A US appeals court on Thursday revived a software engineer’s proposed class action claiming Meta Platforms refused to hire him because it preferred to give jobs to foreign workers who are paid less wages.
The San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 ruling said that a Civil War-era law barring discrimination in contracts based on “alienage” extends to bias against US citizens.
The decision reverses a California federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit by Purushothaman Rajaram, a naturalized US citizen who says Meta passes over American workers for jobs in favor of cheaper visa recipients.
Rajaram is seeking to represent a class that includes thousands of workers.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company in court filings has denied wrongdoing and said Rajaram failed to show that Meta intended to discriminate against U.S. workers.
Daniel Low, a lawyer for Rajaram, said that bias against U.S. citizens is a significant problem in the tech industry.
“We expect that this ruling will lead to more lawsuits seeking to end such discrimination,” Low said in an email.
The 9th Circuit had never before addressed whether the federal law, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, provides protections from hiring discrimination for US citizens.
The only other appeals court that has, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit, said the law did not apply to US citizens in a 1986 decision.
The split created by the 9th Circuit on Thursday raises the chances that the Supreme Court could hear the case if Meta appeals.
Conservative groups haveincreasingly cited Section 1981, which also bars race discrimination in contracts, in challenging companies’ diversity initiatives and the hiring of foreign visa workers.
Thursday’s decision could be a major boon to plaintiffs in a growing number of cases alleging bias against U.S. workers, at least in California and the eight other states covered by the 9th Circuit. Unlike Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal law banning workplace discrimination, Section 1981 does not cap the damages that plaintiffs can receive if they win lawsuits, and it does not require them to file complaints with government agencies before suing.
Microsoft has become only the second publicly traded company after Nvidia to surpass $4 trn (£3.03trn) in market valuation, after registering huge earnings.
On Thursday, shares rose on Wall Street with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbing to new record highs.
Stocks in Microsoft jumped after posting better-than-expected results, helped by its Azure cloud computing platform, which is a centrepiece of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) efforts.
Nvidia tripled its value in just about a year and clinched the $4trn milestone before any other company on 9 July. Apple was last valued at $3.12trn.
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In comparison, the biggest UK company by market value is drug manufacturer AstraZeneca, worth $235.97bn (£178.55bn).
Companies ranked by market value (USD), according to tradingview.com
1. Nvidia (US) $4.43trn 2. Microsoft (US) $4trn 3. Apple (US) $3.12trn 4. Amazon (US) $2.47trn 5. Alphabet (US) $2.35trn 6. Meta (US) $1.95trn 7. Saudi Arabian Oil (Saudi Arabia) $1.56trn 8. Broadcom (US) $1.42trn 9. Berkshire Hathaway (US) $1.03trn 10. Tesla (US) $1.02trn 11. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Taiwan) $1trn 29. Samsung Electronics (South Korea) $338.06bn 36. Alibaba (China) $284.62bn 52. AstraZeneca (UK) $235.97bn
While sweeping US tariffs had investors worried about tighter business spending, Microsoft’s strong earnings have shown that the company’s books are yet to take a hit.
Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar bet on OpenAI is proving to be a game changer, powering its Office Suite and Azure offerings with cutting-edge AI and fueling the stock to more than double its value since ChatGPT’s late-2022 debut.
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Commute up to 68 miles with exclusive 50% savings on ENGWE’s Engine Pro 2.0 folding e-bike at a new $749.50 low
We’ve secured an exclusive and budget-friendly deal from Wellbots for our readers on the ENGWE Engine PRO 2.0 Folding e-bike at $749.50 shipped, after using the exclusive promo code 9TO5ENGWE50 at checkout for 50% off. This model would normally run you $1,499 here, which we’ve seen discounted as low as $1,149 from the brand over the last year. That price is getting strong-armed out of the way with this exclusive deal that gives you a 50% markdown, putting nearly $750 back into your pocket at the best new price we have tracked.
A great alternative option for riders who want a reliable means to get through their commutes without shelling out $1,000 or more on other brands, the ENGWE Engine Pro 2.0 e-bike is a folding model that saves on space while also providing some significant travel support. The 750W rear hub motor peaks at 1,200W and comes paired with a removable 16Ah battery for up to 68 miles of pedal-assisted travel (five levels supported by a torque sensor) at up to 20 to 28 MPH top speeds, depending on what your local laws allow. Of course, you’ll have the option for pure electric travel via the throttle, though keep in mind this reduces the mileage to around 30 miles on one full charge.
