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United States

The United States sets much of the global technology agenda, from the platform giants of Silicon Valley to the AI labs redrawing what software can do.

It is where the largest model developers, chip designers and cloud providers compete, and where export controls and the CHIPS Act increasingly shape the industry worldwide. US-datelined stories span AI, hardware and policy.

Renewable Energy

Clearway Signs 641-MW Solar Panel Deal With T1 Amid Nevada Data Center, Gas Plant Bid

Clearway Energy Group has signed a deal with T1 Energy for 641 MW of solar modules built with domestic cells, while also seeking to convert a Nevada solar project into a data center and gas facility.

· 2 sources
Energy & Grid

US data centers are overwhelmingly urban, study finds

A new study in Nature Cities shows that 97.5% of US data centers are in urban areas, drawn by existing electricity infrastructure and former coal plant sites, challenging the rural narrative.

· 5 sources
Cars & Mobility

NHTSA Grants Zoox First Robotaxi Exemption Without Steering Wheel

Zoox receives the first federal approval for a purpose-built robotaxi without human controls, allowing paid rides in Las Vegas starting August 2026, with safety conditions attached.

· 5 sources
Renewable Energy

Zanskar Revives Failing New Mexico Geothermal Plant with Deeper Well

A startup's deeper well has brought a struggling New Mexico geothermal plant back to full output, a milestone for an industry now drawing record investment.

· 2 sources
Renewable Energy

Four Nations See Major Battery and Solar Storage Deals

FIC buys a 1.15 GW Texas solar-plus-storage platform, Plentify and Deye plan a 2.7 GWh VPP in South Africa, MaxSolar picks Sungrow for 125 MWh in Germany, and Eku Energy acquires a 600 MWh UK battery project.

· 1 source
Hardware

Apple Launches Device Leasing Program Via Klarna, Replacing iPhone Upgrade Plan

Apple has introduced Apple Upgrade, a device leasing program operated by Klarna that covers iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs, replacing the iPhone Upgrade Program in the US.

· 4 sources
AI

SpaceXAI to remove unpermitted turbines by 2027, continues AI expansion

SpaceXAI agrees to remove 69 unpermitted gas turbines from a Tennessee data center by July 2027, amid a NAACP lawsuit and federal involvement, while continuing its AI infrastructure expansion.

· 1 source
Aviation & Space

Spent Falcon 9 upper stage to crash into moon Aug 5 in first visible impact flash

A spent Falcon 9 upper stage is expected to crash into the moon on Aug 5, potentially producing the first-ever visible impact flash on the sunlit side. Scientists say the event offers a rare chance to study lunar debris and highlights dust hazards for future missions.

· 1 source
AI

Nvidia's $250B Leverage: Huang Pushes Open-Weights AI Agenda

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's first X post promotes open-source AI, backed by billions in investments and potential deals with OpenAI and Anthropic.

· 2 sources
Hardware

Kioxia Launches CM10, Its First PCIe 6.0 Enterprise SSD

Kioxia unveiled the CM10 series, its first PCIe 6.0 enterprise SSD, on July 30. Built on 332-layer BiCS10 flash, it targets AI workloads with liquid cooling support.

· 2 sources
AI

Google Brings Nano Banana AI Image Generator to Google Earth

Google has integrated its Nano Banana image generator into Google Earth, allowing users to visualize historical scenes and create custom visuals, though accuracy remains a question.

· 1 source
Networking & Telecom

Cisco launches outdoor Wi-Fi 7 access point with URWB backhaul

Cisco has introduced the Wireless 9177 Series Access Point, an outdoor Wi-Fi 7 device with integrated Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul for mission-critical operations.

· 1 source
Cars & Mobility

Waymo Resumes Freeway Operations After Two-Month Pause Over Construction Zone Incidents

Waymo restarts freeway rides in Phoenix following a pause and recall triggered by robotaxis driving into closed construction zones. The company faces new federal safety legislation.

· 3 sources
Energy & Grid

Global Battery Storage Capacity to Grow Sixfold by 2030 as 4-Hour Systems Become Standard

A new report forecasts global installed battery storage capacity will increase sixfold by 2030, driven by 4-hour systems becoming the standard, with several large projects underway in Germany.

· 2 sources
Aviation & Space

Boeing Clears Dreamliner Fuel Switch but Thrust Module Probe Continues

Boeing found no defect in a fuel control switch on an Air India 787-8 after a pilot report, but the investigation into the Thrust Control Module is ongoing amid scrutiny from the Ahmedabad crash.

· 3 sources
Energy & Grid

Tesla and Meta Sign Separate Texas Solar PPAs With Zelestra Within Two Days

Zelestra announced two corporate solar power purchase agreements in Texas within 48 hours, one with Tesla for 140 MW and another with Meta backed by project financing.

· 2 sources
Policy & Society

eBay and Former Executives Settle Cyberstalking Lawsuit for $55.7 Million

eBay and three former executives have agreed to pay $55.7 million to settle a lawsuit over a 2019 harassment campaign against journalists Ina and David Steiner.

· 2 sources
Energy & Grid

Meta Builds Its Largest Data Center in Louisiana, Ties It to New Solar PPA

Meta is constructing its largest-ever data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, and has finalized a long-term power purchase agreement for the Mowata Solar project to supply renewable energy to the facility.

· 3 sources
IT Security

Coca-Cola Confirms Data Theft in Fairlife Ransomware Attack; Stolen Data Now Public

Coca-Cola confirmed that a ransomware attack on its Fairlife dairy subsidiary led to data theft, and the stolen data is now publicly available after the Anubis gang's deadline expired.

· 3 sources
Cars & Mobility

Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo Both Launch in Tampa on Same Day

Both Tesla Robotaxi and Waymo announced expansions into Tampa, Florida, with services beginning on the same day.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Laser enrichment for nuclear fuel moves toward commercial testing as West seeks Russian uranium alternatives

Global Laser Enrichment is testing laser-based uranium enrichment at commercial scale in Kentucky, while LIS Technologies plans a facility in Tennessee, as Western nations seek alternatives to Russian uranium imports.

· 2 sources
Aviation & Space

Two Meteor Showers Peak Under a Bright Moon, But August Offers Better Skywatching

The Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids both peak on the night of July 30-31, but a nearly full moon will dim the view. Skywatchers can look forward to the Perseids and a total solar eclipse in August.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Meta Leaves RE100 After Decade, Pivots to Natural Gas for AI Data Centers

Meta has exited the RE100 renewable energy initiative after ten years, as the company invests heavily in natural gas power plants to support its expanding AI data centers.

· 2 sources
Health & Biotech

Cyclospora Outbreak Tied to Taco Bell Lettuce Hits 9 States, Nearly 2,000 Ill

An outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell has spread to nine states, with nearly 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations reported as of July 24, 2026.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Flywheel Startup Qnetic Builds Large Test Cell in Shanghai, Eyes US Production

Qnetic, a US-China startup, is constructing what it calls the world's largest dedicated flywheel test cell in Shanghai and plans to manufacture long-duration energy storage systems in California.

· 1 source
Hardware

AMD Launches ROCm.AI Platform to Automate GPU Kernel Optimization

AMD's new ROCm.AI platform uses frontier AI models to automatically optimize GPU kernels, aiming to close the performance gap with CUDA without manual tuning.

· 1 source
Aviation & Space

Xona Space Systems to Launch First Production LEO Navigation Satellites in October 2026

Xona Space Systems plans to launch its first six Pulsar satellites in October 2026, promising a signal 100 times stronger than GPS for improved urban and indoor accuracy.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Texas scrambles to adapt grid rules as 800 VDC AI data centers and massive load swings test

ERCOT faces 438 GW of interconnection requests from AI data centers, prompting new rules and evaluation of 800 VDC designs and load-smoothing technologies.

· 1 source
Policy & Society

Record $50.1 Million Sale of T. rex 'Gus' Reignites Debate Over Fossil Access

A Tyrannosaurus rex specimen named Gus sold for a record $50.1 million at Sotheby's, highlighting the ongoing conflict between private collectors and paleontologists over the preservation of irreplaceable fossils.

· 1 source
Cars & Mobility

NTSB Report Contradicts Driver’s Account in Fatal Tesla Crash; Manslaughter Charges Filed

A preliminary NTSB report released today reveals that the driver of a Tesla Model 3 manually overrode the Full Self-Driving system before a crash that killed a grandmother in Texas, leading to manslaughter charges.

· 2 sources
IT Security

Coca-Cola Reports Ransomware Attack on Fairlife, Halts US Production

Coca-Cola disclosed a ransomware attack on its Fairlife dairy unit in an SEC filing, leading to a temporary production halt in the US. The company says Canadian operations and product safety are unaffected.

· 2 sources
Aviation & Space

SpaceX Stock Dips Below IPO Price as Starship Launch Abort Rattles Investors

SpaceX shares closed below their initial public offering price on the same day a Starship launch was aborted after ignition, raising questions about investor confidence ahead of the next attempt.

· 2 sources
Maritime & Offshore

Saronic announces $3B shipyard in Texas for autonomous vessels

Saronic plans to build Port Alpha, a mega-shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, with an investment over $3 billion, aiming to produce large autonomous ships and create up to 10,000 jobs.

