New (opens original source in a new tab)AxiosUAW and Deere are set to clash amid AI sales boomThe UAW and Deere are barreling toward a contract clash as Big Labor seeks to capture some of the immense wealth being created by the <a href (opens original source in a new tab)Nathan Bomey·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosEscalated U.S.-Canada trade talks threaten falloutAmerica's path to lower inflation depends in part on trade wars and actual wars becoming less economically disruptive. In recent days, both have taken turns that threaten the opposite.Why it matters: A period of relative calm on those fronts is now giving way to renewed tensions, with Canada, China and Iran all posing fresh economic risks.What's going on: The U.S.-Canada t (opens original source in a new tab)Courtenay Brown·24 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)African BusinessWheat prices spike as Ukraine and Russia trade Black Sea blows (opens original source in a new tab)24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostEV maker Xpeng set to challenge Tesla in embodied AI after robotics unit raises US$900mChinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng has secured US$900 million in funding from high-profile investors including Alibaba Group Holding and IDG Capital to spur its robotics unit, despite a widening second-quarter loss. Dogotix, a subsidiary of Xpeng, raised US$900 million in the latest round of financing, which valued it at US$6.3 billion, Xpeng said in a statement on Monday, adding that the fundraising marked the biggest single private-equity deal involving a Chinese robotics maker. The... (opens original source in a new tab)Daniel Ren·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosHow new cooling technologies could cut AC electricity demandAmerica's answer to hotter summers has overwhelmingly been more air conditioning, and engineers are now looking for ways to keep people cool without driving up electricity demand.Why it matters: The need for cooling is surging. The issue isn't just how to generate more electricity — it's how to use less of it and ease dem (opens original source in a new tab)Rebecca Falconer·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)Rest of WorldThe UAE is fighting AI hackers with AI of its ownAttacks on the country’s banks, aviation, and energy systems have climbed since the war with Iran began. Its answer is a homegrown AI security industry. (opens original source in a new tab)Divsha Bhat·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostCan China’s flash memory giant YMTC smash Shanghai Star Market IPO records?China is gearing up for what could become its next record-breaking semiconductor stock listing as the parent company of chip giant Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC) prepares to go public on Shanghai’s Star Market. CCSH Corporation, parent of China’s top NAND flash maker, planned to sell between 1.98 billion and 2.43 billion shares, equivalent to 10 to 12 per cent of its enlarged share capital, according to a prospectus made public on Friday. An overallotment option of up to 15 per.. (opens original source in a new tab)Howard Liu·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)South China Morning PostAlibaba’s US$10 billion share sale three times oversubscribed in Hong KongAlibaba Group Holding has sold 710 million new shares at HK$112.70 each to raise HK$80 billion (US$10.2 billion) in one of the largest artificial intelligence-dedicated fundraising efforts by a Chinese technology firm. The offer price represented an 8.4 per cent discount to the stock’s closing price in Hong Kong on Friday and a 3.6 per cent discount to the Friday closing price of its New York-listed shares, the company said in a stock exchange filing on Monday. The 710 million newly issued... (opens original source in a new tab)Xinmei Shen·24 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosTrump says rejecting data centers is "a mistake"President Trump defended the expansion of data centers in an interview with his former fixer, Michael Cohen, that aired in full on Sunday.Why it matters: Trump's support comes as data centers face growing backlash in both red and blue states.What he's saying:</strong (opens original source in a new tab)Rebecca Falconer·24 August 2026
Technology (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AsiaSingapore’s Tech Adaptation Offers Blueprint for Digital TransformationSingapore’s approach to technology adaptation highlights how strong governance, skilled talent, innovation and continuous learning can support effective digital transformation for other nations. (opens original source in a new tab)OpenGov AI·23 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)AxiosTrump and former fixer Michael Cohen make amendsPresident Trump signaled that he's welcomed his former fixer, Michael Cohen, back into his good graces in a remarkably friendly interview that aired in full on Sunday.The big picture: The president and Cohen discussed a wide range of topics, including Trump's proposed ballroom, how the e (opens original source in a new tab)Josephine Walker·23 August 2026