Singapore is set to buck the global easing trend and keep its policy bearings on hold as officials use the strength of the currency to tackle still-exorbitant living costs.

Singapore to hold currency settings in face of sticky prices

“Sell Japan’s currency” is becoming an ever-more popular rallying cry as investors prepare for monthly US inflation data that threaten to roil financial markets.

Sell yen is ‘most popular trade’ as investors brace for US CPI

HONG KONG/SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Oct 10): China's central bank said on Thursday that it would start accepting applications from financial institutions to join a newly created funding scheme, initially worth 500 billion yuan (US$70.62 billion, or RM303.7 billion), to aid the capital market.

China kicks off 500b yuan swap facility to aid stock market

The market’s confidence in the pound is shattering after a world-beating run. Traders are now pricing a faster pace of monetary easing, diminishing the allure of the strongest-performing currency among Group-of-10 nations so far in 2024.

UK’s pound seen at a turning point after peer-beating rally

Emerging-market currencies declined for a fifth consecutive session on Monday as traders scaled back bets on another big interest-rate cut from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) amid signs of a resilient US economy.

Emerging-market currency rout deepens as traders temper Fed bets; ringgit among worst performers

TOKYO (Oct 7): Japan's top currency diplomat, Atsushi Mimura, issued on Monday a warning against speculative moves on the foreign exchange market, as the yen fell below 149 per dollar.

Japan's top FX diplomat warns against speculative moves as yen falls

The ringgit has yet to reach its fair value despite its recent rise against the US dollar and emerging as Southeast Asia’s best-performing currency, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar: Ringgit’s recent rise beneficial for Malaysia, but yet to reach fair value

(Oct 4): Asian currencies are set for their worst week in more than a year, as traders pare bets on aggressive US Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts.

Asian currencies set for worst week in year as Fed cut bets pared

The yen suffered its biggest drop in more than two years and hit its weakest level in a month versus the dollar after Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, jolted currency markets by saying the economy isn’t ready for another interest-rate hike.

Yen closes out worst day since 2022 as rate-hike hopes dim 

Adopting the right narrative and the courage to make some tough decisions has contributed to the ringgit’s rise to become the world's best-performing currency against the US dollar.

Govt’s strong narrative positions ringgit as world's best-performing currency, says Rafizi

BMI, a unit of the Fitch group, has revised its year-end forecast for the ringgit from 4.55 against the US dollar to 4.0, reflecting the local currency’s robust performance in the third quarter of 2024 (3Q2024).

BMI raises USD-MYR forecasts to 4.0 this year, 3.55 in 2025, on narrowing yield differentials, resilient growth

The Malaysian ringgit may be heading towards its strongest level in nearly four years thanks to the narrowing interest rate and weakening greenback, said MIDF Amanah Investment Bank.

MIDF sees ringgit strengthening to 4.03 against USD, inflows to boost stocks

The rally in Malaysia’s ringgit, which climbed to a three-year high this week, is likely to last given the nation’s favourable economic outlook and reforms, according to the central bank.

BNM sees ‘enduring support’ for ringgit

The euro dropped against the dollar on Monday as business activity reports for the eurozone economy disappointed, briefly extending declines after US data showed activity there held steady, and ahead of a flurry of Federal Reserve (Fed) speakers this week.

Euro slumps, dollar index edges higher after PMI data

Parisian independent game studio Sloclap’s Sifu is a love letter to Eastern martial arts films past and present, mixed together with classic arcade action games like Streets of Rage or Final Fight. From Bruce Lee films to Ip Man, Sifu gives the same adrenaline rush those action scenes bring with ...

On The Console: Sifu, a playable kung fu film

It is a well-known fact that every business today is a tech business. All over the world, including in Asia, many organisations are leveraging the latest innovations and rapidly adopting new technologies.

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) blends easily into existing business o...

Solutions: Handling the intersection of AI and financial risk

The financial technology (fintech) revolution has reshaped our financial interactions, bringing forth a new age of innovation and accessibility. With mobile banking and cryptocurrency trading, fintech apps have become essential in our daily routines, providing convenience, security and financial ...

Digital Marketing: Navigating the dynamic terrain of fintech apps

NEWS

#MeToo movement shifts consumer behaviour

Sales of stereotypically feminine shoes such as high heels dropped after the #MeToo movement, according to a new study led by Insead professors Frédéric Godart and David Dubois, alongsi...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany of Technology

The transition to sustainable construction is no longer a choice but a necessity. As the construction industry faces growing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices, it becomes clear that this shift requires not only technological innovation but also a collective effort from all stakeholders. A critical aspect of this transformation is upskilling the workforce to ensure that every player is prepared to meet the challenges of a greener future.

Building together: CDL Academy upskills workforce to build a sustainable future

Between 2020 and 2024, Sweden consistently ranked among the top four in the prestigious Global Innovation Index, a testament to its inventive spirit. Yet, the coveted top spot has remained elusive, steadfastly occupied by Switzerland during that five-year stretch.

Sweden has put in plac...

Ecosystem Builders: Creating a self-sustaining non-profitable ecosystem to incubate start-ups

TemasyaGlenmarie, a premier township developed by S P Setia Bhd, is a prime example of urban sophistication and community-centric design. Established in 2008, this 571-acre freehold parcel has evolved into one of Shah Alam’s most vibrant townships.

