<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>(May 29): Deadly bird flu was detected in an egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa, affecting 4.2 million birds in the biggest US outbreak since 2022.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>The detection is the first since December in Iowa, which is the top US egg producer with nearly 12% of the country’s egg-laying hens, according to US Department of Agriculture data. The findings come as the virus has been infecting dairy cows across the US.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said the affected site is in Sioux County, according to a statement on Tuesday.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

Deadly bird flu was detected in an egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa, affecting 4.2 million birds in the biggest US outbreak since 2022.

US records worst bird flu outbreak in two years at Iowa egg farm

Comparative research on healthcare financing options worldwide finds revenue or tax-financed healthcare to be the most cost-effective, efficient and equitable approach. It also recommends caution on all health insurance options.

Private health insurance

Rejecting the private...

My Say: Finance healthcare, not insurance

Manulife Holdings Bhd (MHB) net profit for 2023 rose 11% to RM83.9 million, driven by insurance service revenues with higher contractual service margin amortisation and risk adjustment release, attributable to expansion of insurance in-force business.

In a statement on Tuesday, the financial services provider said total assets stood at RM7 billion as of December 2023.

Manulife 2023 net profit up 11% to RM83.9 million

The market for carbon credits is facing a renewed wave of opposition as climate activists deliver a fresh warning to companies and governments not to use such financial instruments to offset their emissions.

Carbon credits face fresh blowback as NGOs unite to slam offsets

Abu Dhabi’s quest to attract top hedge funds to its financial centre is creating a shortage of office space in the oil-rich emirate.

Abu Dhabi’s original hedge fund island is running out of office space

ANZ Group has been sanctioned for failing to stop or refund fees for dead customers and for not responding to representatives of customers who have passed away within a required time frame, Australia's Banking Code Compliance Committee said on Tuesday.

Australia's ANZ sanctioned for charging fees from dead customers

There is no policy paper yet allowing the implementation of subsidy cuts for RON95, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

While there have been studies on shifting away from blanket subsidies towards a targeted approach for RON95, Anwar said the government intends to evaluate the outcomes of rationalising subsidies on electricity, chicken and diesel for now.

No policy paper yet on slashing RON95 subsidies, says Anwar

The largest union at Samsung Electronics Co said it will stage a three-day walkout beginning July 8, adding to the challenges for South Korea’s largest company as it seeks to recover from setbacks in its semiconductor business.

Samsung union plans three-day walkout in push for better pay

A surge of Chinese plastic supply is threatening to overflow in the face of weak domestic demand, morphing into a fresh trade challenge for the rest of the world.

China’s plastics boom is set to create another trade headache

Singapore will lower the threshold for checks on cash deposits received by casinos in a bid to prevent exploitation by terrorist and criminal organisations.

Singapore to tighten casino rules to counter terrorism funding

Huawei Technologies has teamed up with Chinese foundry Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to develop high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, according to sources, as these devices have become an indispensable component in the computing infrastructure used for artificial intelligence (AI) projects, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Huawei, Wuhan Xinxin to develop high-bandwidth memory chips amid US restrictions — report

Malaysia’s government policies are positioning the nation’s stocks as a long-term winner in the region, with a nearly 10% rally likely to extend, according to one of Asia’s top-performing funds.

Fund with 24% returns bets on long-term stock rally for Malaysia

UUE Holdings Bhd (KL:UUE) surged 175% in its trading debut on Tuesday after the engineering firm’s initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market raised RM38.97 million.

UUE Holdings jumps 175% on ACE Market debut

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research has maintained its “overweight” rating on the oil and gas sector with unchanged average Brent oil price forecasts at US$85 (RM400.96) per barrel (bbl) for 2024/2025.

HLIB stays overweight on oil and gas sector, names Dialog, Armada, Velesto as top picks

Steve Ballmer passed Bill Gates on Monday to become the sixth-richest person in the world, the first time the former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp has been wealthier than the company’s co-founder.

