House Democrats' two largest ideological factions are trying to tamp down their disagreements ahead of President-elect Trump's return to the White House, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: House Democrats see their number one task as taking on Trump and winning back control of Congress in 2026. Everything else, they say, can wait.

• "Across the board, I think all of us in the Democratic Caucus want to focus on taking back the majority," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

What we're hearing: Members of both the Progressive Caucus and the center-left New Democrat Coalition — which each contain roughly 100 of the 215 House Democrats, with some overlap — confirmed the talks to Axios.

• "Those conversations are starting," a Progressive Caucus member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Axios.
• A New Dems member said the focus is on "finding common ground."

What they're saying: Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) told Axios there are "conversations being had about trying to make sure that we're unified and cordial and understanding of everybody."

• After Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) was elected New Dems chair in November, Casar said, "he reached out to me ... about us finding areas of common ground and making sure that we maintain unity across the Dem caucus."
• Schneider told Axios: "We actually had a meeting, and we both said this — we should be talking to each other every day and the best way to avoid unintended circumstances is to communicate with each other."
• "So as long as we're talking and not dropping surprises on the other, I think we'll have a good working relationship," Schneider added.

Zoom in: While Republicans' infighting has generally grabbed the headlines over the last two years, Democrats have grappled with their fair share of internal divisions.

• The Oct. 7 attack and the resulting Israel-Hamas war, in particular, have put House Democrats at odds and resulted in public swiping.
• The party's 2024 election loss has also resulted in a new round of finger-pointing over which ideological flank of the party was to blame.

Zoom in: Separate from these talks, members of both caucuses also described an informal consensus that is emerging around not endorsing primary challengers against incumbent House Democrats.

• Said Jayapal: "We are trying to get to a [Democratic] caucus-wide agreement that we do not weigh in against incumbents and that we focus on open seats."
• Schneider noted the two caucuses "both respected" that practice last cycle and said he "would expect that to continue."

The bottom line: "I think we're all united on ... one purposes, and that's 218 [House seats], the majority," said Schneider.

• "We need to keep the eyes on that. I want to see Hakeem Jeffries as speaker. I want to see Democrats with gavels in their hands."

Secretary of State Tony Blinken will lay out a plan for rebuilding and governing Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war on Tuesday, three U.S. officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Blinken is down to his last week in Foggy Bottom, but he hopes his blueprint will become a reference point for any future day-after plan for Gaza, including for the incoming Trump administration.

Driving the news: Blinken will lay out his plan in a speech at the Atlantic Council on Tuesday morning amid efforts to conclude a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

• President-elect Donald Trump told Newsmax on Monday night that Israel and Hamas are "very close" to a deal. "I understand that there has been a handshake and they are getting it finished — maybe by the end of the week," he said. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is participating in the negotiations in Doha.
• A plan for the post-Hamas governance structure in Gaza would be crucial for efforts to implement the second phase of the Gaza deal, which is designed to lead to a permanent ceasefire and the end of the war.

State of play: Blinken has presented his plan for Gaza's security, administration and reconstruction after a ceasefire agreement is in place to several U.S. allies.

• "We are ready to hand that over to the Trump administration so it can work on it and run with it when the opportunity is there," he said at a press conference in Paris last week.

Behind the scenes: Blinken's plan has become a highly contentious issue inside the State Department and a source of fierce internal fighting.

• Some State Department officials were concerned the plan would serve Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's interests and marginalize marginalize the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas.

Catch up-quick: Axios reported in October that Blinken was working on a post-war plan for Gaza based on ideas developed by Israel and the United Arab Emirates and wanted to present it after the presidential election.

• Blinken appointed his adviser and close friend Jamie Rubin as the point person for the day-after plan.
• Several week ago, Rubin traveled to Israel and the West Bank to discuss the plan. U.S. officials said Palestinian Authority officials gave Rubin a long list of reservations about the plan, signaling they don't support it.
• The State Department has briefed the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries on the main points in the speech, U.S. officials said.

Blinken's plan is based on establishing a governing mechanism that will include the involvement of international community and Arab countries that could also send troops to Gaza to stabilize the security situation and deliver humanitarian aid.

• The speech will call for reform of the Palestinian Authority, while making clear the PA must be a part of any future government in Gaza.
• The Israeli government wants Arab countries to be involved in a post-war Gaza but has so far refused to agree to any day-after plan which includes the involvement of the Palestinian Authority.
• Blinken's speech will also reiterate the principles he laid out in Tokyo early in the war and that object to any permanent Israeli occupation of Gaza, the decrease of its territory or the forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza.
• State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment.

The bottom line: "Blinken wants to try and shape the outcome of the war and he will make clear in his speech how he thinks Israel can turn its tactical wins against Hamas into strategic gains," a U.S. official said.

Starbucks is rolling back a policy that allows people to hang out there or use the bathroom without buying anything.

Why it matters: The chain implemented the policy in 2018, following a national uproar when two Black men who hadn't purchased anything were arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia.

• Starbucks later apologized, reached a settlement with them and trained its workers on racial biases.

