Asian Stocks Plunge Following Trump's Ultimatum To Iran

TOKYO, March 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- Asian markets opened sharply lower on Monday following an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump to Iran, reported Geman Press Agency (dpa). 

Gold Falling Due To Market Misreading Monetary “Endgame” -- Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Gold prices are currently under pressure due to market liquidation, rising real yields and temporarily delayed physical demand, rather than a breakdown in the long-term macroeconomic outlook, according to an analyst.

Iran's Khamenei Absent On Persian New Year As Speech Read Out On TV

TEHRAN, March 21 (Bernama-dpa) -- People in Iran eagerly awaited a first public appearance by the country's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Persian New Year, or Nowruz, on Friday - but a speech attributed to him was instead read out on state television.

Volatility Seen Continuing For Bursa Malaysia Next Week After Raya Break

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Trading on Bursa Malaysia is expected to continue to be volatile next week after the Raya break, although the broader trend still points to a gradually rising momentum.

European Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged Amidst Heightened Geopolitical Tensions

FRANKFURT, March 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday kept key interest rates unchanged as heightened geopolitical tensions weigh on the outlook of inflation and economy in the euro area, reported Xinhua.

Indonesia To Boost Coal Output As Oil Prices Surge

JAKARTA, March 20 (Bernama) -- Indonesia plans to increase coal production in response to rising global oil prices, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

Attack On Qatar's LNG Facility Raises Risk Of Wider Supply Disruptions In Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Asia-Pacific economies now face rising risks of physical shortages, not only of energy, following the latest Iranian attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facilities, including oil and gas but also of fertilisers and, by extension, potentially food later in the year.

Social Media Sparks Rapid Growth In Malaysia’s “Durian Tourism”

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) — Malaysia has seen a growing “durian tourism” trend, with international visitors, particularly those from China, increasingly building short breaks and day trips around peak durian seasons and well-known producing areas, which appeal is both culinary and experiential.

IMF Warns Prolonged Energy Price Surge Could Lift Inflation

ISTANBUL, March 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday that a sustained rise in energy prices stemming from the war in West Asia could push global inflation higher and weigh on economic output.

European Energy Prices Rise Amid West Asia Tensions

LONDON, March 19 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- European gas and oil prices rose sharply in early trading on Thursday as escalating tensions in West Asia and attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar and Iran have heightened concerns over supply disruptions, reported Xinhua.

CPO Futures Close Higher On Energy Gains, Indonesia Biodiesel Expectations

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher on Thursday, tracking gains in energy prices and Indonesia’s biodiesel policy expectations.

Iran Action May Send Oil To US$120 A Barrel, Asia To Bear The Brunt -- Rystad Energy

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Oil prices could hit US$120 (US$1=RM3.93) per barrel if Iranian authorities act on their implied threat to strike on five facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with Asia bearing the brunt given its dependence on Qatari volumes, according to an analyst.