Japan’s economy saw slight growth in Q4 2025, well under expectations, creating a cautious early economic test for PM Takaichi as consumption, investment and exports remain weak.
Japan’s economy avoided a technical recession, but fourth‑quarter growth was weaker than expected, reflecting ongoing challenges in consumer spending and global demand.
Western Digital says its 2026 hard drive production capacity is fully sold out, with AI and cloud demand driving firm orders and creating tight availability for the year.
California is increasingly importing gasoline via an indirect route through the Bahamas as local refinery capacity shrinks, with more than 40% of recent fuel imports on that circuitous path.
Bank of Singapore has named Bernard Heng as Head of Customised Solutions starting March 2, 2026, where he will develop and oversee bespoke investment offerings for high-net-worth clients following a career with UBS, Credit Suisse and Apollo.
Top AI companies are negotiating to deploy models into classified Pentagon systems, signaling a deepening alignment between commercial AI and U.S. national security.
Meta is considering facial recognition for smart glasses, a feature that could identify people instantly, raising deep concerns about privacy, consent, and the future of anonymity.
Practical and reflective guidance on investing $20,000 in 2026, from retirement accounts to diversification tools, balancing growth and risk for long-term financial wellbeing.
OpenAI has hired Peter Steinberger, founder of OpenClaw, bringing his deep experience in developer tools and software design to the AI research and product horizon as the company expands its ecosystem integration.
Alibaba’s shares led a decline in technology stocks after a Pentagon document briefly placed the company on a list of concern. Though officials clarified the list was preliminary, investor sentiment softened on regulatory uncertainty.
Nvidia has signed a NT$12.2 billion land deal with Taipei for its first major Taiwan headquarters at Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, with work expected to begin by June 2026 and create over 10,000 jobs.
Tesla’s planned Apple CarPlay integration is delayed as engineers and Apple work to ensure navigation compatibility, and broader adoption of iOS 26 updates is needed before the feature can roll out.
Meta has launched its AI Glasses Impact Grants program, offering nearly $2M to U.S. organizations using AI smart glasses for accessibility, education, and community impact.
Baidu has integrated the AI agent OpenClaw directly into its flagship search app for 700 million users ahead of the Lunar New Year, enabling task automation like scheduling and drafting, and marking a shift from search to proactive AI assistance.
Recent market selling has created a feedback cycle where concerns about AI disruption and skepticism over heavy AI capital expenditures have driven broad selloffs across tech and adjacent sectors, wiping out significant market value as investors reassess valuations.
China has officially announced that it will implement visa-free travel for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada. This significant policy change aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral relationships, welcoming travelers from both nations.
Rising wages are helping support housing affordability, but lasting stability depends on home prices growing in step with income, not outpacing it.
Thailand’s economy beat growth forecasts, offering early encouragement to the new government as tourism and domestic demand strengthen momentum.
Tiong Woon and Lendlease REIT posted strong FY2026 results, reflecting resilience in Singapore’s infrastructure and property sectors amid a broader market uptrend.
Japan’s streaming market reaches $7.2 billion, with Netflix, Prime Video, and U-Next leading growth as on-demand viewing becomes central to entertainment
Asian stocks traded cautiously and the yen weakened after Japan’s modest GDP data, reinforcing expectations of a gradual policy path from the Bank of Japan.
Japan’s economy grew just 0.2% annualized in Q4, missing forecasts and reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will maintain a cautious monetary policy approach.
Former IMF official Zhu Min warns that declining trust in the U.S. dollar could threaten global stability, though analysts say any shift away from dollar dominance would be gradual.
Johor Bahru residents say rising “Singapore pricing” in downtown shops is pushing them away, as stronger cross-border demand reshapes costs and consumer patterns.