This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 19, 2016.

 

PETALING JAYA: The family of Sarawakian Bernard Then, who was beheaded by Abu Sayyaf militants in southern Philippines last November, said the government should look after the safety ...

Beheaded hostage’s family tells govt to protect citizens

US President Donald Trump’s administration is putting pressure on Europe to ditch a rulebook that would compel developers of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to follow stricter standards of transparency, risk-mitigation and copyright rules.

Trump administration pressures Europe to ditch AI rulebook

China will take measures to achieve its annual economic growth target of around 5% despite escalating trade tensions and uncertainties, the country’s finance minister said in Washington earlier this week.

China reiterates hitting 2025 growth target amid trade tension

The voter turnout for the Ayer Kuning state by-election as of 11am on Saturday was still low, with only 26.36% of the 31,281 registered voters having fulfilled their responsibilities, said Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.

Ayer Kuning state by-election: Voter turnout low as of 11am, says EC

Google is the only company that can offer the level of features and functionality that its popular Chrome web browser has today, given its “interdependencies” on other parts of the Alphabet Inc unit, the head of Chrome testified.

Only Google can run Chrome, company’s browser chief tells judge

A Jeff Bezos-backed start-up aims to appeal to American car buyers’ patriotism and pocketbooks.

Bezos-backed start-up launches cheap, US-made electric pickup

Citadel founder Ken Griffin extended his criticism of the Trump administration’s trade policy, saying that tariffs won’t bring back American manufacturing jobs the way that the US president anticipates, and the country should play to its strengths instead.

Citadel founder criticises Trump tariffs: 'These jobs are not coming back’ 

Elon Musk’s xAI Holdings is in talks with investors to raise roughly US$20 billion (RM87.48 billion) in funding for his newly combined artificial intelligence (AI) start-up and social media business, according to people familiar with the matter.

Musk’s xAI Holdings in talks to raise US$20b, Bloomberg reports

Spiking trade uncertainty is compounding rising debt and sluggish growth problems facing emerging markets and developing countries, but cutting their own tariffs could provide a big boost, said Indermit Gill, the World Bank's chief economist.

World Bank chief economist sounds alarm on emerging-market debt issues, urges liberalisation

US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine are “very close” to an accord after his special envoy met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and he called for high-level talks between the two countries to help bring an end to the war.

Trump says Russia and Ukraine are ‘very close to a deal’

The Asean Power Grid (APG) is a pillar that can strengthen cooperation among the bloc’s member states, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Asean Power Grid set to strengthen regional cooperation, says Fadillah

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?

US President Donald Trump suggested another delay to his higher so-called “reciprocal” tariffs is unlikely, raising pressure on nations to negotiate trade deals with his administration.

Trump doubtful on another tariff pause, wants China concessions

US Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell used a gathering of finance chiefs from around the world to stress that central banks must be shielded from politics to ensure they can focus on keeping inflation stable and employment high, according to people who listened to his remarks.

Defying Trump, Powell said to tell world's finance chiefs 'central banks must be shielded from politics'

Finance Minister II&nbsp;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&nbsp;it.

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

US President Donald Trump said he would “absolutely” sign a bill banning congressional stock trading, saying he is concerned lawmakers could be using insider information for an advantage.

Trump says he would 'absolutely' sign bill banning congressional stock trades

A shipment&nbsp;of Malaysian palm oil from Sabah totalling 100,000 tonnes entered the storage depot at the Port of Liverpool, England, on April 5, said Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK and Northern Ireland&nbsp;Datuk Zakri Jaafar.

CPTPP: Consignment of Malaysian palm oil totalling 100,000 tonnes enters UK tariff-free

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

Malaysia seeks to maintain&nbsp;good ties with the US, said&nbsp;Finance Minister II&nbsp;Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

“Malaysia has always been a good economic partner to the US. That's why the US has always been among Malaysia's highest foreign investors.

Amir Hamzah: Malaysia seeks to maintain good ties with US

The voter turnout&nbsp;for the Ayer Kuning state by-election as of 11am on Saturday was still low, with only 26.36% of the 31,281 registered voters having fulfilled their responsibilities, said&nbsp;Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.

As Malaysia’s growth forecast is being revised downward in reflection of&nbsp;a broader global trend, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan&nbsp;is&nbsp;emphasising&nbsp;the importance of not being overly fixated on growth figures.&nbsp;

Malaysia won't be fixated on growth forecasts but will focus on building resilience — Amir Hamzah

Citadel founder Ken Griffin extended his&nbsp;criticism&nbsp;of the Trump administration’s trade policy, saying that tariffs won’t bring back American manufacturing jobs the way that the US president anticipates, and the country should play to its strengths instead.&nbsp;

China’s DiDi Global Inc&nbsp;is quietly recruiting new drivers in Hong Kong as it looks to grow outside of mainland China.

The move sets the Chinese ride-hailing pioneer up for close competition with Uber Technologies Inc&nbsp;in a financial hub where regulations governing the sector are still in flux, providing a window for rivals to win market share. DiDi has been offering limited taxi services in Hong Kong for some time, but lacks a ride-share option.

China’s DiDi recruits ride-hailing drivers in Hong Kong push

Elon Musk’s xAI Holdings is in talks with investors to raise roughly US$20 billion (RM87.48 billion) in funding for his newly combined artificial intelligence (AI) start-up and social media business, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

China will adopt new policy support for the economy to counter external shocks if needed, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said, in line with top officials’&nbsp;latest signals&nbsp;of taking a patient approach to supporting growth.&nbsp;

China's central bank governor pledges more steps to address tariff shock if needed

Asean has consistently maintained a neutral stance in its relations with both the US and China, and this&nbsp;remains central to the region’s diplomatic approach, said Finance Minister II&nbsp;Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Asean’s neutrality works, says Amir Hamzah

Google is the only company that can offer the level of features and functionality that its popular Chrome web browser has today, given its “interdependencies” on other parts of the Alphabet Inc&nbsp;unit, the head of Chrome testified.&nbsp;

A Jeff Bezos-backed start-up aims to appeal to American car buyers’ patriotism and pocketbooks.&nbsp;

The Asean&nbsp;Power Grid (APG) is a pillar that can strengthen&nbsp;cooperation among&nbsp;the bloc’s member states, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine are “very close” to an accord after his special envoy met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and he called for high-level talks between the two countries to help bring an end to the war.

Spiking trade uncertainty is compounding rising debt and sluggish growth problems facing&nbsp;emerging&nbsp;markets and developing countries, but cutting their own&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;could provide a big boost, said Indermit Gill, the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Bank's chief economist.

Jennifer Gomez & Angeline Tan of The Malaysian Insider