☕️ Man dodges assassination outside Penang school thanks to quick reflexes

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Japan is set to launch an emergency policy package worth at least JPY100 bil (RM2.94 bil) to attract overseas researchers, particularly as talent departs the US under President Donald Trump's administration. Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's minister of state for science and technology policy. The initiative aims to lure highly skilled researchers, including Japanese nationals living abroad with doctorates, to significantly elevate the research standing of Japanese universities. This ambitious plan, which integrates existing projects and may see additional future spending, declares Japan's ambition to become “the most attractive country in the world for researchers.”

The Higher Education Ministry announced today that a total of 150,557 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2024 leavers have been offered places at public higher learning institutions (IPTA). This figure accounts for 67.33% of the 223,624 applications received through the UPUOnline system. A breakdown of the offers shows that 86,589 applicants secured spots at public universities, while 42,058 were offered places at polytechnics. Additionally, 20,427 candidates received offers from community colleges, and 1,483 were accepted into institutions under the MARA Higher Education Division.

The Asia-Pacific region will require an immense USD90 tril (RM382.1 tril) in energy investments by 2050 to fuel its expanding economies while simultaneously achieving net-zero ambitions, according to Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, president and group CEO of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas). Home to 60% of the world's population, Asia-Pacific is projected to account for half of global energy demand until 2050. This surge is driven by a growing population and rapid industrialisation, particularly with the rise of AI-driven technologies. Data centres alone are expected to double their energy usage to 945 terawatt-hours by 2030, contributing over 20% of global demand growth during that period.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Crime Watch
Man dodges assassination outside Penang school thanks to quick reflexes
A man narrowly escaped an apparent assassination attempt outside Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Nyior in Penang after quick reflexes and a dark-tinted window saved his life. Two masked men on a motorcycle approached his parked 4WD, and one opened fire through the driver's side window. Spotting the gunman just in time, the man reclined his seat, avoiding the bullets entirely. Though the vehicle was riddled with holes, he emerged unharmed. North Seberang Perai police have confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. This is like the fourth shooting incident in like a month? What’s hapenning Malaysia?

A week too late: neighbours uncover death of mother and daughter
A 40 year-old woman and her two year-old daughter were found dead in their apartment on Jalan Bukit Gambir, Bayan Lepas, after neighbours alerted authorities to a foul smell. Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed that both had been dead for over a week, with no signs of foul play. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the cause of death could not be determined, and the case has been classified as sudden death. Forensic checks found no external injuries on either body.

Malaysia to ban dummy seatbelt buckles by year-end over safety concerns
The government will ban the import of dummy seatbelt buckles and similar devices starting end of the year, under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025. The ban applies globally and includes seatbelt alarm deactivators and clip extenders designed to bypass safety systems. These accessories have been linked to dangerous driving habits by silencing seatbelt warnings, leading many to neglect buckling up. Transport Minister Anthony Loke reiterated that its use violates road safety laws. During a recent festive season operation, authorities in Negeri Sembilan found that over 30% of seatbelt offences involved dummy buckles. Is it that hard to buckle up?

MACC probes tycoon linked to Sabah bribery case involving Albert Tei
MACC is investigating a tycoon believed to have ties to businessman Albert Tei, who is currently on trial for bribery related to mineral prospecting licences in Sabah. A source revealed the tycoon, who runs a Singaporean company, is suspected of funding the alleged scandal involving Tei and several Sabah Umno leaders. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the investigation and said witnesses will be called in. Tei is accused of giving RM350,000 in bribes to assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyman Dr Yusof Yacob, both of whom also face charges. The case follows a 2023 video leak alleging misconduct in Sabah's mineral exploration sector.

EAIC flags NRD officer for delay in child’s MyKad case
The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found that an investigating officer from the Sabah National Registration Department (NRD) unreasonably delayed handling a child’s identity card application, describing the officer’s conduct as inefficient and failing to meet expected standards. The delay breached the NRD’s Code of Ethics, which calls for timely, responsible, and diligent action. As a result, the EAIC has referred the matter to the NRD’s Disciplinary Authority and recommended action under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993. It also proposed key reforms, like the formation of a 'Flying Squad' at NRD headquarters to identify causes of backlogs and improve procedural compliance. The findings followed a complaint and were investigated under the EAIC Act 2009.

AGC appeal in Najib's house arrest bid over alleged royal addendum
The Federal Court heard arguments from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) that former PM Najib Razak failed to act with reasonable diligence in verifying a purported royal order allowing him to serve his prison sentence under house arrest. Najib received credible information about the alleged addendum in Feb but made no attempt to confirm it with the palace before his judicial review was dismissed last year. Najib’s son later obtained an unsigned copy from the Pahang palace, but it came with restrictions. The AGC is appealing a Court of Appeal ruling that allowed Najib to pursue his case, which could determine if the former prime minister can be moved from Kajang Prison to house arrest.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Will Netanyahu listen to Trump?
Trump says Israel on board with cease-fire, urges Hamas to accept 
According to US President Trump, Israel has agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. Trump also said in a social media post that the US would be “working with all parties to end the war”, but did not provide details on the ceasefire. However, he did share that Qatar and Egypt, which have been mediators in the Hamas-Israel conflict, will be delivering “this final proposal” to Hamas, with Trump urging Hamas to take the deal, adding that it would only get worse, not better. Amid all this, Israel has not confirmed it had agreed to the conditions of a deal. However, a framework to release most, if not all, of the remaining hostages in Gaza is a key condition for Israel.

