Malaysia's economy is projected to grow at a moderate pace of 4.5% to 5.0% in 2025, benefiting from strong economic fundamentals and an uptick in foreign investments, Hong Leong Bank Bhd or HLB (KL:HLBANK) said.

HLB forecasts M'sian economic growth at moderate pace of 4.5% to 5% in 2025

US President-elect Donald Trump’s policies risk stunting global growth and weakening demand for Malaysian chips, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

US trade war threatens demand for Malaysian chips, says Zafrul

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has withdrawn from the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a global coalition of central banks engaged in the study of climate risk that was launched in 2017.

Fed withdraws from global climate coalition

Bitcoin appears to be back on track towards record highs with the second presidential inauguration of pro-crypto Donald Trump just days away. 

The largest cryptocurrency by market value has climbed as much as 13% since Sunday, putting it on pace for the biggest weekly gain since election week in November. Bitcoin, which reached a record US$108,315 (RM487,851) in December, had declined in three of the prior four weeks. It was up about 4.9% to US$105,076 as of 3.44pm in New York.

Bitcoin jumps to high for year ahead of Trump inauguration

Outgoing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her department will start taking special accounting manoeuvres as of Jan 21 to avoid breaching the US debt limit, and urged lawmakers again to take steps to increase or suspend the statutory ceiling.

US to take extraordinary steps to avert default, Yellen says

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has denied recent claims in local media reports that the state government plans to increase hotel accommodation fees by up to 50% this year.

Penang has no plans to raise hotel fees, says CM

In a last-minute move by the Biden-Harris administration, a new Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion was announced on Monday (Jan 13), imposing stricter export controls on US-developed AI chips.

Is Malaysia’s chip sector prepared for the storm?

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the UK has successfully attracted RM11 billion in potential investments across various sectors, including renewable energy and the digital economy.

PM's UK visit attracts potential investments worth RM11b

With US President-elect Donald Trump due to be sworn in on Monday, Jan 20, Malaysia believes it can navigate any political or economic uncertainties arising from his second term in the White House.

Malaysia confident of navigating possible challenges from Trump's presidency, says Anwar

MSCI's global equities index rose on Friday, while US Treasury yields turned higher with the dollar, as upbeat economic data and earnings appeared to help investors shrug off any jitters ahead of the US presidential inauguration.

Global shares rise with dollar, US bond yields turn higher

The European Union (EU) is debating whether to drop a sensitive trade investigation against China over alleged coercive activity targeting Lithuania, a prospect that’s frustrated officials in Washington, where the incoming Trump team sees it as capitulation to Beijing.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to take a tough line on China and the possible EU move would reinforce for his team how the bloc will approach dealing with Beijing, according to people familiar with the matter.

EU mulls dropping China trade case, frustrating Trump team

The European Union (EU) and Mexico agreed to a revamped free-trade agreement, just as both are under pressure from president-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened them with a new round of tariffs.

The agreement aims to boost both trade and economic security by de-risking supply chains, securing a sustainable supply of critical raw materials and tackling climate change, according to a European Commission statement on Friday.

EU, Mexico seal trade deal as Trump threatens tariffs

US industrial production rose in December by more than forecast, helped by a pickup in factory output that indicates manufacturing is stabilising after two years of weakness.

US industrial production tops forecasts after Boeing strike ends

Housing starts in the US climbed in December to the fastest pace since early 2024, reflecting a surge in multifamily projects and a more modest advance in one-family homes.

New residential construction increased nearly 16% to an annualised rate of 1.5 million, rebounding after a three-month slump, according to government data released on Friday.

US housing starts top all forecasts on multifamily construction

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Jan 19): A ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is set to come into effect on Sunday morning with a hostage release to follow hours later, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has upended the Middle East.

Gaza ceasefire and hostage release set to begin

Titling your autobiography The Most Famous Woman in China immediately tells your audience being “shy” and “retiring” are not part of your lexicon — a fact for which Yue-Sai Kan is completely unapologetic. At 77, in good health and still looking like a million bucks, the Emmy-winning TV host, producer and entrepreneur is, to borrow the popular Gen Z phrase, living her best life.

Middle Kingdom Maven

Owing to the increase in demand for commercial spaces at IJM Rimbayu in Kuala Langat, IJM Land Bhd is set to launch ROAM, a 5.56-acre commercial project offering four blocks of strata shops and offices, next month.

Growing a self-sustaining township

All parties to Israel-Hamas war have agreed that the Gaza ceasefire will take effect at 8.30am local time on Sunday, a few hours earlier than had been anticipated, Qatar announced.

Gaza ceasefire to start on Sunday morning following Israeli approval

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday to argue against a request for his detention to be extended after his arrest earlier this week.

Impeached S Korean president Yoon defends himself in court against longer detention

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will hold talks with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enable the mobile application for the selling and buying of used motorcycles to be integrated with the mySIKAP system for simpler, faster and safer transactions.

MOT, JPJ to discuss integrating app for buying and selling used motorcycles with mySIKAP

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four more individuals suspected of accepting bribes in return for assisting in processing and approving personal loan applications submitted by a financial consultancy firm.

MACC arrests four more suspects over loan bribery scandal

Phase 3 of the e-invoicing initiative has received over 4,900 early voluntary participants, according to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

In a statement on Saturday, the IRB noted that the e-invoicing implementation had now entered the second phase and shown a promising increase in participation.

Over 4,900 early voluntary participants in Phase 3 of e-invoicing, says IRB

JF Technology Bhd (KL:JFTECH) co-founder and managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong, who became the second-largest shareholder of Cosmos Technology International Bhd (KL:COSMOS) on Wednesday, said he intends to tap into the growing opportunities within Malaysia's water infrastructure sector.

JF Tech boss sees water infrastructure potential in Cosmos as he becomes second-largest shareholder

Deutsche Lufthansa AG completed the acquisition of a minority stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways late on Friday after first making an offer for its competitor in January 2023.

Lufthansa finalises deal for 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways

Titling your autobiography The Most Famous Woman in China immediately tells your audience being “shy” and “retiring” are not part of your lexicon — a fact for which Yue-Sai Kan is completely unapologetic. At 77, in good health and still looking like a million bucks, the Emmy-winning TV host, producer and entrepreneur is, to borrow the popular Gen Z phrase, living her best life.&nbsp;

Owing to the increase in demand for commercial spaces at IJM Rimbayu in Kuala Langat, IJM Land Bhd is set to launch ROAM, a 5.56-acre commercial project offering four blocks of strata shops and offices, next month.&nbsp;

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Jan 19): A&nbsp;ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is set to come into effect on Sunday morning with a hostage release to follow hours later, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has upended the Middle East.

Economy

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Economy

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