Britain's government on Tuesday pledged £2 billion (US$2.58 billion) to build up to 18,000 social and affordable homes in England as part of its efforts to deliver 1.5 million properties by the end of Parliament and boost economic growth.

Britain to invest £2 billion to build 18,000 affordable homes

Britain's construction sector contracted sharply in February, with residential house-building declining at one the fastest rates since 2009 due to weak demand and high borrowing costs, according to a survey published on Thursday.

UK construction PMI falls to lowest since 2020 as house-building plummets

British services firms in February cut staff at the fastest pace since 2020 ahead of tax and minimum-wage hikes that come into effect next month, an industry survey showed on Wednesday.

UK services job cuts intensify before employment tax hike, PMI survey shows

Britain's jobs market showed further signs of cooling at the start of the year as demand for staff fell by the most since mid-2020, according to a survey that suggested the government's payroll tax hike and economic uncertainty is weighing on hiring.

UK vacancies weakest since 2020 and pay growth cools, survey shows

British services firms lost momentum last month as a looming rise in employer taxes led to the fastest job cuts in four years but price pressures remained strong, according to a survey that underscored the challenge facing the Bank of England (BOE) this week.

UK services firms speed up job cuts but price pressures strong, PMI shows

World share markets were in a tailspin on Monday after US President Donald Trump said tariffs would essentially cover all countries, stoking worries a global trade war could lead to a recession.

Stocks slide, bonds buoyed as tariffs fan recession fears; oil down

US President Donald Trump said a deal with TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the short video app used by 170 million Americans would be struck before a deadline on Saturday, April 5.

Trump says TikTok sale deal to come before April 5 deadline

Thai authorities sought to calm investor nerves as the stock exchange prepared to resume trading after a massive earthquake last Friday caused widespread damage to buildings and killed about 18 people.

Thailand reassures investors as markets reopen after quake

Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd and GIC Pte Ltd will acquire a significant stake in Novotech Pty Ltd to fuel growth and accelerate acquisitions for the clinical research and testing provider, valuing the company at about A$3 billion (US$1.9 billion or RM8.4 billion), people familiar with the matter said.

Temasek, GIC to buy Novotech stake in deal with TPG, Bloomberg reports

China’s factory activity continued to expand in March, welcome news for the world’s No 2 economy before expected US tariffs that could further strain trade ties.

Chinese factory activity expands before expected Trump tariffs

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd shares dropped the most in nearly two weeks, after reports that Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is considering delaying the signing of a controversial deal to sell the company’s Panama Canal ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc.

CK Hutchison shares fall as Li Ka-shing said to mull Panama ports deal delay

US President Donald Trump said he plans to start his reciprocal tariff push with “all countries”, tamping down speculation that he could limit the initial scope of tariffs set to be unveiled on Wednesday, April 2.

Trump says reciprocal tariffs set to start with all countries

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has never appointed any individual as his adviser.

Sim denies having adviser with 'Tan Sri' title

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held “productive” discussions about “an economic prosperity deal” on a call with US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening, ahead of a crunch week in which the government hopes to carve out exemptions from looming US tariffs.

UK’s Starmer in ‘productive’ talks with Trump before crunch week

The deadly Myanmar earthquake is set to hurt foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand in the coming weeks, the latest blow to an industry already reeling from dwindling Chinese visitors worried about travel safety.

Massive quake deals blow to Thai tourism hit by safety woes

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd&nbsp;shares dropped the most in nearly two weeks, after reports that Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is considering delaying the signing of a controversial deal to sell the company’s Panama Canal ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc.

Thai police on Sunday arrested four Chinese nationals for unlawfully entering the site of an under construction building that collapsed after a powerful earthquake in the Chatuchak district&nbsp;here, in an attempt to retrieve documents.

Four Chinese nationals detained for illegally entering Bangkok disaster zone to 'retrieve documents'

Volvo Car AB tapped its long-time chief executive officer Hakan Samuelsson to retake the helm, as the Swedish automaker tries to navigate its way out of a malaise worsened by looming US tariffs.

Volvo Car brings back Samuelsson as CEO to steer turnaround

US President Donald Trump said he wouldn’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House, telling NBC News in a phone interview on Sunday that “there are methods” that would&nbsp;allow him to do so.&nbsp;

Trump won’t rule out seeking third term as US president, says there are ways

Gold started the week with a fresh record high, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected latest tariff barrage that’s heightened concern of a global trade war.

Gold rises to record as trade-war concerns drive haven demand

US President Donald Trump said he plans to start his reciprocal tariff push with “all countries”, tamping down speculation that he could limit the initial scope of tariffs set to be unveiled on Wednesday, April 2.&nbsp;

Asian leaders face tough decisions as US President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;reciprocal tariffs&nbsp;pose a generational challenge to a region whose economies were built around exports to the US and a world of low trade barriers.

Asia braces for historic test of export model from Trump tariffs

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said he is considering “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if Vladimir Putin refuses a ceasefire with Ukraine, while saying he doesn’t think the Russian president will “go back on his word”.

Trump threatens Russian oil penalties in bid to persuade Putin to accept ceasefire

Goldman Sachs Group Inc&nbsp;economists now expect the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates three times this year as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs weigh on economic growth and drive up unemployment.

Goldman sees more Fed cuts this year as tariffs dent growth

Human Resources Minister&nbsp;Steven Sim Chee Keong has never appointed any individual as his adviser.

As South Korea prepares to lift a 17-month ban on short selling, market watchers are expressing confidence that long-term benefits from the resumption of the popular trading practice will far outweigh any near-term volatility.

South Korea's short-selling resumption set to entice global funds

The King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, and&nbsp;the Queen,&nbsp;Raja Zarith Sofiah, performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur&nbsp;on Monday, in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri&nbsp;1446H/2025M celebrations.

King, Queen perform Aidilfitri prayers at Federal Territory Mosque

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra topped the list of the citizens’ choice for running the country as most locals support the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s policies, according to an opinion poll.

Thai PM Paetongtarn’s support climbs to 30.9% in poll

US President Donald Trump said he expects consumers to migrate to US-made cars if automakers raise prices in response to the 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles and parts that he has vowed to impose.&nbsp;

Trump hopes new tariffs send buyers to American cars

The deadly&nbsp;Myanmar earthquake&nbsp;is set to hurt foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand in the coming weeks, the latest blow to an industry already reeling from dwindling Chinese visitors worried about travel safety.

Asset manager 65 Equity Partners is backing Swiss pharmaceutical ingredient maker Healthcare Advanced Synthesis SA’s acquisition of Cerbios-Pharma SA, marking its first deal in Europe.

Temasek-backed 65 Equity makes European foray with Swiss pharma merger

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has seen a jump in support for his government, following the start of the country's election campaign, boosting the centre-left Labor party’s chances of holding power in a vote scheduled for May 3.

Australian PM Albanese leads in polls as election race starts

Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd is weighing a sale of Element Materials Technology, a UK testing company it acquired about three years ago, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Temasek weighing sale of testing firm Element Materials, Bloomberg reports

Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd and GIC Pte Ltd&nbsp;will acquire a significant stake in Novotech Pty Ltd&nbsp;to fuel growth and accelerate acquisitions for the clinical research and testing provider, valuing the company at about A$3 billion (US$1.9 billion or RM8.4 billion), people familiar with the matter said.

Thai authorities sought to calm investor nerves as the stock exchange prepared to resume trading after a massive earthquake last Friday caused widespread damage to buildings and killed about 18 people.

Suban Abdulla