The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Google have concluded two weeks of hearings over how to address the tech giant’s illegal monopoly in the online advertising market, marking a major moment in one of the most significant antitrust battles in decades. The case, held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, follows an April ruling by Judge Leonie M. Brinkema that found Google had unlawfully monopolized publisher tools and ad transaction software.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, has raised $20 billion in a major funding round led by chipmaking giant Nvidia, solidifying the company’s position as one of the fastest-growing players in the AI sector. The deal combines $7.5 billion in equity and up to $12.5 billion in debt through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will allow xAI to acquire and rent Nvidia processors for five years.
Global accounting and consulting firm Deloitte is refunding part of a $440,000 (AUD) taxpayer-funded contract after its Australian division admitted that an official government report contained fake citations and AI-generated content. The embarrassing revelation marks the latest instance of a major firm suffering reputational damage for the careless use of artificial intelligence tools.
OpenAI has entered a multibillion-dollar agreement with chipmaker AMD that could result in a 10 percent equity stake in the company. The deal signals a major shift in the artificial intelligence hardware landscape and marks AMD’s largest win to date in its competition with AI chip leader Nvidia.
Japan’s most popular beer, Asahi Super Dry, could run out this weekend after a massive ransomware attack crippled production at nearly all of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.’s factories.
The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration announced that American contractors have a record number of agreements with foreign government buyers.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated this week that artificial intelligence will impact “literally every job” in the company, as the retail giant braces for a major transformation in its workforce. Speaking at a workforce conference in Bentonville, Arkansas, McMillon said the company plans to maintain its current headcount of approximately 2.1 million employees globally, even as AI significantly alters job functions, required skills, and day-to-day responsibilities.
On CNBC’s Squawk Box, Ford CEO Jim Farley applauded President Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariff on heavy‑duty trucks, calling it an opportunity to level the playing field for American manufacturers. He acknowledged, however, that parts tariffs—ranging from 25 to 70 percent—create a major “headwind” for Ford, adding roughly $2 billion in costs. Farley expressed optimism that solutions are within reach through ongoing negotiations with the administration.
Alabama continues to earn national recognition as a leading destination for business investment, with Area Development magazine ranking the state among the top performers in its 2025 Top States for Business report. The annual ranking highlights states that excel in attracting and supporting economic growth.
Starbucks announced Thursday that it will lay off 900 corporate employees and close hundreds of stores across North America as part of a sweeping $1 billion restructuring plan. The decision, unveiled by CEO Brian Niccol in a letter to employees, marks the second round of layoffs since he took over the company in August 2024.
