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.
Reading Time : 3 minutesThe Trump administration is rewriting the rules for chip subsidies by converting CHIPS Act grants into equity stakes, starting with Intel. This approach links taxpayer funding directly to ownership while aiming to secure America’s semiconductor supply chain. Supporters call it bold industrial policy, while critics warn it risks politicizing the industry without solving Intel’s core challenges.
Reading Time : 3 minutes The United States has quietly embedded location-tracking devices in certain AI chip and server shipments to detect diversions to China. This covert strategy is part of a wider crackdown on export violations, combining stealth technology, inter-agency coordination, and new legislation that could permanently change the global flow of advanced computing hardware.
Reading Time : 2 minutesDetroit carmakers say Trump’s Japan deal ignored core trade barriers, leaving U.S. vehicles at a disadvantage. Without binding provisions, they warn Japan has no reason to open its market.
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 minutesApple is reportedly eyeing the US broadcasting rights for Formula 1, seeking to capitalize on the sport’s soaring popularity and its own successful F1 movie. With ESPN’s contract expiring, this move could significantly boost Apple TV+’s live sports offerings, attracting a massive new subscriber base as the bidding war for the lucrative rights intensifies.
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 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.
