Markets
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Japan Considers Joint Bid with China for 2046 World Cup After Previous Rejection
Japan is considering a joint bid with China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup. The Japan Football Association confirmed discussions about the unprecedented six-nation effort, echoing the growing trend of multi-nation hosting driven by tournament expansion and escalating costs. A previous joint-bid proposal by South Korea involving China and Japan for earlier World Cups was reportedly dismissed by China. The 2026 and 2030 World Cups will exemplify co-hosting, suggesting FIFA’s embrace of shared responsibility to ease financial strain and promote regional development.
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Sunrun Announces $431 Million Securitization of Residential Solar Assets
Sunrun (NASDAQ: RUN) priced its fourteenth securitization since 2015, totaling $431 million in notes. The deal includes $331 million of Class A-1 Notes and $100 million of Class A-2 Notes. The Class A Notes offer a 6.15% coupon. This is backed by 63,318 systems across 12 states and Washington D.C., with a customer base averaging a FICO score of 757. The transaction is expected to close around July 30, 2025, demonstrating continued investor confidence in Sunrun’s solar assets.
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Elderly Man Nearly Loses $225,000 in TikTok Live Stream Scam
Police in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, prevented an elderly woman from losing 1.6 million yuan to telecom fraudsters posing as Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart) customer service. The scammers claimed she unknowingly subscribed to a premium service and threatened her credit score. Alerted by a fraud detection system, police raced to her home, stopped the scam in progress, uninstalled malicious software, froze her accounts, and reversed the scammers’ actions to access her savings. Authorities warn citizens against unsolicited membership offers and screen-sharing requests.
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Crexendo Announces Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release Date
Crexendo (CXDO) will report Q2 2025 financial results on August 5, 2025, followed by a conference call at 4:30 PM ET. CEO Jeff Korn, President Doug Gaylor, and CFO Ron Vincent will present and answer questions. Dial 888-506-0062 (U.S.) or 973-528-0011 (International), access code 467741 to join. A replay will be available until August 12th via 877-481-4010 (U.S.) or 919-882-2331 (International), passcode 52756. Crexendo is a provider of cloud communication platform software and UCaaS offerings.
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Duke Energy Prepares for Indiana Storms, Urges Customer Readiness
Duke Energy is preparing for severe weather forecasted to impact its Indiana service territory. The company is mobilizing resources and urges customers to prepare for potential power outages by charging devices, stocking emergency kits, and planning for special needs. Customers can report outages and receive updates via text, mobile app, website, or phone. Duke Energy is Indiana’s largest electric supplier, serving 920,000 customers. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is committed to a cleaner energy future.
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Xcel Energy Expands Power Portfolio in Texas and New Mexico to Meet Growing Demand
Xcel Energy plans a significant expansion of energy infrastructure in Texas and New Mexico to meet a projected 40% surge in electricity demand by 2030. The $5 billion investment includes adding 5,168 MW of capacity through 17 new power projects utilizing wind, solar, battery storage, and natural gas. The initiative aims to boost electric reliability, grid resilience, and economic growth. Regulatory approval is expected in the second half of 2025.
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Summer Scam Alert: TikTok Warns of Predators Targeting Minors with Free Giveaways
Douyin is warning parents about a rise in scams targeting minors during the summer. Scammers lure young users with offers like free books or game accounts, then redirect them to external platforms. Tactics include impersonating law enforcement and using scare tactics to coerce fund transfers. Douyin recommends using “Teen Mode,” which disables features like messaging and live-streaming, to protect minors. Common scams involve impersonating police, falsely accusing minors of fraud, and using fake gaming streamers to install remote access software.
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A Comprehensive Guide to the New Chinese Energy Efficiency Standard for Home Refrigerators: Five Levels and Annual Savings of 135 kWh
China will implement a revised national standard for refrigerator energy efficiency on June 1, 2026. The new standard, classifying fridges into five grades, tightens power consumption limits by 30-40%. Grade 1 fridges will see a 40% reduction, saving consumers ~68 RMB annually. This could lead to national energy savings of 13 billion kWh. The standard also introduces a “volumetric utilization rate,” aiming for 10-30% more usable space within the same external dimensions, requiring manufacturers to innovate in insulation and component miniaturization.
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EZMEKLY® (mirdametinib) Receives Conditional EU Approval for NF1-PN Treatment in Adults and Children
SpringWorks Therapeutics’ EZMEKLY® (mirdametinib) received conditional EU approval for NF1-PN in adults and children (2+), marking the first and only EU-approved therapy for this rare genetic disorder. Backed by Phase 2b ReNeu trial data (n=114), EZMEKLY showed objective response rates of 41% in adults and 52% in pediatric patients, with ~41-42% median tumor volume reduction and durable responses. Available in capsule and dispersible tablet forms, EZMEKLY addresses a significant unmet need in an estimated 135,000 EU patients.
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Harmony Grand Hotel Goes Viral: Official Account Welcomes Car Owners “Home for Dinner”
A Weibo hashtag “HarmonyOS Grand Hotel” is trending in China, spotlighting unique perks for Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) EV owners. Users are sharing photos of elaborate meals offered at HIMA authorized user centers. HIMA’s Weibo account encouraged car owners to “come home for a meal,” showcasing culinary offerings. These centers provide free charging, car washes, maintenance, and complimentary dining, enhancing the ownership experience. This strategy aims to build brand loyalty in China’s competitive EV market by transforming traditional service centers into comprehensive hubs.