Wall Street ends higher as tech rally continues
NEW YORK: US stocks closed higher on Friday after a rocky start to the week, as a rebound in technology shares offset tumbling consumer stocks such as Nike. Megacaps extended gains from Thursday, when chipmaker Micron Technology's strong forecasts re-ignited optimism around AI-related shares, which had recently come under pressure over lofty valuations and funding concerns. Micron reached a record closing high on Friday, ending the day up 7%.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:05 UTC
NCID successfully dismantle 270 syndicates, RM3.1bil in drugs seized
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 215 tonnes of drugs were seized following the dismantling of 270 drug syndicates so far this year, says Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan. "The drugs seized are worth RM3.1bil. Comm Hussein said the police also identified three main modus operandi used by syndicates to smuggle drugs in and out of the country. Regardless of the tactics used, Comm Hussein said the NCID remains steadfast in conducting comprehensive intelligence and enforcement operations. "Sustained intelligence work, tough enforcement and strong public support remain the most effective combination in crippling drug syndicates, both locally and internationally.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:05 UTC
Exploited Indonesian workers rescued following raid on Shah Alam house
SHAH ALAM: Two Indonesian women believed to be victims of human trafficking involving forced labour have been rescued following a raid at a house in Kayangan Heights here. Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Ramsay Embol said the operation was carried out by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department of Shah Alam district police headquarters at about 2.30pm on Thursday (Dec 18) following intelligence on the case. “During the inspection, we rescued two Indonesian women aged 48 and 33,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 20). Following the findings, police detained two locals – a woman in her late 50s and her daughter, who is in her early 30s – believed to be the employers of the victims. "We urge those with information related to the case to contact senior investigating officer ASP Md Anuar Md Amilah@Harun at 019-225 5597," ACP Ramsay added.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:04 UTC
Wall St Week Ahead: Investors hope for year-end gains
NEW YORK: Investors hoping for traditional holiday cheer for the US stock market are encountering turbulence that could keep markets on edge into year-end. Despite stock indices remaining on track for solid performance in 2025, the benchmark S&P 500 has edged lower so far in December, bucking historical trends that have shown it to be a strong month on average.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 07:00 UTC
How to power-nap effectively
Is taking afternoon naps healthy? “Yes, but only if they’re power naps,” says psychologist Markus Specht, who heads a centre for sleep medicine in Germany. “So for them, even power naps may be disadvantageous.”And they’re hardly alone, as not everyone’s made for afternoon naps. A proper power nap has effects that are felt at once, says Dr Koch. And every power nap helps, even though for many people, they’re only possible at the weekend.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:33 UTC
Malakoff subsidiary inks 21-year PPA with TNB
KUALA LUMPUR: Malakoff Silver Solar Sdn Bhd, a special purpose vehicle owned on a 80:20 basis by Malakoff Corp Bhd and Solarvest Holdings Bhd , has signed a 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd for a 470Mwax solar photovoltaic energy generating facility at Windsor Estate in Larut and Matang, Perak. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Malakoff said the PPA commences from the commercial operations date scheduled in the first quarter of 2028, whereupon the facility will generate, deliver, and sell solar photovoltaic energy to TNB throughout the 21-year term. The company said it expects positive future earnings contribution from the facility from the commercial operation date for the span of 21 years.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:30 UTC
Retiree loses RM88,000 in phone scam
KUALA TERENGGANU: A government pensioner's Tabung Haji money and his wife's savings totalling RM88,000 disappeared after being duped by a 'phone scam' syndicate. "The suspect asked the victim to pay a sum of money to settle the case and avoid arrest. "The panicked victim made several transactions totalling RM88,000 to different account numbers from December 4 to last Thursday, using Tabung Haji money and his wife's savings," he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 20). ACP Azli said to avoid detection, the suspect also ordered the victim to tear up the bank receipt, supposedly for security reasons. According to him, the victim only told his wife about the incident after making the final payment.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:30 UTC
Taking control of mergers
THERE is talk in the grapevine that Grab Holdings Ltd is looking to buy TFP Retail Sdn Bhd (The Food Purveyor) from private equity firm Navis Capital Partners. It remains unsubstantiated news, but it did hit a nerve, at least for me.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:19 UTC
