At least 35 US states, including Alabama, California, and New York, have implemented bans on smartphones in schools to varying degrees, citing distractions, mental health concerns, and inappropriate content access. Parents and educators advocate for reduced screen time and stricter technology policies.
At least 35 states and DC have restricted smartphones in schools, with 24 enforcing bell-to-bell bans. Meanwhile, parents and advocacy groups are pushing for tighter regulations on school-issued iPads, screen time, and classroom tech.
The EU considers tougher trade measures against China as German industry struggles, while Czech MEP Alexandr Vondra faces conflict-of-interest questions over an undeclared think-tank role backed by defense firms.
Despite perceived decline, the 2020s have seen significant innovation in cinema, driven by YouTube creators achieving box office success, the emergence of copyright expiry films, and unprecedented audience influence on film production and marketing, as seen with *Sonic the Hedgehog* and *Barbenheimer*.
India's DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. This marks a significant step in developing an indigenous long-range air defence shield, aiming to rival systems like Russia's S-400 Triumf and the US MIM-104 Patriot.
The Trump administration plans to redirect billions in federal R&D funding from universities to individual scientists and AI projects. This overhaul, outlined in a White House report, aims to boost US competitiveness against China, which has matched US R&D spending.
Tesla reported a Q2 net income of $1.11 billion, down from last year, as increased R&D spending cut into profits despite a 26% revenue surge to $28.24 billion and a 25% increase in vehicle deliveries, which beat analyst forecasts.
MiniMax CEO Yan Junjie announced he will not take a salary until the company achieves artificial general intelligence (AGI). He also pledged to transfer 4% of his personal shares to employees and 1% to support open-source AI development. The company is also seeking to raise approximately HK$16.04 billion.
Russian customers are showing significant interest in tethered aerostats equipped with electronic warfare, radar, and detection systems for counter-UAV operations. Polina Albek, CEO of Pervy Dirizhabl, stated that these systems are undergoing testing with positive results, highlighting this as a key focus area for the aerostat industry.
Xiaomi is intensifying its electric vehicle (EV) research and development, announcing a new SUV line called Sky Nomad to counter slowing domestic sales and compete with rivals like Li Auto and Xpeng. Analysts anticipate the new models will feature extended-range battery technology.
India's DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket in Odisha, enhancing the Army's precision strike capability under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This guided version of the Pinaka system aims to improve long-range firepower and reduce reliance on imported weapons.
Chinese e-commerce firm Pinduoduo signs agreement for e-commerce industrial park in Xiongan New Area, Hebei province, marking its first property acquisition, aiming to hire over 5,000 employees.
China's trillion-yuan commercial space sector lacks comprehensive insurance, presenting an opportunity for Hong Kong, as only third-party liability insurance is mandatory, leaving other critical areas underinsured.
Volkswagen is reportedly planning a radical overhaul, including cutting 100,000 jobs and closing four German manufacturing plants. The move aims to counter intense competition from Chinese EV brands eroding its market share.
Volkswagen reportedly plans to cut 100,000 jobs globally and close four German manufacturing plants, including three main VW facilities and one Audi site, in response to intense competition from Chinese EV brands and to reduce costs.
Ethlabs, a new non-profit R&D firm founded by former Ethereum Foundation researchers, aims to prepare Ethereum for institutional adoption. Funded by Joe Lubin and major ETH treasuries, it focuses on scaling and protocol economics.
Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI) launched HKGAI-V3, a new large language model based on DeepSeek V4. It offers tenfold efficiency in token compression and a hundredfold increase in agent runtime, running on domestic chips for potential export of Chinese AI.
Wingtech Technology establishes independent management for Nexperia's Chinese unit, ensuring operational autonomy amid a dispute with Nexperia's Dutch headquarters over control and operations.
China has launched the world's first copper-blended titanium orthopaedic implant, a bone pin approved for market release on April 21. Developed by Silvan Medical and the Institute of Metal Research, the material aims to enhance strength while reducing infection risk.
China’s chip champions channelled a larger proportion of revenue into research and development (R&D) than their US peers, first-quarter earnings show, as Beijing presses ahead with its tech self-reliance drive amid an artificial intelligence boom. Beijing-based Moore Threads spent half of its revenue on R&D in the quarter ended March 2026, while Shanghai-based MetaX spent 45 per cent over the same period, according to exchange filings. By contrast, US chipmakers such as AMD and Intel have...
US technology companies should stay in China, despite persistent political pressure for their exit, to capitalise on revenue potential and stifle local competition while monitoring consumer trends, according to a Washington-based policy think tank. Sales generated by American firms within China can be reinvested in research and development back in the United States, thereby helping “sustain US innovation leadership”, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) said in a new...
The Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI) is set to release HKGAI-V3, a sovereign AI model built on DeepSeek architecture optimized for domestic Chinese chips like Huawei's Ascend 910C.
South Korean ICT companies invested 64.6 trillion won in R&D in 2024, a 13.8% increase year-on-year driven by the AI boom. The investments represent 60.6% of all corporate R&D in the country, with large conglomerates leading at 53.5 trillion won. The sector added 5,200 jobs, bringing total R&D personnel to 225,900.
