Delicate Extraction: Malaysia Offers Rare Earths Alternative to China
Australian miner Lynas is expanding its rare‑earth processing hub in Gebeng, Malaysia, aiming to grow its roughly 10% share of a market dominated 90% by China. The plant, the world’s largest single‑site processor, now handles 11 of the 17 rare earth elements and plans to add heavy metals such as yttrium and lutetium. Each bag of neodymium‑praseodymium (NdPr) – a key magnet material – fetches about $100,000, and the output is shipped to Japan for high‑performance magnet production. Lynas secured a ten‑year license extension, with new environmental safeguards, while eyeing catalyst applications for hydrogen and other future growth areas.
WORLD IN BRIEF: Trump Extends Iran Truce,UK Smoking Ban Passed, South Africa Police Chief Charged and Other Stories
The United States extended its Iran cease‑fire to April 22 while maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move that keeps oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz under pressure. In Europe, the EU’s top court ruled that Hungary’s 2021...
Foreign Companies Are Making Billions Off Australia’s Gas. It’s Time that Changed
Australia’s gas export boom has generated roughly A$149 billion (≈US$98 billion) in profits for multinational firms over the past four years, yet tax contributions remain minimal. A parliamentary inquiry is pushing a 25% export tax that could raise about A$17 billion (≈US$11 billion) annually...
Taiwan’s KMT Offers US an Off-Ramp From War with China
Taiwan’s opposition party, the Kuomintang, sent leader Cheng Li‑wun to Beijing for a week, where she met President Xi Jinping and framed Taiwan’s identity as culturally Chinese. Cheng highlighted shared heritage and proposed limited cross‑strait cooperation, signaling a diplomatic shift away...
IFLYTEK Positions Singapore as Regional AI Hub at GITEX
iFLYTEK, a Chinese AI and speech‑technology leader, reaffirmed Singapore as its Southeast Asian command center at GITEX Asia 2026. The Singapore office, launched in 2024, has sold more than 10,000 hardware units and generated roughly RMB 200 million (about $28 million) in revenue,...
The Clock Is Ticking on the EU’s Next Budget
The European Union is racing against a shrinking timeline to seal its next long‑term budget, a €1.8 trillion plan (about $1.95 trillion) that will shape spending through 2030. EU leaders convene in Cyprus amid fierce debates over new EU taxes, debt repayments...
India Seen to Line up Three Buffers for Its Economy Amid the Iran Storm: Fitch Unit
Fitch’s BMI unit says New Delhi will roll out three policy buffers to shield the Indian economy from fallout of the US‑Iran conflict. The first focuses on securing energy and critical inputs, invoking the Essential Commodities Act and curbing exports of...
India to Attract Major Share of EQT's $15.6-billion Asia Fund: EQT India Head
Private equity firm EQT says India will continue to capture the largest slice of its newly raised $15.6 billion Asia fund, roughly a third of total capital. The firm’s co‑investment model multiplies available equity by 1.6 times, expanding the deal‑making pool. Recent...
US Tightens Grip on Iraq over Iran-Linked Groups, Halt Dollar Flows over Militia Activity
The United States has halted a roughly $500 million cash shipment to Iraq’s central bank and paused portions of its security‑cooperation program, signaling heightened pressure on Baghdad to curb Iran‑backed militias. The cash, part of the dollar shipments that channel Iraq’s...
JPMorgan Sees China Property Stabilising, Boosting Outlook for Equities.
JPMorgan sees China’s property market approaching a turning point as price declines slow and secondary‑home values rise in dozens of cities. The bank argues that stabilising housing conditions could act as a tailwind for Chinese equities, helping them outperform other...
Magyar Wants to Put the Austro-Hungarian Empire Back on the Map
Prime Minister‑elect Péter Magyar, who defeated Viktor Orbán, is positioning Hungary to revive Central Europe’s influence by deepening ties with Austria and other neighboring states. He proposes merging the Visegrád Group with the Slavkov format to create a unified Central...
