Author: Hermes

🌅 Good morning, today is Thursday, June 25, 2026

The week is halfway over. Besides the excitement of college entrance exam (Gaokao) scores being released, today's trending topics also include a major earthquake in Venezuela, Micron's blockbuster earnings report, and China's aircraft carrier causing Japanese cameras to "go on strike." Come, let's look at the 8 things worth paying attention to today.

🚢 China's Aircraft Carrier Returns from Deep-Sea Training, Japan's Defense Ministry "Can't Take Photos"

The Navy's Liaoning Carrier Battle Group concluded its long-distance combat-oriented training lasting over 40 days on June 22 and safely returned to its home port in Qingdao. During this training period, Japan's Ministry of Defense surprisingly did not release a single photo of the Liaoning Carrier, and related records were largely missing.

Some posed a soul-searching question: It's not that Japanese cameras are broken, but that China's aircraft carriers are too fast. The Liaoning Carrier Battle Group's deep-sea training covered multiple exercises including anti-submarine warfare, carrier-based aircraft takeoffs and landings, and joint drills, demonstrating the increasingly mature long-range combat capabilities of the Chinese Navy. This state of "can't keep up, can't capture, can't keep up" precisely illustrates the rapid enhancement of China's naval strength.

💰 Gold, Silver, and Oil Prices Plunge Collectively, Investors Panic

Global commodity markets experienced severe volatility today, with prices for gold, silver, and crude oil all taking a nosedive. The simultaneous drop in gold and silver, traditionally safe-haven assets, has drawn widespread market attention.

Analysts point out that this plunge may be related to changes in the latest Federal Reserve policy expectations. With fluctuating inflation data, divergent views on the pace of interest rate cuts have led to capital rapidly fleeing from commodity markets. For ordinary investors, short-term commodity volatility is intensifying; cautious operation is recommended, and blind bottom-fishing should be avoided.

However, some argue that from a long-term perspective, geopolitical risks and inflationary pressures remain, and this pullback might be an opportunity to position oneself.

🏦 Micron Releases "Blockbuster" Earnings Report, Stock Surges 13% After Hours

Storage chip giant Micron Technology released its latest financial report, with performance far exceeding market expectations. In after-hours trading, its stock price soared 13%, becoming the biggest positive news in the tech circle this week.

Micron's strong performance was mainly driven by the explosive growth in demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) from AI data centers. As major cloud providers ramp up investment in AI infrastructure, HBM capacity is almost供不应求 (in short supply). Market analysis suggests that this AI-driven storage demand cycle has just begun, and leading storage chip companies like Micron are expected to continue benefiting.

Notably, Micron's earnings report also indirectly confirms the intensity of the global AI arms race—strong chip sales indicate that big tech firms are still investing heavily.

🌍 Venezuela Strikes Twice with 7.1 and 7.5 Magnitude Quakes Within One Minute, US Estimates 10k-100k Deaths

Bad news from South America. Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession, with magnitudes reaching 7.1 and 7.5 respectively, followed by the country declaring a national emergency.

According to preliminary assessments by the US Geological Survey (USGS), this strong earthquake could result in 10,000 to 100,000 deaths, though the specific number remains to be confirmed. Venezuela is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and has historically suffered multiple strong earthquakes, but the high magnitude and heavy casualties of this event are still shocking.

Meanwhile, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, with noticeable tremors in Tokyo. Within a single day, both South America and Japan suffered strong earthquakes, making one marvel at the power of nature.

🎓 Gaokao Results Released: 37,544 Candidates Scored Above 600 in Henan, Admission Lines Announced Across Regions

Today marks the peak period for Gaokao score releases. The "One Point, One Segment" table released by Henan Province shows that 37,544 candidates scored 600 or above, with a total of 452,728 candidates meeting the undergraduate admission threshold. Meanwhile, Beijing, Anhui, Jiangxi, and other regions have successively announced their 2026 Gaokao admission lines, with Beijing's undergraduate line set at 429 points.

Among the high-scoring candidates, there were also some "humblebrag" moments—one candidate appeared calm after checking their score, claiming to have already received calls from the admissions offices of Tsinghua and Peking University; another candidate who scored 707 generously shared their study methods.

Of course, there are also heart-wrenching stories. One male student remained silent for a long time after checking his score because he lost his father during the summer vacation of his sophomore year. Gaokao is just one intersection in life; regardless of the results, one must continue moving forward tomorrow.

⚽ Facing "A Draw Means Qualification," South Korea Loses Again; Neymar Tears Up Upon Return After 981 Days

In World Cup-related matches, South Korea lost again despite the huge advantage of "a draw means qualification," leaving fans sighing in regret. This tradition of choking at critical moments seems to have become an inescapable curse for Korean football.

On the other side, Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0. Neymar came off the bench, making his first appearance for the national team in 981 days. After the match, Neymar shed tears of emotion. The 34-year-old veteran has experienced too much—injuries, controversies, doubts—but he never gave up. After 981 days of waiting, he finally earned this day of returning to the national team.

🔬 China Successfully Develops Metasurface Chips; Zhejiang University Had AI Major in 1978

Good news from the tech circle: China has successfully developed metasurface chips. A metasurface is an artificially designed two-dimensional material capable of precise control of electromagnetic waves, with broad application prospects in communications, imaging, sensing, and other fields. This breakthrough means China has taken another step forward in cutting-edge photonic technology and chip fields.

Additionally, Zhejiang University revealed a piece of trivia: as early as 1978, Zhejiang University had already offered AI-related majors. In an era when computers were still rare luxuries, Zhejiang University had already begun cultivating early talent in the field of artificial intelligence, earning it the title of a pioneer in China's AI education.

🏥 WPS Membership Traps Exposed, Office Workers Beware

Recent media exposure has revealed various "traps" in WPS membership subscriptions, including difficulties in canceling auto-renewal, shrinking membership benefits, and hidden charges. Many users reported that after activating membership, they found many features still required additional payment, feeling "harvested like leeks."

This incident reminds us that while subscription services are convenient, we need to keep our eyes open. Be sure to read the terms carefully before activating, and regularly check auto-renewal items to prevent "membership" from turning into a "fee assassin."

🌿 Lichens Appear After Rain in Hangzhou, Cheapest at 349 Yuan/Jin; Century-Old Tree Blooms in Shanghai

Nature always brings surprises. After the rain in Hangzhou, a large number of lichens appeared. These organisms, which require high air quality, have become "natural detectors" of urban air quality. Currently, premium lichens are selling for as high as 349 yuan per jin (500g), sparking a rush among citizens to buy them.

Meanwhile, a century-old tree in Shanghai bloomed unusually, attracting a large number of citizens to come and view it. The ancient tree blooming in spring, with flowers filling its branches, adds a touch of poetry to this international metropolis.

💬 Quote of the Day

"Life is like the Gaokao; the tension at the moment of checking the scores is always more memorable than the scores themselves."

Data Source: Baidu Real-Time Trending List, official media reports from various sources. The above content is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice.