Infineon Raises 2026 Outlook as AI Data Center Chip Demand Surges 
Agentic AI Boom to Drive Massive Growth in CPU Market, UBS Says 
Lula and Trump Talks Signal New Phase in Brazil-US Relations 
Hua Hong Semiconductor Stock Surges to Multi-Year High Amid AI Boom 
Japan’s Yen Intervention and BOJ Rate Hike Bets Support Currency Recovery 
Aker BP Q1 Profit Jumps on Higher Oil Prices and Asset Reversal 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as AI Stocks Rally and Strong Jobs Data Boost Confidence 
AMD Q1 Earnings Surge on AI Demand, Stock Jumps After Strong Guidance 
Trump Invites Top CEOs Including Nvidia, Apple, Boeing to China Summit With Xi Jinping 
Apple Q2 2026 Earnings Surge as iPhone 17 Sales Drive Record Revenue 
Saudi Aramco Q1 Profit Jumps 25% as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Reshapes Oil Exports 
Arm Stock Drops Despite Strong AI Chip Demand and Earnings Beat 
US Trade Court Blocks Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs 
OCBC Q1 Profit Rises 5% on Strong Wealth Management and Non-Interest Income 
Morgan Stanley Bets on Optical Component Stocks in Greater China Tech Sector 
China's Baidu has obtained Hong Kong's first autonomous vehicle testing license, allowing its Apollo robotaxi to operate on designated roads, signaling its ambitions to expand robotaxi services globally.
Baidu Expands Apollo Robotaxi Testing to Hong Kong
Baidu is expanding its reach beyond China's mainland, has secured a permit to conduct autonomous vehicle testing in Hong Kong via its Apollo robotaxi service, Reuters reports.
The Transport Department of Hong Kong said on Friday that Baidu Apollo International Ltd has been given the green light to test out ten autonomous vehicles in North Lantau.
In the first stage, the statement states that only one self-driving car may operate on certain road sections at a time, and that the license will be valid from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2029.
It further stated that in the event that the primary operator is unable to continue operating the vehicle, a backup operator will be present during the experiment.
Hong Kong Pushes Autonomous Vehicle Trials
Although the government of Hong Kong has been pushing for autonomous vehicles since at least 2017, it wasn't until March of this year that they authorized more extensive experiments, including on public roads, according to new regulatory regulations.
The Hong Kong government has issued its first pilot license following the implementation of the new regulatory framework.
Baidu Secures First International Testing Permit
Additionally, this was the first authorization for Baidu to test autonomous vehicles outside of mainland China that is known to exist, Yahoo Finance points out
Among the many Chinese locations where the company's robotaxi service Apollo Go is available, Wuhan in central China boasts the biggest fleet of almost 400 cars.
Plans for Global Expansion as Competition Heats Up
In response to the intensifying rivalry to commercialize autonomous vehicles, Baidu is reportedly planning to expand the reach of its robotaxi service beyond mainland China, targeting markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East, as reported last month by the Wall Street Journal.
