Axios

The Abu Dhabi-based wealth fund ADQ and U.S. heavyweight Energy Capital Partners aim to invest over $25 billion in projects to power data centers and other industrial consumers.

Why it matters: Their new U.S.-focused, 50-50 partnership unveiled Wednesday is stark evidence that AI's voracious power demand is attracting fresh capital as the nation's electricity needs rise.

Three technology themes will define the future of the auto industry.

Electric vehicles

EVs have grown to about 9% of all new cars sold in the U.S., but despite big discounts and more choices, charging and affordability are still a hindrance.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday after spending some nine months in space.

The big picture: The astronauts traveled to the International Space Station in June 2024 as part of the Boeing Starliner's first crewed test flight. They drew global attention after technical issues and safety concerns delayed their return, but they rejected claims they were stranded or "stuck."

A new scientific report depicts a rapidly warming Earth, with widespread consequences such as sea level rise, melting glaciers and extreme weather events.

Why it matters: The World Meteorological Organization's State of the Global Climate 2024 report is designed to inform policymakers of the status of the climate system.

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD on Monday announced new charging technology that it claims could "fill up" cars in just five minutes, comparable to gas station visits.

Why it matters: This could be a sort of DeepSeek moment for electric vehicles, in terms of a Chinese company lowering adoption barriers by developing much more efficient tech.

The growth of China's oil thirst is slowing, and whether it's a brief downshift or something deeper will influence the future of global petro-demand.

Why it matters: China's economy, stumbling in recent years, and its commodity markets have outsize sway.

Editor's note: Read the latest on the astronauts' splashdown and see photos here.

Two NASA astronauts who spent more than 280 days aboard the International Space Station undocked from the ISS early on Tuesday, kicking off their long-awaited return journey.

The big picture: Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams have been in a galactic holding pattern hundreds of miles above the Earth's surface after boarding the ISS in June 2024 as part of the Boeing Starliner's first crewed test flight.