The big picture: The shift is part of a new code of conduct at Starbucks cafes.

• Among the changes will be the posting of signs banning discrimination and harassment, violence or abusive language, outside alcohol, panhandling, drug use, and other disruptive behavior.

What they're saying: "By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone," Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson says.

Between the lines: It's one of the first big changes after the company hired CEO Brian Niccol, who is under pressure to pull off a turnaround amid disappointing sales.

• "Our values, developed with input from hundreds of partners, aren't changing," Niccol wrote Thursday in a message posted on Starbuck's website before the policy change surfaced.

• Microsoft Teams is a live meeting platform and virtual collaboration space.
• Microsoft first launched teams as a direct competitor to Slack.
• Here's what to know about Microsoft Teams and how to use various features.

If you need to set up a remote meeting wherein you can conduct video calls, swap notes, share files, align calendars, and much more, the Microsoft Teams just might be the right platform to use. A part of the Microsoft 365 subscription service that includes programs like Word, Excel, Outlook, and more, Teams easily integrates with much of the software and many apps you are likely already using.

Teams was first created because Bill Gates was against buying Slack, the workflow management platform. In 2016, Microsoft almost made an $8 billion bid for Slack, but the company's founder and former CEO was opposed to the move.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, agreed with Gates, and the offer was never made. Instead, Microsoft would develop Teams as a competitor to Slack, releasing it the next year.

Let's take a closer look at Microsoft Teams and what it allows its users to do.

What is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration app that allows users to communicate and work together in real time. It's designed to help users stay organized and connected, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including meetings, during which people can use features like PowerPoint Live, Microsoft Whiteboard, and AI-generated meeting notes.

Teams can also be used as a phone call platform. Users can make group calls, send voicemails, and transfer calls to others.

It's also a chat platform, letting users message individuals or groups, and access features like emojis and suggested replies.

Teams users can share files and share apps, and can use the program to help align and manage their calendars and schedules.

Is Microsoft Teams still free?

There is a free version of Microsoft Teams that offers many of the same functions as the paid version, albeit in scaled down form. Called "Teams for personal life," the free version limits video calls to 60 minutes, but it allows chat, file sharing, and up to five gigabytes of cloud file storage. The free version limits participants in a single session to 100 users.

How to join a Teams meeting — even without an account

You don't need to install Microsoft Teams join a meeting. You can join a meeting using your browser, or you can download the Windows app. On your computer, you need to use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome as your browser to join a Teams meeting.

You can also join a Team's meeting even if you don't have a Microsoft Teams account, and that's true on a smartphone or tablet or on a computer.

To join without an account, first find the meeting invite in your email or on your calendar, then select "Join Microsoft Teams Meeting." On a computer, choose "Join on the web," whereas on a mobile device, you will be prompted to download the Team app. Enter your name, allow the device to use your camera and microphone, then hit "Join now."

The meeting organizer will then be notified that you've joined, and someone in the meeting can admit you.

Which is better: Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet?

Each better serves different users and use cases, so it's not a matter of which platform is better, but rather which is better for a given situation. Google Meet is a stripped-down and easy-to-use platform ideal for more casual meetings, as among friends or small groups of coworkers. Zoom allows for a high number of participants, so it's good for major presentations or remote conferences.

And Microsoft Teams offers a robust suite of features, as discussed here, making it ideal for ongoing use by groups that need to regularly collaborate in productive ways.

Southern California Edison is being sued by residents and businesses impacted by the Eaton Fire, who allege the Los Angeles utility's equipment may have started the deadly blaze.

The big picture: It's among multiple wildfires that have erupted across the L.A. area since last week in extremely dry conditions with powerful Santa Ana winds, and the National Weather Service has issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning that's set to last until Wednesday.

• There have been at least 25 reported wildfire-related deaths, including 17 in the Eaton Fire. The 14,117-acre blaze ignited on Jan. 7 and was 33% contained as of Monday evening, per Cal Fire.

Driving the news: The cause of the Eaton Fire is still being investigated, but lawyers for Singleton Schreiber allege in the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs that it may have begun when Edison's electrical equipment contacted or caused sparks to contact surrounding vegetation.

• The complaint that was filed in the L.A. Superior Court against the utility and Edison International says the utility reported itself to the California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 9 to say "its equipment was located within the general area of ignition."
• The complaint added: "Defendants deliberately prioritized profits over safety. This recklessness and conscious disregard for human safety was a substantial factor in bringing about the Eaton Fire."

What they're saying: Southern California Edison spokesperson Jeff Monford said Monday evening SCE was aware that a lawsuit related to the Eaton Fire had been filed, but it had not yet been served with a complaint.

• "SCE will review the complaint when it is received. The cause of the fire continues to be under investigation," Monford said by phone.
• "Our hearts remain with our communities during the devastating fires in Southern California, and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time. SCE crews, contractors and mutual assistance partners are dedicated to safely restoring power to our customers."

