More than a year since China reopened its borders, some 63% of its residents say they’re ready to return to exploring the world, according to a survey published on Wednesday, which Bloomberg previewed. They plan to venture farther afield than previously, with just 10% spurning international travel altogether— a significant shift from a year ago, when more than half of China’s consumers said they had no plans to go abroad and 31% said they weren’t even interested.

Chinese tourists are again embracing international travel in 2024

Business confidence at big Japanese manufacturers and services sector firms slid in April from the prior month, dragged down by cost-of-living pressures and shaky economic conditions in major market China, a Reuters monthly poll showed.

Japan firms' business mood slips as weak yen squeezes households

The number of Malaysians who believe the country is on the wrong track has been on the rise, with financial and political corruption remaining the primary concern, says Ipsos Malaysia.

More Malaysians believe country on the wrong track, corruption remains primary concern — study

Artificial intelligence will lead to many companies employing fewer people in the next five years, staffing provider Adecco Group said on Friday, in a new survey highlighting the upheaval AI will bring to the workplace.

AI seen cutting worker numbers, survey by staffing company Adecco shows

Japan's land prices rose at the fastest pace in 33 years in 2023 and returned to the level seen before the coronavirus crisis, a government survey showed, another sign of an improving economic outlook as the nation plots a path out of years of stagnation.

Japan's land prices rise at fastest pace since 1991

Economists have upgraded Singapore's 2024 growth forecast, according to a survey by the country's central bank published on Wednesday, with better-than-expected external growth seen as the top upside driver for the economy.

Economists upgrade Singapore 2024 growth forecast, survey shows

Global investors are at their most bullish in two years this month and no longer expect a recession, as confidence grows in the resilience of the underlying economy, a Bank of America survey showed on Tuesday.

Bullish investors drop recession calls for first time since April 2022

US companies in Hong Kong want the once-freewheeling city to stop talking about national security even as they face growing geopolitical risks, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

US firms want Hong Kong to stop talking about national security

A perceived decay in the quality of social media platforms will drive 50% of consumers to abandon or significantly limit their social media interactions by 2025, according to Gartner.

Most consumers to limit social media interactions by 2025 — survey

Jamie Dimon has lorded over JPMorgan Chase & Co for more than 17 years, quadrupling the stock price and captivating legions with candid comments and occasional zingers on the economy, regulators and politicians.

Jamie Dimon is boss bankers crave, investor survey shows

Malaysia came in at 73rd spot in a new “stateness” index for 2022 created by researchers in Germany, lagging far behind Singapore which ranked first on the list.

Malaysia ranked 73rd in new 'stateness' index for 2022, lags behind index-topper Singapore 

Up to 51% of Malaysian employees believe their organisations will not survive more than 10 years from now, according to the latest findings in PwC's Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2023 released on Wednesday (June 21).

PwC: Half of M'sian employees believe their employers will not survive beyond next decade without transformation

The publicity of ChatGPT has prompted executive leaders to increase artificial intelligence (AI) investments, according to respondents of a poll.

In a statement on May 3, consulting firm Gartner Inc said 75% of executives said their organisations are in investigation and exploration mode with generative AI, while 19% are in pilot or production mode.

ChatGPT has prompted increase in AI investment, says Gartner

Nearly half of Americans are anxious about the safety of the money they have in accounts at banks or other financial institutions, according to a latest poll.

Nearly half of Americans worried about their money's safety in banks — Gallup 

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd’s net profit surged sevenfold for the financial quarter ended Feb 29, 2024 (2QFY2024) thanks to higher palm oil production as well as lower operating and administrative expenses.

Chin Teck’s 2Q net profit up sevenfold

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday gave assurance that the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will be announced soon, will be the best ever introduced in the country.

Revised public service remuneration system will be the best ever introduced — Anwar

Amazon.com's cloud-computing arm said it would invest US$11 billion in Indiana to build data centers, marking the state's largest capital investment, and promising at least 1,000 jobs.

The announcement by Amazon Web Services on Thursday builds on the online retail giant's already strong presence in the state, where it employs 26,000 full- and part-time staff.

Amazon to invest US$11 billion in Indiana to build data centers

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (PavREIT) reported that its first quarter net property income (NPI) jumped 33.2% year-on-year, thanks largely to contribution from its newly acquired mall, Pavilion Bukit Jalil. The increase was also attributed to higher occupancy rates and higher revenue rent from its other retail malls.

PavREIT’s 1Q NPI jumps 33%, pays 2.48 sen distribution per unit

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to still tight labour market conditions.

US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fall

US economic growth slowed more than expected in the first quarter, but an acceleration in inflation suggested that the Federal Reserve would not cut interest rates before September.

US economic growth slows more than expected in first quarter

The World Bank said on Thursday that Malaysia's education system still has areas for improvement, particularly in addressing learning challenges faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to its 29th Malaysia Economic Monitor report for April 2024 entitled 'Bending Bamboo Shoots: Strengthening Foundational Skills' students, especially those in early childhood education, often lack school readiness skills.

World Bank: Imperative for Malaysia to narrow early childhood educational gaps to improve children's school readiness

J Sainsbury plc expects profits to rise this year on the back of strong food sales, as the company prioritises groceries above clothing and general merchandise.

Sainsbury’s sees retail profit above £1 bil this year

IndiGo, India's top airline by market share, placed an order with Airbus for 30 A350-900 jets, it said on Thursday, its first-ever order for widebody aircraft.

Indian carriers are trying to keep pace with the world's fastest-growing aviation market, where demand for air travel has surged post-pandemic, even as plane manufacturers struggled to meet output goals.

