ReNew Power

The United States has ordered a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as its war against Iran reaches a stalemate. The deployment signals a significant escalation of American naval power in the region, and observers are watching whether it presages renewed offensive operations or is intended as a show of force while the conflict stalls.

Environmental group Environment America is calling for an immediate moratorium on new data center construction, arguing that the rapid buildout of facilities to serve artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining power grids, water supplies and the climate. The demand adds to a growing debate in the United States over how quickly data centers should be allowed to expand and at what environmental cost.

China's long-standing practice of gifting or lending giant pandas to foreign countries, known as panda diplomacy, is being explained to audiences following renewed attention. The practice dates to the 1950s and is used as a tool of soft power, with loans often signalling warm bilateral relations. Recently returned pandas and new loans to countries like the United States have kept the topic in the news.

A widely viewed discussion argues that solar power is now beating nuclear energy on what has long been its biggest selling point, understood here as cost or reliability. The piece weighs solar's falling prices and rapid deployment against nuclear's steady output, suggesting renewables have reached a point where they outcompete reactors on economics and build speed.

Analysts are examining the consequences of the US military departure from Iraq, both for the country's internal stability and for the wider Middle East. Key questions include how Iraq's security forces will manage remaining militant threats, how Iran may expand its influence, and how neighbours and Western partners will adjust their policies toward Baghdad.

Former key figures from Omar al-Bashir's regime have come together around Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, according to Africa Intelligence. The report describes an inner circle of old-regime insiders accumulating influence at the heart of the military leadership, a development that will fuel concern among Sudanese who backed the 2019 revolution to dismantle Bashir's patronage networks.

Startup NetworkOcean has run a GPU workload in a floating data center powered by solar panels on the San Francisco Bay, demonstrating an alternative approach to siting compute infrastructure as land-based data centers strain power grids. The project points to water-based, renewable-powered deployments as a possible way to expand AI computing capacity without competing for terrestrial electricity.

A financial analysis argues that SpaceX's Starship could make orbital data centers economically viable, potentially representing a trillion-dollar business opportunity. The idea is that Starship's low launch costs would allow computing infrastructure to be placed in space, where solar power is constant and cooling is easier. The analysis is prompting debate over whether space-based computing could realistically compete with terrestrial data centers.

The idea of placing data centers in orbit is drawing attention as a way to meet rising demand for computing power. Advocates argue space-based facilities could use continuous solar energy and radiate heat into space, easing energy and cooling constraints on Earth. The concept raises questions about launch costs, maintenance, and regulatory oversight under bodies like the ITU.

Nanyang Technological University Singapore has launched the CRIMSON-1 satellite to test next-generation perovskite solar cells and AI computing capabilities in orbit. The mission will evaluate how perovskite photovoltaics, a promising alternative to conventional silicon solar panels, perform in the harsh space environment, alongside edge computing trials. The launch positions Singapore's research sector among those exploring lightweight, efficient power sources for future spacecraft and satellites.

Alibaba is reportedly in early-stage talks to develop a solar-powered data center in Spain. The project would tie the Chinese e-commerce and cloud giant's expanding computing infrastructure to renewable energy, reflecting the wider race among tech companies to secure clean power for data centers as demand for AI and cloud services grows. Details on the site, scale, and investment remain undisclosed while discussions are ongoing.

Italian energy company Enel has purchased seven solar power plants in the United States for $140 million. The deal expands Enel's renewable energy footprint in the American market, where it has been steadily growing its clean energy portfolio. The acquisition is being reported by energy industry publications as part of the broader wave of investment in US solar infrastructure.

Romania's newest wind farm is considering adding solar panels and battery storage as the country grapples with an energy crunch. Hybridising the site would let it generate power around the clock and ease pressure on Romania's grid, which has faced supply strains and price volatility. The development reflects a broader push across Central Europe to expand renewables amid high energy costs and reliance on imports.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's veteran diplomat and foreign minister, is drawing renewed attention over his role in the country's nuclear diplomacy. Known for his long career negotiating on Iran's nuclear file, including the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, he is currently a central figure in Tehran's dealings with Western powers amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme.

Rivalry between Brazil's two dominant political families is once again in the spotlight, with renewed confrontations shaping the country's political landscape. The feud between these entrenched dynasties has long influenced Brazilian elections and governance, and their latest clash is drawing attention to ongoing power struggles ahead of future votes.