Pop Mart Eyes Ambitious Revenue Growth Amid Soaring Labubu Demand Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning has announced that the company is firmly on track to meet its 2025 revenue target of 20 billion yuan ($2.78 billion). He added that reaching 30 billion yuan ($4.18 billion) in revenue this year “should also be quite easy.” Founded in 2010, the company recently reported record-breaking half-year results. Net profit surged nearly 400% as demand for its unique toys, especially overseas, continued to grow. The toy maker is known for its quirky Labubu character and other collectible figures. Strong Overseas Demand Fuels Rapid Growth…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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Foxconn and SoftBank Have New Plans for Former EV Factory Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, announced on Monday that Foxconn and SoftBank will manufacture data centre equipment in partnership. This collaboration will take place at Foxconn’s former electric vehicle plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The initiative is part of the Stargate project, which aims to support the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the US. SoftBank has now acquired the Lordstown site. Despite the sale, Foxconn will continue to operate there through a new venture formed with SoftBank. Liu shared this development while speaking to reporters. Stargate: A Major Investment in US…
Firefly Aerospace Eyes Rocket Launches from Japan’s Hokkaido Spaceport US rocket maker Firefly Aerospace is exploring the possibility of launching its Alpha rocket from Japan as part of its global expansion strategy. The plan could make Japan the company’s first launch site in Asia and its second overseas base after Sweden. Agreement with Hokkaido Spaceport Firefly has signed a preliminary agreement with Space Cotan, the operator of Hokkaido Spaceport, to study the feasibility of Alpha launches from the site. Located about 820 kilometres northeast of Tokyo, the spaceport is positioning itself as a hub for international space activity. According to…
Georgia Meteorite May Be Older Than Earth, Scientists Say A meteorite that crashed through the roof of a Georgia home earlier this year may have formed before Earth itself, according to research by the University of Georgia. The rare event occurred on 26 July, when residents in several southeastern US states saw a brilliant daytime fireball streak across the sky. The Georgia meteorite was bright enough to be detected by an orbiting satellite before surviving atmospheric entry and striking a house in McDonough, Georgia. The impact shattered part of the floor, landing just 4 metres from a resident. Tracing the…
Brazil to Send Social Media Regulation Proposal to Congress, Lula Confirms Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday that a proposal to regulate social media platforms is ready and will soon be sent to Congress. Speaking to BandNews, Lula confirmed that the final draft would be on his desk by Wednesday afternoon, allowing the government to forward it for legislative review. Tensions with the US Over Trade The announcement comes amid trade tensions with the United States. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports. He linked the move to what he…
China’s ‘Robot Antelope’ Deployed for Surveillance in Remote Tibet To the wolves of Tibet, China’s robot antelope might appear as appealing as the real herds that graze the tundra. In reality, the mechanical creature is part of Beijing’s expanding surveillance network, now reaching some of the most remote corners of the country. With lifelike brown fur and doe-like eyes, the AI-powered, 5G-connected ruminant blends almost seamlessly into its surroundings. Footage from state news agency Xinhua shows the robotic antelope scanning the Hoh Xil plateau using advanced sensors. Technology Meets Wildlife Tracking Developed jointly by Xinhua, the Chinese Academy of Sciences,…
China State Media Flags Security Risks in Nvidia H20 Chips A social media account linked to China’s state broadcaster has raised concerns over the security of Nvidia H20 chips, warning they may contain backdoor access. The comments come after Beijing summoned the US chipmaker to explain potential vulnerabilities. Claims of Backdoor and Environmental Concerns The remarks were published on Sunday by Yuyuan Tantian, a WeChat account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV. The article claimed the H20 chips were neither technologically advanced nor environmentally friendly, in addition to being unsafe. “When a type of chip is neither environmentally friendly, nor advanced,…
Bumble Investor doubts grow despite AI updates Shares in dating app Bumble fell more than 6% in premarket trading on Thursday. The drop follows disappointing subscriber numbers and growing concerns about the company’s ability to boost spending during a period of slow AI innovation. Bumble reported that its total number of paying users declined by 8.7% in the second quarter, dropping to 3.8 million. The decline highlights the broader challenges facing the online dating industry, including lower user engagement, rising inflation, and what some see as limited product innovation. Industry feels pressure as rivals also struggle Bumble’s main competitor, Match…
DNA differences found in ME/CFS sufferers Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have uncovered DNA differences in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The findings offer strong evidence that the condition is not psychological, as often suggested. The team identified eight distinct areas in the genetic code that differ between ME/CFS patients and healthy individuals. These genetic markers point to a biological cause and may help reduce the stigma surrounding the illness. A step closer to understanding ME/CFS ME/CFS affects millions of people worldwide and is known for symptoms such as extreme fatigue, brain fog, and pain. Even light…
Nvidia Warns Against U.S. Chip Backdoor Plans, Calls Them Risky Nvidia has strongly opposed proposals from U.S. policymakers that could require American-made chips to include tracking tools or backdoor access. In a blog post published on Tuesday, the AI chipmaker warned that such features would pose major security risks. The blog, released in both English and Chinese, came just one week after Chinese officials summoned Nvidia to raise concerns. China objected to a U.S. proposal that would require advanced chips sold overseas to include tracking and positioning functions. U.S. Considers Tracking Tech in Exported Chips The White House and U.S.…