The MATRIX AI Consortium for Human Well-Being at The University of Texas at San Antonio plans to launch a new initiative that establishes a national hub for “neuromorphic” computing available for public use.
ASP Isotopes Inc. announced its plans for Quantum Leap Energy LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASPI dedicated to advancing innovative technologies and processes across critical segments of the fission and fusion nuclear fuel cycle, to establish QLE’s new global corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas.
The Democratic Republic of Congo added the rebel-held Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world’s richest tantalum deposits, to a shortlist of strategic assets it is offering to the U.S. under a minerals cooperation framework.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an expanded partnership between California and the United Kingdom to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development. He also visited U.K. clean-tech unicorn Octopus Energy, which is committing nearly $1 billion to California companies and projects focused on clean technologies and nature-based solutions.
Several New York–based technology companies are accelerating next-generation semiconductor manufacturing with support from the NY THRIVE Innovation Voucher program, including projects in collaboration with Cornell University’s world-class research facilities.
Ukraine and Canada leaders signed a memorandum of cooperation on the sidelines of the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting to open new opportunities for cooperation in nuclear and renewable energy, the oil and gas sector, infrastructure recovery and protection, energy efficiency, and innovation.
Leaders from Brazil and India agreed to boost trade between their countries to beyond the $20 billion level over the next five years. They also agreed on a deal for rare earth elements.
The U.S. government signed an agreement with Uzbekistan to secure better access to the Central Asian country’s critical minerals. The plan also proposes a new joint investment holding company for future minerals and infrastructure projects.
India officially joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, a strategic alliance that controls access to advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence infrastructure. India’s participation in this initiative adds unprecedented scale and geographic reach to U.S. chip diplomacy.
The Supreme Court delivered a major blow to President Donald Trump last week, ruling that he exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs using a law reserved for a national emergency. Trump’s ability to impose tariffs using other laws is not affected by the ruling, and Trump said he plans to use those authorities to impose new duties on a global basis.
The European Commission launched a new call, the Frontier AI Grand Challenge, in collaboration with EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. The initiative aims to close the strategic gap in high-end artificial intelligence by supporting the creation of “frontier” general-purpose AI systems capable of adapting across domains with minimal modification.
Signed on Jan. 17, 2026, after 25 years of negotiations, the new trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (a South American trade bloc including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas. But the agreement is vulnerable to domestic opposition, notably France, the EU’s largest agricultural producer.
The world’s energy innovation landscape is entering a new phase shaped by energy security, industrial competitiveness, and infrastructure resilience, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest State of Energy Innovation report.
An article by the Center for European Policy Analysis reports that several projects in the European Union aim to lock in Europe as a non‑Asian hub for the power and smart‑power chips that underpin electrification and industrial automation.
Africa has emerged as a key testing ground for Europe’s effort to secure critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China. Projects range from rare earths, graphite, and cobalt developments to processing investments, highlighting the European Union’s growing focus on value-added supply chains beyond extraction.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. started sales of large-class gas engines that can co-fire natural gas mixed with up to 30% hydrogen (by volume) as fuel.