ASB 5.75 sen payout to benefit 11.4 million unitholders
KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) wholly owned unit trust management company, Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), has declared a total income distribution of 5.75 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for the financial year ending Dec 31 (FY2025). In a statement yesterday, PNB said the total payout amounts to RM10.4bil, the highest quantum of annual distribution paid since ASB’s inception and will benefit 11.4 million ASB unitholders. PNB group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said this brings ASB’s cumulative income distribution to RM206.7bil, reflecting the resilience and strength of ASB’s investment portfolio. PNB said the units re-invested from the income distribution will be credited into the unitholders’ accounts on Jan 1, 2026. They said the payout preserved capital stability while offering investors meaningful real returns amid an uneven global investment landscape.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:18 UTC
Perak's single-use plastic ban postponed to March 1, 2026
IPOH: The full ban on single-use plastic bags in Perak would now start on March 1 next year, instead of Jan 1 as announced earlier. "The locations include Royal Belum State Park, Pulau Sembilan State Park, and geopark tourist attractions in Lenggong and the Kinta Valley. “From Sept 1, the ban will be fully enforced and no excuses will be accepted for continuing to supply or use single-use plastic carrier bags,” he said. Teh said the ban targets single-use plastic carrier bags provided by traders, while transparent plastic bags used by coffee shops, as well as wet and public markets are exempted for now. He added that the state plans to gradually extend the ban to single-use plastic food containers and beverage cups.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:13 UTC
Foster unity during festive season, urges Melaka CM
MELAKA: With Christmas goodwill programmes set to take place, the Chief Minister has urged the state government to use the festive season to strengthen unity. Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic) said state executive councillors and assemblymen should engage the grassroots and explain the state government’s development efforts. He said that charity initiatives during the festive season should go beyond ceremonial outreach and be accompanied by clearer communication on policies, development programmes and the economy. Ab Rauf said the state government would remain focused on strengthening governance, boosting state revenue and improving service delivery. “The welfare of the people, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation will continue to form the foundation of the state’s development agenda.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:45 UTC
Four agencies can’t be used to pay PBAPP going forward
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s water consumers will no longer be able to pay their bills at Pos Malaysia, Paylink, MobilityOne and MBF, following the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) refusal to continue absorbing commission charges levied by these collection agencies. According to PBAPP CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan, the corporation ended up forking out commissions ranging from 40 sen to 90 sen for each transaction that goes through these collection agents. In a statement yesterday, he said the development stems from a directive by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), which forbids PBAPP from passing on commission charges to end users. However, he said Penang water users still have options, such as myPBA mobile app, myPBA portal, JomPay Bill Code: 50385, Maybank2U and Easy Pay. Alternatively, they can visit any of the nine PBAPP customer service centres.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:38 UTC
My Say: Revolutionising pharmacy practice with AI
However, while healthcare broadly embraces AI, its integration into pharmacy practice remains comparatively gradual. International studies provide compelling examples of AI’s impact on pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, integrating AI into pharmacy practice presents several significant challenges. For Malaysia to fully harness the benefits of AI in pharmacy practice, a collaborative approach is essential. The journey towards AI integration in Malaysian pharmacy practice may be fraught with obstacles, but the potential rewards are undeniable.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 20, 2025 05:37 UTC
Apink’s Yoon weds music producer Rado
Compiled by JAROD LIM,OON JUN-YANG and R. ARAVINTHANSOUTH Korean girl group Apink member Yoon Bomi is tying the knot with music producer Rado Song Joo-young next May, Sin Chew Daily reported. An image of the letter was also posted on Apink’s fan community site. “I have decided to spend my future with the person who has always been by my side,” Yoon said in the letter. Rado is a star composer who has written numerous hits, including TWICE’s TT and Apink’s Dumhdurum and I’m So Sick. Dubbed the “fairytale world of ice and snow,” the park uses over 400,000 cubic metres of ice and snow.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:28 UTC