Gazan hopes are raised as Trump banks on regional momentum
Still, Trump’s statement has raised hopes in Gaza, as the belief is that even two months without fighting would save thousands of lives. Trump seems to be looking to use any momentum gained from the US and Israel conducting strikes on Iranian nuclear sites together to pressure Hamas into agreeing to the cease-fire. Hamas’ leaders are expected to debate the proposal and seek clarification from mediators before giving an official response.

Trump-nomics
A likely yay deal, a suggested nay for Japan
As the tariff pause deadline of Jul 9 draws near, Trump has indicated that the US is close to a trade deal with India, which “doesn’t accept anybody in”. Trump said this would mean a deal for “much lower tariffs” if India lowers its barriers for US companies. Meanwhile, Trump “doubts” that there will be a deal with Japan, likely due to the Asian nation refusing to accept US-grown rice even as it sells millions of cars in the US. This was an easy demand, according to Trump, who suggested tariffs of between 30% to 35% for Japan, higher than the 24% rate he announced on Apr 2. Trump also said he is not thinking about extending the Jul 9 deadline, and will be sending letters to countries notifying them of the tariff rate they would face.

Powell returns fire, says tariffs are keeping Fed from cutting rates
Fed chair Powell swung back at Trump, stating that a major reason rate cuts were put on hold was his own tariffs. Powell said the Fed went on hold due to the size of the tariffs and how all inflation forecasts for the US went up as a result of the tariffs. Even now, the Fed remains focused on keeping inflation in check and will be staying on hold until the impacts of the tariffs on the economy become clearer. This comes after Trump has suggested firing Powell, with the president reportedly considering the appointment of Powell’s successor months in advance, undermining the Fed chair’s authority. Imagine the grin on Powell’s face at this clapback. Well-played, sir.

Bot blockers and cyber hackers
Cloudflare vs AI bots: Fighting the tide
The internet infrastructure firm reported an explosion of AI bot activity, with AI crawlers generating “more than 50 bil” requests to the Cloudflare network per day. Cloudflare provides security services to sites, powering around 20% of the internet. This led to the firm rolling out a new system that now protects millions of websites, which will be able to block bots used by AI firms to scrape and collect data, called crawlers. These AI firms then use the data collected to train their systems, which has led to many prominent writers, artists, musicians, and actors accusing such firms of using their work without permission or payment. To this end, a new business model is created. Cloudflare is developing a “Pay Per Crawl” system, which would allow content creators to request payment from AI companies utilising their original content.

Hacker hits Qantas, six million accounts breached 
The hacker targeted a call centre and got into a third-party customer service platform, which contained the names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers of six million people. Qantas is investigating the severity of the breach, having responded after detecting unusual activity on the platform. This comes after the FBI warned that cybercrime group Scattered Spider was targeting airlines, with two firms already breached. Qantas did not name any group as being responsible. This marks the biggest breach in Australia in years, and comes while Qantas is still rebuilding trust from illegally firing thousands of ground workers while collecting government stimulus payments and selling thousands of tickets for already-cancelled flights during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shorts

1. BTS boys back with new album, tour 
   Good news A.R.M.Y! The seven-strong group is back after all of its members completed their mandatory military service, with BTS heading to the US later this month to begin work on new music. A new album will be released in spring 2026, with the group also scheduling a world tour alongside the album. This will be the group’s first world tour since the group’s Permission to Dance on Stage tour in 2022. The album will also be the group’s first full-length release since 2020.

2. Heathrow mulling lawsuit against electricity provider for fire-starting fault
   The airport is considering legal action against electricity provider National Grid after a report revealed that the fire, which caused the airport to shut down, was the result of a known fault. The fault was at a substation owned by National Grid, which was aware of the issue since 2018. Talk about kicking the can down the road. There were reportedly “numerous opportunities” to fix the issue, where moisture was affecting electrical parts, but maintenance was repeatedly deferred. Heathrow expects National Grid to take accountability for those failings.

3. Copper thieves leave Perth's roads dark and lightless 
   Thieves are stripping copper wiring from the state’s power grid, leaving stretches of highways in Perth’s metro area in darkness. About 65km of street lights and 14km of pathway lights are affected by this thievery. Copper is resold at lucrative prices on the black market, with some thieves even cutting down power poles with chainsaws to access the internal wires. Authorities spend up to AUD3 mil (RM8.31 mil) a year trying to keep up with the issue.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. T20 chicken coop at Urban Forest in Jakarta by Balinese architecture firm RAD+ar.

2. Exploring the stereotype - Asians eating dogs. Seems like people in Switzerland, Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana do the same. Then why the stereotype?

3. Sensitive to BS? You are diagnosed with this intolerance.