Markets

Sony officially exited the Russian market on August 11th, ceasing all business operations and closing its local office after 18 years. Documents for the closure were submitted in October 2024. This follows Sony’s suspension of operations in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which included halting PlayStation shipments, closing the PlayStation Store, suspending film distribution, and shutting down Sony Music. Sony had provided free PlayStation Plus subscriptions to Ukrainians until the end of last year.

Geely Automobile Holdings reported strong first-half results with a 27% revenue increase to RMB 150.28 billion and a net profit of RMB 9.29 billion. Vehicle sales surged 47% to 1.409 million, driven by a 126% rise in electrified vehicle sales. The company has raised its full-year sales target to 3 million units and plans to launch five new NEV models. Geely emphasized its commitment to value, technology, and ethical practices, addressing concerns about “involution” and improving communication with users.

LICT Corporation reported its Q2 2025 financial results, with revenue increasing 2% to $34.4 million. Non-regulated revenue grew by 2% to $19.2 million, representing 56% of total revenue. Broadband and voice lines increased due to the acquisition of Manti Telephone Company. EBITDA for the quarter was $13.5 million, a decrease of 4.9% year-over-year. Joe Cecin was appointed as Chief Operating Officer. The company also announced the continuation of its Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution Program, pending board approval.

In a CNBC interview, AMD CEO Lisa Su discussed topics ranging from export controls and AI’s transformative potential to competing with Nvidia and the Silicon Valley talent war. She playfully addressed the recurring question about her relationship with Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, revealing they are cousins through their maternal family lines. Su also emphasized AMD’s strategy of offering diverse solutions beyond direct competition with Intel and Nvidia. Her vision aims to showcase AMD’s unique capabilities to the world.

A Chinese woman’s reported 3.6-pound weight loss after a two-hour karaoke session has sparked online interest in singing as a weight-loss method. Her fitness tracker indicated a 350-calorie burn. Experts suggest singing can be a form of aerobic exercise, elevating heart rate and strengthening lung function. However, they advise against relying solely on karaoke for weight loss, emphasizing that while it offers cardiovascular benefits, traditional exercises are more effective. The enjoyment factor of singing may contribute to consistency and potentially boost metabolism.

Gree Electric Appliances quickly reverted its official WeChat service account name from “Gree Goodies Guide” back to “Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home” after just one day. This follows Gree’s strategic aim to transition its mini-program to “Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home”, circumventing WeChat’s policy against duplicate names. The public account needed to release the name for the new online storefront. This marks the fourth name change in just over a year, potentially reflecting an evolving branding strategy.

Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) announced its Q1 cash dividend, highlighting the company’s confidence in its performance amid global LNG market volatility. Key dates like the ex-dividend, record, and payment dates are crucial for investor eligibility. This payout reflects Golar’s capital allocation priorities and strategic direction. Analyzing financial statements and earnings calls will provide insights into the company’s long-term strategy and dividend sustainability. This dividend announcement offers a valuable data point for investors in the evolving energy sector.

Former *Honor of Kings* player Xu “Xiran” Ruoyu was found safe after posting a message indicating suicidal intent and organ donation plans. eStar Gaming, his former team, confirmed his discovery with police assistance. Xiran is receiving medical care and family support. eStar emphasized his past dedication and is committed to helping him overcome personal difficulties since leaving the team. The incident highlights the mental health pressures in esports and the need for support.

As the demand for AI computing resources grows, Alibaba Cloud introduces cost-effective solutions. A basic cloud server is priced at $68/year, while the “Bailian LLM + Cloud Server” bundle, ideal for LLM inferencing, is available for a limited time at $119 (originally $1029.19). This bundle includes a standard cloud server and a Bailian LLM Inferencing Savings Plan. This offer lowers the barrier for AI development, especially for developers, SMBs, and research teams. New users can deploy LLM inferencing affordably, but supplies are limited.

DayOne, a Singapore-based data center developer, invests EUR 1.2 billion in a hyperscale data center campus in Lahti, Finland. The 98,901 square meter facility will have a 128 MW IT load capacity, starting with a 50MW building. Construction begins in Q3 2025, with operations in 2027. DayOne aims for LEED Gold certification, employing air cooling and waste heat integration. The project creates 100 skilled positions and 1,000 construction jobs, underpinned by a Growth Partnership Agreement including a EUR 2.5 million commitment to LUT Universities.