QtrendsElon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire after SpaceX IPO
Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire following SpaceX's blockbuster IPO, with shares opening at US$150 each and pushing his net worth to nearly US$1.05 trillion. The milestone cements Musk's status as the wealthiest person on the planet, far surpassing tech billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Larry Page. Multiple major outlets including BBC, SCMP, TechCrunch, and WIRED are covering the historic achievement.
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SpaceX shares soared 30% midday on their first trading day, vaulting the company into the top six most valuable US corporations. Robinhood reported record-breaking trading traffic as retail investors rushed to get a piece of the highly anticipated stock. Scientific American notes that SpaceX's $1.75 trillion valuation hinges on ambitious engineering milestones that have yet to be achieved.
Over $130 billion worth of data center projects have been blocked by protests so far this year, reflecting growing community resistance to the infrastructure powering the AI boom. Despite concerns about environmental impact, Ars Technica reports that AI data centers account for a relatively small share of total water usage. WIRED explores how perceptions of data centers differ between China and the West.
A key US surveillance law has expired for the first time after Congress rejected President Trump's controversial nominee to lead intelligence agencies. While the legal authorization lapses, reporting indicates surveillance activities are expected to continue under other authorities. The development marks a rare legislative defeat for the administration on national security powers.
Google has filed a lawsuit against an alleged Chinese cybercrime operation that used the company's Gemini AI to automate and scale phishing text messages. The case, covered by TechCrunch, Ars Technica, and Digital Trends, highlights the growing challenge of AI-powered fraud at scale. Google is taking legal action to disrupt the network and set a precedent against AI-enabled cybercrime.