The Federal Reserve (Fed) said it will start shrinking its balance sheet at a slower pace starting next month, reducing the amount of bond holdings it lets roll off every month.

Fed to shrink balance sheet at slower pace until debt-ceiling deal reached

(March 13): More than 1,600 financial firms and their subsidiaries tapped the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending programme created to support the industry during the regional banking turmoil two years ago.

Over 1,600 financial firms tapped Fed’s emergency lending tool

US Treasuries rose after the minutes from last month’s Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting revealed policymakers discussed pausing or slowing the balance-sheet runoff until the government’s debt-ceiling drama is resolved.

US government debt extended its advance on Wednesday, pushing policy-sensitive two-year yields lower by three basis points after the minutes.

Treasuries rise as Fed minutes reveal discussion of pausing balance-sheet runoff

The US banking system’s reserves, a key factor in the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep shrinking its balance sheet, tumbled below US$3 trillion (RM13.4 trillion) to the lowest since October 2020.

Reserves at US Fed sink below US$3 tril to the lowest since 2020

Fresh data on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) various accounts hints at two potential ways Japanese policy makers may have funded currency interventions this past week to bolster the beleaguered yen.

Market hunts for signs of Japan yen intervention in Fed accounts

US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control.”

Trump says efforts to contain war in Ukraine ‘under control’ 

A Turkish court on Sunday formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top political rival, in a decision likely to stoke further protests and keep local markets under pressure as tensions mount.

Türkiye jails Erdogan’s top foe Imamoglu, risking more unrest

The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.

Manufacturers seek one-year deferment of 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country is prepared for “shocks that exceed expectations” as the world braces for US President Donald Trump to announce more tariffs on its trading partners next month.

China says it’s prepared for greater shocks as US tariffs loom

Gold price is on fire! The precious metal continues to defy expectations, repeatedly smashing record highs as investors seek refuge from global economic turbulence.

Gold on fire: Will prices hit US$5,000 mark by year-end? 

Consumers’ ability to repay debt from 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) facilities is increasingly a concern, especially with the significant growth in BNPL transactions in Malaysia, thus raising concerns about the risks of high indebtedness and the importance of financial literacy.

BNPL and debt: Between convenience and concern

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the existence of an additional document in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday.

Top court to hear AGC’s leave application on Najib’s house arrest addendum tomorrow

Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.

Anti-Musk protesters gather outside Tesla dealership in Washington

Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Truce shaky as Israel strikes Lebanon in response to rocket fire

Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the impact of the new US administration’s policies will have a “seismic” impact on the global economy, ahead of his fourth national budget due to be handed down on Tuesday.

Australia treasurer warns of ‘seismic’ US global economic shock

Gold price is on fire! The precious metal continues to defy expectations, repeatedly smashing record highs as investors seek refuge from global economic turbulence.

In this week's issue, we take a look at Kajang and how it has evolved over the years. Over the past five years, transaction data of residential properties in the Kajang town centre has shown fairly stable growth, compared with areas nearer to the Kuala Lumpur city centre, thanks to affordable property prices, coupled with excellent connectivity and well-established infrastructure and amenities.

Old town charm

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country is prepared for “shocks that exceed expectations” as the world braces for US President Donald Trump to announce more tariffs on its trading partners next month.

Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the impact of the new US administration’s policies will have a “seismic” impact on the global economy, ahead of his fourth national budget due to be handed down on Tuesday.

The manufacturing sector is seeking a one-year deferment of the planned 2% Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, citing multiple cost increases faced by businesses.

Celebrity chef Norzaini Abd Hamid (fondly known as Aunty Aini) is most remembered for her appearance on Gordon Ramsay’s travelogue foodie series, Gordon’s Great Escape, where she taught the British chef a traditional beef rendang recipe and famously told him off: “Be patient” and “Don’t burn my food!” at her home-based restaurant Aunty Aini’s Garden Cafe in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

Rooted in tradition

Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, killing at least eight people and endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

A Turkish court on Sunday formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top political rival, in a decision likely to stoke further protests and keep local markets under pressure as tensions mount.

Consumers’ ability to repay debt from 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) facilities is increasingly a concern, especially with the significant growth in BNPL transactions in Malaysia, thus raising concerns about the risks of high indebtedness and the importance of financial literacy.

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the existence of an additional document in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday.

US inflation remains at a disquieting level for Federal Reserve officials, just as the Trump administration moves forward with tariffs that risk keeping price pressures elevated.

Sticky US inflation and tariffs are keeping the Fed sidelined

Roughly 100 people waved signs and danced in protest outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday, angry at the electric vehicle maker's billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has led efforts to sharply cut the federal workforce.

US President Donald Trump said efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further are “under control.”

Alexandra Harris