First Brands trade financier seeks to halt its use of some cash
Boston-based Evolution Credit Partners on Tuesday (Dec 23) asked a Texas bankruptcy judge to terminate First Brands’ access to certain cash collateral unless the company takes “curative actions”. The cash collateral has helped fund First Brands as it navigates Chapter 11. In court papers, Evolution said the value of collateral First Brands holds at warehouses in California and Illinois has dipped below agreed-upon thresholds of US$170 million (RM690.88 million) and US$165 million, respectively. First Brands owes about US$230 million in principal obligations under the facilities, Evolution said in court documents. The case is First Brands Group LLC, 25-90399, US Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Texas (Houston).
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 01:15 UTC
Ringgit’s biggest bull sees support from sustained foreign inflow
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): The ringgit may charge towards its strongest levels in 2018 on the back of sustained foreign inflow, said Kenanga Investment Bank. “While episodic global volatility may introduce temporary swings, the combination of policy credibility, export inflows and favourable carry dynamics underpins a bullish medium-term outlook for the ringgit,” Kenanga said. The ringgit has strengthened more than 10% against the US dollar year-to-date, making it Asia’s top-performing currency in 2025. Foreign currency deposits surged to a record high of RM300.9 billion in September before easing to RM288.9 billion in October, indicating sustained exporters’ repatriation while providing an additional layer of support to the ringgit. A 10.0% reduction in foreign currency deposits could lift the ringgit by roughly 3.0% against the US dollar, according to Kenanga’s estimates.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 00:59 UTC
Giving voice to fading dialects
PETALING JAYA: Chinese dialects, once frequently spoken by the Chinese community, seem to be fading from daily use as Mandarin takes centre stage. Timothy Tye, 60, the founder of Learn Penang Hokkien, has long championed the revival of northern Hokkien. Since 2013, Tye has been uploading Penang Hokkien content online, describing it as his mission to revive the dialect and introduce it to a global audience. That same year, he introduced the Taiji romanisation system, a simplified method designed to help English speakers learn Hokkien, and later authored the Penang Hokkien Dictionary, which was adopted by the Penang government in 2023. “Before I invented the Taiji romanisation, there was no writing system to learn Penang Hokkien.”However, Tye maintained that learning Hokkien should not be at the expense of other languages.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 00:50 UTC
Uphold rule of law, urges Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has called on all parties to respect the High Court decision on Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not escalate the situation. “Even if there are those who choose not to express sympathy towards Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his family, it is inappropriate to aggravate the situation or heighten tensions in such a sensitive circumstance. The government is firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers,” he said in a statement yesterday. Justice Alice Loke had ruled that the addendum order was neither deliberated nor decided upon during the 61st Pardons Board Meeting held on Jan 29, 2024. In her judgment, Justice Loke ruled that the addendum order did not comply with Article 42 of the Federal Constitution and was therefore invalid.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 00:33 UTC
China trapped in investment slump as infrastructure bonds dry up
(Dec 24): China’s local borrowing for infrastructure spending is on pace to hit a six-year low, as Beijing clamps down on risks in a strategy shift that calls into question its promise to stop an unprecedented investment slump. That puts the amount of bonds meant for investment in line to decrease for a second straight year. “The contraction in FAI signals a break in China’s pattern of economic growth,” said Adam Wolfe, an economist at Absolute Strategy Research. Infrastructure investment contracted by about 12% on year in both October and November, according to Macquarie Group’s estimates based on official figures. That said, he expects the authorities will keep the taps of stimulus open just enough to counter any worse-than-expected headwinds for exports and ensure steady economic growth.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 23:59 UTC
‘Addendum was issued outside of the constitutional framework’
KUALA LUMPUR: The royal addendum order, which Datuk Seri Najib Razak relied on to seek a house arrest, was invalid as it was issued outside of the constitutional framework, says the High Court. While the existence of the addendum order was undisputed, the judge made a finding that the addendum order became invalid as it was issued outside of the constitutional framework. “Pursuant to Article 42(4)(b), the YDPA is required to act on the considered advice of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories. “Article 42(8) further mandates that any meeting of the Pardons Board must be held in the presence of the YDPA, who shall preside over its proceedings. According to the Board, Najib will be released on Aug 23, 2028.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 23:41 UTC
Finding joy in familiar settings during holidays
But a growing number have traded those for sandals, sunny days and sea breezes by opting to spend Christmas in Penang instead. “This year, with most of my extended family still unsure about their year-end plans, I decided to spend Christmas in Penang. Portugal-based Piers Badcoe and his wife Ivy are no strangers to the property either. English couple Andrew and Sarah plan to celebrate Christmas in Penang for as long as they can. Warm welcomeFor these frequent visitors to Penang, the holidays carry both a sense of nostalgia and discovery.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 23:35 UTC
A reunion to remember
