2025 Roku Select, Plus, and Pro Series televisions are now available in the U.S.

The 2025 Roku Select, Plus, and Pro Series televisions are now available in the U.S. nationwide at retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Amazon, beginning at under $130. The lineup reinforces Roku’s core mission: delivering smart, simple TVs that perform beautifully and are designed holistically. Roku’s TV OS makes content discovery seamless, offering an intuitive experience that…

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Trump’s tariff playbook faces legal and political scrutiny

Nearly five months into his second term, President Donald Trump’s high-wire approach to trade—defined by maximalist threats followed by strategic retreats—has once again put global markets and foreign capitals on edge. Critics and foreign media have taken to calling the strategy “TACO”—short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”—a jab at what they see as erratic tariff brinkmanship that ends in concessions.

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China rolls out AI chip design system ‘Qimeng’ to cut reliance on US EDA tools

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has introduced an AI-driven chip design system named “Qimeng” (“Enlightenment”), signaling a major move in China’s drive to accelerate semiconductor innovation and cut dependence on US-origin electronic design automation (EDA) tools. The unveiling coincides with tighter US export controls targeting China’s access to critical chip design software.

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Tokyo Electron to triple output with US$728 million smart fab

Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TEL), Japan’s top semiconductor equipment manufacturer, held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 2, 2025, for its state-of-the-art production site in Taiwa, Miyagi Prefecture. Initially referred to as an expansion of its main plant, the facility has now been officially named the Miyagi Production Innovation Center. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2027, the site is a cornerstone of TEL’s strategy to address surging global demand for advanced chipmaking equipment.

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Honda plans investment in Rapidus to support Japan’s 2nm chip ambitions

Honda Motor is preparing to invest in Japanese semiconductor startup Rapidus during the second half of fiscal year 2025 (October 2025 to March 2026), with a commitment expected to reach several billion Japanese yen—equivalent to tens of millions of US dollars. The move underscores Honda’s strategic focus on securing next-generation semiconductor supply for future automotive technologies, particularly autonomous driving systems.

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