The death toll in Bangkok from a massive earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand rose to 17 on Sunday, city authorities said.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority said 32 people were injured and 83 still unaccounted for — most from the site of a 30-story tower block under construction that collapsed when the magnitude 7.7 quake struck Friday.
Swiss bank UBS is strengthening its presence in China after receiving regulatory approval to acquire a local securities firm fully.
UBS will acquire an additional 33 percent stake in UBS Securities from Beijing State-owned Assets Management Co., Ltd (BSAM), thereby taking full control of UBS Securities in China. The big bank announced this on Friday, having received the corresponding approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
UBS Securities was the first foreign-invested, fully licensed securities joint venture in China in 2007. In 2018, UBS became the first foreign bank to take majority control of a Chinese securities firm – initially with a 51 percent stake, which was increased to 67 percent in 2022.
UBS Securities is active in global banking, global markets, research and wealth management.
UBS is proud of its long history in China and of serving clients in one of the most important and fastest-growing markets in the world. We will continue to invest in China as a central pillar of our growth ambition, further strengthening our leadership position in the region, said Group CEO Sergio Ermotti.
The move to full ownership of UBS Securities is an important milestone for our integrated strategy in the region. It enables us to further expand our investment banking and wealth management offering in China. Not only will we be able to capitalize on the tremendous business opportunities as China’s financial sector opens up, but we will also gain better access to the unique wealth creation that we can support with our products, services and advice,» Iqbal Khan, President Asia Pacific and Co-President Global Wealth Management at UBS, said.
PLDT Chief Operating Officer, Menardo Butch G. Jimenez, emphasized the increasing potential of tech-focused telcos in the region’s changing digital landscape. He mentioned, “We have already built 10 data centers and are finishing our 11th and biggest facility, which shows how strongly we believe that data centers are an important part of PLDT’s revenue growth.” He also said that PLDT has experienced strong growth rates in its data center business over the past five years.
Through its subsidiary, ePLDT, PLDT has become a leader in the Philippines data center industry. The company operates a network of VITRO data centers, providing solutions for customers’ increasing IT outsourcing needs. The VITRO Sta. Rosa Data Center, the largest and most advanced in the country, is positioned to be the Philippines’ artificial intelligence (AI) hub, forming the first AI ecosystem in the nation.
Jimenez also highlighted that data sovereignty laws represent a significant upcoming development, noting that localized data storage regulations enforced by the government will drive the demand for domestic data centers. Looking forward, PLDT is preparing for an AI-powered future by offering GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) to meet the growing need for high-performance computing (HPC) due to AI and machine learning (ML) adoption.
Through investments in data centers, AI infrastructure, and green energy, PLDT is solidifying its position as a leader in digital transformation and shaping the future of the telecommunications industry.
In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Baghel stated that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is implementing the project in phases to ensure broadband connectivity reaches all Gram Panchayats nationwide.
The BharatNet infrastructure is classified as a national asset and is accessible to service providers without discrimination. It supports various broadband services, including Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fiber, and backhaul connections for mobile towers. As of February 2025, a total of 2,14,323 Gram Panchayats are service-ready, Baghel confirmed.
Additionally, the Union Cabinet has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), adopting a design, build, operate, and maintain (DBOM) model. The revised program aims to upgrade the existing network under BharatNet Phases I and II, expand connectivity to approximately 42,000 Gram Panchayats that are yet to become service-ready, and ensure network operation and maintenance for the next decade.
Baghel also noted that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been assigned the task of providing 1.50 crore FTTH connections to households over the next five years. The completion timeline for the ABP is set for March 2027.
Fitbit continues to advance its mobile app experience and the latest update focuses on one of the most essential areas for health-oriented users—the Health Metrics. Users of Android and iOS devices can now access the updated Health Metrics section..
Until now, the Health Metrics section displayed data through two tabs dubbed “Today” and “Trends.” The interface contained health data across both tabs but it appeared disconnected from other sections of the application.
That’s finally changingFitbit eliminated the tabbed interface structure in their latest update. The health metrics data now occupies a single scrollable page without any tabs. Users can view their health statistics through a simple summary widget located at the top that shows their performance across five health metrics using a five-point scale. This feature used to exist exclusively in the “Today” feed.
Underneath the summary widget, there’s now a well-organized list of five core metrics:
Each metric is shown in a card format, making it easier to understand at a glance. Tapping on any of these entries opens a more detailed “Trends” view that now includes Week, Month and Year filters, giving users a better view of long-term health changes.