She was left to navigate motherhood alone, caring for her eldest daughter Demetria, now 10, and the twin boys Daelan and Daevyn. Vince said her sister took on the responsibility of caring for her son Daevyn, who has cerebral palsy and is bedridden. This Christmas, Vince said, the family will travel back to Taiping together. It will be the first time in years that she will be celebrating the festive season with her complete family. “When Daelan sees my fiance treating me right, he smiles and says, ‘Mummy, daddy, Daelan, akka and Daevyn.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 23:25 UTC
Double the festive joy for kindergarteners
Then, the youngsters got to roll glutinous rice balls to mark the Winter Solstice Festival as Santa Claus watched over them. He said he was also excited about rolling tang yuan (glutinous rice balls), having helped his grandmother prepare them at home during the festival. “There won’t be any more Secret Santa gifts or tang yuan to roll,” Yu Hang lamented. Tan Khhaie El, another six-year-old, said the Secret Santa exchange was her favourite part because she loves surprises. She said the Secret Santa exchange reminds the children that kindness does not require grand gestures, only thoughtfulness and the joy of giving.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 23:25 UTC
Perlis MB discharged from hospital
KANGAR: Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, who was receiving treatment at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, has been discharged. "I was discharged this afternoon. Thank you everyone who prayed for my health," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Dec 23) night. It was reported on Monday (Dec 22) that the Perlis Mentri Besar was being treated at a hospital after suffering chest pains following his return to the country. The Perlis Mentri Besar's Office said in a statement that the Mohd Shukri was rushed to the hospital for further treatment after he complained about chest pains.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 23:15 UTC
Stratus Global eyes Main Market listing
PETALING JAYA: Stratus Global Holdings Bhd is eyeing a listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. The company is principally involved in the provision of factory automation solutions, specialising in cleanroom automated material handling system solutions. In its prospectus exposure, the company said its initial public offering (IPO) will entail the public issue of 356.25 million new ordinary shares. The company said proceeds from the IPO will be used for expansion of facilities, overseas business expansion and research and development expenditure. “We plan to expand our overseas presence through the establishment of sales and engineering support offices in Asia, Europe and the USA.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 18:20 UTC
Stolen Bruce Lee statue 'returns' to Bosnia town
A restored statue honouring late martial arts legend Bruce Lee was returned to its rightful place Wednesday in a Bosnian town, more than a year after it was stolen, local media reported. The life-size bronze statue of the kung-fu cinema icon in a defensive position holding nun chuck kung-fu sticks was originally unveiled in a park in Mostar in 2005. The statue disappeared from the park in March 2024 but was found a few days later cut into several pieces for sale as scrap metal. The theft sparked public outrage in the southern town where the statue became an attraction. On Wednesday, the town's tourist board head Elvira Cemalovic stressed the importance of the statue for Mostar residents as a symbol of "justice and peace", N1 regional broadcaster reported.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 17:35 UTC
Check-in and boarding at airports back to normal, says MAHB
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has announced that the global passenger processing system at airports in Malaysia has been fully restored by the system provider. MAHB said in a statement on social media Tuesday (Dec 23) afternoon that check-in and boarding operations across its airports have resumed normal operations. ALSO READ: Disruption in global passenger processing system affects Malaysian airports"Airport and airline teams will continue to monitor the situation to ensure smooth processing. Earlier, a temporary disruption involving a global passenger processing system used by multiple airlines worldwide had affected check-in and boarding processes at airports in Malaysia. MAHB said the disruption may have impacted passenger processing, prompting airlines operating at its airports to activate contingency procedures.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 16:35 UTC
US consumer confidence deteriorates in December
WASHINGTON (Dec 23): US consumer confidence deteriorated in December amid deepening anxiety over jobs and income, consistent with economists' expectations for a sharp moderation in consumer spending after it surged in the third quarter. The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index fell 3.8 points to 89.1 this month. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index at 91. "Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to be led by references to prices and inflation, tariffs and trade, and politics," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board. "However, December saw increases in mentions of immigration, war, and topics related to personal finances — including interest rates, taxes and income, banks and insurance."
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 16:33 UTC
Disruption in global passenger processing system affects Malaysian airports
PETALING JAYA: Airlines operating at Malaysia airports have activated contingency procedures to address a temporary disruption to a global passenger processing system, affecting check-in and boarding. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) confirmed on Tuesday (Dec 23) that airport teams are on-site to assist passengers as needed. It said the situation was closely monitored and managed across all Malaysian airports, with passenger safety and comfort as top priorities. Authorities advise travellers to stay informed and follow guidance from airline and airport staff at the terminals. "Self-service kiosks are fully operational, allowing passengers to print boarding passes and baggage tags," said MAHB in a statement on Tuesday.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 16:30 UTC