A culturally Chinese linkage region with ambiguous geopolitical scope
China’s Cyberspace Administration has approved Apple’s AI services for use in the country, following a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI into Apple’s operating systems. Apple’s China sales have risen, and Baidu is reportedly collaborating on Apple Intelligence features for Chinese users. The approval sets the stage for broader AI integration in China.
Tui has seen a sharp drop in pre-tax profits in its third quarter as fuel costs rise amid the Middle East conflict. The group reports weaker bookings and higher costs, but notes some signs of recovery in demand and continued price pressure.
IHG reports half-year results showing a 10% rise in operating profits to $665 million and a global RevPAR growth of 4.1%, driven by the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The Middle East conflict weighs on performance, with RevPAR in the region falling about 19% in Q2, while UK and other markets show resilience.