European natural gas jumped after US and Ukrainian leaders sparred on Friday, throwing into doubt recent efforts to reach a deal with Russia on ending the war.

Benchmark futures gained as much as 6.7% after posting their biggest monthly loss in a year.

European gas prices jump as optimism fades about Ukraine talks

The European Commission plans to seek an extension of the region’s binding gas-inventory targets until 2027 to help ease continuing supply concerns, according to people familiar with the matter.

The European Union introduced the goals for its natural gas stores at the height of the 2022 energy crisis to ensure adequate supplies during the coldest periods.

EU plans proposing extension of gas-storage goals to 2027 — Bloomberg

European natural gas prices fell as Chevron Corp and labour unions in Australia agreed to end strikes at major export plants that roiled the market for more than a month.

European gas prices drop as Australia LNG strikes called off

(June 15): European natural gas prices jumped as reduced supplies raised concerns about the pace of refilling storage sites in time for next winter, just as a heat wave boosts demand for cooling. 

Benchmark futures rose as much as 8%, increasing for a third day. A liquefi...

Gas surges in Europe as heat wave clashes with supply cuts

The Trump administration is proposing an overhaul of the US State Department that would eliminate more than 100 offices including some working on war crimes and rights advocacy to ensure Washington's premier diplomatic agency is in line with President Donald Trump's "America First" priorities.

Trump administration proposes shake-up of US State Department

A slew of mergers and acquisitions among finance-related firms is defying the global slump in dealmaking amid market turmoil triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war.

US$50 bil finance deals defy global M&A gloom

Alphabet Inc pays Samsung Electronics Co an “enormous sum of money” every month to pre-install Google generative AI app, Gemini, on its phones and devices, according to court testimony, even though the company’s practice of paying for installations has twice been found to violate the law.

Google paid Samsung ‘enormous sums’ for Gemini AI app installs

The treasurers of eight US states have written an open letter to Tesla Inc’s board of directors questioning the direction of the company and the level of attention Elon Musk is paying to its mounting challenges.

Tesla board gets an earful from state treasurers over Musk’s focus

United States (US) tech giants Intel and Oracle have raised concerns about the impact of the United States’ (US) tariffs on their operations in Malaysia, said Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Intel, Oracle raise concerns over US tariffs with PM — Zafrul 

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will boost defence spending to 2% of economic output in 2025, or four years earlier than previously planned, as Nato nations come under growing US pressure to invest more in their security.

Spain plans to hike defense spending to 2% of GDP this year

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

MGB, Scanwolf, DPS Resources, Petronas Chemicals, Alpha IVF, Pentamaster, Southern Steel

Northrop Grumman Corp reported first-quarter profit that missed analysts’ expectations and cut its earnings forecast for the year as costs mounted for its next-generation B-21 stealth bomber.

Northrop Grumman cuts earnings outlook on B-21 Bomber costs

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in Malaysia owned by China-based players could face the risk of being phased out due to the latest US-imposed duties on solar imports from the country, an industry group representing the sector said.

New US tariffs on solar imports threaten to phase out Chinese solar panel makers in Malaysia

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ruled out an imminent cabinet shakeup amid reports of a growing rift between her ruling party and its biggest coalition partner.

Thai PM rules out cabinet shakeup amid signs of coalition rift

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) plans to nab&nbsp;another ‘Tan Sri’ for questioning&nbsp;in connection with the MBI ponzi scheme, following a second round of arrests from April 18 to 21 and the seizure of RM347 million in assets, according to sources.

Police to nab third ‘Tan Sri’ for questioning, following fresh arrests and RM347m seizure in MBI case — sources

Solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in Malaysia owned by China-based players could face the risk of being phased out due to the latest US-imposed duties on solar imports from the country, an industry group representing the sector said.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL: PCHEM), or PCG, announced on Tuesday that its Pengerang Petrochemicals Complex in Johor — the group’s largest growth project under its olefins and derivatives segment in partnership with Saudi Aramco — commenced commercial operations in November 2024

Petronas Chemicals says commercial ops at Pengerang site commenced in November 2024

Norges Bank, which manages Norway’s government pension fund, has emerged as a substantial shareholder in automated test equipment (ATE) maker Pentamaster Corp Bhd (KL:PENTA) with a 5.26% stake.

