Reading Time : 2 minutesChina grew 5.2% in Q2 2025, beating forecasts despite tariffs and a weak property sector. Strong exports and manufacturing drove growth, but domestic consumption and real estate remain soft. The government stays on track for 5% annual growth but risks loom with tariffs and weak demand.
Reading Time : 2 minutesStarting October 2025, the US imposes a $250 Visa Integrity Fee on non-immigrant visas to curb overstays. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries are exempt, but others face higher costs for tourism, study, or work.
Reading Time : 3 minutesThe EU is likely to shelve its digital tax due to US resistance and implementation challenges. The focus shifts to the OECD’s global tax reform, aiming for fairer rules for tech giants. This pragmatic move avoids trade disputes but delays immediate action, leaving debates on innovation and tax fairness unresolved as international cooperation takes center stage
Reading Time : 2 minutes The Pentagon just awarded $200 million contracts to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI. The goal is to integrate advanced AI into defense and government operations. This move underscores the US military’s determination to stay ahead in the AI race, particularly against China. The initiative also introduces Musk’s “Grok for Government” AI tools.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Manus AI is relocating its headquarters from China to Singapore, closing its entire team in Wuhan and Beijing. The shift responds to rising US-China tensions and aims to secure vital Nvidia chips. New offices in the US and Japan reflect Manus’s global ambitions, while its presence in China vanishes, including wiped social media accounts and blocked website access.
Reading Time : 2 minutesPresident Trump claims a deal to transfer TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership is near, with talks possibly starting soon. Despite China’s vague response, the deal aligns with U.S. laws limiting ByteDance’s stake. Tensions from recent tariffs and extended deadlines highlight the ongoing U.S.-China trade disputes affecting TikTok’s future.
Reading Time : 2 minutesChina’s new anti-dumping duties up to 34.9% on EU brandy are escalating trade tensions. These tariffs, effective Saturday, severely impact French cognac exports, already down 70%. While some brands secured exemptions, others face maximum rates. This move is seen as retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, intensifying a broader trade dispute. The EU is challenging China’s actions at the WTO.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe world of chip design is evolving, blending tradition with AI innovation. Proprietary tools still dominate, but open-source options and adaptive intelligence are reshaping the industry. A silent revolution is underway, and it’s happening at every stage of the workflow.
Reading Time : 2 minutesElon Musk’s xAI secured a massive $10 billion funding round, significantly boosting its competitive stance in the AI sector. This capital, split between debt and equity, will fuel the expansion of its AI infrastructure, including the Grok platform and a colossal Memphis supercomputer with 1 million Nvidia GPUs. This highlights the escalating “AI arms race” and xAI’s aggressive push to lead the next generation of artificial intelligence.
Reading Time : 2 minutesEuropean AI-focused funds raised a record $4.2 billion in Q1 2025, pushing total assets near $40 billion. Asset managers are betting big on tech-driven growth, with firms like BlackRock expanding into AI strategies and private markets. This signals a strong, continent-wide shift in financial priorities toward AI’s economic potential.
Reading Time : 2 minutesGermany has demanded Apple and Google remove the DeepSeek AI app, citing illegal data transfers to China and lack of user protection under EU law. The move could lead to a wider European ban under the Digital Services Act, reflecting growing tensions around Chinese tech and privacy standards.
Reading Time : 2 minutesIndia’s economy finished fiscal 2025 strong with 7.4% growth in the last quarter, led by construction and government spending. Annual growth slowed to 6.5%, reflecting global challenges and uneven consumption. The Reserve Bank of India forecasts steady growth for 2026, though risks remain. Despite uncertainties, India is poised to remain a top global growth leader.
Reading Time : 2 minutesOil prices fell sharply after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel reduced supply fears. Combined with weak U.S. consumer sentiment and rising oil output elsewhere, Brent and WTI both dropped around 6%, erasing the recent risk-driven gains.
Reading Time : 2 minutesTexas Instruments is launching a $60 billion U.S. chipmaking expansion, creating seven fabs across Texas and Utah. This historic investment will boost domestic manufacturing, generate tens of thousands of jobs, and reinforce supply chains critical to tech, automotive, and defense sectors.
Reading Time : 2 minutesIndia has tightened restrictions on gold imports to combat smuggling, limiting alloys with over 1% gold and colloidal precious metals. Building on earlier measures targeting UAE shipments, the new rules aim to close loopholes while allowing essential imports for industry. This balanced approach strengthens regulatory oversight and supports legitimate trade, safeguarding the economy and fair market practices.
