Asia's factory activity mostly weakened in March as an intensifying US tariff war and slowing global demand hurt business sentiment, private sector surveys showed on Tuesday, darkening the outlook for the region's economy.

Asian equities rose on Tuesday following Wall Street's overnight gains, while gold hit an all-time peak and Treasury yields fell as markets awaited details of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

Most emerging markets had a disappointing start to the week on worries that US tariffs could be more widespread, while signs that a long-awaited Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could be faltering added to the unease.

Trump set the April 5 deadline in January for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban on national security grounds due to have taken effect that month under a 2024 law.

Previously, Inalum had aimed to complete the study by the end of 2024 and begin construction this year.

Manufacturing was boosted by workers' return to work after the traditional Spring Festival travel period in February.

Shell is scrambling to manage an unexpected surge in demand that has fueled a supply issue at its gas stations nationwide, especially during the mudik travel season, though according to BPH Migas this is primarily a distribution issue, as the company has sufficient stock at its depots.

South Korea, China and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, seeking to facilitate regional trade as the three Asian export powers brace from US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

France's trade ministry condemned "unacceptable" US interference Saturday after the American embassy in Paris sent several French firms letters warning against using the diversity programs known as "DEI", a frequent Donald Trump target.

Indonesia is producing more chicken eggs than the domestic market needs, and the government is looking at other markets to handle the surplus.

The Trump administration has written to French companies holding US government contracts ordering them to comply with an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs, two people familiar with the matter said.

President Prabowo Subianto has signed a regulation on online child protection that stipulates a minimum age requirement for social media.

Britain's government is hoping to reach a last-minute post-Brexit trade agreement with Washington to avoid -- or at least mitigate -- more tariffs set to be announced on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump. 

Elon Musk's xAI artificial intelligence firm has acquired Musk's X, the social media outfit formerly known as Twitter for $33 billion, marking the latest twist in the billionaire's rapid consolidation of power.

A Chinese battery and materials recycler has become the majority owner of Bahodopi Nickel Smelting Indonesia (BNSI), the developer of a nickel processing facility in the Bahodopi Block in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, thereby reducing the stake of PT Vale Indonesia.

MR.D.I.Y. Indonesia has reported a strong financial performance for the year 2024, delivering net profit growth of 205.6 percent year on year (yoy), amounting to Rp 1.1 trillion, outpacing revenue growth of 73.9 percent yoy to Rp 6.8 trillion.

Once touted as the Riady family empire’s largest venture, Meikarta was unveiled in 2016 and marketed as the antidote to Jakarta, the country’s notoriously congested capital.

It cited budget cuts coupled by economic and tourism uncertainty in the country that had battered the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) segments.

China's President Xi Jinping met with global CEOs in Beijing on Friday, as the government tries to woo foreign firms whose investment could give the ailing Chinese economy a boost and help insulate it against simmering geopolitical tensions.

Local media outlets have begun engaging with tech giants such as Google, Meta and TikTok to forge business partnerships, following the release of technical guidelines on a rule that requires digital platforms to collaborate with news outlets through revenue sharing, data access or training programs, among other methods.

Experts warned appointments could blur the line between BI’s role as a monetary regulator and its involvement in the banking industry, potentially undermining its independence.

The new levies, if kept for an extended period, could add thousands of dollars to the cost of an average US vehicle purchase and impede car production across North America.

“PT BKI will become an operational holding company and will review issues related to the company's finances and operations,” Garuda said in a letter to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) on Wednesday.

There were 71.1 million and 64.8 million customers who received the discount in January and February, respectively.

The Coordinating Economic Minister downplayed Tuesday's temporary plunge to a record low in a doorstep interview on Wednesday, saying that currency fluctuation was “normal” and pointing to external factors as the cause, without elaborating.

To accelerate implementation of the initiative, Indonesia will also revise the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan (CIPP), which is essentially a blueprint to carry out JETP investments to better align with the country’s economic condition, regulations and infrastructure.

The announcement drew swift condemnation from the European Union and from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who called it a "direct attack" on Canadian workers.