PALO ALTO, California -- Alibaba International is rolling out a new AI agent platform targeting small and midsize enterprises in late March, the global e-commerce arm of Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group announced on Monday, part of an accelerating effort to tap artificial intelligence to further boost growth.

TAIPEI -- The leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's largest opposition party, said on Monday that she is determined to pursue talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping -- but without specifying when -- and criticized President Lai Ching-te's flagship defense proposal amid a growing political crisis in Taipei.

TOKYO -- Nippon Sheet Glass, a Japanese glass manufacturer that acquired Pilkington Group in 2006, is in talks with U.S.-based Apollo Global Management and lending banks to receive financial support totaling $1.9 billion and will delist from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikkei has learned.

TOKYO -- Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway will take a 2.49% stake in Tokio Marine Holdings, the Japanese insurer said Monday, marking an expansion of Berkshire's Japan portfolio beyond its investment in five trading houses.

MANILA -- Thousands of Philippine public transport workers, including ride-hailing drivers, are expected to stage protests on Thursday and Friday in Metro Manila to demand the government mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

TOKYO -- Southeast Asia's ride-hailing and delivery giant Grab will buy rival Foodpanda's delivery business in Taiwan for $600 million, marking its first expansion beyond the region.

TOKYO -- Nippon Sheet Glass, a Japanese glass manufacturer that acquired Pilkington Group in 2006, is in talks with an investment fund and lending banks to receive financial support totaling $1.9 billion and will delist from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikkei has learned.

SHANGHAI -- China on Monday announced its second fuel price hike this month, lifting prices by a record amount despite taking emergency measures to curb a surge in gasoline prices, underscoring the pressure to soften the impact of the Middle East conflict on the economy.

NAYPYIDAW -- The leader of Myanmar's military-backed ruling party said that he is eager to bring foreign investment back to the conflict-torn Southeast Asian nation.

TOKYO -- Nippon Sheet Glass, a Japanese glass manufacturer that acquired Pilkington Group in 2006, is in talks with an investment fund and lending banks to receive financial support totaling $1.9 billion and will delist from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikkei has learned.