Markets

Guangxi, China, is relaunching a “trade-in” subsidy program on August 5th, 2025, to boost consumer spending. Subsidies are available for trading in old appliances, 3C digital products, electric bicycles, and home renovation items for new ones. The program focuses on in-store redemptions and offers subsidies up to 20% (max 2,000 yuan) for appliances, 15% (max 500 yuan) for 3C products, 600 yuan for e-bikes, and 1,000 yuan (max 15,000 yuan total) for home renovation, via UnionPay digital coupons on a first-come, first-served daily basis.

360 Group’s Nano AI platform has been rebranded as “Multi-Agent Swarm,” representing a shift to Level 4 autonomy. This evolution moves beyond solo-agent models, using collective intelligence to accelerate AI productivity. The platform addresses challenges in multi-agent collaboration with a new “Swarm Collaboration Framework,” enabling dynamic grouping and hierarchical organization of agents. Nano AI boasts over 50,000 reasoning agents customizable with natural language and offers multi-agent swarms for various applications, including “one-sentence film creation.”

The Eastern Company (NASDAQ:EML) announced its 340th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share, payable on September 15, 2025, to shareholders of record on August 15, 2025. This consistent dividend payment demonstrates the company’s long-standing commitment to providing regular returns and highlights its financial resilience. They specialize in engineered solutions and operate in several countries.

A man in Zhejiang, China, was reportedly scammed into purchasing an $870,000 gym membership after being lured by a resale “benefit” scheme. He invested heavily in these “opportunities” but now claims he wasn’t thinking clearly. The gym owner is now unreachable, prompting the man to pursue legal action. The gym, Hangzhou Ranyan Fitness Management Co., Ltd., was established in 2022 with limited capital. Experts warn about the risks of prepaid fitness services and advise consumers to conduct due diligence and carefully review contracts before committing.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A; BRK.B) reported its Q2 and first-half 2025 results. Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders were $12.37 billion for Q2 2025, compared to $30.35 billion in Q2 2024. First-half 2025 earnings were $16.97 billion, down from $43.05 billion in 2024. The results include investment gains/losses and, for the second quarter and first half of 2025, an other-than-temporary impairment of investment in Kraft Heinz. Further details are available in the company’s 10-Q filing.

A mother and daughter were splashed with dirty, possibly sewage-contaminated water by a speeding car. The incident, which upset the daughter, led the mother to contact authorities, asserting that such behavior is unacceptable. Splashing pedestrians is a traffic violation and can cause dangerous situations for other drivers. The incident highlights a lack of civic responsibility and emphasizes the importance of safe driving practices in wet weather to ensure the well-being of all road users.

Ezviz Network’s first-half 2025 report reveals revenue of RMB 2.827 billion (up 9.45% YoY) and net profit of RMB 302 million (up 7.38% YoY), fueled by technology investments and market expansion. Operating cash flow surged 911%. Total assets reached RMB 8.416 billion. Their intelligent home entry business, featuring the new AI-powered Qiming Facial Video Lock, is a key growth driver. Ezviz’s smart door locks ranked among the top online sellers during the 618 shopping festival, indicating improved market competitiveness.

Yiwu, China is experiencing a surge in fridge magnet demand. Factories are struggling to keep up, driven by the magnets’ blend of practicality, artistry, and cultural resonance. The Sanxingdui Golden Mask magnet, selling up to 200,000 units monthly, exemplifies this trend. The popularity of cultural and creative products highlights younger consumers’ growing appreciation for Chinese culture and their desire for unique, culturally connected items. These products are expected to drive high-quality growth in cultural tourism.

The U.S. imposed tariffs up to 39% on Swiss goods, a move considered a “catastrophic blow” by Swissmem. The tariffs, second highest after Syria, sent Swiss “concept stocks” tumbling, with Roche, UBS, and watch group shares declining. The U.S. is a key export market for Switzerland, and the country had anticipated lower tariffs similar to those with the EU. Experts predict a negative impact on Swiss GDP, the franc, and export-reliant companies. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect on August 7th, but adjustments are still possible.

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