Business and technology quick bites

Updated version at 8.15 am

The highlighted words in red are links to the news article.

April 12, 2021,

Business News

1. Asian stocks look poised for a steady start Monday after a third straight weekly Wall Street advance, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagging the prospect of stronger growth and hiring. The dollar was steady.
2. The U.S. economy is at a turning point thanks to government support and a speedy campaign to inoculate Americans against Covid-19, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in a new interview.
3. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) clarifies that MKD Signature Sdn Bhd (MSSB), a company owned by Minister of Finance remains as the major shareholder of TRX Exchange 106, dismissing a media report claiming MSSB had sold its shares.
4. Hedge funds look steadfastly bullish on the Australian dollar despite its decline against the greenback in March.
5. Alibaba founder Jack Ma has endured a tumultuous run that saw his Chinese e-commerce giant hit with a record 18 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) antitrust fine on Saturday, after an anti-monopoly probe found the e-commerce giant had abused its dominant market position for several years.

Technology News

1. Microsoft in advanced talks to acquire speech-recognition company Nuance Communications. The plans illustrate Microsoft’s recent efforts to expand through deals. Microsoft considered buying the U.S. operations of video-sharing app TikTok last year, and last month it completed the $7.5 billion acquisition of video game maker Zenimax.
2. Traveloka, the Indonesian travel unicorn, is in advanced talks to go public through a merger with Bridgetown Holdings, the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by Peter Thiel.
3. WhiteCoat, a Singapore-based digital healthcare platform, announced today that it raised close to US$8 million in a Series A round of financing, led by GEC-KIP Technology and Innovation Fund.
4. Blockchain ride-hailing startup lands US$15 million in a Series B funding round led by Korean automotive parts manufacturer CENTRAL to launch EV tuk-tuk.