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For the low price you’re getting on ENGWE’s Engine Pro 2.0, you’ll be scoring some solid features, including hydraulic disc brakes for greater stopping power, puncture-resistant all-terrain fat tires so you don’t have to fear what you may ride over, and an 8-speed Shimano derailleur for versatile pedaling options. That’s not all, as you’ll also be getting a rear cargo rack, a full suspension system, and a smart LCD screen for performance data and setting adjustments – plus, the whole thing weighs in at 70 pounds, so it’s manageable regardless of your rural/suburban/urban environment.
Upgrade your home security with Anker’s solar-powered eufy SoloCam S220 camera at $65
Anker is offering its eufy SoloCam S220 Solar Security Camera at $64.99 shipped, after using the on-page promo code at checkout for $35 off the price, which is beating out Amazon’s pricing by $5. Coming down off its $100 full price tag while the savings last, this model has been regularly seen dropping to $70 and more recently going lower to $65 over the last handful of months, only beaten out by the $62 low we first saw appearing during Prime Day at the top of the month. You’re looking at 35% markdown while the savings last, giving you the second-best price we have tracked if you missed out on the one-time Prime Day low. You’ll also find the camera’s multi-pack options starting from $129.99 shipped here.
Save up to 34% on multi-packs of Linkind’s Smart Solar Spotlights starting from $23
By way of its official Amazon storefront, Linkind is offering its Smart Solar Spotlights starting at $22.99 shipped for a 2-pack. The price is coming down from its $35 tag, with them having spent a significant portion of recent months at $24, with some falls to $23 (including during Prime Day) and one earlier drop to the $21 low back in April. You’re looking at a 34% markdown here that cuts $12 off the tag for the second-best price we have tracked, landing just $2 above the all-time low. You’ll also find its larger bundles benefitting from discounts, with the 4-pack down at its second-best price of $48.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page 30% off coupon, while its 8-pack is down at a $90.98 low.
Pick up the Worx GT Revolution 20V 12-inch string trimmer/edger/mini-mower with spare parts at $83 (2025 low)
Amazon is offering the Worx GT Revolution 20V 12-inch String Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower kit that comes with a 2.0Ah battery, 2A charger, three replacement spools, a spool holder, and replacement edger wheels for $82.99 shipped. The combination of the tool and battery alone goes for $130 at full price directly from the brand’s website, where it’s currently priced, but we’ve been seeing this larger bundle package keep down to $100 for much of the time since late March. While we have seen it drop lower in the past, the additional $17 savings from its recent going rate is the best price we have tracked over the last 12 months, even beating out its Prime Day pricing by $2.
Clear out your yard with up to 610 CFM air flow through this 60V Greenworks cordless leaf blower at $142
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 60V 610 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower at $142.49 shipped. Normally fetching $200 directly from the brand’s website, where this model is priced $8 higher, we’ve been seeing it keep to $180 in full at Amazon since March, with discounts dropping costs lower between $160 and $140 on average. The lowest we’ve seen this model fall was to a $135 rate on the last of Prime Day’s 4-day event, with the deal today matching the event’s first three days of pricing. You’re looking at the third-lowest price we have tracked, saving you $58 off the MSRP and landing just $7 above the all-time low.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the world premiere of “F1” at Times Square in New York on June 16, 2025.
Angela Weiss | AFP | Getty Images
Apple reports fiscal third-quarter earnings on Thursday after the bell.
The June quarter is typically Apple’s slowest of the year by sales, ahead of new device launches in September that typically spur the company’s biggest sales surge of the year driven in the December quarter.
Still, Apple is expected to report nearly $90 billion in overall sales during the period, which would be a 4% increase from last year. Analysts expect it to guide for 3% growth in the September quarter.
But there are lots of questions swirling around Apple, whose stock is down 16% so far in 2025.
The biggest question facing Apple is what it will say about tariffs. In May, Apple said it would have about $900 million in additional tariff costs in the June quarter, but that it couldn’t predict beyond that. Apple will likely update investors on how it sees tariffs affecting the September quarter, a key indicator for how President Donald Trump’s trade war is affecting American technology companies.
Apple also said in May that it would manufacture U.S.-bound iPhones in India to avoid tariffs on Chinese imports. But the company’s move upset Trump, who said after Apple’s last earnings call that he didn’t want the iPhone maker building in India. India is in line to receive a 25% tariff as soon as Friday. Apple CEO Tim Cook may update investors on its India pivot on Thursday.
The company held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, in which it announced major updates to its software for iPhones and other devices. Apple did not, however, announce major new artificial intelligence products or initiatives, disappointing some analysts. However, some investors believe Apple’s AI stumbles aren’t expected to show up in its results for years.
On the brighter side, Cook will likely shout out the movie “F1,” which is Apple Original Films’ first summer blockbuster and passed $500 million at the global box office last weekend.
Here’s how Apple is expected to do in the June quarter, per LSEG consensus estimates: