York Times

• Major technology firms, including Oracle, are increasingly turning to the bond market to secure the massive funding required to build AI data centers. • S&P Global downgraded Oracle's debt on July 9, noting that the company's financial health has been deteriorating. • This downgrade leaves Oracle's debt just one notch above "junk bond" status, signaling a significant increase in financial risk.

• President Trump released documents alleging that China attempted to acquire American voter data during the 2020 election. • The administration's claims suggest foreign interference, though experts note that possessing voter data would not enable the actual manipulation of votes. • This move highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China regarding cybersecurity and the integrity of democratic processes.

• Astronomers have discovered an atmosphere on a nearby Earthlike planet, marking the first time a potentially habitable world has been found to possess one. • An atmosphere is critical for life as it regulates climate, protects the surface from space radiation, and allows a planet to retain liquid water. • This discovery is significant because it establishes the planet as a primary candidate in the ongoing scientific search for extraterrestrial life.

• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin held a news conference on Friday to address the Trump administration's claims regarding U.S. election vulnerabilities following a prime-time speech by the President. • The administration also announced a new policy on Thursday that restores the ability to deny green cards to immigrants who have used certain noncash government benefits. • This move effectively reverses a 2021 Biden administration rule that protected immigrants from being excluded based on their use of most public assistance categories.

• U.S. forces have launched new strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, specifically hitting bridges and a railway junction according to Iranian state media. • Iranian official Mohammad Ghalibaf has emphasized that Iran will maintain its claim to the Strait of Hormuz by force if necessary. • The situation highlights a strategic tension where Iran is simultaneously endorsing military resistance and leaving the door open for diplomatic negotiations.

• A report from the National Academies confirms the rapid advancement of climate change attribution science, which identifies the specific role of global warming in severe weather events. • Experts like Davide Faranda of France’s National Center for Scientific Research emphasize that evaluating "loss and damage" is now the primary objective for the field. • These scientific findings are significant because they provide the evidentiary basis for potential lawsuits seeking damages for climate-driven disasters.

• France and Germany are pursuing "technological sovereignty" to reduce their strategic dependence on American and Chinese technology, particularly in artificial intelligence. • Specific initiatives include the French government's plan to replace U.S. software like Zoom with a domestic alternative and Germany's development of a homegrown AI platform. • This shift matters as European powers seek to protect data privacy and secure economic autonomy in a landscape dominated by U.S. and Chinese tech giants.