Democrats have also directed their criticism at leadership staff. 🥊 But the bulk of the anger from rank-and-file members was directed at Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez. "It's always disappointing when Democrats defect and vote for a Republican rule," said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). Said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.): "Everyone knows that you don't vote against a procedural vote without notifying leadership. Everyone. We're as strong as our weakest link." — Andrew Solender

Venezuela’s main airport partially resumes commercial flights after deadly earthquakes Venezuela's main airport partially resumed commercial operations on Tuesday, nearly 10 weeks after two devastating earthquakes struck the South American country. Read More.

Zambia president inaugurated for second term after disputed vote and opposition arrests Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was inaugurated Tuesday to begin his second term after a disputed election that saw some opposition leaders arrested and the country's courts closed for legal appeals to the election outcomes. Read More.

Oil giant Chevron is expected to announce it will expand operations in Venezuela, US official says Oil giant Chevron is planning to expand its operations in Venezuela, a U.S. official said Tuesday, just days after President Donald Trump announced an ambitious deal to develop the nation's oil reserves and give the Pentagon a stake in the profits. Read More. USPS Whistleblower Claims A whistleblower warned Congress yesterday that a rushed US Postal Service system stemming from President Donald Trump’s effort to impose new federal requirements on mail voting could prevent legitimate ballots from reaching voters ahead of November’s midterm elections. The system, temporarily blocked by a federal judge, would require election officials to upload voter information and ballot bar codes to a federal portal before ballots are mailed, giving USPS a new role in verifying who may receive them—a process traditionally handled by state and local officials (see what’s different). The whistleblower alleges USPS built the system in roughly three months, despite such projects typically taking roughly a year. A single bar code failing a sample check could cause an entire batch to be rejected and returned to election officials. Roughly 30% of Americans voted by mail in 2024; see how mail-ballot deadlines vary by state. Explore the 160-year history of voting by mail, beginning with Civil War soldiers casting ballots from the battlefield.

Schools reopen in Congo’s Ebola epicenter despite concerns from parents and teachers A new academic year began across Congo on Tuesday despite concerns by parents and teachers that the country's Ebola outbreak still poses risks to children in the epicenter. Read More. Congo’s Ebola outbreak shows no signs of slowing as deaths top 3,000 BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people out of more than 6,100 confirmed cases, according to the latest government data from Wednesday, as the disease is spreading at an unprecedented speed, faster than efforts to track and slow it. https://apnews.com/article/congo-ebola-disease-outbreak-deaths-79042056c1bd20cb1233a013fedf30d3?

📍1 for the road: MapQuest takeover Photo: Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images 📱 MapQuest (remember them?) skyrocketed to the top of Apple's app store after defying President Trump's call to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The app surpassed Google Maps and Apple Maps in the app store, TechCrunch reports. Read MapQuest's release. ps:Good for them!!!!!

📬 A whistleblower is alleging that the U.S. Postal Service defied court orders while rushing to build a new ballot system that could reject thousands of mail ballots, Axios' Andrew Pantazi and Donica Phifer report. Postal Service work to comply with Trump's executive order is rushed and sloppy, a whistleblower contends The U.S. Postal Service is poised to launch a hastily built, error-riddled computer system that could jeopardize the process of mail voting relied upon by one-third of all voters, according to a whistleblower statement released Tuesday by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Read More. ps:Pathetic!!!!!