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4 stories · Edition of 2026-07-11 · Curated by AI at Invalid Date

BUSINESS

Delta Reports $1.4 Billion Profit as Airfares Remain High

47d ago · Source: guardian

Delta Air Lines reported a $1.4 billion profit in its latest quarter.

Fuel expenses rose to a record level, the highest quarterly amount in the airline’s history.

Demand remained high, allowing the carrier to pass about 60 percent of the increased fuel costs to travelers through higher fares. CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC the airline intends to eventually pass the full cost increase to consumers. Despite a recent drop in oil prices, the company expects elevated airfares to continue.

The results highlight the airline’s ability to sustain pricing power while managing rising fuel expenses.

TOP STORY

Apple Sues OpenAI and Former Employees Over Alleged Trade Secret Misuse

Apple filed a federal lawsuit on Friday against OpenAI, two former employees and io Products, alleging that the parties misappropriated Apple's confidential product development ...

47d ago · Source: bbc · 2 min read

Apple filed a federal lawsuit on Friday against OpenAI, two former employees and io Products, alleging that the parties misappropriated Apple's confidential product development information. Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, announced his departure later this year, and earlier in the year Apple integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT into its devices before shifting some AI features to Google's Gemini model. The lawsuit marks a new phase in the relationship between the two technology firms. The complaint, filed in a U.S. federal court, alleges that at least two former Apple engineers emailed internal Apple documents to themselves after leaving the company and joining OpenAI. Apple further contends that OpenAI interviewers have asked prospective hires to bring Apple parts as props during interviews. The suit also names Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer who worked at Apple for eight years, and Tang Yew Tan, a vice president of design for iPhone and Apple Watch who now serves as OpenAI's chief hardware officer, as defendants. Apple argues that the defendants used access to sensitive projects, trusted partner relationships, proprietary manufacturing techniques and unreleased products to gain insight into its product plans, and that this conduct enabled OpenAI to advance its hardware ambitions. OpenAI's spokesman, Drew Pusateri, told the BBC that the company has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and that it is reviewing the complaint while focusing on building innovative technology. An Apple representative said the lawsuit stems from significant evidence and described the actions as part of a coordinated effort by OpenAI and its affiliates. The complaint seeks a court order prohibiting OpenAI from obtaining or using any alleged confidential information and requests unspecified monetary damages. OpenAI is expected to release its first hardware product, a keyboard for its AI tools, later this month, and has indicated plans to pursue a public listing. The case is pending.

BUSINESS

Crypto Billionaires Test Blockchain Governance in Liberland Micronation

47d ago · Source: bbc

Vít Jedlička, president of the micronation Liberland, said that voting power is linked to a purchasable crypto token called Liberland Merits. The settlement lies on a floodplain along the Danube River between Serbia and Croatia, accessible only by boat because Croatian authorities block land entry. In a recent interview, Jedlička explained that holders of more Merits have greater influence over leadership decisions, effectively allowing money to determine voting weight. He also described the micronation as tax‑free, a point reiterated by interior minister Ivan Pernar, a former member of parliament who has promoted conspiracy theories.

Liberland was founded by Jedlička on a disputed strip of land to create a libertarian digital community that operates on blockchain technology. The project gained attention after Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, whose net worth is estimated at $8.5 billion, pledged support along with about 30 other technology billionaires. Sun, who invested more than $75 million in the Trump family's World Liberty Financial crypto venture and contributed millions to a Trump‑linked memecoin, said the blockchain platform could eventually replace conventional government.

Sun and other supporters cite examples such as Tim Draper's Draper Nation, which proposes a digital country using Bitcoin, and the Seasteading Institute's offshore community plans. They argue that decentralized voting systems, automated by code, could increase efficiency and reduce the cost of public administration. Critics note that the technology is still early, and human officials remain necessary to enforce decisions.

The broader context includes statements from Curtis Yarvin, a tech founder who advocates a model he calls "Patchwork," in which sovereign micro‑states operated by shareholders replace traditional nation‑states. Yarvin's ideas have attracted attention from venture capitalists and members of the Trump administration.

The crypto lobbying sector reported $238 million in contributions during the most recent election cycle, surpassing historic fossil‑fuel lobbying spending. While proponents view blockchain as a tool for individual liberty, opponents warn that concentration of voting power in the hands of large token holders may replicate existing economic inequalities.

BUSINESS

Meta Disables AI Image Feature on Instagram Following User Backlash

47d ago · Source: bbc

Meta removed a newly launched AI image generation feature from Instagram after user criticism over privacy concerns. The feature, called Muse Image, allowed Instagram users to create altered or synthetic images using content from public accounts without explicit consent. It was introduced on Tuesday as part of a broader rollout of Meta's AI tools and was initially limited to Instagram. Critics, including the human rights organization Privacy International and the Hollywood labor union Sag-Aftra, said the default opt‑in mechanism exposed users’ likenesses without permission. Meta acknowledged the feedback, stating it had "missed the mark" and that the feature would no longer be available. The company said it intended to provide a creative tool while giving users control over how their public content is used. Meta declined to comment further. The episode marks the first major AI image generation effort by Meta and highlights growing concerns about data privacy in social media platforms.