The UK arm of Spain's Banco Santander said on Wednesday around 750 staff could lose their jobs under plans to close a fifth of its branch network, raising fresh questions about the scale of the lender's UK presence.

Santander UK to axe a fifth of branches, around 750 jobs at risk

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza killed a Hamas political leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, on Sunday, the militant group said, as Palestinian officials put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000.

Israeli airstrike kills Hamas official as Gaza death toll passes 50,000

The UK will aim to slash the number of civil servants by 10,000 as it targets a 15% reduction in the government’s operating costs, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said ahead of Wednesday’s key statement on the public finances.

Reeves says UK to cut 10,000 civil service jobs ahead of key speech

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, known as Sinopec, reported a 16.8% decline in 2024 net profit on Sunday, citing lower crude oil prices and the accelerated development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.

Sinopec's 2024 net profit plunges 16.8% due to falling oil prices, NEVs

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country is prepared for “shocks that exceed expectations” as the world braces for US President Donald Trump to announce more tariffs on its trading partners next month.

China says it’s prepared for shocks as US tariffs loom

US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control.”

Trump says efforts to contain war in Ukraine ‘under control’ 

A Turkish court on Sunday formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top political rival, in a decision likely to stoke further protests and keep local markets under pressure as tensions mount.

Türkiye jails Erdogan’s top foe Imamoglu, risking more unrest

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 

Gold price is on fire! The precious metal continues to defy expectations, repeatedly smashing record highs as investors seek refuge from global economic turbulence.

Gold on fire: Will prices hit US$5,000 mark by year-end? 

Consumers’ ability to repay debt from 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) facilities is increasingly a concern, especially with the significant growth in BNPL transactions in Malaysia, thus raising concerns about the risks of high indebtedness and the importance of financial literacy.

BNPL and debt: Between convenience and concern

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the existence of an additional document in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday.

Top court to hear AGC’s leave application on Najib’s house arrest addendum tomorrow