Tobias

Meta is acquiring a 49% non-voting stake in Scale AI for nearly $15 billion, marking a significant investment in the AI space. The deal will see Scale AI founder Alexander Wang, a former MIT dropout, join Meta. Scale AI provides crucial data annotation services for training AI models and counts major tech companies among its clients. The acquisition values Scale AI at approximately $29 billion.

Douyin, the Chinese TikTok, removed 26 accounts impersonating the “Girl with a Carrying Pole,” a viral sensation. The platform took action after identifying accounts using her name and profile. The student, who gained fame after images of her carrying luggage went viral, confirmed she has no social media accounts and will not create any before university. She is working a part-time job to contribute to her family.

JD.com’s second Beijing JD Mall opened in Shuangjing, attracting crowds with government subsidies and promotions. The opening featured a display of founder Richard Liu’s original “three-foot counter,” evoking nostalgia and connecting with younger shoppers. The 50,000-square-meter mall, offering diverse products, is part of JD’s expansion, with new malls opening in other cities. The company plans to open 8-10 stores annually, focusing on high-tier and economically growing cities.

An AI company is bypassing export controls by physically transporting data to Malaysia for AI model training. Four employees are hand-carrying 4.8 petabytes of data on hard drives via air freight to avoid online data transfer restrictions. This method, previously employed for training, allows access to advanced computing resources and is a complex workaround driven by increasing difficulties in acquiring AI chips and stricter export controls.

Vipshop is concluding its 618 mid-year sale with a final push, launching major discounts tonight at 8 p.m. Expect significant reductions on various products, including 15% off or more. Flash sales from June 15th to 20th and limited-time subsidies offering up to ¥250 off select items (e.g., Tory Burch, COACH, Dyson) aim to boost sales. The “New Trend Bazaar” and “Final Sprint” will provide more deals before the event ends on June 21st.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun wished fathers a happy Father’s Day on Weibo, also sharing his personal fitness progress. The post highlighted his 54th gym workout of the year, part of his goal to reach 100 sessions in 2025. This follows a 40-day break prompted by challenges, including an incident involving the Xiaomi SU7 vehicle and a demanding period for the company.

A recent study suggests the four-day workweek, a strategy gaining traction, could boost productivity when strategically implemented. Research by UC3M across six European nations reveals its benefits in both public and private sectors. Flexible arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours, paired with organizational commitment, are key. Early adopters gain an advantage by building cohesive teams and lowering employee turnover, with the trend expanding beyond the tech sector.

A 24-year-old online influencer diagnosed with stomach cancer revealed unhealthy lifestyle choices, including late nights, irregular meals, low water intake, and high caffeine and processed food consumption. The article emphasizes the link between these habits and the disease, outlining stomach cancer symptoms and risk factors like chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and a poor diet.

Actress Zhang Yuqi’s live unboxing of LABUBU blind boxes drew over 100,000 viewers, showcasing the collectible’s popularity. Pop Mart’s LABUBU figurines, globally recognized, propelled the company’s growth, even topping the US App Store’s shopping charts. Demand is so high, that a rare prototype sold for nearly $1.5 million, and its value has significantly impacted the company’s stock price, leading to the founder’s ascent as the richest individual in Henan province.

A 10-year-old boy was rescued after being swept out to sea during a typhoon, highlighting safety concerns amid severe weather in the Hainan Island, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces experiencing heavy rainfall. Authorities encourage citizens to avoid coastal activities and prepare with evacuation routes and essential supplies. During a storm, sheltering indoors and securing properties are critical for safety.