<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>SINGAPORE (Nov 19): Prudential plc&nbsp;on Tuesday launched its global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab in Singapore, strengthening its commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies across its operations. Officiated by Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, and Prudential chief executive officer (CEO) Anil Wadhwani, the launch underscores Singapore’s standing as a hub for AI innovation.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>The AI Lab aims to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency through AI-driven solutions, leveraging generative AI and machine learning.&nbsp;</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), the Economic Development Board (EDB), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the initiative is a collaboration with<a href="https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/startups-entrepreneurs-digital-economy/prudential-launches-global-ai-lab-singapore-accelerate" target="_blank">...(click on link for full story on theedgesingapore.com)&nbsp;</a></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

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SINGAPORE (Nov 19): Prudential plc on Tuesday launched its global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab in Singapore, strengthening its commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies across its operations. Officiated by Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, and Prudential chief executive officer (CEO) Anil Wadhwani, the launch underscores Singapore’s standing as a hub for AI innovation.

Prudential launches global AI Lab in Singapore to accelerate innovation

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged the need to improve international recognition of media freedom in the country but noted certain limitations due to issues tied to the 3Rs of royalty, race and religion.

Anwar: Media freedom recognition needs improvement but 3Rs limit action

Norway’s economy accelerated last quarter to its fastest pace in almost two years, backing expectations that the nation’s central bank will begin easing borrowing costs in the first quarter.

Norway’s economy grows fastest growth since 2022

LONDON/BENGALURU (Nov 21): John Prescott, the pugnacious former deputy prime minister to Britain's Tony Blair during his 10 years in government, has died aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer's, his family said on Thursday.

John Prescott, UK’s pugnacious former deputy PM to Tony Blair, passes away at 86

A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Thursday.

FBM KLCI down 0.59% to 1,588.68 on Nov 21, 2024

Thai activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana spends 10 hours a day in his bedroom writing complaints — mostly about Thailand’s new leader.

Complaints against Thai PM pile up as old guard wields power

Bitcoin hit US$95,000 (RM425,030) for the first time as the digital-asset sector moves to cement its influence with Donald Trump by pushing for a new White House post dedicated to cryptocurrency policy.

Bitcoin climbs closer to US$100,000 on Trump’s support for crypto

The shift work schedule for nurses will be adjusted under the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which takes effect on Dec 1.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the new system reduces the weekly working hours for civil servants working on shift to 45 hours, down from 46 hours under the General Order Chapter G.

New shift schedule for nurses under SSPA from December

(Nov 21): The COP29 UN climate summit released a first draft deal on Thursday, which puts at least US$1 trillion (RM4.46 trillion) of financing on the table, yet key details on where that money will come from still need to be ironed out.

COP29 summit puts trillion-dollar climate financing on table

Thames Water will be blocked from clawing back from customers £770,000 (US$973,670 or RM4.35 million) in bonuses paid to its bosses last year.

Thames Water blocked from using customer cash to pay bonuses

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Nov 21): Malaysia hopes a decisive agreement on climate change funding under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a critical component of the Paris Agreement, will be reached during the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Malaysia hopes for decisive agreement on climate change funding — Nik Nazmi

(Nov 21):&nbsp;Dyson Ltd&nbsp;is dialling back its hairdryer-related operations in Malaysia, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified discussing matters that are private, as the consumer goods company seeks to streamline its business in the region.

Dyson dials back Malaysian hairdryer ops, redeploys staff in Johor — Bloomberg

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL:PCHEM) may be in for tougher days ahead following a massive paper loss that sent the company into the red for the first time ever and prompted analysts to cut their forecasts.

Petronas Chemicals' outlook gloomy, analysts warn amid mounting joint venture losses

Asian equities fell on Thursday after AI darling Nvidia disappointed investors with slower revenue growth expectations, while the dollar firmed and bitcoin hit a record high, buoyed by hopes about US President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

Asian stocks stutter as Nvidia's forecast disappoints

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his alleged role in a US$265 million scheme to bribe Indian officials, plunging his conglomerate deep into crisis for the second time in two years.

Indian tycoon Adani charged in US over US$265m bribery scheme, dismisses allegations as ‘baseless’ 

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Malaysia’s central bank made two unusual changes to the government bond auction calendar by rescheduling a tender set for this month, and scrapping another pencilled in for December.

BNM reschedules govt bond auction, scraps one issue in unusual move

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Shares of RCE Capital Bhd (KL:RCECAP) fell on Thursday after the company, which mainly provides financing to civil servants, reported weaker than expected quarterly results.

RCE Capital shares fall on Thursday after weaker than expected results

Nvidia forecast its slowest revenue growth in seven quarters on Wednesday, failing to meet lofty expectations of some investors who have made it the world's most valuable firm.

Nvidia's AI chip demand still booming but slowing sales growth worries investors

Property prices in Asia’s major markets are expected to rise over the next year with Hong Kong leading the projected gains, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Home prices set to rise in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia in 2025

Starbucks Corp reduced its US retail workforce by 8% in its most recent fiscal year, even as the coffee chain added hundreds of new locations.&nbsp;

Starbucks shrank retail staff 8% despite hundreds of new stores

Starbucks Corp is exploring options for its Chinese operations including the possibility of selling a stake in the business, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Starbucks said to consider selling stake in Chinese business

Shares of Adani Group companies lost about US$28 billion (RM125.3 billion) in market value in morning trade on Thursday after US prosecutors charged the billionaire chairman of the Indian conglomerate in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme.

India's Adani Group sees US$30b in value wiped off after US indictments 

Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) on Thursday said that the company is seeking more assets that would generate recurring income for the real estate developer.

Sime Darby Property seeks more assets generating recurring income

PARAMARIBO (Nov 20): Suriname's state-run oil company Staatsolie said on Wednesday that US oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&amp;P will take over its 50% stake.

Suriname’s Staatsolie says ExxonMobil has withdrawn from offshore block, Petronas’ unit to take over 50% stake

The Biden administration told Congress it plans to cancel US$4.65 billion (RM20.8 billion) in debt owed by Ukraine, according to a letter obtained by Bloomberg News, the latest in a series of moves meant to bolster support for Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Biden administration seeks to cancel US$4.6b of Ukraine’s debt

China's Huawei plans to start mass-producing its most advanced artificial intelligence chip in the first quarter of 2025, even as it struggles to make enough chips due to US restrictions, said two people familiar with the matter.

Huawei aims to mass-produce newest AI chip in early 2025, despite US curbs

Northern Solar Holdings Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with M&amp;A Securities Sdn Bhd for its proposed initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

The solar energy firm said its IPO scheduled to take place in February 2025, entails a public issue of 67.3 million new shares and the sale of 35.6 million existing shares.

All in all, the listing would offer investors up to a 26% stake in the company.

Northern Solar Holdings signs underwriting agreement with M&A Securities

The extended six-year contract signed between the government and Bestinet Sdn Bhd for the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) could cost the government a minimum of RM3.2 billion, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Bestinet contract extension for foreign worker recruitment system could cost govt minimum of RM3.2b, says PAC

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) has unveiled the sales gallery of its RM850-million M Aspira serviced-apartment project in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Nov 20).&nbsp;

Mah Sing unveils M Aspira sales gallery in Taman Desa

Bitcoin hit US$95,000 (RM425,030) for the first time as the digital-asset sector moves to cement its influence with Donald Trump by pushing for a new White House post dedicated to cryptocurrency policy.

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Analysts have raised their earnings forecasts and target prices on Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (KL:HSPLANT), after the plantation group outperformed market expectations in its latest quarterly results.