Apple said on Friday it had removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after being ordered to do so by the Chinese government, which cited national security concerns.

Apple pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China app store after Beijing order

Malaysia’s exports contracted at a slower than expected pace in March mainly due to lower foreign demand for electronics while shipments to China fell, official data Friday showed.

Malaysia’s March exports down 0.8%, imports surge 12.5%

China's aviation regulator said on Friday it had opened new air routes to the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Fuzhou with flight paths situated very close to the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu, in a move likely to anger Taipei.

China opens new air routes near Taiwanese islands

Japan’s consumer inflation eased more than expected while staying above the Bank of Japan’s target as board members get ready to revise their price forecasts next week.

Japan’s inflation cools ahead of BOJ policy board meeting

High-impact projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Special Financial Zone (SFZ) in Forest City can spur Johor’s economy to outpace that of other states in the next one to two years, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Special economic, financial zones can help Johor surpass other states economically, says Anwar

UBS is shutting down some of its China private funds business and will lay off one-third of the staff as the Swiss bank cuts operating costs in the country, said three sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

UBS shuts some China private funds, will lay off staff, sources say

The Penang government will wait for recommendations from the undersea tunnel project steering committee before making any decision regarding the implementation of the project, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Undersea tunnel: Penang to wait for steering committee's recommendations, says Chow

There is still room for China's central bank to take steps to support the economy, but efforts are needed to prevent cash from sloshing around the banking system as real credit demand weakens, senior officials at the bank said on Thursday.

The world's second-biggest economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, but several March indicators, such as property investment, retail sales and industrial output showed that domestic demand remains frail, weighing down momentum.

China's central bank signals caution over credit boost as demand weakens

(April 18): Thailand will sign a permanent bilateral visa waiver agreement with Kazakhstan next week, as the Southeast Asian country looks to lift foreign tourist arrivals back to pre-Covid levels.

Thailand, Kazakhstan agree on visa waiver pact to boost tourism

Australia brought 23 companies seeking investment in maritime decarbonisation and renewable energy (RE) sectors to Malaysia as part of the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange programme.

Australia brings 23 firms looking to invest in maritime decarbonisation, RE sectors in Malaysia

Japanese companies have agreed to raise pay by 5.20% on average this year, the biggest rise in 33 years, the country's largest union group Rengo said on Thursday, wrapping up its fourth tally of the 2024 labour talks.

Japan said to see biggest pay hikes in 33 years

China's former deputy central bank governor, Fan Yifei, was charged with illegally accepting property totalling more than 386 million yuan (US$53.32 million or RM253.02 million), directly or through his relations, China's state television CCTV reported on Thursday.

Former PBOC deputy governor charged with illegally accepting US$53.3 mil in property

(April 17): The Biden administration is expected to grant a request by South Korea’s Hanwha Qcells to reverse a two-year-old trade exemption that has allowed imports of a dominant solar panel technology from China and other countries to avoid tariffs, two sources familiar with the White House plans said on Wednesday.

US plans to restore tariffs on dominant solar technology, sources say

When Iraq fired dozens of Scud missiles on Israel in early 1991, the US implored then prime minister Yitzhak Shamir not to respond. Shamir said he had to act. After days of late-night calls, high-level visits and long Cabinet meetings, Israel stood down and the US led a 42-nation alliance that defeated Iraq in what became the Gulf War.

Israel caught between hitting Iran and heeding allies

Malaysia's economy grew by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2024 1Q2024), as compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter, according to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates.

Malaysia's economy grew 3.9% in 1Q2024

Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped after reports of a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities.

Stocks sink, oil jumps as Middle East attack reports unnerve markets

Malaysia Airlines has commenced the gradual reinstatement of flights to and from Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan since the evening of April 18, in response to prevailing weather conditions.

Malaysia Airlines begins gradual reinstatement of flights to and from Borneo states

Daniel Suidani, a prominent Solomon Islands critic of China, who was former Malaita province premier, has been reelected to the provincial assembly, local media reported on Friday, as counting continues in the key Pacific island nation's election.

Solomon Islands election count underway, China critic Suidani regains seat

Shares of Awanbiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) fell as much as 53% on Friday, prompting Bursa Malaysia to suspend the counter’s intraday short selling (IDSS).

Awantec shares plunge 53%, intraday short selling suspended 

Transitioning towards a low-carbon power system is critical for Malaysia to realise its potential for green growth and unlock the critical opportunity to restructure the nation’s economy for a second economic take-off. Large-scale deployment of solar power is critical in realising this national v...

