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NASA astronauts form US political nonprofit

More than 100 former US astronauts launched a nonprofit to address an issue closer to home — the future of US democracy.

Astronaut poses with US flag during 1971 Moon mission.

Trump’s Fed pick vows central bank independence

During his congressional confirmation hearing, Kevin Warsh responded “absolutely not” when asked if he would be the president’s “sock puppet.”

Kevin Warsh

Republicans release budget, hope to end shutdown

Senators hope that movement will prompt the House to pass the Senate bill funding the rest of the Department of Homeland Security.

John Thune

Senators question Warsh’s case for rate cuts

The Fed chair nominee said he believes AI’s boost to “the supply side of the economy” may be “considerably bigger” than the “effect on demand.”

Trump extends ceasefire with Iran

Trump announced that he would hold off attacks at the request of Pakistan to give Tehran time to come up with a “unified proposal.”

Former Trump aides argue his policies are paying off

Washington’s focus on key geopolitical battlegrounds, rather than being the world’s policeman, is paying off, an ex-assistant secretary of state wrote.

Trump’s Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh faces Senate hearing

Analysts and lawmakers have been skeptical of Warsh’s independence amid intense White House pressure on the central bank.

Cherfilus-McCormick faces potential expulsion

It might not be the only expulsion vote in the House this week.

Powell probe looms over Warsh hearing

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has pledged to b Kevin Warsh’s nomination until the Justice Department gives up on its investigation of Jerome Powell.

Why Chavez-DeRemer’s departure surprised few

The labor secretary had faced a probe from her department’s independent watchdog into a long list of alleged misbehaviors on the job.

US, Iran talks appear to be back on

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the Washington delegation in earlier failed discussions, is expected to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday.

Trump’s Fed pick vows central bank independence

During his congressional confirmation hearing, Kevin Warsh responded “absolutely not” when asked if he would be the president’s “sock puppet.”

Kevin Warsh

The gap between Main Street and Wall Street is widening

The Main Streeters are sanguine, while the money men are sounding alarms.

Apprenticeships in the age of AI

Whatever junior workers survive the automation of the knowledge economy will be scaling a pyramid that is steeper and sharper-elbowed.

US states flex their antitrust muscles

States are increasingly becoming the arbiters of antitrust, stepping into a void left by Trump’s Department of Justice.

Cloning woolly mammoths is cool. Can it be profitable?

Ben Lamm, CEO of bioengineering lab Colossal, says the money-making opportunity in thwarting extinction is “immeasurable.” Just don’t expect a Jurassic Park.

Apple’s new boss faces dual challenge in China

Increased competition in the massive consumer market and a need to diversify from the country as a major supplier are the main hurdles.

John Ternus.

ByteDance profit falls on AI spending

Chinese tech giant ByteDance’s profit fell more than 70% as the company leaned aggressively into AI.

A man stands near a giant sign of Chinese company ByteDance’s app TikTok, known locally as Douyin, during China Fashion Week, in Beijing.

Apple makes a safe choice in a dangerous moment

Apple’s choice of John Ternus to replace CEO Tim Cook signals the company plans to stay its cautious and lucrative course.

Apple names John Ternus as next CEO

Apple named John Ternus as its new CEO effective Sept. 1, replacing Tim Cook, who led the US tech giant for 15 years.

Rising AI demand sees supplies dwindle and costs rise

The Mac Mini computer is now all but out of stock because the machine is the most cost-effective way to run locally hosted AI agents.

China’s robot half marathon shows off humanoid advances

A bipedal humanoid robot finished a half marathon in China in under 51 minutes, underscoring rapid advancements in the country’s physical AI sector.

Solar power surge leads to decline in fossil fuel generation

Global clean power production outpaced electricity demand last year, leading to a decline in fossil fuel generation for the first time since the pandemic.

An aerial view shows rows of solar panels at a solar farm in Anson, Texas.

India, China running low on oil alternatives

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is squeezing Asia’s largest oil importers as they run low on alternatives.

