Vietnam's top leadership talks heat up as Communist Party meets
HANOI, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Senior officials of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party began a two-day meeting on Monday that is set to select candidates for the country's leadership positions for the next five years. Party chief To Lam opened the meeting saying the plenum of the party's central committee is tasked with finalising the selection of state and party leaders, according to his speech published on the government portal. The names of candidates shortlisted in previous party meetings have not been disclosed. Lam, 68, is seeking a second term as party chief, the country's most powerful job which he assumed in August last year after his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong died. Alongside the party chief, delegates will also select candidates for the other four "pillars" of the state: president, prime minister, chairman of the parliament, and the standing member of the party's secretariat.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 16:00 UTC
Residents in Nilai condo shocked by early morning explosion
NILAI: Residents in Desa Palma here experienced a brief panic due to the sound of an explosion early Monday (Dec 22) morning, Sinar Harian reports. Nilai OCPD Supt Johari Yahya told the Malay language daily that the police received an emergency call at around 6:30am Monday. A screengrab of a viral video showing investigators at the scene of the blast. - Image courtesy of Sinar Harian"We have also sought assistance from the Fire and Rescue Department to aid in the investigation. Supt Johari also urged the public not to speculate about the incident.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 15:50 UTC
Daiwa revives M&A hiring to boost global status, ride Japan wave
(Dec 22): Daiwa Securities Group Inc is resuming an expansion of its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) business to capitalise on a dealmaking boom at home and lift its standing abroad. Since then, Daiwa has reported strong growth in M&A-related earnings thanks to a jump in transactions in Japan. The Tokyo-based brokerage is considering raising its revenue target for its mergers advisory business for the year ending March 2031 to ¥100 billion (RM2.58 billion) from the current ¥70 billion, Ogino said. Daiwa remains on course to increase the number of its M&A bankers worldwide to 900 by March 2031, from about 640 currently, he said. It launched a four-member team focusing on cross-border transactions in April, and has recently added two more to the group.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 15:50 UTC
French postal service hit by cyberattack, delaying mail deliveries
(Dec 22): A suspected cyberattack disrupted services provided by French postal service La Poste on Monday, delaying package deliveries and online payment systems during the holiday season. La Poste did not immediately respond to a message from Bloomberg News seeking comment. In a November press release, La Poste said it was anticipating handling nearly 180 million parcels through November and December during the peak season for its deliveries. Hackers are known to have targeted mail services in the past. In 2023, a criminal group used ransomware to shut down computers operated by the UK’s Royal Mail, causing significant disruption to deliveries of international packages.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 15:40 UTC
Fed risks recession without more interest rate cuts, says Miran
(Dec 22): Federal Reserve governor Stephen Miran said the US central bank risks sparking a recession unless it continues lowering interest rates next year. “If we don’t adjust policy down, then I think that we do run risks,” Miran said during an interview with Bloomberg TV on Monday. Miran added he doesn’t foresee an economic downturn in the near term, though rising unemployment should push Fed officials to continue cutting rates. Miran, whose term at the Fed ends in January, has argued for larger cuts since he joined the Board of Governors in September. “You sort of get into territory where you can start micromanaging instead of big cuts,” the Fed governor said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 15:30 UTC
Cocoa rebounds as traders eye buying amid index rebalancing
(Dec 22): Cocoa rebounded from the lowest in almost two weeks in New York, amid expectations of looming index-related buying and lingering uncertainty over supplies. Futures gained as much as 2.7%, after earlier on Monday touching the lowest since Dec 9. Peak Trading Research estimates it could lead to purchases of about 31,190 contracts. Cocoa futures are among the most oversold agricultural markets, according to Peak Trading Research founder Dave Whitcomb, making them vulnerable to a rebound. While cocoa prices have dropped from a record high set a year ago, they remain historically high — and chocolate isn’t expected to get much cheaper any time soon.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 15:05 UTC
Namewee acquitted of drug charge
KUALA LUMPUR: The Magistrate's Court on Monday (Dec 22) acquitted and discharged rapper Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, of the charge of administering drugs into his body. Magistrate S. Arunjothy ruled this after deputy public prosecutor Amritpreet Kaur Randhawa informed that the pathology results were negative and the prosecution had withdrawn the charge. "The court acquits and discharges the accused from the charge and the bail money (RM2,000) is returned," said Arunjothy. Earlier, lawyer Joshua Tay representing Namewee said that since the pathology report was negative, there was no prospect of prosecuting the accused and his client should be discharged and acquitted of the charge. However, the he still faces a charge of possessing drugs suspected to be ecstasy weighing approximately 5.12 grammes in a hotel room at Jalan Conlay here, at 4.30 pm, Oct 22.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 14:59 UTC
Monsoon surge from Dec 25-29, continuous rain expected on east Peninsula, says MetMalaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: A monsoon surge is expected to occur from Dec 25 to 29, potentially bringing continuous rain to the eastern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said analysis of the latest weather models also indicates strong winds and rough seas over the South China Sea. "The public is advised to refer to MetMalaysia's website at www.met.gov.my and social media platforms, and to download the myCuaca application for the latest and verified information," he said in a statement shared on MetMalaysia's Facebook page on Monday (Dec 22).