War Risk Insurance Costs Surge for Middle East Offshore Projects
Rising war‑risk insurance premiums for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz are inflating costs on critical offshore oil and gas projects across the Middle East. The surge follows recent attacks that have heightened geopolitical tension and disrupted logistics. Contractors now...
Indians Slam New Zealand Minister for ‘Butter Chicken Tsunami’ Remarks: ‘Outright Racism’
New Zealand’s NZ First party has condemned a pending free‑trade agreement with India, labeling it a “butter chicken tsunami.” The deal, hailed by the government as a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity, would open New Zealand firms to India’s massive domestic market and allow...
As FPIs Continue to Sell, Outflows Likely to Rise Before Inflows Revive
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) dumped roughly $6.0 billion of Indian equities in the first half of April, with the financial‑services sector absorbing the bulk of $2.3 billion in outflows. Overall foreign inflows this fortnight were only $161 million, the weakest level since January 2025,...
China’s Shipyards Secure Wave of Oil Tanker Orders as Iran War Drives Demand
China’s shipyards are capitalizing on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and tightened global crude transport. Shipping firms are scrambling for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to bypass the chokepoint, prompting new orders from...
Russia Stops Flow of Kazakh Oil to Germany
Russia has restarted oil deliveries to the EU via the Druzhba pipeline after a months‑long interruption caused by infrastructure attacks. Simultaneously, Moscow halted Kazakh oil shipments to Germany, officially citing technical constraints but widely seen as geopolitical retaliation. Kazakhstan says...
Iraq Turns to Risky Overland Routes as Oil Exports Collapse
Iraq’s oil exports have slumped about 80 % to roughly 1.2‑1.3 million barrels per day after the Strait of Hormuz became effectively closed. The government, which depends on oil for up to 95 % of its budget, is confronting a severe fiscal shortfall....
The Strait of Hormuz Closure Forces a Choice: Ration Oil Now or Pay a Steep Price Later
The Strait of Hormuz closure after the U.S. counter‑blockade has removed roughly 13% of global oil supply, pushing Brent crude to about $95 a barrel and draining strategic inventories. Daily production outages now exceed 13 million barrels per day, with an...
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TRADE DYNAMICS: China’s Promise of Duty-Free Access to SA Fruit Is a Decade-Long Gamble
South Africa’s trade ministry signed a framework with China that promises duty‑free entry for South African fruit, but most agricultural products will only benefit after a ten‑year lag. An earlier protocol already opened the Chinese market to five stone‑fruit varieties,...
Global Energy Markets Are on the Verge of a Disaster
On April 17, Brent crude plunged 10% to $90 a barrel after Iran’s foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz was "completely open." Hours later Iran attacked an Indian tanker, prompting a modest 5% rebound the following day. Despite the...
EU Attempts to Outmaneuver Iran Rollercoaster with Emergency Energy Plan
The European Commission will unveil an emergency energy package aimed at cushioning the EU from the cascading effects of the Iran‑Israel conflict. The draft proposes temporary subsidies covering up to 70% of wholesale electricity costs and 50% of extra fuel...
Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire, Blockade Amid Uncertainty over Peace Negotiations
President Donald Trump announced via social media that the U.S. will extend both the ceasefire and the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz until Iran submits a peace proposal and talks conclude. The extension follows a pause in negotiations,...
Iran Talks on Hold because of Trump’s Blockade
Iran has refused to send its negotiating team to Islamabad, demanding that President Donald Trump lift the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz before talks resume. Trump, who hinted negotiations could restart soon, has kept the blockade in...
Why China’s Exports Will Keep on Rising
China’s export momentum is accelerating, with semiconductor shipments leading the surge. In the first quarter of 2026, Chinese firms shipped transistors—particularly IGBTs—up 26% in dollar terms versus the same period a year earlier. The growth spans diverse markets, from motorbike...
Ethiopia Risks UK Courts over Failed Bond Restructuring
Ethiopia’s sole $1 billion international bond restructuring collapsed after official creditors rejected a draft deal, citing comparability of treatment concerns. The bondholder steering committee responded with a pre‑action letter, warning it will seek enforcement in English courts in May. Negotiations on...
