Private equity’s worst fundraising slump in a decade

Blackstone Group’s logo on display during the opening of the company’s new office in Singapore. Munshi Ahmed | Bloomberg | Getty Images Since the pandemic, private equity funds focused on Asia have struggled to raise money, as the industry sat on massive unsold assets and idle dry powder.  Signs of growing confidence began to emerge…

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clock ticks on Trump’s Hormuz ultimatum

An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. Benoit Tessier | Reuters Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from London. Welcome to another edition of CNBC’s Daily Open. I don’t know about you, but…

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China’s emotional economy is on the rise

A giant inflatable Labubu toy floats on the water at Victoria Harbour on October 25, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images 28-year-old Rebecca Zhou, born in China’s Sichuan province, owns an assortment of Moomin merchandise — bags, mugs, and figurines featuring the white hippo-looking cartoon character from Finland…

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