The new and more detailed trend pages include short explanations written in simple language for each statistic. For example, breathing rate is described as “the number of breaths you take per minute.”
The update seems cosmetic at first glance but it greatly improves the user experience. The redesigned interface provides better responsiveness and improved navigation while maintaining design consistency throughout the application.
This Health Metrics redesign is part of a broader visual overhaul across the Fitbit app. The Water Tracking screen was updated recently, and now Health Metrics follows suit. Next in line? Food logging, which still uses an older interface and could definitely benefit from a similar revamp.
The new UI comes with the Fitbit 4.39 update for iOS, while the Android versions is rolling out more slowly. Not all users have access to it just yet, as Google which now lists Fitbit under its official “Google LLC” developer account—appears to be releasing it in waves.
The Philippines-headquartered restaurant group Jollibee Foods plans to have 10,000 eateries globally this year, with a focus on North America.
The company, known for its fried chicken Jollibee chain, eyes to invest PHP18-21 billion (US$312-364 million) to open up to 800 new stores this year.
Last year it had 9,766 outlets.
“We’re not in all 50 states [in the U.S.]. We’re in only maybe 15 states,” Richard Shin, the company’s chief financial and risk officer, told reporters on Tuesday, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
Jollibee launched its first U.S. location in California in 1998, and expanded its presence in the country and Canada to 103 by the end of last year. It also has 266 stores under other brands in North America.
The company plans to use the franchising model to launch more regional stores.
In 2024, Jollibee’s net profit rose 17.7% to PHP10.3 billion, driven by double-digit revenue growth from new stores and acquisitions. The company forecasts 8% to 12% growth in system-wide sales for 2025 – covering both company-owned and franchised locations – and targets up to 8% growth in its store network.
Jollibee has also pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, recently purchasing South Korea’s Compose Coffee, fully acquiring Hong Kong’s Tim Ho Wan, and adding Taiwan’s Moon Moon to its portfolio.
It also holds stakes in China’s Yonghe King and U.S. brands Smashburger and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Vietnam’s largest coffee chain Highlands Coffee posted an EBITDA of VND1.05 trillion (US$41 million) last year, up 4.5% from 2023.
The chain contributed 36% of the EBITDA from coffee and tea of its parent company Jollibee Foods Corporation. EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
An average store posted VND16 million in revenue per day.
Same-store sales, however, declined by 3.7% year-on-year. The figure measured stores’ sales that had been operating for at least 15 months.
Highlands Coffee, by the end of last year, operated 850 outlets in Vietnam and other countries.
The brand was established in 1999, starting with sales of packaged coffee products in Hanoi. In 2002, Highlands Coffee expanded into the coffee chain model with its first store in Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2012, Highlands Coffee was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation, a Philippines-based restaurant conglomerate.
At the end of 2016, JFC and its partner, Vietnam Thai International Company, planned to list Highlands Coffee on the Vietnamese stock market. However, this intention has yet to materialize.
Highlands Coffee has thrived by focusing on widespread coverage. Their strategy revolves around offering a streamlined menu while expanding into office buildings, apartment complexes, street-front locations, and shopping centers.
Vietnam’s beverage store revenue last year was estimated at VND118.26 trillion, a 13% increase from the previous year, according to a report by iPOS, which provides digital management solutions to over 100,000 businesses.
This marked the highest revenue and the fastest growth rate since 2018.
Teach giant Apple announced that the iPhone 16 will be available in Indonesia from April 11, indicating the sales ban in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy had been lifted.
The government in October prohibited the marketing and sale of the model over the US tech titan’s failure to meet regulation requiring 40% of phones be made from local parts.
However, Apple struck a deal with the Indonesian government last month to invest in the country of 280 million after months of deadlock.
“Today, Apple announces that all iPhone 16 series… will be available starting from Friday, April 11,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
The industry ministry said this month it had approved local certificates for more than a dozen Apple products.
Last week, The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said Apple has also obtained a certificate needed for all telecommunication devices with transmission.
Jakarta rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple in November, saying it lacked the “fairness” required by the government.
Apple later agreed to invest $150 million in building two facilities — one in Bandung in West Java province to produce accessories, and another in Batam for AirTags.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said last month that Apple had also committed to building a semiconductor research and development center in Indonesia, calling it a “first of its kind in Asia”.
Despite the ban on iPhone sales in Indonesia, the government had allowed the devices to be brought in if they were not being traded commercially.
Indonesia has also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the 40% local parts requirement.
Following its success in the United States (US), this solution is set to transform how Asian communication services and network infrastructure providers develop strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Market Flow delivers granular consumer insights by analyzing vast datasets of device usage, movement patterns, and digital behavior. Unlike traditional market intelligence tools, it provides detailed market share and subscriber flow insights across various geographical levels (from country to neighborhood), helping drive operational planning and competitive strategy.
It also offers analytics for all connection types, including fixed wireless access (FWA), mobile broadband (MBB), fixed broadband (FBB), fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL), and cable, providing insights at the product level. Additionally, Market Flow supports both residential and small to medium businesses (SMBs), equipping providers with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics.
Anindya Datta, CEO, Mobilewalla, said, “Broadband providers across the US have leveraged Market Flow to refine their strategies, reduce churn, and maximize network investments. By bringing this proven solution to Asia, we are enabling telcos to make smarter, faster, and more efficient business decisions in a dynamic market.”
As broadband usage increases in Asia, network providers need to improve their infrastructure and customer engagement strategies to meet the growing demand. Market Flow offers a data-driven solution that helps operators enhance network expansion planning, attract new customers through targeted campaigns, and retain valuable subscribers by predicting churn patterns.
“The competitive broadband market in Asia requires a deeper understanding of consumer behavior. Market Flow provides broadband providers with the intelligence they need to develop sharper competitive strategies and drive growth,” Datta concluded.
Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index rose 0.64% to 1,330.32 points Monday.
The index closed 8.44 points higher after dropping 2.05 points in the previous session.
Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange increased by 15% to VND19.583 trillion (US$763.9 million).
The VN-30 basket, comprising the 30 largest capped stocks, saw 14 tickers gained.
VIC of private conglomerate Vingroup saw the biggest jump of 7.0%, followed by VHM of property giant Vinhomes with a 6.3% gain and SHB of Saigon Hanoi Commercial Bank, up 5.5%.
Thirteen blue chips fell, with LPB of Fortune Vietnam Bank dropping by 1.9%.
BCM of Becamex Investment and Industrial Development went down 1.8% and VIB of Vietnam International Commercial Bank closed 1.7% lower.
Foreign investors were net seller to the tune of VND720 billion, mainly selling FPT of tech giant FPT Corporation and TPB of private lender TPBank.
The HNX-Index for stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange, home to mid and small caps, rose 0.07%, while the UPCoM-Index for the Unlisted Public Companies Market went down 0.20%.
Exports of fruit and vegetables fell by 10.5% year-on-year in March to an estimated US$421 million, marking the third consecutive month of decline.
They had decreased by 5.2% to $416 million in January and 6.5% to $303 million in February.
The main reason was the decline in durian shipments, a major export item, the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association said.
Dang Phuc Nguyen, the association’s general secretary, said since the start of the year China, Vietnam’s largest export market, has been amending import regulations and now requires all durian shipments to undergo testing for cadmium and auramine O residues at accredited laboratories.
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and auramine O is an industrial dye, and both are strictly controlled due to their potential cancer risks.
The new requirement is resulting in longer and more complicated customs clearance procedures and difficulties for exporters, Nguyen said.
Some of them have halted shipments to China just to complete the procedures, he said. If the situation persists, this year’s exports could be less than last year’s, he added.
Exports were worth $7.15 billion last year, with durian accounting for $3.4 billion, or nearly 50%.
The target for this year is $8 billion, which is achievable if the inspection issues are soon resolved.
China’s largest coffee chain Luckin Coffee has signed an agreement with Indonesia’s Banggai Islands Regency, making it the exclusive premium origin of coconut milk for its flagship Coconut Latte.
The memorandum of understanding it signed with the regency provides Luckin Coffee and its partners with exclusive rights to procure coconuts from the region, the firm announced earlier this month. The Banggai Islands are among the world’s top coconut-producing regions.
According to Global Times, the islands will be named “Luckin Exclusive Coconut Island ” under the agreement.
The chain intends to source roughly one million tons of raw coconut materials, which comply with its quality standards, over the next five years.
Li Shan, senior director of the firm’s supply chain center, said the region’s high-quality coconut will bolster the company’s supply chain.
Luckin Coffee, headquartered in Xiamen, a port city in southeastern China, was established in 2017 and grew rapidly before it was discovered to have falsified half of its 2019 sales. The scandal led to its delisting from Nasdaq and subsequent filing for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in 2021, Reuters reported.
