<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (May 22): Hong Leong IB Research has downgraded the woodbased manufacturing sector to “Neutral” (from Overweight) and said that 1Q18 earnings will be weaker (both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter) mainly due to (i) new implementation of foreign labour levy, (ii) rising crude oil price, (iii) stronger ringgit vs US Dollar, and (iv) long festive season (Chinese New Year).</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In a note today, the research house said it removed its positive stance on HeveaBoard Bhd and Evergreen Fibreboard Bhd as the particleboard players are impacted by ongoing intense price competition.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“The higher packaging, coating and labour cost will also pressure furniture makers in the near future.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“In view of continuous hike in cost and slowdown in expansion plans in the sector, we downgrade the sector to Neutral from Overweight,” it said.</p></div>


KUALA LUMPUR (May 22): Hong Leong IB Research has downgraded the woodbased manufacturing sector to “Neutral” (from Overweight) and said that 1Q18 earnings will be weaker (both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter) mainly due to (i) new implementation of foreign labour levy, (ii) rising crude oil p...

HLIB Research downgrades woodbased sector to Neutral 

(April 29): Once renowned as avid overseas tourists, the Japanese are staying closer to home these days.

A weaker yen, high air fares and tepid wage growth are keeping outbound travel stuck well below pre-pandemic levels. Just 1.22 million ventured abroad in March, 36.8% less compared w...

Weaker yen keeps Japanese tourists at home while visitors throng

(April 29): Ukraine’s government said two servicemen on leave in Germany were fatally stabbed and a Russian suspect was arrested on murder charges.

Police in Bavaria, where the men were attacked on Saturday, said they arrested a 57-year-old Russian citizen and are investigating the inci...

Russian arrested in Germany in fatal stabbing of two Ukrainians

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (April 29): Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrived in Beijing on Sunday on an unannounced visit, where he was expected to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and permission to transfer data overseas, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Chinese s...

Elon Musk visits China as Tesla seeks self-driving technology rollout

LONDON (April 29): Arsenal held on to beat battling local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 away and remain a point clear at the top of the Premier League after an emphatic first-half display and a nervous second period in an electric derby atmosphere on Sunday.

An own goal by Pierre-Emile H...

Arsenal hang on to beat Spurs, maintain lead at top

NOTTINGHAM, England (April 29): Manchester City took another step in their bid to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland on target.

Pep Guardiola's men kept the press...

Manchester City keep pressure on Arsenal with 2-0 win over Forest

BRISTOL, England (April 29): A superb second-half brace by Mary Fowler set Manchester City on course for a 4-0 away win over Bristol City on Sunday that moves them six points clear at the top of the Women's Super League table, relegating Bristol City in the process.

With 20 of their 22 ...

Man City extend WSL lead, Bristol City relegated

(April 29): At least four people died, including a four-month-old baby, and scores were injured in Oklahoma this weekend after dozens of twisters swept the U.S. Southern Plains, while weather alerts on Sunday put more than 7 million Americans under tornado warnings.

Oklahoma Governor Ke...

At least four dead after dozens of tornadoes strike Oklahoma

(April 29): Protests at U.S. universities showed no sign of slowing over the weekend, with more arrests on campuses and a brief skirmish between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators at California's UCLA, where a tent encampment was set up last week.

Protesters opposed to Israel...

UCLA skirmish highlights weekend of protests on US campuses

RIYADH (April 28): The Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (Asean-GCC) should find mechanisms to advance trade, investments, collaboration and research, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council should find mechanisms to advance trade, investment — Anwar

KOTA BHARU (April 28): Oil and gas exploration and production outfit Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd is looking to leverage the economic boom in the Tok Bali area (in Kelantan), by using it as one of its operating hubs.

