Markets

Japan will introduce a controversial “Children and Childcare Support Levy” in April 2026 to address its declining birthrate. Individuals, including the unmarried and childless, may contribute up to ¥1,650 monthly for childcare support. While the contribution is universal, benefits are targeted at families, drawing parallels to maternity benefit contributions and fueling public debate over perceived fairness.

Intel, under CEO Pat Gelsinger, is reportedly shifting its strategy away from in-house glass substrate development towards external sourcing. This move aims to accelerate product innovation and streamline operations by focusing resources on core product lines. The change signifies a more pragmatic approach, prioritizing faster adoption of mature solutions through partnerships over pioneering new technologies independently. This strategic pivot is part of broader reforms to optimize business operations and enhance the company’s competitiveness.

Han Jianqi, Vice President at Cheetah Mobile, announced his departure after seven years. In a heartfelt social media post, he expressed gratitude to colleagues and leadership, including Chairman and CEO Fu Sheng and Vice President Xiao Jie. Han looks forward to exploring new opportunities and building on past collaborations.

DMG Blockchain Solutions reported June 2025 operational results, detailing a decrease in Bitcoin mined and hashrate due to electrical outages and hydroelectric infrastructure issues. The company plans to use alternative manufacturers for new hydro operations and is developing a pilot system to reach 3 EH/s by year-end. DMG also announced a new Canadian data processing center agreement. Stock options and RSUs were granted to employees and directors.

HarmonyOS boasts a rapidly expanding ecosystem powered by over 780 partner SDKs across 21 domains. These SDKs are essential for developers, providing diverse functionalities and driving innovation in areas like security authentication, media, AI, and e-commerce. Recent showcases highlight the ecosystem’s vitality and collaborative spirit, enabling robust, secure, and intelligent applications for an “Internet of Everything” future.

Siemens has lifted export restrictions on its chip design software to mainland China, resuming full services after recent US government directives. This follows earlier notifications for EDA software providers to halt services. The move impacts the global EDA market, dominated by US firms, while China continues to develop its domestic solutions.

Xiaowang AI Screenshot’s 1.2.0 update enhances productivity with a streamlined interface, precision drawing tools (Shift-key support), optimized shortcuts (Cmd+Shift+X, Ctrl+C), and improved usability. It offers AI-powered text extraction, translation, screen recording, and annotation. The lightweight, ad-free tool is compatible with Windows and macOS, making it a versatile digital assistant for students, professionals, and creatives.

Xebra Brands terminated its acquisition of BSK Holdings Inc. but maintains a strong manufacturing and distribution partnership for its ELEMENTS™ CBD line in the U.S. The company is addressing delays in audited financial statements due to management transitions and liquidity issues, securing a C$110,000 loan to support operations and the audit. Xebra is a Canadian cannabis firm focused on wellness products, notably in Mexico and expanding across North America.

Tsinghua University’s Li Daokui advises young job seekers to adopt a versatile skillset, suggesting adaptability is key in the modern era. He advocates for a blend of abilities, from physical tasks like package delivery to technical skills like coding and interpersonal customer service. This approach, he argues, prepares individuals to avoid being replaced by AI and opens doors to entrepreneurial opportunities. The commentary has sparked online debate regarding the practicality and compensation for such diverse skill requirements.

Altima Energy Inc. has announced a delay in filing its annual financial statements for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, due to unforeseen technical issues affecting its auditors. Consequently, the British Columbia Securities Commission has issued a management cease trade order. Altima anticipates filing the required documents by August 29, 2025, and will provide bi-weekly default status reports. Trading of its shares by non-insiders remains permitted.