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.

European governments are rolling out tax breaks and subsidies in an effort to cushion consumers from record-high fuel prices. Measures under discussion or already introduced include cuts to fuel taxes and direct support for households and businesses. The moves reflect growing political pressure as energy costs strain household budgets across the continent, with governments competing to shield their economies from the price surge.

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 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 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.

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.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that Australians should not expect a return to the cheap borrowing costs of the past decade. The comments have drawn wide attention, with households and businesses weighing what persistently higher rates mean for mortgages, savings and the broader 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 States and China have announced a tariff arrangement linked to at least $30 billion in imports, following a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Officials confirmed the arrangement but left key details unresolved, leaving businesses and analysts questioning the scope of the tariff relief, which products are covered, and how the deal will be implemented.

Indian applicants for US visitor visas are facing long interview waits, with Hyderabad at around 12 months, Mumbai 11.5 months, New Delhi 10 months, Chennai 7.5 months and Kolkata 6.5 months. The figures are drawing attention as families planning travel for tourism, business or family visits face delays stretching close to a year before they can secure an interview appointment.

Economists are split over whether the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year. ABC News reports that analysts disagree on the outlook, with arguments on both sides about inflation pressures, labor market strength, and the risk of slowing growth. The division reflects genuine uncertainty about how the economy will perform in the months ahead, leaving markets and businesses unsure about borrowing costs.

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.

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.

The United Nations has expanded its database of Israeli companies operating in West Bank settlements to 215 firms. The list, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses deemed to be enabling settlement activity, which Israel and the United States oppose as politically motivated. Rights groups welcomed the move, while Israel denounced it, and the list is expected to fuel debates over corporate responsibility in occupied territory.

The UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to its blacklist of firms accused of violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements. The move expands a list first published in 2020 and is expected to draw criticism from Israel and its allies, while rights groups welcomed the step.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.