FLOW

World Rivers Day is drawing attention to the worsening state of the world's rivers, with many suffering from shrinking flows, drought and overuse. Coverage is focusing on why waterways are 'running on empty' and what declining river health means for ecosystems, agriculture and the communities that depend on them.

Classified estimates indicate the National Security Agency is paying billions of dollars to test artificial intelligence models, according to a new report. The figures suggest US intelligence agencies are pouring major funding into evaluating advanced AI systems, sparking debate about surveillance implications, government oversight, and the scale of public money flowing into AI development.

China has introduced new travel rules that are causing concern among major technology companies and their employees, particularly those working in artificial intelligence and other high-tech fields. The measures are reported to affect the movement of expertise and capital, raising questions about how firms and skilled workers will operate, with observers warning of growing uncertainty for the country's tech sector.

Iraq and the United States have agreed to resume shipments of US dollar cash into Iraq, according to Middle East Monitor. The agreement eases a disruption that had affected dollar supplies to Iraqi banks and the local currency market, where the greenback is widely used for trade and savings. Observers are watching whether the renewed flows will stabilise the Iraqi dinar and relieve pressure on the country's financial system.

The Wall Street Journal examines warning signs that could indicate the current artificial intelligence investment boom is heading toward a bust. The piece weighs the enormous capital flowing into AI infrastructure against questions about sustainable returns, reviving comparisons to past technology bubbles such as the dot-com crash.

A new AI model is being used to monitor illicit activity on the Bitcoin network, as researchers say criminal transactions have evolved from simple transfers into complex, hidden networks designed to evade detection. The development highlights growing interest in machine learning tools for tracing money laundering and other illegal flows in cryptocurrency markets.

Investors are weighing whether IBM's long-standing dividend can hold up as the company shifts from its legacy hardware and services business toward software, cloud and artificial intelligence. The payout endured decades of upheaval at the old IBM, but analysts are asking whether the new, faster-growing yet still-transitioning company will generate the cash flow needed to keep it intact.

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces is reportedly extracting transit fees from oil flowing through Heglig, where production has reached 26,000 barrels per day. The development highlights how the paramilitary group is monetising control of key oil infrastructure during the country's civil war, raising questions about the future of Sudan's oil revenues, which are vital to both the state budget and exports via South Sudan's pipeline network.

Home Depot's dividend remains secure even as the housing market stagnates, analysts say. The company's steady cash flow supports the payout, though the pace of future dividend increases could moderate while home improvement demand stays subdued amid high mortgage rates and weak housing turnover.

New genetic research on cuckoos indicates that differences in host preferences are not enough on their own to divide the wide-ranging birds into separate species. The findings suggest that despite specialised egg-laying habits targeting different host birds, gene flow across populations keeps the wandering species genetically unified, complicating how scientists classify parasitic cuckoo lineages.

Kohl's and Macy's, two of America's best-known department store chains, are both contending with weak sales and store closures, raising questions about whether their dividends remain sustainable. Analyst commentary is weighing which retailer has the stronger balance sheet and cash flow to keep paying shareholders as department store traffic continues to decline across the US retail sector.

Willson Contreras successfully challenged a called strike three using MLB's Automated Ball-Strike system, and the pitch was overturned to a ball, keeping his at-bat alive. The moment is drawing attention as the ABS challenge system continues to feature prominently in games this season, fueling debate over the technology's impact on umpiring and game flow.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is set to play after what was described as a positive workout in Rio. The report came via ESPN, indicating the fitness check went well enough for the wideout to be available. Fans and fantasy managers are watching closely for official confirmation from the team ahead of kickoff.

Syria's state news agency reports the country expects more than $1 billion in foreign capital to flow into newly established banks. The announcement signals an effort to rebuild the war-damaged financial sector and attract international investment. With banking flagged as a growing topic, observers are watching whether foreign lenders will commit funds and how new institutions will operate under Syria's current economic conditions.