It has since made a strong comeback and now dominates China’s coffee market with over 21,000 stores nationwide as of September, outselling U.S giant Starbucks.
It has also been expanding overseas, setting up its first Southeast Asian store in Singapore in April 2023 and later increasing its number of outlets in the city-state to 38.
According to Nikkei Asia, it opened its first two stores in Malaysia this January and plans to have 200 outlets there in the next two years.
Since its launch, Luckin has sold over 1.2 billion Coconut Lattes as of January.
The U.S. dollar edged up against the Vietnamese dong Tuesday morning while it hit a three-week high against major peers.
Vietcombank sold the greenback at VND25,820, up 0.04% from Monday. On the black market, the dollar dipped 0.02% to VND25,905. The State Bank of Vietnam’s reference rate surged 0.17% to VND24,874.
Globally, the dollar hit a three-week high against the yen on Tuesday and was firm across the board after some strong U.S. services data and cautious optimism on the tariff front, Reuters reported.
President Donald Trump said not all of his threatened levies would be imposed on April 2 and some countries may get breaks, which helped the dollar and the mood on Wall Street overnight by soothing some fears about a possible slowdown in U.S growth.
The U.S. dollar index notched a fourth straight session of gains to settle at 104.3.
The dollar was last up at 150.56, having pulled overnight above 150 yen. It rose to a three-week high of 150.92 yen in the Asia morning.
The dollar also hit its strongest since March 6 at $1.0781 per euro, as a powerful rally in the common currency loses steam.
It was last trading at $1.0804, while sterling hit a two-week low of $1.2883 before steadying at $1.2935 in Asia trade.
“It seems like nobody knows what to do with the dollar,” said Brent Donnelly, president at analytics firm Spectra Markets.
“The view that tariffs are unambiguously bullish U.S dollar has been challenged by the price action in 2025, and so even when we get the information on what tariffs look like next week, it will be hard to know what we are supposed to do.”
This growth will be driven by an increase in revenue from mobile data services, according to GlobalData. GlobalData’s research shows that the growth in revenue from mobile data services will offset the decline in revenue from mobile voice services during the forecast period.
While revenue from mobile voice services is expected to decrease by 2.7% annually from 2024 to 2029 due to consumers shifting towards over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms, revenue from mobile data services is projected to increase by 4.5% annually.
This growth will be fueled by the rising number of mobile internet subscriptions, the increasing adoption of 5G services, and a rise in the average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile data. Neha Mishra, a Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, noted that the average monthly mobile data usage in Australia is predicted to rise from 14.1 GB in 2024 to 25.8 GB in 2029. This increase is being driven by the growing consumption of online video and social media content on smartphones as a result of data-focused 4G/5G plans from telcos.
GlobalData anticipates a growth in 5G service adoption over the forecast period, as consumers seek high-speed connectivity and major telecom operators expand their 5G networks across the country. For example, Telstra aims to extend 5G coverage to 95% of the population by the end of 2025.
By 2029, 5G subscriptions are expected to make up 86% of all mobile subscriptions. Mishra concluded that Telstra was the leader in the mobile services market in Australia in terms of subscriptions in 2024, followed by Optus. Telstra is expected to maintain its top position through 2029, supported by its focus on expanding and modernizing its 5G network.
In 2024, Singapore’s annual average temperature was 28.4 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest year on record, tied with 2019 and 2016, according to the Singaporean National Environment Agency.
According to the agency’s annually report released on March 23, every month in 2024 was equal to or warmer than its corresponding long-term average temperature. Temperature records were broken on several occasions during the year, with record high daily minimum temperatures in February and record high daily maximum temperatures in December.
The preceding decade from 2015 to 2024 was the country’s warmest decade on record, at 28.11 degrees Celsius. This was 0.05 degrees Celsius warmer than the decade from 2014 to 2023, and the fourth consecutive year that Singapore’s decadal mean temperature record had been broken.
The report emphasized that while climate change contributed to warmer temperatures, climate variability in 2024 also played a role.
The El Niño event that developed in 2023 and ended in the second quarter of 2024 likely contributed to the warm temperatures in 2024, including during Singapore’s hot season (March – May), which was the third warmest hot season on record, after 1998 and 2016 which were also associated with strong El Niño events.
It is noted that Singapore’s annual temperature trend in 2024 was similar to the global trend recently reported by the World Meteorological Organization. Accordingly, the year 2024 was declared the warmest year on record globally since 1850.