<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Flash:&nbsp;TNB 2Q net profit up 24.4%</div>
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TNB 2Q net profit up 24.4%

SmartBiz became the first financial-technology firm to receive regulatory approval to be a bank since President Donald Trump took office in January, a regulatory signal that other fintechs could also get the green light to cement their footholds in the financial-services industry.

SmartBiz is first fintech to become bank under Trump

The Israeli military said it hit targets across Gaza early on Tuesday, ending a weeks-long standoff over extending the ceasefire that halted fighting in January, with Palestinian health ministry officials reporting at least 100 dead.

Israel attacks targets in Gaza as ceasefire deadlock breaks 

President Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping would visit Washington soon, as trade tensions build between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump says Xi will visit Washington in ‘not too distant future’

US President Donald Trump nominated Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman to the central bank's top regulatory post as vice-chair for supervision where she is expected to oversee an agenda of relaxed rule-writing and bank oversight.

Trump nominates US Fed governor Bowman as vice-chair for supervision

The bank at the centre of Vietnam's biggest financial fraud has received a central bank bailout amounting 5% of the nation's 2024 economic output, which a local white knight hopes to repay in 15 years, documents seen by Reuters show.

Vietnam developer proposes 15-year rescue for bank at heart of giant fraud, documents show

Britain's Labour government will announce plans on Tuesday to cut the amount spent on supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, seeking to tame a sharply rising welfare bill despite unrest among some of the party's lawmakers.

UK to cut welfare payments in bid to address spiralling costs

US Commerce department bureaus informed staffers in recent weeks that Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek is banned on their government devices, according to a message seen by Reuters and two people familiar with the matter.

US Commerce department bureaus ban China's DeepSeek on govt devices — Reuters

Google-parent Alphabet is in advanced negotiations to buy Israeli cybersecurity company Wiz with an offer of more than US$30 billion (RM133.3 billion), according to a source familiar with the matter, marking its largest potential acquisition to date.

Alphabet back in talks to buy Israel's Wiz for over US$30b — Reuters

China hasn’t imported liquefied natural gas from the US for 40 days, the longest gap in almost two years, as traders are forced to divert shipments elsewhere to avoid Beijing’s tariffs on the super-chilled fuel.

China halts US LNG imports as trade war reroutes deliveries

US President Donald Trump said he would look to counter China’s economic advantage from coal-based electricity by authorising his administration to ramp up production of energy from the fossil fuel.

Trump says he’s authorising administration to produce coal power

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcement that made the headlines on Monday.

MRCB, Sapura Energy, Solarvest, Salcon, Rohas Tecnic, HHRG, Jentayu, Focus Point, Catcha Digital, Poh Huat, Dutch Lady, AmanahRaya REIT

Asia Poly Holdings Bhd (KL:ASIAPLY) has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Ta Win Holdings Bhd (KL:TAWIN) after disposing of its entire 5.59% stake in the copper wire manufacturer&nbsp; via a direct business transaction.

Asia Poly disposes of entire stake in Ta Win

Volkswagen's Audi will cut up to 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 in areas like administration and development, the premium carmaker said on Monday, the latest German auto industry player to reduce costs.

Volkswagen's Audi to cut 7,500 jobs in administration, development by 2029

Home-grown electronics firm Creative Technology has retrenched about 40 staff, or 14% of its workforce, as the tech layoff wave continues its rampage, The Straits Times has learnt.

Creative Technology cuts workforce, adding to global wave of tech layoffs — report

The bank at the centre of Vietnam's biggest financial fraud has received a central bank bailout amounting 5% of the nation's 2024 economic output, which a local white knight hopes to repay in 15 years, documents seen by Reuters show.

Top Philippine mobile wallet GCash could aim for at least US$8 billion (RM35.6 billion) in valuation when it goes public as soon as this year, its chairman said, as it urges regulators to ease rules to make way for its big listing.

Philippines’ GCash to seek at least US$8b IPO valuation 

US President Donald Trump said he would look to counter China’s economic advantage from coal-based electricity by authorising his administration to ramp up production of energy from the fossil fuel.

US President Donald Trump nominated Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman to the central bank's top regulatory post as vice-chair for supervision where she is expected to oversee an agenda of relaxed rule-writing and bank oversight.

China hasn’t imported liquefied natural gas from the US for 40 days, the longest gap in almost two years, as traders are forced to divert shipments elsewhere to avoid Beijing’s tariffs on the super-chilled fuel.

US homebuilder sentiment dropped to a seven-month low in March as tariffs on imported materials raised construction costs, a survey showed on Monday.

US homebuilder sentiment drops to seven-month low in March

Pacific Investment Management Co is increasingly negative on the outlook for German government bonds as the country edges close to a crucial pivot toward more public spending.

Pimco turns more negative on German bonds ahead of debt vote