India and China discourage their citizens from participating in cryptocurrency, yet they see strong adoption nevertheless.
Why it matters: The two countries are cases for updated research on regulation around the world that shows people are going to find a way to buy cryptocurrency.
Gas- and diesel-powered vehicles aren't going down without a fight.
Why it matters: As the presidential candidates engage in a political debate over electric vehicles, the two biggest American automakers are going big on old-school trucks.
John Deere is becoming the latest corporate giant that heavily identifies with rural America to scale back its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Why it matters: The move is part of a broader reversal in DEI pledges amid political blowback from conservatives.
Driving the news: Citing its "heartland" roots and saying it was responding to "feedback," Deere said it "will no longer participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events."
The farming equipment maker also said it would not include "socially motivated messages" in training materials and will ensure it's not using "diversity quotas" in hiring.
Context: Rural retailer Tractor Supply recently caved to social media pressure and abolished a slew of diversity and environmental goals, Axios' Felix Salmon and Emily Peck reported.
The Daily Wire, a conservative commentary and entertainment company, has sent letters to major corporations asking them to "reject" a powerful third-party ad industry coalition that it believes has colluded with agencies, brands, and tech platforms "to demonetize conservative media outlets."
The big picture: The letter references a report published earlier this month by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee that argues the coalition used "shadowy corporate coordination" to silence conservatives.
Data: Memo; Note: Articles were considered about a candidate if their name was in the headline or at least twice in the article's body text. Readership measures unique visitors to news articles for seven days after publication from a sample of 80 national and large regional news outlets; Chart: Axios Visuals
While more people are reading about Trump since Saturday's shooting and during the Republican National Convention, Biden's message of unity is breaking through in larger numbers via traditional media, according to media monitoring platform Memo.
By the numbers: Memo — which tracks readership of news articles from a sample of 80 national and large regional news outlets — found that Biden's response to the attempted assassination drove over 15 million readers between July 13-16.
Weber Shandwick is out with a new report examining the role business leaders play in upholding democracy.
By the numbers: A majority of the 1,007 adults surveyed from June 14-16 (a month before Saturday's shooting) believe businesses and employers should publicly denounce political violence.
69% of both consumers and employees agree that American businesses must take a stand to protect democracy.
Yes, but: Less than 1 in 10 say their employer has contingency plans to manage and communicate around political threats.
What they're saying: "While there is nuance in how and whether employees and consumers expect business to insert itself this election cycle, it is clear that Americans — under escalating fears around democracy and political violence — expect business to be a stabilizing force," Weber Shandwick chief public affairs officer Pam Jenkins said.
"How, when and where business leaders do so will be carefully watched in the coming months," she added.
While most CEOs kept their statements about the political violence that ensued on July 13 short and clinical, one executive used the opportunity to endorse Trump from his company's communication channels.
Why it matters: Other very online CEOs and founders have taken to social media to endorse candidates. Still, until now, none have pushed their personal political beliefs across business platforms.
Why it matters: The book is considered one of the most influential books of the last decade and explains the rage of working-class America against elites that propelled Trump into office.
Private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg is based in Manhattan, thousands of miles away from a criminal fraud investigation in Austria that centers on a former portfolio company called Schur Flexibles.
Out of sight isn't always out of mind.
The latest: A U.S. federal appeals court last month affirmed a lower court ruling that Lindsay Goldberg must turn over internal documents related to Schur, at the behest of the pissed-off Austrian company that bought most of Schur in 2021 at around a €900 million enterprise value.
Darden Restaurants said that it's agreed to buy Tex-Mex chain Chuy's for $605 million in cash.
Why it matters: Darden already has nine well-known restaurant brands, including Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, but this would be its first to focus on Mexican food.
Surprise! Despite all the loud political rhetoric, ESG is still a central part of the dealmaking world.
Why it matters: Even as the practice of environmental, social and governance investing comes under attack by conservatives, it has become standard practice for many corporate and private equity leaders to evaluate potential acquisitions along ESG lines.
The fees Americans are paying to manage the money in their 401(k) accounts have fallen dramatically this century, per a new report from the Investment Company Institute.
Why it matters: The billions of dollars saved in management fees are instead remaining in the market and compounding in savers' accounts over decades.
Joining a national trend, Austin is on track to permit fewer new housing units than last year, according to Census Bureau data.
Why it matters: That's a problem for people facing steep housing prices.
Zoom in: More than half of four-person Austin households earning 80% median family income or less — about $93,450 — face a severe shortage of homes, per a November 2023 report by the Austin Board of Realtors titled "The Truth about Austin's Missing Housing."
Private credit lenders and Wall Street banks are in a heated battle for mergers and acquisitions business, as deal supply remains significantly below financing demand.
Why it matters: The intense competition has led to loose financing packages that could cause trouble if the frothy market turns.
Germany-based air taxi developer Lilium has a "firm" order from Saudi Arabian airline Saudia Group for 50 of its electric jets, with an option to buy 50 more.
Why it matters: The order, worth an estimated $450 million, is the largest commitment yet by an airline in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, the companies said.
The most complete and largest stegosaurus fossil sold for $44.6 million at auction in New York on Wednesday, Sotheby's announced.
Why it matters: Dubbed "Apex," the dinosaur skeleton is the "most valuable fossil ever sold at auction," according to the auction house. It was only expected to fetch $4 million-$6 million.
