(March 27): OpenAI is close to finalising a US$40 billion (RM177.28 billion) funding round led by SoftBank Group Corp — with investors including Magnetar Capital, Coatue Management, Founders Fund and Altimeter Capital Management in talks to participate, according to people familiar with the matter.

OpenAI close to finalising US$40b SoftBank-led funding — Bloomberg

Canada’s labour market unexpectedly weakened in March, shedding the most jobs in more than three years.

Employment fell by 33,000 positions last month, pushing the jobless rate up 0.1 percentage point to 6.7%, Statistics Canada reported on Friday.

Canada loses 33,000 jobs, most since 2022; bonds rally

The initial technical report on the cause of Tuesday’s gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, is expected to be ready in two weeks.

Initial report on Putra Heights fire to be ready in two weeks — police

Police confirmed that soil excavation work had been carried out to replace a sewage pipe 30 metres from Tuesday’s gas pipeline fire incident area in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, that caused immense damages.

Gas pipeline fire: Police confirm excavation work carried out to replace sewage pipe near site of incident

Following the US Liberation Day’s reciprocal tariffs announced on April 3, 2025, the Madani government stands firm with the view that reciprocal tariffs do not serve the principles of free and fair trade stipulated under the World Trade Organization, of which 164 countries, including the US, is a member. The government also refutes the claim by the US authorities that Malaysia has imposed 47% tariff on US imports into Malaysia.

Malaysia refutes 47% US import tariff claim, takes measures to prioritise well-being of businesses and people

In times of market panic investors tend to rush to the safety of the dollar, but when stocks swooned in response to US tariffs this week, they ran away from it. Investors say it's a sign that the greenback’s global standing may be eroding.

The dollar, for decades a safe haven, on Thursday fell about 1.7% in its biggest daily drop since November 2022, after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports at levels not seen since the early 1900s. Stock markets also tanked, as tariffs ignited recession worries.

Next up for markets: A crisis of confidence in the dollar

US stocks opened sharply lower on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite heading into a bear market, after China imposed fresh tariffs on all US goods in response to the Trump administration's sweeping levies, escalating a global trade war.

Wall St opens sharply lower, Nasdaq heading towards bear market

Ch’ng family’s Cfamillie Holdings Sdn Bhd has revealed its involvement in a bid to remove HHRG Bhd’s (KL:HHRG) board, just days before HHRG’s legal move to stop the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to do so.

Cfamillie reveals role in HHRG board removal bid amid legal dispute

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

Axiata, Malaysia Smelting Corp, Lianson Fleet, Radium Development, Mr DIY, KKB, Ho Hup

US President Donald Trump on Friday said China "played it wrong" after Beijing retaliated against new US tariffs, unveiling countermeasures that included additional duties of 34% on US goods.

"China played it wrong, they panicked — the one thing they cannot afford to do!" Trump wrote in all caps in post on his social media platform.

Trump says China 'played it wrong' in retaliation against US tariffs

China's retaliation on Friday against new US tariffs is poised to accelerate Beijing's move towards alternative suppliers for agriculture goods including Brazil, a shift that began during the trade war of President Donald Trump's first term.

Beijing unveiled a slew of countermeasures, including additional duties of 34% on all US goods, which are on top of the 10%-15% tariffs placed on roughly US$21 billion worth of agricultural trade in early March.

China retaliation on US farm goods hits soybeans, bolstering Brazil

President Donald Trump said he was open to reducing his tariffs if other nations were able to offer something “phenomenal,” indicating that the White House was open to negotiations despite the insistence of some top officials.

Trump open to tariff cuts in return for ‘phenomenal’ offers

China retaliated against US President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs with a slew of measures, including levies on all American goods and export controls on rare earths, dealing a fresh blow to global markets.

China hits back at Trump tariffs with 34% duties on all US goods

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Malaysia’s economy may expand at a slower pace than expected this year, as the latest US tariff measures hurt export-oriented factories in the country.

Malaysia’s economy to expand at slower pace, economists race to cut growth forecasts

Residents of Karpal Singh Drive in Georgetown, Penang, have called on the state government to halt a proposed 70-acre coastal reclamation project, part of the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation, citing concerns over its impact on marine ecosystems, particularly the Middle Bank.

