The disruption came as the LME encountered an issue with its primary electronic matching engine, a spokesperson for the exchange said after trading resumed. The LME launched a new trading platform in March of last year as part of a broad technological overhaul designed partly to boost functionality for electronic traders. The spokesperson said the electronic market had been in a “technical halt”, but that inter-office trading, where brokers trade with one another over the phone and using electronic messaging, continued to be available. The LME planned to restore electronic trading on a secondary server after the closing prices window, the spokesperson said. There were no major moves in prices as trading resumed, with copper trading up 0.9% while aluminium was down 1.2%, broadly in line with levels seen prior to the halt.

(March 17): Tesla Inc and LG Energy Solution Ltd will build a US$4.3 billion (RM17 billion) battery plant in Lansing, Michigan to supply the carmaker’s energy storage systems business. Production at the lithium-iron-phosphate prismatic battery cell plant is scheduled to begin next year, the statement said. “American-made cells will power Tesla’s Megapack 3 energy storage systems produced in Houston, creating a robust domestic battery supply chain,” it said. The company reported that the tariff impact on its energy storage business amounted to roughlyUS$200 million in the third quarter of 2025 alone, and it was seeking to localise LFP battery manufacturing. Samsung SDI has said the US ESS market is projected to reach 130 Gwh in 2030 from around 80 GWh now.

PETALING JAYA: For many Malaysians living far from home, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is more than just a festive celebration. While many festive dishes can still be prepared abroad, Siti Haniza said one festive favourite remains hard to replicate in Oman. Other things, we can cook or buy in Oman but not lemang because there are no bamboo trees there,” she said. “The Hari Raya atmosphere will still be lively because more family members, including my grandmother, will be gathering here. This year’s reunion will be even more special as her brother Kamarul Hasnan Hassan, will also be returning from Vancouver, Canada.

PUTRAJAYA: Express and tour bus operators are warned to comply immediately with the requirement to install and verify the speed limitation device (SLD). The SLD enforcement programme is being implemented in phases. Aedy Fadly said the department views the level of non-compliance seriously, particularly among tour bus operators. "All express and tour bus operators who have yet to submit verification notification for the SLD are required to take immediate action," he added. He said the department would intensify monitoring and take firm enforcement action against operators who fail to comply.

ONE question in the Penang Satisfaction Survey 2026 asked if respondents felt comfortable speaking their minds. Another asked if they felt they received the respect they deserved.

KUALA LUMPUR: Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth has been charged at the magistrate’s court here over statements that allegedly sparked provocative debate over religious and racial issues. Zamri Vinoth, 42, or his full name Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan on Tuesday (March 17). According to the charge sheet, Zamri allegedly made a statement on his Facebook account "Zamri Vinoth" at about 12.22pm on Feb 3. The prosecution contends the statement could provoke public unrest and instigate people to break public order. "This is what we say matters that can incite public unrest," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): Intel’s investment in Malaysia is set to expand, with its advanced packaging complex and assembly manufacturing expected to be operational later this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “I received a briefing yesterday from Intel Corporation chief executive officer Tan Lip Bu and his team on the latest developments regarding Intel’s investment expansion in Malaysia,” Anwar said in his social media post. The discussion focused on efforts to support the development of the advanced packaging complex, and assembly and test manufacturing, key components of Intel’s investment expansion in Malaysia, the prime minister said. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said Intel Foundry executive vice-president and general manager Naga Chandrasekaran outlined plans to begin the first phase of the complex with assembly and testing for advanced packaging. “I welcome Intel’s decision to start operations at the complex later this year,” Anwar said.

