Nintendo Expands Switch Online Playtest Program to 40,000 Users, Teasing New Online Service for Switch and Switch 2
Nintendo has announced the second iteration of its Switch Online Playtest Program, opening applications on July 18th to 40,000 Switch Online + Expansion Pack members for a closed beta of an unannounced online service. This marks a significant expansion from the 10,000 participants in the 2024 trial, quadrupling the user base to gather broader feedback ahead of a potential full launch. The test will run from July 29th to August 11th, 2025, and supports both the current Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, signaling strategic alignment with the next-gen console’s launch plans .
Russian Online Pharmaceutical Sales Surge 35.7% in Q1 2025, Driven by Cold Remedies and Smoking Cessation Products
Online pharmaceutical sales in Russia soared by 35.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 139.5 billion rubles, triple the average growth rate of the sector. This marked the first time online drug sales accounted for over 1.15% of the total pharmaceutical market share.
South Korea's Retail Market Rebounds in May: Double-Digit Online Growth, Luxury Goods Drive First Offline Rise in Four Months
South Korea's retail sector showed signs of recovery in May, with offline sales returning to growth after a four-month slump, driven by strong demand for high-value products, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy revealed on Wednesday.
Global Toy Market to Hit $446B by 2032, Fueled by Tech & Shifting Trends
The global toy market is poised for steady growth, projected to rise from $316.14 billion in 2024 to $445.97 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.33%, according to latest insights.
Amazon Expands Same-Day and Next-Day Delivery to Over 4,000 U.S. Towns and Rural Areas
On June 24th, Amazon announced a major expansion of its rapid delivery services to more rural regions across the United States, marking a significant step in its efforts to bridge the urban-rural logistics gap. The e-commerce giant revealed plans to offer same-day or next-day delivery to over 4,000 small cities, towns, and rural communities by the end of 2025, bringing faster shipping options to areas that have long faced slower delivery timelines compared to urban centers.
G20 Pledges Strengthened International Policy Cooperation
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors have issued a joint communiqué, committing to enhance international policy cooperation and sending a signal in support of multilateralism. They emphasized the need to end global trade conflicts soon and called on the U.S. and Europe to reach a fair agreement on tariffs.
U.S. Aid Cuts Leave Dozens of Global Infrastructure Projects Abandoned
Reuters, citing sources and documents, reports that dozens of global health and water supply infrastructure projects have been halted after the U.S. terminated related aid. The news agency verified 21 stalled projects across 16 countries.
