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Tencent Bets on 1.4 Billion-User WeChat Empire to Get Ahead in China’s AI Race

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Tencent Bets on 1.4 Billion-User WeChat Empire to Get Ahead in China’s AI Race In China’s escalating artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, tech giant Tencent is placing a bold bet on its most valuable digital asset — WeChat. With over 1.4 billion users, WeChat, often dubbed China’s “everything app,” has become the centerpiece of Tencent’s strategy to dominate the country’s AI landscape. From messaging and payments to e-commerce and public services, WeChat’s immense data ecosystem is now being harnessed to fuel the next generation of AI tools and applications. Tencent recently unveiled a series of AI-powered upgrades to WeChat, including smart customer service bots, AI-generated content features, and personalized digital assistants. These enhancements, backed by Tencent’s proprietary large language model “Hunyuan,” are aimed at embedding AI more deeply into the daily habits of China’s digital population. “WeChat is not just a social app — it’s an infrastructure,” said Tencent Presiden...
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lobal Economic Outlook Shows Modest Growth in 2025 — Economic stability faces headwinds from geopolitical tensions and trade realignments The World Bank and major financial institutions have forecast a modest global GDP growth rate of 2.4% in 2025 , with a slight uptick to 2.7% in 2026 , reflecting cautious optimism amid a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics. While some advanced economies such as the United States and European Union are showing resilience, growth remains uneven due to inflationary pressures, volatile energy markets, and ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Emerging markets are expected to contribute significantly to global expansion, particularly in sectors such as fintech, manufacturing, and green energy. However, challenges such as rising debt, supply chain fragmentation, and regulatory unpredictability continue to cloud the outlook. Meanwhile, U.S.–China trade talks are set to resume in Switzerland lat...
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Global Factories Struggle Under Weight of Trump Tariffs and Trade Uncertainty Manufacturing industries around the world are grappling with growing disruption and economic pressure following the reintroduction of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which include duties as high as 145% on Chinese imports and new levies on Mexican and Canadian goods, have shaken global supply chains and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the international trade environment. Factories in Asia, particularly in China, reported a sharp decline in output. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Chinese manufacturing dropped faster than anticipated in April, while neighboring economies from Vietnam to South Korea are seeing reduced demand for exports. Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturers are facing increased costs for essential components and machinery, with many industries reporting delays and production slowdowns. In response to the tariffs, China and other countries have imposed retalia...
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  Conflicting US-China Trade Statements Deepen Global Economic Uncertainty April 26, 2025 — Conflicting statements from Washington and Beijing over the status of trade talks have heightened confusion in global markets, intensifying fears of economic instability. Earlier this week, U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, claimed that trade discussions with China were actively progressing, suggesting that Chinese President Xi Jinping had initiated contact. However, Chinese authorities have firmly denied these assertions. Officials from both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry labeled the U.S. statements as "fake news," stating that no new consultations are currently underway. The sharp discrepancy between the two narratives comes amid escalating tariff measures. The United States has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on a wide range of Chinese goods, while China has retaliated with tariffs as high as 125% on American products. These moves have se...
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  Tariff Exemptions Offer Limited Relief as Kremlin Warns of Global Trade War Impact April 17, 2025 – Moscow — Despite being spared from the latest round of international tariffs, the Kremlin has issued a warning that a broader global trade war could still have damaging effects on the Russian economy. In a statement released by the Ministry of Economic Development, officials acknowledged that while Russia was not directly targeted in the recent tariff escalations between major economies, the ripple effects of disrupted global trade would inevitably reach Russian markets. “Russia may not be at the center of these new tariff measures, but a sustained breakdown in global trade flows will affect energy demand, commodity prices, and financial stability — all of which are critical to our economy,” said Deputy Minister Andrei Voronov during a press briefing. Indirect Exposure Russia’s economy, heavily reliant on exports of oil, gas, and raw materials, remains vulnerable to broader s...
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"Green Investment Surge: Over $2 Trillion Flow into Renewable Energy and Climate-Tech Startups"

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  In 2025, global investments in renewable energy have surged, surpassing $2 trillion and marking a pivotal shift towards sustainable energy sources. This growth encompasses significant advancements in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sectors, driven by stringent environmental regulations and supportive policies from entities like the European Union. Both private equity funds and venture capitalists are increasingly channeling funds into climate-tech startups, viewing sustainability as both a responsibility and a lucrative opportunity. Investment Growth and Sector Highlights: Renewable Energy Investments: In 2025, cleantech energy supply spending is projected to reach $670 billion, surpassing upstream oil and gas investments for the first time. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is expected to account for half of these investments and two-thirds of installed capacity.  Climate Tech Funding Trends: Despite the overall growth in renewable energy investments, equity financ...
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Trump's Tariffs on 'Liberation Day' Send Shockwaves Through Financial Markets

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  Trump's "Liberation Day" Tariffs Trigger Market Uncertainty U.S. President Donald Trump announced significant reciprocal tariffs, raising import duties to match levies imposed by other countries on American goods. While hailed by Trump as a "Liberation Day" for the U.S., the move has injected considerable uncertainty into global markets. Economists predict potential damage to both the U.S. and world economies, with concerns about increased consumer prices, reduced economic growth, and disruptions to global trade flows. Financial markets reacted negatively, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping sharply and the U.S. dollar weakening.
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