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The Rise of China’s Pet Economy: Domestic Brands Narrow the Gap with Global Giants

Trump Announces 35% Tariff on Canadian Goods, Plans 15–20% Tariff on Most Trade Partners

Two Industry Giants Announce Rare Earth Price Hike of 284 Yuan per Tonne

Ministry of Commerce Launches Operation Targeting Strategic Mineral Smuggling, Responds to EU Criticism on Trade Issues

Hong Kong Stock Financing Remains Booming as “Technology + Consumption” Lead the Charge

Google to Offer Deep Discounts on Cloud Services for U.S. Government Amid Push for Federal Savings

Google is reportedly preparing to offer steep discounts on its cloud computing services to U.S. government agencies, joining other major tech firms in aligning with federal cost-cutting initiatives.

Pandora Considers Brand Licensing as China Sales Plunge Nearly 80%

Facing a sharp decline in sales and intensifying local competition, Danish jewellery giant Pandora is exploring strategic options to overhaul its struggling China business, including a potential licensing deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Amazon Intensifies AI and Space Race with Multi-Billion Dollar Bets

Amazon is reportedly deepening its AI commitment with a significant new investment in Anthropic, building on an existing $8 billion stake. This move aims to strengthen its competitive position against rivals like Microsoft and Google in the AI landscape. Concurrently, Amazon's Project Kuiper is advancing in the satellite internet sector, posing a challenge to SpaceX.

China's Economy Navigates Trade Tensions and Deflationary Headwinds

China's Q2 economy likely grew around 5.2% due to strong exports, but trade tensions and domestic deflation pose challenges. Weak consumer demand and bank struggles with consumer lending signal a potential slowdown in H2 2025. Policymakers face pressure for further stimulus, with the year's growth possibly falling short of the official target.

Bank of England Warns of Lingering Financial Stability Risks Amid Geopolitical Tensions

The Bank of England has issued a stark warning that global financial stability remains at risk due to intensifying geopolitical tensions and uneven economic adjustments to tighter monetary policies. While systemic vulnerabilities have not triggered a crisis, markets remain fragile and potentially susceptible to external shocks. As political fragmentation deepens and capital markets evolve, central banks and investors face growing pressure to reassess risk frameworks and financial resilience.

TSMC Reports Strong Q2 Revenue Growth, Surpassing Expectations Amid AI Boom

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported a significant 38.6% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by soaring demand for advanced chips powering artificial intelligence applications.

OpenAI to Launch AI-Powered Web Browser, Taking Aim at Google Chrome’s Dominance

OpenAI is preparing to launch its own AI-driven web browser within weeks, positioning itself to compete directly with Google Chrome, which currently holds over 66% of the global browser market (StatCounter, 2024). The move signals a bold push by OpenAI to expand its reach and leverage user data more directly.

China’s Industrial Policy Could Spark Equity Breakout in Late 2025, Says JPMorgan

JPMorgan strategists note that China’s efforts to curb industrial overcapacity—particularly in sectors like steel, cement, and electric vehicles—are beginning to influence equity markets. These policy moves aim to restore pricing power and shift focus toward higher-value industries such as semiconductors and renewable energy. If sustained, they could support a breakout in Chinese equities in the second half of 2025. While challenges like weak demand and trade uncertainty remain, the combination of industrial restructuring and potential policy easing may boost investor confidence and spark a broader market rally.

Reliance Jio Shelves $100 Billion IPO Plans Amid Push for Higher Valuation

Reliance Jio Platforms, the telecom and digital arm of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, will not proceed with its highly anticipated IPO this year, as the company seeks to grow revenue and expand its subscriber base before going public, according to sources familiar with the strategy.

Apple Reportedly Eyes Formula 1 U.S. Broadcast Rights Following $293 Million Racing Movie Success

Apple is reportedly in talks to secure the U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1 racing, aiming to build on the momentum of its successful motorsport film and challenge established broadcasters like ESPN.

