Markets

A LatePost report reveals an intense battle between Meituan and Taobao in China’s on-demand delivery sector, focusing on “lightning warehouses.” These online-only convenience stores offer rapid delivery of essential goods. The platforms are fiercely competing for key merchants, employing tactics such as pressuring them to adjust prices or limit rival platform operations. Merchants express concerns about platform dominance and data control, navigating the pressures of this competitive landscape. The future of this rivalry and merchants’ roles remain uncertain.

BioArctic’s Q2 2025 royalties surged to SEK 162.5 million due to strong Leqembi (lecanemab) sales, developed with Eisai, reaching JPY 23.1 billion. This included a one-time China stockpiling effect of JPY 5.3 billion. Excluding this, sales were JPY 17.8 billion, with royalties of approximately SEK 125 million. BioArctic will release its full Q2 report on August 28, focusing on Leqembi’s sustainable growth. Leqembi, targeting early Alzheimer’s, is approved in 46 countries and under review in 10 more.

Two former SpaceX employees are suing the company, alleging safety concerns were ignored in favor of speed and cost, leading to their wrongful termination. One plaintiff, a former supervisor, claims he was fired after raising warnings about a potentially dangerous rocket recovery process. The lawsuit highlights instances of excessive work hours, unreported injuries, and a culture of prioritizing deadlines over safety. OSHA data reveals SpaceX’s Starbase facility has a higher injury rate than the aerospace manufacturing average. Another plaintiff alleges termination after workplace injuries.

After being missing for three days, Xiaoying, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, was found in Dongguan, China, thanks to police, volunteers, and Douyin (TikTok). Police found her wandering alone and contacted the “Let Love Come Home” volunteer group, who posted a video on Douyin. Xiaoying’s sister in a distant province recognized her and contacted the volunteers. Remarkably, the same group had previously helped reunite Xiaoying with her mother, who’d been missing for three years. Volunteers are now helping the family, highlighting the power of social media in finding missing persons.

A new scam targets older TikTok users by impersonating customer service. Fraudsters use scare tactics, claiming account issues like unauthorized services or security risks, to trick users into downloading software and sharing their screens. They then remotely access devices and steal funds. TikTok warns users that official support will never request software downloads or screen sharing. Users should verify contacts through TikTok’s official channels and be wary of unsolicited service termination requests or fee warnings.

Neotech Metals (NTMFF) has begun its maiden drilling program at its 100%-owned TREO project in British Columbia’s Wicheeda Rare Earth District. The program targets high-priority zones identified by previous sampling, which yielded up to 28.97% TREO and 2.91% Nb₂O₅. Drilling aims to assess mineralized pathways and their relation to Defense Metals’ Wicheeda deposit. This marks a critical step in exploring the area’s resource potential.

The 2025 China Heat Pump Industry Annual Conference highlighted a shift beyond price competition towards technological innovation. While many companies remain in a price war, Haier’s 30% energy-saving technology and intelligent management platforms are gaining traction. The focus is expanding from basic heating to energy conservation, cost savings, and smart management for homes and buildings. Successful implementations in industrial parks and agricultural settings demonstrate significant cost reductions through multi-energy synergy. The industry emphasizes decarbonization and demands sophisticated system integration, requiring technological prowess from heat pump manufacturers.

The operator of “Sakura Anime,” a Chinese website illegally distributing Japanese anime, has been sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment and fined RMB 15,000 for copyright infringement and forging documents. The Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court upheld the original ruling after an appeal. The website allegedly disseminated over 2,100 anime series without permission, ignoring requests from licensed distributors to remove the content. The case highlights the fight against digital copyright infringement.

Shell plc (SHEL) has initiated a $3.5 billion share buyback program spanning approximately three months, concluding by October 24, 2025. Executed via two $1.75 billion contracts on London and Netherlands exchanges, the program aims to reduce issued share capital by cancelling all repurchased shares, up to 602,100,000. Completion is expected before Shell’s Q3 2025 results, contingent on market conditions. The buyback demonstrates financial strength and boosts shareholder value.

A viral moment at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show involving Li Auto’s CEO Li Xiang and Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun sparked online buzz. Li Xiang closed the door on Lei Jun while showcasing the Li Auto L6, leading to humorous speculation about Li “locking” him in. Xiaomi’s Xu Jieyun clarified that Lei Jun was examining the armrest design. Li Xiang explained he closed the door to allow Lei Jun to better experience the car’s interior.