Global markets are facing mounting pressure as a sharp sell-off in semiconductor and technology stocks deepens, fueled by growing investor anxiety over the sustainability of high capital expenditures for AI infrastructure. While major banks reported record second-quarter profits, market valuations for big tech are under scrutiny amid rising financing costs for data centers. Beyond the volatility, the industrial sector achieved a notable breakthrough with the validation of novel nuclear reactor designs in Idaho, marking a significant milestone for energy technology. Elsewhere, institutional oversight remains in focus as the FAA mandates inspections of Boeing seat installations, and federal judges intensify criticism of the Department of Justice's legal conduct. Geopolitical tensions persist with Chad's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court and ongoing debates regarding the conflict with Iran.