NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL

May 08 2026FINANCE

Malaysian Bonds See Record Foreign Interest as Global Markets Shift

Foreign central banks and sovereign wealth funds have stepped up their purchases of Malaysian government bonds, pushing the country’s share of international holdings to a new peak. As of March, these institutions own 36 % of Malaysia’s outstanding notes, the highest percentage recorded since data c

reading time less than a minute
Apr 28 2026CELEBRITIES

Protecting Your Voice and Face in the AI Era

Trademarks aren't just for logos anymore. Taylor Swift is taking a new step by trying to trademark her voice and a photo of herself holding a guitar. This move is part of a bigger fight against AI tools that copy celebrities without asking. Her applications include short voice clips like "Hey, it’s

reading time less than a minute
Feb 26 2026POLITICS

Hidden Lures: How Spy Tactics Use Charm to Steal Secrets

Foreign powers often use subtle tricks to gain U. S. information, and one of the oldest methods is the “honeypot. ” In this approach an attractive person—sometimes a woman, sometimes a man—creates a friendly or romantic connection with a target who has access to sensitive data. The goal is not love

reading time less than a minute
Feb 17 2026POLITICS

Global Minds Meet at IMF and World Bank Spring Gatherings

Foreign Policy hosts a series of meetings that bring together experts from around the world. These events focus on the latest crises, trends, and political shifts that shape our planet. The goal is to give people a clear view of what’s happening and why it matters. The meetings are held during the

reading time less than a minute
Feb 10 2026FINANCE

Asian Tech Stocks Take a Hit as Global AI Fears Spread

Foreign investors pulled nearly $10 billion out of Asian shares in the first week of February, a sharp jump from the $4 billion withdrawn in January. The sell‑off focused on South Korea and Taiwan, where fears of high AI‑related spending have shaken confidence in fast‑growing tech names. In that wee

reading time less than a minute
Jan 21 2026FINANCE

Trade Finance: A Look into the Future

Trade finance is changing fast. By 2031, it could hit USD 98. 83 billion, growing at 3. 45% each year. This growth is driven by digital solutions and blockchain tech. These changes are making trade easier and more secure. Digital tools are becoming more popular. They cut down on paperwork and make

reading time less than a minute
Jan 09 2026HEALTH

Unlocking Local Change: How Councillors Use Research for Better Communities

Councillors in England hold significant power over local services. Yet, there's a big question: how do they use research to make decisions that affect people's health and well-being? This is where the Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) come in. These groups were set up to help local

reading time less than a minute
Dec 27 2025FINANCE

How Trade Rules Shake Up Chinese Businesses

Trade rules are confusing. They change often. This makes it hard for companies to plan ahead. In China, this confusion is shaking up stock prices. When trade rules are unclear, stock prices can drop suddenly. This is called a crash risk. Researchers looked at this problem. They studied Chinese comp

reading time less than a minute
Dec 10 2025BUSINESS

Trade Tensions: Trump's Rice Tariff Threat and India's Export Woes

Trade talks between the US and India are getting tense. The US president, Donald Trump, has hinted at slapping new tariffs on Indian rice. This comes after American farmers complained that cheap rice imports from India, Vietnam, and Thailand are hurting their business. Trump questioned why India doe

reading time less than a minute
Dec 06 2025POLITICS

Hong Kong Tightens Grip on Foreign Media Ahead of Elections

Foreign journalists in Hong Kong got a stern warning from the local security office. They were called in to discuss recent news stories. The focus was on a big fire and upcoming elections. The officials said some reports were not accurate. They claimed these stories spread false information. They al

reading time less than a minute