新冠肺炎：新增确诊188宗

Volkswagen AG (VW) had a poor 2024, with sales falling and Europe’s biggest automaker even raising the prospect of closing factories in Germany. This year could be even worse.

The manufacturer’s deliveries risk slumping again because its namesake VW brand doesn’t have a new electric car coming in 2025, with key products pushed back amid delays developing software. The problems are starkest in China, where manufacturers led by BYD Co are dominating with affordable electric and hybrid models. In the US, where President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariff hikes, VW still doesn’t offer any pickup trucks popular among American consumers.

Volkswagen braces for another tricky year with no new EVs

BEIJING/HONG KONG/WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Jan 15): For years, the US government has urged China to show "restraint" in pushing its claim on Taiwan, and to drop military threats to bring the democratically governed island under its control.

Trump’s Greenland bid stirs debate in China about what to do with Taiwan

China’s central bank pumped a near-historic amount of short-term funds into its financial system on Wednesday, dialling up liquidity support amid a cash squeeze with the new year holiday looming.

China's central bank pumps near-historic level of cash into financial system

Europe’s beaten-down luxury stocks have turned a corner the past two months, increasing the stakes for the earnings the companies are about to announce.

Speculation that China’s economic stimulus will lead to higher spending, and that President-elect Donald Trump will manage to boost US growth, has lifted a Goldman Sachs Group Inc basket tracking the sector by 13% since mid-November, outpacing the broader market. Now investors need proof that the optimism was justified.

European luxury stocks’ recent revival faces high-stakes earnings test

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) will debate whether to raise interest rates next week, Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Wednesday, reiterating the bank's resolve to push up borrowing costs if the economy continues to improve.

BOJ chief Ueda signals rate hike chance next week, yen jumps

BENGALURU (Jan 14): TikTok plans to shut off its app for US users on Sunday, when a federal ban on the social media app could come into effect, The Information reported on Tuesday, unless the Supreme Court moves to block it.

TikTok preparing for US shut-off on Sunday, The Information reports

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned by authorities in relation to a criminal insurrection investigation on Wednesday, saying he was only cooperating with what he called an illegal probe to avoid violence.

South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe

Global markets treaded water on Wednesday ahead of US consumer price data that could potentially shift the monetary policy outlook there, while investors waited to see if earnings of big banks would match sky-high expectations.

Traders mark time ahead of US CPI, bank earnings

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) has urged the government to reconsider the proposed mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, to ease financial burdens on businesses.

SERC calls for review of mandatory EPF for foreign workers amid cost concerns

Malaysia will address waste trafficking at the regional and global levels in its capacity as the Asean chair this year, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said on Wednesday.

Malaysia to tackle waste trafficking at regional, global levels, says Liew

<p>U Mobile Sdn Bhd will likely struggle to roll out Malaysia’s second 5G network, pushing the company to even consider a merger, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).</p>


U Mobile will struggle to roll out second 5G network, may even consider merger — analysts

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Salaries in Malaysia projected to increase by 5% in 2025 — Mercer

<p>Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned by authorities in relation to a criminal insurrection investigation on Wednesday, saying he was only cooperating with what he called an illegal probe to avoid violence.</p>


<p>(Jan 15): At least eight major distressed Chinese firms, including a China Evergrande Group unit, are set to defend themselves in court cases relating to their debt problems over the next two weeks, in one of the busiest stretches ever for such hearings.</p>


Distressed Chinese companies face flurry of court hearings

<p>MN Holdings Bhd (KL:MNHLDG), a specialist in underground utilities and substation engineering, will experience minimal disruption to its ongoing data centre projects despite recent US export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) chips, according to Phillip Capital.</p>


MN Holdings' key customer largely unaffected by AI chip curbs, says Phillip Capital

<p>JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 15):&nbsp;A former engineer suffered a loss of RM9.47 million after participating in a non-existent online cryptocurrency investment scheme that claimed to offer high returns.</p>


Ex-engineer loses RM9.47m in cryptocurrency investment scam

<p>The Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) investment decisions, including the trading of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) shares, align with its broader investment objectives and are aimed at generating income required for dividend payments during the financial year.</p>


EPF says investment in MAHB to support dividend payouts

<p>Global markets treaded water on Wednesday ahead of US consumer price data that could potentially shift the monetary policy outlook there, while investors waited to see if earnings of big banks would match sky-high expectations.</p>


<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The five independent directors of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) have not been terminated, contrary to a statement made by Machang Member of Parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.</p>


MAHB: Five independent directors not terminated

<p>New users have piled in to Chinese social media app RedNote just days before a proposed US ban on the popular social media app TikTok, as the lesser-known company rushes to capitalise on the sudden influx while walking a delicate line of moderating English-language content, sources told <em>Reuters</em>.</p>


Over half a million ‘TikTok refugees’ flock to China's RedNote, Reuters reports

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Yinson Holdings Bhd’s (KL:YINSON) move to rope in foreign partners for its production unit would strengthen its own balance sheet and reduce the reliance on debt, analysts said.</p>


Yinson’s move to rope in foreign partners for unit is timely, will strengthen balance sheet, analysts say as shares rise

<p>Affin Bank Bhd's (KL:AFFIN) ambitious branch expansion plan is expected to keep its cost-to-income ratio (CIR) elevated for the next few years, according to CGS International, which is reiterating its 'reduce' recommendation on the bank.</p>


Affin Bank's expansion plan will keep costs high for next few years, says CGS

<p>Steel products maker Colform Group Bhd has priced its initial public offering (IPO) at 36 sen per share, which will gross up to RM60.63 million, ahead of its listing on the ACE Market.</p>


Steel products maker Colform fixes IPO price at 36 sen to raise over RM60m from ACE Market listing

<p>(Jan 15):&nbsp;Donald Trump’s inauguration promises to usher in an era of upheaval in global commerce, forcing governments around the world to scramble in preparation for a tariff onslaught, even before he’s back in the White House.&nbsp;</p>


World readies for Trump tariffs even before his White House return

<p>Thailand may permit bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to list on local exchanges for the first time as the country vies to nurture a digital-assets hub. &nbsp;</p>


Thailand mulls allowing first bitcoin ETF in bid to boost sector

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Plantation giant SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), previously known as Sime Darby Plantation, has announced the appointment of Tan Seri Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali as its non-independent and non-executive director.</p>


EPF chairman Mohd Zuki Ali joins SD Guthrie board

<p>SAN FRANCISCO (Jan 14): A half-dozen trade groups from the semiconductor and manufacturing industries sent a private letter to US President Joe Biden, complaining that new export controls expected this week were rushed through without consulting them.</p>


Chip industry groups slam expected rules in private letter to Biden

<p>U Mobile Sdn Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CIMB Bank Bhd to extend financing support for its upcoming 5G network roll-out.</p>

<p>The MOU marks the latest financing partnership between U Mobile and CIMB&nbsp;of which, in 2021, the bank participated in a RM1.2 billion facility to U Mobile, which was later upsized to RM1.4 billion in 2023.</p>


U Mobile inks MOU with CIMB to finance 5G network roll-out

<p>LONDON (Jan 15): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) capital on Wednesday for a five-day working visit to Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner among the European Union (EU) member countries.</p>


Anwar arrives in London for working visit to UK

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Securities Commission Malaysia announced the appointment of Datuk Nik Mohd Hasyudeen Yusoff, the former chief executive officer of Lembaga Tabung Haji, to its board effective Wednesday.</p>