India’s Infrastructure Investments to Surge 50% Despite Global Uncertainties: Crisil Ratings
Crisil Ratings forecasts India’s infrastructure spending to jump 45‑50% over the next two fiscal years, reaching roughly $277‑$289 billion by FY2026‑27. The surge will be spread across roads, renewables, data centres, smart‑metering, green hydrogen and real estate, with renewables adding 50‑55 GW...
Russia Is Making Bank on Trump’s Iran War
Russia’s oil earnings surged to a two‑year peak in March as the Trump‑led war with Iran pushed global crude prices up more than 50 %. Daily fossil‑fuel revenues hit roughly $777 million and tax receipts topped $8 billion for the month, driven by...
Game Theory Explains Why the US's Goals in Iran Keep Changing
The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz is being framed as a war of attrition, where endurance outweighs firepower. Iran’s cheap drones and abundant missile stockpiles let it absorb losses longer, while the United States must sustain costly naval deployments...
Côte D'Ivoire's Startup Surge Gathers Pace
Côte d'Ivoire is emerging as West Africa’s next startup hub, buoyed by 6‑7% annual GDP growth and a youthful, increasingly connected population. The ecosystem centers on fintech, agritech, e‑commerce, logistics and edtech, with fintech leading due to a large unbanked...
DRC’s Economic Rise Gains Momentum as Mining Boom and Currency Reforms Reshape Growth
The International Monetary Fund projects the Democratic Republic of Congo’s GDP to reach roughly $123 billion in 2026, positioning it as the fifth‑largest economy in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Growth is driven by a mining boom that now contributes about 25% of GDP...
Can Japan Finally Unlock Defense Technology Cooperation With India?
Japan is revamping its defense‑industrial policy to promote co‑development and export of high‑end technology, aiming to create a China‑free supply chain and boost economic growth. While Tokyo has recently succeeded in projects with the U.K., Italy, the U.S. and Australia,...
Economist Justin Lin Urges West to Adopt ‘Eastern Wisdom’ as China Moves up Value Chain
Former World Bank chief economist Justin Lin challenged the Western claim that China’s auto‑export boom signals overcapacity, noting China ships about 7 million cars—20 percent of its output—versus Germany’s 4 million, which represent 80 percent of production. By comparing export‑to‑production ratios, he argues China...
Anna Breman: Global Shockwaves to Kiwi Shores - the Impact of the Iran Conflict on New Zealand
Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman warned that the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict could spill over into New Zealand’s economy, raising near‑term headline inflation and dampening growth momentum. She noted that the OCR is held at 2.25 percent after recent cuts, with core inflation...
India’s GDP Growth to Slow to 6.4% in FY27 Amid Geopolitical Headwinds: UN Report
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific projects India’s GDP growth will decelerate to 6.4% in FY27, down from 7.4% in FY26, before modestly rising to 6.6% in FY28. Inflation is expected to climb to 4.4%...
Fabio Panetta: Statement - Meeting of the Development Committee
Amid rising geopolitical tensions that are driving up food and energy prices, the World Bank Group faces heightened pressure to support vulnerable economies. In a statement to the Development Committee, Fabio Panetta urged the Bank to sharpen its focus on...
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Opens to All Foreign Investors: Key Reforms and Action Points
On 1 February 2026 the Saudi Capital Market Authority amended its foreign‑investment rules, allowing any foreign investor to purchase Saudi equities directly on Tadawul. The reforms dissolve the Qualified Foreign Investor classification, strip away the swap‑agreement framework, and create a single, unified...
China Confronts Middle East Supply Shock, as State Council Mulls Energy Strategy
China’s State Council, led by Premier Li Qiang, convened a high‑level session to address energy security amid the Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis. The meeting emphasized bolstering oil reserves, accelerating renewable deployment, and modernising coal‑fired plants to shield the economy,...
