Industry

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship megarocket to orbit for the first time today, with the flight available to watch live. The mission marks a major milestone for the company's next-generation, fully reusable heavy-lift rocket, which is central to plans for deep-space missions and future lunar and Martian travel. Space enthusiasts and industry watchers are following the launch closely.

Germany is pursuing large-scale military rearmament and framing it as central to its future economic strategy, with defence spending presented as a driver of industrial capacity and growth. Commentators are debating whether defence investment can revive a stagnant German economy, and what the shift means for Europe's security posture and fiscal priorities.

Defense experts say a plan backed by Donald Trump to license production of Patriot missiles for Ukraine could take years to implement, rather than providing immediate battlefield relief. Setting up licensed manufacturing involves industrial agreements, technology transfers and production ramp-up, meaning Ukraine's air defense shortages may not ease quickly under the proposal.

OpenAI has announced it will not release its newest artificial intelligence model, citing unresolved safety concerns. The decision, reported by The New York Times, is drawing attention as a notable case of a leading AI company holding back a product rather than shipping it, and is fueling debate about how frontier labs weigh safety reviews against competitive pressure to deploy new models.

The All-In Podcast's latest episode canvasses a turbulent week in AI. The panel discusses whether Anthropic's long-rumoured IPO is in jeopardy, Meta's new Muse model making a splash, falling token prices squeezing AI margins, open-source models gaining market share, and renewed concerns that alignment efforts are failing.

MongoDB's chief executive Dev Ittycheria's successor drama unfolds as reports say the CEO, Desai, is leaving the database company to lead Meta's enterprise platform efforts. The resignation ends a notable tenure at MongoDB and marks another high-profile hire for Meta as it expands beyond consumer social apps into business software. Tech observers are weighing what the move means for MongoDB's strategy and for Meta's enterprise ambitions.

Ukraine's defense ministry says its forces struck six strategic oil refineries deep inside Russia in a single week, with targets up to 1,600 km behind the front line. Kyiv describes the campaign as a response to Russian attacks, saying every hit facility supplies fuel to Russia's defense industry and occupation forces. The claim has drawn wide attention as evidence of Ukraine's growing long-range strike capability against Russia's energy sector.

Leading figures in the technology industry have appealed to the United Nations, asking global institutions to establish oversight of the artificial intelligence tools they helped build. The message, discussed around a UN Security Council session on AI, frames regulation as necessary for humanity's safety. Commenters are debating whether creators of a technology calling for its own control is a genuine warning or an attempt to shape the rules in their favour.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, joined by US airlines, is urging Congress to quickly approve $30 billion to fund aviation reforms. The push centers on modernizing the country's air traffic control system and aviation infrastructure, with industry backing adding weight to the funding request now before lawmakers.

Bipartisan momentum is building in Washington against pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen who negotiate drug prices and have been blamed for soaring prescription costs. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for greater oversight and potential reforms of the industry, a rare area of common ground in a divided Congress.

Electric car sales in Europe are up sharply, rising about 52%, as gasoline reaches roughly $10 a gallon in the region. Bloomberg reports the surge in battery-electric vehicle purchases is being driven by record-high fuel prices, which make running an electric car far cheaper than a petrol one. The figures suggest European drivers are switching to EVs at an accelerating pace despite the end of some subsidies.

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 its devices. The verdict ranks among the largest patent damages awards in US history and is expected to trigger appeals and scrutiny of how Apple licenses touchscreen feedback technology.

A jury has ruled that Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, illegally monopolized the market for concert and event tickets in the United States. The verdict marks a major moment in the antitrust battle over ticketing fees and market control. Observers expect the ruling to trigger appeals and could reshape how concert tickets are sold and priced nationwide.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant shift in the country's climate policy and aligns with its existing goal of climate neutrality by 2045. Observers are weighing how Germany plans to replace gas and coal while maintaining industrial output.

The chief executive of Anthropic, one of the leading AI companies, is calling for stronger regulation of artificial intelligence. In an exclusive interview, he argues that rapid advances in AI systems require clearer rules and oversight from governments. The intervention is notable because it comes from inside the industry, with an AI lab leader backing external checks rather than resisting them.