More from Axios:

• Climate change plays key contributing role in LA fires
• L.A. County fires among California's most destructive
• L.A. fires could be the U.S.' worst natural disaster, Newsom says

• Eric Sim retired from his 20-year banking career in 2017 after achieving financial freedom.
• But the former investment bank managing director says he's not a fan of the FIRE lifestyle.
• Sim became a professional speaker and executive coach after he left banking in 2017.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Sim, 54, a former banker who became a published author, professional speaker, and career coach. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider previously published an essay about Sim's banking career.

When I started my career in banking, I didn't give much thought to retiring early.

I figured I would retire at age 65 and engage in typical retirement activities like going on cruises and hanging out with old friends.

But things changed after I became a managing director at UBS. After working for a few years there, where I managed to earn multiple annual bonuses, I realized that I was actually financially free.

That got me thinking: If I didn't need to work for someone else, what would I do?

I knew that I couldn't just quit my job without a plan. I needed to find a meaningful project to which I could devote my energies.

After much thought and reflection, I decided to leave banking to run my own training institute for young professionals. I started the Institute of Life in 2015 with the mission of helping young people achieve success at work and in life.

FIRE isn't as great as you think it is

Even though I have achieved financial freedom, I'm not a fan of the Financial Independence Retire Early, or FIRE, movement.

To achieve FIRE, you must save a lot of your income during your working years. But the truth is, people often don't have a clear idea of what retiring will look like for them or if they'll enjoy it — especially if they're in the weeds and working toward it.

Of course, when you first retire, you can do whatever you want. You can travel overseas, hit the spa, or play golf.

After working for 10 to 20 years, being free from the grind for the first three months feels good. But you'll get bored very quickly.

When you are working, you don't have to plan for what you want to do. Your day job will give you more than enough things to do.

But if you are financially independent, without a regular schedule to adhere to, you need to find projects to occupy your time. If you don't do that, then your days are wasted.

A good retirement isn't just about having money in the bank

To have a good retirement, you will need three types of capital. Besides financial capital, you need human and social capital if you want to make the most of your time.

Human capital refers to the knowledge you possess. You can build this up through your career or through your side hustles and hobbies. By developing your interests and skills, you will know what activities you want to do when you go into retirement mode.

Social capital refers to the goodwill you accumulate with others. The small help that you offer to others can come back in a big way when you retire.

Ultimately, you need to know what you want to do after leaving your day job. If there is something that you always wanted to do, and is meaningful, I would say go for it.

But if you have nothing to look forward to and don't have a mission yet, just stay in your day job. You can still pursue your own interests on the side without quitting your job.

Americans have consistently viewed medical workers, K-12 teachers and military officers as the most ethical professions — but even their ratings have dropped considerably, new Gallup polling shows.

Why it matters: Americans' opinion of the ethics of various professions has stalled at its lowest point — reflective of declining confidence in U.S. institutions overall.

• "Americans interact with numerous professionals in their daily lives, while depending on others they've never met to maintain an efficient, fair and secure society," per the annual survey data, released Monday.
• "Whether reflecting personal experience or secondhand reports, Americans' sense of how much they can trust each profession varies widely, likely influencing how they engage with each."

The big picture: The average honesty and ethics ratings for 11 core professions was 30% in Monday's report, down from 40% in 2005.

• Three professions had "majority negative" ratings: — TV reporters, members of Congress and lobbyists.
• Those were followed by roles including advertising practitioners, car salespeople, business executives and state officeholders.
• Day care providers, funeral directors, police officers and auto mechanics enjoyed "net positive" ratings.

The intrigue: Three of the five professions with "majority positive" ratings were in medical fields, but nursing home operators had "net negative" ratings.

• Despite being among the highest in the list, trust in medical doctors and pharmacists has dropped below pre-pandemic levels.
• Polling released last year separately showed that more people are trusting in their own ability to assess health information or turn to friends to guidance amid lack of trust in public health agencies.
• Grade school teachers also received "majority positive ratings," but Americans have expressed growing dissatisfaction with K-12 education.

Zoom in: Trust in judges and clergy have fallen the most, long-term, although ratings were still net positive for both.

• Trust in judges reached a low of 28% in the honesty and ethics rating, a 21-point decrease since the early 2000s.
• Public approval of the Supreme Court nearly reached a record low after the court concluded its most recent term, per previous Gallup polling. Approval plunged in particular among Democrats as the high court's rulings have leaned conservative.
• Meanwhile, every age group has seen declines in religious affiliations during the past decade.

State of play: U.S. trust in mass media hit a historic low last year, and Monday's report echoes low ratings of TV and newspaper reporters.

• 55% of respondents rated TV reporters as having "majority negative" honesty and ethical standards, a nine percentage point drop since the early 2000s.
• 45% said the same of newspaper reporters, which have had consistently low ratings over the years.

Flashback: Nurses have earned the highest rating every year but one since they were added to the survey in 1999.

• "The exception was 2001, when firefighters — included only that year — earned a record 90% trust rating after their heroism in responding to the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers," the report said.

Go deeper: Media trust hits another historic low

Methodology: Telephone interviews were conducted Dec. 2-18 with a random sample of 1,003 adults living in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The margin of error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.