MALAYSIA'S BENCHMARK STOCK INDEX RISES AS MUCH AS 1.5% TO 1,715.94 POINTS

PENTAGON CHIEF HEGSETH: WHERE NECESSARY ADDRESSING WHAT RUSSIA, CHINA ARE DOING

US job openings fell to 6.88 million in February from a revised 7.24 million, while hiring slowed sharply, signaling cooler labor demand before Iran war uncertainty. The hiring rate hit its lowest since April 2020 and layoffs edged up. Declines were led by services, healthcare and manufacturing. Firms remain cautious after weak job growth, with cuts at Meta Platforms Inc. and Oracle Corp., though overall layoffs remain subdued.