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 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 minutesThe Taiwan dollar surged over 2% in a day, shaking exporters and insurers. As traders bet on further gains, the central bank remains on watch, possibly tolerating a firmer currency for now. This raises questions about intervention, competitiveness, and the future of Taiwan’s trade positioning in a volatile FX environment.
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 minutesJeff Bezos is cozying up to Donald Trump after a Musk fallout, aiming to win NASA and defense contracts for Blue Origin. The timing is no accident—Trump’s clash with Musk may give Bezos the edge he’s long needed in the space race. This new alignment could reshape power in both politics and aerospace.
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.
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 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 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 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.
