Stephen McCarthy/Getty Images
Trump pardoned Binance founder CZ. Changpeng Zhao, the Chinese-born billionaire crypto founder who was convicted in 2023 of money-laundering violations, was granted clemency by President Trump this week, the White House said. Zhao, who goes by CZ, served four months in prison last year after admitting that Binance allowed terrorist groups, including ISIS and Al Qaeda, and child sex abusers to move money on the crypto exchange. After being released from prison, CZ hired lawyers and lobbyists close to Trump to seek a pardon. Per the Wall Street Journal, Binance has been a major supporter of the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial crypto enterprise, which “has driven a huge leap in the president’s personal wealth.” The pardon could allow Binance to return to the US, with CZ as CEO.
European defense giants are joining forces to take on Elon Musk in space. Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales are combining their space businesses into a single company in a move that could create a European alternative to Musk’s SpaceX. Airbus will be the majority owner with a 35% stake, the companies said, and the joint venture will employ 25,000 people across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron and others have championed the idea of a European satellite competitor that could be a substitute for SpaceX’s Starlink system. One expert told CNBC that it’s “the first tangible evidence of Europe addressing its waning technological sovereignty.”
Apple reportedly cutting iPhone Air production due to low demand. The iPhone Air could be on its way to “RIP 2025–2025” meme status. Apple is telling supply partners to slash production of the skinny iPhone after it posted weak sales in its first few weeks on the market, Nikkei Asia reported. The other models in the new iPhone 17 lineup are reportedly selling well, and Apple plans to maintain its current production estimates. The Air has been criticized by techies for its relatively low battery life and single camera, though some have applauded its light weight. Experts say it could serve as the forerunner to the oft-rumored foldable iPhone.—AE
No comments:
Post a Comment