Apple ramps AI chat features and a Sam Altman/OpenAI tie-up headlines Tim Cook today. Tim, CEO since 2011, previously Apple COO.
Futures decline as conflict in Iran continues with no clear end. Oil prices hit new highs, driven by Iran's threats and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. Markets remain cautious, with investors wary of prolonged conflict and economic fallout.
Tim Cook has announced he will step down as Apple CEO and become executive chairman on Sept. 1, 2026, and John Ternus, the company’s head of hardware engineering, has been named CEO-designate. The move has been presented as a planned succession while Apple is confronting AI shortfalls, China supply risks, and pressure to produce a new product wave.
President Trump has completed a two‑day state visit to Beijing with US business chiefs, holding talks with Xi Jinping on trade, Taiwan, Iran and AI. Leaders have agreed to set up trade and investment councils; Trump has touted unspecified "fantastic" deals including a reported 200‑plane Boeing order while Chinese statements remain cautious.
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.
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.
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 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.
Multiple outlets have reported that President Trump has said he 'doesn't think about' Americans' financial situation while negotiating with Iran, insisting preventing Tehran from a nuclear weapon is his sole focus. The comment has come as inflation has accelerated to 3.8% and gasoline has jumped above $4.50 a gallon since the war with Iran began.
Trump has arrived in Beijing with a tech-focused delegation for talks with Xi Jinping. Ratner accompanies the trip to scout for Rush Hour 4 filming locations, while executives from major tech firms are present. The discussions centre on trade, Iran, and Taiwan, with some hints about potential film projects pending outcomes.
The White House has paused an executive order creating a voluntary framework for AI developers to engage with the U.S. government before releasing advanced models. The delay follows pressure from tech leaders and internal concerns about safety and speed, with lawmakers and industry players weighing safety guardrails against innovation.