(March 11): For months, many leading artificial intelligence developers in the US have been racing to develop sophisticated AI agents that can carry out more complex tasks on a user’s behalf.

Now, a lesser-known Chinese startup is claiming to have vaulted ahead of them.

Manus ...

China’s Manus follows DeepSeek in challenging US AI lead

The Japanese operator of Uniqlo lowered its second-half underlying profit forecast by ¥10 billion (US$68 million or RM303.7 million) on Thursday on expectations US tariffs will hit the profitability of its fast growing North American clothing business.

Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing cuts 2H profit outlook over US tariffs

Volkswagen AG’s profit tumbled in the first quarter as the automaker grappled with one-off charges and early effects of US tariffs that are poised to drive up costs for the industry.

VW’s operating profit fell almost 40% ahead of US tariffs

Equities in Asian emerging markets rallied the most in over two years on Thursday, while most currencies firmed, as US President Donald Trump's temporary pause on some of his harshest tariffs triggered a buying spree of beaten-down stocks.

Trump tariff relief spurs rally in Asian stocks, currencies firm

The sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under the Aukus treaty faces new doubts as US President Donald Trump's tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the subs to Canberra may reduce deterrence to China.

Aukus nuclear submarine sale under scrutiny as Trump tariffs rattle Australia

The Philippine central bank resumed its easing cycle on Thursday, as expected, cutting its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% to help the economy cope with global challenges, including the potential fallout from US trade policy.

Philippine central bank cuts policy rate by 25 basis points, as expected

The central banks of Malaysia and Thailand signed a pact on Thursday to strengthen joint efforts in cybersecurity and digital fraud protection.

Malaysia, Thailand central banks strengthen ties to boost cybersecurity

Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) had told the late Kee Kok Thiam not to return to Malaysia after the Barisan Nasional government under Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership fell in the 2018 general election, the High Court heard on Thursday.

The late Kee Kok Thiam told MACC that Jho Low told him not to return to Malaysia, says investigating officer

Tesco, Britain's biggest food retailer, warned on Thursday its profit would likely fall this year, reflecting a further increase in the "competitive intensity" of the UK market.

Britain's Tesco warns profit to fall as competition intensifies

Taiwan state-backed bodies could over the next decade buy an extra US$200 billion from the US and bump up the percentage of LNG it gets from the county by one-third to help narrow the trade deficit, the economy minister said on Thursday.

Taiwan could buy US$200 billion more from US, increase LNG imports as part of trade deal

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia’s palm oil stocks posted their first rise in six months in March, as production recovered and imports rose sharply, offsetting strong festive demand, data from the industry regulator showed on Thursday.

Malaysia’s palm oil stocks rise for first time in six months in March

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

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.

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

(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

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

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

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

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

Umno has filed an originating summons (OS) at the High Court last month seeking a declaration and an order for a 9,723 square metre land to be transferred to the political party. The land, which is now the Seri Pacific Hotel, here, is currently held in trust by four people, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Umno wants transfer of Seri Pacific hotel land held under trusteeship of Dr M, Daim, two others

Global shares surged and a manic bond sell-off stabilised on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries.

Stocks soar in relief rally after Trump pauses tariffs

(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

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

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

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

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;

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

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia’s palm oil stocks posted their first rise in six months in March, as production recovered and imports rose sharply, offsetting strong festive demand, data from the industry regulator showed on Thursday.

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

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.

Saritha Rai, Julie Zhu & Edwin Chan