Category: Business

Business

Central Group Names Wallaya Chirathivat President as Thai Retail Giant Enters Its “Next Chapter”

After more than four decades inside the Chirathivat business empire, Wallaya Chirathivat takes a new group-wide leadership role as Central Group reshapes its top management for the next phase of growth. Thailand’s retail powerhouse Central Group has appointed Wallaya Chirathivat as its new president, placing one of the country’s most experienced retail and property executives in a key group-wide leadership position. The appointment, announced on September 3, comes as Central Group reorganises

September 4, 2026

Business

SMC Fires Back at Bulacan Airport Flood Claims—But What Do the Project’s Own Studies Say?

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is pushing back against claims that its massive New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project in Bulacan worsened the province’s recent flooding, saying the allegations are not supported by hydrological data or technical analysis. The controversy intensified after weeks of heavy rains left large parts of Bulacan and other areas of Central Luzon dealing with serious flooding. At an Aug. 31 rally, the group Kilos Bulacan called for stronger governmen

September 4, 2026

Business

Hugh Jackman Eyes Norwich City Stake, Setting Up Potential Football Rivalry With Ryan Reynolds

LONDON — Hollywood star Hugh Jackman could be the latest celebrity to enter English football ownership after revealing that he is in talks to buy a stake in Championship club Norwich City. The Wolverine actor, 57, confirmed his interest during an interview with British broadcaster talkSPORT, saying he is actively discussing a possible investment in the club he has supported since childhood. The potential move could create an intriguing rivalry with his friend and Deadpool & Wolverine co-star R

September 4, 2026

Business

Nvidia’s $12.9 Billion Hugging Face Deal Signals a Major Power Shift in the Global AI Race

SAN FRANCISCO — Nvidia is making one of its biggest bets yet on the future of artificial intelligence, agreeing to acquire AI developer platform Hugging Face for $12.93 billion in a deal that could reshape the rapidly intensifying battle between open-source and proprietary AI. But Nvidia is making an unusually important promise to the millions of developers watching closely: Hugging Face will remain open. The acquisition gives the world's dominant AI chipmaker control of one of the internet's

September 4, 2026

Business

11th U.S. Death Linked to Banned Chinese Airbag Inflator Sparks Urgent Warning for Used-Car Owners

WASHINGTON — A deadly automotive safety crisis involving defective replacement airbag components has claimed another life in the United States, prompting an urgent warning from federal regulators to owners of used and previously repaired vehicles. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said an 11th person has died after a defective replacement airbag inflator ruptured during a crash, turning what authorities described as an otherwise survivable collision into a fatal in

September 4, 2026

Business

Ukraine’s Summer Drone Offensive Brings War Closer to Home for Russians, Disrupting Flights, Fuel and Daily Life

MOSCOW — For much of Russia’s population, the war in Ukraine once felt distant—a conflict largely confined to television screens and faraway battlefields. But that changed dramatically over the summer. A sustained wave of Ukrainian long-range drone attacks has disrupted airports, strained fuel supplies, hit oil infrastructure and damaged major commercial warehouses, bringing the consequences of the war closer to millions of Russians living far from the front line. According to reporting by th

September 4, 2026

Business

Singapore Airlines Passenger Slams ‘Bland, Stodgy’ Meal From Heathrow—But Other Flyers Say the Experience Can Vary

SINGAPORE — Singapore Airlines has long built its global reputation on premium service, comfortable cabins and an elevated in-flight experience. But for one passenger flying from London Heathrow to Singapore, a disappointing meal service was enough to significantly change their view of the journey. The passenger, who shared their experience on the Facebook page Flight & Travel Explorer, criticised the food served during a recent Singapore Airlines flight, questioning whether poor catering could

September 4, 2026

Business

One Prawn & Co Is Closing Its New Bahru Restaurant After Just Two Years — But Chef Gwyneth Ang’s Next Move May Be the Bigger Story

SINGAPORE — One Prawn & Co, the homegrown restaurant that transformed from a humble prawn-noodle business into an ambitious modern seafood grill, will close its New Bahru outlet on Oct 4, bringing one of chef-owner Gwyneth Ang’s boldest culinary experiments to an end after just over two years. The closure was announced by the restaurant in early September, with the team saying it had decided the time was right to end this chapter as the wider group continues to evolve. Importantly, the company

September 4, 2026

Business

FILIPINOS MAY GET ANOTHER FUEL PRICE SHOCK NEXT WEEK — DIESEL COULD JUMP BY UP TO ₱5/LITER

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino motorists could be facing another painful trip to the gas station next week, with diesel and gasoline prices seen posting substantial increases after global oil prices climbed amid renewed tensions in the Middle East. The latest industry estimates point to a possible ₱4 to ₱5-per-liter increase for diesel, while gasoline could also become significantly more expensive. However, these figures remain preliminary estimates and could still change depending on the final

September 4, 2026

Business

Thailand Offers Air Travellers Free 10KG Fruit Check-In for One Year — Here’s Who Qualifies

Thailand has launched an unusual new travel incentive that could be especially appealing to passengers heading home from the country’s fruit-producing provinces: eligible domestic air travellers can check in one box containing up to 10 kilograms of fresh fruit without paying an additional transportation charge. The year-long programme began on September 1, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until August 31, 2027. However, the offer is not available to every passenger flying from every airport

September 4, 2026