Asia-Pacific rail infrastructure investment is projected to reach US$9.6 trillion by 2050, the highest of any region globally, as governments expand networks to meet rising passenger and freight demand, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Southeast Asia faces varied paths to rail infrastructure growth

The average size of monitored wildlife populations worldwide declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) “Living Planet Report 2026: The Science of Hope”, released on Oct 8.

Monitored wildlife populations shrink by 73% on average over five decades

For more than two months, Malaysia has been shrouded in cross-border haze that has grown increasingly severe. While haze is an annual occurrence in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste, this year’s episode has been described as the worst since 2015.

Choking fumes sweep across Malaysia

The number of Malaysians aged 65 and above crossed the one-million mark in 2002, accounting for 4.2% of the population. Back then, those aged 14 and below made up a third of the population.

Fastest ageing states as Malaysians grow older

Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, Malaysia is seen strengthening its position as a competitive and resilient investment destination.

Malaysia stays resilient as global investors seek new growth markets

From design to the finished device, a chip goes through four main stages. Global giants dominate each stage, but Bursa Malaysia–listed companies are strongest in assembly and test, and in the equipment, machined parts and automation segments that the entire chain depends on.

Where Malaysian players sit in the semiconductor value chain

At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, the need for cybersecurity spending has also increased significantly. According to a global survey of about 300 cybersecurity leaders conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and released on Aug 27, cybersecurity spending is expected to continue to grow strongly, with more than 80% of respondents planning to increase their budgets through 2027.

Rising AI complexity fuels cybersecurity spending

The likelihood of El Niño developing now exceeds 90%, bringing expectations of a prolonged period of hotter and potentially drier conditions in Malaysia in early 2027. Climate change could further intensify the heat and other weather extremes.

The Super El Niño

Sustainability hasn’t retreated, but its progress has fractured into winners and laggards, and CEOs must build conviction rather than assume uniform momentum, according to Bain and Company’s 2026 CEO Sustainability Report.

US$2.4 tril in green investment, yet most sectors are being left behind

Since 1974, Malaysia has subscribed to the One-China policy, recognising the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China while acknowledging Beijing’s position on Taiwan.

How much is Malaysia’s trade with Taiwan?

Affluent and high-net-worth (HNW) investors in Malaysia are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools for finance and investment, but they still rely heavily on the critical oversight that comes from human professional judgement. This is why more than half, or 58%, still want human-AI synergy when making financial decisions.

Human-AI hybrid preferred in financial decision-making

While Malaysians are no strangers to floods and heatwaves, these events are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, a development many attribute to climate change.

Counting the cost of climate change

Malaysia recorded more than 21 million international visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 2.5% despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia that led to the cancellation of 4,111 scheduled flights to the country.

Tourist arrivals in Malaysia grow 2.5% in 1H despite Middle East tensions

Recent geopolitical tensions have highlighted the lack of investment in industries now deemed strategic, such as energy infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, defence, digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). At the same time, technological breakthroughs are opening opportunities for a new wave of investment.

Catalysing competitiveness

WELLINGTON (Nov 9): Dozens of newly elected lawmakers will start to arrive at New Zealand's parliament this week, even as the country faces a weeks-long wait to learn who will govern after an election that left the incumbent centre-right bloc with a razor-thin lead.

New Zealand's new lawmakers start to arrive at parliament as government remains in limbo

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 9): While Malaysia’s inflation rate has moderated, the easing trend does not necessarily translate into a lower cost of living for households, highlighting the difference between changes in consumer prices and the actual affordability of everyday necessities.

BNM: Lower inflation does not mean lower cost of living, CPI only tells part of story

Last week, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri R Ramanan revealed that 864 high-profile individuals, who included prominent figures, members of parliament and state assemblymen, had been identified as failing to pay Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for their domestic workers.

Frankly Speaking: Will Socso delinquents be revealed in the coming weeks?

(Nov 9): The Philippines’ economic growth, one of Asia’s worst-performing, unexpectedly slowed for a fifth straight quarter on weak farm output, with high energy costs and El Niño continuing to cloud the outlook.

Philippine economy unexpectedly slows, pressuring Marcos

(Nov 9): President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged to preserve Brazil’s public finances without abandoning social programmes in his first televised address since winning a fourth term, as he sought to reassure investors.

Lula vows fiscal responsibility in first address since election

SEOUL (Nov 9): South Korea expects contracted deliveries of Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) to proceed without disruption despite a controversy surrounding the chipmaker's chief executive Jensen Huang, Seoul's deputy science minister said on Monday.

South Korea says Nvidia issues won't affect contracted GPU supplies

(Nov 9): UBS Group AG chief executive officer Sergio Ermotti said the sweep of Democrats in the US midterm elections could trigger a slowdown in the construction of artificial intelligence capacity.

UBS CEO Ermotti says midterms create uncertainty for AI buildout

BEIJING (Nov 9): China's producer inflation accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly four-1/2 years while consumer inflation cooled in October, data showed on Monday, reflecting persistent cost pressures from higher oil prices despite weak domestic demand.

China's factory-gate inflation gains momentum in October, consumer price pressures stay muted

(Nov 8): US President Donald Trump will meet with Qatar's prime minister at the White House on Monday, according to the White House schedule, as the conflict with Iran drags on and diplomatic efforts to end it face significant obstacles.