My Say: Deploying solar power for the low-carbon economy

The Malaysian rubber glove industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amidst challenging global dynamics, with optimism for a rebound in 2024, with an anticipated surge to approximately 450 billion pieces by 2027 despite a downturn in 2023, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma).

Margma optimistic of rebound in 2024, expects surge to 450 billion pieces by 2027

PIE Industrial Bhd, whose share price extended its rally to a new all-time high on Thursday on reports that it has secured a new customer, confirmed the matter and said it is expecting the new customer to contribute an additional RM2.5 billion revenue to the group, of which RM1 billion will be recognised as early as next year.

PIE Industrial confirms bagging new client, expects additional RM2.5 bil revenue

Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, ABC News reported late on Thursday, citing a US official, while Iranian state media reported an explosion in the center of the country, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

Israeli missiles hit site in Iran — report

FE Green Pet (M) Sdn Bhd’s new high-tech recycling factory is expected to make Melaka a green investment destination and complement the economic growth strategy in the state, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said with an investment totalling approximately RM958 million, the plant on 14 hectares of land is projected to be completed by 2Q 2025, creating almost 500 jobs.

RM958 mil high-tech recycling factory puts Melaka on green investors map — Ab Rauf

Shares of Awanbiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) fell as much as 53% on Friday, prompting Bursa Malaysia to suspend the counter’s intraday short selling (IDSS).&nbsp;

The oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

 Sarawak aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy

Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped after reports of a sharp escalation in Middle East hostilities.

Apple said on Friday it had removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after being ordered to do so by the Chinese government, which cited national security concerns.

The US on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognising a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny the Palestinian Authority full membershipof the world body.

US stops UN from recognising a Palestinian state through membership

RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) on Friday upgraded Public Bank Bhd to “buy” from “neutral”, with a higher target price (TP) of RM4.80 (from RM4.70).

RHB upgrades Public Bank to ‘buy’, raises target price to RM4.80

The amount of reserves in banking system — a key determinant for the Federal Reserve to continue shrinking its balance sheet — dropped by the most in two years as Americans paid income tax bills out of their bank accounts.

US bank reserve balances see largest drop since 2022 tax season

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s earnings for the first quarter to rise 34% year-on-year to RM75 million, amid the expectation of higher securities average daily value (ADV) and derivatives average daily contract (ADC).

HLIB sees Bursa Malaysia’s 1Q earnings rising 34% y-o-y 

The Malaysian rubber glove industry has demonstrated resilience and adaptability amidst challenging global dynamics, with optimism for a rebound in 2024, with an anticipated surge to approximately 450 billion pieces by 2027 despite a downturn in 2023, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma).

RHB Retail Research said Inari Amertron Bhd is poised to challenge the RM3.27 resistance level once again, which would make this its fourth attempt this year.

Inari poised to challenge RM3.27 resistance, says RHB Retail Research 

Chinese government-linked hackers have burrowed into US critical infrastructure and are waiting "for just the right moment to deal a devastating blow," FBI director Christopher Wray said on Thursday.

FBI says Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure

The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower for the fifth consecutive day, said palm oil trader David Ng.

He said the weaker soybean oil market and lower crude oil prices continue to pile pressure on prices.

CPO futures end lower for 5th consecutive trading day

RHB Retail Research said Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd may be headed for an uptrend after rebounding strongly from a recent pullback and pushing past the 21-day simple moving average line.

Muhibbah Engineering may be headed for uptrend, says RHB Retail Research 

Cocoa futures hit a new high in New York — topping US$11,000 (RM52,624) a metric tonne — as the pace of processing in chocolate factories holds up even in the face of a global supply crunch and record prices.

Cocoa soars above US$11,000 a tonne as processing pace holds up

Rakuten Trade said United U-Li Corporation Bhd may trend higher after breaking out from its two-week bullish flag pattern with a long white candle on Thursday.

United U-Li Corp may trend higher, says Rakuten Trade 

Bursa Malaysia started the morning trading in positive territory, attributed to broad-based buying in response to a regional recovery, with investors seen focusing on counters with high cash reserves.

Bursa opens higher on buying sentiment

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said Kimlun Corp Bhd’s earnings is primed for promising prospects in FY2024-25, underpinned by an unbilled orderbook of RM2.48 billion (3.0x cover on FY2023 revenue and the highest achieved since FY2018), with 85% dedicated to construction and the remaining to precast manufacturing.

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