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Dollar hits one-week high as US-Iran tensions drive flight to safety
SINGAPORE, April 20 — The US dollar firmed to its highest level in a week against major currencies today as renewed US-Iran tensions and shaky prospects of a peace deal in the Middle East sent investors toward safe havens. The
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US oil benchmark surges 7.5pc as ceasefire frays and Hormuz stalls
TOKYO, April 20 — The benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) surged 7.5 per cent today, as Iran accused the United States of having broken a ceasefire in place since early April. WTI crude was trading up 7.5
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High gold prices dampen India’s festival demand despite investment uptick
MUMBAI, April 20 — Gold demand during one of India’s key buying festivals stayed muted yesterday as record prices curbed jewellery purchases, offsetting a modest uptick in investment demand. Indians celebrated Akshaya Tritiya, the second-biggest gold-buying festival after Dhanteras, when
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IMF, World Bank meetings expose fading confidence in US leadership during global crises
WASHINGTON, April 19 — Global finance leaders, whipsawed by Middle East war news, came to grips this past week with their inability to mitigate the economic damage from increasingly frequent geopolitical shocks, and a realisation that counting on US leadership
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Airbus backs Malaysia as next aviation mega hub with new long-haul aircraft demand rising
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — Airbus sees strong potential for Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), to emerge as another super connector or mega hub in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside established hubs such as Singapore Changi Airport and Hong
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US grants fresh waiver on Russian oil sales to ease energy price surge
WASHINGTON, April 18 — US President Donald Trump’s administration yesterday issued a month-long sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products that are at sea, extending an earlier move to soften surging energy prices. The licence, issued
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Pineapple board says diversified demand cushions Malaysia’s exports from Middle East tensions
JASIN, April 18 — The country’s pineapple export industry has not been affected by the current West Asia crisis even though a significant portion of the export market is in the Middle East. Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) director-general Mohd
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Global aid plunges 23pc to record low in 2025 as US cuts under Trump drive sharp decline
TOKYO, April 18 — Global official development assistance fell 23.1 per cent in 2025 from a year ago, the OECD said, marking its largest annual contraction on record as the United States (US) administration of President Donald Trump pushes for
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Ringgit likely to stay range-bound next week amid US dollar and geopolitical risks
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — The ringgit is likely to trade within a narrow range against the US dollar next week as external drivers remain dominant. IPPFA Sdn Bhd investment strategy director and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said while
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Bursa Malaysia ends week higher as upbeat GDP outlook lifts sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Bursa Malaysia closed the week higher, extending its upward momentum, buoyed by positive sentiment following the release of Malaysia’s advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, reinforcing the narrative of resilient domestic demand. Earlier today, the
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