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**Elon Musk Isn’t the First Billionaire to Challenge the Two-Party System**

Elon Musk may be the latest billionaire to take on America’s two-party dominance, but he’s following in the footsteps of Andrew Yang, Howard Schultz, and Ross Perot. From third-party bids to independent campaigns, these business leaders have tried—and largely failed—to disrupt the political duopoly. Could Musk succeed where others stumbled?

**Andrew Yang’s Forward Party and Howard Schultz’s Short-Lived Bid**

Before Elon Musk’s „America Party,” Andrew Yang launched the centrist Forward Party, while ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz flirted with an independent 2020 run. Both aimed to bridge political divides, but neither gained enough traction to topple the two-party system. Will Musk’s influence make the difference?

**Ross Perot’s Historic Third-Party Run—And Why It Didn’t Last**

Billionaire Ross Perot won nearly 19% of the vote in 1992 as an independent, the best third-party showing in decades. Yet his Reform Party faded, proving how hard it is to break the GOP-Democrat stronghold. As Musk considers his own political venture, Perot’s story serves as a cautionary tale.

**LGBTQ+ Resistance in Hungary Offers Vital Lessons for U.S. Democracy**

As Pride month ends, Hungary’s massive Budapest Pride—defying government bans—shows how to fight authoritarianism. Meanwhile, U.S. LGBTQ+ rights face unprecedented threats, from Supreme Court rulings to federal funding cuts.

**Why Did Global Governments Warn LGBTQ+ Travelers About the U.S.?**

World Pride in D.C. saw low turnout after travel warnings from European nations—a shocking sign of America’s backslide on LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, Budapest’s defiant march proves resistance is possible even under repression.

**Trump Admires Hungary’s Orban—Here’s What That Means for U.S. Democracy**

Viktor Orbán’s Hungary—a model for Trump’s allies—has crushed judicial independence and media freedom. With U.S. courts and agencies now targeting LGBTQ+ rights, Americans must learn from Hungary’s resistance.

**How 3.5% of the Population Can Defeat Authoritarianism**

Research shows nonviolent movements succeed when just 3.5% of citizens mobilize. Hungary’s massive Pride turnout proves the power of protest—and offers a roadmap for U.S. democracy under threat.

**From Satire to Solidarity: Hungary’s Creative Fight Against Oppression**

Hungarian activists used humor, courts, and coalitions to resist Orban’s crackdown. As U.S. rights erode, their strategies—blending joy with defiance—could inspire America’s next wave of resistance.

**Shawn Mendes Announces 2025 ‘On the Road Again’ Tour – Here’s How to Get Tickets**

Shawn Mendes is hitting the road again in 2025 for his global *On the Road Again Tour*, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album *Handwritten*. The tour kicks off Aug. 2 with stops in London, Boston, and Los Angeles, featuring support from Eddie Benjamin, Maro, and Lubiana. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster, with resale options on StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek.

**Where to Buy Shawn Mendes Tickets Online**

Fans can still snag general sale tickets for select dates, though some cities require joining a waitlist. StubHub offers tickets starting at $87, while Vivid Seats has deals from $82 with promo code RS30 for $30 off. SeatGeek also has seats as low as $59, making it one of the most affordable options for Mendes’ 2025 shows.

**Mendes Reflects on Returning to the Stage**

After a break from touring, Mendes shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he “almost forgot [he has] one of the best jobs in this world.” His upcoming tour follows the release of his latest album, *Shawn*, which Rolling Stone praised for its folk-inspired, Americana sound. Don’t miss your chance to see him live—grab your tickets today!

**BYD Partners with voestalpine for Steel Supply in Hungarian EV Factory**

Chinese automaker BYD has secured a key supply deal with Austrian steel giant voestalpine for its new Hungary plant, reinforcing its European expansion strategy. The agreement, confirmed by BYD’s Stella Li and voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner, focuses on high-quality sheet steel for vehicle production. BYD cited voestalpine’s regional presence and sustainable steel solutions as decisive factors in the partnership. This move aligns with BYD’s goal to be perceived as a European manufacturer within five years.