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 14:49 UTC
Cops find three makeshift bombs in Nilai apartment
NILAI: Police have discovered three items believed to be improvised explosive devices (IED) from a unit at the Desa Palma apartments after receiving a report of an explosion in the area early on Monday (Dec 22). Negri Sembilan police chief Dep Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said a team was sent to probe the matter after receiving information that nails were found scattered in the parking area following the explosion around 7am. "A police team was dispatched to the location of the incident and based on information from witnesses, the explosion originated from a car," he said in a statement. DCP Alzafny said police conducted a search and found the three IEDs in one of the apartment units. ALSO READ: Residents in Nilai condo shocked by early morning explosionHe said police also found several components that could have caused the explosion.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 14:45 UTC
King begins special visit to UAE
JOHOR BARU: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a special visit until Dec 24. The visit marks His Majesty's first official trip to the UAE, undertaken at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook page stated that the royal aircraft departed the Royal Hangar at Senai International Airport at 9am on Monday (Dec 22). Johor State Secretary Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman was present to bid farewell to His Majesty, along with the Comptroller of Istana Negara Royal Household Tan Sri Datuk Dr Azmi Rohani and Comptroller of Johor Royal Household Colonel (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Perang Musa.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 14:25 UTC
Malaysian durians sell out fast in Hainan after customs shift
Several hundred people lined up at a supermarket in Haikou, Hainan province, on Thursday to buy imported durians being sold at almost half their usual price, shortly after the launch of the island province's special customs operations. A staff member at Wanghao Supermarket said the durians sold out within an hour of going on sale, The Nanguo Metropolis Daily reported. "Malaysian durian used to be expensive and difficult to buy fresh," said a local surnamed Chen, who purchased some fruit. Experts say the island-wide special customs operations mark a significant step in China's investment and trade liberalisation. HNA Cargo, which transported the durians from Malaysia, is expanding its direct sourcing of produce and handling procurement, shipping, and customs clearance.
Source:The Star
December 22, 2025 13:55 UTC
Hong Kong plans new crypto, infrastructure rules for insurers
(Dec 22): The Hong Kong Insurance Authority is proposing a slate of new rules to channel insurance capital into assets including cryptocurrencies and infrastructure — an unprecedented move that would redirect funds to government‑prioritised sectors. The insurance regulator would impose a 100% risk charge on crypto assets, according to a presentation on Dec 4 seen by Bloomberg News. The insurer framework also touches on infrastructure, as Hong Kong seeks new growth. For infrastructure, the regulator proposes capital incentives for investing in Hong Kong or the mainland, or projects listed or issued in the financial hub. Together, the total gross premiums of the Hong Kong insurance industry stood at about HK$635 billion (US$82 billion or RM333 billion) in 2024.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 12:53 UTC
MN Holdings, consortium partners awarded RM177 mil submarine cable upgrade job
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): A consortium led by top South Korean cable manufacturer LS Cable & System Ltd and also comprising MN Holdings Bhd (KL:MNHLDG) has secured a RM177.36 million contract from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) to upgrade a submarine power cable system. MN Holdings’s unit, MN Utilities Engineering Sdn Bhd, will have 10% of the respective rights in the consortium, according to an exchange filing on Monday. LS Cable & System Ltd, meanwhile, will have 89% of the respective rights, with the remaining 1% held by Pembinaan Tajri Sdn Bhd. MN Holdings said the contract entails upgrading the 132-kilovolt cable system from the transmission main intake in Kuala Perlis to transmission main intake No 1 in Teluk Apau, Langkawi. The contract is expected to contribute positively to the company’s future earnings, MN Holdings said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 12:30 UTC
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Analabs Resources' 2Q net profit down 28% on higher finance costs, lower revenue
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Chemical trading outfit Analabs Resources Bhd (KL:ANALABS) saw its second-quarter net profit fall 27.8% year-on-year (y-o-y), dragged by lower revenue across several key segments and higher finance costs. Net profit for the three months ended Oct 31, 2025 (2QFY2026) came in at RM12.58 million, from RM17.43 million a year ago. Its finance costs more than tripled to RM9.33 million in 2QFY2026, from RM2.73 million in the same period a year earlier. Quarterly revenue fell 5.17% y-o-y to RM34.68 million, from RM36.67 million, on lower contributions from its key segments. For the first half of FY2026 (1HFY2026), its net profit fell 40.62% to RM13.65 million, from RM22.99 million a year before, as revenue dropped 18.09% to RM56.36 million, from RM68.81 million.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 12:15 UTC
Cambodia, Thailand to discuss ceasefire terms to end clashes
(Dec 22): Cambodia and Thailand agreed to discuss conditions for a ceasefire later this week, after foreign ministers from Southeast Asian nations met in Kuala Lumpur in a fresh bid to end deadly border clashes between the two neighbours. Army representatives from Cambodia and Thailand will discuss a potential ceasefire in a bilateral meeting of the General Border Committee on Dec 24 in the Thai border province of Chanthaburi, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters. Asean foreign ministers welcomed the resumption of ceasefire talks, Sihasak said in a briefing in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting also urged Cambodia and Thailand to resume talks, including through bilateral mechanisms and Asean channels, the statement said. Thailand previously insisted that for peace to be restored, Cambodia must publicly announce a ceasefire first and cooperate on efforts to remove land mines.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 22, 2025 11:59 UTC