Microsoft to Cut 9,000 Jobs Globally Amid AI Chip Delays
Microsoft announced plans to lay off approximately 9,000 employees worldwide, about 4% of its workforce, marking a major restructuring as it enters the 2026 fiscal year. The cuts, spanning multiple teams and roles, extend layoffs from May and June, aiming to reduce management layers and boost operational agility amid fast-changing tech and market conditions.
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EU Unveils "European Quantum Strategy" to Lead Global Quantum Tech by 2030
The European Commission officially released the "European Quantum Strategy" on July 2 local time. Highlighting Europe's strengths, the strategy aims to build a resilient and sovereign quantum ecosystem, positioning Europe as a global leader in quantum technologies by 2030.
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FATF and BIS Highlight Systemic Risks of Stablecoins to Global Financial Stability
On June 24, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) warned that stablecoins have become a preferred tool for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. Their anonymity and borderless transaction features facilitate illicit use, while lagging global regulation and conflicting jurisdictions have amplified fraud risks. FATF emphasized that regulatory failures in a single jurisdiction could trigger global ripple effects.
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Hong Kong Unveils Ambitious Digital Asset Policy 2.0 to Lead Global Race
Hong Kong has launched its Digital Asset Policy Statement 2.0, marking a pivotal upgrade from its 2022 predecessor to solidify its position as a global leader in digital assets. The June 27 announcement emphasizes stablecoin regulation and asset tokenization as core priorities, aligning with the U.S. Senate’s recent passage of the Genius Act to regulate stablecoins, signaling intensified global competition in this burgeoning sector.
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IQM Achieves Quantum Computing Profitability by Emulating SpaceX's Early Revenue Model
Finnish quantum computing firm IQM has achieved early-stage profitability by leveraging a SpaceX-inspired strategy of selling pre-commercial quantum systems to government-backed research institutions and supercomputing centers, CEO Jan Goetz announced at The Next Web (TNW) conference. This approach has generated over €90 million ($100 million) in orders since its 2018 founding,
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Lyon to Phase Out Microsoft Products, Adopt Open-Source Software
France’s third-largest city Lyon announced on June 27 it will replace Microsoft products—including Office and Microsoft SQL—with open-source alternatives like Linux, PostgreSQL, and OnlyOffice. The move aims to reduce reliance on U.S. software, extend hardware lifespans to cut environmental impact, and strengthen technical sovereignty in public services.
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U.S. Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Ban "Adversarial AI" from Foreign Adversaries
U.S. bipartisan lawmakers introduced a new bill, the No Adversarial AI Act, on June 25 local time. It aims to restrict federal government procurement and use of AI technologies developed by "foreign adversaries" like China, strengthening technical security for national critical systems.
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Trump Administration Moves to Speed Up Offshore Critical Minerals Exploration
The Trump administration announced on June 25 that it will accelerate exploration and development of offshore critical minerals, foreign media reported.
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WEF Unveils Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 at Summer Davos
At the 16th Summer Davos Forum on June 25, the World Economic Forum (WEF) officially released its 2025 list of Top 10 Emerging Technologies. The selected technologies include collaborative sensing, generative watermarking, green nitrogen fixation, nanozymes, engineered living therapies, GLP-1 drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, autonomous biochemical sensing, structural battery composites, osmotic energy generation systems, and advanced nuclear energy technologies.
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China, Hong Kong Launch Cross-Border Payment Connect System
China’s central bank and Hong Kong’s monetary authority launched "Payment Connect" on June 22, linking mainland China’s Online Interbank Payment Clearing System (IBPS) with Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System (FPS) to enable real-time cross-border remittances. The initiative, announced in a joint statement on June 20, aims to streamline cross-border transactions for residents in both regions.
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UK Unveils New Policies to Bolster AI, Quantum Computing with Funding and Talent Drive
The UK government has introduced a series of new policies to significantly boost support for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. On June 22, it announced the establishment of a “Global Talent Fund” with an investment of £54 million to attract world-leading researchers to the UK. A “Global Talent Taskforce” was also set up, dedicated to recruiting scientists, engineers, and creative talents—with a special focus on key areas like AI and green technology—and encouraging them to innovate and develop long-term in the UK.
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