Today’s picks
1. The bond market sell-off is helping the dollar
A global bond sell-off is lifting yields and drawing flows into dollar assets, giving the greenback fresh support. Yet the article argues that this strength is less dependable than in past cycles, as the dollar’s safe-haven appeal and structural advantages weaken. A worthwhile read for anyone tracking currencies, capital flows and global asset allocation.
2. Germany and France want EU storm gates for China’s trade surge
Germany and France are pressing the EU to erect “storm gates” against a surge in Chinese trade, according to a bold joint letter. Their move signals that Europe’s largest economies are coordinating a tougher line on Beijing and could push the bloc toward confrontation. It is worth reading for clues on how EU trade policy may harden and what that means for China-EU relations.
3. United Arab Emirates to launch spacecraft to probe seven asteroids in 2028
The United Arab Emirates plans to launch a spacecraft in 2028 to probe seven asteroids, expanding its deep-space ambitions. Its space program is relatively new but already reached Mars orbit with a previous mission. If successful, the effort would underscore how emerging space nations are reshaping planetary exploration. The story is worth reading for a clear look at a rising space power’s next major interplanetary bet.
4. Astronomers catch dwarf stars gobbling up their orbiting companions
Astronomers have caught red and white dwarf stars devouring their orbiting companions, suggesting such stellar feeding may be more common than previously thought. The accreted material can alter a star’s atmosphere and radiation, offering clues about stellar accretion and the fate of planetary systems. The finding challenges conventional models of dwarf-star evolution and accretion, making it worth reading in full.
5. ‘This is dangerous’: slime moulds and the bitter debate over the nature of intelligence – podcast
Scientists are engaged in a bitter debate over whether supposedly simple organisms such as slime moulds should count as intelligent. The outcome could reshape how we understand the natural world and humanity’s place in it. This podcast, written by Samanth Subramanian and read by Mikhail Sen, is worth hearing for anyone following shifting ideas about intelligence.
By publication
The Economist
- The bond market sell-off is helping the dollar
- Germany and France want EU storm gates for China’s trade surge
Scientific American
- United Arab Emirates to launch spacecraft to probe seven asteroids in 2028
- Astronomers catch dwarf stars gobbling up their orbiting companions