Gloved up for fluid tariffs

PETALING JAYA: As the United States considers imposing tariffs on pharmaceutical imports worth US$200bil, Malaysian medical product manufacturers are bracing for the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s announcement on the local industry. According to the Health Ministry, Malaysia’s medical device exports to the United States were valued at RM13.69bil (US$3.07bil) in 2024, making up...

Tengku Zafrul, Amir Hamzah heads to Washington: Malaysia seeks fair resolution on US tariffs

JOHOR BARU: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan head for Washington DC to initiate talks on the United States’ reciprocal tariffs tonight. We are scheduled to meet the US Trade Representative and his team as well as other stakeholders on April 24...

Cement plant better in the jungle, says Borneo Cement Sabah chairman

KOTA KINABALU: Borneo Cement Sabah (BCS) chairman Datuk Masiung Banah has defended the decision to build a RM1.2bil cement and clinker plant in the remote forests of Tongod. He said it was a practical and environmentally conscious move that will bring economic growth to one of Malaysia’s poorest districts. “What is the problem with building a cement...

Najib’s 1MDB trial: ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng will be called as key defence witness, Shafee confirms

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will call ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng as a key defence witness in his ongoing 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial, his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah confirmed. Shafee also said Najib’s legal team had initially faced difficulties tracking down Ng, revealing that  there was uncertainty over...

No Cabinet reshuffle, PKR polls strictly a party matter, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: There are changes to the Cabinet planned, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also PKR president, said this when asked if a Cabinet reshuffle is imminent after several prominent figures lost their posts during the recent PKR division elections. "No. This is a party election. It is being conducted properly. "This is strictly...

Sultan of Kelantan expresses concern over security issues at Malaysia-Thai border

KOTA BARU: The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, has expressed deep concern over security issues along the Malaysia-Thailand border. In his royal address at the opening of the Third Term of the 15th Kelantan State Legislative Assembly, His Royal Highness said there was an urgent need to finalise the proposal for constructing a wall and...

Pope Francis has died, the Vatican camerlengo announces

VATICAN CITY (AP): Pope Francis died on Monday (April 21) morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced. "At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Farrell said in the announcement. He was 88...

Indians battle respiratory issues, skin rashes in world’s most polluted town

BYRNIHAT, India (Reuters) - Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town which is ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen support. She is among many residents of the industrial town on the border of...

‘No updates till now’

RESIDENTS affected by the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya in Selangor, are asking for updates on the RM2,000 monthly rental aid promised by the state government. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had announced that victims would get RM2,000 monthly, for up to six months, to cover rent for temporary housing. He said this...

FBM KLCI straddles 1,500 as investor sentiment ticks higher

KUALA LUMPUR: The benchmark FBM KLCI was flirting with the 1,500 mark in early trading as investors held on to gains amid a slight uptick in positive sentiment. At the opening bell, the main index rose 2.68 points to 1,502.08, briefly surpassing the resistance before retreating to sit flat on the hurdle. According to Rakuten Trade, the...