Fortescue Expands Copper Portfolio With Full Takeover of Alta Copper 
SpaceX Begins IPO Preparations as Wall Street Banks Line Up for Advisory Roles 
EU Court Cuts Intel Antitrust Fine to €237 Million Amid Long-Running AMD Dispute 
Adobe Strengthens AI Strategy Ahead of Q4 Earnings, Says Stifel 
Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
Trump Administration Fuel-Efficiency Rollback Could Raise Long-Term Costs for U.S. Drivers 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish National AI Regulation Standard 
Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting Sparks Calls for Stronger Protection of Jewish Community in Australia 
Australia Enforces World-First Social Media Age Limit as Global Regulation Looms 
Belarus Frees Opposition Leaders Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka in U.S.-Brokered Deal 
Trello Outage Disrupts Users as Access Issues Hit Atlassian’s Work Management Platform 
Nomura Expands Alternative Assets Strategy With Focus on Private Debt Acquisitions 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
EU Signals Major Shift on 2035 Combustion Engine Ban Amid Auto Industry Pressure 
Australia Pushes Forward on AUKUS Submarine Program Amid Workforce and Production Challenges 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
In his farewell address, President Joe Biden cautioned against the rise of an American oligarchy led by tech billionaires wielding "dangerous concentrations of power." Echoing President Eisenhower’s 1961 warning about a "military-industrial complex," Biden highlighted the emergence of a "tech industrial complex" that threatens democracy and equality.
Biden did not name individuals but noted figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Musk, the world’s richest man, played a pivotal role in Donald Trump’s presidential victory, reportedly contributing over $250 million. These tech moguls will attend Trump’s inauguration alongside key Republican leaders.
Biden expressed concern over the influence of tech giants, citing their role in spreading misinformation and weakening traditional media. The free press, he warned, is crumbling as platforms like Meta and Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) reduce content moderation and fact-checking.
Wall Street analysts dubbed companies like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and Meta the "Magnificent Seven," whose combined market value surged 46% in the past year, far outpacing the S&P 500.
Biden also addressed artificial intelligence, calling it "the most consequential technology of our time." He emphasized the need for trustworthy AI development led by democratic principles, positioning the U.S. as a global leader over China.
The growing power of tech billionaires, Biden warned, parallels the unchecked influence Eisenhower cautioned against, urging Americans to safeguard democracy in the face of evolving challenges.
