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China Confiscates DeepSeek AI Staff Passports Amid Tech Concerns

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Government Tightens Grip on AI Talent Mobility / Reuters DeepSeek Elevated as a Strategic National Asset Overseas media outlets including TechCrunch and The Information report that the Chinese government has enacted strict measures against DeepSeek, a leading generative artificial intelligence firm, by seizing employee passports to curb potential leaks of critical technological secrets. High-Flyer, the hedge fund parent company of DeepSeek, has enforced this policy primarily on research and development staff, prohibiting them from exiting China without explicit permission. This follows the company's global recognition after unveiling its cost-effective R1 inference model in January 2025, a milestone that spotlighted China's aspirations in the intensifying global artificial intelligence competition with the United States. The passport confiscation highlights Beijing's escalating efforts to protect sensitive AI innovations, reflecting fears of intellectual property loss at a...

FDA Grants Expanded Approval for Alnylam’s Amvuttra in Rare Heart Disease Treatment

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New Milestone in ATTR-CM Therapy / Reuters The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted expanded approval for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ Amvuttra (vutrisiran), marking a significant advancement in the treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), a rare and life-threatening heart condition. This approval positions Amvuttra as the first medication capable of addressing both the cardiac and neurological manifestations of ATTR amyloidosis, offering a groundbreaking option for patients battling this progressive disease. Previously approved in 2022 for treating nerve damage associated with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, Amvuttra now enters the ATTR-CM treatment market, a space projected to exceed $11 billion in annual revenues by 2032 according to Global Market Insights. With this development, Alnylam aims to challenge the dominance of Pfizer’s Vyndaqel and compete with BridgeBio’s recently approved Attruby, introducing a novel therapeutic approach that could reshape the lan...

Mitsubishi Motors Surges on Foxconn EV Partnership Rumors

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Speculation Drives Market Buzz Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TYO:7211) experienced a notable stock surge following reports of a potential electric vehicle (EV) production partnership with Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry, widely known as Foxconn (TW:2317). According to Japanese news agency Kyodo, Mitsubishi Motors plans to outsource EV manufacturing to Foxconn, aiming to slash production costs and accelerate development timelines in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. This strategic move could position Mitsubishi Motors as a stronger contender in the global shift toward sustainable transportation, while Foxconn seeks to cement its role in the EV manufacturing landscape. The news triggered a 3.5% spike in Mitsubishi’s stock price, reaching $465.8, significantly outperforming the Nikkei 225 index’s modest 0.2% gain, though it later settled at $443.40 by day’s end. Meanwhile, Foxconn’s Taiwan shares dipped 0.3%, closing at $165.00, reflecting a cautious market response to th...

SoftBank Acquires Ampere Computing for $6.5 Billion to Boost AI Strategy

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Strategic Move Enhances AI Infrastructure Investments / Reuters Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group has finalized a $6.5 billion all-cash acquisition of Ampere Computing, a U.S.based chipmaking startup, marking a pivotal step in its ambitious push into artificial intelligence infrastructure. This deal underscores SoftBank's commitment to securing a foothold in the highperformance computing and semiconductor industries, sectors increasingly vital for powering the next generation of AI technologies. Founded in 2018 by Renee James, a former Intel president with decades of industry experience, Ampere Computing specializes in designing data center CPU chips built on the Arm architecture, a technology closely tied to SoftBank through its majority ownership of Arm Holdings. This acquisition not only strengthens SoftBank's portfolio but also positions it to compete with industry leaders like Intel and AMD in the rapidly growing AI and cloud computing markets. Ampere Computing'...

Myer Holdings Ltd Stock Plunges to 10-Month Low After Weak Earnings

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Supply Chain Woes and Tough Retail Market Hit Profits Hard Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX:MYR) shares recently tumbled to a 10-month low of $0.68, marking a sharp 10.5% decline, as the Australian department store chain grappled with disappointing half-year earnings. Investors reacted swiftly to the news of a profit drop, driven by persistent supply chain disruptions and a challenging retail environment that overshadowed modest gains in online and comparable sales. The company reported a net profit after tax of $42.4 million for the 26 weeks ending January 25, 2025, a significant decrease from the $52.0 million recorded a year earlier, highlighting the mounting pressures on one of Australia’s iconic retail brands. The financial strain largely stemmed from operational inefficiencies at Myer’s National Distribution Centre, which management estimated cost the company $12 million in earnings before interest and taxes. These disruptions led to stock shortages and elevated fulfillment expenses, direc...

U.S. Stock Market Surges Amid Economic Data and Trump Policy Shifts

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Investors Navigate Uncertainty with Strategic Bargain Hunting U.S. stocks surged for a second consecutive session as investors evaluated a mix of economic indicators and the potential effects of Trump administration policies, seeking undervalued opportunities following a prolonged decline in major indices like the Nasdaq and S&P 500. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 353.44 points, a 0.85% increase, closing at 41,841.63, while the S&P 500 advanced 36.18 points, up 0.64%, to 5,675.12. The Nasdaq Composite, despite a more modest gain of 54.58 points or 0.31%, reached 17,808.66, reflecting a cautious yet optimistic market sentiment. This rally follows a significant correction, with the S&P 500 dropping over 10% from its February record high, signaling a volatile period driven by economic uncertainty and policy speculation. Investors appear to be recalibrating portfolios, focusing on stocks poised to benefit from anticipated Trump economic policies, including tariff impl...

Bakkt Holdings Stock Plunges as Major Partnerships Terminated

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Significant Revenue Losses Threaten Financial Stability Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BKKT) shares experienced a staggering 50% decline following the abrupt termination of pivotal commercial agreements with Bank of America and Webull Pay LLC, raising serious concerns about the company’s financial future and operational viability. These partnerships, vital to Bakkt’s revenue streams in both loyalty and cryptocurrency services, have been linchpins for the Alpharetta, Georgia-based firm, which is 55% owned by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent of the New York Stock Exchange. The news, disclosed in a recent SEC filing, underscores the fragility of Bakkt’s business model amid an increasingly competitive fintech and crypto landscape. Investors seeking insights into the Bakkt Holdings stock decline and its implications will find a detailed breakdown of these developments, including revenue impacts, strategic responses, and potential paths forward. The Bank of America partnership, slated...