Nvidia Develops New Location-Verification Technology for AI Chips 
IBM Nears $11 Billion Deal to Acquire Confluent in Major AI and Data Push 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
US Charges Two Men in Alleged Nvidia Chip Smuggling Scheme to China 
China Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government Procurement List as U.S. Considers Easing Nvidia Export Curbs 
ANZ Faces Legal Battle as Former CEO Shayne Elliott Sues Over A$13.5 Million Bonus Dispute 
EU Court Cuts Intel Antitrust Fine to €237 Million Amid Long-Running AMD Dispute 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
SpaceX Edges Toward Landmark IPO as Elon Musk Confirms Plans 
Gulf Sovereign Funds Unite in Paramount–Skydance Bid for Warner Bros Discovery 
Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
SpaceX Insider Share Sale Values Company Near $800 Billion Amid IPO Speculation 
Adobe Strengthens AI Strategy Ahead of Q4 Earnings, Says Stifel 
Microsoft Unveils Massive Global AI Investments, Prioritizing India’s Rapidly Growing Digital Market 
SK Hynix Considers U.S. ADR Listing to Boost Shareholder Value Amid Rising AI Chip Demand 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
Australia Enforces World-First Social Media Age Limit as Global Regulation Looms 
Alibaba Group’s Hong Kong shares (HK:9988) soared 11% on Friday, reaching HK$133.90—its highest level since early 2022—after reporting strong December quarter earnings. The e-commerce giant’s impressive performance drove a broader rally in Chinese tech stocks, pushing the Hang Seng Index up over 2%.
Alibaba exceeded revenue expectations and announced plans to ramp up investments in e-commerce and artificial intelligence. Alibaba Cloud, a key driver of the firm’s AI strategy, saw increased demand. The company also confirmed a partnership with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) to enhance AI features in iPhones sold in China.
Additionally, a Wall Street Journal report revealed that GameStop (NYSE:GME) CEO Ryan Cohen had amassed a $1 billion stake in Alibaba in recent months, further fueling investor optimism.
Alibaba’s surge lifted shares of Chinese tech giants, with Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) (HK:9888) rising 2%, Tencent (HK:0700) gaining 3.4%, and JD.com climbing 2.6%. Investors are increasingly betting on China’s AI potential, particularly after the release of DeepSeek AI.
Alibaba, a leader in China’s AI race, launched a new AI model in January and integrated DeepSeek support into its cloud platform. With strong AI momentum and positive market sentiment, Alibaba continues to strengthen its position in the tech sector.
