FivlyAll briefs

Your daily news brief — read it or listen to it in 5 minutes

Daily news brief — 23 July 2026

10 stories · 5 sources · 5 minute read

The $1.15T bill includes a major pay raise. Also: US-Saudi nuclear deal, Musk's SpaceX merger tease, and 7 more

01world

US House passes record $1.15 trillion defense bill with major pay raise and war funding

The US House of Representatives has approved a record $1.15 trillion defense budget, marking a $250 billion increase from the previous National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation includes a 5% to 7% pay raise for service members and expanded funding for ongoing Pentagon operations, including the war with Iran.

Why it matters

This unprecedented defense budget highlights the escalating financial demands of active military conflicts and a commitment to boosting service member compensation.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Le Monde
02world

Ukrainian president pursues fresh diplomacy with US envoys as war with Russia grinds on

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The discussions aim to revive diplomatic initiatives to end the ongoing war with Russia. Zelensky is seeking broader international support for a negotiated settlement.

Why it matters

Engaging with key US figures signals a strategic push by Ukraine to secure influential international backing as it navigates potential paths toward a diplomatic resolution.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • The Straits Times
03world

US and Saudi Arabia reach nuclear fuel enrichment deal amid regional tensions

The Trump administration has approved an agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich fuel for its nuclear reactors. Critics warn the move could complicate global nonproliferation efforts amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Why it matters

This deal could shift the nuclear landscape in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia navigates regional tensions involving Iran and Red Sea security.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Democracy Now!

“Why it matters” for the rest of today's stories is available in the Fivly app.

04businessCovered by 2 outlets

Reuters: Alphabet defends AI strategy on earnings call after rivals gain ground

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai defended Google's artificial intelligence strategy during the company's quarterly earnings call, pushing back on concerns that it is falling behind competitors. The defense came as Alphabet reported stronger-than-expected cloud revenue, driven by robust enterprise demand for its AI services.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters
  • Reuters
05businessCovered by 2 outlets

Reuters: Tesla’s Musk again leaves merger possibility with SpaceX open

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has declined to rule out a future merger with his aerospace firm, SpaceX, noting that synergies between the two companies are growing. While no specific plans or timelines have been announced, the comments have revived speculation about potential consolidation.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters
  • Reuters
06markets

Nasdaq slips as investors await Alphabet and Tesla earnings

The Nasdaq slipped as technology shares cooled ahead of major megacap earnings reports. Following the market close, Alphabet reported a sharp rise in revenue, while Tesla shares fell in after-hours trading due to weaker free cash flow.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters
07tech

ServiceNow lifts annual subscription forecast again after strong quarter on AI software demand

ServiceNow raised its full-year subscription revenue forecast for the second time this year, following quarterly revenue and profit results that beat expectations. The company attributed the strong performance to accelerating demand for its AI-powered workflow and automation products.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters
08ai

Samsung, Google and eyewear partners unveil Galaxy Glasses with Gemini

Samsung has introduced Galaxy Glasses, its first AI-powered smart glasses developed in partnership with Google and eyewear designers. Built on the Android XR platform, the device features deep integration with Gemini's multimodal capabilities to provide hands-free, always-on assistance.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • The Verge
09tech

ServiceNow buys 5% stake in India’s BusinessNext in $700 million-valued AI banking software deal

ServiceNow has acquired an approximate 5% stake in the Indian software firm BusinessNext, in a deal valuing the company at around $700 million. The investment is paired with a strategic partnership aimed at expanding autonomous, AI-driven tools specifically for the banking sector.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters
10ai

AI governance debate intensifies at Shanghai WAIC

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, global discussions focused heavily on balancing rapid innovation with effective governance. The event highlighted the latest Chinese AI model releases and the growing need for international policy coordination.

Listen to this story

Sources

  • Reuters