A coastal California city at the edge of Los Angeles County
Zoox has received a temporary NHTSA exemption that allows it to charge fares for its purpose-built robotaxis and will start paid rides in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The company can deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years under enhanced federal oversight while state and local approvals remain required for expansion.
The Jones Act remains a focal point as critics argue the century‑old protectionist law has left US shipbuilding underdeveloped. New data show only 92 Jones Act‑eligible vessels and a shrinking domestic fleet, while costs to Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other ports remain high.
A roundup of recent reports shows how debt, housing costs, and consumer spend patterns shape the US financial landscape. Redfin and Zillow data indicate ongoing affordability stress in housing, while consumer debt and money-management trends are highlighted by CNBC and independent outlets. The mix suggests a cautious, debt-aware economy.
Two large budgets face significant cuts: Long Beach plans layoffs and service reductions, while New York City’s school district avoids broad cuts by offsetting deficits with state funds and debt management measures.
Militaries are advancing a Janus program to deploy microreactors on installations. Five firms have been selected to own, build, and operate these reactors, with Fort Drum among the sites. Officials say the effort aims to deliver safe baseload power and bolster defense resilience while aligning with broader energy strategy.
Cities including Albuquerque, NM, and Portland, OR, are deploying a rest-in-red system that defaults signals to red until a vehicle meets speed checks, adding early greens for compliant drivers. Early results show slower speeds and fewer incidents on targeted corridors, with researchers cautioning more study is needed.
The United States is accelerating a wave of nuclear-restoration projects to power AI data centers and curb rising utility costs. Three plants are being restarted with government financing and private-sector partnerships, signaling a strategic shift to firm, zero-emission power for a digitally expanding economy.
The autumn equinox has arrived, marking astronomical autumn. The Sun crosses the celestial equator, creating roughly equal day and night. This year, the UK is experiencing varying daylight changes, with northern Scotland losing daylight faster. Weather is unsettled in parts of the UK this week, but milder conditions persist in the southeast before a rain system moves in.
El Niño is strengthening, bringing risks of floods, heat and rising seas. California officials warn of a potentially historic winter as climate pressures strain infrastructure and communities prepare for extreme weather and food impacts.