China's new K visa, designed for STEM professionals, has sparked domestic backlash and concerns among Indians. Initially overlooked, the visa's launch has ignited fears of increased job market competition and preferential treatment for foreigners. Despite state media efforts to promote it as a move towards an open China, public criticism,...
Global stock markets, including Asia, continued their record-breaking rally, fueled by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Asian shares saw a 1.1% increase, with chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading the gains after securing a deal with OpenAI. This surge propelled South Korean stocks to an all-time high, mirroring...
Taiwan has rejected a U.S. proposal for a 50-50 split in semiconductor production, with the island's top trade negotiator stating the idea was not even discussed. The talks focused on tariff reductions and export levies. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick proposed the split to reduce American reliance on Taiwan, which...
Elon Musk has achieved a historic net worth of over $500 billion, making him the first person to reach this milestone. This surge is attributed to the rising valuations of Tesla, SpaceX, and his AI startup xAI. Musk's wealth is largely tied to his significant stake in Tesla, whose...
Microsoft is significantly altering its Game Pass service with rebranded tiers and a substantial price hike for Game Pass Ultimate, now costing $30 per month, a 50% increase. While this premium tier gains over 45 games including Ubisoft titles, Fortnite Crew, and day-one releases, the cost is nearly double that...
Google has implemented further layoffs within its Cloud division, primarily impacting user experience (UX) and design roles. These cuts are part of the company's ongoing strategy to enhance efficiency and speed, following similar reductions in management and an increased push for AI integration. Affected employees were notified via email, with...
Walmart announced it will remove 30 ingredients, including synthetic food dyes and preservatives, from its U.S. store brands by January 2027. The move, affecting about 1,000 products, responds to consumer demand for fewer additives. While some removed ingredients are already banned or not widely used, the initiative is seen by...
The U.S. government is acquiring a 5% stake in Lithium Americas, a company developing the significant Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada. This move aims to bolster domestic supply chains for critical minerals, reducing reliance on China for lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries. The Department of Energy's investment, alongside...
President Trump's threat of pharmaceutical tariffs has been softened by a new drug-pricing deal with Pfizer. The agreement includes a three-year exemption from tariffs for Pfizer in exchange for $70 billion in domestic investments. This signals a potential path for other drugmakers to strike similar deals, securing immunity from levies...
A High Court judge has ordered PPE Medpro, a company linked to Baroness Mone, to pay £122 million in damages for breaching a government contract to supply PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic. The court found the company failed to prove its medical gowns met healthcare standards, specifically regarding sterilization. The...
