Apple is defying the odds with solid smartphone sales in China, thanks in part to government subsidies that are giving its latest iPhones a boost. While the broader market struggles, Apple seems to be holding its ground—for now.

Editor’s Note: China’s smartphone market has been sluggish, but Apple’s performance here is a bright spot, showing how policy moves (like subsidies) can tilt the playing field. It also hints at Apple’s resilience in a key market where competition is fierce and geopolitical tensions loom. For investors and tech watchers, this is a sign that Apple still has leverage—even when the economy wobbles.

Malaysia's Nationgate just made a splashy debut on the Southeast Asia 500 list, thanks to a jaw-dropping 720% revenue surge that pushed its annual earnings to $1.6 billion. A big part of that explosive growth? Riding the AI wave fueled by Nvidia’s dominance in chips. The company landed at No. 243 on the prestigious list, proving how the global AI boom is creating unexpected winners in regional supply chains.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate success story—it’s a sign of how the AI gold rush is reshaping economies beyond the usual tech hubs. Nationgate’s rise shows how smaller players in places like Malaysia can cash in when they’re plugged into the right global trends. For investors and policymakers, it’s a reminder that the AI boom’s ripple effects are far wider than Silicon Valley.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, is facing a double whammy of challenges: fierce competition in AI from rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft, plus ongoing antitrust scrutiny from regulators. While the company still has strong assets—like its search dominance and cloud business—investors are wary of how these pressures could dent future growth. The article digs into whether Alphabet's stock can stay resilient or if these hurdles will drag it down.

Editor’s Note: Alphabet isn’t just another tech giant—it’s a bellwether for the whole sector. If regulatory crackdowns and AI rivals start eating into its profits, it could signal bigger shifts in the industry. For everyday users, this might mean fewer free services or more aggressive monetization down the line. Investors, meanwhile, are watching to see if Google’s innovation can outpace its headaches.