Karpal Singh Drive residents urge state government to halt land reclamation for Jelutong Landfill project

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Twenty-five&nbsp;victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire received a car each from Chery Malaysia for their use for a month on Friday, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

25 Putra Heights fire victims lent first batch of Chery Malaysia SUVs for a month on Friday

Malaysian banks could take a hit from the set of sweeping US tariffs if economic activity decelerates and drags on loan growth while disrupting firms’ cash flow, CIMB Securities warned on Friday.

US tariffs may weigh on Malaysian banks’ loan growth, raise provisions — CIMB Securities

Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd (KL:MRDIY) said its founder Tan Yu Yeh will relinquish his role as the executive vice chairman of the home improvement retailer, effective April 17.

Yu Yeh, 54, is giving up the position as he intends to take on the role of adviser to the group, said Mr DIY in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday.

Mr DIY founder Tan Yu Yeh relinquishes vice chairman post, to serve as adviser

It’s not just about trade. Neither is it an isolated act. It is part of a broader trend where tariffs are no longer mere trade tools, but geopolitical weapons.

The weaponisation of tariffs and the new era of coercive trade

SINGAPORE (April 3):&nbsp;Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is poised to extend anti-graft commission head Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term, people familiar with the matter said, despite criticism by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the appointment process and allegations by politicians and others that the agency practices selective prosecution.

Anwar plans to extend MACC chief Azam Baki’s term — Bloomberg

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): US President Donald Trump’s introduction of a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Malaysia has thrown a spanner in the works for tech companies. However, industry players remain confident that local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will weather the storm...

Trump’s tariffs: Malaysian tech SMEs will face immediate pinch, but Asian ties will aid recovery — industry players

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on Friday by the Constitutional Court, ushering in an election after it upheld parliament's impeachment over his imposition of martial law that sparked the nation's worst political crisis in decades.

South Korea's Yoon removed from office over martial law, election looms

The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) has called on the government to urgently set up a council to lead national-level mitigation efforts in response to the US' imposition of a 24% tariff on Malaysian exports, warning that up to 50,000 Malaysian jobs are at risk if the issue is not addressed immediately.

50,000 Malaysian jobs at risk, business chamber warns as it calls for urgent US tariff mitigation council

The dollar has wiped out all of its gains since Donald Trump won the presidency in November as a new wave of tariffs upended global markets.

Dollar wipes out post-Trump rally as tariffs upend global growth

Following the US Liberation Day’s reciprocal tariffs announced on April 3, 2025, the Madani government stands firm with the view that reciprocal tariffs do not serve the principles of free and fair trade stipulated under the World Trade Organization, of which 164 countries, including the US, is a member. The government also refutes the claim by the US authorities that Malaysia has imposed 47% tariff on US imports into Malaysia.

Malaysia Smelting Corp (KL:MSC), one of the world’s biggest tin producers, has reported disruptions to deliveries from its Port Klang smelter after a pipeline explosion interrupted gas supply, exacerbating pressure on a market already grappling with global output upheaval.

Malaysia Smelting Corp warns of disrupted tin output after gas blast

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): A company director lost RM5.5 million after allegedly falling victim to a foreign exchange (forex) transaction scam.&nbsp;

Forex transaction scam: Company director loses RM5.5m

Malaysia will hold a special Cabinet meeting on the US’ reciprocal tariff later on Friday, TV3 reported, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia to hold special Cabinet meeting with BNM governor to discuss US tariff — report

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): A slowdown in demand for goods due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is a key downside risk for Westports Malaysia Bhd (KL:WPRTS) in 2025, according to CGS International.

Trump’s tariffs could significantly slow demand for goods, posing downside risk to Westports in 2025 — CGS International

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has consented to the appointment of the new Malaysian ambassador to the US, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.

King consents to appointment of new Malaysian ambassador to US

China has suspended chicken products imports from two American producers, part of retaliatory measures against the US after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on the Asian nation.

Kate Clark, Katie Roof, Shirin Ghaffary & Gillian Tan