All events

Economic · Economic

Malaysia seizes container suspected of carrying goods bound for Israel Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 08/08/2026 - 12:50 The seizure comes as Kuala Lumpur enforces restrictions on exports to Israel and fulfils its commitments under The Hague Group A Singapore Police Coast Guard boat patrols the Johor Strait near Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, on 5 October 2019 (Roslan Rahman/AFP) Off Malaysian authorities seized a container at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, suspected of carrying merchandise intended for export to Israel, local media reported. The container was seized Friday by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) following intelligence received by authorities, which prompted an inspection, according to the report. AKPS said preliminary checks indicated that the shipment may violate customs law, which prohibits the direct or indirect export of goods to Israel. "Based on preliminary checks, the shipment is suspected of not complying with Item No 15, Second Schedule, Customs (Prohibition on Export) Order 2023, which provides for the prohibition of direct or indirect export of goods to Israel," AKPS said in a statement cited by Berita Harian newspaper. The agency said it would investigate the nature, specifications, intended use and classification of the goods to determine whether the cargo constituted strategic goods regulated under Malaysia's Strategic Trade Act. "Any attempt to export goods directly or indirectly to Israel that is against the law and government regulations will be dealt with strictly," AKPS said. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the seizure, saying it demonstrated Malaysia's opposition to its territory being used as a conduit for trade that could support Israel. "Congratulations to AKPS for the swift action in seizing a container suspected of carrying strategic trade cargo intended for export to Israel at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas," Anwar said in a statement shared on X. "This action demonstrates Malaysia's firm stance to ensure that our country will never serve as a conduit for trade that could support or contribute to the Israeli regime's atrocities against the Palestinian people," he said. Anwar said the action was also consistent with Malaysia's commitments under The Hague Group and with restrictions imposed by the government in December 2023. 'Practical effect' In a statement, The Hague Group said that the seizure gives practical effect to obligations that all states carry under international law. "The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 2024, affirmed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24, determined that states are under an obligation not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the unlawful situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the statement said. Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, Executive Secretary of The Hague Group, said: "The defence of humanity is won at ports, courts, and factories, not from the podium. Law that goes unenforced is no law at all. By halting this cargo, Malaysia has upheld the obligations that bind every UN member state under international law. We invite all states to join The Hague Group and do the same. " How Israeli presence in Forest City exposes the Zionist-aligned underbelly of Malaysia Read More » Malaysia is a founding member of The Hague Group, a coalition of countries that pledged to prevent the transfer of arms, ammunition, military fuel, related military equipment and dual-use items to Israel where there is a clear risk they could be used to violate international law. The group's founding declaration also calls on member states to prevent vessels from docking at their ports if they are being used to transport such material to Israel. The seizure follows Malaysia's decision in December 2023 to prohibit Israeli-owned shipping company Zim from docking at Malaysian ports and to bar Israeli-flagged vessels from entering the country. At the time, Anwar also announced that vessels travelling to Israel would not be permitted to load cargo at Malaysian ports. The government described the measures as part of its response to Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its stated support for Palestinian rights. The latest seizure indicates that Malaysian authorities are also applying restrictions to cargo suspected of being destined for Israel, rather than limiting enforcement to Israeli-owned or Israeli-flagged vessels. International law News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Economic · Economic

Natural gas prices remain subdued despite Middle East tensions, as abundant U. S. production, rising LNG supplies and healthy inventories outweigh geopolitical concerns. Weather-driven demand has also weakened following the winter rally. While near-term prices may remain rangebound, growing LNG exports, Asian demand, power generation and natural gas’s role in the energy transition offer longer-term support.

Economic · Economic

The US dollar lost ground against key currencies due to unexpected job losses in July, raising fears about economic stability. As a result, the markets predict that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged. Additionally, the disappointing employment figures led to a sharp decline in Treasury yields, while gold prices surged as the dollar weakened.

Economic · Economic

On Friday, Europe's STOXX 600 index marked its fourth consecutive record closing, driven primarily by technology stocks that mirrored the strong performance of Wall Street. The recent U. S. jobs data, which suggested a slower labor market, has diminished the likelihood of an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve this September.

Economic · Economic

Upcoming inflation data poses a challenge to the stock market's recent technology-driven surge. Analysts predict a rise in consumer prices, which might sway the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. Meanwhile, easing geopolitical concerns and dipping oil prices have provided some reprieve to investors. Strong corporate earnings are exceeding forecasts, fostering a positive outlook for stocks, while fluctuations in yields and oil prices are being meticulously observed.

Economic · Economic

Legislation implements aggressive economic sanctions, including 100 percent tariff on Russian oil and gas importers.

Economic · Economic

US president has clashed with Federal Reserve members over his bid to rapidly slash interest rates despite inflation.

Economic · Economic

US President ⁠Donald Trump is renewing his effort to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, keeping alive his assault on the central bank’s independence even after the US Supreme Court in June dealt him a significant setback in his bid to remove her earlier this year, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The White House told Cook in a letter this week that the president was “considering” removing her from her role and demanded she respond to unproven mortgage fraud allegations within three...

Economic · Economic

The US stock market enjoyed a significant boost on Friday as the S&P closed at an all-time high. The unexpected rise in job losses led to reduced expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in September. Strong earnings from corporations further propelled market indices upward. Meanwhile, a dip in oil prices, influenced by advancing peace talks, helped to soothe inflation fears.

