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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p class="thumb-cap">EVENING 5: 2023: Stability, scandals and seeds of change<nbsp;< p=""> </nbsp;<></p></div>
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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Looking for the biggest news that happened this year? We’ve got you covered.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>1. From airline to airport, it was truly a year of highs and lows for those in Malaysia’s aviation industry.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>2. Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera continued to try putting its house in order, with mixed success.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>3. Sime Darby Bhd became ready for its close up following a series of high-profile deals.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>4. The state polls that took place in August were a harbinger for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>5. Courts in Malaysia continued to be busy with significant developments taking place for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other politicians.</p></div>


EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

PUC Bhd’s (KL:PUC) photography associate Pictureworks International Holdings Ltd has filed for a listing on Nasdaq in the US.

The initial public offering (IPO) of its 27.53%-owned associate has been registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission though the terms such as pricing, number of shares to be offered, and timetable for the public offering were not disclosed.

PUC’s associate Pictureworks files for IPO on Nasdaq in US

Major European energy companies doubled down on oil and gas in 2024 to focus on near-term profits, slowing down — and at times reversing — climate commitments in a shift that they are likely to stick with in 2025.

Big Oil backtracks on renewables push as climate agenda falters

On Nov 20, the Kuala Terengganu Shariah High Court handed down the sentence of six lashes in public for repeated offences of khalwat (close proximity) against a carpenter named Mohd Affendi Awan.

Shariah whipping in public — does it exceed the Shariah Courts’ jurisdiction?

The proposed adjustment in Peninsular Malaysia’s base electricity tariff under the Regulatory Period 2025-2027 (RP4) is mainly a “rebasing exercise” to reflect higher fuel costs assumption, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).

Base electricity tariff adjustment to reflect 24%-34% rise in forecasted fuel costs, says Tenaga

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) expresses its deep concern over the decision of the Terengganu Shariah Court in the case of Mohd Affendi Awang, a 42-year-old carpenter, who was sentenced to six lashes in public, after being convicted of repeated khalwat (close proximity) offences under Section 31(a) of the Shariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) (Terengganu) Enactment 2022. This punishment undermines human rights, dignity, and the rule of law. The commission takes note that whipping under shariah laws is different from civil law. Be that as it may, the sentence not only constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, but also raises serious questions regarding the legality of public whipping under the Federal Constitution and federal law.

Public whipping in Terengganu: A violation of human rights and rule of law

Ride-hailing unicorn inDrive has made a strategic investment in Pakistan’s grocery delivery startup Krave Mart, part of an effort to explore opportunities in emerging markets.
 
The Mountain View, California-based company created a venture capital arm last year with an aim to invest as much as US$100 million (RM446.71 million) in startups in emerging markets.

Ride-hailing unicorn inDrive invests in Pakistan’s grocery startup Krave Mart

Iron ore sank to the lowest in more than five weeks — falling below US$100 (RM446.71) a tonne — as poor industrial profits in China highlighted the nation’s economic weakness, although mills’ performance did improve.

Iron ore hits five-week low on poor Chinese demand

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday there is no time left this year to sign a new Ukrainian gas transit deal, and laid the blame firmly on Ukraine for refusing to extend the agreement that brings gas to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Putin says no time to sign new Ukrainian gas transit deal this year

Chinese investors are doubling down on dividend stocks as 2024 draws to a close, with flows into a pair of the largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking the theme hitting a record.

Chinese dividend ETF flows surge as investors shift from bonds

As Covid swept across California in early 2020, pediatric infectious diseases physician Karin Nielsen grew alarmed by the crisis erupting in maternity wards. Pregnant women were placed on life support, undergoing emergency C-sections as the virus triggered severe complications. Some died.

Covid pregnancies may have boosted autism risk, small-group study shows

<p>Shares of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) rose on Friday to their new record high as analysts flagged potential earnings upside from implementation of Regulatory Period 4 (RP4).</p>


Tenaga Nasional shares hit new record high as analysts flag upside from RP4

<p>The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has ordered Bybit Technology Ltd to disable its website and mobile applications in the country as part of enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency exchange.</p>


SC orders Bybit to disable website, apps in Malaysia for operating illegal crypto exchange

<p>Shares of MyMBN Bhd (KL:MBN) fell on Friday to their lowest since listing 17 months ago, and below the initial public offering price, after the Malaysian government temporarily suspended bird's nest exports to China.</p>


