The Federal Reserve's Beige Book reveals widespread concerns about trade, with businesses planning to pass increased costs to consumers due to recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The report highlights intensified uncertainty about economic prospects, particularly regarding tariffs, with mentions of "tariffs" and "uncertainty" significantly increasing compared to the previous report.
President Trump is set to sign an executive order targeting university accreditation agencies. This move aims to reform higher education by addressing perceived discriminatory practices and promoting diversity in faculty expertise and student success. The order will also simplify the process for schools to change or establish new accreditation bodies.
Elon Musk's Neuralink, a brain-machine interface company, is reportedly seeking to raise $5 billion at an $8.5 billion valuation. Discussions with potential investors are in preliminary stages, with the post-funding valuation possibly reaching $9 billion. Neuralink's valuation stood at $3.5 billion as of November 2023.
TSMC plans to launch its A14 chip technology by 2028, aiming to maintain its leadership in the semiconductor industry. This advancement will surpass its current 3-nanometer process, with a 2-nanometer process set for later this year, and an A16 process by late 2026. TSMC's capital expenditure is expected to be around $40 billion this year.