India's IndiGo places first-ever widebody order for 30 Airbus A350 jets

Thailand will name former corporate energy executive and central bank board member Pichai Chunhavajira as its new finance minister, taking over the role from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, two government sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Thailand to appoint former energy executive Pichai finance minister — Reuters

Malaysia is in early discussions with tycoons on opening a casino in Forest City, people familiar with the matter said, in a bid to revive the beleaguered US$100 billion (RM478.35 billion) property project that counts the country’s monarch as one of its shareholders.

Malaysia is said to mull casino resort to revive Forest City

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Members of the the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) who are below 55 years old will have an Account 3 starting from May 11, from which they can make withdrawals at any time for any purpose —&nbsp;subject to a minimum withdrawal amount of RM50. This is on top of the two existing accounts they currently have for retirement savings.&nbsp;

EPF members under age 55 will have Account 3 starting May 11

Shares of YTL Corp Bhd rallied to a new all-time high on Thursday after Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) flagged more upside even after a 42% year-to-date surge.

YTL Corp rallies to new all-time high after HLIB flags more upside

Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), the state-owned company in charge of the 5G network infrastructure rollout, on Thursday named five new board members, comprising senior leaders from the telecom and technology industries.

Digital Nasional names senior telco and tech leaders as new directors

A made-in-China electric vehicle (EV) will hit US dealers this summer offering power and efficiency similar to the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling EV, but for about US$8,000 (RM38,228) less.

How Volvo landed a cheap Chinese EV on US shores in a trade war

Sports retailer Al-Ikhsan Sports Sdn Bhd, in which state-owned private equity firm Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) owns a 35% stake, has appointed Datuk Hishammudin Hasan as its new chief executive officer effective April 17.

Ekuinas-backed Al-Ikhsan Sports names former 7-Eleven head as CEO

Wireless carrier Axiata Group Bhd and conglomerate PT Sinar Mas Group are moving forward with plans to merge their telecommunications operations in Indonesia, people familiar with the matter said.

Axiata, Sinar Mas move closer to US$3.5b telco merger, Bloomberg reports

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday denied claims that the government will issue a licence for the operation of a casino in Forest City, Johor.

PM denies claims that govt issuing casino licence for Forest City

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Mega First Corp Bhd shares have likely peaked following a recent rally to new all-time highs, and investors should stop buying the stock now, Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said and downgraded the stock to ‘hold’.

Maybank IB is the first from a total of fi...

Mega First shares likely peaked; Maybank IB the first to downgrade stock

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming’s press secretary Pang Sock Tao was announced as the unity government’s candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11.

Nga's press secretary Pang picked as unity govt's candidate for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

JOHOR BAHRU (April 25): The Johor branch of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) found parasitic worms Anisakis sp in samples of sardine cans from China that were brought in through the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here, earlier this month.

Parasitic worms Anisakis sp found in canned sardines from China — Johor dept

IOI Properties Group broke ground on Thursday for Senna Puteri, its latest township development located in Sepang, Selangor. The developer is looking to launch 386 units of townhouses in its first phase before the end of the second quarter.

Spanning 117 acres in southern Klang Valley, the 12-phase Senna Puteri will be developed over the next 10 years, offering residential, commercial, recreational areas, green spaces, community hall, surau and more. It has a gross development value (GDV) of over RM3 billion.

IOI Properties breaks ground for 117-acre Senna Puteri in Sepang

AirAsia X Bhd (AAX), which will be taking over Capital A Bhd's aviation business,&nbsp;has announced the mechanics of its plan via a bourse&nbsp;filing on Thursday.

AirAsia X to buy Capital A's aviation business for RM6.8b via share and debt deal 

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Agricore CS Holdings Bhd, a food ingredients supplier, has obtained approval from Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd to list on its ACE Market.

Agricore CS Holdings gets Bursa Malaysia nod to list on ACE Market

Malaysia’s consumer inflation came in lower than expected in March from a year earlier as prices of healthcare and food rose at a slower pace, official data on Thursday showed.

The Consumer Price Index — Malaysia’s main gauge of inflation — rose 1.8% year-on-year, according to the Department of Statistics. The headline figure was a tad lower than the median 2% rise predicted in a Bloomberg survey of economists, and unchanged versus February’s 1.8% gain.

Malaysia’s inflation steady at 1.8% in March

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is among individuals under investigation by the commission.

Azam Baki confirms Dr M among individuals under MACC probe

The Court of Appeal has allowed a bid by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to have a bench of five judges to hear his review application to restore his acquittal by the High Court of four of his abuse of power charges last year.

His lawyer Chetan Jethwani said that Court of Appeal deputy registrar Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli informed the parties of the matter on Thursday morning during case management.

Appellate court grants Muhyiddin five-member bench for review of charges

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had never instructed 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) management to transfer a total US$1.03 billion to Good Star Ltd, a company linked to the fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), the court heard on Thursday.

Najib never instructed 1MDB management to transfer monies to Good Star — witness

Investors are looking for the next policy domino to fall in Asia amid an escalating campaign against a resurgent dollar, after Indonesia used a surprise interest rate hike to defend the rupiah.

Asia’s hawks get put on alert after Indonesia’s shock rate hike

Luxchem Corp Bhd’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) surged over 54% to RM11.56 million or 1.08 sen per share from RM7.5 million or 0.7 sen per share a year earlier on the back of stronger earnings from both its trading and manufacturing segments.

The industrial chemical and material group’s revenue rose 19.8% to RM183.15 million versus RM152.83 million a year ago as driven by its trading and manufacturing segments, according to a bourse filing on Thursday. &nbsp;

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