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.

France has announced a new 500 million dollar aid package to support businesses struggling under sharply rising energy prices. The measure comes as companies across Europe face mounting costs that threaten closures and job losses. Officials hope the package will ease pressure on small firms and energy-intensive industries this winter.

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.

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 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.

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.

Corporate America is increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models as an alternative to costly proprietary systems from major AI providers. The shift, reported by the Financial Times, suggests companies are looking to cut technology costs while still deploying artificial intelligence across their operations. Open models let firms run AI on their own infrastructure, reducing dependence on expensive vendors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An analyst argues that leading AI companies that publicly warn about existential risk from artificial intelligence can also use safety commitments as a competitive advantage. By positioning themselves as the safest providers, the giants raise regulatory and reputational barriers that smaller rivals struggle to clear, turning safety messaging into a business moat rather than only a caution.

Bill Gates appeared on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS to discuss what governments and society should do about artificial intelligence right now. He addressed how quickly the technology is developing and the need for sensible rules and oversight while still capturing its benefits in health, education and work. The interview adds a prominent business voice to the growing global debate over AI regulation.

Top executives from artificial intelligence companies have been called to testify before an Australian Senate inquiry examining the technology's risks and regulation. The summons by federal parliamentarians signals growing political scrutiny of AI in Australia, with senators seeking answers from industry leaders about safety, accountability and potential harms as adoption accelerates across business and government.

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.

Microsoft is ending support for Internet Explorer mode in its Edge browser, closing the final chapter for the legacy browser. The feature allowed businesses to run old intranet sites and apps built for Internet Explorer inside Edge after the browser itself was retired in 2022. Companies still relying on legacy web applications will need to migrate them to modern standards or alternative solutions.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, citing alleged violations of Palestinian human rights. The updated list identifies businesses across sectors including construction, finance and technology. The move is expected to draw criticism from Israel and the United States, which have previously condemned the database, while human rights groups have welcomed it as a step toward corporate accountability.

The world's most valuable AI startup will open an office in Singapore in October and begin hiring local staff, according to VnExpress International. The move signals growing interest from leading AI companies in establishing a Southeast Asian presence, with Singapore's business-friendly environment and talent pool making it a regional hub.

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.

Film industry executives and creators met at the Zurich Summit to debate the growing divide over artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Discussions centered on how AI is reshaping production, storytelling and jobs, with executives and creative talent voicing sharply different views on its risks and benefits. The summit is one of the key annual gatherings where Hollywood's business and creative sides confront emerging industry tensions.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a patent dispute against Google, ruling that the internet advertising patents in question are ineligible under Section 101 of the Patent Act for claiming abstract ideas. The decision closes off the case and reinforces the judiciary's restrictive approach to software and business-method patents.

Reports say China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia's new RTX Pro 5500 chips, a possible easing of restrictions on US semiconductor sales to Chinese tech firms. The move would give two of China's largest technology companies access to advanced Nvidia hardware for AI and cloud work, and is being watched closely given ongoing US-China tensions over chip exports.

Investors have been focusing heavily on SpaceX developments, and commentators are asking whether enthusiasm for Tesla shares is fading as a result. The question raised is whether the market still values Tesla for its core electric vehicle and technology business, or whether attention has shifted to Elon Musk's space ventures and the drama surrounding them.

Spotify Technology is facing a fresh valuation test as investors weigh how much of the company's growth story now rests on podcasts and audiobooks rather than music streaming alone. The company has been pushing to diversify revenue beyond its core music business, expanding spoken-word content and subscription tiers, and markets are reassessing what that expansion means for the stock's worth.

Speculation that Tesla and SpaceX could merge is picking up as attention turns to a potential SpaceX stock market listing. Analysts are split on the idea, with some arguing a combination would consolidate Elon Musk's business empire and attract investors, while others see it as unlikely given the two companies' different structures and regulatory hurdles. No merger has been announced.