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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

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.

(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.

(Dec 22): HSBC Holdings Plc has hired former Citigroup Inc executive Ida Liu to run its global private banking business, according to people familiar with the matter. Liu replaces Gabriel Castello, who was appointed interim chief executive officer of the wealth business late last year, when Annabel Spring stepped down as part of a management shake-up under group chief executive officer Georges Elhedery. Castello will assume the role of vice-chairman of HSBC’s private bank, and will oversee the bank’s most valuable clients. The move comes as HSBC’s Swiss private bank is in the process of ending relationships with more than 1,000 wealthy Middle Eastern clients, including many with assets exceeding US$100 million (RM407.9 million). Jane Fraser, the bank’s chief executive, has stood by Sieg, who has since been handed greater responsibilities.

(Dec 22): Netflix Inc has refinanced part of a US$59 billion (RM240.7 billion) bridge loan to support its potential acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery Inc. The streaming giant secured a US$5 billion revolving credit facility and two US$10 billion delayed-draw term loans to refinance part of the bridge facility it took out for its Warner Bros bid, according to a filing on Monday. Netflix agreed to a deal in early December that values Warner Bros’ studio and streaming assets at US$82.7 billion. Warner Bros last week advised its shareholders to reject the Paramount bid in favour of its original agreement with Netflix. While Netflix has the support of Warner Bros’ board, it faces regulatory and political hurdles to get the acquisition over the line.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Citaglobal Bhd (KL:CITAGLB) said on Monday that its unit, Citaglobal Land Sdn Bhd (CLSB), has secured two infrastructure contracts worth a total of RM82.7 million. The project, aimed at developing modern family-oriented homes and commercial units, is scheduled for completion in July 2027, Citaglobal noted. Meanwhile, CLSB also secured a design-and-build contract worth RM20.3 million for the Labuan Jetty Upgrading Project from the Public Works Department. With the latest contract wins, Citaglobal said its outstanding order book now stands at RM1.8 billion. “These projects reflect the trust placed in Citaglobal to deliver infrastructure that matters to communities and supports economic activity.

The court said it had admitted the case but noted this could still be reversed if in subsequent appeal proceedings it concluded that procedural requirements are not met. Non-profit Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), which is backing the Pari complaint, said in a statement the case marks the first time a court has admitted climate litigation brought against a large corporation in Switzerland. The company also says it has reduced direct CO2 emissions from its operations by more than 50% since 2015. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation from Holcim for climate damage they have suffered, financial participation in flood protection measures and a rapid cut in CO2 emissions. Cement production accounts for about 7% of global CO2 emissions, the Global Cement and Concrete Association says.

(Dec 22): Grain and oilseed futures edged up in the US, as attacks on both Ukrainian and Russian infrastructure added to fresh worries over crop exports from the key Black Sea region. Russia stepped up attacks at Ukraine’s Odesa ports in the Black Sea, including Pivdennyi, the country’s largest. Meanwhile, Russia said a drone attack damaged infrastructure and vessels at the Black Sea port of Taman, which handles products including grains, fertilisers and oil. Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of grain and sunflower oil, and the recent pickup in attacks on infrastructure risks slowing the pace of shipments. Palm oil futures in Kuala Lumpur also climbed, partly as the attack on the Ukrainian sunflower oil terminals sparked supply concerns, said Anilkumar Bagani, head of research at Mumbai-based Sunvin Group.

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 22): Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has reiterated her commitment to administer the Federal Territories in a clean manner in terms of environment and governance, with emphasis on basic services and the real needs of the people. She said the initial agenda of her administration was to ensure that Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan become clean territories not only in terms of the environment but also the integrity of governance. "Form and substance means not only a clean environment, but also clean governance. "The strategic appointment of the deputy minister from Sabah also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that Labuan receives greater attention and support," she said. She said that armed with that experience, she would give priority and close cooperation to all Federal Territories Members of Parliament.

CIMB Research said United Malacca’s Indonesia segment delivered stronger growth, even though Malaysia remained the key earnings contributor. In the first half of the financial year 2026 (1H26), United Malacca’s Malaysian plantation operations accounted for 81% of total earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda). “However, United Malacca’s Indonesian plantation operations recorded faster y-o-y Ebitda growth, benefitting from a lower base. “Higher production volumes also helped reduce unit production costs, further improving profitability at United Malacca’s Indonesian operations,” said CIMB Research. Meanwhile, Kenanga Research pointed out that the Indonesia operation is still expanding, from 8,000ha out of the 11,000ha available for planting.

BERLIN (Dec 22): German car exports to the United States slumped by almost 14% in the first three quarters of 2025, making it the hardest-hit branch of German industry in U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, according to a study seen by Reuters on Monday. German engineering companies have also struggled under the tariff regime, with the study showing exports in that sector to the U.S. declining by 9.5% in the first nine months of 2025. The chemical industry also saw exports to the country's top export market decline by 9.5%, although the report said this could not be blamed solely on tariffs. Across all sectors, German exports to the U.S. were down 7.8% year on year over the three quarters - following average growth of nearly 5% in the comparable periods of 2016 to 2024. "Since it must currently be assumed that U.S. import tariffs will not return to pre-Trump administration levels in the foreseeable future, a significant recovery in German exports to the U.S. is unlikely," study author Samina Sultan said, referring to a "new normal" for German exporters.