Markets

Two women allege they were scammed out of thousands of dollars in training fees after responding to fraudulent job postings on 58.com, a Chinese online marketplace. Recruited by “Liu Ba Jia Zheng,” they paid fees based on promises of high salaries which proved unattainable. The company allegedly pushed them to establish shell companies and recruit others. Legal experts argue 58.com has a duty to vet job postings to protect job seekers. 58.com has not yet issued a statement.

Gaotu Techedu Inc. (GOTU) will release its Q2 2025 earnings on August 26th before U.S. markets open, followed by an earnings call at 8:00 AM ET. Investors are focused on the company’s AI-powered learning solutions and growth strategy. Gaotu’s executives are also expected to address the evolving regulatory environment for edtech in China. A replay of the call will be available on Gaotu’s investor relations website until September 2, 2025. Gaotu aims to revolutionize education with personalized AI-driven solutions for all ages.

Chinese tech giants like Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent are aggressively recruiting AI talent for their 2026 campus programs. Recruitment numbers are up year-over-year, with a strong focus on AI research and development. ByteDance plans a 20% increase in hiring, while AI roles comprise over 60% of Alibaba’s openings. The competition is fierce, with reports of high compensation, including daily rates for AI interns, highlighting the strategic importance of AI in these companies’ future.

A ride-sharing driver’s social media post showcasing a year’s worth of traffic tickets has gone viral. The driver faces over $3,000 in fines, primarily for “failure to follow lane directions.” The incident raises concerns about road safety, driver monitoring systems, and the suitability of some drivers for ride-sharing services. Social media users have questioned the driver’s driving habits, and some even suggest a career change.

CMB.TECH’s merger with Golden Ocean is progressing, with Golden Ocean shareholders voting on approval August 19, 2025. The stock-for-stock merger entails an exchange ratio of 0.95 CMB.TECH shares per Golden Ocean share. Pending shareholder approval and secondary listing on Euronext Oslo Børs, the merger is expected to close around August 20, 2025, initiating trading of new shares on multiple exchanges. The company has received demand letters and faces potential dissenting shareholder actions and legal proceedings, and must complete Golden Ocean’s refinancing.

Reports indicate that Cai Jingxian (“Duolong”), a highly respected Alibaba engineer and known as the “Code God,” has left the company. Cai, Taobao’s first programmer who joined Alibaba in 2000, was a core engineer responsible for building Taobao’s core transaction and forum systems. He became an Alibaba partner in 2014, recognized for his significant contributions to Taobao. Alibaba’s 2023 report confirms Cai is no longer a partner, fueling speculation about his departure and its potential impact on Alibaba’s technology leadership.

Ant Group has publicly denied rumors of a joint venture with the People’s Bank of China and China Rare Earth Group to launch a rare earth-backed RMB stablecoin. This follows a previous denial from AntChain regarding collaboration on Real World Assets with Hainan HuaTie. Ant Group cautions the public against investment scams and misinformation related to digital assets, particularly those falsely implying association with Ant Group or AntChain. The company reserves the right to pursue legal action against unauthorized brand use.

Novartis announced positive top-line results from Phase III trials (NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2) evaluating ianalumab (VAY736) in Sjögren’s disease. Both trials met the primary endpoint, showing statistically significant reduction in disease activity. Ianalumab, with its dual mechanism, is poised to potentially be the first targeted treatment for this autoimmune condition. The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile and will be submitted to global health authorities.

A new report indicates that AI is significantly impacting the job market, particularly affecting young tech professionals. Over 10,000 U.S. jobs were lost to AI in the first seven months of 2025. The unemployment rate for recent graduates has surged to 8.1%, with younger tech workers experiencing disproportionate job losses. While AI automation contributes significantly, economic slowdown and policy uncertainties also play a role. White-collar jobs are most affected, as AI overlaps with their skill sets.

According to a report by The Information, Jensen Huang’s children, Madison and Spencer Huang, are now working at NVIDIA in emerging strategic divisions. Madison focuses on 3D simulation and Omniverse, while Spencer is involved in AI robotics. Both siblings previously pursued careers outside of tech before joining NVIDIA, obtaining MBAs after completing an AI program at MIT. They work in areas considered key to NVIDIA’s future growth, distinct from the core chip business.