Trump-China talks and OpenAI/Musk v OpenAI trial keep Elon Musk in headlines; tech titan behind Tesla, SpaceX, X, and xAI.
The new Michael Jackson biopic has been released after extensive reshoots that removed references to child sexual abuse allegations due to legal restrictions. The film now focuses on Jackson's rise to fame, ending before the controversies. Despite mixed reviews, it is tracking for strong box office performance, with plans for a potential sequel to explore his full story.
The White House has issued a memo saying foreign actors, principally based in China, have been running industrial-scale campaigns to "distil" US frontier AI systems by using proxy accounts and jailbreaking techniques to extract capabilities. The administration has said it will share intelligence with US AI firms and explore measures to punish offenders ahead of a planned US–China summit.
The Artemis II crew has completed a nearly 10-day lunar flyby, breaking Apollo 13's distance record and returning safely to Earth on April 10, 2026. The mission has tested NASA's Orion spacecraft, provided critical data for Artemis III's planned moon landing in 2027, and energized plans for a sustainable lunar base. The astronauts have shared their experiences and undergone medical checks at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
A humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor has completed a 13-mile half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, surpassing the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. The event in Beijing has seen rapid progress from last year, with over 100 robots competing and many running faster than professional athletes.
The Artemis II crew has returned to Earth after a record-breaking lunar flyby, and NASA is pivoting to surface-based lunar exploration. Axiom Space and Northrop Grumman acknowledge corrosion issues in habitat modules, while agencies push toward a 2028 lunar landing and a 2030 Moon base timeline, despite ongoing technical hurdles.
Several fraud-focused bills have been introduced and advanced in Congress to extend statutes of limitations, tighten oversight, and recover funds from pandemic-era relief programs amid ongoing investigations into misused dollars.
OpenAI has revised its cloud partnership with Microsoft, making OpenAI’s models available across any major cloud provider and stripping exclusive revenue-sharing obligations through 2030. Microsoft remains a primary partner through 2032, but the license is now non-exclusive. The change unfolds ahead of a high-profile Musk-led legal case and amid competing cloud interests from Amazon and others.
Deloitte and Zoom have shortened paid parental leave for some staff, signaling broader shifts in corporate benefits as the labor market tightens. While advocates highlight societal gains from leave, critics warn of potential productivity losses and reputational risks for companies amid a weaker hiring environment.
The Defense Department has reached agreements with multiple AI firms to augment warfighter decision-making in complex environments. OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, SpaceX, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are among the partners, with Anthropic excluded amid a dispute over guardrails. Officials say the move speeds decision-making while preserving human oversight and civil liberties.
Anthropic is expanding its access to compute with SpaceX and Nvidia while signaling stronger momentum in Claude Code growth. Executives say demand is outpacing supply, driving new capacity deals and higher usage limits across Pro and Max plans.
President Trump has travelled to Beijing for a two-day summit with Xi Jinping (May 14–15, 2026). Talks have focused on the Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, narrow U.S. trade deals for soybeans, Boeing jets and energy, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; a large $11bn Taiwan package remains pending Congress approval.
The Elon Musk settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has been disclosed in federal court. A trust named after Musk will pay a $1.5 million civil penalty for late disclosure of a 2022 Twitter stake, while Musk’s personal claims are dismissed and no funds are recouped from him.
Zambia has rejected components of a U.S. health-aid deal amid concerns over data-sharing and preferential treatment of American firms. Washington says the framework aims to reduce donor dependence and boost local ownership, but negotiations have stalled as officials clash over privacy protections and minerals access.
President Donald Trump has met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing for two days of talks over trade, Taiwan, Iran and energy. The leaders have discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Chinas oil purchases from Iran and military assistance; the White House has said Xi pledged not to send Iran military equipment.
Taiwan's president has said the island will not yield its democracy or sovereignty under pressure after US President Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing and suggested he is not "looking to have somebody go independent." China has warned Taiwan is the "most important issue" in US‑China ties; Taipei is emphasising defence cooperation with Washington.
European startups are launching new, independent social networks as concerns over U.S. platforms grow. Projects like Croatia-based eYou, W, Eurosky, Bulle, and Monnett are positioning as healthier, Europe-built alternatives amid debate on design practices, moderation, and data use. Investors report cautious early traction but face a crowded, competitive market.
A consortium-backed safety institute in Europe will test AI products for harms to children, while the US weighs new vetting and export-control policies as AI labs race ahead. Separate reports show rising use of shadow AI in workplaces and ongoing national-security deals over AI in defence.
Trump is leading a 36-hour China visit with a high-profile business delegation that now includes Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. The summit with Xi Jinping is focusing on AI, trade, export controls and Iran. Nvidia has yet to secure Chinese sales for its H200 chips, while China is increasingly leaning on homegrown AI hardware.
The U.S. president is traveling to Beijing for a 36-hour summit, aiming to reset tense ties with China while Iran’s war continues to shape global energy and geopolitics. Officials say talks will cover tariffs, Taiwan, and Tehran’s oil sales as Beijing seeks to avoid being drawn into the conflict.
Hawaii has been moving to redefine corporations to preclude spending on elections, with a bill sent to the governor and a Montana-backed ballot effort underway. The Citizens United ruling remains a focal point of debate, while advocates say the reform could curb dark money in politics.
Trump has welcomed a delegation of executives to Beijing, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, as part of efforts to “open up” China and mobilize business support. The trip follows reports of competition with Chinese EV firms and ongoing AI export discussions.
Facing mounting cost‑of‑living pressures from the Iran war, President Trump has said he is not thinking about Americans’ financial situations as he pursues a deal to end the conflict. Inflation data shows ongoing price pressures as voters weigh the economic toll ahead of elections.
President has arrived in Beijing with a tech-heavy delegation. Ratner accompanies the trip to scout Rush Hour 4 filming locations in China, while executives from Apple, Nvidia, and other firms are on board. The visit centers on trade, Iran, Taiwan, and potential cinema projects.
Ofcom has secured commitments from X to block UK access to accounts tied to banned groups, review illegal content within 24-48 hours, and provide quarterly data for a 12-month period as part of a broader crackdown on terrorist and hate material.