Section
Economics
Central Banks Under Pressure Amid Bond Market Crunch
Central banks are resisting renewed large-scale purchases of government bonds despite rising market volatility and pressure from cash-strapped governments relying on sovereign debt. This reluctance…
Economists urge priority in development expenditure
The Malaysian government faces tough decisions in Budget 2027 as RM80.4 billion is requested for nearly 10,000 development projects amid rising fuel subsidies and calls…
Important judgments for Healey in the coming Budget
Chancellor John Healey is preparing a cautious Budget in response to the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast of slower UK economic growth, sustained inflation, and…
AI has potential to lift global growth by up to half a percentage point annually: IMF chief
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that artificial intelligence could increase global economic growth by up to 0.5% annually, potentially adding an economy the size…
IMF chief urges governments to tighten belts as global debt levels soar
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva urged major economies to implement fiscal tightening amid record-high global debt levels and rising borrowing costs driven by inflation and…
Large slice of aid for rising energy bills goes to rich, IMF says
The IMF recommends governments prioritize directing financial aid to lower-income households rather than offering universal subsidies during cost-of-living crises to avoid inefficient use of taxpayer…
Andy Haldane warns UK on fiscal ‘thin ice’ and tax rises
Andy Haldane, an informal economic adviser to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, warned that the government’s fragile fiscal position and rising borrowing costs require spending…
Implement living wage for all sectors
Malaysia is facing growing pressure to establish a living wage for both local and migrant workers, with advocates urging government support for small businesses to…
Narrowing the gaps in economic opportunity
Sabah’s economy grew by 5.1% in 2025, reaching a GDP of RM88.8 billion and nearly matching the national growth rate. Despite this progress, persistent income…
Sound advice on the vexing pension problem
Harvard economist Sumner H. Slichter criticized mandatory retirement at age 65, arguing that forcing able older workers out of the labor force reduces national productivity…
Eurozone inflation hits three-year high
Inflation in the Eurozone rose to 3.8 percent in September, the highest in three years, driven mainly by a sharp increase in energy prices amid…
Revised Data Shows UK Economy Grew Faster Than Forecast
Britain’s economy grew by 0.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing initial estimates and making the UK the fastest-growing G7 economy in the…
Is the world drowning in debt?
Global debt reached a record $365 trillion in the first half of 2026, equivalent to 311 percent of the world's GDP, driven mainly by high…
Where will Fed tightening hit hardest in Asia?
The U.S. Federal Reserve's recent interest rate hikes are driving significant capital outflows from Asian markets, particularly weakening currencies in countries with current account deficits…
U.S. and China’s shared economic imbalance causes trouble globally
At a recent U.S.-China summit, leaders discussed persistent economic tensions rooted in structural imbalances, with the U.S. sustaining high consumption and trade deficits while China…
Why the Fed must resist the president
The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4% for the first time in three years to combat persistently high…
After Warsh’s strong start, how high will rates need to go?
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh led the FOMC to unanimously raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75-4 percent, the first increase…
Iran war adds fuel to UK inflation
Inflation in the UK rose to 3.1 percent in August, driven mainly by higher petrol and diesel prices linked to escalating tensions in the Middle…
U.S. Jobless Claims Dropped Last Week
Initial applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell to 196,000 last week, marking a reduction of 10,000 claims and defying expectations of an increase.…
Where do new jobs come from?
A study of the Swedish labor market from 1880 to 2019 found that most employment growth since 1990 has occurred in highly specialized (Smithian) jobs…
Britain’s unsustainable pensions lock
Starting next year, some UK pensioners may begin paying tax on part of their state pension as it surpasses the tax-free threshold, though those relying…
On Europe’s economy, let’s ditch the lazy stereotypes
Recent data shows that Europe’s workforce, especially prime-age and older adults, has higher employment rates than the United States despite its more generous social welfare…
Warsh might yet be a good Fed chairman
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh clarified the central bank’s policy approach in his Jackson Hole speech, emphasizing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the limits…
Warsh might yet be a good Fed chairman
Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve chairman, outlined a cautious approach to monetary policy focused on clear objectives, skepticism toward forward guidance, and a reassessment…
Whose fiscal problems would you prefer?
The United States, Japan, and Europe are grappling with rising public debt and deficits, each facing unique fiscal challenges influenced by demographic trends and political…
Growth set to fizzle amid Budget uncertainty
The UK economy is projected to slow significantly in GDP growth during the second half of 2026, dropping from 0.6% in Q1 to just 0.1%…
US manufacturing is booming in spite of tariffs
U.S. manufacturing activity surged to its highest level in over four years in July, driven primarily by growth in technology-intensive sectors like semiconductors and aerospace…
Bond scares and the balance of power
U.S. long-term interest rates have surged to their highest since 2007, prompting the Treasury to intervene in bond markets amid rising global debt levels and…
The slow sucking sound of AI mania
U.S. AI companies have received nearly two-thirds of venture capital funding and a quarter of investment-grade debt issuance over the past year, raising concerns about…
UK inflation jumps 2.9% on energy costs
Britain’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.9 percent in July, driven largely by a 13 percent hike in household energy prices due to the ongoing…