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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p class="thumb-cap">EVENING 5: Scientex aborts RM548 mil Johor land buy from S P Setia</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>
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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Dirty dealings. Corporate battles. Consumer woes. Here are five things you need to know today.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>1. Scientex Bhd’s second attempt to buy prime land in Johor Bahru from S P Setia Bhd, this time for RM548 million, has fallen through <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696373" target="_blank">again</a>.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>2. Despite not having any business affiliation with 1Malaysia Development Bhd, Good Star Ltd — an outfit <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/microsite/najibs-1mdb-trial-reporting" target="_blank">linked </a>to fugitive Low Taek Jho — <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696314" target="_blank">received </a>close to US$1.03 billion from the troubled strategic development company between 2009 and 2011.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>3. MyEG Services Bhd said it will be <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696372" target="_blank">resuming </a>online temporary work permit&nbsp;renewal services for foreign workers on Jan 15.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>4. The government has put in place <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696292" target="_blank">sufficient </a>control mechanisms to prevent airliners from submitting excess claims from Putrajaya under the RM599 base fares initiative during <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696285" target="_blank">festive </a>seasons, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>5. Evergreen Max Cash Capital Bhd is <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/696298" target="_blank">expanding </a>its “Pajaking” pawnshop network by acquiring two more pawnshops as it aims to grow its total pawnshop count to 24.</p></div>

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, known as Sinopec, reported a 16.8% decline in 2024 net profit on Sunday, citing lower crude oil prices and the accelerated development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.

Sinopec's 2024 net profit plunges 16.8% due to falling oil prices, NEVs

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country is prepared for “shocks that exceed expectations” as the world braces for US President Donald Trump to announce more tariffs on its trading partners next month.

China says it’s prepared for shocks as US tariffs loom

US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control.”

Trump says efforts to contain war in Ukraine ‘under control’ 

A Turkish court on Sunday formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top political rival, in a decision likely to stoke further protests and keep local markets under pressure as tensions mount.

Türkiye jails Erdogan’s top foe Imamoglu, risking more unrest

The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.

Manufacturers seek one-year deferment of 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers 

Gold price is on fire! The precious metal continues to defy expectations, repeatedly smashing record highs as investors seek refuge from global economic turbulence.

Gold on fire: Will prices hit US$5,000 mark by year-end? 

Consumers’ ability to repay debt from 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) facilities is increasingly a concern, especially with the significant growth in BNPL transactions in Malaysia, thus raising concerns about the risks of high indebtedness and the importance of financial literacy.

BNPL and debt: Between convenience and concern

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the existence of an additional document in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday.

Top court to hear AGC’s leave application on Najib’s house arrest addendum tomorrow

Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.

Anti-Musk protesters gather outside Tesla dealership in Washington

Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Truce shaky as Israel strikes Lebanon in response to rocket fire

<p>Gold price is on fire! The precious metal continues to defy expectations, repeatedly smashing record highs as investors seek refuge from global economic turbulence.</p>


<p>In this week's issue, we take a look at Kajang and how it has evolved over the years. Over the past five years, transaction data of residential properties in the Kajang town centre has shown fairly stable growth, compared with areas nearer to the Kuala Lumpur city centre, thanks to affordable property prices, coupled with excellent connectivity and well-established infrastructure and amenities.</p>


Old town charm

<p>Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country is prepared for “shocks that exceed expectations” as the world braces for US President Donald Trump to announce more tariffs on its trading partners next month.</p>


<p>Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the impact of the new US administration’s policies will have a “seismic” impact on the global economy, ahead of his fourth national budget due to be handed down on Tuesday.</p>


Australia treasurer warns of ‘seismic’ US global economic shock

<p>The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.</p>


<p>Celebrity chef Norzaini Abd Hamid (fondly known as Aunty Aini) is most remembered for her appearance on Gordon Ramsay’s travelogue foodie series, <i>Gordon’s Great Escape</i>, where she taught the British chef a traditional beef <i>rendang</i> recipe and famously told him off: “Be patient” and “Don’t burn my food!” at her home-based restaurant Aunty Aini’s Garden Cafe in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.</p>


Rooted in tradition

<p>Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.</p>


<p>Consumers’ ability to repay debt from 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) facilities is increasingly a concern, especially with the significant growth in BNPL transactions in Malaysia, thus raising concerns about the risks of high indebtedness and the importance of financial literacy.</p>


<p>A Turkish court on Sunday formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top political rival, in a decision likely to stoke further protests and keep local markets under pressure as tensions mount.</p>


<p>The Federal Court is scheduled to hear the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the existence of an additional document in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday.</p>


<p>Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.</p>


<p>US inflation remains at a disquieting level for Federal Reserve officials, just as the Trump administration moves forward with tariffs that risk keeping price pressures elevated.</p>


Sticky US inflation and tariffs are keeping the Fed sidelined

<p>US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control.”</p>


<p>China Petroleum &amp; Chemical Corp, known as Sinopec, reported a 16.8% decline in 2024 net profit on Sunday, citing lower crude oil prices and the accelerated development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.</p>
