American billionaire, founder and executive chair of Amazon
NASA has selected Lunar Outpost and AstroLab to build lunar terrain vehicles for a moon base program and announced private partners will lead the first uncrewed lunar landers and cargo missions this year, with iterative demonstrations planned toward a permanent lunar outpost.
A wave of space-based data-center startups and defense-aligned ventures are racing to deploy orbital computing. Companies plan test satellites, funding rounds, and government programs to scale AI workloads in orbit, while observers caution about the cost, heat management, and regulatory hurdles.
Blue Origin has lost a New Glenn rocket in a catastrophic engine test at Cape Canaveral, producing a fireball that damaged the LC‑36A pad and generated seismic waves. Jeff Bezos and CEO Dave Limp have said key propellant tanks and some hardware survived and the company has begun a pad rebuild, while NASA is offering technical support for Artemis-related schedules.
NASA has named Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas as the Artemis III crew for a mid‑2027, two‑week Earth‑orbit test flight to practice docking with prototype lunar landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX. The all‑male selection has drawn online criticism and questions about whether Blue Origin’s May New Glenn explosion will delay the program.
The expansion of AI data centers is meeting increasing resistance from communities, with regulators considering moratoriums and bans while tech giants defend efficiency gains and transparency. New disclosures show progress toward water-use goals, but concerns about environmental impact persist.
Bezos has launched Prometheus to build an “artificial general engineer” that could accelerate invention, with funding surpassing $12 billion and 150 employees. He asserts AI will raise productivity and create opportunities, countering fears of widespread job losses. The company is pursuing AI models for engineering, manufacturing and design, while exploring regulation debates.
Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, former SEC chairman and U.S. attorney, to be the next Director of National Intelligence. The move follows a congressional standoff over extending the expiring FISA program, with Pulte set to serve as acting DNI. Coverage details the political friction and potential implications for U.S. intelligence oversight.
SpaceX has gone public in the largest IPO in history, pushing Elon Musk toward trillionaire status as the company outlines ambitious plans—from data centers in space to lunar bases—while investors weigh the feasibility and risks amid a sprawling empire.
A wave of brands and fans has linked themselves to the Knicks after their first title in 53 years. From high school athletes to consumer products, the celebration has extended across sports, entertainment, and business as brands ride the moment.
The New York Knicks clinched the NBA title in a dramatic finish, sparking mass celebrations that have stretched into the weekend. Amid the triumph, reports of violence and incidents involving fans have emerged, including assaults and property damage across Manhattan and San Antonio as fans celebrate.
Outside groups have poured billions into 2026 races, with AI, crypto and political power players spending to back or thwart candidates. In NY-12, Maryland’s MD-05, and beyond, pro- and anti-AI committees are influencing races as November approaches, while individual fortunes test the limits of soft money in a polarized landscape.
Slate Auto has unveiled a bare‑bones two‑seat electric pickup with a $24,950 base price and a two‑row SUV conversion starting at $29,950. The company has raised the base EPA range estimate to about 205 miles, is taking preorders with a $300 deposit, and plans production to begin in late 2026 with direct online sales.
Micron has reported blockbuster fiscal third-quarter results — $41.46bn revenue and $28.24bn net income — and has forecast roughly $50bn for the current quarter. The results have pushed Micron above a $1tn market value, restarted buying in memory stocks and have sharpened concerns that soaring AI data‑centre demand is forcing consumer electronics makers, including Apple, to prepare price increases.
Giving USA 2026 reports 2025 philanthropy at a record $617 billion, up 3% in inflation-adjusted terms. Bequests and megagifts from a handful of ultra-wealthy donors drive the rise, with MacKenzie Scott contributing about a third of megagift dollars and Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg among top benefactors. The stock market boom underpins broader giving across individuals, foundations, and corporations.
General Intuition has raised $320 million at a $2.3 billion valuation, backing a world-model AI that can plan in real-world spaces. The funding supports its push into physical AI, training on gameplay before applying to real-world robotics.
Prime Day has updated with a curated set of deals our editors test and trust. We highlight the standout kitchen, home, tech and travel offers and explain why they’re worth buying while prices may vary across retailers.
The world’s richest person has seen his fortune swing wildly after SpaceX’s IPO. SpaceX and Tesla shares have fallen amid a broader tech sell-off, eroding Musk’s trillionaire status. Despite volatility, he remains the wealthiest individual as markets reassess growth prospects in AI and tech.
Trump-backed Julia Letlow has won the Louisiana Senate runoff, consolidating support for his slate in Republican primaries. The race highlights Trump’s continued influence while Democratic challengers eye a path to regain control of Congress.
The US Department of Commerce has lifted export controls on Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, and Anthropic has begun restoring access. Mythos 5 has been cleared for a vetted group of US organisations; Fable 5 — redesigned with stronger safeguards — is being redeployed more broadly after testing and coordination with government officials.
OpenAI and Anthropic prepare to list as other tech ventures eye public debuts, amid warnings about IPO pricing. History shows many listings underperform in the long run, but investors remain hopeful as market chatter intensifies.
Microsoft has announced 4,800 job cuts companywide, including 3,200 roles in Xbox during fiscal 2027 and 1,600 Xbox positions eliminated immediately. Xbox will spin out or divest five studios and reduce management layers as it restructures to strengthen margins while shifting resources toward AI and core franchises. The move has reduced Xbox headcount by about 20%.
The disclosures show Melania Trump earning over $17 million in 2025, largely from a $40 million licensing deal and $6 million from NFTs and collectibles. Donald Trump reports more than $2 billion in earnings, much from crypto ventures and meme coins. Critics cite potential conflicts of interest as Amazon and other entities profited around the same period.