· 2 sources
Health & Biotech

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health to All US Users Amid Lawsuit Over Dangerous Advice

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT Health to all US users aged 18 and older, just one day after a lawsuit was filed alleging the chatbot gave a near-fatal suggestion. The company touts advanced reasoning but faces questions about safety.

· 2 sources
Cars & Mobility

Apple Enters Automotive Navigation with MapKit SDK, Ford First Partner for Affordable EVs

Apple announced MapKit for Automotive SDK on July 23, 2026, with Ford as its first partner. The navigation system will power Ford's upcoming affordable EVs and support BlueCruise autonomy.

· 2 sources
Cars & Mobility

New York City Tests Swappable E-Bike Batteries to Power Street Food Carts

A six-month pilot with 10 vendors replaces gasoline generators with swappable e-bike batteries, aiming to reduce noise and pollution. Previous attempts failed due to scalability and charging infrastructure.

· 1 source
Policy & Society

Google to Allow Competing App Stores Inside Play Store Starting July 22

Google will let users find and install rival app stores directly within the Play Store from July 22, 2026, after withdrawing a joint motion with Epic Games, marking a major shift in Android app distribution in the US.

· 3 sources
Hardware

AMD Launches Helios Rack-Scale System, Takes Aim at Nvidia in AI Infrastructure

AMD today announced the full production launch of its Helios rack-scale AI system, with major customers including Microsoft and Anthropic already committed to deployment.

· 2 sources
Hardware

OnePlus Exits US and Europe, Oppo Takes Over Support but Won't Enter US Market

OnePlus is pulling out of North America and Europe, with Oppo assuming support and software duties. India operations may also end by 2027.

· 3 sources
Aviation & Space

Airbus to Modernize JetBlue A320 Fleet with Advanced Cockpit Displays

Airbus will equip JetBlue's A320 aircraft with next-generation cockpit displays, enhancing pilot situational awareness and operational efficiency.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Realta Fusion to Convert Former Oscar Mayer Factory into Fusion R&D Hub

Realta Fusion plans to turn an old Oscar Mayer factory in Madison, Wisconsin into a fusion research facility called Forge, backed by $55 million in state and local incentives.

· 1 source
IT Security

US and EU Impose Coordinated Sanctions on Russian Bulletproof Hosting Operators Linked to Ransomware Attacks

The US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging three Russian nationals with running bulletproof hosting services that enabled ransomware attacks causing over $62 million in damages, while the EU announced parallel sanctions.

· 2 sources
Hardware

Boston Dynamics Tests Conveyor Belt Accessory for Spot to Handle Last-Meter Package Delivery

Boston Dynamics is testing a conveyor belt accessory for its quadruped robot Spot that can carry packages and autonomously unload them at doorsteps, aiming to reduce delivery drivers' workload.

· 1 source
Aviation & Space

NASA Repaints Two Iconic Jets in Patriotic Colors for America's 250th Birthday

NASA has repainted an F-15 and an F/A-18 in red, white, and blue to celebrate the U.S. semiquincentennial, with public appearances scheduled through October 2026.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Three Mobile Cranes Demolish Yellowstone River Bridge

Mountain Crane Service used three Liebherr mobile cranes to take down the old Yellowstone River Bridge in the national park, a job complicated by rugged terrain and environmental sensitivity.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Data Centers to Add Billions in Power Costs Across 13 US States

A new analysis shows that data centers in 13 US states will collectively add billions of dollars in power costs, with Northern Virginia emerging as a key hub.

· 1 source
Policy & Society

New York Becomes First US State to Impose Year-Long Moratorium on Large Data Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul signs an executive order halting approvals for data centers over 50MW for up to one year, citing environmental and energy concerns.

· 2 sources
Aviation & Space

SpaceX Prepares Starship for 13th Test Flight with First Real Starlink V3 Deployment

SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight could launch as soon as Thursday, carrying 20 functioning Starlink V3 satellites and attempting laser crosslink demonstrations.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

UKSR to Launch Fourth Deep-Sea Mineral Expedition in Pacific Clarion Clipperton Zone

UK Seabed Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Glomar Minerals, will begin a 75-day research mission in the Pacific this week, targeting polymetallic nodules containing critical minerals.

· 1 source
Energy & Grid

Matson sticks with LNG as long-term fuel, cites costs and availability of alternatives

Hawaii-based shipping firm Matson reaffirms LNG as its primary fuel for fleet renewal, pointing to high costs and limited supply of low-emission alternatives.

· 1 source