Alphabet Inc closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

Richly valued US stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Taiwan rattled by quakes again, no immediate reports of damage

Nomination for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination opens at 9am for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

US regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.

US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

Apple Inc has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the start-up’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.

Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).

Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

Global stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen sank to a 34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept monetary policy loose.

Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.

Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.

BCorp, Capital A, AAX, YNH, Sam Engineering, Turiya, Gadang, Microlink, Nestle, Wiradani, D&O, Homeritz, Unisem

The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.

<div class="ceonothumb mx-auto pb-5">
<div>
<div class="iframe-w100-wrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l56K3zFsPTk?si=EJn8MQBYV-CAV27h&amp;rel=0&amp;autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="840"></iframe></div>
</div>

E...

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

China passed a law on Friday strengthening its trade defence capabilities as the US and the European Union take aim at Beijing over excess industrial capacity.

China passes tariff law amid tensions with trading partners

(April 26):&nbsp;HSBC Holdings Plc successfully fought off a London court&nbsp;claim&nbsp;brought by a group of investors in a £1.3 billion (US$1.6 billion) lawsuit over tax breaks linked to Walt Disney Co&nbsp;film financing.

HSBC wins £1.3 bil suit over Disney film finance scandal

KUALA LUMPUR (April 26):&nbsp;KPJ Healthcare Bhd, through its premier educational institution&nbsp;KPJ Healthcare University (KPJU),&nbsp;has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday with Trusx Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Trustr), a global digital health organisation, as an initiative to revolutionise&nbsp;healthcare.

KPJ Healthcare, Trusx Malaysia collaborate for AI-driven healthcare solutions

KUB Malaysia Bhd has extended the deadline for its mandatory general offer for Central Cables Bhd (CCB) a second time to May 20 from April 30, according to its latest filing on Bursa Malaysia.

KUB extends deadline for CCB MGO a second time

Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.

Wall Street's main indexes advanced on Friday as most megacap growth stocks rose after robust quarterly results from Alphabet pushed its market value over US$2 trillion (RM9.5 trillion), while an in-line inflation reading calmed interest rate jitters.

Wall Street rises as Big Tech charges higher

FRANKFURT/BERLIN/PRAGUE (April 26): Thyssenkrupp&nbsp;will sell a 20% stake in its steel business to the energy holding controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel&nbsp;Kretinsky, a major breakthrough for the German conglomerate after years of unsuccessful attempts to divest the unit.

Thyssenkrupp sells stake in steel unit to Czech billionaire Kretinsky

The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).

Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.

Nomination&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at&nbsp;the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Apple Inc&nbsp;has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the start-up’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Jonathan Saul, Roslan Khasawneh, Florence Tan & Aizhu Chen

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Jonathan Saul, Roslan Khasawneh, Florence Tan & Aizhu Chen

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