Trump to meet Qatar's prime minister as Iran diplomacy faces hurdles

PERTH (Nov 9): Oil prices fell at Monday's open after US President Donald Trump said he was highly unlikely to order new Iran attacks while talks to end the conflict make progress, despite both nations' reports of attacks on ships in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil falls as Trump says new Iran attacks 'unlikely'

(Nov 9):&nbsp;In a 257-word memo to employees, Nvidia Corp&nbsp;chief executive officer Jensen Huang left no doubt that the chip colossus was embroiled in a crisis like none before in its three-decade history.&nbsp;

Nvidia CEO’s affair engulfs AI giant in Chinese spying probe

HONG KONG (Nov 9): Asian markets and US equity futures made a steady start on Monday, wobbling into positive territory after a wild week where doubts about demand for computer chips sent tech-heavy markets in Asia into some of their steepest falls in years.

Asian stocks steady as AI, Mideast jitters recede; dollar firm on Fed bets

Malaysia is producing more tertiary graduates. Yet, many of them work in jobs that do not require their qualifications (or even a qualification), earn modest salaries and struggle to find the careers they expected. Meanwhile, employers complain that they cannot find people with the skills they need.

Tong's Portfolio — More graduates. Where are the good jobs?

Malaysia’s first state-backed venture capital management corporation, PNSB Innovation Ventures Sdn Bhd (PIV), is bringing together state and private capital to help start-ups grow and support Selangor’s ambition to become a high-tech hub. PIV, the wholly-owned venture capital and private equity a...

Cover Story: PNSB targets RM150 mil for new tech venture

DOHA (Nov 9): Malaysia is considering accelerating its quantum migration process to strengthen national data security amid advances in quantum computing technology that are expected to pose new challenges to cybersecurity systems.

Fahmi: Malaysia considers accelerating quantum migration to boost data security

Every new wave of technology brings fresh cybersecurity challenges. Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is no exception.

Organisations are increasingly exploring how agentic AI can improve productivity, automate routine tasks and support faster decision-making. As adoption gathers pace...

Security: Agentic AI: The next challenge for cybersecurity

(Nov 8): US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he thinks he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Apec leaders' summit in China next week and discuss ending the war in Iran and denuclearisation.

Trump thinks he will meet Xi and Putin at China Apec summit

Selangor is building a common digital architecture to connect its 12 local councils and state agencies for seamless data sharing. This follows an expenditure of about RM118 million on 60 smart city initiatives over the past five years.

The initiatives span four domains under the Smart S...

City Management: Selangor to place local councils on single digital framework

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are moving beyond recommending products to making purchases, requiring payment systems that can verify consent, enforce spending limits and handle disputes.

In a Kuala Lumpur pilot, an AI agent booked and paid for a ride from the Kuala Lumpur Internat...

Solutions: Malaysia’s payment systems must prepare for AI-led purchases

THERE are around 137 living languages spoken in Malaysia, depending on how you count them.

Commentary: From Manglish to Bahasa Rojak in one sentence: Is AI ready for real conversations?

PERTH (Nov 9): Oil prices fell at Monday's open after US President Donald Trump said he was highly unlikely to order new Iran attacks while talks to end the conflict make progress, despite both nations' reports of attacks on ships in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

It is that time of the year when browser tabs multiply, wish lists grow longer and finding the perfect holiday present starts feeling like a high-stakes task.

This year, for Digital Edge’s annual Christmas gift guide, we have everything from nerdy gadgets to workspace upgrades ...

Listicle: Tech the halls: The 2026 gift guide

WASHINGTON/CAIRO (Nov 8): US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict progress, even as both countries reported that shipping had been hit in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump says he is highly unlikely to order Iran strikes if talks progress

<h2>NEWS</h2>

<h3>Only a third of learners rate their&nbsp;AI readiness highly</h3>

Only 33% of Malaysian learners rate their artificial intelligence (AI) readiness highly, despite 77% feeling confident about entering the workforce, according to a report ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

About one in 10 women surveyed in the Klang Valley reported having been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, but the number of women affected could be higher.

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder characterised ...

Healthtech: Assistant medical officer builds free hormone health platform after her own PCOS experience

(Nov 9): Gold prices edged higher on Monday as softer oil prices eased inflation concerns, though gains were capped by expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep US interest rates higher for longer following robust payrolls data.

Gold edges up as softer crude tempers inflation concerns

The Ministry of Finance recently revealed that the government’s remaining net financial burden arising from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is estimated at RM20.1 billion, assuming no further recovery of funds or assets.

Frankly Speaking: As elections loom, remember the cost of bad governance

BEIJING (Nov 9): China's producer inflation accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly four-1/2 years while consumer inflation cooled in October, data showed on Monday, reflecting persistent cost pressures from higher oil prices despite weak domestic demand.

BENGALURU (Nov 9): Australian lender ANZ Group reported a 31% rise in annual profit on Monday, driven by management of margins, capital and costs, as well as business growth.

Australian lender ANZ reports 31% rise in full-year cash profit

The week ahead will get off to a slow start as the Deepavali public holiday falls on Monday, but will heat up towards the end of the week with the 16th Melaka state election on Saturday, Nov 14.

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