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SEOUL, Sept 18 (Reuters) – In a significant cybersecurity incident, South Korean credit card firm Lotte Card, majority-owned by private equity fund MBK Partners, revealed on Thursday that a hacking attack had compromised the personal data of approximately 2.97 million customers. CEO Cho Jwa-jin disclosed during a press conference that among the affected individuals, around 280,000 had sensitive information exposed, raising concerns about potential card fraud.

China’s SAIC Motor, one of the nation’s largest state-owned automotive companies, is set to significantly reduce its 49% stake in its Indian joint venture with JSW Group, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision comes as the venture, JSW MG Motor, continues to face financial losses and regulatory challenges exacerbated by political tensions between China and India. SAIC will cease further investment in the venture but will continue to supply technology and products. The move underscores the broader impact of geopolitical friction on business operations, particularly after India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments in 2020 following a border standoff. Despite recent diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, progress in business relations remains stagnant. JSW Group has proposed acquiring most of SAIC’s stake to become the majority shareholder, but disagreements over valuation have stalled negotiations. Additionally, JSW’s pursuit of a partnership with Chinese automaker Chery to develop its own-brand vehicles has further strained relations with SAIC. The venture, valued at $1.2 billion, has struggled to meet expectations despite its growth in India’s electric vehicle market, where it ranks second behind Tata Motors. The Indian government is currently reviewing a $240 million investment proposal from JSW MG Motor for EV manufacturing, with concerns over the repatriation of profits to China adding complexity. As competition in India’s auto market intensifies, particularly with Tesla’s recent entry, the future of SAIC’s presence in the region remains uncertain.

In a bid to address a significant oversupply and tepid consumer demand in its pork industry, China has called on its leading hog producers to reduce output. The directive was issued during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, as reported by the state-run Shanghai Securities News. Key players such as Muyuan Foods and Wens Foodstuff were urged to decrease the number of breeding sows, lower slaughter volumes, and maintain hog weights at approximately 120 kg. The meeting, organized by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ animal husbandry bureau, underscores Beijing’s intensified efforts to curb overcapacity and stabilize market prices. Authorities also announced plans to tighten credit for expanding hog production capacity and reduce subsidies that have previously fueled growth in pig output. This move comes as hog prices have plummeted to around 13 yuan ($1.83) per kg, a sharp decline from 18.8 yuan a year ago, according to consultancy MySteel. The price drop has severely impacted industry margins, with shares of Muyuan and Wens falling by 2% and 3%, respectively, as of 0607 GMT.

A consortium led by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has withdrawn its $18.7 billion offer to acquire Australian gas producer Santos Ltd (STO.AX), marking the third failed bid for Santos in seven years. The decision, announced on September 18, 2025, follows months of negotiations that ultimately collapsed due to disagreements over valuation, risk-sharing, and regulatory approvals. The consortium, which included ADNOC’s overseas unit XRG, cited a combination of factors that impacted its assessment of the deal. Santos, in response, stated that the consortium refused to agree to a fair distribution of risks, including securing regulatory approvals and committing to domestic gas development. The proposed offer of $5.76 per share, equivalent to A$8.89 at the time, was significantly higher than Santos’ last traded price of A$6.74. This withdrawal highlights the challenges of completing large-scale transactions in Australia, where valuation disputes, shareholder approval thresholds, and regulatory risks have repeatedly derailed major deals. Other notable failed mergers and acquisitions in Australia include BHP Group’s $49 billion bid for Anglo American, Woodside Energy’s talks with Santos, and Brookfield’s $10.6 billion bid for Origin Energy, all of which collapsed due to similar issues.

Vietnam is set to introduce sweeping reforms that would require police approval for investment projects across key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and construction. The draft decree, proposed by the Ministry of Public Security, aims to bolster national security and reinforce the ‘absolute leadership’ of the ruling Communist Party. However, the move has sparked concerns among foreign investors, who fear increased compliance costs and project delays. The proposal, which is open for public comment until September 22, could significantly expand the powers of Vietnam’s security apparatus. If enacted, the decree would mandate security vetting for a wide range of critical infrastructure projects, including nuclear power plants, telecommunications, and oilfields, as well as seemingly less critical ventures like industrial parks and golf courses. Vietnam, a nation heavily reliant on foreign investment, currently conducts limited security checks on most development projects, with the police playing a largely advisory role. The proposed reforms would grant the Ministry of Public Security the authority to determine whether projects meet undefined security conditions, effectively giving it veto power. The draft document also outlines plans for the ministry to supervise and inspect foreign aid projects, assessing their impact on security and social order. While the government argues that the reforms are necessary to address a complex international landscape dominated by strategic competition, critics warn that the changes could deter investment and slow economic growth. Vietnam is home to major multinational corporations, including Samsung, Honda, and Intel, which have previously expressed concerns over bureaucratic delays. The proposed decree follows a similar 2019 regulation that prioritized defense considerations in economic projects but was more limited in scope. As the draft moves closer to becoming law, its potential implications for Vietnam’s investment climate remain a subject of intense debate.