South-East Asia

As her landmark trial continues in Los Angeles, a California woman will?testify in court? on Thursday about the harm that?using Google's YouTube and?Meta Platforms’ Instagram as a child caused her mental health. Kaley G.M. In court, Kaley G.M. Her lawyers claim that the companies wanted to make money 'by hooking children onto their services, despite their knowledge of how social media can harm their mental health. Kaley G.M. Kaley G.M. This case is part of a global backlash against social-media companies for alleged harms caused to children and teenagers. Australia has banned children under 16 from using such platforms. Other...

The U.S. Commerce Department will announce a preliminary decision Monday on whether to impose antisubsidy duty on solar 'cells and panels' imported from India, Laos, and Indonesia. This announcement is one of two that the agency will make in the next few weeks regarding a trade dispute brought by a small group in the U.S. solar industry. Commerce will 'likely make final decisions later this year. The decision on Monday will examine whether the companies in these three countries have received unfair government subsidies, which make American products less competitive. Commerce will make a decision on a separate issue next...

Local media reported that the Indonesian government would ask coal'miners with special contracts' to supply a greater portion of their production domestically, as they are expected to receive their 'full output quota request. Kontan, citing a senior energy ministry official, reported that the government wanted 75 million metric tonnes of coal supplied to the state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara in early 2026 from holders of the first-generation 'contract of works' deals, and state-controlled 'coal miner's. A contract of works is a long-term agreement between the government and miners that has specific rules. This includes taxes. Tri Winarno, an official at...

Indonesia's Investment Ministry said that it had met with Agincourt Resources to discuss the?legal and environment aspects of operations at Martabe Gold Mine, after Jakarta revoked their mining permits because of environmental violations. Agincourt is a part of the conglomerate Astra International. Astra's largest shareholder is Jardine Matheson. The government revoked the permits of 28 companies after accusations that they had violated environmental laws, which led to the worsening of the floods last year in Sumatra. At least 1,200 people were killed. The sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia headed by Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani has created a new company called...

Trafigura, a trading house, has sold its first shipment of Venezuelan crude oil, as part of an agreement between Caracas, Venezuela, and Washington for the supply of 50 million barrels of oil. The Spanish refiner Repsol is expected to receive a shipment of this quantity. Two sources stated that the cargo should be delivered to Repsol by mid-February. Trafigura and Repsol have declined to comment. The agreement would be one of the first to sell Venezuelan oil in Europe since the United States captured Venezuela's leader at the beginning of this month, and struck an agreement with Caracas for the...

Petroliam Nasional Berhad, Malaysia's national energy company On 'Monday, it filed a motion with the top court of the country to clarify the legal and regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak. The filing comes after negotiations between Petronas, a Sarawak-based energy company, and Petros about gas distribution in the State stalled. The talks have been in a deadlock since 2024 due to competing regulatory claims. Petronas stated in a press release that it was requesting a Federal Court determination on the legal position?applicable for its Sarawak operations so as to ensure compliance with relevant laws?and governance framework. The statement...

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated on Monday the $7.4-billion?upgrade to Pertamina’s Balikpapan Refinery. This upgrade increased the facility’s capacity for refining from 260,000 barrels per day to 360,000, making it the largest refinery in the country. Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned energy company, has spent years improving its refinery capacity and efficiency to meet the rising demand for energy in the country. Energy Minister Bahlil lahadalia stated that the upgrade would enable the refinery's production to increase of 92-octane and 95-octane?and 98?octane?gasoline. He said that private retailers will buy local products made by Pertamina. He did not give a timeframe. Bahlil stated...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a new high on Tuesday as oil companies and financials gained. The U.S. oil industry got a boost after the military raid that took place in the U.S. over the weekend, which captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Crude oil fell back $1 per barrel after it rose overnight as traders assessed possible impacts on crude oil flows from Venezuela. Venezuela is home to the largest oil reserves in the world. The events have had a limited impact on the risk sentiment. Equities are driven by momentum, while currencies are based on macroeconomic data. The...

The General Administration of Customs reported on Monday that coal imports from China, the largest buyer in the world, dropped 20% from their record high of the previous year. Imports in November, at 44.05 millions metric tons, were up by 6% compared to 41.74 tons in October. Imports in November of the previous year had reached 54.98 millions tons, a monthly record. The China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association's (CCTD) website reported in late November that although imported coal has a slight price advantage, this arbitrage has decreased as domestic coal prices have fallen. CCTD stated that due to supply...

The authorities battling the floods that hit Sumatra, an island in Indonesia, this week and killed around 800 people have asked for additional central government assistance to address shortages of food, fuel and funds. According to updated government figures, 463 people are missing in West Sumatra (North Sumatra), Aceh and West Sumatra. Local officials say that the lack of power and roads is preventing aid from reaching those who need it. Iskandar Al-Farlaky, the chief of East Aceh, stated that fuel had been limited in East Aceh for days and that aid was delivered by boat. Some people who lived...

