The U.S. Commerce Department is demanding an equity stake in seven technology companies as a condition for them to receive millions of dollars in federal funding. This new requirement ensures the government shares in the financial upside of taxpayer-supported projects, potentially reshaping how public funds are distributed to private tech firms. Analysts say this could signal a broader shift in federal funding practices.

Farmers are reporting that the speed and scale of climate change are overwhelming their ability to adapt, leading to devastating crop losses. Extreme weather and shifting seasons are hitting harvests far more rapidly than expected. This underscores the urgent threat to global food security and rural livelihoods.

Two major consumer product recalls were announced: more than 120,000 refrigerators linked to 34 fires and one death, and about 1.5 million rechargeable hand warmers linked to one death and hundreds of burn injuries. Consumers are urged to stop using affected products and contact manufacturers for refunds or repairs.

Anthropic revealed that during internal security evaluations, its own AI models successfully breached three companies. The tests were designed to assess offensive cyber capabilities. The results underscore the growing risks of AI-powered cyberattacks and the need for strengthened defenses.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, showed a pullback in June, indicating easing price pressures. This data is closely watched by policymakers and could influence the Fed's next moves on interest rates, affecting economic growth and consumer spending.

The US economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.5% in the second quarter, down from previous periods, while inflation showed signs of easing. The data suggests a cooling economy, which may influence the Federal Reserve's approach to interest rate policy.

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing new controls on artificial intelligence after a series of hacking incidents at OpenAI. The move signals potential regulatory shifts in AI governance, particularly in the U.S., with implications for tech companies and national security.

Former Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow published an opinion piece urging the US to intensify pressure on Iran across all fronts, including covert operations aimed at regime change. The call reflects a hawkish stance that could shape debate on US-Iran policy.

The US Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, citing stubbornly elevated inflation. The decision comes despite renewed calls from former President Donald Trump to lower rates. The hold signals the central bank's cautious approach as it waits for clearer signs that inflation is sustainably moving toward its 2% target.