Technology

Fermi denies report that Amazon was prospective tenant in stalled project

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Data center real estate investment company Fermi  on Wednesday denied a report that said Amazon was a prospective tenant and that it withdrew funding from the company's project.

Nation

Border Control calls for police expertise to curb smuggling at entry points

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) requires the expertise of the police to tackle challenges at the country's entry points, particularly the smuggling of contraband, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

Economy

Australia dollar suffers with stocks, kiwi underwhelmed by GDP

SYDNEY: The Australian dollar was on the defensive on Thursday as losses in global equity markets sapped risk sentiment, while its New Zealand counterpart struggled to find any comfort in an upside surprise for economic growth at home.

Nation

Johor Immigration detains 356 undocumented foreigners in Tebrau factory raid

JOHOR BARU: A total of 356 undocumented foreign nationals were detained by the Immigration Department during a raid on a computer component factory in the Tebrau industrial area here.

Commodities

Oil prices jump on Trump's Venezuela blockade

BEIJING: Oil prices were up nearly a dollar in Asian trade on Thursday after President Donald Trump announced a blockade on tankers entering and leaving Venezuela and most exports from the country remained on hold.

Technology

OpenAI discussed raising tens of billions at about $750 billion valuation, the Information reports

Dec 17 (Reuters) - OpenAI has held preliminary talks with some investors about raising funds at a valuation of around $750 billion, the Information reported on Wednesday.

Technology

Amazon, Walmart shareholder pushes firms to report impact of Trump's immigration policies

NEW YORK, Dec 18 - A union-aligned investment group sent letters to Amazon, Walmart and Alphabet on Wednesday, asking how U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies were impacting their finances and supply chains, according to the documents seen by Reuters.     

Technology

Apple opens iPhone to alternative app stores in Japan

(Corrects first paragraph to reflect that the changes apply only to iPhones, not other Apple devices)

Nation

Social media at 16: Protection or digital necessity?

KUALA LUMPUR: In today's borderless digital age, social media platforms such as TikTok, X, YouTube and WhatsApp are no longer unfamiliar territory for children and teenagers. These platforms have become their preferred spaces for play and entertainment, learning, information-seeking and social interaction. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of them are "growing up" faster in the virtual world than in real life.

Forex

Ringgit opens near five-year high at 4.07 vs US$

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher at the 4.07 level against the US dollar, the best level seen in close to five years, despite a firmer US Dollar Index (DXY), as market participants continued to assess the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) policy outlook.

Markets

FBM KLCI edges down at open as consolidation pressures remain

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI edged lower on Thursday as investors sought for direction headed after Wall Street's tech-driven sell-off.

Nation

Disciplinary action against enforcement officers must follow due process, says AKPS chief

PUTRAJAYA: Integrity issues in enforcement agencies are longstanding, but disciplinary action against errant officers must adhere to due legal process, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

Nation

Online Safety Act must balance enforcement with engagement, says consumer group

PETALING JAYA: Enforcement under the Online Safety Act (Onsa) must balance regulation with engagement to encourage genuine cooperation, says Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil.

Entertainment

HK star Kenneth Ma returns to work 2 days after dad's funeral, praised for professionalism

The 51-year-old laid his father to rest on Dec 11, holding a modest funeral attended by family and close friends.

Football

Soccer-Ecuador international Pineida dies in attack, says club

QUITO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Ecuador international Mario Pineida died on Wednesday after being attacked in the city of Guayaquil, his Ecuadorean team Barcelona Sporting Club said in a statement.

World

Ukrainian drones kill three people in Russia's Rostov region, authorities say

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Three people, including two crew members of a cargo vessel, were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don and the town of Bataysk in the southern Rostov region, the local governor said on Thursday.

World

Venezuela requests UN Security Council meet over ‘ongoing US aggression’

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Venezuela on Wednesday requested that the United Nations Security Council meet to discuss "ongoing U.S. aggression" against the country, according to a letter to the 15-member body seen by Reuters.

World

Brazil Senate approves bill to cut Bolsonaro's 27-year sentence for coup plot

BRASILIA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's Senate approved on Wednesday a bill to shorten the 27-year prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, although it is likely to face resistance from the Supreme Court and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: Gamuda, Paramount, Jati Tinggi, Muhibbah, Silver Ridge, TSR Capital, Itmax, Globaltec, Prestar, Apex Healthcare, YNHP, Top Glove, Scientex, Hi Mobility

KUALA LUMPUR: Here is a recap of the announcements that made headlines in Corporate Malaysia.

Technology

Nvidia director Harvey Jones sells $44 million in shares held for over three decades

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Nvidia board member Harvey Jones sold more than $44 million worth of company stock, a regulatory filing showed on Wednesday.