TemasyaGlenmarie: A thriving urban township

In today’s hyper-competitive market, sustainability has become a must for companies. If a business isn’t sustainable, it’s not worth investing in.

This growing perception has companies, particularly those courting venture capital (VC), scrambling to balance long-term impact with short-t...

Ecosystem Builders: Taking a leap of faith by funding innovation

Rapid digitalisation has accelerated internet penetration, e-commerce growth and improved access to services. But it also has resulted in a surge in cyberattacks.

A worrying statistic is that Malaysia experienced the highest number of cyberattacks in Southeast Asia over the past year, a...

Cybersecurity: Using threat intelligence to curb cyberattacks

Higher education is a transformative journey that brings both challenges and opportunities for growth, which most students pursuing pre-university studies or an undergraduate degree experience as part of their academic and personal development.

Taylor's College propels students to elite universities

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized about RM5 million in foreign currency from an apartment unit that is said to be a prominent politician's safe house.

MACC seized RM5m in raid on politician's safe house, says source

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The US government has lifted the import ban which had been imposed on rubber gloves manufactured by the Brightway Group over alleged forced labour practices.

US lifts ban on remaining Malaysian glove manufacturer

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The government will only implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) if the minimum income threshold is at RM3,000-RM4,000, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PM: Govt will only implement GST if minimum wage threshold increases to RM3k-RM4k

KUALA TERENGGANU (Oct 13): The Terengganu government’s subsidiary, Eastern Pacific Industrial Corporation Bhd (Epic Bhd), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) to integrate its operations with the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project network.

Epic, MRL sign MOU to boost East Coast connectivity

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Businesses should work with the government to help create a Malaysian middle class society&nbsp;in which at least 60% of&nbsp;the people earn enough to qualify them to pay income tax, said Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong.

Aim to have at least 60% of Malaysians qualifying to pay income tax, says Liew

(Oct 13): The European Central Bank will probably advance the global push for monetary easing in the coming week, with an interest-rate cut that policymakers had all but ruled out just a month ago.

ECB is set to deepen global easing with rate cut it didn’t expect

BEIJING (Oct 13): China's consumer inflation unexpectedly eased in September, while producer price deflation deepened, heightening pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus measures quickly to revive flagging demand and shaky economic activity.

China's deflationary pressures build in September, consumer inflation cools

JAKARTA (Oct 13): Apple launched the iPhone 16 globally on Sept 10; however, its official marketing in Indonesia has been delayed due to pending permits from the Ministry of Industry.

Indonesia delays Apple’s iPhone 16 sale after shortfall in promised investment

PETALING JAYA (Oct 13): Malaysia has good relations with other countries and allows their ships to dock here, except those from Israel, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PM: Malaysia has good ties with other countries, allows ships to dock except from Israel

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KLSCCCI) has proposed for Budget 2025 to allocate additional funding to further drive digital integration and boost efficiency among the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).&nbsp;

Budget 2025: Commerce and industry chamber calls for additional funding to boost SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The Royal Malaysian Police&nbsp;is investigating potential militant jihad brainwashing of children rescued from welfare homes linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB).

GISB: Police probing potential militant jihad brainwashing of rescued children

(Oct 13):&nbsp;Former Macau judge Sam Hou Fai, who has warned against the outsize influence of the gambling industry in the city, was elected as its new leader by a 400-member committee.

Macau elects former judge wary of casinos as new leader

HANOI (Oct 13): Vietnam and China signed 10 agreements ranging from agriculture cooperation to cross-border QR code payments on Sunday, during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's three-day visit to Hanoi, as the two neighbours seek to boost ties.

Vietnam, China sign 10 deals including agri trade and cross-border QR code payments, as leaders meet

LONDON (Oct 13): Britain on Sunday launched a first formal strategy for industry in seven years, as the new Labour government pledged greater stability and certainty for businesses on the eve of a major investment summit in London.

Britain launches industrial plan ahead of investor summit

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Police arrested three individuals, including two minors, at their respective residences around Kuala Lumpur on Friday, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of four students from a tahfiz centre in Datuk Keramat.

Tahfiz case: Police nab three including two minors

(Oct 13):&nbsp;Alex Salmond, who turned his Scottish National Party’s (SNP) dream of power into reality even though he didn’t see his vision of an independent country come true, has died. He was 69.

Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, passes away at 69

BANGKOK (Oct 13): Southeast Asian leaders called on Sunday for swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, based on international law, while demanding an immediate halt to fighting in Myanmar and inclusive peace talks to end its civil war.

Asean urges early accord on South China Sea code, end to Myanmar violence

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The independence of the judiciary must remain paramount in upholding and administering justice without fear or favour, while the rule of law must prevail, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar: Judicial independence must prevail

KOTA TINGGI (Oct 13): Three individuals, among those arrested for alleged link to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd ( GISB) last month, were charged at&nbsp;the Sessions Court here on Sunday for human trafficking and physical sexual assault.

Three individuals arrested for alleged link to GISB charged with human trafficking, sexual assault

(Oct 13):&nbsp;Tito Mboweni, who served as the first Black governor of South Africa’s central bank and later as finance minister, and was hailed for keeping inflation and public spending in check, has died. He was 65.&nbsp;

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