Asia

Abu Dhabi-based 2PointZero has secured a $2.25 billion acquisition of U.S. gas pipeline developer Traverse Midstream Partners, enhancing its exposure to U.S. energy infrastructure. The deal, pending regulatory approval, grants 2PointZero full...

Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service experienced a significant system failure in Wuhan, China, on 1 April 2026, causing more than 100 autonomous vehicles to stall on busy roads. The malfunction, suspected to be a software or system-wide issue, left...

US President Donald Trump’s threat to send troops to seize Iran’s Kharg Island is raising significant economic concerns, given the facility’s central role in global oil supply. The development is being closely watched by markets as a potential...

South Korea’s AI chip startup Rebellions has secured $400m in pre-IPO funding, highlighting strong investor demand for semiconductor assets tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. The raise positions the company within a growing pipeline of...

India’s petroleum ministry is moving to accelerate the expansion of natural gas infrastructure, signalling a strategic push towards a more integrated, pipeline-based energy network. The initiative reflects growing urgency to strengthen energy...

Alibaba has unveiled a new artificial intelligence chip aimed at advancing its capabilities in agent-based systems, marking a significant step in the company’s broader push into AI infrastructure. The move reflects intensifying competition among...

Tencent has integrated the OpenClaw artificial intelligence agent into its WeChat platform, marking a significant step in the evolution of consumer-facing AI systems within China’s technology ecosystem. The move reflects a broader shift towards...

Iran’s consideration of allowing oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz only if transactions are settled in Chinese yuan has raised significant economic questions for global trade and financial markets. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the...

Torrent Power has raised ₹20bn through a private placement of secured non-convertible debentures, underscoring the growing role of corporate debt markets in financing infrastructure and energy projects in India. The fundraising highlights how large...

China’s economy showed stronger momentum at the start of the year as industrial production and retail sales exceeded expectations, offering a modest boost to growth prospects. The latest economic data suggests that manufacturing and export activity...

Volkswagen has begun mass production of its first electric vehicle developed with Chinese technology company Xpeng, signalling a deeper shift towards software-driven vehicle development in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The model marks...

United States benchmark crude oil prices have climbed above 85 dollars per barrel as escalating tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supply and shipping routes. West Texas Intermediate, the main US...

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to redirect crude oil exports through alternative infrastructure as rising geopolitical tensions threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy trade and economic stability....

Xiaomi plans to release a new in house smartphone processor every year, signalling a deeper push into semiconductor development as competition intensifies across the global mobile technology sector. The strategy reflects the growing importance of...

Escalating military action between the United States and Iran is sending tremors through the global economy, raising concerns over energy security, inflation and trade stability. Markets are reacting to the growing risk that further confrontation...

Gold prices advanced as escalating conflict in the Middle East drove investors towards traditional safe haven assets, reinforcing bullion’s role as a defensive allocation during periods of geopolitical stress. Spot prices rose sharply following...

Amazon Web Services has reported power and connectivity disruptions at data centres in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates following regional military strikes involving Iran, exposing the physical vulnerability of hyperscale infrastructure in...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concluded his visit to China by acknowledging both the scale of bilateral trade and the structural economic challenges that continue to strain relations. While reaffirming the importance of cooperation, he...

Hyundai Motor Group will invest $6.3bn in South Korea to develop artificial intelligence data infrastructure and a large scale robotics manufacturing complex, marking a significant expansion of industrial and digital capacity. The project reflects a...

Saudi Arabia has announced a $100bn fund dedicated to building large scale artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking one of the most ambitious sovereign commitments to digital capacity globally. The initiative is designed to position the...