<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>(Dec 31): Softchoice Corp will be acquired by US-based World Wide Technology in an all-cash deal that is expected to de-list the cloud tech firm from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) a few years after its initial public offering (IPO).</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The company announced on Tuesday morning that the deal is valued at C$1.8 billion (RM5.59 billion), or C$24.50 per share in cash to Softchoice, and will be overseen by TD Securities. The agreement also comes with a C$49 million termination fee. Softchoice shares gained roughly 14% just after the Toronto markets opened, marking its biggest intraday gain since March.&nbsp;</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Softchoice went public in May 2021 at C$20 per share, joining a wave of other Canadian tech firms filing for IPOs that year, including TELUS International and MDA Space Ltd.&nbsp;</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The company has been a “transformative player” in the information tech industry for over 35 years, said World Wide Technology chief executive officer Jim Kavanaugh.&nbsp;</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Felyx Teoh</em><br />
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Softchoice Corp will be acquired by US-based World Wide Technology in an all-cash deal that is expected to de-list the cloud tech firm from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) a few years after its initial public offering (IPO).

World Wide Technology to buy Softchoice for C$1.8 bil, delist from TSX

Moldova faces a security crisis after its breakaway enclave of Transdniestria was cut off from supplies of Russian gas, Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Friday.

Flows of Russian gas via Ukraine to central and eastern Europe were halted on New Year's Day after a transit agreement between the warring countries expired, and Kyiv rejected doing further business with Moscow.

Moldovan PM warns of security crisis after cut-off of Russian gas

German airports were hit by a nationwide IT outage affecting police systems at border control on Friday, causing disruption and longer immigration queues for passengers from outside the European Union's Schengen travel zone.

Long queues at border control as German airports hit by IT outage

The agencies that control mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set out a roadmap for releasing the pair from government supervision, sending the entities’ common stock to the highest levels since 2019.

Fannie, Freddie hit a five-year high on plan for ‘eventual release’

A US factory measure improved for a second month in December as orders and production picked up, suggesting the cloud over manufacturing may be starting to lift.

US manufacturing measure edged higher at end of last year

The US Treasury Department sanctioned Chinese cybersecurity firm Integrity Technology Group for its alleged role in a state-sponsored botnet attack known as Flax Typhoon.

US sanctions Chinese cyber firm linked to botnet attack

China’s central bank reiterated its pledge to lower interest rates and the reserve requirement ratio for banks “at an appropriate time” to promote growth, with the economy continuing to face challenges both domestically and globally.

PBOC reiterates China rates, reserve ratio to be cut ‘at appropriate time’

Umno has cancelled its planned rally in solidarity with incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Jan 6, following a royal decree and an advisory from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

Umno cancels pro-Najib rally on Jan 6 following royal decree, police warning

Poland launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on Friday mired in a diplomatic row with Hungary that underscored a deepening sense of political disunity across Europe just as it confronts a raft of major global challenges.

Spats, divisions mar start of Poland's EU presidency

Qatar Airways said revenue at its private-jet subsidiary rose 26% last year, pointing to continued robust demand for its most exclusive product as more affluent families and business groups choose the flexibility of the smaller aircraft.

Qatar Airways sees private-jet sales jump as more families book

A storm sweeping across the central US is threatening to dump several inches of snow on Washington on Monday, potentially making for a slippery commute on the day Congress is scheduled to certify the presidential election.

Snow threatens Washington before election certification

<p>Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has declared assets worth US$400 million (RM1.8 billion), including two properties in London, investments in several companies and a collection of luxury watches and handbags.</p>


London properties, luxury bags in Thai PM’s US$400m assets

<p>The Malaysian glove sector is expected to experience a strong demand recovery this year, driven by inventory rebuilding, increased demand from the US due to higher tariffs on Chinese glove makers, and rising average selling prices, according to Kenanga Research, which has maintained its "overweight" stance on the sector.</p>


Malaysia's glove sector poised for strong demand recovery in 2025 — Kenanga Research

<p>Asia Internet Holdings Sdn Bhd has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in Cuscapi Bhd (KL:CUSCAPI) after paring 5.29% stake in the point-of-sale systems provider.</p>

<p>Asia Internet is a private vehicle of Wong Thean Soon, the managing director MyEG Services Bhd (KL:MYEG). Also known as TS Wong, he still personally holds 21.96% in Cuscapi, making him the biggest shareholder of Cuscapi.</p>