**Austria Chosen as EU Pilot for BYD’s V2H Technology**

BYD has selected Austria as the test market for its Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) tech, leveraging the country’s high solar energy adoption. With half of Austrian households using solar power, demand for energy-efficient solutions like V2H is strong among BYD customers. The pilot, managed with a local partner, aims to optimize solar usage and cut energy costs. This initiative underscores BYD’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in Europe’s EV market.

**BYD Accelerates European Localization with Hungary Hub**

BYD is deepening its European roots with a new Hungary factory, R&D center, and regional HQ in Budapest, targeting sales in 29 countries by 2025. The voestalpine steel deal marks a milestone in local sourcing, supporting BYD’s long-term vision to manufacture in Europe. Executive VP Stella Li emphasized the brand’s dedication to local partnerships and decarbonization. Meanwhile, voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner highlighted the collaboration as a step toward sustainable automotive solutions.

**Syreeta Sandhu lost £15,000 after her IVF concierge clinic collapsed—leaving her without treatment or a refund.** Experts warn unregulated „middleman” clinics are exploiting desperate patients with no legal protections. The fertility watchdog urges stricter laws as more victims come forward. **Could your IVF provider be next?**

**Hungary’s Orban escalates anti-Ukraine rhetoric after conscript’s death**

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is fueling tensions with Ukraine, falsely claiming a Hungarian conscript was „beaten to death” amid unverified allegations. Pro-government media spreads manipulated videos, escalating diplomatic friction as Budapest exploits the tragedy for political gain.

**Orban’s propaganda machine targets Ukraine with falsified evidence**

DW’s investigation reveals Hungary’s government is circulating misleading footage to portray Ukraine as violent, despite no proof of foul play in the conscript’s death. The campaign reinforces Orban’s long-standing opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership.

**Hungary’s emotional outcry over conscript’s death fuels diplomatic crisis**

As outrage grows over the death of ethnic Hungarian Jozsef Sebestyen, Budapest summons Ukraine’s ambassador while state media amplifies unverified claims. The incident reignites nationalist sentiments tied to Hungary’s historic „Trianon trauma.”

**Ukraine denies abuse allegations as Hungary pushes anti-EU narrative**

Kyiv refutes Orban’s accusations, stating the conscript died from natural causes—not violence. Yet, Hungary’s leader continues leveraging the tragedy to block Ukraine’s EU integration, deepening regional tensions.

**Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Woes: How to Avoid Common Setup Headaches**

Scored your Nintendo Switch 2 but stuck troubleshooting setup issues? From system transfers to display settings, here’s how to dodge frustration and get gaming faster.

**Why Your Switch 2 Needs a Power Boost for Data Transfer**

Trying to transfer data from your old Switch? The process won’t start unless your console is plugged in—skip this step, and you’ll hit a roadblock before even booting up.

**4K or 120Hz? The Switch 2 Forces a Tough Choice**

Excited for 4K 120Hz gaming? Bad news: the Switch 2 limits you to either 4K at 60Hz or 120Hz at 1080p—here’s how to pick the best setting for your setup.

**Forgot to Enable Auto-Uploads? Fix It in Seconds**

The Switch Online app now backs up screenshots automatically—but only if you toggle this buried setting first. Don’t lose your snapshots—here’s where to flip the switch.

**Powerful Earthquakes Trigger Tsunami Warnings Near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula**
A series of strong earthquakes struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami alerts before being lifted as seismic risks remain under watch.

**US Markets Hit Record Highs on Strong Tech Earnings**
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq surged to all-time highs, fueled by robust earnings from Tesla and Alphabet, though tariff tensions keep volatility elevated.

**GM’s EV Sales Jump 111%, Outpacing Ford in Q2**
General Motors reported a massive 111% year-over-year increase in electric vehicle sales, surpassing Ford in the accelerating EV market.

**Surge AI Hits $1B Revenue Without Major Funding**
Surge AI quietly surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue without heavy VC backing, signaling strong organic growth in the competitive AI sector.

**EPA Slashes Research Office, Thousands Face Layoffs**
The Environmental Protection Agency eliminated its R&D branch in a major overhaul, cutting thousands of jobs and raising concerns over public health impacts.

**CoinDCX Loses $44M in Hack as Stablecoin Regulations Advance**
Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX suffered a $44 million breach, while the U.S. moves forward with landmark stablecoin legislation under Trump’s administration.