MyMBN shares slip to lowest on record after govt suspends bird's nest export to China

<p>The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday its analysis of samples from the first severe case of bird flu in the country last week showed mutations not seen in samples from an infected backyard flock on the patient's property.</p>


Bird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in US, CDC says

<p>Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet on Friday approved a record US$730 billion (RM3.26 trillion) budget for the next fiscal year, while limiting new bond issuance to the lowest in 17 years on the back of record tax revenue.</p>


Japan's cabinet approves record budget, faces tough parliament fight

<p>Asian stocks wobbled on Friday while the dollar was steady, keeping the yen rooted near five-month lows in thin year-end trading as investors looked ahead to 2025, when the Federal Reserve is expected to be measured in its interest rate cuts.</p>


Asian stocks drift, yen at five-month low in thin year-end trading

<p>US soybean futures rose more than 1% on Thursday and soymeal futures touched a two-month high as worries about dry weather in parts of Argentina prompted speculators to exit short positions ahead of the new year, analysts said.</p>


Soybean futures up as weather spurs short-covering; corn at six-month high

<p>South Korea's acting president faces an impeachment vote on Friday, intensifying a political crisis as the Constitutional Court meets for its first hearing on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declared on Dec 3.</p>


South Korea's acting president faces impeachment as Yoon set for trial

<p>Oil edged lower in light holiday trading on soft US jobs data and a retreat in natural gas futures.&nbsp;</p>


Oil prices dip in thin trading on soft US data, natural gas outlook

<p>PAS'&nbsp;move to 'politicise' the recent Christmas celebration&nbsp;at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government was&nbsp;disrespectful to the rights of Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-religious society, according to three DAP leaders.</p>


DAP leaders criticise PAS for 'politicising' Christmas celebration

<p>A less-than-perfect debut for the new season of Netflix Inc’s blockbuster series Squid Game sent shares of related South Korean companies sharply lower Friday.</p>


‘Squid Game’ stocks tank in Korea on Netflix new season letdown

<p>Chinese workers at a construction site in Brazil for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD are victims of human trafficking, Brazilian labour authorities said on Thursday in a growing controversy in BYD's biggest overseas market.</p>


Brazil says workers at China's BYD site are victims of human trafficking

<p>As Covid swept across California in early 2020, pediatric infectious diseases physician Karin Nielsen grew alarmed by the crisis erupting in maternity wards. Pregnant women were placed on life support, undergoing emergency C-sections as the virus triggered severe complications. Some died.</p>


<p>Stocks wavered in a quiet post-holiday session as mixed jobless claims data did little to alter bets on the Federal Reserve outlook.</p>


US stock rally stalls in sleepy session

<p>Penang, Johor, Selangor, Sarawak, and Kuala Lumpur dominated Malaysia’s exports, accounting for 83.8% of the total in November, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).</p>


Penang, Johor, Selangor, Sarawak and KL the top exporters in November, data show

<p>The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has received 114 million e-invoices from 9,000 taxpayers as of Thursday.</p>

<p>IRB corporate services department director Noraini Mustafa said that the response has been very encouraging, particularly in Phase 1, with some companies originally scheduled for Phases 2 and 3 voluntarily participating earlier than required.</p>


IRB says 114 million e-invoices received as of Dec 26

<p>The Netherlands, Hong Kong and Japan are the top three foreign investors in Melaka, said Chief Minister&nbsp;Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.</p>

<p>He said the Netherlands had invested RM8.4 billion, creating 2,505 job opportunities,&nbsp;while Hong Kong invested RM1.7 billion (1,230 jobs), and Japan invested RM1.296 billion (7,359 jobs).</p>


Melaka getting strong investment from Netherlands, Hong Kong and Japan, says CM

<p>The proposed adjustment in Peninsular Malaysia’s base electricity tariff under the Regulatory Period 2025-2027 (RP4) is mainly a “rebasing exercise” to reflect higher fuel costs assumption, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA).</p>


<p>Chinese battery manufacturer CATL said it plans to seek a listing in Hong Kong, a Shenzhen Stock Exchange filing showed.</p>


China's CATL to seek Hong Kong listing

<p>Japanese manufacturing giant Nidec said on Friday it planned to launch a ¥257 billion (US$1.6 billion or RM7.27 billion) bid for Makino Milling Machine, a surprise unsolicited takeover offer in a country better known for agreed deals.</p>
