China South Asia Policy

Business

Zegna Charts Steady Course Amid Leadership Shift and China Volatility, Fueled by DTC Momentum

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group reported a resilient 2025, with full-year revenues reaching €1.92 billion. A strong fourth-quarter acceleration, driven by a 10% surge in direct-to-consumer sales, underscores the luxury group's strategic pivot away from wholesale. While the Americas and EMEA regions showed robust growth, Greater China remains a volatile market as the company navigates a planned leadership transition and industry headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

World

China Executes Four Leaders of Myanmar-Based Crime Syndicate Over Vast Scam Empire

Chinese courts have executed four senior members of a Myanmar-based criminal organization for murder, trafficking, and running a multi-billion dollar scam operation that exploited thousands, including Chinese citizens. The move is part of a broader crackdown on cross-border cyber fraud hubs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

KKR-Led Consortium Nears $10 Billion Takeover of Singapore's STT GDC in Major Asia Data Infrastructure Play

A KKR-led group is finalizing a deal to acquire Singapore-based data centre operator STT GDC, a move that underscores the intense global competition for digital infrastructure assets as AI-driven demand surges across Asia.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Union Pacific Revives $85 Billion Norfolk Southern Bid, Aims to Forge First Transcontinental Railroad

Union Pacific is preparing a revised application for its proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern after regulators rejected the initial filing over competition and information concerns. The deal, which would create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the U.S., faces intense scrutiny over its potential impact on shipping costs, labor, and market competition.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

U.S. Launches $12 Billion 'Project Vault' to Counter China's Rare Earth Dominance

The White House has confirmed the launch of a major strategic initiative to stockpile rare earth elements, aiming to reduce American dependence on China for the critical minerals used in defense tech and consumer electronics.

Feb 2, 2026

World

A Shift in Momentum: IMF Forecasts Africa to Outpace Asia in Economic Growth This Year

The International Monetary Fund projects average growth in sub-Saharan Africa at 4.6% for the year, edging ahead of Asia's 4.1%, signaling a potential turning point driven by demographics but tempered by significant investment challenges.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crystal International Bets Big on Automation with New China Logistics Hub

Hong Kong apparel giant Crystal International is investing in a high-tech logistics center in China, aiming to slash fabric transfer times by 75% and power operations with solar energy as part of its broader smart manufacturing push.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Moscow Claims Capture of Prydorozhnie in Zaporizhzhia, Advancing Southern Front

Russian forces have reportedly seized the settlement of Prydorozhnie in southeastern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to a defense ministry statement. The claim, yet to be independently verified, marks the latest in a series of incremental territorial gains.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Weekend Rundown: Boy, 5, Released from Immigration Custody as Broader Policy Battle Rages On

A five-year-old boy, whose detention made him a symbol of U.S. immigration enforcement, has been released with his father. Their case highlights the ongoing political stalemate over border policy and government funding, with a partial shutdown looming.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bargain Hunt in Asia: Three Undervalued Stocks Poised for Growth in February 2026

Amidst a complex global economic backdrop, Asia's equity markets are hiding gems trading significantly below their estimated intrinsic value. We spotlight three companies—from gaming to aviation and medtech—that our cash flow analysis suggests are deeply discounted, offering potential for investors with an eye on long-term fundamentals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Insider Bets on Asia's Growth Engines: Techwing, Graphy, and Nanjing Leads Biolabs in Focus

Amidst a cautiously optimistic Asian market, companies where executives and directors hold significant stakes are drawing investor attention. We examine three high-conviction plays in semiconductors, 3D printing, and biotech where insider ownership aligns with explosive growth forecasts.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Headlines: Three Asian Equities Poised for Growth in February 2026

Amidst global market volatility, a focused look at Asia reveals companies with resilient fundamentals trading at compelling valuations. We analyze three such names from the education, healthcare, and chemical sectors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Markets on Edge: Bitcoin Retreats, Metals in Turmoil as Asia Trading Week Begins

Asian markets opened cautiously Monday as a historic metals sell-off reverberated across asset classes. Bitcoin slipped toward $75,000, while regional equities mostly fell. Investors brace for a critical week packed with corporate earnings, central bank decisions, and key economic data.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

China's Pork Palate Shifts: Nostalgia and Premium Demand Drive Black Hog Revival

As China's pork industry grapples with overcapacity and falling prices, a growing appetite for premium, flavorful black pork among the middle class is offering a lifeline to farmers and reshaping market strategies.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

China's Manufacturing Momentum Stalls in January, Slipping Back into Contraction

China's factory activity unexpectedly contracted in January, official data shows, reversing a brief December expansion and underscoring persistent domestic demand challenges despite robust exports.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

South Plains Financial Boosts Dividend Payout, Signaling Confidence Amid Growth Trajectory

South Plains Financial (NASDAQ: SPFI) announces an increased quarterly dividend to $0.17 per share, reflecting strong earnings growth and a conservative payout strategy. While the yield remains modest, analysts highlight the company's potential for sustained dividend expansion.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for Chair, Signaling Potential Policy Shift and Bitcoin Boost

President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor with a history of advocating for lower interest rates and expressing favorable views on Bitcoin, to lead the Federal Reserve, a move that could reshape monetary policy and digital asset markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

China Reportedly Grants DeepSeek Approval to Procure Nvidia's H200 AI Chips

In a significant policy shift, Chinese authorities have reportedly cleared the AI startup DeepSeek to purchase Nvidia's advanced H200 processors, potentially easing a major hardware bottleneck for its competitive large language model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

BHP Navigates Diverging Paths: Automation Boosts Copper While China Iron Ore Ban Bites

BHP Group achieves a key milestone with full autonomy at its Escondida Norte copper pit, boosting safety and efficiency for its strategic copper expansion. Meanwhile, the miner contends with the commercial impact of China's ongoing ban on iron ore from its Jimblebar operation, forcing a reshuffle of global sales channels.

Jan 30, 2026

World

South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat in Sharp Escalation of Bilateral Tensions

South Africa declares Israel's top diplomat persona non grata, citing 'gross abuse' of diplomatic privileges and social media attacks on its president. Israel responds in kind, expelling a South African envoy, as months of friction over the Gaza war reach a diplomatic boiling point.

Jan 30, 2026