<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>SINGAPORE (Dec 20): Singapore Exchange (SGX)-listed SPAC (special purpose acquisition companies) firms Pegasus Asia and Novo Tellus Alpha Acquisition (NTAA) are not looking to merge with any target companies and are instead seeking to dissolve the blank-cheque companies, according to sources familiar with the matter.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>This is on the back of lower-than-expected numbers owing to unfavourable market conditions, The Edge Singapore understands. Pegasus’ announcement is expected to be made by Dec 22, while NTAA’s is set to be released next week. The deadline for<a href="https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/spacs/two-remaining-sgx-listed-spac-firms-dissolve-ending-further-despac-hopes" target="_blank">...(click on link for full story on theedgesingapore.com)</a></div>

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SINGAPORE (Dec 20): Singapore Exchange (SGX)-listed SPAC (special purpose acquisition companies) firms Pegasus Asia and Novo Tellus Alpha Acquisition (NTAA) are not looking to merge with any target companies and are instead seeking to dissolve the blank-cheque companies, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Two remaining SGX-listed SPAC firms to dissolve, ending further de-SPAC hopes

Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin has failed in his appeal to reinstate his legal challenge against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over its investigation into his and his family’s finances, which had led to the freezing of their various accounts and the seizure of Ilham Tower.

Daim and family fail to reinstate legal challenge against MACC investigations and criminal charges

A vessel carrying aid to a pier built by the US off Gaza set sail from Cyprus on Thursday, marine tracking websites showed.

Vessel carrying aid leaves Cyprus for US-built pier off Gaza 

MOSCOW (May 9): President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would do everything to avoid a clash of global powers but would not let itself be threatened, in a speech to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Putin says on Victory Day that Russia won't let anyone threaten it

The Communications Ministry, in collaboration with Meta Platforms Inc (Meta), is in the process of developing a WhatsApp chatbot set to be launched by the end of this month.

Putrajaya working with Meta on WhatsApp chatbot to counter fake news, says Fahmi

Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri called on the public to alert the authorities about children living in poverty, so they can be assisted.

Nancy calls on public to alert authorities on children living in poverty

The Negeri Sembilan government will consider providing incentives to local companies involved in developing and utilising artificial intelligence (AI) technology if the financial situation permits, the state legislative assembly sitting was told on Thursday.

Negeri Sembilan govt mulling incentives for local companies developing and utilising AI technology 

WhatsApp’s begun working freely and consistently for some users in China despite a longstanding government ban on the messaging service, an unusual phenomenon for a country with some of the world’s strictest internet curbs.

WhatsApp, banned in China, is suddenly working for some users

The property arm of Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY), Sunway Property's newly launched Sunway Velocity 3 residential project has achieved a take-up rate of 60%, with over 400 out of 695 units snapped up during its opening weekend on May 4.

Sunway Velocity 3 residential development 60% taken up at launch 

DUBAI (May 9): Iran will change its nuclear doctrine if Israel threatens its existence, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader said, the latest comment by an Iranian official that raises questions about what Tehran says is its peaceful nuclear programme.

Iran to change nuclear doctrine if existence threatened, adviser to supreme leader says

High-end supermarket chain Spinneys rose as much as 11% in its Dubai trading debut on Thursday after a rare private sector initial public offering (IPO) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an encouraging sign for other companies looking to go public.

Supermarket chain Spinneys climbs 11% in Dubai debut

Shares of VSTECS Bhd (KL:VSTECS) climbed to a new all-time high on Thursday as investors scrambled for a piece of the company that has been appointed the country’s first distributor of Amazon Web Services (AWS).

VSTECS shares hit new record high on Amazon Web Services partnership

All eyes will be on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) as the central bank is set to announce its overnight policy rate (OPR) decision later on Thursday afternoon.

Economists bet on BNM leaving the OPR unchanged later today

Gen Zers risk starting further and further behind previous generations building a life for themselves as soaring rents chew into their disposable income, leaving them deeper in a financial hole they are still digging, said Fortune.