US mortgage rates have climbed back to 7%, prompting renewed concern among homebuyers, homeowners and industry analysts. The Wall Street Journal examines what the increase means for affordability, home sales and prices, and whether the Federal Reserve's rate policy could push borrowing costs higher or bring relief later this year.

New data shows Europe's electric vehicle sales surged in January, widening the gap with the United States, where EV adoption is growing far more slowly. Analysts point to Europe's stricter emissions rules and broader model availability as key drivers of the continent's stronger start to the year.

Leading figures from the artificial intelligence industry are set to meet President Trump at the White House for discussions on the technology's future. The meeting comes as prominent voices in AI have issued stark warnings about potential risks posed by increasingly powerful systems. Details of the agenda and who will attend have not been confirmed, but the talks are expected to cover regulation, safety and American competitiveness in the sector.

SpaceX's long-awaited stock market debut reportedly saw shares jump 19% on their first day of trading, in what is being called a historic IPO for the space industry. Commentators are now debating what comes next for Elon Musk's company, including how it will use the proceeds and whether the rally can hold.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for breaching the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, according to the Irish Times. The penalty from Google's lead European regulator ranks among the larger GDPR fines issued to a major technology company, and the ruling is likely to fuel ongoing debate about how EU watchdogs police the data practices of large US platforms.

Edmunds reports that as gas prices climb, consumer searches for electric vehicles are rising in step. The data suggests fuel costs remain a significant factor pushing American car buyers toward EVs, with more drivers shopping for alternatives to gas-powered cars. Industry observers see the pattern as evidence that pump prices continue to shape vehicle purchase decisions.

New Ukrainian intelligence indicates Russia is expanding its military cooperation with North Korea and Iran. According to the report, the partnerships involve continued weapons transfers and defense-industrial ties supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The disclosure comes as Kyiv seeks to highlight the international networks sustaining Moscow's invasion and to press allies for stronger responses.

SpaceX chief Elon Musk has publicly called Anthropic the "clear AI leader" in artificial intelligence and said he will not interfere with a compute deal despite rivalry between their companies. The unusually generous praise from Musk, who founded rival AI firm xAI, is drawing attention because he has frequently criticised competitors while promoting his own AI efforts. His pledge not to sabotage the deal marks a notable conciliatory stance in the increasingly competitive AI industry.

Singer D4vd is set to stand trial on murder charges connected to the death of a 14-year-old girl. The case, now moving toward trial, has drawn widespread attention given the artist's prominence in the music industry. Coverage so far confirms only the trial decision; further details about the charges, the victim, or a trial date have not been made available.

Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML has said it is not selling its chipmaking machines in Europe, warning that the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in the semiconductor industry. The remarks have drawn attention in India and China, where ASML's role in global chip supply chains is a sensitive topic amid ongoing export-control tensions and competition to build domestic chip manufacturing capacity.

SpaceX has carried out the first orbital test flight of its Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built. The flight marks a major milestone for the company's program aimed at deep space missions, including eventual trips to the Moon and Mars. Analysts and space watchers are examining what the test means for the future of commercial spaceflight.

The United States has finalized new, lower fuel economy standards, easing requirements on automakers in a move that supports continued production and sale of gas-powered vehicles. The rollback of stricter efficiency targets is drawing attention for its implications for the auto industry, fuel costs, and US climate policy.

The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel economy standards, a policy change with direct consequences for American drivers. Weaker standards could mean cheaper vehicles upfront but higher gasoline consumption and costs at the pump over time, while also affecting automakers' production plans and US emissions goals. Coverage, including from PBS, is focused on explaining what the change means practically for consumers and the wider auto industry.

Arthur Mensch, chief executive of French AI start-up Mistral, argues in an interview with Le Monde that artificial intelligence is ultimately just software and can be controlled. His comments push back on fears of uncontrollable AI systems, positioning Mistral's approach as one of manageable, governable technology. The remarks are drawing attention among tech industry observers and fueling debate over AI regulation and safety.