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Renowned roboticist Rodney Brooks has a stark message for investors pouring billions into humanoid robot startups: it’s a fruitless endeavor. In a new essay, Brooks dissects the unrealistic approach of companies trying to train robots to mimic human dexterity through watching videos, highlighting the vast gap in touch data technology. He predicts that successful “humanoid” robots in the future will be vastly different from the current human-like models, featuring wheels, multiple arms, and specialized sensors.

Brooks’ skepticism extends to the realm of AI as well, debunking the myth of generative AI exceeding its capabilities and even potentially creating more work. Despite the buzz surrounding AI development, recent studies have shown that AI tools can actually slow down tasks, contrary to popular belief. With companies like Figure raking in billions in funding, Brooks warns of the dubious nature of these investments and advocates for a more realistic approach to robotics and AI development.

Jaguar Land Rover’s production shutdown due to a cyberattack is causing significant repercussions for businesses in Britain’s West Midlands region, with some already resorting to making redundancies or reducing staff hours. The luxury carmaker, owned by Tata Motors, has had to extend its shutdown until October, affecting the livelihoods of many in the area around Birmingham.

A survey of 84 businesses in the region revealed that the cyberattack had negatively impacted over three-quarters of them, with financial losses, reduced working hours, and job cuts being reported. The ripple effects of this event are being felt across the entire automotive supply chain, highlighting the interconnected nature of the industry in the West Midlands. Efforts are being made to provide financial support to the affected businesses, underscoring the importance of the region as a powerhouse of automotive production in the UK.

Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $18.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the carrier of failing to provide paid leave to employees who took short-term military leave. This preliminary settlement, filed in San Francisco federal court, requires a judge’s approval. Employees alleged that Southwest denied pay for military leave of 14 days or fewer, despite providing compensation for other absences such as sick leave and jury duty.

The settlement will benefit around 2,791 eligible employees, who will receive an average of $4,421 after legal fees are deducted. Additionally, Southwest will offer up to 10 days of paid short-term military leave per calendar year from 2026 to 2030. The Dallas-based carrier denied any wrongdoing but opted to settle to avoid the risk and cost of litigation. This case echoes a similar settlement in 2019, where nearly 2,000 Southwest pilots were compensated for the same issue.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has initiated a strike in response to the government’s decision to end door-to-door mail delivery for nearly all households in the coming years. This move by Canada Post is part of an effort to improve the corporation’s financial standing amidst declining demand for letter mail and increased competition in the parcel market. The union argues that these changes will only further decrease demand for postal services and result in a detrimental impact on Canada Post’s financial situation.

As the strike disrupts mail and parcel delivery across the country, both the union and Canada Post are urged to engage in meaningful negotiations to reach a fair resolution. With the government backing the introduction of more community mailboxes and slower delivery times, the future of postal service in Canada is uncertain. However, the importance of Canada Post as a national institution that connects communities and provides essential services is emphasized, even amid the current challenges it faces.

Global debt reached an all-time high of $337.7 trillion in the second quarter, driven by favorable global financial conditions, a weakened U.S. dollar, and more accommodating policies from major central banks. The Institute of International Finance reported a staggering $21 trillion increase in global debt during the first half of the year, with countries like China, France, the U.S., Germany, the UK, and Japan leading the surge in debt levels when measured in U.S. dollar terms.

The rise in global debt mirrors the unprecedented buildup seen in the second half of 2020 during the pandemic. While debt-to-GDP ratios decreased in countries like Ireland, Japan, and Norway, they surged in others like Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, and Poland. The report also highlighted growing concerns over government debt, particularly in G7 countries and China. With the bond market pressures intensifying in advanced economies, caution is urged in the face of potential fiscal strains and the risk of compromising monetary policy independence, especially as emerging markets face record high levels of bond and loan redemptions.

The U.S. economy experienced faster growth in the second quarter, driven by robust consumer spending and business investment. Despite lingering uncertainty from trade policy, the Commerce Department reported a 3.8% increase in GDP, the highest rate in nearly two years. A sharp contraction in the trade deficit, along with strong demand for equipment and a drop in unemployment benefits, contributed to this growth.

While economists expect a tempered second half of the year due to trade policy uncertainty, the upward revision in consumer spending and business investment indicates a stable economy. With initial claims for unemployment benefits decreasing and continuing claims falling, the labor market remains steady. Overall, the data suggests that further interest rate cuts may not be necessary, highlighting the resilience of the U.S. economy.

Microsoft has announced the disabling of a set of cloud and AI services used by a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) following preliminary evidence supporting reports of a surveillance system in Gaza and the West Bank. This decision was prompted by an August article in the Guardian alleging activity by a unit of the Israel Defense Forces utilizing Microsoft’s Azure for collecting and storing data on phone calls made by civilians in the region. While the internal review is ongoing, Microsoft has found evidence corroborating elements of the Guardian’s reporting, leading to the company’s decision to cease and disable specified IMOD subscriptions and services related to cloud storage and AI technologies.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, emphasized that the company does not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. The action taken does not affect Microsoft’s cybersecurity services to Israel and neighboring countries in the Middle East. In a related development, Microsoft terminated four employees who participated in protests on company premises regarding ties to Israel during the conflict in Gaza, citing breaches of company policies and safety concerns arising from on-site demonstrations.