Markets

Pony.ai has secured a permit for fully driverless commercial Robotaxi services in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, making it the only company with such permits in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. The initial rollout will focus on the Jinqiao and Huamu business districts, located near Shanghai’s financial center. The operating zone in Pudong spans nearly 1,400 square kilometers with over 5 million residents. This demonstrates increasing regulatory trust and represents a major milestone for the company.

Tencent is facing a lawsuit in China over the matching algorithm in “Honor of Kings.” A player alleges the algorithm manipulates matches to force a 50% win rate and is suing for disclosure of the algorithm’s mechanics. The plaintiff cites consumer rights to information. Tencent claims the algorithm is a trade secret. This is reportedly China’s first case concerning gaming algorithms. The lawyer aims to raise awareness about algorithmic fairness in the industry.

A recent Dongchedi test of 36 vehicles across 20+ brands revealed shortcomings in current driver-assistance technologies. Simulated accident scenarios, particularly those involving highway hazards, yielded a pass rate below 50%, raising safety concerns. The results have sparked online debate, with accusations of bias against Dongchedi. Former Meizu executive Li Nan cautioned against making such accusations without concrete evidence, emphasizing the importance of fair interpretation of motives.

Team China achieved significant success at the 32nd Summer World University Games, securing 2 gold and 6 bronze medals on Thursday. The Chinese women’s basketball team triumphed over Team USA 81-69 in the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games final, defending their title after an undefeated run. Overcoming an initial deficit, China dominated the third quarter to secure the victory. Chen Yujie led China with 19 points. The win sparked widespread celebration in China. The USA currently leads the overall medal count, followed by China and Japan.

Wuhan authorities recently uncovered a counterfeit amusement park ticket scheme. A woman initially commissioned 200 fake tickets for personal use, then ordered 1,000 more for resale after seeing a profit opportunity. The amusement park discovered the scheme due to inconsistencies, but the woman continued, alternating fake and real tickets and ordering another 1,000 to improve quality. She produced 2,000 fake tickets in total; 1,600 were seized. She compensated the park and faces potential penalties, including fines and detention, for forging valuable securities.

A job posting for sanitation workers in Shanghai’s Qingpu District requiring both a written exam and interview sparked online debate. With nearly 5 applicants per position, the “exam + interview” approach aims for fairer selection. The written test assesses basic sanitation knowledge like waste sorting, while the interview evaluates practical skills, communication, and responsibility. The recruiting company clarified that the exam isn’t overly difficult and doesn’t involve complex calculations. Eligibility requires Jinze Town residency and adherence to age requirements, with compensation including social insurance, housing fund, salary, and allowances.

Mercury Insurance plans to file a homeowners insurance rate request using the CDI’s Verisk Wildfire Model, aligning with Commissioner Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy. This initiative aims to expand insurance accessibility in California. Mercury’s CEO, Gabriel Tirador, sees this as a significant advancement for broadening coverage options. Mercury previously offered new policies in Paradise, CA, after the Camp Fire, demonstrating a commitment to resilient communities. Mercury Insurance is a major multi-line insurance carrier operating in multiple states.

A recent assisted driving test by Dongchedi, involving 36 vehicles in simulated accident scenarios, revealed limitations in current systems. While Tesla performed best, no vehicle flawlessly navigated all tests. Chinese systems, including Huawei’s, fared worse. The test sparked debate about methodology but highlights that even advanced features remain assistive, not autonomous. Official media emphasize inherent risks, with dealerships shifting to a “hands-on, eyes-on” marketing approach. Experts stress that drivers must remain attentive and understand the limitations of Level 2 assisted driving systems.

Black Pearl Equities is seeking to acquire up to 49.9% of Regional Health Properties’ outstanding common shares for $4.25 per share, as per their tender offer disclosed on July 18, 2025. The offer, expiring August 31, 2025, is contingent upon securing 45% of shares, waivers on ownership limitations, and no adverse changes to Regional Health Properties. Shareholders are advised to review Black Pearl’s Schedule TO filed with the SEC for complete details and terms. This announcement is for informational purposes only and not a solicitation to sell securities.

LivePerson (LPSN) filed a notice regarding equity-based incentive awards under Nasdaq rule 5635(c)(4). The grants, made via the 2018 Inducement Plan, totaled 16,000 RSUs in July and 51,000 in May, vesting over two years. These awards aim to attract and retain talent, aligning employee incentives with long-term performance in the competitive AI landscape. LivePerson’s Conversational Cloud platform supports major brands with AI-driven interactions.