Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited — leading AI-era chip foundry
Apple has delayed its smart‑glasses launch to June 2027 for an unveiling at WWDC and pushed consumer availability to late 2027, while it refocuses on Siri‑powered AI, privacy controls and developer support. The company is preparing a wider hardware push — including a Siri AI home hub, a new TV set‑top box, refreshed HomePod mini and Mac updates — and has filed a trade‑secrets suit against OpenAI over alleged poaching and stolen files.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has joined President Trumps delegation to China and has been pictured in Beijing; the trip has been focusing on trade, AI export controls and Iran. China has not approved any purchases of Nvidias H200 chips and is continuing to push domestic chip development while U.S. export controls remain in place.
British MPs press Foreign Secretary on the detention of Jagtar Singh Johal in India; UN experts condemn the imprisonment as arbitrary, urging action as India-UK talks unfold.
The Trump administration has announced a deal in which Intel will design and build chips for Apple in the United States. The move is framed as strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on overseas supply chains. Apple’s chip supply and Intel’s revival are central to evolving U.S. tech policy and market expectations.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has argued data centers in space offer little cost benefit and that the AI race will be decided by Earth-based compute. He cites power costs, transport, and delays as barriers to orbital data centers, while emphasising the ongoing importance of on-Earth infrastructure.
ASML is at the center of a widening policy dispute as U.S. and Dutch officials scrutinize the company’s ability to export EUV lithography machines to China. New legislation and high-level meetings signal potential curbs that could reshape the global chip supply chain.
The yen has weakened to multi-decade lows as US rates remain higher than Japan's. Intervention is being considered, but the long-running carry trade and energy costs keep downward pressure on the currency. Markets are watching potential official action and the broader implications for Japan's economy and global markets.
OnePlus has announced it will stop launching new phones in Europe and North America and will focus new device rollouts on India and China. The parent company Oppo has begun a corporate restructuring as memory-chip shortages and rising component costs have cut demand for budget phones and pushed manufacturers to prioritise AI-oriented high-bandwidth memory.
Memory-chip stocks have surged on AI demand but face a sharp pullback as investors reassess valuations and the U.S. listing gap for SK Hynix widens, with analysts expecting volatility to persist into the next quarter.
Chips used in AI data centers are squeezing memory supply and driving up RAM costs, impacting smartphones, laptops, and other devices. The trend is shifting production toward high-bandwidth memory, reducing capacity for consumer chips and pressuring prices across the tech sector.
Nvidia has deepened its push in Japan, signing deals with leading manufacturers to build a homegrown “physical AI” stack for factories, robots and vehicles. Tokyo will invest up to 1 trillion yen over five years as it coordinates with firms like Fanuc, Sony and Hitachi to create domestically developed AI for industry, with Nvidia supplying hardware and model support. Projects range from edge-running Cosmos 3 Edge to lab collaborations and drug-discovery initiatives.
Moonshot’s Kimi K3, a 2.8-trillion-parameter open-weight AI model, has intensified investor scrutiny of AI capex and chip demand. The move pressures US labs and chipmakers, while markets weigh how cheaper Chinese models affect profitability and hardware spending.
Intel has reported its strongest revenue growth in more than a decade, with revenue rising 25% to $16.1 billion. Data center and AI demand drive gains, though the company remains unprofitable due to restructuring costs and an $8.9 billion government investment stake. Foundry business is expanding, facing execution challenges.
A powerful earthquake on Kyushu’s Kumamoto prefecture has injured dozens and damaged infrastructure. A mall explosion is being investigated. Authorities have ordered evacuation centres for around 300,000 residents and are monitoring aftershocks.
A powerful earthquake has struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, causing widespread power outages, suspended rail services, and emergency warnings. Officials report injuries and potential damage to infrastructure as authorities assess the extent of the impact. Tsunami advisories were issued but later lifted. Read on for the latest from multiple outlets.
A magnitude-7.1 earthquake has struck Kyushu’s Kumamoto region, causing a mall collapse and explosions. Officials report multiple fires, collapsed homes, and casualties. Evacuations are underway and major plants are evacuating as aftershocks continue. Authorities warn strong quakes may persist for days.
Iran has launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East. Interceptions have been reported, while pricing and markets react and a ceasefire effort is unsettled. The attack ends a brief pause in fighting and raises questions about next steps.
A magnitude 6.8/7.1 earthquake strikes Kyushu, Japan, injuring dozens and triggering a major rescue effort. An explosion at a shopping mall compounds the disaster; power and water outages affect tens of thousands as temperatures soar. Rescuers are racing to reach survivors amid aftershocks.
Apple has reported strong hardware sales this quarter, with iPhone and Mac demand outpacing supply. Revenue hit $109.42 billion, while services lagged behind estimates. The company notes ongoing supply constraints and an expected quarter of continued scrambling to meet demand, even as it expands domestic manufacturing and AI initiatives.