Markets

Huawei’s MatePad Pro 12.2-inch, powered by HarmonyOS 5, introduces desktop-grade video editing with a full port of CapCut Pro. This advancement moves beyond feature-stripped mobile versions, offering professionals a powerful, portable editing experience. HarmonyOS enhances workflows with drag-and-drop functionality and AI-powered tools for subtitle generation, intelligent color grading, and AI sticker creation. This signifies a leap in tablet capabilities and a growing ecosystem synergy for HarmonyOS.

Questcorp Mining (QQCMF) reports positive developments at its La Union Gold-Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico. A 1,500-meter maiden drill program is planned for mid-August 2025. Exploration revealed stacked thrust faults and new intrusives. Surface samples showed high grades: 59.4 g/t gold, 833 g/t silver, and significant zinc, lead, and copper. The 2,520-hectare property, a carbonate replacement deposit (CRD), shows potential for large-scale gold and underlying porphyry copper mineralization.

China’s “996” work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) is gaining traction in the U.S., particularly among Silicon Valley AI startups. Some companies openly advertise or require this demanding 72-hour workweek, with a readiness for “996” becoming a pre-screening factor for candidates. New York-based Rilla, an AI startup, explicitly requires over 70 hours per week. While extended hours are rising globally, American companies show more enthusiasm for this model than European ones, with some arguing even “996” is insufficient.

As extreme heat intensifies, Chinese businesses are integrating employee health and safety management. Companies like Haier and JD.com are providing cooling measures – drinks, medicine, and protective gear – to factory workers, delivery riders, and service personnel. This shift from summer perks to systematic support, driven by rising temperatures and government guidelines aims to protect workers, maintain productivity and mitigate risks of heat-related illnesses, ultimately impacting supply chain resilience and operational efficiency.

SK Hynix reported a record-breaking Q2 2025, driven by high demand for its memory solutions, especially HBM. Revenue surged 35% YoY to ₩22.232 trillion, with operating profit up 68% to ₩9.2129 trillion. This performance was attributed to strong DRAM and NAND flash memory shipments, particularly advanced HBM3E products benefiting from the AI boom. SK Hynix anticipates continued growth in H2 2025, focusing on server modules, high-capacity SSDs, and 321-layer NAND flash technology to solidify its market leadership.

BrilliA Inc (BRIA) filed its 2025 annual report on Form 20-F with the SEC. The report details the company’s performance in the intimate apparel market and is accessible via the SEC website and BrilliA’s investor relations portal. BrilliA, a global provider of end-to-end solutions for intimate apparel brands, manages sourcing, design, and supply chain for clients like Fruit of the Loom and H&M. The press release includes forward-looking statements subject to risks detailed in the company’s SEC filings.

ByteDance launched Seed LiveInterpret 2.0, an end-to-end simultaneous interpretation model excelling in Chinese-English translation. It offers ultra-low latency (2-3 seconds) and accuracy rivaling human interpreters, exceeding 70% in complex scenarios and 80% in single-person speeches. Key features include zero-shot voice cloning and intelligent balancing of translation quality, latency, and speech cadence. Evaluations show it surpasses other systems, marking a significant advancement in AI translation.

A report indicates a 72.2% drop in DeepSeek’s monthly downloads in Q2 2025. However, this decline is attributed to DeepSeek’s integration into third-party platforms and its focus on open-source LLM development for AGI advancement. Users are being diverted through these channels, impacting direct app downloads. While specialized AI tools like “AI+office” and “AI+education” platforms are gaining traction, DeepSeek remains a key AI player, despite facing challenges like delayed updates and user experience concerns.

Karman Space & Defense (KRMN) announced the pricing of a public offering of 21 million shares at $49 per share, offered by existing stockholders. Underwriters, led by Citigroup and Evercore ISI, have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 3.15 million shares. Karman will not receive any proceeds from the offering, which is expected to close on July 25th, 2025. The SEC approved the registration statement on July 23, 2025. Karman provides critical systems for the space and defense industries.

Julian LeFay, a key figure behind *The Elder Scrolls* franchise, has died at 59 after a battle with cancer. His studio, OnceLost Games, announced his passing shortly after he retired to spend time with family. LeFay was the lead engineer on *Arena* and *Daggerfall*, shaping the series’ core mechanics. He later co-founded OnceLost Games, developing *The Wayward Realms*. Bethesda’s Todd Howard expressed deep sorrow, acknowledging LeFay’s vital role in building the studio.