Group 1 - Starbucks has launched free "study rooms" in select stores in Guangdong, China, to boost customer traffic amid increasing competition from local rivals like Luckin Coffee [1] - The study rooms do not require a purchase, have no reservation or time limits, and offer free power outlets and hot water [1] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to counteract the aggressive competition from local coffee and tea brands, which frequently introduce new products and flavors [1] Group 2 - Starbucks China has expanded its beverage menu with more sugar-free options and local tea flavors, significantly lowering prices and increasing customization choices [2] - The company is targeting Gen Z consumers by creating engaging entry-level drink experiences and fostering community relationships through in-store activities [2] - The new Chief Growth Officer in China is driving collaborations with movies, cartoons, and popular artists to attract younger consumers, which has helped stabilize sales in recent quarters [2] Group 3 - The study rooms also include a book donation area, aimed at attracting more customers and ultimately increasing foot traffic and revenue [2] - Starbucks is opening new stores in historically significant or scenic locations, such as a recent store in Yulong Snow Mountain, Yunnan Province, to draw in customers [2]

Group 1 - The State Council of China has announced the implementation of the "Rural Road Regulations" to promote high-quality development of rural roads, effective from September 15, 2025 [2] - In the first half of 2024, eight provinces in China have raised their minimum wage standards, providing new wage level information for enterprises and workers [3] - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has released the seventh batch of new occupations, including 17 new professions and 42 new job types, driven by advancements in technology and changing consumer demands [7] Group 2 - The Shanghai Customs has seized 301 counterfeit "POP MART" toys, indicating ongoing issues with intellectual property rights and trademark infringements in the market [8] - The State Grid Corporation of China is focusing on internal reforms and accelerating the establishment of a unified national electricity market to enhance innovation and high-quality development [10] - Shanghai has issued a development action plan for the next-generation display industry, emphasizing financial support for major projects and encouraging state-owned enterprises to invest in key technologies [11] Group 3 - The GDP of the three central provinces (Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi) has exceeded 7.2 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, reflecting the release of domestic demand and the growth of emerging economic drivers [12] - Henan Province is providing subsidies for home modifications for elderly residents, with a maximum subsidy of 12,000 yuan per household [13] - Jilin Province is promoting the development of the ice and snow industry, including tourism and equipment manufacturing, to enhance cultural and economic growth [15] Group 4 - The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has successfully issued a 2-year panda bond, raising 2 billion yuan, with total panda bond issuance exceeding 1 trillion yuan [30] - JD.com has launched a "Dish Partner" recruitment program, aiming to establish 10,000 cooking platforms across the country within three years [31][32] - Meituan has announced a support plan for 10,000 restaurant brands, providing resources for brand promotion and service customization [33] Group 5 - On July 22, institutional investors sold 28 stocks while buying into 13 stocks, with notable net purchases in Fangda Special Steel and Kangchen Pharmaceutical [34] - The S&P 500 index reached a new closing high, driven by gains in the healthcare and real estate sectors, despite a decline in technology stocks [38]

Group 1 - WeChat has quietly launched a new feature for voice-to-text conversion in chat, currently in a gray testing phase for select users [2][4] - The new feature utilizes WeChat's built-in voice recognition technology, achieving high accuracy in converting Mandarin speech to text, effectively replacing manual input [4] - Users can send converted messages automatically by saying "over over" after completing their voice input, eliminating the need to manually click the send button [4] Group 2 - Universal Music Group has secretly submitted a listing application in the U.S. to fulfill an agreement with billionaire Bill Ackman's Pershing Square hedge fund [3] - The company, listed in Amsterdam, announced that it has filed documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a stock issuance by certain shareholders, with no proceeds going to the company from this sale [3] - Zhongwei Semiconductor announced plans to issue overseas listed foreign shares (H shares) and apply for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to enhance its global strategy and brand image [3] Group 3 - The first foldable iPhone is expected to be priced over $2,000 (approximately 14,345 RMB) and is set to launch in the second half of 2026 [6] - The foldable iPhone will feature a book-style fold design, with the main screen supplied exclusively by Samsung, and aims for a foldable lifespan of over 200,000 cycles [6] - The device will run on iOS 27, which will introduce multitasking windows, dynamic split screens, and quick access cards for the external screen [6] Group 4 - Xiaomi's SU7 has achieved the highest one-year resale value of 88.91% among all models, according to a report on the resale value of Chinese cars [9] - Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y have resale values of 76.04% and 71.28% respectively, as noted by Xiaomi's founder Lei Jun [9] Group 5 - The U.S. has announced its withdrawal from UNESCO again, having previously exited in 2018 and rejoined in 2023 [19] - Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 have set pre-sale records in South Korea, indicating strong consumer interest in foldable technology [19] Group 6 - Apple has announced the expansion of its retail operations to Saudi Arabia, launching an online store and app, with plans to open physical stores starting in 2026 [20] - Baidu has launched a mobile web version of its AIGC video generation model, which has seen rapid user adoption and content generation since its release [20] Group 7 - Tencent Cloud has initiated internal testing for CodeBuddy IDE, an AI-integrated development platform that allows users to create applications using natural language without coding [22][23] - The platform integrates top AI models and aims to streamline the software development process for non-technical users [23]