Apple supplier Lens Tech aims to raise up to $606 million with Hong Kong IPO

A leading Chinese manufacturer of mobile phone glass covers and other consumer electronics components is joining a growing trend of mainland-listed Chinese companies seeking to expand their capital base by selling shares in Hong Kong. This movement is part of a broader wave of listings known as "A+H listings," where companies already traded on mainland exchanges issue shares, called H shares, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Hong Kong is poised to become the world's dominant IPO market in 2025, fueled by a resurgence of interest from global investors looking for alternatives to US assets amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The city’s stock market has seen strong liquidity and turnover, attracting numerous high-quality tech and manufacturing firms from mainland China. Notably, companies such as Lens Technology, which supplies Apple and others, plan to raise significant funds through secondary listings in Hong Kong to diversify their investor pool and increase capital. The trend is supported by regulatory reforms and initiatives, such as the launch of the Technology Enterprises Channel (TECH), designed to facilitate listings of technology-intensive firms with complex R&D cycles by simplifying requirements and offering confidential filing options. With the recovery of investor sentiment and the strong pipeline of mainland companies, including chipmakers and AI firms, Hong Kong's equity market could reclaim its position as the global leader in IPO proceeds for the first time since 2019. This wave of listings reflects China’s strategic push for tech self-sufficiency and global capital market integration, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a premier financial hub bridging mainland China and international investors. <br /> <br /> In summary, the decision by this mobile phone glass cover maker to list in Hong Kong is emblematic of a broader shift among mainland Chinese companies leveraging Hong Kong’s capital markets to raise funds, broaden their shareholder base, and enhance their global visibility amid a dynamic and competitive global IPO landscape.

How to Apply for an e Passport Online: Complete Step by Step Process, Required Documents, and Key Tips to Remember

India has officially launched e-passports nationwide, introducing a modern travel document embedded with a secure electronic chip to enhance security and streamline immigration processing. The embedded microchip stores critical personal and biometric data, including fingerprints, facial photograph, iris scans, name, date of birth, and passport ID, making the document tamper-resistant and compliant with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This new e-passport uses RFID technology for contactless reading, significantly reducing the risk of forgery and duplication. To apply for the e-passport online, applicants need to visit the official Passport Seva portal. New users must register by creating an account, while returning users can log in with their existing credentials. After registration, the applicant fills out the application form by providing accurate personal and travel details, uploads required documents, and pays the applicable fees online. Following this, the applicant selects a convenient Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) to schedule an appointment for biometric data capture and document verification. Required documents typically include proof of Indian citizenship, identity, and address. At the appointment, biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition are collected to complete the application process. The Ministry of External Affairs oversees the issuance of the e-passports, ensuring that all procedures meet strict security norms. Key points to remember for a smooth application include verifying the accuracy of personal details, ensuring correct document upload, timely fee payment, and arriving punctually for the biometric appointment. This initiative aligns with the Digital India mission, enhancing passport security and providing a more efficient travel experience for Indian citizens.

Canada repeals digital tax that angered Trump to renew US trade negotiations

US President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of all trade discussions with Canada, directly citing Canada’s planned implementation of a digital services tax (DST) as the reason for this drastic step. The President characterized Canada as “a very difficult country to trade with” and described the 3% DST—a levy on revenues generated from Canadian users by large international tech companies—as “a direct and blatant attack on the U.S.” The tax, slated to take effect on June 30, applies to any tech company earning more than $15 million from Canadian internet users and is set to have retroactive effect, meaning companies like Apple, Google, and Meta would face significant back payments. The Trump Administration had strongly urged Canada to delay or eliminate the tax, but Canada proceeded, prompting Trump’s forceful response. <br /> <br /> In retaliation, President Trump stated that the United States would inform Canada of new tariffs within the next seven days, escalating tensions that have been building since February, when the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on most Canadian imports—10% for Canadian energy. The breakdown in negotiations signals heightened trade conflict between the two neighbors, with concerns voiced by officials and businesses in both countries about the economic implications of further tariffs. The digital services tax was originally developed by Canada to address concerns that large technology firms operating within its borders might otherwise avoid paying taxes on revenues generated from Canadian consumers, given the lack of a multilateral agreement on digital taxation. While Canada has been working with international partners, including the United States, to reach a broader multilateral solution, the immediate imposition of the DST and Trump’s reaction have sparked a new phase of acrimony in US-Canada trade relations. <br /> <br /> However, reports indicate that, following Canada’s announcement rescinding the digital services tax to advance broader trade negotiations, both parties have agreed to resume talks with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement by July 21. This reversal reflects Canada’s preference for a multilateral, rather than national, approach to digital taxation and its desire to secure a favorable deal for Canadian workers and businesses in ongoing economic and security partnership discussions with the United States. The June 30 collection of the digital services tax has thus been halted, and Canadian legislation will soon be introduced to formally rescind the Digital Services Tax Act, signaling a possible de-escalation of trade tensions.

