<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Housing and Local Government Minsiter Zuraida Kamaruddin have been fired from PKR.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>For the full story, read <a href="https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/azmin-zuraida-sacked-pkr-says-pkr-secgen-saifuddin-nasution" target="_blank">Azmin, Zuraida sacked from PKR, says PKR sec-gen Saifuddin Nasution</a>.</div>
</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Housing and Local Government Minsiter Zuraida Kamaruddin have been fired from PKR.

For the full story, read

Azmin, Zuraida fired from PKR

SEOUL (Oct 23): The US armed forces have banned Chinese carmaker BYD's EVs from an air base in Japan due to security concerns, South Korea's Yonhap news reported on Friday, after Washington put the company on a list of enterprises it believes are aiding China's military.

US bans BYD from air base in Japan over security concern, news report says

Singapore’s private home prices rose the most in almost two years and rents jumped, in a sign that the market remains buoyant even after a recent slowdown in sales.

Singapore home prices climb, rents surge by most since 2023

Gold prices eased on Friday and were set for their sharpest weekly decline in more than four months as surging oil prices and resilient US economic data fuelled expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would keep interest rates higher for longer.

Gold heads for sharpest weekly decline in four months on Fed rate outlook

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): A total of 16 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality as at 9am on Thursday, with Johan Setia in Selangor registering the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 160.

Haze: 16 areas record unhealthy API readings as at 9am, Johan Setia highest at 160

A strong earthquake killed at least 16 people and injured 46 in China's remote Tibet region, state media said, citing local authorities.

More than 300 houses collapsed in the 7.0 magnitude quake, which struck on Thursday at 10.33pm (1433 GMT).

At least 16 dead in Tibet quake — Chinese state media

(Oct 23): OpenAI, which is seeking to raise around US$30 billion in a fresh funding round, is now targeting a valuation of US$1.25 trillion during the final stages of negotiations, according to people familiar with the matter.


The ChatGPT maker shifted the value discusse...

OpenAI shifts value to US$1.25 tril as funding talks finalise — Bloomberg

The proposed construction of the Madani Highway connecting Seremban-Kuala Pilah-Bahau is not currently in the Works Ministry’s (KKR) plans, according to the ministry.

Proposed Seremban-Kuala Pilah-Bahau highway not being planned — Works Ministry

YILAN/TAIPEI, Taiwan (Oct 23): Almost all of Taiwan shut down on Friday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Champi, which is forecast to bring strong winds and torrential rain, though the storm is weakening and is not expected to make direct landfall on the island.

Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Champi, hundreds of flights cancelled

The 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution rate payable by employers for non-Malaysian workers is relatively low, the Finance Ministry (MOF) said.

MOF: 2% EPF contribution rate for foreign workers relatively low

SEOUL (Oct 23): HD Hyundai Co said on Friday that it has signed a deal with Kiewit Corp to start building an advanced US shipyard next year, with operations expected to begin in 2029 and create about 3,000 domestic jobs.

HD Hyundai to build US shipyard with Kiewit, create 3,000 jobs

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will allocate RM1 billion to Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd (UJSB) in 2027 for early sukuk redemption, with the funds also aimed at strengthening Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) cash flow.

MOF to inject RM1 bil into Urusharta Jamaah for sukuk redemption in 2027

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Bank Simpanan Nasional, a statutory body under its purview, has paid RM13.52 million in claims to victims of a fake investment scheme run by a former employee at its Kuching branch.

BSN has refunded 92.9% of claims in Kuching investment scam — MOF

US Treasuries surged — sending the US 10-year yield back below 5% — as investors sought shelter from tumbling share prices for companies leading the boom in spending on artificial intelligence (AI).

US 10-year yield falls below 5% as investors flock to safe havens

Asian shares fell on Friday as concerns over the enormous funding needs of artificial intelligence (AI) hammered tech and led to the biggest daily rally in Treasuries in more than three years, with investors fleeing to sovereign bonds and safe-haven currencies.

Asian shares wobble as tech rout boosts bonds, dents rate hike bets

Malaysia must strengthen gas supply security, invest in infrastructure and prepare for future demand to maintain a reliable and competitive energy system amid geopolitical uncertainty.

MyGAS 2026: Securing Malaysia’s gas future amid global uncertainty 

(Oct 23):&nbsp;The Trump administration is seeking to restrict American investment in Chinese biotechnology companies, potentially complicating financial ties at a time when US drugmakers are increasingly turning to China for new medicines.

US proposes curbs on investment in Chinese biotech firms

Here's a heads up on what to look out for today.

YOUR DAY AHEAD: Oct 23, 2026 

(Oct 23): Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trade on Friday, after rising 4% to a five-month high in the previous session due to concern of further energy supply disruption after Houthi attacks on top exporter Saudi Arabia.

Oil little changed as supply concern lingers amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

(Oct 23):&nbsp;Wall Street shunned stocks as a technology rout and Middle East risks drove investors to the safety of bonds, reducing bets on another Federal Reserve rate hike in 2026.

Stocks fall as AI jitters ease bets on Fed hikes

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): Foodie Media Bhd (KL:FOODIE) rose on Friday to extend a rebound from all-time lows thanks to a set of stronger-than-expected results at the social media content company.

Foodie Media extends rebound from all-time lows after results beat

Taiwan’s stock exchange will shut on Friday as Typhoon Champi approaches the island, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds and prompting authorities to shut offices and schools in capital city Taipei.

Taiwan’s US$5 tril stock market to close on Friday as Typhoon Champi nears

The US Treasury Department on Thursday proposed new regulations to bar large institutional investors from buying up single-family homes, the latest step in the process to implement the most controversial section of the sweeping bipartisan housing law passed this summer.

Treasury unveils rules banning large investors from buying homes

SYDNEY/SAN FRANCISCO/BENGALURU (Oct 23): Sales of Apple's&nbsp;first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, began on Friday, with market watchers betting on whether the device can reinvent the small foldables market just like the iPhone did for smartphones.

Apple launches into foldable market as iPhone Duo sales begin

Mortgage rates fell for the first time in nine weeks, providing little comfort to sellers facing the slowest US housing market in at least 25 years.

US mortgage rates decline for first time in nine weeks, to 7.32%

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): The remaining net financial burden borne by the government in relation to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is estimated at RM20.1 billion, assuming no further recovery of funds or assets in the future.

MOF: Govt’s net financial burden related to 1MDB estimated at RM20.1 bil

YILAN/TAIPEI, Taiwan (Oct 23): Almost all of Taiwan shut down on Friday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Champi, which is forecast to bring strong winds and torrential rain, though the storm is weakening and is not expected to make direct landfall on the island.

SEOUL (Oct 23): South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix&nbsp;said on Friday that it had suspended its review of a US initial public offering (IPO) for its Solidigm subsidiary, citing financial market volatility and share price trends.

SK Hynix says Solidigm suspends review of US IPO, citing market volatility

Student safety, TVET development and social protection for industrial trainees were among the key issues raised on the final day of the policy-stage debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2027 on Thursday.&nbsp;

School safety, TVET direction among key issues in final day of Budget 2027 debate

The 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution rate payable by employers for non-Malaysian workers is relatively low, the Finance Ministry (MOF) said.

The proposed construction of the Madani Highway connecting Seremban-Kuala Pilah-Bahau is not currently in the Works Ministry’s (KKR) plans, according to the ministry.