Merck Forges Ahead: HIV Research Breakthroughs and Strategic Acquisitions Signal Future Growth

Merck is making significant advancements in HIV research, with new data on novel treatments and prevention methods. Concurrently, the company is nearing a $10 billion acquisition of Verona Pharma, securing the promising COPD drug Ohtuvayre. These strategic moves aim to diversify Merck's portfolio, mitigate upcoming patent expirations, and bolster long-term growth, reflected in positive stock performance and analyst price targets.

Oil Markets Brace for Turbulence: Tariff Threats and Swelling Inventories

Oil prices face headwinds from rising U.S. inventories and impending tariff expansions by President Trump. Industry reports show a substantial increase in U.S. crude stockpiles. Despite OPEC+'s planned output increases, market anxiety persists regarding oversupply and trade-related demand concerns, creating a cautious outlook for global oil markets.

Japan’s Auto Market Expands 5% in June – A Quiet but Steady Recovery

Japan’s new vehicle market posted 5% year-on-year growth in June 2025, with 393,160 units sold. This marks the third consecutive month of expansion and signals that domestic demand is returning to pre-pandemic levels. The uptick reflects a mix of improved consumer sentiment, renewed interest in hybrid vehicles, and supportive government incentives for low-emission transportation. As Japan moves toward its green mobility goals, its domestic auto sector appears to be regaining a stable footing.

Brazil’s Auto Industry Hits a Bump – June Sales and Production Both Decline

In June 2025, Brazil’s automotive sector recorded a simultaneous decline in both production and sales. With output dropping 6.5% to 200,764 units and new vehicle registrations down 5.7% to 212,932, the data reflects not just cyclical softness but also deeper structural pressures. These include surging Chinese EV imports, growing protectionist calls from domestic automakers, and ongoing uncertainty around tariff policy. This article explores the key drivers behind the downturn and the wider implications for Brazil’s industrial and climate strategy.

Dual Pressures Mount on Global Semiconductor Industry: Climate Risks and Geopolitical Shifts

The global semiconductor sector faces escalating copper supply disruptions due to drought, potentially affecting over 30% of output by 2035. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions are reshaping market dynamics, evidenced by a significant profit decline for Samsung, even as overall chip sales continue to expand robustly.

Samsung Electronics Expands Into Digital Healthcare with Acquisition of U.S.-Based Xealth

Samsung Electronics has announced plans to acquire Xealth, a U.S.-headquartered digital health platform, as the company accelerates efforts to diversify its business portfolio beyond semiconductors and smartphones. The move is part of Samsung’s broader push into the medical sector and other emerging growth areas.

Huawei Denies Claims Its Pangu Pro Moe AI Model Copied Alibaba’s Qwen

Huawei’s Noah Ark Lab has firmly rejected allegations that its Pangu Pro Moe large language model is derived from Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 14B model. The controversy was triggered by a paper published by HonestAGI, which claims Huawei’s model shows “extraordinary correlation” with Alibaba’s, raising questions about originality and licensing compliance.

Copper and Industrial Metals Face Headwinds Amidst Renewed Trade Uncertainty

Global copper and industrial metals face renewed trade uncertainty from proposed US tariffs on BRICS-aligned nations, impacting prices. Despite this, copper retains support from geopolitical tensions and tight supply, though seasonal demand is weak. Long mine development timelines exacerbate supply constraints amidst growing electrification demand, setting the stage for continued price volatility with an underlying supportive bias.

Apple Appeals "Unprecedented" EU Fine, Igniting Global Tech Policy Clash

Executive Summary: Apple Inc. is challenging the EU's €500 million fine and mandated App Store changes, arguing they are unlawful and confusing. This appeal highlights a growing regulatory divide between the EU and US, with app store economics remaining central to ongoing battles over platform control and fair competition.

Samsung Electronics Faces Sharp Profit Decline on Delayed AI Chip Shipments

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics is expected to report a 39% drop in quarterly operating profit as delays in supplying advanced memory chips to Nvidia weigh on its performance, highlighting challenges in the AI chip race.

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