businesses

ASML, the Dutch maker of advanced chipmaking equipment, says it is not selling its machines in Europe and has warned the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in semiconductors. The remarks are drawing attention in tech and business circles, with debate over what they mean for Europe's industrial strategy and ambitions to build a domestic chip industry.

European governments are rolling out tax cuts and subsidies in an effort to cushion households and businesses from record-high fuel prices. The measures reflect growing political pressure across the continent as energy costs strain consumers and feed into broader inflation concerns. Officials are weighing how to keep relief targeted without worsening budget deficits.

The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, in line with widespread expectations from economists and markets. The decision keeps the bank's campaign against elevated inflation moving forward, and analysts are now watching for signals on whether further tightening will follow at upcoming meetings.

The United Nations has expanded its database of companies operating in Israeli West Bank settlements to 138 firms, up from its earlier list. The blacklist, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses it says are involved in activities in the occupied territories. Israeli officials condemn the move as politically motivated, while human rights groups welcome it as a step toward corporate accountability.

Commentators are stressing that companies carry human rights responsibilities and must conduct due diligence to avoid complicity in human rights violations or abuses, in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and calls for a ceasefire. The message frames corporate conduct during the war as a matter of international human rights standards, prompting discussion about business accountability and whether firms are adequately assessing their involvement in the region.

The Financial Times reports that large US companies are increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models instead of costly proprietary systems. The shift reflects growing pressure to cut technology spending while still deploying generative AI across business operations. Open-weight models from providers like Meta and Mistral are gaining ground as firms weigh cost savings against performance and security concerns.

Japan is moving to tighten its rules for foreign residents, according to an Al Jazeera report, a shift that could throw the futures of many migrants into doubt. The development has drawn attention given Japan's reliance on foreign workers amid a shrinking population and ongoing labour shortages.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to lift the cash rate to 4.6%, which would make it the highest level since 2011. The anticipated hike points to continued efforts to curb inflation, and would add to cost-of-living pressures for Australian households and businesses with mortgages and loans.

China may permit Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's RTX chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Bloomberg. The potential approval would mark a notable shift in Beijing's stance on access to American AI hardware, amid ongoing US-China tensions over semiconductor exports. The report drew wide attention from technology and markets watchers tracking Nvidia's business in China.

Companies are increasingly adopting open-weight AI models as a way to manage the heavy costs of proprietary technology. With licensing fees and computing expenses climbing, open-weight alternatives offer firms more control and lower spending. The trend suggests a shift in how businesses balance cutting-edge AI capabilities against budget pressures, drawing attention across the tech and finance sectors.

Elon Musk told CCTV Finance that he recommends people visit China as much as they can, citing the many things to see. He described taking the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an as a great experience and praised the train stations. The remarks are drawing attention given Musk's business ties to China through Tesla, with supporters seeing validation of China's infrastructure and critics questioning his praise of the country.

An American startup has relocated its operations from Kentucky to China, according to Reuters reporting. The company's decision to abandon its US base in favour of manufacturing and growth in China has drawn attention as a reversal of the trend of companies moving production out of China. The report examines the business reasons behind the move and what it suggests about the current economics of building a startup in the United States versus China.

The UK business secretary has warned that a renewed campaign to rejoin the European Union risks creating uncertainty, reportedly for businesses and investors weighing long-term decisions. The intervention adds to ongoing debate in Britain over the country's post-Brexit relationship with the EU, where Leave and Remain positions continue to divide political parties and the public.

China has introduced new travel restrictions that are causing concern among technology companies and skilled workers, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence where expertise and capital are highly mobile. Analysts say the rules could complicate business travel, international collaboration and the movement of tech talent, adding uncertainty for both Chinese firms and foreign companies operating in the country.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company at the center of a supplement contamination scandal involving suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer valued at more than ¥500 billion. The potential deal comes as the firm continues to face fallout from the scandal, which damaged consumer trust and hit its business hard. Market watchers are closely following how the offer could reshape the company's future.

The US federal government's move to reschedule marijuana is set to change how medical marijuana businesses are taxed and run. Reclassification could ease the current tax burden that prevents cannabis companies from deducting normal business expenses, while also altering operational and banking rules. Business analysts say companies in the medical cannabis sector will need to adapt their finances and compliance practices as the new federal framework takes effect.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock has said the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that Australian borrowers should not expect a return to the ultra-cheap borrowing costs of recent years. The remarks point to the RBA preparing households and businesses for a prolonged period of higher rates as it keeps fighting inflation, a message with major implications for mortgages and the wider economy.

Stripe has introduced a Knowledge AI platform, announced on its developer blog. The platform appears aimed at helping developers and businesses apply AI to Stripe's documentation and knowledge base. Early discussion online is focused on what the offering means for engineering work and AI tooling in payments.

Bill Gates appeared on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS to discuss what should be done about artificial intelligence right now. He set out his view on how governments and the tech industry should respond to the rapid rise of AI, adding his voice to the growing debate among business leaders and policymakers over regulation, safety and the technology's economic impact.

The United States government has moved to weigh in on Elon Musk's €120 million legal fight with the European Union over regulatory penalties imposed in Brussels. The involvement of US authorities in a private company's clash with EU regulators is drawing attention, with observers seeing it as part of a broader transatlantic standoff over tech regulation, platform governance, and how far European rules can reach into American businesses.

Microsoft has announced it is ending support for Internet Explorer mode in its Edge browser, retiring the compatibility feature that let businesses run legacy websites built for the old browser. The move pushes organisations still relying on IE-only applications to migrate to modern standards, and observers are weighing what it means for enterprises that have delayed upgrading their systems.

NBA.com has published a comprehensive rundown of every free agency signing, extension and trade completed by all 30 teams during the offseason. The tracker gives fans a single reference point for how each roster has changed ahead of the new season, covering moves across the entire league rather than focusing on individual teams.

Geely has agreed to acquire a 30% stake in the battery-swapping business of rival Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio. The move would link two competing automakers in the infrastructure segment that Nio has built out as a differentiator for its cars, allowing drivers to exchange depleted batteries for charged ones in minutes. The reported deal highlights growing consolidation and cooperation in China's crowded electric vehicle market.

Attention is turning to the economic consequences of the continuing war with Iran, with analysts examining how prolonged conflict is affecting energy prices, trade routes and market confidence. Commentary focuses on the cost of sustained hostilities for the global economy and what further escalation could mean for consumers and businesses worldwide.

BMW's chief executive has said that some Chinese-made cars sold in Europe 'make no business sense,' while also supporting dialogue over tariffs rather than outright trade barriers. His comments reflect the tension facing European automakers as Chinese brands expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles, prompting EU tariff discussions. The remarks signal BMW's call for a negotiated approach that protects European industry without escalating a trade conflict with China.

Jonathan Reynolds says debate about returning to the EU creates uncertainty for business, according to Politico Europe. The remark, picked up by UA.NEWS, comes as discussion over Britain's future relationship with the EU resurfaces. Reynolds argues that reopening questions about membership unsettles firms that need stable, predictable trading conditions to plan and invest.