☕️ Tan Sri's house raided by MACC in RM4.5 bil corruption probe involving government vehicles

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Apple accounted for more than 20% of the almost 1.2 bil smartphones shipped in 2023, according to the International Data Corporation, with Samsung making up 19.4%, overtaking Samsung as the world’s biggest smartphone maker. Apple was also the only player among the “Top 3” to show positive growth annually, despite increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, Apple’s largest market. The IDC also stated the smartphone market is entering a “very interesting time” with the growing number of Android providers splintering the market.

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), global tobacco use has decreased significantly in the last 20 years. The report indicates that one in five people currently smoke tobacco, in contrast to one in three in 2000. The report also highlights the ongoing efforts by the tobacco industry to influence global health policies. In 2022, 1.25 bil people aged 15 or older used tobacco, compared to 1.36 bil in 2000. The study predicts that tobacco use will continue to decline, with an estimated 1.2 bil people using tobacco by 2030, despite the world's population growth. You can download the full report here.

GBP22,000 (RM131.8K) — the price of two scripts from two episodes of the popular TV show 'Friends' were sold at an auction. These drafts of the season four finale were recovered from a bin by a former staff member at Fountain Studios, Wembley, in 1998 when the two episodes were filmed. Bidders went crazy for the scripts, with an initial estimate of GBP600-800 being quickly exceeded, according to Hanson Ross auctioneers in Royston, Hertfordshire. They were ultimately purchased by an online international bidder for GBP22,000, with the total amount paid by the buyer amounting to GBP28,864 when fees were included - that’s a 31.2% fee charge!