Apple’s weakening dominance in profits is partially due to the popularity of its cheaper models, as well as the stronger performance of rivals. “This is the first time the cumulative profits of Chinese brands crossed US$1.5 billion in a single quarter,” said Counterpoint associate director Tarun Patha. “Usually all the profits have been shared by just two brands – Samsung and Apple – however, Chinese brands have made inroads here.” Source South China Morning Post
Israel is the first country to have used the U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter in combat, the Israeli air force chief said on Tuesday in remarks carried by the military’s official Twitter account. Source: Reuters
PetroChina supplied 14 percent more natural gas to its customers last month, parent CNPC said, in response to growing demand. Over the first four months of the year, PetroChina increased gas production at key domestic fields by 2 percent on the year to 30.5 billion cubic meters, but imports grew much more substantially, by 29 percent. Source: Oil Price
The U.S. and China have agreed on the broad outline of a deal that would save imperiled Chinese telecom giant ZTE Corp., according to people with knowledge of the matter in both countries, as the two sides move closer to resolving their trade dispute. Source: The Wall Street Journal
