Reading Time : 2 minutesFor more than a century, the Times Square ball drop has marked the final seconds of the year. Born from a simple idea, it became a global ritual of pause and renewal. As the ball descends, millions share the same moment, reflecting on what passed and quietly stepping into what comes next.
Reading Time : 3 minutesChina has achieved a historic milestone by developing a working prototype of extreme ultraviolet lithography technology, challenging the global monopoly on advanced chipmaking. This monumental feat of engineering, driven by a massive mobilization of talent and resources, marks a shift toward technological independence. With a bold 2028 target for chip production, this breakthrough signals a more vibrant and competitive future.
Reading Time : 2 minutesNasdaq is proposing a shift toward nearly 24-hour weekday trading, reflecting growing global demand and changing investor habits. The move could allow faster reactions to news and closer alignment with international markets, while also raising questions about liquidity, volatility, and operational costs. If approved, it would reshape how and when U.S. stocks trade.
Reading Time : 2 minutesWall Street banks are increasingly aligned around one idea: the U.S. dollar may weaken in the coming years. With expected interest rate cuts, shifting global growth, and changing capital flows, the long-standing strength of the dollar could give way to a more balanced currency landscape, reshaping trade, investments, and market strategies worldwide.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe U.S. has decided to let Nvidia sell its H200 AI chips to selected customers in China, reopening part of a market that was blocked by earlier export controls. Washington will take a share of the revenue, while China gains access to hardware it struggled to replace. The move reshapes commercial, political, and technological dynamics across the Pacific.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe new $250 U.S. visa fee is stirring frustration among international travelers, sparking bold headlines that talk about “chaos” in American cities. The reality is less dramatic but still worrying, with tourism-dependent regions bracing for a slowdown. The fee is pushing many visitors to reconsider their plans, raising questions about how this policy will reshape the travel economy.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe ECB is warning eurozone banks to brace for a wave of unusual and persistent risks driven by geopolitics, climate events, shifting trade dynamics and rapid technological change. While banks remain well-capitalized, vulnerabilities linked to dollar funding and market volatility could trigger pressure. The ECB urges stronger buffers and tighter risk controls to withstand potential shocks.
Reading Time : 2 minutesCentral banks are gradually diversifying their reserves away from the U.S. dollar, turning to smaller G10 and emerging market currencies while boosting gold holdings. The shift is slow but steady, reflecting growing geopolitical caution and a search for stability in a multipolar financial world where the dollar’s long-standing supremacy is being quietly challenged.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe United States asked Taiwan to move half its chip production to America, citing security and supply chain concerns. Taiwan firmly rejected the request, defending its semiconductor dominance as both an economic asset and strategic shield. The standoff exposes growing tension between US self-sufficiency goals and Taiwan’s vital role in global technology.
Reading Time : 2 minutesChina’s new K visa program is reshaping the global science landscape by drawing top US researchers at a time when America tightens its visa rules. With generous support and fewer barriers, China positions itself as a magnet for talent, sparking a potential reverse migration that could alter the future of global innovation.
Reading Time : 2 minutesAntwerp has regained its competitive sparkle after the US lifted 15 percent tariffs on polished diamonds from the EU. The exemption boosts Antwerp’s $2.1 billion annual exports, making its gems more attractive in the American market and securing the city’s role as a vital hub in the global diamond trade.
Reading Time : 2 minutes TikTok’s U.S. operations will be led by American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, separating from ByteDance with a $14 billion valuation. Oracle will secure user data and retrain TikTok’s algorithm to ensure autonomy from China. Though experts question the oversight, the deal reflects intense US-China tech tensions and political challenges ahead.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe new $100,000 H-1B visa fee has pushed US tech companies to act fast to keep key talent. Indian workers face serious challenges, and experts warn the policy could hurt US innovation. This policy shift is reshaping the tech industry’s talent landscape globally.
Reading Time : 2 minutesApple faces a major shake-up as India and China impose 100% tariffs on iPhones. With rising competition from local brands and shrinking market share, the tech giant is under pressure to rethink its strategies to maintain relevance and investor confidence in two of its most important markets.
Reading Time : 2 minutesThe US dollar faces its sharpest monthly decline in over a year amid rising expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in September. This dollar weakness has propelled gold to a July high, supported by dovish Fed signals and soft labor data. Political tensions over Fed independence add to market volatility as investors await key inflation data.
