Category: Business

Business

BNP Paribas and KB Kookmin Eye $2 Billion Techcombank Stake—But One Big Hurdle Could Decide the Winner

Vietnam’s booming banking sector may be on the verge of landing one of its biggest foreign investment deals yet—but the price tag could prove to be the ultimate deal-breaker. France’s BNP Paribas and South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank are reportedly in separate talks to acquire at least a 15% strategic stake in Vietnam’s Techcombank, in a potential transaction valued at around $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the discussions. If completed, the deal would give the winning bidder a majo

August 26, 2026

Business

Japan’s Oil Lifeline Is Under Pressure—Tokyo’s Next Move Could Reshape Asia’s Energy Security

Japan is preparing to strengthen its energy defenses after months of disruption exposed just how vulnerable one of the world's biggest economies remains to a crisis far beyond its shores. Tokyo is expected to unveil a sweeping energy-resilience plan aimed at reducing its dependence on crude oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic chokepoint that has become a major concern following the Iran war and disruptions to Middle Eastern energy flows. The proposed measures include

August 26, 2026

Business

Chinese Humanoid Robot Runs 100 Meters in 8.86 Seconds—But Its Dramatic Finish Reveals How Far Robots Still Have to Go

BEIJING — A Chinese humanoid robot has stunned the world after sprinting 100 meters in just 8.86 seconds at the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing—faster than the 9.58-second human world record famously held by Usain Bolt. But there was a dramatic catch. The robot, Tiangong Ultra, reportedly struggled to stop after crossing the finish line and crashed into the barrier, highlighting a crucial reality behind the jaw-dropping performance: today's humanoid robots may be getting incredibly

August 26, 2026

Business

Disney Adventure Finally Adds Langkawi Stop—And It Could Change the Way Asia Cruises

SINGAPORE — For months, the Disney Adventure offered something different from the traditional cruise holiday: guests boarded in Singapore, spent their entire voyage enjoying Disney magic at sea, and returned without ever stepping foot in another destination. Now, that is changing. Disney Cruise Line has announced that select four-night Disney Adventure sailings will begin calling at Langkawi, Malaysia, giving passengers the chance to combine the ship's blockbuster entertainment with an actual

August 26, 2026

Business

SoftBank Eyes Up to $20 Billion Bond Sale for OpenAI Financing as AI Spending Race Intensifies

TOKYO — SoftBank Group is reportedly considering a massive bond sale worth as much as $20 billion to help refinance borrowing tied to its investment in OpenAI, a move that could further raise the stakes in the global race to dominate artificial intelligence. According to a Bloomberg News report cited by Reuters and Channel News Asia, the Japanese technology investment giant is in discussions with investment banks about a potential $10 billion to $20 billion bond offering. However, the proposal

August 26, 2026

Business

Philippines Wins Back-to-Back Credit Rating Affirmations—But Can Filipinos Feel the Economic Benefits?

The Philippines has received a fresh vote of confidence from two international credit rating agencies—but the bigger question for millions of Filipinos is whether that confidence will eventually translate into more jobs, lower borrowing costs, and better public services. In a back-to-back boost for the country, Japan-based Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) affirmed the Philippines' A- investment-grade credit rating with a stable outlook, followed days later by Moody's Ratings, which

August 26, 2026

Business

From Vacuum Cleaners to the World’s Fastest Car—Then Everything Changed: What Happened to Dreame’s EV Dream?

BEIJING — Just months after making headlines with bold promises to build one of the world's fastest electric cars, Chinese smart appliance maker Dreame Technology is reportedly winding down its ambitious automotive venture—raising fresh questions about the risks of jumping into China's fiercely competitive electric vehicle industry. According to recent reporting by Reuters and Chinese state media, Dreame's carmaking project, which had once assembled a workforce of nearly 1,000 people, has been

August 26, 2026

Business

DEATH TOLL RISES TO 31: Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Habagat Leave 7.7 Million Filipinos Affected — And the Damage Keeps Mounting

The death toll from the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng, together with the prolonged Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, has climbed to 31, according to the latest figures from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) released Wednesday, August 26. The OCD reported 19 injuries and three people still missing as of 6 a.m., as heavy rains, flooding and landslides continued to affect several parts of the country. Benguet records highest number of deaths Benguet recorded the high

August 26, 2026

Business

DICT Pulls the Plug on GoreBox Nationwide—The Troubling Questions Behind the Ban

MANILA, Philippines — Access to the controversial online game GoreBox has been blocked in the Philippines, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) saying the platform failed to adequately respond to government concerns over potential harmful effects. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the government had reached out to the game’s developer, provided notice and evidence concerning its concerns, and asked what safeguards would be put in place to prevent harmful effects

August 26, 2026

Business

Boracay Just Passed a Major International Test—Could the World’s Best Swimmers Be Next?

BORACAY, Philippines — Boracay's successful hosting of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships could be more than just another sporting milestone for the world-famous island. Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) is now looking toward the possibility of bringing bigger international open-water swimming competitions to the country after the three-day championship in Boracay received positive feedback from participants and international officials. But while the ambition is growing, Phi

August 26, 2026