The Circle News

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly pushing back against the EU's budget plans, according to a DW report. The revolt signals friction between Berlin and Brussels over the next long-term EU budget, with Germany resisting spending proposals put forward by the European Commission. The report has drawn attention across European political circles, as Germany's stance could shape negotiations over the bloc's finances.

Andrew Bailey has resigned from his role as deputy director of the FBI. Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general, was appointed to the post earlier in 2025 as part of a leadership shake-up under Director Kash Patel. The news is drawing attention across political circles, with discussion focusing on the timing of the departure and what it signals for stability at the bureau's senior levels.

Dutch police have arrested the suspected leader of the hacking group ShinyHunters in connection with an FBI investigation into major data breaches. The group has been linked to high-profile intrusions targeting companies worldwide, stealing vast amounts of user data. The arrest marks a significant step in international efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks, and it is drawing attention from security experts tracking the group's activities.

Dunwoody College of Technology has announced plans to launch a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The Minneapolis-based institution, known for its technical and applied learning programs, will add the degree to its offerings. Details about enrollment timelines and curriculum have not yet been widely reported, but the announcement has drawn attention in higher education and regional news circles.

SoundThinking, the gunshot-detection technology company formerly known as ShotSpotter, is being taken private by private equity firm Transom Capital Group, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The deal would end the company's run as a publicly traded firm. Details on valuation and timing have not yet been broadly circulated as the news spreads through business circles.

A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber has crashed, killing all six crew members aboard, according to reports circulating in news and military-affairs circles. The Tu-95 is Russia's main long-range nuclear-capable bomber and has been used to launch cruise missiles in the war against Ukraine. Details on the cause and location of the crash have not yet been confirmed.

Racepoint Global, a marketing and communications agency, has appointed Eric Savitz as senior content advisor. Savitz is a veteran technology journalist known for his years covering tech and markets, most recently as a longtime editor at Barron's, where he led technology coverage. The move signals the agency's push to strengthen its editorial and content capabilities for technology clients as demand for credible, journalist-led storytelling grows.