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Tech

Tencent Launches Valorant Mobile in China, Garnering Over 60 Million Reservations and Star‑Studded Live Stream】

Tencent’s gaming behemoth has finally pulled the curtain on “Valorant Mobile,” the long‑awaited smartphone incarnation of the popular tactical shooter. Branded in China as “无畏契约：源能行动,” the title went live across all platforms on August 19, 2025, following a whirlwind pre‑launch campaign that amassed more than 60 million reservations. The launch was punctuated by a star‑studded livestream featuring celebrated FPS players such as Wang Junkai, underscoring the company’s confidence that the mobile version will become a cornerstone of China’s burgeoning esports scene.

News & Politics

Trump Announces Plan for Direct Russia‑Ukraine Talks and U.S.-Led Three‑Way Summit

Washington – In a surprise turn that has rattled diplomatic circles in Kyiv, Brussels and Moscow, former President Donald Trump announced on August 18 that he would begin arranging a direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders, followed by a three‑way summit that would include the United States. Speaking after a series of private talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European heads of state, Trump said the two combatants could “talk while they’re still fighting” and that a cease‑fire was not a prerequisite for peace negotiations.

News & Politics

Shanghai Composite Hits Record as A‑Share Market Tops 100 Trillion Yuan on AI Boom, Loose Money, and Trade‑Easing Momentum

The Shanghai Composite Index cracked a near‑decade‑old ceiling on August 18, 2025, propelling China’s domestic “A‑share” market into uncharted territory. For the first time the total market capitalisation of A‑shares topped the 100‑trillion‑yuan mark, and daily trading volumes swelled to roughly 2.8 trillion yuan. The rally—led by technology stocks and a resurgent brokerage sector—has sparked a flood of commentary, both on the ground in Beijing and across social media platforms such as Weibo. Analysts have been quick to point to a confluence of monetary, structural and geopolitical factors that appear to be feeding the surge.