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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): Istana Negara has announced that the meeting on Thursday between Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was a routine weekly pre-Cabinet meeting.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In a post on Facebook, Istana Negara said the meeting was amongst the King's "weekly activity" or his "main routine" to discuss and exchange views with the country’s premier in relation to government-related matters and affairs.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The two-paragraph update did not mention anything about the dissolution of Parliament.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The meeting came ahead of the tabling of Budget 2023 in Dewan Rakyat on Friday, amid speculation that Ismail Sabri may seek the monarch’s consent to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for the 15th General Election.</p></div>


Istana Negara has announced that the meeting on Thursday between Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was a routine weekly pre-Cabinet meeting.

In a post on Facebook, Istana Negara said the meeting was amongst the King's "weekly activity" or his "main routine" to discuss and exchange views with the country’s premier in relation to government-related matters and affairs.

Palace: PM's audience with Agong a weekly routine to exchange views on govt-related matters

MANILA (Sept 10): The Philippines posted a trade deficit of US$4.9 billion (RM21.36 billion) for July 2024, preliminary official data showed on Tuesday.

Philippines trade deficit at US$4.9b in July 2024 — statistics authority

UBS Group AG is exploring various partnership options for wealth management in India to tackle the intensely competitive environment, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

UBS weighing wealth tie-up to compete in cut-throat Indian market, Bloomberg reports

Malaysia’s resilient economy and contained price pressures should allow it to keep interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year, even as global central banks pivot towards easing, according to Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) deputy governor.

BNM deputy governor sees OPR at 3%, growth at 5% in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): A consortium comprising private equity (PE) firm KV Asia Capital Pte Ltd, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP), and Indonesia’s Kapal Api Group has invested RM250 million into ZUS Coffee’s operator to support its global expansion.

KWAP, Kapal Api, KV Asia Capital invest RM250m in ZUS Coffee, confirms The Edge report

China hawks in the US House overcame a last-ditch lobbying effort and passed legislation on Monday night that would blacklist Chinese biotech companies and their US subsidiaries.

The bill, approved by a vote of 306 to 81, now goes to the Senate.

US House passes bill to blacklist some Chinese biotech firms

The prosecution in Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid’s asset non-declaration case has indicated at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday that it is objecting to her appeal asking for the court to release her passport unconditionally.

Prosecution to object to appeal by Daim's wife to release her passport unconditionally

LOS ANGELES (Sept 9): American actor James Earl Jones, an imposing stage and screen presence who overcame a childhood stutter to develop a stentorian voice recognised the world over as intergalactic villain Darth Vader, died on Monday at the age of 93.

James Earl Jones, renowned actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93

The “sandwich generation” refers to individuals who simultaneously care for their ageing parents while supporting their own children. This demographic trend is becoming increasingly prevalent in Malaysia because of the ageing population, rising life expectancy and strong cultural expectations tha...

My Say: The sandwich generation: The case for a consumption-based contributory pension

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin died on Monday night in the United Kingdom at the age of 74.

Blogger Raja Petra, who ran Malaysia Today website, passes away at 74 in UK

The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-Tanore proceedings have been postponed for two days, as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been hospitalised due to acute knee inflammation.

1MDB-Tanore trial vacated as Najib hospitalised over knee condition

<p>Malaysia’s resilient economy and contained price pressures should allow it to keep interest rates unchanged for the rest of the year, even as global central banks pivot towards easing, according to Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) deputy governor.</p>


<p>The biggest US banks would face a 9% increase in capital requirements — a dramatic retreat from the original plan — after regulators agreed to sweeping changes to a proposed package of rules, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;</p>


Biggest US banks’ capital hike chopped in half in latest plan by regulators

<p>A renewed wave of dip buying spurred a rebound in stocks after a selloff triggered by economic concerns, with traders now looking to this week’s inflation data for clues on the size of Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts.</p>


Stocks rise as buyers scoop up bargains after rout

<p>Apple unveiled an updated Watch at an event on Monday focused on its artificial intelligence-enhanced (AI) iPhone 16, although Apple's product showcase risks being overshadowed by Chinese rival Huawei's tri-fold phone, unofficially announced earlier in the day.</p>


Apple shows off new Watch with bigger screen as it kicks off iPhone 16 AI event

<p>Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry takes note of the recent reports on the presence of a foreign naval vessel near an offshore oil rig in Malaysia.</p>