A queue for gas in India

Climate investment shifts toward infrastructure, report finds

Capital is increasingly moving away from experimental, higher-risk bets towards mature technologies deployed by established players, according to report.

A general view of electricity pylons.

UAE arrests Iran-linked terror cell

There have been similar arrests across the Gulf since the US-Israel war with Iran began, but this is the largest of its kind to date.

Saudi Arabia nearly doubles renewables capacity in 2025

While the pace of new projects is accelerating, the kingdom is still some way off its target of producing 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

Closure of Strait of Hormuz distorts oil markets

Futures, driven by events and Trump tweets, are trending down, while physical barrels trade at huge premiums as refiners scramble for immediate supply.

Bahrain bets on AI to boost oil output

State oil company Bapco tapped SLB and US AI startup Geminus to increase production.

Abu Dhabi’s international airport opens stores to non-travelers

UAE residents can now register online, collect a digital QR code at the door, and spend up to four hours shopping at the airport.

Competition to provide satellite internet heats up in Africa

SES, Amazon, and Starlink are all competing to bring Africa’s population online via satellite internet.

A Starlink device at a refugee camp in Chad.

Major kidney genomic study in Africa finds new risk factors

Researchers found new genetic variants driving chronic kidney disease, offering potential targets for future drugs or diagnostic tools.

A lab technician looks into a microscope in DR Congo.

Africa’s insurance sector buoyed by growing middle class

The market is expected to top $166 billion by 2034, up from $98.5 billion in 2025, global market research firm IMARC Group forecast.

China’s solar panel exports to Africa surged in 2025

China exported 18.8 gigawatts of solar panels to Africa last year, 48% more than in 2024, according to new analysis from the energy think tank Ember.

Pope Leo XIV’s 11-day Africa tour

Africa is the fastest-growing part of the Catholic Church worldwide, accounting for nearly 300 million believers in 2024.

Nigerian airlines pause plan to shut down operations countrywide

Airlines have been among the businesses hardest hit by the impact of the Iran war.

Russia may scrap spending rule as economy falters amid Ukraine war

Russia may sacrifice a crucial spending rule as the Ukraine war puts the economy under pressure.

Oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

Japan joins South China Sea drills for first time

The drills, led by the US and the Philippines since 2001, are seen as a response to growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and Japan Coast Guard’s Akitsushima (PLH-32) participate in drills in 2023.

New EU rules spark airport delays

Travelers from non-EU countries must register their personal information and biometrics the first time they enter the bloc.

People walk at Terminal 1 during a strike of Cockpit, the union representing Lufthansa pilots, at Frankfurt Airport, Germany

LeBron James is getting ready for his post-NBA media career, partner says

In an appearance at last week’s Semafor World Economy gathering, Maverick Carter said that changes in the tech and media landscape will allow James some flexibility in terms of his next moves once he retires — which could be as soon as later this month.

Maverick Carter

CNN backpedals after booker turns away guest for merger segment

“No one advised any editorial employee at CNN not to pursue this story,” a CNN spokesperson said.

Writer of media newsletter recapping media newsletters suspended after errors

Mediaite’s One Sheet newsletter has grown increasingly error-prone.

Gulf media crackdown sanitizes images of the war

Some international wires have halted conflict photography in the UAE since the arrest of photojournalists there.

How Bluesky earned its reputation — and why it could be the way of the future

Bluesky COO Rose Wang on how her company got to 40 million users.

How Ivan Espinosa got Nissan to face reality

Nissan’s vehicle sales and share price have plummeted. Espinosa has a mandate to turn them around.

Ivan Espinosa

How old records and new AI technology brought growth back to Ancestry

CEO Howard Hochhauser says the site had stopped listening to its customers.

Howard Hochhauser

Richard Edelman on trust, ‘Succession,’ and how to advise a CEO

The C-suite adviser says clients should spend more time hearing their critics.

Richard Edelman speaks onstage during the Edelman session at the Cannes Lions Festival 2018.

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