Markets

Viking announced the delivery of the *Viking Amun* to its Egypt fleet on August 18, 2025. The ship, accommodating 82 guests, will enhance the 12-day *Pharaohs & Pyramids* itinerary. The *Viking Amun* is similar to other Viking Nile ships, featuring Scandinavian design and an Aquavit Terrace. Viking plans to expand its Egypt fleet to 12 vessels by 2027, reflecting its commitment to Egyptian tourism. Viking also expects to take delivery of 27 additional river ships by 2028 and 10 more ocean ships by 2031.

A dashcam video from Kaifeng, China, shows a truck driver subtly preventing a car from overtaking, averting a potential accident. The truck driver, Gao Chong, noticed oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane and acted proactively to protect the smaller vehicle. After the road cleared, Gao allowed the car to pass safely. The video went viral, sparking widespread praise on social media for Gao’s responsible driving and highlighting the importance of proactive safety measures on the road.

Woodside Energy Group’s (ASX: WDS, NYSE: WDS) half-year report, ending June 30, 2025, reveals a strong performance with a focus on value and growth. Highlights include a fully franked interim dividend of 53 US cents per share, production of 548 Mboe/d, and advancements in major projects like Scarborough (86% complete) and Trion (35% complete). Woodside made FID on the Louisiana LNG Project and sold a 40% stake in its infrastructure to Stonepeak. Net profit reached $1,316 million.

Despite a rally that pushed the Shanghai Composite Index to a near decade high, many retail investors are still losing money. This is exemplified by popular online math educator Li Yongle’s recent Weibo post lamenting losses on funds purchased within the last five years. His experience has resonated with many who point out that market gains don’t guarantee profits for all investors. The situation underscores the importance of prudent investment decisions beyond simply following market trends.

In Tianjin, a man battling insomnia accidentally fell into a river around 4 AM while using his phone near the riverbank. A passing delivery driver witnessed the event and immediately alerted emergency services. Firefighters swiftly arrived and rescued the man, who was reported unharmed, using ropes. The delivery driver’s quick action was crucial to the successful rescue.

NIO CEO William Li believes range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) owners will ultimately switch to pure EVs, citing their appreciation for electric driving. This follows NIO’s completion of its battery swap network along the G318 Sichuan-Tibet route, enabling EV owners to travel the difficult route. Some REEV owners, impressed by NIO’s battery swapping convenience, have expressed intentions to order NIO vehicles. NIO now has over 8,159 charging and battery swapping stations in China, highlighting its leadership in charging infrastructure and addressing range anxiety.

Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) appointed Mary Ellen Adcock to its board of directors, effective immediately. Adcock, currently an executive at Kroger, brings extensive retail and marketing expertise. She will serve on the corporate governance and audit committees. CEO Marc Bitzer highlighted Adcock’s consumer behavior insights as invaluable for Whirlpool’s innovation and consumer experience enhancement efforts. Adcock’s background includes leadership roles at Kroger and an MBA, which will complement her real-world experience on the board.

The Bancorp, Inc. (TBBK) has successfully completed a $200 million offering of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2030, generating approximately $197 million in net proceeds. The Bancorp intends to use the funds to redeem existing senior notes, repurchase shares, and support general corporate purposes, including expansion of The Bancorp Bank, National Association. The notes, maturing on September 1, 2030, feature semi-annual interest payments and redemption options. Piper Sandler & Co. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. managed the deal.

HCW Biologics (HCWB) reported mixed Q2 2025 results. A $5M equity raise helped shore up finances and debt was extinguished. However, revenue plummeted to $6,550, and the Wugen License Agreement was suspended. R&D spending decreased while G&A expenses increased. Despite reducing its net loss, the company expresses doubt about its ability to continue without additional funding. They are seeking new licensing deals and clinical trials are planned. HCWB regained Nasdaq compliance but remains under Panel Monitor.

An Indian student’s video complaint about the difficulty of maintaining a vegetarian diet in South Korea has ignited online debate. The student cited Korea’s meat-centric cuisine and prevalence of pastries. While some Korean vegetarians agreed, many Koreans expressed confusion. Despite a smaller percentage of vegetarians in Korea (around 3%) compared to India (31-42%), the sheer number of Indian vegetarians (over 500 million) highlights the cultural and religious influences driving vegetarianism in India.