SINGAPORE (April 8): Southeast Asia’s leading superapp technology company Grab has unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to help merchant- and driver-partners unlock their full potential on the platform.

Grab unveils AI solutions to boost productivity for merchants and drivers

Digital banks in Malaysia are increasing efforts to reach the underserved B40 group, especially those in rural areas, by integrating banking services into popular platforms and offering attractive incentives to encourage usage.

Digital banks in Malaysia urged to re-examine strategies to better serve B40 segment

The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.

Manufacturers seek one-year deferment of 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers 

Foreign workers' mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution will benefit Malaysia’s economy over the long term as employers will favour hiring more local talent as costs increase.

While operational costs would be higher, the advantage is that it would foster sustainable business practices among local industries.

Foreign workers' EPF contribution a game changer to retain workforce and hire more local talent

Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) reached an agreement to prepare the world for future pandemics after more than three years of negotiations, the organisation said early on Wednesday.

WHO says member states reach agreement to tackle future pandemics

Asian technology stocks fell after Nvidia Corp said the US government will begin requiring a licence to export its H20 chips to China, an escalation of restrictions.

Asian tech stocks slide on fresh China export curbs for Nvidia

China's first-quarter economic growth beat expectations, underpinned by solid consumption and industrial output even as policymakers brace for the impact of US tariffs that analysts say pose the biggest risk to the Asian powerhouse in decades.

China first-quarter GDP growth beats expectations, but US tariff shock dims outlook

Four weeks before Melbourne entered lockdown in March 2020, a group of councillors gathered in the city’s Town Hall to back a proposal for the tallest structure that Australia had ever seen, one that would see a spiralling green garden wrapped around a 365-metre skyscraper.

A US$1.7 bil plan to build Australia’s tallest tower falters

China’s yuan has slumped to the lowest in more than a decade against the euro just as President Donald Trump’s tariff deluge threatens to reroute trade flows from the world’s second-largest economy.

Yuan at decade low against euro risks more heat on trade flows

Hong Kong Post said on Wednesday it had suspended goods mail services by sea to the US and will suspend its air mail postal service for items containing goods from April 27 due to "bullying" US tariffs.

Hong Kong Post suspends goods mail services to US

US advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal Inc sees the real estate sector as the most at risk in Southeast Asia this year due to headwinds such as global trade frictions and a glut of residences.

Alvarez & Marsal sees Thai real estate distress on trade risks

Citigroup beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on Tuesday and moved closer to its profitability target as its traders reaped a windfall from volatile markets that fuelled client activity.

Citigroup profit beats estimates, moves toward target as trading revenue jumps

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a memorandum intended to curb fraud in Social Security programmes, a campaign that has been a key focus for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump memo will boost Musk’s bid to find Social Security fraud

Nvidia Corp faces new US restrictions on the export of its H20 chip to China, a policy change that will cost the company billions of dollars and hamstring a product line that it explicitly designed to comply with previous curbs.

Nvidia says new limits on China exports to cost US$5.5 bil

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

Petronas Gas, RHB Bank, Lien Hoe, Mayu Global, Binastra, Skygate, Tomei, Binasat, Aurelius Technologies, Kerjaya Prospek, Scope Industries, Keyfield International, Bank Rakyat

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a key concession at a US antitrust trial on Tuesday, saying he bought Instagram because it had a "better" camera than the one his company was trying to build for flagship app Facebook at the time.

At US antitrust trial, Meta's Zuckerberg admits he bought Instagram because it was 'better' 

Malaysian exports to the US were meant to be hit with a 24% tariff, effective April 9. Certain goods, such as semiconductors, were to be exempted. This was part of US President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade policy targeting countries that the US has large trade deficits with.

How much does Malaysia trade with the US?

Fraser &amp; Neave Holdings Bhd (KL:F&amp;N) marked a&nbsp;milestone with&nbsp;its first batch of 2,500 dairy heifers from Chile at its integrated dairy farm in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

F&N's first batch of 2,500 Chilean dairy cattles arrives in Gemas farm

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's new&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;could&nbsp;cost&nbsp;US semiconductor&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;makers&nbsp;more&nbsp;than US$1&nbsp;billion (RM4.42 billion) a year, according to industry calculations discussed with officials and lawmakers&nbsp;in Washington last week, two sources familiar with the matter said.

US tariffs may cost chip equipment makers more than US$1 bil, industry estimates

Nvidia Corp faces new US restrictions on the export of its H20 chip to China, a policy change that will cost the company billions of dollars and hamstring a product line that it explicitly designed to comply with previous curbs.

President Donald Trump launched a probe into the need for tariffs on critical minerals, the latest action in an expanding trade war that has targeted key sectors of the global economy.

Trump launches critical minerals probe to weigh new tariffs

Gold rose to a record high as the Trump administration pressed ahead with probes that could broaden a sweeping trade war, boosting demand for havens.

Gold climbs to record as expanding trade war aids haven demand

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government will allow automakers to import US-manufactured cars and trucks without tariffs, as long as the companies keep making vehicles in Canada.

Canada scraps tariffs for automakers that keep plants running

US importers looking to sidestep Trump administration tariffs are desperately seeking space in a type of warehouse that lets them stash merchandise for as long as five years without paying duties.

Trump trade war sparks run on US warehouses with tariff loophole

Stocks whipsawed as President Donald Trump’s fast-evolving tariff war with top trade partners showed little signs of abating, leaving investors unwilling to take on too much risk after a two-day rally.

That’s even as results from Wall Street’s financial heavyweights underscored an equity-trading boon and still-healthy consumers and businesses.

US stocks halt rally amid lingering trade-war risks

US equity-index futures slumped after Nvidia Corp said the government was setting new limits on its exports to China and President Donald Trump ordered a probe into potential tariffs on critical minerals.

Nasdaq 100 contracts fell more than 1% in early trading, while S&amp;P 500 futures dropped 0.8% after the index finished slightly lower Tuesday.

US futures slide on Nvidia curbs, minerals probe

Shares of Aurelius Technologies Bhd (KL:ATECH) extended their gains sharply, outperforming peers and the broader market on Wednesday after announcing a bonus share issue.

Aurelius Tech's stock rises 8% after bonus share issue plan

US consumer spending has benefited from strong wage growth and low unemployment so far, but it faces huge risks, bank executives warned, if the upheaval sparked by President Donald Trump's trade policy persists.

US banks flag risks to consumer spending from tariff policy uncertainties

Hong Kong Post said on Wednesday it had suspended goods mail services by sea to the US and will suspend its air mail postal service for items containing goods from April 27 due to "bullying" US tariffs.

OpenAI is working on its own X-like social media network, the Verge reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.

OpenAI is working on X-like social media platform — report

China's first-quarter economic growth beat expectations, underpinned by solid consumption and industrial output even as policymakers brace for the impact of US tariffs that analysts say pose the biggest risk to the Asian powerhouse in decades.

Indonesia won’t allow Russian planes to be stationed on its territory, Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles said following earlier reports that Moscow had requested permission to access a provincial base in the archipelago.

Australia says Indonesia ruled out base for Russian aircraft

Four weeks before Melbourne entered lockdown in March 2020, a group of councillors gathered in the city’s Town Hall to back a proposal for the tallest structure that Australia had ever seen, one that would see a spiralling green garden wrapped around a 365-metre skyscraper.

Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid