Axios

Thursday's GDP and inflation reports are expected to reinforce the Federal Reserve's dilemma: Economic growth is holding up, while inflation remains too hot for comfort.

Why it matters: Growth that's resilient enough to withstand high borrowing costs, paired with inflation that remains above target, would reinforce the case for keeping monetary policy restrictive.

Everyone agrees the standard for self-driving cars is that they have to perform better than a human driver. Proving that is not so simple, however.

Why it matters: Inconsistent data reporting methods mean there's no common yardstick to compare safety claims, adding to the confusion and distrust surrounding autonomous vehicles.

Venture funding for nuclear energy startups — both fusion and advanced fission — is surging.

By the numbers: Global investment is over $4.5 billion for 81 companies so far this year, according to PitchBook, putting 2026 on pace to smash last year's record haul of $6.2 billion for 93 companies.

Individual investors overwhelmingly oppose the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposal to ease the requirement that companies release quarterly financial reports.

The big picture: More than 99% of the comments opposed the proposal, according to a new tally.

President Trump told Axios on Monday that he decided to pause U.S. strikes on Iran in order to give negotiations another chance, but stressed that he could order a return to expanded military operations if diplomacy fails.

Why it matters: The current negotiations are focused on a new deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and relaunch talks on a comprehensive nuclear deal.

Kuwait's government has signed a $16 billion crude oil pipeline deal with North American private equity firms Blackstone, Brookfield Asset Management, and KKR.

Why it matters: This comes amid attacks on Kuwait's energy infrastructure by Iran, in retaliation for U.S. strikes.

Local backlash and reliability concerns are challenging the vision of an AI boom built quickly using large off-grid data centers.

Why it matters: If giant projects stumble, trillions of dollars in AI investment and the industry's plans to rapidly expand data centers could be at risk.

The wars in Iran and Ukraine show how the drone tech revolution makes it easier — and cheaper — to interrupt energy supplies by striking refineries and oil tankers.

Why it matters: It's an important reason why oil traded at $100 per barrel this week and gasoline and diesel fuel are so expensive these days.

"Choke point" is having a moment.

Why it matters: The term is an increasingly popular shorthand for the bottlenecks tying up the oil market and the AI buildout — and sometimes the entire economy — as the old global economic order gives way to intensifying competition and outright war.

President Trump told Axios on Thursday that he's seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran — including strikes that would be bigger than the ones carried out during Operation Epic Fury.

Why it matters: In a brief interview, Trump acknowledged that such a decision would have consequences and stressed he hasn't made a determination yet.