**Trade Tensions Escalate as US Caps Mexican Flights**
The Trump administration tightened flight restrictions to Mexico, triggering EU retaliation threats as global trade disputes intensify.

**Fed Chair Powell Vows Unwavering Commitment Amid Pressure**
Jerome Powell dismissed speculation about stepping down, declaring his dedication to the Federal Reserve despite political scrutiny.

**Chevron Secures $53B Hess Deal After Prolonged Battle**
Chevron triumphed over Exxon in a 20-month bidding war, finalizing a $53 billion acquisition of Hess to expand its energy portfolio.

**OpenAI Model Wins Gold at International Math Olympiad**
OpenAI’s latest AI model claimed top honors at the 2025 International Math Olympiad, showcasing advanced problem-solving capabilities.

**Tariffs Drive Up Prices Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season**
Rising tariffs and inflation squeeze retailers, leading to higher consumer prices and reduced product selections just before the holidays.

**Transgender Troops Challenge Trump’s Military Ban**
Service members are fighting the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops as debates over military inclusion intensify.

**Axiom Mission 4 Successfully Launches to ISS with Historic International Crew**

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has launched Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS, carrying a diverse crew including astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. Led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, this mission marks a major milestone in commercial spaceflight and international collaboration.

**Watch Live as Axiom Mission 4 Docks with the ISS Ahead of Schedule**

NASA+ will broadcast the Dragon spacecraft’s early docking at the ISS, showcasing the growing role of private spaceflight in expanding global access to orbit. The crew will conduct groundbreaking research before returning to Earth in two weeks.

**NASA and ISRO Make History with First Indian Astronaut on the ISS**

Axiom Mission 4 fulfills a key commitment between the U.S. and India, sending ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space. This mission highlights NASA’s strategy to foster commercial partnerships and strengthen international space exploration efforts.

**How Private Astronauts Are Shaping the Future of Low-Earth Orbit**

With Axiom Mission 4, NASA advances its vision of a thriving commercial space economy, paving the way for Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. Learn how public-private partnerships are revolutionizing human spaceflight.

**Trump Sues WSJ Over Epstein Scandal as Legal Battles Escalate**
President Trump files explosive libel lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch, intensifying scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein documents. The move comes amid growing political pressure to release sealed grand jury testimonies.

**S&P 500 & Nasdaq Close Record Week as Earnings Fuel Optimism**
Wall Street ends a strong week with gains as Netflix, Chevron, and American Express post solid earnings. Markets remain cautious amid tariff tensions and mixed economic signals.

**Trump Signs Landmark GENIUS Act, Boosting Crypto Industry**
President Trump enacts the first federal stablecoin framework, marking a major win for U.S. crypto dominance. The law arrives as Bitcoin surges past $4 trillion in market value.

**Chevron Clears Legal Hurdle in $53B Hess Megadeal**
Chevron secures approval for its blockbuster Hess acquisition after defeating ExxonMobil’s arbitration challenge. The deal unlocks access to one of the decade’s biggest oil discoveries.

**Netflix Beats Estimates, Debuts AI in Content Production**
The streaming giant reports strong Q2 earnings while integrating generative AI into production. The move highlights Netflix’s innovation push amid fierce industry competition.

**Meta Rejects EU AI Rules, Calling Them Regulatory Overreach**
The tech giant refuses to comply with Europe’s AI safety code, escalating tensions between Big Tech and global regulators. Meta warns the rules could stifle innovation.

**House GOP Slashes $9B from NPR, PBS & Foreign Aid**
Republicans push through deep funding cuts to public broadcasting and international aid, sparking fierce bipartisan debate over federal spending priorities.

**Nvidia Wins US Approval to Sell AI Chips in China Again**
The Biden administration greenlights Nvidia’s AI chip exports, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-China tech tensions. The move revives hopes for eased semiconductor trade restrictions.

**Fed’s Waller Urges July Rate Cut Amid Economic Concerns**
Federal Reserve officials grow divided on timing as Governor Waller pushes for an imminent rate reduction to support weakening labor markets.

**Amazon Warns 200M Prime Users of Surging Login Scams**
The retail giant alerts customers to a wave of AI-powered phishing attacks targeting accounts. Cybersecurity experts warn of rising fraud risks in digital transactions.