🌎 Amazon, Starlink’s on the laserphone

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Here’s what you need to know

The EU opened membership talks with Ukraine. The decision sidesteps opposition from Turkish prime minister Viktor Orbán.

A record $886 billion defense bill is ready for US president Joe Biden’s signature. Congress passed the measure yesterday, which includes aid for Ukraine.

Temu sued Shein. The rival Chinese e-commerce retailers have sued each other before, but this time Temu is accusing Shein of intimidating suppliers to limit the former’s growth in the US.

Misleading BP’s board cost its former CEO $40 million. Bernard Looney will give up salary, pension allowance, benefits, annual bonuses, share awards, and more for misleading the board about personal relationships with colleagues.

Amazon is a step closer to competing with Starlink

Project Kuiper, an upcoming satellite internet provider from Amazon, successfully made its satellites talk to each other through laser communications.

The announcement marks a major milestone in Amazon’s path to catching up with SpaceX’s Starlink, which already has some 2 million users in over 60 countries.

While the use of laser links is not new (Starlink does this too), it is a technical accomplishment. Optical intersatellite links require a strong laser signal and precise tracking to make sure the laser lines up with the other spacecraft—no small feat when spacecraft can be moving at 15,000 miles per hour (24,140 km/h) and be separated by over 1,000 miles (1,609 km). Read more about the test here.

The US economy needs older workers

Older workers—those age 65 and over—are contributing more to the economy than ever.

The generation has driven major growth in the share of older workers in the labor force. In 2023, the sector rose to quadruple the size it was in the mid-1980s. About one in every five Americans over the age of 65 were employed in 2023—and their wage gap with younger workers is shrinking. Quartz’s Laura Bratton has the latest numbers.

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Surprising discoveries

A bull caused major delays on a busy rail line between New Jersey and New York City. It wasn’t a Wall Street stunt.

But the US Securities and Exchange Commission did halt another kind of cattle stunt. The agency has beef with an ongoing $191 million cow Ponzi scheme.

Cardboard is an economic signaler. When its price increases, the US economy generally revs up, too.

If you’re a morning person, you may have Neanderthals to thank. It was a useful trait to have in areas where winter days are short.

An ocean moon of Saturn’s may emanate a chemical that helps create life as we know it. The substance, however, is poisonous. Welp!

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