technology sector

Russia has started rationing fuel after a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike damaged refinery and energy infrastructure, according to the headline being widely shared. Reports say Ukrainian long-range drone technology has outpaced Russian air defences, hitting targets deep inside Russian territory and disrupting fuel supplies. The move highlights growing pressure on Russia's energy sector as the war continues.

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.

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.

Major technology companies are using guarantee structures to keep roughly $300 billion in AI-related financial commitments off their balance sheets, according to a Financial Times report. The arrangements, often backing data centre and infrastructure deals, raise questions about how much risk the sector is actually carrying as AI spending accelerates.

Former Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Fedorov has announced a new initiative called the Army of Robots, aimed at developing robotic systems, according to Ukrainian media. The project signals continued efforts to expand unmanned and automated technology in Ukraine's defence sector. Details about funding, timelines and the specific systems involved have not yet been disclosed.

A young entrepreneur has built a defense technology startup now valued at $3.7 billion, with backing from prominent venture firm Sequoia. Fortune reports the story of how the Gen Z founder scaled the company, highlighting the growing wave of young founders entering the defense tech sector and investor appetite for startups serving national security markets.

Reports suggest China could permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia chips, easing earlier restrictions on access to US-made semiconductors. A green light would be significant for China's cloud computing and artificial intelligence sectors, where demand for Nvidia's hardware remains high, and would mark a notable shift in the technology trade standoff between Washington and Beijing.

Autonomous driving software firm Momenta and Stellantis' Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng have agreed to co-develop intelligent driving technology. The partnership will focus on bringing advanced driver assistance systems to vehicles sold in China, one of the world's largest but most competitive auto markets. The move underscores how global automakers are pairing with local tech suppliers to stay relevant against fast-moving Chinese competitors.

Chinese car companies are pushing ahead in electric vehicle technology with ultrafast charging that can refill a battery in about five minutes. Reports carried in US regional newspapers highlight the advance, which would put Chinese manufacturers well ahead of Western rivals on charging speed and reinforce concerns about China's growing lead in the EV sector.

Japan's Defense Ministry is planning a new framework to back startups developing unmanned aerial vehicles and related products, according to the Japan Times. The initiative would give emerging defense technology firms a clearer route into supplying the Self-Defense Forces, reflecting Japan's broader push to strengthen its domestic defense industrial base and catch up on drone capabilities amid regional security concerns.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged increased investment in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. She positioned the sectors as key to India's economic and technological ambitions, aligning with the government's push to attract chip fabrication projects and build AI capacity. The remarks come as countries compete for investment in these strategic industries.

New data from South Korea shows that nearly four out of ten reported leaks of industrial technology involve semiconductor-related know-how. The figures underline growing concern in Seoul over the theft of critical chip technology, a sector central to the country's economy and to intensifying global competition over semiconductor supply chains.

Japan's Defense Ministry has announced it will support startups working on unmanned aerial vehicle development, according to the Japan Times. The move aligns with Tokyo's broader push to strengthen its defense industrial base and tap private-sector innovation for military technology. Details on funding amounts and selected companies have not yet been reported.

Defense contractors in Arizona are reporting a business boost as demand grows for low-cost drones in the conflict with Iran. The inexpensive drone technology is reshaping how the conflict is fought, driving orders and interest in Arizona's defense manufacturing sector.

OpenAI has asked a judge to exclude newly submitted evidence from Apple in an ongoing trade secrets dispute between the two companies. The legal fight centers on claims involving confidential information, and OpenAI argues the fresh Apple material should not be considered. The case continues to draw attention as it involves two of the most prominent companies in the technology sector.

Japan's Defense Ministry announced it will support startups involved in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones. The initiative aims to bring private-sector innovation into the country's defense technology base, as Tokyo moves to strengthen its domestic defense industry and catch up in areas where established contractors have lagged behind global peers.

Chinese companies are bringing exoskeleton robots beyond industrial and medical settings and into the consumer mainstream. The wearable robotic devices, which assist with walking, lifting and mobility, are being marketed to ordinary users rather than factories or hospitals, a shift that signals China's ambitions to lead in consumer-facing robotics as global interest in the technology grows.

China now accounts for roughly 60% of global humanoid robot patents, underlining its widening lead in the robotics sector, according to a report carried by the Korea Herald. The patent dominance points to heavy Chinese investment in humanoid technology and raises questions about future competitive pressure on US, Japanese, Korean and European firms racing to commercialise humanlike robots.

Startups are increasingly supplying new technology and fresh thinking to the defense industrial base, a sector long dominated by large legacy contractors. The report highlights how smaller, faster-moving companies are helping modernize defense manufacturing and capabilities. Defense innovation has drawn growing attention as governments look to speed up procurement and adopt commercial technology.