Gen Z sinking deeper into debt as higher education and housing costs weigh, new data shows — report

Shares of Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) surged to a new record high on Thursday, as investors bet on better earnings growth for its upcoming financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024).

Kerjaya Prospek shares at fresh record high on expectation of better 1Q earnings

UOB KayHian has initiated coverage on Lagenda Properties Bhd (KL: LAGENDA) with a “buy” rating at RM1.49 and target price (TP) of RM2.05.

UOB KayHian starts coverage on Lagenda Properties, target price RM2.05

Asian shares were mixed on Thursday but solid Chinese trade data helped China stocks outperform, while the yen stabilised after three days of decline as Japanese authorities hinted at the potential for currency intervention.

China outperforms Asian shares on solid trade data, BOE in focus

PUTRAJAYA (May 9): The Federal Court on Thursday granted permission for National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp) and four others including its chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail to have the merits of their appeal on damages against Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) to be heard.

Apex court grants permission to hear quantum of damages to NFCorp’s appeal and Public Bank’s liability cross-appeal

Malaysia’s central bank on Thursday left the benchmark interest rate unchanged as widely expected, citing improving economic activity amid moderate inflation.

BNM keeps overnight policy rate unchanged as widely expected

Shares of Sarawak Cable Bhd (KL:SCABLE) fell to its lowest in five months on Wednesday after the loss-making cable manufacturer's so-called resuscitation exercise has been terminated.

Sarawak Cable shares fall to five-month low after losing its white knight

Malaysia’s largest telecom company by revenue Axiata Group Bhd (KL:AXIATA) may face earnings pressure from a potential merger of its unit PT XL Axiata with PT Smartfren Telecom in Indonesia, and investors should sell the stock, said MIDF Amanah Investment Bank.

MIDF says Axiata may face earnings pressure ahead, downgrades stock to 'sell'

LBS Bina Group Bhd (KL: LBS) has launched SkyRia, the latest addition to its D'Island Residence project in Puchong.

LBS Bina launches RM457 mil SkyRia residential project in Puchong

(May 9): Opulent, elevated, expensive. There are plenty of descriptive terms for the A$90 million (US$59 million or RM280.88 million) home perched high in Crown Resorts Ltd’s twisting skyscraper in Sydney. “Sold” is not one of them.

The chrome-heavy duplex has been on the market since a...

Luxury US$59m Sydney home remains unsold as rich Chinese buyers leave

Apex Securities Bhd expects the local bourse to continue to trend sideways following the FBM KLCI’s retreat after hitting the 1,600 resistance level amid weakened sentiment across global stock markets and investors awaiting fresh catalysts.

Apex Securities expects local bourse to continue to trend sideways 

Malaysia’s wholesale and retail sales grew 5.2% in March from a year earlier, thanks largely to higher retail sales in non-specialised stores and other specialised wholesale, official data on Thursday showed.

Malaysia’s wholesale, retail sales climb 5.2% in March, official data show

Malaysia should seize opportunities, endeavour to advance reforms and remove barriers to clinical research, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia should grab chance to advance reforms in clinical research, says PM 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended higher on Wednesday, stretching its winning streak to six straight and closing above 39,000 points for the first time in five weeks, as investors kept betting on supportive US monetary policy.

Dow ends higher for sixth session, but Treasury yields pressure market

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) plans to designate Malaysia as an export hub for the Volkswagen brand, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister (Miti) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Volkswagen to make Malaysia as export hub — Zafrul 

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and seizure of chips producer TSMC would be "absolutely devastating" to the American economy.

US official says Chinese seizure of TSMC in Taiwan would be 'absolutely devastating'

Asia-Pacific Islamic banks can expect steady expansion and broadly stable asset quality for the next few years, at least, according to S&amp;P Global Ratings.

S&P: Malaysia will remain biggest Islamic banking market in Asia-Pacific

Roughly one in 37 homes are now considered seriously underwater in the US and that share is much higher across a swath of southern states, according to data out Thursda