Reevaluating ASEAN’s Economic Outlook Amid the Iran Conflict
Templeton Research analyst Marcus Tantau warns that the ongoing Hormuz oil crisis and the Israel‑U.S. war’s spill‑over are dragging down ASEAN growth prospects. The World Bank has trimmed regional GDP forecasts by roughly one percentage point, and a prolonged Strait...
EM Lens: Identifying Alpha Opportunities in EM Fixed Income
Creditors are re‑entering emerging‑market (EM) fixed income as technical supply‑demand dynamics, positive rating momentum, and wide real‑yield differentials create a supportive backdrop. Ninety‑One portfolio manager Thys Louw and Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Damian Sassower discuss how these factors generate alpha in...
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Rejects Talks Amid US Threats
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed prospects for a second US‑Iran round of talks in Islamabad, insisting Tehran will not negotiate under threat. The two‑week cease‑fire, brokered on 7 April, expires on 22 April without a deal after a 21‑hour first...
China’s Tsingshan Plans to Build Another Aluminium Smelter in Indonesia
Chinese aluminium giant Tsingshan announced plans to build a new $3 billion smelter at Weda Bay Industrial Park in Indonesia, with a planned annual capacity of 800,000 tonnes split into two phases. The project joins existing Tsingshan‑linked facilities that will together...
SC Leads Malaysia-China Capital Market Push
Malaysia’s Securities Commission led a high‑level delegation to China under its Capital Market Masterplan 2026‑2030, aiming to deepen bilateral investment ties and attract Chinese institutional investors. The team met regulators including the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the State Administration...
India, South Korea Aim to Deepen Ties Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty. Here Is What's Holding Them Back.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met in New Delhi to reaffirm a goal of lifting bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, up from $26.89 billion in FY 2025. Trade between the two economies has risen...
ASEAN’s Rules of Origin Need a Rethink
ASEAN’s Rules of Origin (ROO) under ATIGA permit goods with predominantly foreign components to qualify for preferential treatment, undermining incentives for intra‑regional sourcing. Since the ROO shift to a Change‑in‑Tariff‑Classification (CTC) model, intra‑ASEAN trade has slipped to just 20‑30% of...
JPMorgan Expands $1.5 Trillion Economic Security Splurge Into Europe
JPMorgan Chase announced the European rollout of its $1.5 trillion, 10‑year Security and Resiliency Initiative (SRI), extending a program first launched in the United States last year. The initiative will channel financing and investment into critical sectors such as defense, energy...
What Does Pakistan Gain From Its Iran–US Diplomacy?
Pakistan has positioned itself as the chief mediator in the renewed Iran‑U.S. talks, hosting a second round in Islamabad after President Donald Trump’s invitation. The move reflects Islamabad’s urgent need to ease energy shortages, protect its 900‑km Iran border, and...
China Suddenly Grants New Beef Licences to Australia
China’s customs authority approved eight new Australian beef facilities – six cold‑storage centres and two abattoirs, including Thomas Foods International’s Murray Bridge plant – and upgraded licences for 13 existing exporters to ship chilled beef. The changes effectively add 15...
KRAFTON, Naver Launch Rs 6,000 Cr India-Focused Unicorn Growth Fund
South Korean tech giants Krafton and Naver, together with Mirae Asset Venture Investments, have launched a Rs 6,000 crore (≈ $720 million) India‑focused Unicorn Growth Fund. The fund, announced during the South Korean President’s official visit to India, will be managed by Mirae Asset...
The Forces of Scarcity Hitting Asia May Soon Spread Across the World
The United States and Israel’s war on Iran has triggered a rapid, region‑wide scarcity shock across the Asia‑Pacific. Jet fuel prices have doubled and air traffic has fallen by roughly a third, while manufacturers face fuel‑driven cuts to output, from...
Kudlow - Monday, April 20
Fox Business aired a 41‑minute episode of "Kudlow" on Monday, April 20, where host Larry Kudlow examined three high‑profile issues: the Iranian regime’s aggressive posture, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s ongoing investigations, and the risk of a Hormuz Strait blockade....