Economic · Economic

China’s UnionPay International plans to connect Chinese payment apps to Pix, the Brazilian payment system at the centre of Washington’s trade case against Brasilia, allowing Chinese tourists to pay by scanning a code. Under the pilot, users of the UnionPay app and of Chinese bank apps linked to its platform would scan a merchant’s code and pay from the account they use at home. Pix... Chinese state media reported that access would later extend to other digital wallets in UnionPay’s global network.

Economic · Economic

US Treasuries rallied after data showed employers unexpectedly cut jobs in July, suggesting labor market challenges that could impact the Federal Reserve’s willingness to raise interest rates. The yield on two-year US Treasuries, which are sensitive to near-term moves in Fed monetary policy, fell as much as nine basis points on Friday to 4.15% as traders cut bets on interest-rate hikes in the coming months. The moves were pared later in the New York trading session as oil rose, though the two-year yield remained about four basis points lower on the day near 4.20%. We get reaction from Tom Tzitzouris, Head of Fixed Income Research at Baird Strategas. (Source: Bloomberg)

Economic · Economic

The package would impose sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet used to evade restrictions on Moscow's oil exports. It would also allow President Donald Trump to set tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports, including gas and oil.

Economic · Economic

US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China created a “tortuous experience” that disrupted the flow of soybeans between the world’s two largest economies, a Chinese diplomat said Friday.

Economic · Economic

US importers are rushing goods into the nation’s two busiest ports, pushing up ocean transport costs during the wait for more tariffs and an extended bout of economic uncertainty stemming from the Iran war. Gene Seroka, CEO of the Port of Los Angeles, discusses port labor, innovation, and supply shocks impacting trade with the US. (Source: Bloomberg)

Economic · Economic

The dollar fell Friday after soft US labor data reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in the near term.

Economic · Economic

On this episode of the Odd Lots podcast, Fishwife CEO Becca Millstein tells Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal about tinned sardines and what she considers one the biggest problems threatening that supply chain. (Source: Bloomberg)

Economic · Economic

US Treasuries rallied after data showed employers unexpectedly cut jobs in July, suggesting labor market challenges that could impact the Federal Reserve’s willingness to raise interest rates.

Economic · Economic

US President Donald Trump said negotiations between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are “moving along,” even after some Iranian lawmakers said they would seek to bar American and Israeli ships from the waterway as part of the deal. Treasuries were steady after the 10-year yield climbed seven basis points during the US session as higher oil prices revived concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates elevated. The dollar held gains after posting its biggest advance in two weeks during the New York session, while gold rose more than 1.4% to approach $4,300 an ounce. The Opening Trade has everything you need to know as markets open across Europe. With analysis you won't find anywhere else, we break down the biggest stories of the day and speak to top guests who have skin in the game. Hosted by Anna Edwards and Lizzy Burden. (Source: Bloomberg)

Economic · Economic

Wellington Asset Management Ltd has reduced its exposure to US Treasuries, shifting into German bonds after last week’s Federal Reserve meeting fueled doubts about its inflation-fighting credentials.

Economic · Economic

Move to raise levy on goods made with polysilicon aims to protect domestic US supply chains from China, the major producer Donald Trump has ordered a new 15% tariff on imported products made of polysilicon, an important ingredient in microchip manufacturing that is primarily produced by China. The new tariff, which will take effect on 4 December, is aimed at supporting US chip and solar panel supply chains to compete with Beijing on artificial intelligence and energy. Continue reading...

Economic · Economic

Just a decade ago, tinned fish was hardly a premium product. Most Americans likely associated cans of tuna with thrift. But that has changed a lot in recent years. The category took off during Covid and now shoppers are shelling out for high end brands like Fishwife. Today's guest Becca Millstein started the company in 2020, positioning it as a distinct, artisanal product, more akin to one might find in European grocery stores. In addition to the sheer challenges of scaling, the nature of the business itself has changed, influenced by climate change and geopolitics (shortages have led Morocco to suspend frozen sardine exports for instance). We discuss the tinned fish supply chain and how a new brand positions itself in today's media market. (Source: Bloomberg)

Economic · Economic

Bond investors are bracing for labor market data Friday, which could cool growing expectations the Federal Reserve raises interest rates at its next meeting in September.

Economic · Economic

Mexico deployed more than 1,500 troops to its main avocado-producing state after the US suspended export inspections.

Economic · Economic

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing minimum import prices and a 15% tariff on products made from polysilicon, a key material for solar panels and semiconductors.

Economic · Economic

Trade remains resilient in world’s second-largest economy

Economic · Economic

Economic · Economic

Economic · Economic

The Philippine economy stalled further in the second quarter as a protracted Middle East conflict stokes inflation and drags down consumer spending and investment.

Economic · Economic

Treasury futures inched lower in early Asian trading as higher energy prices revived concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates elevated. In the cash market, the Treasury 10-year yield held at 4.68%, after climbing seven basis points during the US session. Government bonds in Australia also fell, sending the yields on the 10-year higher by eight basis points.

Economic · Economic

Some banks now anticipate fewer policy rate increases from the Reserve Bank of India. Yes Bank and State Bank of India have revised their earlier rate hike forecasts. MUFG Bank has also pushed back its expected policy rate hike timing. Other banks maintain their forecasts for cumulative rate increases this fiscal year. Inflation projections remain sensitive to future crude oil price movements.