KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for June hit its lowest in five years since data for the index was first tracked in the country, falling to 46.9 from 48.7 in May, on lower output and a decline in new orders, raising concerns that the country’s manufa...

June manufacturing PMI hits record low

Malaysia will fortify its position as a centre of competitive trade, finance, and technology amid global changes, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia to fortify position as centre of competitive trade, finance and technology — Anwar

The legal practitioner arrested over corruption related to birth registration is suspected of processing birth certificate applications after receiving payment from applicants.

According to a source, applicants were required to make a payment before the legal practitioner processed documents related to birth certificate applications.

Op Birth: Detained legal practitioner assisted syndicate in registering birth

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened two investigation papers on the alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds involving Sapura Energy Bhd.

MACC opens two investigation papers involving Sapura Energy

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had two choices as the clock ticked down to the government funding deadline: drop his threat to block the Republican bill or force a disruptive March 15 shutdown.

Schumer retreats on shutdown threat, enhancing bill’s prospects

US stocks rose on Friday after a broad selloff on Wall Street during the week as investors assessed the fallout of tariff policies on economic growth, while new data signalled deteriorating consumer sentiment and a surge in inflation expectations.

Wall St climbs after string of sharp losses as investors weigh tariff impact

US consumer sentiment fell to a more than two-year low and long-term inflation expectations jumped by the most since 1993, illustrating growing apprehension about the economic impact from tariffs.

US consumer sentiment drops, price expectations soar on tariffs

US President Donald Trump appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops he said were in a “very bad and vulnerable position” and avoid what he said would be a massacre unlike anything since World War II.

Trump asks Russia to spare Ukrainian troops in ceasefire push

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Friday.

Pertama Digital, MAG, Axiata, HHRG, KJTS, TT Vision, Catcha Digital

President Donald Trump's administration is expected on Friday to move ahead with a second wave of mass firings and budget cuts across the US federal government even as two federal judges ordered it to reinstate thousands of federal workers.

Trump looks to press ahead with more lay-offs even as courts order some reinstatements

Tin prices extended gains to hit the highest in more than two years, as a halt to production at a major mine in Africa that’s threatened by insurgents continues to fan this year’s biggest rally on the London Metal Exchange (LME).

Tin extends LME’s biggest rally as Congo halt deepens shortage

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Friday.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened two investigation papers on the alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds involving Sapura Energy Bhd.

Prawn farming company MAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MAG) has proposed to buy farmland and other assets in Tawau, Sabah for RM39.6 million, in related party transactions.

Prawn producer MAG announces RM40m purchase of farmland and assets in Tawau

US stocks rose on Friday after a broad selloff on Wall Street during the week as investors assessed the fallout of tariff policies on economic growth, while new data signalled deteriorating consumer sentiment and a surge in inflation expectations.

Planning for the raw water distribution project from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah Dam, partly to support the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) project and to supply treated water to Penang, is now in the final stages.

PM: Planning for raw water distribution from Sg Perak to Bukit Merah Dam in final stages

Danish pension fund AkademikerPension is blacklisting Tesla Inc, citing the company’s record on workers’ rights, as well as the growing risks posed by the actions of Elon Musk.

Danish pension fund dumps Tesla shares over labour rights, Musk’s actions

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said relations with Russia should eventually be normalised once the fighting ends in Ukraine.

Nato chief says relations with Russia should be restored after war

US President Donald Trump appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainian troops he said were in a “very bad and vulnerable position” and avoid what he said would be a massacre unlike anything since World War II.

Malaysia will fortify its position as a centre of competitive trade, finance, and technology amid global changes, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

President Donald Trump's administration is expected on Friday to move ahead with a second wave of mass firings and budget cuts across the US federal government even as two federal judges ordered it to reinstate thousands of federal workers.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had two choices as the clock ticked down to the government funding deadline: drop his threat to block the Republican bill or force a disruptive March 15 shutdown.

CATL reported 15% growth in 2024 net profit, the slowest pace in six years, as a prolonged price war in China's electric vehicle (EV) market put pressure on the Chinese EV battery giant.

China's CATL sees slowest profit growth in six years

The legal practitioner arrested over corruption related to birth registration is suspected of processing birth certificate applications after receiving payment from applicants.

According to a source, applicants were required to make a payment before the legal practitioner processed documents related to birth certificate applications.

US consumer sentiment fell to a more than two-year low and long-term inflation expectations jumped by the most since 1993, illustrating growing apprehension about the economic impact from tariffs.

Tin prices extended gains to hit the highest in more than two years, as a halt to production at a major mine in Africa that’s threatened by insurgents continues to fan this year’s biggest rally on the London Metal Exchange (LME).

Shein’s executive chairman said he remains committed to plans to take the fast-fashion retailer public despite being in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s campaign to rebalance global trade.

Shein stays committed to IPO while weathering tariff storm

German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz reached an agreement with the Greens on Friday on a massive increase in state borrowing just days ahead of a parliamentary vote next week, a source close to the negotiations said.

German parties agree on historic debt deal — Reuters

Higher government spending could force the European Central Bank (ECB) to start raising interest rates again, Governing Council member Robert Holzmann told Germany’s Platow Brief.

Big fiscal boost could force ECB to hike rates, Holzmann tells Platow

A German court has decided to launch a criminal trial against two former executives of German engineering giant Siemens who are accused of violating sanctions by helping export Siemens gas turbines to Russian-occuppied Crimea, the court said on Friday.

Two ex-Siemens execs to be tried in Germany over Russia sanctions violations

<h3>A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (March 14, 2025)</h3>

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Anette Appaduray & Samantha Ho