Hibiscus Petroleum looking to leverage the economic boom in Tok Bali

<p>KUCHING (April 28): Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said on Sunday that prospective investors must deposit at least RM2 million or purchase property worth not less than RM1.5 million to obtain permanent residency (PR) in the state.</p>


Abang Johari: Investors must deposit minimum RM2 mil to migrate to Sarawak

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has requested information from German authorities concerning the alleged acquisition of luxury vehicles in Germany, financed by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds, according to MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.</p>


MACC probes alleged luxury car buys in Germany with 1MDB funds

<p>BANGKOK (April 28): Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has abruptly resigned after losing the role of deputy prime minister in a Cabinet reshuffle, local media reported on Sunday.</p>


Thai foreign minister resigns after losing deputy PM post

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating a senior leader in the northern region on suspicion of appointing several companies believed to be linked to him for supply projects valued at about RM300,000.</p>


Senior leader under probe for suspected cronyism over supply projects

<p>RIYADH (April 28): Malaysia adopts a balanced foreign policy approach between the West and East and stands clear of any sort of position that is deemed provocative, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday.</p>


Anwar: Malaysia adopts a balanced foreign policy, stands clear of provocations

<p>RIYADH/DUBAI (April 28): Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, will adjust its Vision 2030 plan to transform its economy as needed, scaling back some projects and accelerating others, its finance minister said on Sunday.</p>


Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 projects to be adjusted as needed, finmin says

<p>CAIRO (April 28): Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum approved a new passenger terminal in Al Maktoum International airport worth 128 billion AED (US$34.85 billion), he said on Sunday in a post on X.</p>


Dubai ruler approves new US$35 bil airport terminal

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Police have verified the arrest of Chegu Bard, also known as Badrul Hisham Shaharin, a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Information Committee, on Saturday (April 27), and are launching an investigation into his Facebook post regarding the purported opening of a casino in Forest City.</p>


Police detain Chegu Bard, launch investigation into casino statement

<p>KOTA BHARU (April 28): Oil and gas exploration and production outfit Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd is looking to leverage the economic boom in the Tok Bali area (in Kelantan), by using it as one of its operating hubs.&nbsp;</p>


<p>RIYADH (April 28):&nbsp;Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahi&nbsp;held a bilateral meeting with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting here on Sunday.</p>


Anwar holds meeting with President of Rwanda

<p>RIYADH (April 28): Agrobank&nbsp;president and chief executive officer Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin has been re-elected as vice-chairman of the Association of National Development Finance Institutions in Member Countries of the Islamic Development Bank (Adfimi) from 2025-2027.</p>


Agrobank’s Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah re-elected as Islamic bank association’s vice-chairman for 2025-2027

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Malaysia believes there is a need to revisit commitments to sustainable development, efficient global resources and fair and balanced trade among countries, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).</p>


Zafrul: Trade-related and ESG measures must be fair to developing countries

<p>RIYADH (April 28): The Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (Asean-GCC) should find mechanisms to advance trade, investments, collaboration and research, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.</p>


<p>BEIJING/TOKYO (April 28): China's coast guard confronted Japanese lawmakers in waters claimed by both countries in the East China Sea, China's embassy in Tokyo and Japanese media said on Sunday, the latest in a series of maritime disputes involving China and its neighbours.</p>


China confronts Japanese politicians in disputed East China Sea area

<p>CAIRO (&nbsp;April 28): A Hamas delegation will visit Cairo on Monday for talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, a Hamas official told <em>Reuters</em> on Sunday, as mediators stepped up efforts to reach a deal ahead of an Israeli assault on the southern city of Rafah.</p>


Hamas delegation to visit Cairo on Monday for Gaza ceasefire talks, Hamas official says

<p>The 6,272-acre Bandar Sri Sendayan, which is part of the upcoming economic growth area of Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0, is a self-sustaining township in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan where residents will find daily conveniences on their doorstep. It is now offering premium living with Resort Villa, an exclusive RM135.9 million development that consists of just 34 two-storey bungalow villas.</p>


Exclusive luxury offerings at Bandar Sri Sendayan

<p>(April 29): Once renowned as avid overseas tourists, the Japanese are staying closer to home these days.</p>

<p>A weaker yen, high air fares and tepid wage growth are keeping outbound travel stuck well below pre-pandemic levels. Just 1.22 million ventured abroad in March, 36.8% less compared w...

<p>SHANGHAI/BEIJING (April 29): Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrived in Beijing on Sunday on an unannounced visit, where he was expected to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and permission to transfer data overseas, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.</p>

<p>Chinese s...