Alibaba to Charge Big Users for Next Open-Source AI Model

Chinese artificial intelligence laboratories are implementing commercial revenue-sharing models for open-source AI releases, led by Moonshot and Alibaba, as they push to capture market share from U.S. competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Alphabet’s Google according to recent industry reports. Moonshot and Alibaba Push for Open-Source Revenue Sharing Chinese technology giant Alibaba plans to ask major … Read more

Trump Predicts Quick End to Potential War with Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump stated in the Oval Office that he believes the war with Iran will conclude soon, while acknowledging supply constraints within the armed forces for certain high-powered munitions, according to reporting by Jacob Bogage for Reuters, with writing by Jasper Ward and editing by David Ljunggren. Munitions Stockpiles and Defense Production Pressures … Read more

Prudential Shares Tumble on China Tax Report for Offshore Insurance

Chinese mainland tax authorities have started levying a 20% personal income tax on returns from offshore insurance policies, according to a report by Caixin citing tax lawyers and insurance insiders. The enforcement action triggered a steep sell-off in major insurers, with Prudential shares falling as much as 13% on Wednesday. Tax Crackdown Targets Offshore Insurance … Read more

US Lifts Sanctions on Fly Baghdad After IRGC Link Removal

The U.S. Treasury removed counter-terrorism sanctions from Iraq’s Fly Baghdad Airlines and two aircraft, citing operational changes by the carrier that resolved previous links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force. According to a Treasury official, the decision does not signal any broader policy shift toward the Iranian government or alter ongoing regional postures. … Read more

Iran Demands Control Over Strait of Hormuz, Source Reveals

According to a senior Iranian source speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Iran wants control over inbound shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and visibility over outbound traffic under a temporary plan being discussed with Oman. The strategic waterway handles approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies and has remained largely blocked since the U.S.-Israeli war on … Read more

US Depletes Long-Range Missile Stockpile in Iran War

The U.S. military has exhausted virtually all of its long-range surface-to-surface munitions, including Army Tactical Missile Systems and newer Precision Strike Missiles, during its five-month conflict with Iran, according to three people familiar with internal data. The drawdown of these high-precision weapons, which cost over $1 million each, has triggered internal warnings from military officials … Read more

5 Key Races to Watch in Tuesday’s US Primaries

The Democratic Party faces a critical test of its ideological divide during primary elections in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington state, according to reporting by Reuters. In Michigan, a state won by Donald Trump in 2024 where Democrats need a net gain of four seats to retake the Senate, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is … Read more

Asian Stocks Rise Following Wall Street Gains; Oil Steady

Asian stock markets are showing cautious gains as investors react to a global rally, while oil prices remain near the lowest levels in weeks amid a stalemate in U.S.-Iran tensions. Regional indices are responding to strong U.S. manufacturing figures that pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record close, even as markets weigh the … Read more

China Factory Growth Hits 4-Month Low in July

China’s manufacturing sector expanded at its slowest pace in four months in July, as output and new orders rose more moderately, according to a private-sector survey released on Monday by S&P Global and RatingDog. The RatingDog China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 50.9 in July from 51.7 in June, missing analysts’ consensus … Read more

Migrants Return from Ceuta to Morocco Amid Hunger and Hostility

Thousands of migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta earlier this week are returning to Morocco, citing severe food shortages, exhaustion, and local hostility as primary drivers for their departure. According to Reuters, the influx was largely fueled by viral social media videos and messages that suggested the heavily guarded border could be easily … Read more