Intel Drops Out of Top 10 Semiconductor Companies, Faces $16.6B Quarterly Loss
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan publicly acknowledged in a recent internal meeting that the company has fallen out of the global top 10 semiconductor firms due to years of strategic missteps, revealing a staggering $16.6 billion loss in Q3 2024 . This marks the worst quarterly performance in Intel’s 57-year history, driven by $15.9 billion in accelerated depreciation costs tied to underperforming Intel 7 manufacturing assets and Mobileye’s goodwill impairment . To reverse its fortunes, the board approved a new strategy centered on edge AI and agent AI, coupled with global layoffs and business restructuri
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EU May Withdraw Digital Tax Plan, Easing Pressure on U.S. Tech Giants
Foreign media reported on July 15 that the European Commission has formally withdrawn its plan to impose a digital tax on major tech companies during the latest budget negotiations. The decision is seen as a key compromise in EU-U.S. trade talks, temporarily relieving U.S. tech giants like Apple and Meta from heavy tax pressures, while the EU paves the way for broader trade agreements by adjusting its fiscal strategy.
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Meta Declines to Sign EU's Voluntary AI Code Amid Regulatory Impasse
Meta has confirmed it will not sign the European Union's voluntary code of conduct for general-purpose artificial intelligence, just two weeks before the bloc's binding Artificial Intelligence Act takes effect on August 2, 2025. The social media giant cited "legal uncertainty" introduced by the voluntary guidelines and argued they exceed the scope of existing regulations, creating potential compliance risks for companies.
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Netflix Debuts Generative AI Visual Effects in Argentine Series "The Eternals"
Netflix has revealed that it employed generative AI tools to create a building collapse sequence in the Argentine sci-fi series "The Eternals," which premiered on April 30, 2025. This marks the first time the streaming giant has used a generative AI-generated final shot in its original content, according to co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
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Tech Giants Google, Microsoft, OpenAI Expand AI Interfaces for Search and Learning
Leading technology companies are rapidly advancing visual and conversational interfaces, integrating generative AI into everyday tools to enhance search and learning experiences. This wave of innovation highlights the industry’s push to make artificial intelligence more accessible and intuitive for global users.
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DCSA Unveils 2025-2030 IT Strategy to Strengthen Defense Digital Ecosystem
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) on July 9 released its 2025-2030 IT Strategic Plan, outlining six core objectives to modernize defense cybersecurity, enhance data-driven decision-making, and foster collaboration with industry and academia. The initiative aims to create a secure digital ecosystem aligned with the Pentagon’s broader digital transformation goals, particularly supporting the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Chief Digital and AI Office (CDAO) in advancing AI integration and governance .
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iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity Leaked: Under 3,000mAh, Highlighting Design vs. Endurance Trade-off
Recent leaked reports suggest that Apple's upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a battery capacity of approximately 2,800 mAh, a figure that not only falls below the industry-standard 3,000 mAh threshold but also smaller than the battery capacities of all models in the current iPhone 16 series.
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Nintendo Expands Switch Online Playtest Program to 40,000 Users, Teasing New Online Service for Switch and Switch 2
Nintendo has announced the second iteration of its Switch Online Playtest Program, opening applications on July 18th to 40,000 Switch Online + Expansion Pack members for a closed beta of an unannounced online service. This marks a significant expansion from the 10,000 participants in the 2024 trial, quadrupling the user base to gather broader feedback ahead of a potential full launch. The test will run from July 29th to August 11th, 2025, and supports both the current Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, signaling strategic alignment with the next-gen console’s launch plans .
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StackSocial Offers Windows 11 Pro Lifetime License for $9.97 Ahead of Windows 10 Support End
Online marketplace StackSocial is currently running a limited-time promotion, offering lifetime license keys for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro at a heavily discounted price of $9.97—down from the original $199. The deal is set to expire on July 20 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time, making it a time-sensitive opportunity for users looking to upgrade their operating systems.
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Brazilian Retail Rebounds in May: Street Commerce Drives Recovery, Holidays and Climate Play Pivotal Roles
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 25 (News Wire) – Brazil's retail sector staged a recovery in May, with foot traffic at physical stores rising 1.86% year-on-year, marking a significant turnaround from April's 3.99% decline. This rebound was primarily fueled by a robust 3.8% surge in street commerce, according to Seed Digital's Retail Purchase Intent Index (IICV Seed).
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Russian Online Pharmaceutical Sales Surge 35.7% in Q1 2025, Driven by Cold Remedies and Smoking Cessation Products
Online pharmaceutical sales in Russia soared by 35.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 139.5 billion rubles, triple the average growth rate of the sector. This marked the first time online drug sales accounted for over 1.15% of the total pharmaceutical market share.
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South Korea's Retail Market Rebounds in May: Double-Digit Online Growth, Luxury Goods Drive First Offline Rise in Four Months
South Korea's retail sector showed signs of recovery in May, with offline sales returning to growth after a four-month slump, driven by strong demand for high-value products, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed on Wednesday.
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Middle East Turmoil Drives Shipping Risks: China-Middle East Container Rates Surge 50%
The ongoing tension and volatility in the Middle East are significantly impacting the global shipping industry. On June 24, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the immediate 生效 of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, a move that caused international oil prices—previously soaring due to escalating conflicts—to plunge sharply. However, the region's uncertain situation continues to disrupt the shipping sector.
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Indonesia Plans to Require E-commerce Platforms to Withhold Sales Tax from Small and Medium Sellers; Platforms Oppose the Policy
June 25 - Indonesia is planning to introduce a new regulation that will require e-commerce platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada to withhold 0.5% sales tax from small and medium-sized sellers with annual turnover ranging from 500 million to 4.8 billion Indonesian rupiah (approximately 30,000 to 300,000 US dollars). The move aims to alleviate the country's weak tax revenue and balance competition between physical stores and e-commerce businesses.
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Niron Magnetics Revolutionizes Magnet Technology with Rare-Earth-Free Breakthrough
Minneapolis, July 23, 2025 – Minneapolis-based Niron Magnetics has unveiled a groundbreaking rare-earth-free permanent magnet technology, poised to reshape the global materials landscape. The innovation, utilizing iron-nitrogen composites, matches the performance of conventional neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets while eliminating supply chain risks associated with rare earths and reducing production costs.
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