Qualcomm broadens Vietnam R&D into chip design amid talent race
Economy

Qualcomm broadens Vietnam R&D into chip design amid talent race

US semiconductor company ramps up hiring as demand for engineers outpaces supply Qualcomm Chief Technology Officer Baaziz Achour speaks at the opening of the company’s R&D center in Hanoi on May 12. The chipmaker is expanding its Vietnam operations beyond AI into chip design. (Photo by Mai Nguyen) HANOI -- Qualcomm is expanding its research and development efforts in Vietnam beyond artificial intelligence into chip design, as the U.S. semiconductor company races to build a broader engineering hub amid intensifying competition over global talent.

May 13, 2026
Nepal protests India’s plan to reopen Himalayan pass to Tibet
Economy

Nepal protests India’s plan to reopen Himalayan pass to Tibet

Beijing seen to 'go along with India's position' on disputed Kalapani region People walk on Mount Kailash in Tibet, China, May 2017. (Photo by Christoph Mohr/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images) KATHMANDU -- Nepal has protested against India's decision to reopen a Himalayan pass leading to a revered Hindu pilgrimage site in Tibet, reviving a territorial dispute between the two neighbors.

May 13, 2026
Nidec confirms ‘suspected improper conduct’ over quality irregularities
Economy

Nidec confirms ‘suspected improper conduct’ over quality irregularities

Company establishes third-party investigation committee as its stock price falls to daily limit Nidec's stock price fell by the daily limit on Wednesday after it confirmed "suspected improper conduct" related to quality tampering. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura) TOKYO -- Japan's Nidec announced on Wednesday that the company has identified "suspected improper conduct" related to quality tampering, saying it has established an investigation committee composed of external experts.

May 13, 2026
Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play
Economy

Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play

Tashkent-London listing paves way for assets, like Uzbekistan Airways, to launch Uzbekistan Airways is one of the assets held by UzNIF, which is due to list in Tashkent and London on May 18. © AP ISTANBUL -- Uzbekistan's plan to privatize state assets took a large step forward Wednesday after the initial public offering of its investment fund was four times oversubscribed.

May 13, 2026
Nikkei launches new stock index tracking Japan’s entertainment industry
Economy

Nikkei launches new stock index tracking Japan’s entertainment industry

Sony Group, Nintendo among initial constituents of 20-member gauge New index reflects growing clout of Japan's content-driven companies. TOKYO -- Nikkei announced on Wednesday that it will begin calculating and publishing a new stock index, the Nikkei Japan Entertainment Content Stock Index, aiming to capture the share price trends of Japanese companies behind globally popular games, anime and characters. The index will consist of 20 Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed companies in entertainment content-related sectors such as game software and toys, selected primarily based on market capitalization. At the launch, constituents will include Sony Group, Nintendo, Bandai Namco Holdings and Toho. Japan's content industry has drawn growing attention as an investment theme. Last year, there was a period when the combined market capitalization of nine major entertainment companies, including Sony Group, exceeded that of nine leading automakers. With the Japanese government positioning the content industry as one of its strategic growth areas, many investors are betting on the further expansion of the sector.

May 13, 2026
Olympus CEO marks turbulent first year with 20% share price jump
Economy

Olympus CEO marks turbulent first year with 20% share price jump

Markets hopes for resolution of product safety issues with FDA Olympus CEO Bob White has had a tumultuous first year at the helm of the Japanese company. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kotaro Igarashi) TOKYO -- Olympus CEO Bob White has largely erased a nearly 30% slide in the company's share price after a roller-coaster first year at the helm of the world's largest gastrointestinal endoscope maker.