Asia Internet, private vehicle of MyEG’s TS Wong, ceases to be substantial shareholder of Cuscapi

<p>US President-elect Donald Trump called to "open up" the North Sea and get rid of windmills in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.</p>


Trump calls to 'open up' North Sea, get rid of windmills

<p>Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.</p>


Petra Energy, Cuscapi, MyEG, Icon Offshore, Velocity Capital, Swift Energy

<p>Permodalan Nasional Bhd's unit, Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputra (YPB), has now taken over the 5.02% substantial stake that Yayasan Ekuiti Nasional (YEN) held in offshore support vessel firm Icon Offshore Bhd (KL:ICON) via Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas).</p>


PNB's unit Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputra now owns Ekuinas' substantial stake in Icon Offshore

<p>The Royal Malaysian Police is urging the public not to participate in any rallies, ahead of one planned next Monday to show support for jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, following a statement issued by the National Palace.</p>


Police chief urges public to stay away from rallies after palace statement on pardon issue

<p>Umno has cancelled its planned rally in solidarity with incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Jan 6, following a royal decree and an advisory from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).</p>


<p>Millions of government workers across China were given surprise wage increases this week, people affected by the move said, as Beijing looks to boost spending to support the slowing economy.</p>


China gives govt workers first big pay bump in a decade to boost economy

<p>SINGAPORE: The manager of Keppel DC REIT has announced it is divesting the Basis Bay Data Centre in Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, for RM55.6 million (S$16.9 million).</p>


Keppel DC REIT divests Basis Bay Data Centre in Cyberjaya at 2.6% above valuation

<p>Petra Energy Bhd (KL:PENERGY) has secured four contracts to provide pan-Malaysia offshore services to the national oil-and-gas company Petronas and its production sharing contractors.</p>


Petra Energy gets four pan-Malaysia services contracts

<p>BUKIT MERTAJAM (Jan 3): The study and design work for the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway project has commenced, with completion expected within a year.</p>


Chow: Study, design work for Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway underway

<p>Industrial services firm Swift Energy Technology Bhd (KL:SET), which is slated to be listed on the ACE Market next Wednesday, made a net profit of RM5.18 million for the fourth quarter ended Sept 30, 2024 (4QFY2024), on the back of RM29.3 million in revenue.</p>


ACE Market-bound Swift Energy posts 4Q net profit of RM5.18 mil

<p>Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Friday.</p>


FBM KLCI down 0.21% to 1,629.46 on Jan 3, 2025

<p>The Health Ministry (MOH) is set to launch its 'war on salt', a campaign aimed at reducing salt intake among Malaysians, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.</p>


Health Ministry set to launch 'war on salt' to combat chronic diseases

<p>China will expand consumption subsidies to cover smartphones and other electronics, in a step to promote domestic spending as external headwinds pick up.</p>


China to subsidise smartphone purchases in bid to lift spending

<p>Velocity Capital Partner Bhd (KL:VELOCITY) has made its new largest shareholder Datuk Fam Chee Way its non-independent and non-executive director, effective Friday.</p>

<p>On the same day, executive director Tan Yip Jiun resigned from his post "to pursue other interests", according to the hauling and money lending firm's bourse filings on Friday.</p>


Velocity Capital's new largest shareholder Fam Chee Way joins its board as ED Tan Yip Jiun resigns

<p>Thai authorities have begun seizing the assets of a hospital tycoon who fled the country after allegedly luring more than 12 billion baht (US$350 million or RM1.57 billion) into fake medical projects from hundreds of investors.</p>


Thailand moves to seize tycoon’s assets in US$350m scam

<p>MUMBAI (Jan 3): India's palm oil imports in December 2024 plunged to their lowest in nine months, as a rally in prices to a 2-1/2-year high&nbsp;prompted refiners to increase purchases of substitute soyoil that was available at a discount, five dealers said.</p>


India's December palm oil imports hit nine-month low as buyers prefer soyoil, dealers say

<p>BEIJING (Jan 3): Duty-free spending slumped 29.3% last year in China's island province of Hainan, where global luxury players from LVMH&nbsp;to Kering&nbsp;have set up shop, as a weak economy led to a sharp drop in numbers of domestic visitors.</p>