China announces major advancements in classical and quantum computing technologies, signaling a leap forward in the global tech race

Chinese chipmaker Loongson recently announced its new server CPU series, the 3C6000, claiming performance on par with or exceeding that of Intel’s 2021 Ice Lake Xeon processors. The 3C6000 lineup includes various models, with the flagship 64-core 3E6000 boasting 128 threads, 32MB cache, and four DDR4-3200 memory channels operating at a max frequency of 2.2 GHz. Loongson achieves these high core counts through a quad-chiplet design interconnected by its proprietary Loongson Coherent Link (LoongLink), a technology analogous to Intel’s mesh interconnect or AMD’s Infinity Fabric. The new CPUs are built on Loongson’s own LoongArch 6000 architecture and LA664 cores, delivering performance comparable to 2023-class server chips. Internal benchmarks suggest that the 64-core 3E6000 outperforms Intel’s Xeon 8380 on integer workloads by 35%, although the Xeon leads in floating-point tasks by 14%. The 16-core 3C6000 model matches the performance of Intel’s 16-core Xeon Silver 4314 from the Ice Lake family, operating at a comparable 2.5 GHz clock speed. This achievement marks a significant stride for China’s semiconductor independence, as Loongson designs both the architecture and the silicon without relying on foreign technologies. The 3C6000 series also supports impressive scalability, enabling multi-processor configurations with up to 128 cores and 256 threads in some setups, making it suitable for demanding data center and AI workloads. Meanwhile, local Chinese media highlight Loongson’s kit as capable of managing advanced quantum computing systems, including those with 1,024 qubits, showcasing ambitions to support cutting-edge technologies domestically. Overall, Loongson’s latest silicon positions it as a competitive player in the global server CPU market, reflecting China’s ongoing push to reduce dependency on Western semiconductor suppliers.

This startup aims to revolutionize coding education by making it as accessible and engaging as Duolingo is for languages

Started by Paul Kuruvilla and Sarup Banskota in 2022, Codecrafters is a unique platform designed to help experienced software engineers deepen their programming skills through challenging, hands-on projects rather than traditional instructional methods such as videos or live sessions. Unlike beginner-focused platforms that guide users step-by-step, Codecrafters encourages seasoned developers to build real-world projects from scratch, such as recreating popular developer tools like Git, Docker, or Redis. This approach helps learners truly master programming languages and complex concepts by immersing themselves in the creation process. The idea originated when Kuruvilla, while managing a team, challenged himself to build a Redis clone from the ground up to sharpen his skills and motivate his team. What started as a workshop evolved into Codecrafters, co-founded with Banskota after he left his job at Vercel. The platform quickly gained traction among senior engineers looking for a deeper and more practical learning experience, especially those at companies such as GitHub, Google, Microsoft, and Stripe. Codecrafters operates on the philosophy that practicing by building sophisticated projects offers a higher level of confidence and skill than watching tutorials or solving isolated coding problems. The startup has also introduced features like private leaderboards and Slack integrations to support team learning and development budgets. Since joining Y Combinator, Codecrafters has been fine-tuning its offering to balance monetization with user satisfaction, continuing to grow as a trusted resource for experienced developers seeking advanced upskilling opportunities.<br /> <br />By focusing on deliberate practice through project-based challenges, Codecrafters provides a fresh alternative to traditional coding education, empowering professional engineers to advance their craft effectively.

Port Commissioner Confident Solutions to Challenges Are Within Easy Reach

Chandler Russ, a relatively new member of the Adams County Port Commission, has been deeply engaged in learning and adapting to his responsibilities over the past four months. As an appointee of District 1 Supervisor Wes Middleton, Russ is actively working to understand the dynamics and challenges associated with the port's operations. His role involves coordinating with various stakeholders to address ongoing issues and facilitate smoother functioning of the port. The Natchez-Adams County Port has been experiencing substantial business growth and construction activity, leading to logistical and operational challenges. Companies such as Great River Industries and Natchez Railway have been collaboratively working with the port commission and the board of supervisors to resolve conflicts related to space usage and workforce management. With Great River Industries expanding its workforce to 175 employees and Elevance anticipating up to 500 workers during peak construction phases, scheduling and safety have become critical concerns. Russ and other officials are focusing on implementing solutions to prevent congestion and enhance security. Discussions have included the need for traffic control plans and increased security measures from local law enforcement to curb speeding and illegal activities in the port area. This is particularly important as the port also serves recreational purposes with a boat ramp managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Overall, Chandler Russ’s initial months on the port commission have been marked by a steep learning curve as he collaborates to resolve pressing issues and support the port's continued growth and safe operation. His involvement reflects a hands-on approach to problem-solving within the expanding and complex environment of the Natchez port.