PETALING JAYA: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are helping businesses increase sales and manage cash flow, but industry leaders warn that the model can also cut into profit margins and carry risks for both merchants and consumers. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) president Datuk William Ng said the BNPL model is really a double-edged sword for SMEs. “For many SMEs, BNPL helps win the initial sale by reducing the barrier to entry for consu­mers, effectively lowering cart abandonment rates. Providers are charging commissions ranging from 4% to 8%, but most merchants are willing to pay to receive their funds upfront,” he said. Chin shared that some busines­ses will likely see a drop in sales if they were to stop offering BNPL.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Integrated computer systems design company Willowglen MSC Bhd has secured a contract worth about RM32.63 million from Majubina Resources Sdn Bhd. The contract is for the design, build and transfer of infrastructures capable of supporting 37 telecommunication towers at various sites in Sabah, according to its bourse filing on Monday (March 7). Willowglen said the contract was awarded to its wholly-owned subsidiary Willowglen (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd on Monday. “The commencement date of the contract is on March 7, 2022, and will be completed by Dec 6, 2022,” it said, adding that the contract should contribute to its earnings and net assets per share during the period. Willowglen noted that the contract is not renewable and the risks involved are normal business risks.

This was the first month of the Budi Madani RON95 subsidy rationalisation programme, which saw the government implementing a targeted subsidy for the first time, moving away from the blanket subsidy of the past that everyone, including foreigners, was entitled to. When I wrote about the need to stay the course on petrol and diesel subsidy rationalisation (The Edge, Issue 1601, Nov 17, 2025), the fuel subsidy bill was largely under control. Barring any unforeseen geopolitical circumstances, crude oil prices were likely to enter a stable phase. This sent oil prices topsy-turvy, surging from the US$60-to-US$70 range to breaching US$120 per barrel on March 9. For now, being a net exporter provides a buffer that allows it to maintain the RON95 pump price at RM1.99 per litre.

(March 17): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reopened its airspace early Tuesday morning after the Gulf nation fully shut down air traffic as it intercepted drones and missiles. The General Civil Aviation Authority said air traffic operations have returned to normal. It was the first time in more than two weeks of hostilities and air travel disruptions that the UAE announced a full closure of airspace. The brief shutdown came a day after Dubai’s main international airport halted flights for several hours after a drone strike triggered a fuel-tank fire. The airport, the world’s busiest hub for long-haul travel, has suffered a series of attacks since the war started, regularly disrupting flights.

March ⁠17 (Reuters) - The ⁠United Arab Emirates' ‌General Civil Aviation Authority announced the ​temporary and full ⁠closure ⁠of the country's airspace, ⁠as "an ‌exceptional precautionary ⁠measure", amid rapidly evolving ​regional ‌security developments, the ⁠state ​news agency reported on ⁠Tuesday. UAE's defence ministry ​said earlier on Tuesday it ⁠was responding to incoming missile and drone ​threats ⁠from Iran. (Reporting by ​Enas ‌Alashray in Cairo; ​Editing by Tom Hogue)

THE parliament will hold a session on Thursday to vote on a new prime minister, House Speaker Sophon Zaram said, following last month’s general election. Caretaker Prime Minister ­Anu­tin Charnvirakul is seeking to be voted back to office by the new parliament after his Bhumjaithai Party won a clear victory in the Feb 8 election. Anutin said the pace of the prime ministerial vote would depend on how quickly paperwork for the new Speaker could be submitted for royal endorsement. Once the endorsement is issued and the Speaker formally acknowledges the royal command, the House of Represen­tatives can then be convened to elect the prime minister. The Speaker vote marked another key stage in the formation of the next government after the new parliament was formally opened over the weekend.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for China and Vietnam to “strengthen strategic cooperation” to guard against global turbulence during talks with his counterpart in Hanoi, Chinese state media said. The two socialist states have sought to deepen already close economic and security ties to guard against global trade upheaval instigated by US Presi­dent Donald Trump’s tariffs. Wang, meanwhile, said China would work with Vietnam to “properly handle maritime issues”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Beijing and Hanoi have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. They also exchanged views on “international and regional issues of concern”, according to a Chinese readout of the talks.

A CAR became the “home” for five children, including a five-month-old baby, after the family lost their rented house recently, Sinar Harian reported. According to MAINS, the man previously worked two jobs to support his family. He said the man lost his job after his employer discovered he was a former prisoner. “As soon as the employer found out he was an ex-convict, he lost his job and source of income. It not only brought additional income for her family, but also made her more confident when facing her audience.