May 13, 2026
China, US trade chiefs huddle for last-minute talks before Trump visit
Economy

China, US trade chiefs huddle for last-minute talks before Trump visit

Seoul discussions aim for stabilization despite 'wider and wider' gaps in interests U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, center, arrives at Incheon International Airport ahead of a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, hours ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival in China. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Trade representatives from China and the U.S. huddled in South Korea on Wednesday in last-minute preparations for a high-stakes summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

May 13, 2026
SoftBank’s annual profit quadruples as it doubles down on OpenAI bet
Economy

SoftBank’s annual profit quadruples as it doubles down on OpenAI bet

AI holdings drive Vision Fund gains as billions more committed to ChatGPT maker SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, left, has made one of the group's biggest bets with a huge investment in counterpart Sam Altman's OpenAI. © Reuters TOKYO -- SoftBank Group on Wednesday reported a record full-year net profit of 5 trillion yen ($31.6 billion), quadrupling from a year earlier, as the Japanese technology investor increased its bet on ChatGPT developer OpenAI.

May 13, 2026
MSCI’s index rebalance drops Indonesian stocks and rupiah hits record low
Economy

MSCI’s index rebalance drops Indonesian stocks and rupiah hits record low

Six companies removed from global standard index including materials and energy majors The potential outflow from active and passive investors due to the stock exclusion is estimated at around US$1.7 billion. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) JAKARTA -- Indonesian equities plummeted on Wednesday after an index provider removed six local companies from the domestic global standard index following a quarterly review and the weakening of the rupiah.The Jakarta Composite Index closed 1.98% lower at 6,723.32, while the rupiah weakened to an all-time low of 17,535 on the dollar. A total of 428 stocks weakened, weighing on the index. MSCI has retained its status for Indonesia in the emerging market category. The index provider also removed 6 stocks from the MSCI Global Standard Index and 13 Indonesian stocks from the MSCI Global Small Cap Index. Major companies such as Amman Mineral Internasional, Barito Renewables Energy, Chandra Asri Pacific and Sumber Alfaria Trijaya were downgraded to small cap index.This review leaves 11 Indonesian stocks in the MSCI Global Standard Index and 43 stocks in the MSCI Global Small Cap Index.

May 13, 2026
Nissan expects first net profit for three years in FY26
Economy

Nissan expects first net profit for three years in FY26

Struggling carmaker beginning to see results from business restructuring plan Nissan Motor is beginning to see results from Re:Nissan, the restructuring plan Ivan Espinosa, the president and CEO appointed last year, is implementing. (Photo by Marina Inoue) TOKYO -- Nissan Motor forecasted on Wednesday a net profit of 20 billion yen ($127 million) for the fiscal year ending in March 2027, which would mark its return to the black for the first time in three years as the automaker works to turn around its business.

May 13, 2026
Founder of Indonesia’s Gojek faces 18 years for alleged Chromebook graft
Economy

Founder of Indonesia’s Gojek faces 18 years for alleged Chromebook graft

Prosecutors demand ex-education minister pay back $275m or serve extra 9 years Nadiem Makarim, a former Indonesian education minister and co-founder of the country's ride-hailing giant Gojek, faces 18 years in prison for alleged graft in the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops for remote schools. © Reuters JAKARTA -- Indonesian prosecutors on Wednesday demanded 18 years in prison for Nadiem Makarim, a former education minister and founder of ride-hailing company Gojek, for his alleged role in a corruption case connected to the 9.3 trillion rupiah ($531 million) procurement of Google Chromebook laptops.

May 13, 2026
Indian jewelers brace for 10% sales dip as gold tariffs nearly triple
Economy

Indian jewelers brace for 10% sales dip as gold tariffs nearly triple

Tax bump follows Modi's urging to avoid gold, cut fuel use, promote EVs and work from home A saleswoman shows off gold necklaces inside a jewelry store in Kolkata on Jan. 28. Dealers are reeling now that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Indians to curtail purchases of the precious metal. MUMBAI -- Indian jewelers are bracing for a significant decline in domestic sales now that the government has more than doubled import duties on precious metals like gold, silver and platinum in a bid to ease pressure on the country's external account and consequently on the rupee.

May 13, 2026