Markets

Huawei’s Consumer Business Group Chairman Richard Yu was seen casually visiting a Shenzhen mall, indulging in cakes from a local bakery. Netizens noted his relaxed demeanor and lack of accompanying personnel. This sighting follows a previous report of Yu and another Huawei executive, He Gang, travelling unescorted in an airport shuttle. Both were seen using their smartphones. These public appearances portray a down-to-earth image of Huawei executives despite the company’s high-stakes competition in the global market.

A Texas EV charging station in the “Texas Peony Garden” is generating controversy with a sign authorizing EV owners to deflate or puncture tires of non-charging vehicles parked in charging spots. The station operator, Cloud Fast Charge, confirmed the sign’s authenticity, aiming it as a deterrent to “ICEing” – gasoline vehicles blocking EV chargers. While the station would cover tire repair costs, no incidents have been reported. Early data suggests the tactic is effective in reducing violations, despite concerns over potential legal ramifications.

The 2025 World Games (Chengdu) torch relay concluded at Xinglong Lake Wetland Park featuring 38 torchbearers including an Ele.me delivery rider, Zhao Mingyang. Zhao was selected for his exceptional bravery and community service, including repeatedly entering a burning building to rescue residents in 2020. He has been recognized as a “Citizen of Courage,” a “Good Person of Sichuan Province,” and one of the “Most Beautiful Delivery Riders,” highlighting the increasing importance and social recognition of delivery workers in China.

The FAA is investigating an incident where an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 struck deer upon landing at Kodiak Airport in Alaska. Flight AS231 encountered at least two deer on Runway 26 despite the flight crew reporting their presence to air traffic control. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft taxied to the gate, but the landing gear sustained damage. The incident raises concerns about wildlife strikes at airports, a growing threat to aviation safety.

Apple will close its Dalian Apple Store on August 9, 2025, marking the end of nearly a decade of operation. The reason for the closure is unclear. This closure coincides with the opening of a new store in Shenzhen on August 16. Apple currently operates 49 stores across China, demonstrating its continued investment in the Chinese market despite the Dalian closure. Speculation suggests declining foot traffic in Dalian may be a factor in the store’s closure.

Precision Global Corporation (PGC) has partnered with CubeSmart to manage four self-storage facilities in Texas, effective July 25, 2025. The agreement leverages CubeSmart’s operational expertise to enhance customer experience and asset value. PGC aims to expand its nationwide portfolio of storage and RV park assets through strategic alliances. CubeSmart, a leading self-storage REIT, manages over 1,300 facilities nationwide, known for its technology-driven solutions and customer-centric approach. PGC focuses on high-growth, income-producing assets and seeks acquisition opportunities to expand its portfolio.

Hawaii American Water customers in Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani, and Waimea will see wastewater bill adjustments starting in August 2025, following HPUC approval. The rate hike is driven by a $40 million infrastructure investment. Hawaii Kai residents will see a $4 monthly increase, while Mauna Lani and Waimea residents will see an $18-$25 increase. The upgrades aim to maintain service quality, meet environmental regulations, and improve treatment facilities. American Water, the parent company, is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the US.

A Coldplay concert in Boston turned into a corporate scandal when Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR head Christine Cabot were filmed in a compromising situation. The video went viral, leading to Byron’s departure from the $1.3 billion tech company. Meanwhile, Grace, the concertgoer who filmed the incident, capitalized on the video’s popularity by soliciting donations and successfully paying off her $80,000 debt. The Astronomer released a statement emphasizing accountability.

Singer Wangzai Xiaoqiao issued an apology amidst controversy surrounding a planned masked concert and claims about the original performer of the song “Nian Lun.” Xiaoqiao asserted Zhang Bi-chen, not Wan Su-long, was the original singer. Acknowledging public influence, Xiaoqiao accepted criticism and pledged to be more cautious and convey positive energy. The apology included commitments to improve public awareness, raise standards for future appearances, and remain open to criticism following this “wake-up call.”

Alibaba Cloud’s BaiLian platform will be inducted into the “Hall of Fame” at WAIC 2025, the conference’s highest honor. BaiLian, a comprehensive platform for LLM services and agent application development, was selected based on its technological sophistication, market potential, innovative design, and socio-economic impact. Featuring over 200 LLMs and 100 pre-built agent templates, BaiLian has empowered over 200,000 developers to create over 700,000 agents, demonstrating its significant impact on the AI ecosystem.