Slashie, Bridging Europe & Asia. Bruxelles, Belgique. Social Trends Observer (Observateur des tendances Sociales). Life and Culture Exchanges. Image Training and Visual Marketing. Facebook Fan Page Design and Editor. Media PR Life in Europe and in Asia
Reading Time : 2 minutesMasayoshi Son aims to build a $1 trillion AI manufacturing hub in Arizona, partnering with TSMC and the U.S. government. This bold plan seeks to boost high-tech production and create thousands of jobs, reinforcing America’s position in the global AI race. While ambitious, the project faces challenges around funding and execution.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Elon Musk is raising pay across Tesla and xAI as OpenAI hunts his top engineers. Facing what he calls the craziest talent war ever, he’s bolstering loyalty to keep AI development on track. The battle with Sam Altman’s OpenAI is reshaping compensation and strategy across the entire industry.
Reading Time : 3 minutesThe US-China trade war is disrupting global shipping, with soaring container rates and port congestion as Chinese exporters rush to beat new U.S. tariffs. Equipment shortages and China’s retaliatory export controls threaten supply chains, while higher costs loom for consumers. The industry faces a turbulent future as geopolitical tensions reshape trade.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Trump is launching a mobile phone service and a golden smartphone, wrapped in patriotic branding. The $47 plan and $499 phone are aimed at his base, with promises of American-made hardware and bundled services. But experts doubt the production claims and worry about political conflicts in the venture’s structure.
Reading Time : 2 minutesTaiwan has added Huawei and SMIC to its export control list, tightening restrictions on the transfer of high-tech semiconductor equipment and know-how. The move aims to block Chinese access to sensitive technologies and aligns with U.S. policies. It’s part of Taiwan’s broader effort to protect national security and secure its leadership in chip production.
Reading Time : 2 minutesAmazon and Walmart are exploring the launch of stablecoins to cut transaction fees and gain more control over payments. Legislative changes could enable this shift, but the plans are still early. If implemented, it could reshape the way people pay both in-store and online, with ripple effects across banking and fintech.
Reading Time : 2 minutesAmazon signs a landmark nuclear deal to power its growing AI needs. The 1,920 MW contract with Talen Energy will fuel AWS data centers while creating jobs and supporting clean energy.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Shopify is adding USDC payments using Coinbase’s Base network. Merchants can now accept low-fee, instant crypto payments with no FX risk. With smart contract support and a 1% cashback incentive, this shift marks a major step toward mainstream stablecoin adoption in global e-commerce.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Nintendo’s Switch 2 has shattered sales records with 3.5 million units sold in four days. The Mario Kart World bundle boosted demand despite early tariff fears that delayed pre-orders. Thanks to a tariff pause and strong launch titles, Nintendo overcame challenges to deliver a highly successful console debut, setting the stage for continued growth in 2025.
Reading Time : 3 minutesA rare earth shortage, driven by China’s export curbs, threatens to disrupt car production, tech, and healthcare. With only months of U.S. stockpiles left, industries face delays and price hikes. Trade talks offer hope, but long-term fixes lag. This crisis exposes the fragility of global supply chains and overreliance on one nation.
Reading Time : 2 minutesUber and Wayve are launching driverless robotaxi trials in London, blending AI that learns by experience with Uber’s global platform. With no safety drivers, it’s a major step toward commercial self-driving services. The UK is fast-tracking approvals, aiming for spring 2026. Success in London could pave the way for expansion across Europe and beyond.
Reading Time : 2 minutes DeepSeek’s latest update to its R1 reasoning model boosts performance while keeping a low profile. Despite lacking a flashy release, the R1‑0528 version impresses in benchmarks and reflects China’s growing AI strength.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Labubu, Pop Mart’s star character, has helped Wang Ning dethrone Qin Yinglin as Henan’s richest man. The blind-box sensation has driven Pop Mart’s stock to record highs, proving a quirky toy can reshape China’s billionaire landscape.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Switzerland is set to join a global network for automatic crypto asset data exchange by 2027, enhancing tax transparency and regulatory cooperation. This move aligns with OECD standards and includes most EU and G20 countries, excluding some major powers. Swiss crypto firms will face new compliance rules, marking a key step in global crypto regulation.
Reading Time : 2 minutes Switzerland has proposed strict capital rules targeting UBS, including $26B in extra capital and full foreign subsidiary coverage. UBS calls it extreme, but markets stayed calm.
