In today’s edition of Evening 5 — KNM Group has default on three credit facilities totalling RM418 million, and warns that it may trigger cross defaults. Meanwhile, MIDF Research expects the FBM KLCI to breach 1,700 by end-2023. </div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

EVENING 5: KNM defaults on RM418 mil loans

(Dec 8): Allianz SE has temporarily halted talks with Amundi SA over combining its Allianz Global Investors (AGI) asset management arm with the French company.

Allianz pauses talks with Amundi over control of asset manager — Bloomberg

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 8): Malaysia is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria and its potential implications for regional stability.

Ministry closely monitors situation in Syria, prioritises safety of Malaysians there

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The government will continue to give affirmation to social media platform providers to take action based on the set age limit guidelines.

Fahmi: Social media platforms must enforce age limit guidelines strictly

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Malaysia emphasised fairness and security in global trade and called for timely World Trade Organization (WTO) reforms, including restoring the dispute-settlement mechanism and promoting inclusive dialogue to address concerns, especially from developing nations.

Malaysia calls for WTO reforms to restore fairness and security in global trade

(Dec 8): VinFast Auto Ltd’s new electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Ting will start operating by July next year, according to an emailed statement.

VinFast’s new EV plant to start operation in Vietnam by July 2025

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has the potential to be a huge catalyst to spur economic growth, innovation and connectivity in the Asia Pacific, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

RCEP has potential to strengthen regional economies — Ismail Sabri 

ACCRA (Dec 8): Ghana's former president John Dramani Mahama has staged a political comeback by winning the West African nation's presidential election after his rival Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday.

Ghana's former president Mahama wins election

AMMAN/BEIRUT/CAIRO (Dec 8): Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

Syrian rebels topple President Assad, his whereabouts unknown

(Dec 8): The US government has approved the export of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the company's highly-scrutinised partnership with Emirati AI firm G42, Axios reported on Saturday (Dec 7), citing two people familiar with the deal.

US clears export of advanced AI chips to UAE under Microsoft deal, Axios says

PHNOM PENH (Dec 8): Cambodia and Sarawak have expressed their intentions to enhance commercial relations and leverage key economic sectors between the two resource-rich states.

Sarawak, Cambodia exploring economic, commercial synergy

AMMAN/BEIRUT/CAIRO (Dec 8): Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

(Dec 8): The leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader said on Sunday that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will manage the nation’s affairs, as the country deals with the fallout from a political crisis sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s bungled martial law. 
The party will prepare an orderly exit plan for Yoon, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said in a prepared statement after meeting with the prime minister.&nbsp;

South Korea’s ruling party vows ‘orderly exit’ for Yoon

(Dec 8): Tickets for a voyage on board Walt Disney Co’s first Asia-based cruise ship go on sale next week, as the entertainment giant takes advantage of a tourism boom in Singapore to realize ambitious goals for its cruise business.

Disney’s largest cruise ship targets Asia with Marvel heroes

KOTA TINGGI (Dec 8): The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh (also known as Pedra Branca), Middle Rocks, and South Ledge was conducted to examine the decision not to pursue a review of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling.&nbsp;

Batu Puteh RCI conducted to examine decision not to pursue review of ICJ ruling — defence minister

BUTTERWORTH (Dec 8): The Ministry of Education (MOE) has taken note of the proposal to restore the original name of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin, in Dengkil, Selangor, which was changed to SJKC Gamuda Cove.

Fadhlina: MOE takes note of proposal to restore school’s name to SJKC Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin

(Dec 8):&nbsp;Ant Group Co’s president Cyril Han will take on the role of chief executive officer (CEO) from March 2025.

Ant Group president Cyril Han to assume CEO role from March 2025

(Dec 8): The US&nbsp;government has approved the export of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the company's highly-scrutinised partnership with Emirati AI firm G42, Axios reported on Saturday (Dec 7), citing two people familiar with the deal.

KOTA BHARU (Dec 8): About 19 villages located within a five-kilometre radius of Sungai Nenggiri and Sungai Kelantan are expected to be hit by flood from Tuesday to Friday this week.

Flood expected to hit 19 villages in Machang, Gua Musang this week — Irrigation Dept

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has the potential to be a huge catalyst to spur economic growth, innovation and connectivity in the Asia Pacific, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 8): The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has introduced the Guidelines on Information and Network Security for the Communications and Multimedia Industry (INSG) to enhance the information and network security and resiliency of the communications and multimedia industry in the country.

MCMC introduces guidelines on info and network security to strengthen cybersecurity

PHNOM PENH (Dec 8): Cambodia and Sarawak have expressed their intentions to enhance commercial relations and leverage key economic sectors between the two resource-rich states.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The government will continue to give affirmation to social media platform providers&nbsp;to take action based on the set age limit guidelines.

(Dec 8):&nbsp;UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia this week, in a push to get a free trade deal with Gulf countries over the line.&nbsp;

UK’s Starmer to push for Gulf trade deal on UAE, Saudi trip

SUNGAI BESAR (Dec 8): The government is working to establish nine permanent evacuation centres (PPK), to mitigate the damage to schools that were being used as temporary evacuation centres (PPS) during the disaster.

Floods: One permanent evacuation centre to be established in each high-risk state, says Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The Malaysian Communications and Multimemdia Commission (MCMC) is preparing to deal with coverage problems in flood-affected areas during the second wave expected to start on Sunday.&nbsp;

Fahmi: MCMC ready to handle telecommunications issues due to second wave floods

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Malaysia emphasised fairness and security in global trade and called for timely World Trade Organization (WTO) reforms, including restoring the dispute-settlement mechanism and promoting inclusive dialogue to address concerns, especially from developing nations.

(Dec 8):&nbsp;VinFast Auto Ltd’s new electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Ting will start operating by July next year, according to an emailed statement.&nbsp;

(Dec 8): Allianz SE has temporarily halted talks with Amundi SA over combining its Allianz Global Investors (AGI)&nbsp;asset management arm with the French company.

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 8): Malaysia is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria and its potential implications for regional stability.

ACCRA (Dec 8): Ghana's former president John Dramani Mahama has staged a political comeback by winning the West African nation's presidential election after his rival Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday.