Deutsche Bank will cut the headcount of its retail bank by almost 2,000 people in 2025 with a "significant" reduction in the number of branches, chief executive officer Christian Sewing said on Wednesday.

Deutsche Bank plans to cut 2,000 jobs with 'significant' branch reduction

The European Central Bank has given UniCredit approval to buy up to 29.9% of Commerzbank, the Italian bank said on Friday, adding it would likely wait until next year before deciding whether to pursue an acquisition.

UniCredit secures ECB's approval for Commerzbank stake

DHL unveiled plans on Thursday to cut about 8,000 jobs in Germany this year as part of a strategy to save more than €1 billion (US$1.08 billion or RM4.8 billion) by 2027, after the logistics group reported a 7% fall in annual operating profit.

DHL to cut 8,000 jobs as part of US$1.1b cost-saving strategy

Banks struggled to process payments on Friday, after an unprecedented day-long breakdown in the European Central Bank's (ECB) machine underpinning trillions of euros of money movements.

ECB's multi-trillion payments breakdown sends shudders through Europe

Commerzbank said on Thursday it would cut 3,900 jobs and unveiled more ambitious financial targets as part of a strategy revamp designed to head off UniCredit's advances for a tie-up between the German and Italian lenders.

Commerzbank to cut 3,900 jobs, mainly in Germany, as it seeks to fend off UniCredit

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 

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 greater shocks as US tariffs loom

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

Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.

Anti-Musk protesters gather outside Tesla dealership in Washington

Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Truce shaky as Israel strikes Lebanon in response to rocket fire

Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the impact of the new US administration’s policies will have a “seismic” impact on the global economy, ahead of his fourth national budget due to be handed down on Tuesday.

Australia treasurer warns of ‘seismic’ US global economic shock

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

In this week's issue, we take a look at Kajang and how it has evolved over the years. Over the past five years, transaction data of residential properties in the Kajang town centre has shown fairly stable growth, compared with areas nearer to the Kuala Lumpur city centre, thanks to affordable property prices, coupled with excellent connectivity and well-established infrastructure and amenities.

Old town charm

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.

Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the impact of the new US administration’s policies will have a “seismic” impact on the global economy, ahead of his fourth national budget due to be handed down on Tuesday.

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.

Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Celebrity chef Norzaini Abd Hamid (fondly known as Aunty Aini) is most remembered for her appearance on Gordon Ramsay’s travelogue foodie series, Gordon’s Great Escape, where she taught the British chef a traditional beef rendang recipe and famously told him off: “Be patient” and “Don’t burn my food!” at her home-based restaurant Aunty Aini’s Garden Cafe in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

Rooted in tradition

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.

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.

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.

US inflation remains at a disquieting level for Federal Reserve officials, just as the Trump administration moves forward with tariffs that risk keeping price pressures elevated.

Sticky US inflation and tariffs are keeping the Fed sidelined

Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.

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

Tom Sims