Norges Bank emerges as substantial shareholder of Pentamaster

Wong &amp; Partners, the legal firm which had advised 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), did not play a role in the controversial transfer of the US$1 billion meant for a joint venture with PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI), but which was then misappropriated, the court heard on Tuesday.

1MDB legal adviser Wong & Partners played no role in controversial US$1b remittance, court told

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

United States (US) tech giants Intel and Oracle have raised concerns about the impact of the United States’ (US) tariffs on their operations in Malaysia, said Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The treasurers of eight US states have written an open letter to Tesla Inc’s board of directors questioning the direction of the company and the level of attention Elon Musk is paying to its mounting challenges.

Wall Street's main indexes recovered some ground on Tuesday as investors focused on corporate earnings after President Donald Trump's mounting criticism of Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell led to a sharp sell-off in the previous session.

Wall Street bounces back after sell-off as investors focus on earnings

After Singapore-based steel firm Green Esteel Pte Ltd’s emergence as the controlling shareholder of Southern Steel Bhd (KL:SSTEEL) earlier this year, the Malaysian group is now offloading a 55% stake in its steel wire mesh-making unit to Singapore-listed BRC Asia Ltd for RM61.05 million in cash.

Southern Steel to sell 55% stake in steel wire mesh unit to Singapore-listed BRC Asia

MGB Bhd proposes to settle RM7.23 million with joint venture partner Aset AZG Sdn Bhd (AASB) to kick start a serviced apartment project in Cameron Highlands which has been on the back burner for six years.

MGB settles RM7.23m with JV partner to revive Cameron Highlands project after six years

To break into the cryptocurrency mining industry, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr are teaming up with executives who previously founded a miner with the backing of investors implicated in an illegal penny-stock pump-and-dump operation.

Trump sons’ bitcoin mining partners had run-ins with regulators

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Tuesday.

FBM KLCI slips 0.88% to 1,486.25 on April 22, 2025 

West River Bhd, slated for listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on May 5, saw 0.26 times oversubscription for the public portion of its new shares in its initial public offering.

West River’s IPO oversubscribed by 0.26 times

With profit margins close to record levels, Corporate America has some room to absorb costs from higher tariffs. How much it decides to cushion the blow will determine how high inflation goes in 2025.

US earnings to offer clues on how much tariffs will boost prices

DPS Resources Bhd (KL:DPS) is partnering Invest Energy Sdn Bhd to develop solar farms and other infrastructure to support its proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data centre and high-tech industrial park in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

DPS Resources, Invest Energy team up to build solar farms in Melaka

Bitcoin advanced to the highest level since early March, fuelling optimism that the biggest digital token is finally breaking free of a longstanding tendency to move in tandem with US tech stocks.

Bitcoin rallies 20% during market turmoil to diverge from tech

Alpha IVF Group Bhd (KL:ALPHA) posted a 12.4% year-on-year decline in net profit for its third quarter, dragged by expansion costs and lower contributions from its Singapore operations.

Alpha IVF's 3Q net profit down 12% on expansion costs

Investors are fearful of a deep hit to asset prices if US President Donald Trump attempts to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, undermining confidence in the central bank's ability to fight inflation and act independently.

That could hurt the already bruised dollar, under-pressure equities and send bond yields higher, market participants said.

Investors fear Trump's attacks on Powell will pile on pain

A court in Thailand on Tuesday convicted two former prosecutors for misconduct in connection with a high-profile hit-and-run case involving the fugitive heir to the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Bull&nbsp;energy drink empire.

Elena Mazneva