标签： Asia

Indian edtech giant upGrad is strategically broadening its university collaborations across the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, responding to a significant decline in Indian students opting for U.S. and UK institutions. This shift is driven by escalating visa restrictions, rising costs, and geopolitical tensions, according to Praneet Singh, Associate Vice President of upGrad’s Study Abroad division. Founded by film producer Ronnie Screwvala and supported by Singapore’s Temasek, upGrad currently partners with approximately 80 universities in 10 countries, offering online MBAs and executive education programs. The company generates revenue by enrolling students in online courses and facilitating their transition to overseas campuses to complete degrees. Singh highlighted that prestigious U.S. and UK universities have established campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore, prompting upGrad to follow suit. The company is actively exploring partnerships with institutions like Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Birmingham, and Middlesex, which have campuses in Dubai or Doha, as well as universities in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This strategic pivot comes as Indian student applications to U.S. universities have dropped significantly, with only 47% of students choosing the U.S. in fiscal 2025, down from 60% the previous year. Factors such as stricter visa policies, weaker job prospects, and the allure of more affordable educational destinations in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific are reshaping the global education landscape. upGrad’s expansion reflects a broader trend of Indian students seeking alternatives to traditional Western education hubs.

In a recent development, Japanese oil refiners are being urged to diversify their crude oil supply sources, as 95% of Japan’s imports currently originate from the Middle East. Shunichi Kito, president of the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) and head of Idemitsu Kosan, Japan’s second-largest refinery, highlighted the challenges of importing heavy Canadian crude during a press conference in Tokyo. Kito emphasized the difficulty of investing in new refining facilities due to a steady 2% annual decline in domestic oil demand, leaving the decision to individual companies. Meanwhile, Alberta, Canada’s primary oil-producing province, is exploring financial investments in Japan’s refining sector. Sources indicate that Alberta is in preliminary discussions with several Japanese refiners to potentially fund the construction of coker units, which would enable the processing of heavy crude from Alberta’s oil sands. This move aims to reduce Alberta’s heavy reliance on the United States for oil exports. While Kito acknowledged the need for diversification, he noted that no specific requests have been made to Japanese refiners yet. The initiative reflects broader global efforts to balance energy security and sustainability amidst shifting market dynamics.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the European Union’s urgent need to diversify its trade partnerships to reduce economic dependencies, particularly in light of rising U.S. import tariffs. Speaking at a conference with German business leaders on September 18, 2025, von der Leyen highlighted India as a key partner, expressing optimism about finalizing a trade deal with the country by the end of the year. She revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reaffirmed his commitment to this objective during a recent phone conversation. Beyond India, the EU is also engaging in negotiations with South Africa, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations to broaden its trade network. This strategic shift aims to bolster the bloc’s economic resilience and mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on specific markets. Von der Leyen’s remarks underscore the EU’s proactive approach to navigating global trade challenges and fostering stronger international ties.

Hyundai Motor Group, a leading South Korean automaker, announced on Thursday its ambitious plan to produce over 80% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. domestically by 2030. This strategic move comes in response to evolving U.S. tariff policies and aims to mitigate the financial impact of import duties. The company revealed this during its CEO Investor Day in New York, alongside revising its 2025 operating profit margin target downward to 6-7%, citing tariff-related challenges. However, Hyundai remains optimistic, projecting margins to rebound to 7-8% by 2027 and 8-9% by 2030.

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder by orders, is actively negotiating the acquisition of a U.S. shipyard, according to a senior executive. The move aligns with the company’s ambitious goal to generate $2.2 billion in annual revenue from warship sales to the U.S. Navy by 2035. Woo-maan Jeong, head of planning and management for HD Hyundai’s naval and special ship unit, revealed the strategy during an interview at the company’s Ulsan headquarters. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a U.S. manufacturing base to capitalize on President Donald Trump’s efforts to revitalize the American shipbuilding industry. Jeong noted the widening naval capability gap between the U.S. and China, coupled with insufficient U.S. warship production capacity, as key drivers for this initiative. Despite challenges such as a skilled labor shortage and restrictive U.S. immigration policies, HD Hyundai remains optimistic about its prospects. The company recently launched an 8,200-metric-ton Aegis-equipped destroyer in Ulsan, showcasing its advanced shipbuilding capabilities. The vessel, delivered in just 18 months, symbolizes U.S.-Korea cooperation, utilizing combat systems from American firms like Lockheed Martin. HD Hyundai’s merger with affiliate HD Hyundai Mipo further strengthens its position in the warship market. While U.S. laws like the Jones Act and Byrnes-Tollefson Amendment pose hurdles, Jeong expressed confidence in potential legislative amendments to facilitate foreign participation in U.S. shipbuilding. The U.S. remains an unparalleled market for warships, and HD Hyundai is determined to navigate these challenges to secure its foothold.

Anglo American PLC (AAL.L) announced on Thursday a reduction in workforce at its Brisbane office and nearby coal mines in Queensland, Australia, as part of its strategy to streamline operations and address the dual pressures of declining coal prices and escalating costs. The exact number of job cuts remains undisclosed, but the move follows a similar decision by BHP Group Ltd (BHP.AX), which recently eliminated 750 positions at a coking coal mine in the same region due to unfavorable market conditions and increased state royalties. Ben Mansour, Vice President for People and Corporate Relations at Anglo American Australia, emphasized that these adjustments are crucial for the sustainability of the company’s steelmaking coal operations in Central Queensland. He noted that the majority of the reductions were achieved through voluntary redundancies. According to Australia’s ABC News, citing the Isaac Regional Council, approximately 200 positions at Anglo American were impacted. The company operates five coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, which specialize in steelmaking coal. Last year, Anglo American divested a 33% stake in one of its Australian steelmaking coal mines for $1.1 billion to concentrate on its core copper assets. This announcement comes on the heels of a proposed merger with Canada’s Teck Resources Ltd (TECKb.TO), potentially marking the second-largest mining deal in history. The developments underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the coal industry amidst shifting market dynamics and regulatory pressures.

Toyota Motor Corp has announced a major recall of 591,377 vehicles in the United States following concerns raised by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall, issued on September 18, 2024, addresses a critical software flaw in the instrument panel display that fails to show essential information such as vehicle speed, brake system status, and tire pressure warnings. This malfunction, which occurs during vehicle startup, significantly increases the risk of accidents or injuries. Affected models include the Venza, Highlander, Lexus, Tacoma, and GR Corolla. The NHTSA emphasized the urgency of the recall, urging owners to address the issue promptly. Toyota has yet to release specific details on the repair process but assured customers that solutions will be provided through authorized dealerships. This recall underscores the growing importance of software reliability in modern automotive systems and highlights the challenges automakers face in ensuring vehicle safety amidst increasing technological complexity.