Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Hyundai Motor Group announced a massive investment plan totaling 125.2 trillion won ($86.47 billion) in South Korea from 2026 to 2030, marking one of its largest long-term commitments to domestic growth and innovation. The announcement comes shortly after Seoul finalized a new trade agreement with the United States that reduces U.S. tariffs on South Korean car imports from 25% to 15%. This move is expected to significantly reshape export strategies for South Korean automakers.
The new investment plan notably exceeds the group’s previous commitment of 89.1 trillion won between 2021 and 2025, highlighting Hyundai and Kia’s accelerating focus on next-generation mobility and global competitiveness. Following the release of details on the updated trade deal—which also includes South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in key U.S. strategic sectors—President Lee Jae Myung met with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung and other major business leaders to discuss the implications for the domestic auto market.
Chung acknowledged industry concerns about potential export declines and reduced domestic production due to slower U.S. market access, despite the lower tariffs. He emphasized that Hyundai Motor Group will diversify global export destinations, strengthen vehicle output from South Korea, and more than double auto exports by 2030 through expanded electric-vehicle manufacturing. He also noted the group’s intention to support auto parts suppliers adversely affected by tariffs imposed under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Of the total investment, Hyundai plans to allocate 50.5 trillion won ($35 billion) toward artificial intelligence initiatives and emerging business areas, 48.4 trillion won for research and development, and 36.2 trillion won to enhance production infrastructure and construct a new skyscraper. These strategic allocations are designed to advance South Korea’s position as a global leader in EV production, AI-driven automotive technologies, and future mobility solutions.
