Blue chips creep higher as investor stay cautious over Middle East ceasefire

KUALA LUMPUR: There remains a cautious undertone on the domestic market as investors are monitoring closely the ceasefire between Iran and Isreal, although blue chips have slowly crept up on growing optimism. Following a mixed performance on Wall Street, the FBM KLCI rose 0.45 points to 1,520.24, a marginal increase that remained capped by the overhead...

Ringgit rises against US$ as markets digest Fed’s tariff caution

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended its gains against the US dollar on Thursday, buoyed by comments from US Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell highlighting uncertainty over the inflationary impact of tariffs. At 8 am, the local note strengthened to 4.2255/2475 against the greenback from Wednesday’s close of 4.2335/2405. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd...

Price pressures expected to inch up

PETALING JAYA: Inflationary pressures are expected to gradually gain momentum in the second half of the year with headline inflation projected to hover between 2% and 2.1% for 2025. CGS International Research (CGSI Research) said inflationary pressures are poised to build up in the second half of the year as the government reforms take place. “We think...

Cyberjaya student murder: Victim’s laptop and ATM card missing, say cops

KUALA LUMPUR: Several items belonging to the 20-year-old female university student found murdered at a hostel in Cyberjaya have been reported missing. Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Norhizam Bahaman stated that the missing items include a laptop, mobile phone, ATM card, and cash. "We are conducting a thorough investigation and request space and cooperation from the public as...

More needed to drive change

PETALING JAYA: Heavy vehicle owners say that naming and shaming companies with overdue traffic summonses may encou­rage company owners to toe the line, but it is not a fix-it-all solution for reducing fatal accidents. Company owners, particularly lorry operators, also point out that while they strive to uphold road safety, the government should explore additional ways...

JPN says action has been taken after claims of Pakistanis obtaining ICs resurface

PUTRAJAYA: The National Registration Department (JPN) has confirmed that the allegation involving Pakistani nationals obtaining blue identity cards in Sabah is an issue that has resurfaced after first going viral in 2019. In a statement Wednesday (June 25), the department said action had been taken against one Mohd Izaz Abit after he was found to have...

‘Bloody terrified’: Flying anxiety peaks in India after fatal Air India crash

BENGALURU (Reuters) -Retired Air Force officer Dinesh K. has seen a surge in demand for his $500 therapy course to help people overcome their fear of flying since Air India flight 171 crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad two weeks ago. Dinesh uses a combination of flight simulation and counselling at his Cockpit Vista centre for...

Trump says damage from Iran strikes severe despite “inconclusive” intelligence

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the damage to Iranian nuclear sites from American missile strikes over the weekend was severe, even as he acknowledged that the available intelligence on the matter was inconclusive. His comments followed reports by Reuters and other media outlets on Tuesday revealing that the U.S. Defense...

NATO commits to higher spending sought by Trump and mutual defence

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -NATO leaders on Wednesday backed the big increase in defence spending that U.S. President Donald Trump had demanded, and restated their commitment to defend each other from attack. While Trump got what he wanted at the brief summit, tailor-made for him, his NATO allies will be relieved that he committed to the fundamental...