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New iPhone SE 4 to Compete in Mid-Range Market with Advanced Features / Reuters Apple is preparing to launch the fourth generation of its budget-friendly iPhone SE model, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to better compete against Samsung and Huawei, which currently hold significant market share in the mid-range smartphone segment. This strategic move aims to enhance Apple's position across various price points in the smartphone market. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is expected to incorporate advanced AI features, building on the current model, which was introduced in 2022 and retails at $429. Analysts predict that the new version will be priced slightly higher than its predecessor but will remain more affordable than the recently released iPhone 16, which starts at $799. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, if the iPhone SE 4 delivers significant upgrades in design, performance, and AI functionality, it could effectively bolster Apple's market prese...

Strategic move ahead of the UN climate summit sparks environmental concerns / AP Brazil has officially decided to join OPEC+, the coalition of major oil-exporting nations, marking a significant shift in the country’s global energy strategy. The decision was approved by the National Council for Energy Policy and comes just nine months before Brazil hosts the annual United Nations climate summit. This development highlights Brazil’s growing influence in the international oil market while simultaneously drawing criticism from environmental groups. Despite joining OPEC+, Brazil will not be obligated to adhere to the organization's oil production quotas or participate in mandatory output cuts. Instead, the country will engage in strategic discussions through the Charter of Cooperation, which facilitates collaboration among oil-producing nations without imposing binding commitments. Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira emphasized that this arrangement allows Brazil to safeguard...

Key figures missing as Xi Jinping shifts focus to innovation and private enterprises Chinese President Xi Jinping held an unusual symposium with private business leaders, sparking discussions both in China and abroad. The event was notable for the return of Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, who had remained out of the public eye for years following his criticism of China's financial regulators. In contrast, prominent figures such as Li Yanhong, the founder of Baidu, and Zhang Yiming, the founder of TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, were absent. This stark difference has led to various interpretations regarding the shifting priorities of China's leadership. Jack Ma's return to the spotlight at the symposium, where he was seen shaking hands with President Xi, is widely seen as a political rehabilitation of sorts. Ma had publicly criticized China’s financial regulations in late 2020, leading to the suspension of the much-anticipated IPO of Ant Group, a financial affiliate of ...

Honda signals willingness to restart merger discussions with Nissan if CEO Makoto Uchida exits due to ongoing financial troubles and leadership challenges / AFP Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, has expressed potential interest in reviving merger discussions with Nissan, Japan’s third-largest car manufacturer, should Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, step down. The decision comes amid growing concerns over Nissan's financial stability and restructuring pace. According to sources cited by the Financial Times on February 17, Honda is open to re-engaging in merger talks if a new CEO, capable of managing internal resistance, replaces Uchida. Uchida, who has been a strong advocate for a partnership with Honda, has faced increasing pressure within Nissan, particularly regarding Honda’s dissatisfaction with the speed of Nissan’s restructuring efforts. This led to the halt of the merger talks last year when Honda insisted that any deal would require Nissan to become a wholly owned sub...

Government watchdogs raise concerns over privacy risks and data security / Alex Brandon/AP The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly reviewing a request from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to grant access to classified taxpayer information. This request, if approved, would allow Doge officials to view a vast range of personal financial records through the IRS’s Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), which contains sensitive details including tax returns and banking information. White House and IRS Justify Access as an Anti-Fraud Measure Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, defended the initiative, arguing that addressing waste, fraud, and inefficiencies in federal agencies requires direct system access. According to Fields, Doge’s involvement will improve transparency and ensure that taxpayer dollars are properly utilized. Musk’s program has already been influential in reshaping operations in multiple government agencies, including t...

AI Breakthrough Sparks Renewed Interest in Chinese Equities DeepSeek’s groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence are driving a significant shift in global stock market allocations, with institutional investors increasingly redirecting capital from Indian equities back into China. Hedge funds have been accelerating their investments in Chinese stocks at the fastest rate in months, spurred by optimism surrounding DeepSeek’s AI-driven technology surge and potential government economic stimulus. In stark contrast, India is experiencing an unprecedented capital outflow due to concerns over slowing macroeconomic growth, weakening corporate earnings, and inflated stock valuations. Over the past month, China’s onshore and offshore equity markets have gained over $1.3 trillion in total value, reflecting a strong reallocation of global investment funds. Meanwhile, India’s stock market has seen a decline exceeding $720 billion. The MSCI China Index is on track to outperform the MSCI...

Exploring the Global Impact of Trump's Tariff Strategy on Steel Giants In a surprise announcement on February 9, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all steel entering the U.S. This decision, made aboard Air Force One en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, marked a sharp escalation in the ongoing trade war, which now includes aluminum products as well. This move came as Trump addressed a question regarding the potential acquisition of the U.S. steel company US Steel by Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel. For the steel industry, these new tariffs are a significant disruption. According to Bloomberg, the tariffs will extend to finished steel products as well, aiming to prevent Chinese steel from entering the U.S. via third-party countries. The decision has been a major setback for South Korean steel manufacturers already struggling with overproduction and poor market conditions driven by Chinese competition. The global steel market has be...