Luxury hotel brands are entering the cruise space, offering mega-yacht-like experiences on shorter, curated itineraries. The trend includes brands like Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman, moving beyond traditional cruise models as ultrawealthy travelers seek exclusive, shipboard living with extensive amenities.
celebrities are staging a high-profile wedding during a heatwave in New York, drawing massive security, road closures, and public attention. Critics say the spectacle underscores a city increasingly tuned to the needs of the rich while ordinary residents bear the burden.
Amazon has reached a milestone with a satellite constellation of over 390 satellites, enabling initial Leo internet service later this year. The launch cadence faces delays from recent rocket setbacks, but the company plans broader coverage as more satellites go online.
Automakers have pulled several electric models from the U.S. market even as quarterly EV sales have risen. Q2 2026 U.S. consumer EV purchases have reached 247,226 vehicles, a sequential rise driven by higher fuel prices, new low-cost entrants and state rebates. Manufacturers and startups are responding with cheaper models, but many legacy brands have cancelled or delayed U.S. EV projects.
JAXA has flown the RV-X, lifting it 11 metres and landing it upright 16 metres away at Noshiro, marking Japan’s first successful launch and landing of a rocket. China’s Long March-10B has achieved a sea-based net catch on its maiden flight, signaling a major step toward reusable launch technology. The stories show growing momentum in global efforts to reduce space-launch costs and expand access to space.
Ford has integrated Apple Maps directly into its universal electric vehicle platform, starting with a $30,000 midsize truck due in 2027. The move, part of Ford’s push for affordability and a simplified tech stack, will power navigation, EV routing, and battery preconditioning, with Latitude AI using map data for a next-gen hands-free system. Apple Maps runs natively in-vehicle, not via CarPlay, and aims to streamline features like home automation and fleet routing.
The AI industry has reached a tipping point as hyperscalers project rising returns from chips and data centers. New analyses forecast trillions in 2026 revenue to justify the AI build-out, even as token costs and cheaper models pressure profitability.
Three robotics and automation startups have raised significant funding this week, underscoring a shift toward automated manufacturing across diverse sectors. Munich-based microagi has secured $55 million in a seed round led by Hummingbird, while Senra instrumentalizes wire harness automation in aerospace and defense with a $65 million Series B. The funding underscores a broader push to standardize and scale automated production amid labor shortages and reshoring pressures.
Amazon has announced its first satellite internet agreement on the African continent, partnering with South Africa’s Herotel to launch a new service in a country of about 62 million people. The deal underscores a broader push into Africa, with Amazon Leo aiming to expand across the continent and to collaborate with Vanu Inc. The move comes amid public criticism from Elon Musk regarding South Africa’s regulatory environment.
The CBS News program 60 Minutes is undergoing a major personnel shakeup. Nick Bilton has announced five new hires, including Ross Douthat and Norah O’Donnell, along with Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni and Trevor Phillips, to join as correspondents or contributors. The changes follow previous layoffs and leadership shifts under Bari Weiss’s editorship.
AP, Independent and Ars Technica recount Apollo 11 relics tied to the 1969 lunar mission. A broken circuit-breaker switch and a felt-tip pen helped Armstrong and Aldrin escape the Moon’s surface; bidders have paid nearly $1 million for the items that helped the mission return home.
Protests greet Tilman Fertitta’s Venice stop as part of a coastal diplomacy tour marking the US 250th anniversary. Demonstrators accuse the ambassador’s voyage of flaunting wealth amid tensions over Trump administration’s international stance. Venice’s authorities maintain the event showcases partnership and shared history.
Fenway Sports Group has received an approach from a consortium led by Amit Bhatia that has offered to buy a strategic minority stake in Liverpool. Reports have said Jeff Bezos has held talks about joining the group and the bid would value the club at roughly a34.5bn-a36bn; talks are at an early stage.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage has struck the Moon near Einstein Crater at about 5,400 mph, carving a new crater and sending a dust plume into lunar orbit. South Korea’s Danuri orbiter has photographed the site and released images; NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to image the impact next week while scientists begin analysing ejecta and crater formation.
Amazon has filed with the FCC to launch a Direct-to-Device satellite network intended to provide global mobile connectivity, competing with SpaceX's Starlink. The plan leverages Globalstar’s spectrum and envisions service for unserved regions and emergency operations, with initial service slated for later this year and full deployment by 2028. Several partnerships and regulatory waivers accompany the filing.
Amazon has disclosed a $600 million tariff refund in Q2 after a Supreme Court ruling found Trump-era tariffs illegal. The refunds, largely benefiting customers, will be issued automatically where specific charges can be traced. Most refunds will go to affected buyers, with third-party sellers absorbing the bulk of the levies.
The Washington Post and Axios report growing criticism of JD Vance’s bid for Trump’s endorsement, with Journal editorial board pieces challenging his ambitions, temperament, and Iran stance; meanwhile The Guardian and Business Insider UK cover Adam O’Neal’s sudden departure from Post Opinions amid debatable reorientation of the section.
OpenAI’s CEO has said the best opportunities come from going against the crowd, learned from mentors at Y Combinator and Silicon Valley. He recalls the push to secure compute after GPT-4 and the lesson that genuine breakthroughs emerge when founders pursue unpopular bets.
DiCaprio and Bezos have launched the Phoenix Species Project, pledging $200 million to recover critically endangered species across 30 countries. The initiative has drawn swift criticism from critics who accuse the effort of greenwashing, while supporters point to the potential gains for threatened fauna and indigenous communities.
Ford has unveiled the Fathom, its next electric pickup built on the Universal EV Platform, with a sub-$30,000 starting price including destination. Preorders begin in early 2027 and deliveries are planned for late 2027, as Ford pivots from ambitious EV goals to a cost-focused production strategy.