<p>However, in a media advisory on Monday, the ministry said it is unable to comment on their accuracy or specifics regarding the movements of military vessels, as these matters fall under operational security and the defence authorities.</p>


Malaysia takes note of reports on foreign naval vessel's presence in EEZ

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin died on Monday night in the United Kingdom&nbsp;at the age of 74.</p>


<p>Asian stocks reversed early losses to rise marginally on&nbsp;Tuesday, following Wall Street's overnight rally, though concerns about a still-struggling Chinese economy&nbsp;kept sentiment in check.</p>


Asian shares rise with focus on US inflation test, Fed meet

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): A consortium comprising private equity (PE) firm KV Asia Capital Pte Ltd, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP), and Indonesia’s Kapal Api Group has invested RM250 million into ZUS Coffee’s operator to support its global expansion.</p>


<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Consumer stocks are expected to post softer quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) results in 3Q2024, as weak consumer sentiment seen in 2Q2024 is expected to persist, said CIMB Securities.</p>


Softer 3Q for consumer stocks as weak 2Q sentiment to persist, says CIMB Securities

<p>RHB Research downgraded the Malaysian transportation sector from ‘overweight’ to a ‘neutral’ call, as key players Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (KL:AIRPORT) and Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) hit fair valuations, signalling limited upside.</p>


RHB downgrades Malaysian transportation sector to 'neutral'

<p>SHENZHEN, China/SEOUL (Sept 10): China's Huawei Technologies unveils a three-way foldable phone on Tuesday, as it seeks to widen its lead over Apple in the world's biggest smartphone market, with a new form factor that has gained popularity in the China market.</p>


Huawei teases tri-fold smartphone, raising competition with Apple in China

<p>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s stock rose in Hong Kong after it was made directly accessible to investors in mainland China for the first time.</p>

<p>Shares of the e-commerce company were added to the Stock Connect program that links the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses to the Hong Kong exchange starting from Tuesday. The stock gained as much as 5.2%, the most since Aug&nbsp;16, with volume already more than double the three-month full-day average as of 10.20am.</p>


Alibaba rises in Hong Kong after stock made directly accessible to mainland investors

<p>Mol Nyrt, the Hungarian energy company, said it reached a deal that will ensure the continued supply of Russian crude oil via a pipeline running through Ukraine.</p>

<p>The announcement from the Budapest-based company on Monday came after Ukraine effectively barred Lukoil PJSC from continuing to use it as a transit country in retaliation for Russia’s invasion.</p>


Mol reaches Russia crude supply deal after Ukraine’s Lukoil halt

<p>The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-Tanore proceedings have been postponed for two days, as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been hospitalised due to acute knee inflammation.&nbsp;</p>


<p>The prosecution in Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid’s asset non-declaration case has indicated at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday that it is objecting to her appeal asking for the court to release her passport unconditionally.</p>


<p>Soybean futures rose as weather forecasts show little rain in Brazil and resulting dryness pushes back the start of planting season for a new soy crop.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The seeding of the biggest soybean crop in the world is risking further delays, in turn propping up Chicago soy prices on Monday.&nbsp;</p>


Soy futures rise as dry weather delays crop seeding in Brazil

<p>South Korean&nbsp;battery maker&nbsp;Samsung SDI said on Tuesday it had decided to sell its polarising film business to China's Wuxi Hengxin Optoelectronic Materials for 1.12 trillion won (US$836.47 million or RM3.64 billion).</p>


Samsung SDI to sell polarising film business to Chinese firm for US$836m

<p>Boeing Co&nbsp;faces growing backlash from rank-and-file workers to a tentative agreement — including a&nbsp;25% pay raise&nbsp;— it struck with its largest labour union during a marathon weekend bargaining session.</p>


Boeing union leader defends pay deal as worker backlash builds

<p>China hawks in the US House overcame a last-ditch lobbying effort and passed legislation on Monday night that would blacklist Chinese biotech companies and their US subsidiaries.</p>

<p>The bill, approved by a vote of 306 to 81, now goes to the Senate.</p>


<p>Singapore’s upcoming government-owned gas company will charge power generation companies on a so called cost-plus basis, on top of a regulated fee to cover operating costs, <em>The Business Times&nbsp;</em>reported, citing Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng.</p>
