Missouri's Attorney General set to assume No. 2 role at the FBI alongside Bongino

Tech Firms Embrace Nuclear Energy as Reliable Clean Energy Source

In a significant shift, tech giants such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are turning to nuclear energy as a reliable source of clean power, in response to rising power demands. These companies have also entered into partnerships with nuclear energy companies.

Meanwhile, in the world of politics, Dan Bongino continues to serve as co-deputy director of the FBI, sharing the role with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who was appointed as co-deputy director on August 18, 2025. The change in leadership dynamics at the FBI has sparked speculation about Bongino's future at the organisation.

On a different note, Xiaomi, a Chinese EV firm, is planning to expand its operations to Europe by 2027, due to a saturated market and persistent price wars.

Elsewhere, the heavy monsoon season has caused flooding in Mumbai, India, leaving large parts of the megalopolis under water.

In other news, an energy provider in Tennessee has signed a deal with a small modular nuclear reactor company, marking a first for the US utility sector. However, the prospect of a peace deal in various conflict zones remains elusive.

In the solar sector, there are plans to pool $7 billion to shut down inefficient manufacturing sites and form a cartel. The sector is also grappling with overexcited investors and insanely high valuations, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Spain and Portugal have experienced their most destructive wildfire season in nearly 20 years, covering about 3,500 square miles.

In international relations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the leaders of Australia and France over their pledges to recognise a Palestinian state. Russia and India have affirmed their close ties despite US pressure for India to reduce its reliance on Russian oil. The US is preparing for a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Russia's Vladimir Putin, with possible venues including Geneva and Budapest.

There have been reports of a ceasefire proposal being accepted by Hamas, similar to one agreed to by Israel, which includes the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and allows aid into the besieged territory.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, Tom Chivers stated that it is both "the most important thing to happen in a very long time" and a "bubble."

The Trump administration is planning to appoint Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as co-deputy director of the FBI. However, it is unclear whether Bongino plans to remain at the FBI once Bailey is formally appointed.

In other news, almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods swept through the country's north. The US and its European allies are trying to negotiate security guarantees for Ukraine following President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Tech firms' price-earnings ratios are unusually high, reminiscent of the late-1990s dotcom boom and subsequent crash, and spending on data center infrastructure accounts for a worryingly high percentage of US GDP growth.

European defense stocks have fallen after the US pushed for talks between Ukraine and Russia, but analysts insist any deal would drive the continent to increase defense spending regardless.

Trump has ruled out sending US troops to defend Ukraine from future Russian attacks, but has left the door open to air support. Israel's defense minister has approved a plan for an offensive on Gaza City, which humanitarian agencies and experts fear will worsen the humanitarian crisis there.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, Kairos, and Google have agreed on a three-way deal for a 50-megawatt nuclear reactor to power Google's data centers in Tennessee and Alabama.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine hosted a meeting with European defense officials to discuss options for political leadership. Soho House is going private in a $2.7 billion deal, four years after its IPO.

Brazil has rejected a US probe into trade between the countries, signalling its unwillingness to back down in its widening dispute with Washington. US President Donald Trump has ruled out sending US troops to defend Ukraine from future Russian attacks.

Iraq has seen water levels along its two main rivers fall by more than a quarter, resulting in its driest year since 1933. Israel's prime minister has hailed "stable ties" with Beijing after meeting China's foreign minister, as the Asian neighbours look to rebuild relations.

European leaders have joined Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as they navigate Trump's alignment with Russia's position on ending the war in Ukraine. Bailey's name was previously floated during the Trump transition as a potential attorney general pick.

In a positive development for patients without health insurance, the cost of Ozempic has been halved, from $998 to $499 per month.

Finally, Iraq has seen water levels along its two main rivers fall by more than a quarter, resulting in its driest year since 1933.

Missouri's Attorney General set to assume No. 2 role at the FBI alongside Bongino