Ballmer is richer than Gates, a first for Microsoft billionaires

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has updated its Investor Alert List.

SC adds three entities to Investor Alert List

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has retained its 2024 forecast that the Malaysian ringgit will appreciate later this year, rising from RM4.70/USD currently to RM4.55/USD by end-2024.

Ringgit to strengthen gradually in 4Q2024 — BMI

Megacap growth stocks led by Apple and Tesla lifted the tech-heavy Nasdaq to a higher close on Monday, while the Dow and the S&amp;P 500 also eked out slight gains in light pre-holiday trading.

Apple, Tesla lifts stocks to higher close in light pre-holiday trading

Global stocks edged higher in choppy trading on Monday, while US Treasury yields rose following France's historic elections and ahead of a string of economic data this week that could provide clues on the likelihood of Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut.

World stocks, US yields gain after French election results

MIDF Research is optimistic about the ringgit strengthening to approximately 4.43 versus the greenback by year end, while Maybank Investment Bank remains cautious, expecting the US dollar's strength to keep the local currency around 4.70-4.75 levels until some potential relief later in 2024.

MIDF bullish on ringgit; Maybank cautious about USD pressure on MYR

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the Madani Government remains resolute despite facing criticism for unpopular decisions such as implementing targeted diesel subsidy and taking strict measures against corruption.

Madani govt remains resolute despite facing criticism for unpopular decisions — Anwar

There is no policy paper yet allowing the implementation of subsidy cuts for RON95, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

While there have been studies on shifting away from blanket subsidies towards a targeted approach for RON95, Anwar said the government intends to evaluate the outcomes of rationalising subsidies on electricity, chicken and diesel for now.

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector is still on track for growth, economists said and shrugged off the slight contraction in June’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI).

Economists say Malaysia's manufacturing sector still on track for growth, shrug off June's dip

The president of the US has been elevated to the status of "a king above the law." The occupant of the White House may order assassinations of political rivals without fear of prosecution. America's leader may now be insulated from criminal consequences for whatever he or she wants to do in office.

US Supreme Court liberals lament ruling making the president 'a king above the law'

MIDF Research and Kenanga Research maintained their stance on Telekom Malaysia Bhd (KL:TM) following the group’s recent win of a 12-year concession from the government to develop and operate the new Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999) system.

MIDF in a note on Tuesday kept its neutral recommendation on TM with an unchanged target price of RM7.03, primarily due to the continuation of the existing emergency services project.

Analysts maintain neutral stance on Telekom, cites marginal contribution from newly secured govt concession

FRESH from a win in the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election in May, Pakatan Harapan (PH) is seeking to ride that momentum to reclaim the Sungai Bakap, Penang, state assembly seat in the by-election on July 6.&nbsp;

PH — that is its lynchpin, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) — held the seat for thre...

Run-up To Sungai Bakap By-Election: PH, PN wrestle on local issues, but Umno votes an unknown

Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has invited Malaysian companies to participate in various economic activities in the Southern Philippines.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement said the invitation was made during Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s courtesy call on Marcos in conjunction with his official visit to the Philippines on Monday.

President Marcos invites Malaysian companies to invest in Southern Philippines

Singapore will lower the threshold for checks on cash deposits received by casinos in a bid to prevent exploitation by terrorist and criminal organisations.

BlackRock has launched a 'buffer' exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to offer a 100% downside hedge to risk-shy investors looking to tap the equity markets, the world's largest asset manager said on Monday.

BlackRock launches stock ETF with 100% downside hedge

A surge of Chinese plastic supply is threatening to overflow in the face of weak domestic demand, morphing into a fresh trade challenge for the rest of the world.

Huawei Technologies&nbsp;has teamed up with Chinese foundry Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to develop&nbsp;high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, according to sources, as these devices have become an indispensable component in the computing infrastructure used for&nbsp;artificial intelligence (AI) projects, South China Morning Post (SCMP)&nbsp;reported.