US companies

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket toward orbit, a test flight with major stakes for the company's ambitions in deep space and for NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon. The launch is drawing wide attention across the US and UK, with commentators focusing on how much rides on the vehicle's success.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson says President Trump's meeting with technology chief executives will focus on finding the right balance on artificial intelligence. The discussion is expected to weigh innovation and industry growth against regulation and safety concerns. The meeting brings the Trump administration face to face with leading AI companies as Washington shapes its approach to governing the fast-moving technology.

Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Meta in federal court, accusing the company of human rights violations. News of the legal action, first reported by Milenio, has drawn significant attention as one of the most discussed stories internationally. The case marks a notable escalation between the Mexican government and the US tech giant, though the specific allegations behind the suit have not yet been detailed.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay a record $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over haptic technology, the vibration feedback used in iPhones and other devices. The verdict, reported by Reuters and other outlets, is described as one of the largest patent damages awards against Apple, which is expected to appeal.

China is reportedly considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to buy new Nvidia chips, according to The Information. The potential approval would mark a shift in Beijing's stance on US semiconductor imports, which have been restricted amid export controls and trade tensions. Such a move would give China's largest tech companies access to advanced AI hardware, with implications for Nvidia's business and ongoing US-China technology negotiations.

News briefs report two major developments: dozens of additional hacking incidents involving OpenAI have been disclosed, and President Trump has rejected a ceasefire offer from Iran. The security breaches add to concerns about the safety of leading AI companies' systems, while the rejection of the ceasefire proposal keeps tensions over Iran high, with observers watching for how both situations develop next.

President Donald Trump said he met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and again played down concerns about artificial intelligence. The confirmation puts the White House's relationship with one of the leading AI firms in focus, with Trump repeating his view that alarm over the technology is overstated. Observers are watching for signals on future US AI policy and regulation.

Reports say China could permit its major technology companies to purchase new Nvidia chips, a shift in its stance on the US chipmaker's products. The move would matter for both Chinese AI development and Nvidia's access to a key market, though details on which chips and under what conditions remain unclear.

Speculation about an Anthropic initial public offering is picking up in the US. On CNBC, veteran banker Robert Kindler argued that an Anthropic listing would not drive the broader market, signaling that Wall Street sees the AI company's potential debut as significant but not market-moving. No filing or timeline has been confirmed, and attention remains on how the high-profile AI firm would be valued.

The Chinese government has signaled it may permit companies including Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia's new RTX Pro 5500 chips, according to a report by The Information citing people familiar with the matter. The potential move would ease some restrictions on AI hardware purchases in China and is drawing attention amid ongoing US-China technology tensions.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay $5.7 billion, a record sum, in a patent dispute over haptic technology, the vibration feedback used in devices like the iPhone. The verdict ranks among the largest patent damages awards in US history, and attention is turning to whether Apple will appeal.

The first US trial against TikTok is set to test claims that the platform fueled a teen mental health crisis. The case will examine whether the app's design and algorithms contributed to harm among young users, and its outcome could shape the wave of similar lawsuits and regulatory pressure facing social media companies in the United States.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not take part in a climate case involving oil companies, Reuters reports. The recusal means the case will be decided by the remaining eight justices, which could affect the outcome if the court splits evenly. No reason was given for his decision not to participate.

SpaceX is preparing the first orbital flight of its Starship rocket from its Texas facilities, according to CNBC. The launch would mark the first time the company attempts to send its next-generation, fully reusable spacecraft into orbit, a milestone seen as crucial for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Observers are watching for regulatory approval and a launch date as anticipation builds across the space industry.

Reports say China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, a potential easing of restrictions on US-made AI hardware for major Chinese tech firms. If confirmed, the move would give two of China's biggest companies access to advanced semiconductors critical for artificial intelligence development, with significant implications for US-China tech and trade tensions.

SpaceX carried out a classified mission for the US Space Force, lifting off from California. The payload and mission details were not disclosed, consistent with national security launches, and footage and photographs of the liftoff were released. It is the latest in a series of military space missions flown by the company for the Pentagon.

A company owned by Donald Trump filed trademark applications on Friday for "MAGA" and "45-47", covering streaming apps, television broadcasting, and news and commentary on politics and current events, according to US Patent and Trademark Office records. The filing fuels speculation that Trump is preparing to launch his own media operation, following his earlier ventures into digital platforms.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from a significant climate case amid scrutiny over his financial holdings in oil companies. The decision removes him from deliberations on a closely watched environmental dispute. Alito has previously faced criticism over ethics and potential conflicts of interest involving stock ownership and undisclosed gifts.

OpenAI's artificial intelligence models reportedly accessed or probed the websites of the US Department of Education and other federal agencies. The report raises questions about how AI companies collect data from government sites and what safeguards exist. The story is drawing attention from education and technology watchers concerned about oversight of AI systems interacting with public institutions.

Reports indicate China is considering relaxing restrictions on NVIDIA's AI chips, a potential shift in its stance on foreign semiconductors amid the ongoing US-China technology standoff. Any easing would affect Chinese companies seeking high-end AI hardware and could reshape the competitive landscape for global chipmakers.

China is considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Information carried by Reuters. The potential approval would open access to advanced US-made semiconductors for two of China's largest technology companies, amid ongoing restrictions and negotiations over chip exports between Washington and Beijing.

Citing The Information, reports say China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, signalling a possible easing of restrictions on US semiconductor sales to major Chinese tech firms. The news highlights the continuing tug-of-war over access to advanced AI hardware, with Chinese companies keen to secure Nvidia's latest processors for their artificial intelligence and cloud computing ambitions.

The US Supreme Court is set to take up a lawsuit brought by Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold energy companies liable for damages tied to wildfire risks linked to climate change. The case could determine whether local governments can pursue such claims in state courts, with broad implications for similar climate lawsuits nationwide.

The U.S. government's sanctions on the International Criminal Court in early 2025 had swift, far-reaching effects. The measures cut off the ICC's chief prosecutor's access to Microsoft services, including email, highlighting how deeply dependent international institutions are on American technology firms. Observers say the episode raises questions about digital sovereignty and the vulnerability of global justice bodies to unilateral US pressure.

An American startup has moved its operations from Kentucky to China, according to Reuters reporting. The company's decision to relocate is drawing attention as it highlights ongoing debates about manufacturing costs, supply chains and the trade-offs US firms weigh when producing domestically versus in China. The story is being widely shared, prompting discussion about what the move signals for American manufacturing and startup economics.

New York City has subpoenaed Elon Musk and his artificial intelligence company xAI as part of an investigation into AI safety. The move makes the city one of the most prominent US local governments to target a major AI developer directly, and it adds regulatory pressure for Musk, whose AI business is already drawing scrutiny alongside his other ventures.

China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Yahoo Finance and Investing.com. If confirmed, the move would mark a relaxation of Beijing's stance on US-made AI hardware for its largest tech companies, amid ongoing tensions over semiconductor export controls between Washington and Beijing.

The Financial Times reports that US companies are increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models rather than relying solely on costly proprietary systems from major vendors. Businesses are drawn to open models for their lower cost and greater flexibility, a shift that could reshape how enterprises buy artificial intelligence and put pressure on providers of expensive closed systems.