On July 21 and 22, Earth experienced the two hottest days on record. This was only two months after the extended heat wave in May that hit many parts of Southeast Asia in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, with temperatures reaching well above 40°C.

As Southeast Asia is one of the r...

My Say: Southeast Asia needs to build climate-resilient energy systems

Asean member states are focusing on eliminating distortions to be more efficient for more room in negotiations, as Washington expressed concerns about tariff and non-tariff barriers, said Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Asean to be more efficient for more room in tariff negotiations, says Indonesian finance minister

SAN FRANCISCO (April 9): OpenAI countersued Elon Musk on Wednesday, citing a pattern of harassment by Musk and asking a federal judge to stop Musk from any "further unlawful and unfair action" against OpenAI, in a court case over the future structure of the firm that helped launch the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

OpenAI countersues Elon Musk, claims harassment

Asean expressed its common intention to engage in a frank and constructive dialogue with the US to address trade-related concerns


More to come
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Asean will not impose retaliatory measures in response to US tariffs — joint statement

OF the 115 companies that had a market capitalisation of at least RM1 billion as at last Tuesday, 95 - or 83% - have seen a year-to-date (YTD) fall in their share prices. Taking a defensive investment approach in the challenging market, The Edge highlights 10 stocks worth looking at in the second...

Cover Story: Battered stocks worth a look

Panama said on Wednesday the US recognised its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two nations announced agreements to deepen US military training in the Central American nation.

Panama says after talks US recognises its sovereignty over canal

IN 2024, the local stock market posted its first annual positive return since 2020, outperforming the MSCI Asia Pacific and MSCI Asean indices and prompting hopes that the trend would continue into 2025.

It has not — at least not in the first three months of the year. The local bourse h...

Cover Story: Risk-off mode likely to continue in 2Q on continuous foreign fund outflows

AmBank Group has granted RM307 million in financing facilities to Chin Hin Group Bhd’s (KL:CHINHIN) subsidiaries, Aricia Sdn Bhd and Makna Setia Sdn Bhd, to support several new property and infrastructure developments in the Klang Valley and Sabah and Sarawak.

AmBank grants RM307m in financing to Chin Hin Group for infrastructure projects

HANOI (April 10): The 20-year production sharing contract (PSC) extension for Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) largest oil asset works as a key enabler to monetise the group’s development plans offshore northeast Malaysia, which includes new wells and gas processing from nearby fields.

Hibiscus: 20-year PSC extension key enabler for developing new wells, processing gas from nearby assets

Bids for the Penang International Airport's (PIA) main terminal building under Package 3 are expected to open in May this year, ahead of its scheduled 2027 completion.

Gamuda, IJM, MRCB, SunCon could bid for Penang International Airport's main terminal building under Package 3 in May, estimated at RM1.2b — CIMB

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a meeting via a video link with Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of Asean, said a statement released by China's Commerce Ministry on Thursday.

Malaysia, China discuss economic cooperation, joint response to US tariff hikes

Some Malaysian exporters of manufactured goods destined for the United States have temporarily halted shipments as they await clearer information on the financial implications of the newly imposed tariffs, which took effect on Wednesday.

Malaysian exporters halt US shipments amid tariff confusion

Malaysian stocks staged a broad relief rally on Thursday after the US announced a pause to its reciprocal tariffs on all but one of its trading partners.

Malaysian stocks rebound, broad relief rally adds back RM75 bil to market 

This article for the Tong's Portfolio column — which predicts a likely walk back of some of the tariffs — was prepared for this coming week's issue of The Edge Malaysia and The Edge Singapore, but because of President Donald Trump's U-Turn overnight (albeit for 90 days), we have decided to publish it online first.

Trump's big blunder — and no, its not tariff per se

As Donald Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs took effect just after midnight on Wednesday, the president was watching the bond market.

Long-term yields were soaring. The 10-year Treasury saw the biggest three-day jump since 2001. The president was confronting a worst-case scenario: voters who had returned him to the White House because of inflation now faced both increased prices and higher borrowing costs.

Bond chaos, deal mania and Jamie Dimon: Inside Trump’s tariff reversal

Malaysia welcomes the US’ overnight decision to pause the sweeping tariff increase, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said on Thursday.

Zafrul: Malaysia welcomes US tariff pause, now assessing implications

(April 9): Senator Adam Schiff on Wednesday called on Congress to investigate whether US President Donald Trump engaged in insider trading or market manipulation when he abruptly paused a sweeping set of tariffs, a move that sent stock prices skyrocketing.

Senator Adam Schiff calls for insider trading investigation into Trump over tariff pause

Technology stocks rallied on Thursday following the announcement of a 90-day suspension on reciprocal tariffs, amid growing optimism that Malaysia could benefit from the deepening trade rift between the US and China.

Tech stocks rally on 90-day tariff pause, boosting Malaysia's chances amid US-China tensions

US stocks posted the best day since the financial crisis after President Donald Trump paused some reciprocal tariffs in a move that jolted the bond market and lifted Asian equity futures.

Stocks surge in relief rally after Trump pauses tariffs

Donald Trump’s 90-day reprieve on some tariffs sent the stock market soaring Wednesday. But the chaos sown by the president’s trade war means corporate America is planning for a recession.

CEOs brace for recession even after tariff reprieve boosts stocks

Oil prices surged from a four-year low on Wednesday and gold rallied in a broad-based commodities and equity market rebound after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said he would temporarily lower recently enacted tariffs on dozens of countries while further increasing duties on China.

Energy, metals, grains surge after Trump tariff pause

(April 10): Bonds from Australia to Japan swung in the wake of a chaotic day in the US Treasuries market, forcing traders to confront the possibility that volatility from trade war jitters is only just beginning.

Swings in US Treasuries trigger global bond market aftershocks

WASHINGTON (April 9): US&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, aimed at reviving US shipbuilding and reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry, vowing to boost funding for the effort in coming years.

Trump signs executive order seeking to revitalise US shipbuilding

The wild ride on US stock markets took a dizzying turn Wednesday afternoon when President Donald Trump announced a pause on some of his harshest tariffs, propelling the S&amp;P 500 Index to its biggest one-day gain since 2008.

Record US trading day fuels S&P 500’s best rally since 2008

Engineering firm West River Bhd is now taking applications from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

West River now taking IPO applications at 39 sen per share for ACE Market listing

HANOI (April 10): The 20-year production sharing contract (PSC) extension for Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) largest oil asset works as a key enabler to monetise the group’s development plans offshore northeast Malaysia, which includes new wells and gas processing from nearby fields.&nbsp;

Bids for the Penang International Airport's (PIA) main terminal building&nbsp;under Package 3 are expected to open in May this year, ahead of its scheduled 2027 completion.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a meeting via a video link with Investment,&nbsp;Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of Asean, said a statement released by China's Commerce Ministry on Thursday.

China and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

China and EU discuss trade in response to US' punitive tariffs

President Donald Trump called the bond market a thing of beauty on Wednesday. For traders of government debt, the day meant pure mayhem.

Trump’s tariff pause jolts yields in a ‘no-win’ bond market

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia is in a good position to negotiate with the US on the sweeping tariff increase that has since been temporarily put on hold, MARC Ratings said on Thursday.

Emi Minghui Gui and Roger Dargaville