Markets

NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang praised China’s AI advancements, highlighting his long-standing collaboration with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Their partnership spans smartphones, AI, and autonomous driving. Huang admires China’s innovative engineers and vast consumer base. During a recent meeting, Lei Jun showcased Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra electric vehicle, prompting Huang to commend its technology and design, expressing his desire to purchase one despite its unavailability in the US. Their decade-long collaboration started when NVIDIA was less established.

Barton Gold (BGDFF) plans to reinstate its Central Gawler Mill for A$26M (±30%), targeting a late 2026 production start. This refurbishment offers cost advantages over building a new mill, with processing costs estimated at A$44.50/tonne. The company aims to complete feasibility studies by end of 2025. While financing isn’t secured, existing infrastructure provides more options. A key benefit is the option to defer capital expenditure by initially reprocessing tailings.

Patriot Battery Metals has identified a major caesium discovery at its Shaakichiuwaanaan Project. The “Caesium Zone MRE” reveals the world’s largest pollucite-hosted caesium pegmatite deposit, including the Rigel and Vega zones. The project is now factored into the CV13 Pegmatite open-pit resource, with indicated resources of 108.0 Mt at 1.40% Li2O and 0.11% Cs2O. Patriot is evaluating caesium recovery, driven by increasing demand in terrestrial solar panels. A lithium feasibility study for the CV5 Pegmatite is expected in CYQ3-2025.

While Chinese brands promote homegrown screen technologies, Corning’s Gorilla Glass remains a key player, with innovations like Gorilla Glass Ceramic and continued collaboration with Apple on Ceramic Shield. Corning’s success extends far beyond smartphone screens. Their core business lies in Optical Communications (32% of sales), particularly optical fiber, fueled by the AI boom. While Specialty Materials (including Gorilla Glass) constitutes 14% of sales, Corning’s diversified operations, including Display Technologies, ensure overall growth and market leadership. The focus shift by phone manufacturers is part of a wider business picture.

On July 18th, a yacht collided with the USS Midway museum in San Diego. Surveillance footage shows the yacht hitting the aircraft carrier in daylight. The yacht fled but was intercepted, and the captain was arrested for suspected DUI. The impact was minimal, and the USS Midway sustained no significant damage. The incident has sparked disbelief and humor online, with users questioning the potential sentencing. The USS Midway, commissioned in 1945, became a museum in 2004.

Mediterranean fast-casual chain CAVA has opened its first Michigan location in Canton, marking its entry into the 28th state. This opening reflects CAVA’s national expansion strategy, aiming for 1,000 locations by 2032. The brand offers customizable Mediterranean bowls, pitas, and dips, and emphasizes community engagement through initiatives like Community Day, benefiting local food banks. CAVA’s growth focuses on healthy, flavorful food catering to diverse consumers and broader health trends.

On July 18, a Delta Boeing 767-400ER (DL446) experienced an engine fire shortly after taking off from LAX, prompting a safe emergency landing. All 226 passengers and 9 crew disembarked normally. The incident is under investigation. This follows a similar event on July 12, where a WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Vancouver International Airport had an engine fire after arriving from Tampa. Passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. That fire is also under investigation.

Tech entrepreneur Luo Yonghao supports airlines relaxing footwear requirements for flight attendants, stating that appearance shouldn’t be a primary hiring factor. This follows a trend of airlines like Spring Airlines, Hunan Airlines and Juneyao Airlines prioritizing comfort and safety over traditional aesthetics. These airlines now permit or mandate flat shoes either full time or during in-flight service, addressing concerns raised about the impracticality and safety hazards of high heels in the high-altitude environment of an aircraft.

At the AtCoder World Tour Finals 2025, Polish programmer Psyho defeated OpenAI’s AI model in a 10-hour programming competition. Psyho, a former OpenAI engineer, surpassed the AI by approximately 9.5% to win first place. The challenge involved optimizing a robot’s path on a grid, an NP-hard problem. While OpenAI’s AI was favored, Psyho’s heuristic approach and “human creativity” proved decisive. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged Psyho’s victory. He won 500,000 Japanese Yen.

A debate over instant noodle consumption on Chinese high-speed trains has sparked online controversy. While some passengers complain about overpriced train food and support the affordable convenience of noodles, others argue their strong odor is disruptive. Official notices request travelers avoid strongly scented foods. However, a 12306 representative clarified there’s no specific ban, and bringing outside food is permitted, though availability of instant noodles for purchase varies by train. The core issue revolves around balancing individual choice with consideration for fellow passengers in a shared space.