US President Donald Trump’s new trade levies against China, Canada and Mexico include a broadside against international e-commerce, with apparent plans to extinguish a long-held tariff exemption for packages worth less than US$800 (RM3,590).

Trump targets loophole Temu, Shein used to take on Amazon

All 19 polling centres, comprising 63 voting streams, for the Ayer Kuning state by-election opened simultaneously at 8am on Saturday.

Eighteen polling centres will remain open until 6pm, except for the one at Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Tandewa Sakti, which will close at 4pm.

Ayer Kuning state by-election: 19 polling centres open at 8am

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) takes a measured approach in managing the overnight policy rate (OPR), describing it as a powerful policy instrument that should be used only when circumstances warrant it.

BNM'S OPR decisions based on measured approach, not pre-emptive, says Amir Hamzah

Most stock indices climbed on Friday, with Wall Street buoyed by technology-related shares, while the dollar had its first weekly rise in over a month as investors searched for signs that the US-China trade war may be easing.

Stocks rise with tech-related shares, notch weekly gains; dollar up

For a small domestic-focused bank, Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB) has managed to rack up admirable growth in the last two years by playing to its strategy of doubling down on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) — its niche business — while firing up the consumer and corporate banking businesses that had been lagging.

Can Alliance Bank keep up its strong growth momentum?

Information technology company MDT Innovations Sdn Bhd's founder Liew Choon Lian has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Systech Bhd (KL:SYSTECH).

Liew Choon Lian ceases to be substantial shareholder in Systech

A dollar gauge is on track for its worst performance during the first 100 days of a US presidency in data going back to the Nixon era, when America abandoned the gold standard and switched to a free-floating exchange rate.

Dollar poised for worst first 100 days of presidency since Nixon

Wall Street's main indices were on track for weekly gains on Friday, though they struggled for direction on the day as investors navigated contradictory messages on US-China trade and a mixed spate of corporate earnings.

Wall Street set for weekly gains with trade signals, earnings in focus

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians not to be affected by negative rhetoric, including during the Ayer Kuning state by-election, but to instead focus on the nation’s growing achievements and its future prospects.

Anwar urges Malaysians to focus on nation’s future, not be affected by negative rhetoric

The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) seized, froze and forfeited assets and issued compounds worth over RM285 million last year in an effort to combat crimes involving corruption.

MACC seized, froze and forfeited assets worth over RM285 mil last year — Azam Baki

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail is optimistic that Barisan Nasional (BN) will emerge victorious at Saturday’s by-elections and retain the Ayer Kuning state seat.

Pahang MB optimistic about BN retaining Ayer Kuning seat

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

Bina Puri, Pos Malaysia, Petronas Gas, Sarawak Oil Palms, Chin Teck Plantations, CTOS Digital, UEM Edgenta, Taghill, Catcha Digital, Astro Malaysia, Iskandar Waterfront City and Key Alliance

Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd has publicly reprimanded Reach Energy Bhd (KL:REACH) and seven directors, for failing to promptly announce that the company had triggered the Practice Note 17 (PN17) criteria under listing rules, after its auditors raised concerns about its ability to continue as a going concern.

Bursa reprimands Reach Energy, fines six directors over PN17 disclosure delay

A senior Morgan Stanley trading executive’s abrupt departure last month was triggered by an internal investigation into his interactions with colleagues, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Morgan Stanley fired head of a trading unit after conduct probe

ACE-Market listed LYC Healthcare Bhd (KL:LYC) has made the full payment of RM600,000 to SOG Mummy &amp; Baby Centre Pte Ltd, which had served a winding-up petition to the company.

LYC Healthcare settles RM600,000 outstanding payment with winding-up petitioner

Information technology company MDT Innovations Sdn Bhd's founder Liew Choon Lian has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Systech Bhd (KL:SYSTECH).

Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd (KL:IWCITY) has requested another six months from tycoon Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo to deliberate its potential merger with Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd (IWH).

IWCity seeks another six-month extension to deliberate IWH merger

Wall Street's main indices were on track for weekly gains on Friday, though they struggled for direction on the day as investors navigated contradictory messages on US-China trade and a mixed spate of corporate earnings.

For a small domestic-focused bank, Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB) has managed to rack up admirable growth in the last two years by playing to its strategy of doubling down on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) — its niche business — while firing up the consumer and corporate banking businesses that had been lagging.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians not to be affected by negative rhetoric, including during the Ayer Kuning state by-election, but to instead focus on the nation’s growing achievements and its future prospects.

Bitcoin’s leading a rebound in risk assets, with the original digital currency on pace for its biggest weekly increase since just after the US presidential election victory of Donald Trump.

Bitcoin outpaces stocks in biggest weekly gain since US election

Microsoft Corp is planning to use third-party firms to handle more sales of software to small and mid-size customers, echoing efforts by its peers to adjust sales strategies in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Microsoft to contract out more software selling in the age of AI

A dollar gauge is on track for its worst performance during the first 100 days of a US presidency in data going back to the Nixon era, when America abandoned the gold standard and switched to a free-floating exchange rate.

Congress will likely exert more authority over US trade policy if the White House doesn’t demonstrate “significant progress” in the ongoing tariff negotiations with dozens of countries in the coming weeks, says New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler.

Lawler says Congress should intervene if Trump trade war drags on

US consumer sentiment fell to one of the lowest readings on record and long-term inflation expectations climbed to the highest since 1991 on fears of the economic fallout from tariffs.

US consumer sentiment slides while inflation expectations jump

Malaysia’s temporary medical centre located in the 700th Anniversary Field in Parami Ward, Sagaing Region in Myanmar is offering eight medical services.

Malaysia's temporary medical centre in Myanmar offering eight medical services

The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) seized, froze and forfeited assets and issued compounds worth over RM285 million last year in an effort to combat crimes involving corruption.

The UK has agreed to collaborate with Malaysia in various fields, including technology and new energy management, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

UK agrees to assist Malaysia in technology, new energy — Fadillah

Most stock indices climbed on Friday, with Wall Street buoyed by technology-related shares, while the dollar had its first weekly rise in over a month as investors searched for signs that the US-China trade war may be easing.

A 25% US tariff on pharmaceutical imports would increase US drug costs by nearly US$51 billion (RM223.2 billion) annually, boosting US prices by as much as 12.9% if passed on, a report commissioned by the industry's US trade group and reviewed by Reuters shows.

US pharma tariffs would raise US drug costs by US$51b annually, report finds 

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a personal appeal to Singaporeans, urging them to vote for candidates who will prioritise the nation and its people above all else, and to choose the best team capable of leading the country through a period of global uncertainty.

Jennifer A Dlouhy, Josh Wingrove & Spencer Soper