businesses

China is considering permitting ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Reuters. The potential decision would mark a shift in Beijing's stance on US semiconductor access, with implications for Chinese tech firms' AI ambitions and for Nvidia's business in the Chinese market.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, according to ABC News. A rate hike would mark a reversal from the easing cycle of recent years and would affect borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and businesses across the American economy. Markets and households will be watching for signals on whether further increases are planned.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, citing alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. The update to the database of businesses engaged in activities in the occupied territories is expected to draw sharp reactions from Israel and its allies, while rights groups have long pressed for firms to be held accountable for operations in the settlements.

Russian authorities are instructing businesses to protect their own facilities from Ukrainian drone attacks, as strikes increasingly disrupt operations across the country. The move signals that Moscow's air defenses are struggling to intercept the growing number of drones targeting infrastructure and industry. The report, published by The Wall Street Journal, highlights the mounting economic strain the drone campaign is placing on Russia's war effort.

Russia's finance ministry has announced tax increases aimed at shoring up the country's military budget, as the war in Ukraine continues to strain public finances. The move signals Moscow's willingness to place more of the tax burden on businesses and households to sustain defence spending. Observers see it as evidence that the costs of the conflict are increasingly being passed on to ordinary Russians.

The United Nations has published an updated blacklist naming 61 companies it says are involved in activities in Israeli settlements that violate Palestinian human rights. The list, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, identifies firms for business operations linked to the occupied territories. The move is expected to draw criticism from Israel and the United States, while rights groups welcome greater corporate accountability.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated for the foreseeable future. The warning matters for Australian households and businesses still adjusting to higher mortgage repayments, and it has drawn wide attention as people weigh what a permanently higher rate environment means for housing and the wider economy.

The familiar Brexit labels on British goods are set to vanish. Their removal marks another practical step away from the EU departure, and people are weighing what the change means for shoppers, businesses and Britain's ongoing relationship with Europe. Reactions are split between those welcoming the end of a visible Brexit reminder and those questioning what replaces it.

The United Nations has added more than 60 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The move, published by the UN Human Rights Council, lists businesses it says are involved in settlement-related activities that Palestinians and rights groups consider illegal under international law. Israel has condemned the listing, while supporters see it as accountability.

The United Nations has expanded its list of Israeli companies operating in West Bank settlements to 215 firms. The list, published by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses it says are engaged in activities supporting settlement expansion, which Israel and its supporters condemn as biased, while human rights groups welcome it as a step toward corporate accountability in occupied territory.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is lobbying Washington against a fresh round of export restrictions that would hit ASML's China business. US lawmakers are pursuing legislation that could tighten controls on the chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing activities in China. The Dutch intervention highlights tensions between US efforts to curb China's chip ambitions and the interests of Europe's most valuable tech firm.

Storm activity across the Pacific is being described as unusually chaotic, with multiple hurricanes active at once and forecasters struggling to keep track of their paths. The situation is drawing attention to how busy the season has become and what it means for coastal communities in the storm's potential paths. Residents and authorities in affected regions are monitoring advisories closely.

The United States and China have reached a major trade framework that reportedly cuts the US trade deficit with China in half. The announcement marks a significant step in easing tensions between the world's two largest economies. The exact terms of the agreement and how the deficit reduction will be achieved have not yet been detailed, and reactions from businesses and lawmakers are still coming in.

Indian broadcasters are running rolling live coverage bundling several major stories: a political row involving the Election Commission, remarks and actions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a fresh attack by Yemen's Houthis, and rising tensions between the United States and Iran. The combined coverage reflects a busy news day spanning domestic election politics and international security developments being watched in both India and the US.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese maker at the center of a supplement contamination scandal linked to suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer worth more than ¥500 billion. The move would mark a major turning point for the company, which has faced reputational and financial fallout since the scandal, and is drawing attention to the future ownership of the troubled firm.

Bill Gates has publicly criticised Donald Trump's refusal to back safeguards on artificial intelligence, arguing the US should support stronger oversight of the technology. Gates framed the resistance as a mistake at a time when governments worldwide are moving to regulate AI. The remarks add a prominent business voice to the debate over how far Washington should go on AI rules.

The United Nations has expanded its database of companies operating in Israeli West Bank settlements to 138 firms. The list, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, flags businesses the UN says are involved in activities supporting settlement expansion, which it considers illegal under international law. Israel rejects the blacklist, and its publication has drawn criticism from Israeli officials and mixed reactions from companies and governments.

Cricket fans are focused on an India versus England fixture, with searches and engagement spiking in India. The interest comes amid a busy international calendar that also includes Sri Lanka's tour of England, where commentary coverage of the third ODI is under way. Fans are following team selections, match conditions and results across the fixtures as the series builds.

Climate discussions in New York are being reshaped by two mounting pressures: rising energy costs for households and industry, and the surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centres. As negotiators and business leaders weigh decarbonisation goals against affordability and grid reliability, the rapid growth of AI is complicating plans to phase out fossil fuels, forcing climate policy to account for a new wave of power consumption.

A move by federal authorities to reschedule marijuana is expected to significantly affect medical marijuana businesses, particularly their taxes and day-to-day operations. Rescheduling from Schedule I could allow cannabis companies to deduct normal business expenses under federal tax law, ending restrictions imposed by IRS Code 280E and easing banking and operational hurdles for operators.

SpaceX launched a classified US Space Force payload from California, then landed the Falcon 9 booster at sea as part of the mission. The mission's payload and purpose remain undisclosed, consistent with national security launches. US local news outlets widely reported the launch, which adds to SpaceX's busy cadence of government and commercial flights from the West Coast launch site.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, alleging violations of Palestinian rights. The list names businesses accused of contributing to settlement activity in the occupied territories, a move likely to draw criticism from Israel and its allies while being welcomed by Palestinian advocacy groups. Firms on the list may face reputational and commercial pressure.

China has introduced new travel restrictions affecting technology workers, and the measures are reportedly causing concern among major tech companies and skilled professionals. Observers say the rules could complicate international travel for engineers and experts in fields like artificial intelligence, raising questions about talent mobility, business operations, and China's push to retain and control its technology expertise.

Meta has introduced Muse, an AI agent that, according to CNBC, targets one of the most profitable weak spots in the economy. The move signals Meta's push to move its artificial intelligence beyond social feeds and into commercial territory, potentially disrupting incumbent players in that market. Details on the specific sector and how the agent works remain limited, but analysts are watching the announcement closely for signs of Meta's broader AI monetisation strategy.

The United Nations has expanded its database of Israeli companies operating in West Bank settlements, adding firms to bring the total to 215. The list, compiled by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses deemed to support or benefit from Israel's settlement enterprise, which most of the international community considers illegal. Israeli officials have condemned the blacklist, while human rights groups see it as accountability pressure.