The authorities battling the floods that hit Indonesia's Sumatra island this week, which killed 804 people, have asked for more help from the central government to address shortages in funds, fuel and food. Local government officials say that landslides and floods caused by cyclones have led to 634 deaths in the three provinces West Sumatra (North Sumatra), Aceh and West Sumatra. They also claim that power lines and roads were cut, preventing aid from reaching those who needed it. Teuku Raja Keumangan told Kompas TV that "people are getting sick" in Aceh where flooding has affected 25,000 people. Haili Yogi,...

Customs data released on Friday showed that China's imports of coal in October were down 10% from the previous year, due to a holiday which reduced the number working days during the month. Imports will be supported in 2025 by the winter restocking of products during the last two months. Imports in October fell from 46.25 to 41.74 millions metric tons, a drop of almost ten percent. Imports in September reached 46 million metric tonnes, a record high for nine months. Feng Dongbin is vice-general manager of Fenwei Digital Information Technology. He said that imports decreased sequentially, and also from...

On Wednesday, copper prices recovered from two sessions of losses due to better than expected private factory data from China, the top metals consumer. The aluminium price rose to its highest level in more than a month, on the back of supply concerns resulting from the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This region is a major producer of this metal. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.5%, to $13,150 per metric ton at 1030 GMT. LME copper has fallen 3% in the last two sessions due to fears that the Mideast conflict will hinder...

Aluminum prices rose Tuesday, as traders were 'alert' to the supply risks in the Middle East due to the U.S.-Israeli air war on Iran that spilled over into neighboring countries. Benchmark Aluminium on the London Metal Exchange rose 2.1% to $3,260 per metric tonne in open-outcry official trading, after reaching a month-high of $3,315. Middle East exports aluminium via the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 8 percent of global capacity. Iran threatened to attack any ship that tried to cross the Strait on Monday. Aluminium producers have halted premium offers for Japanese buyers in the second quarter. Norsk Hydro...

Aluminum?prices jumped to their highest level?in over a month?on Monday, after U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran fueled concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Iran is a major producer. Benchmark aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange were up 3.1% to $3,236 per metric ton by 1050 GMT, after reaching $3,254 at its highest level since January 29. Investors closely monitor developments in the Strait o'Hormuz. This important trade route for commodities was disrupted when Iran attacked U.S. bases in the region. Neil Welsh, Britannia Global Markets said: "Base metals have risen this morning on the back of concerns...

Malaysia has renewed Lynas Rare Earths’ operating license?for ten?more?years?to 'import raw material containing natural radioactive materials and process rare Earths,' the Australian miner announced on Monday. By 0131 GMT the shares of Lynas had risen as much as 7 % to A$20.30, their highest level since October 21, 2025. The benchmark ASX 200 index was down around 0.5%. Lynas, who is the Malaysian Department for Atomic Energy, said that they are expected to issue a?formal license soon. The Southeast Asian country raised concerns about the radiation levels?from the cracking and leaching process, raising fears that Lynas?license would not be renewed....

The price of copper fell on Thursday, after reaching a two-week high in the previous session. A stronger dollar and rising inventories dampened expectations about a recovery in demand from China, the top consumer of the metal in the world. In official open outcry, the benchmark?three-month?copper price on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.3% to $13,286 a metric ton. The metal had reached $13,350 during the previous session. This was the highest level since February 11. Shanghai Futures Exchange also saw a similar high overnight. The Chinese have returned to the market since the first day of the Lunar New...

The copper price rose to a two-week high on Wednesday, as growth and demand optimism dominated. This was after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump could not impose sweeping'reciprocal tariffs. At 1706 GMT, benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was?up 1.1% to $13,318 per metric ton after reaching $13,335 in the previous session. This is the highest level since February 11. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down last week tariffs that Trump imposed under a law intended for use during?national emergency'. David Wilson, BNP Paribas commodities analyst, said that the Asian markets benefitted from the Supreme...

China's dominance in critical mineral supply chain is not as absolute it might appear. Cobalt is a good example. According to the International Energy Agency, China will account for 78% global refined production of battery metal by 2024. It lacks significant mining capacity and is therefore highly dependent on imported raw materials. The export controls of the Democratic Republic of Congo have exposed this vulnerability. This is the biggest source of cobalt products for Chinese processors. Congo suspended exports of cobalt in February and implemented a quota-based system in October. The fourth quarter of the year saw a near-standstill in...

The copper price rose on Tuesday to its highest level in more than a month, fueled by a positive mood and a stronger demand from China, the world's largest metal consumer, after markets reopened following a holiday. Benchmark?copper for three months on the London Metal Exchange?had gained 2.4% by 1700 GMT to $13,182 per metric ton after reaching its highest price of $13,196 since February 12. LME copper fell 0.7% on Sunday, but has gained 22.5% over the last three months. However, it is still well below its record high of $14,527.50, set on January 29. Alastair Munro is a...

Prices of copper fell on Monday as inventories continued to rise. Investors were also unsure about the future of U.S. Tariffs and Chinese Trading ahead of reopening following a holiday. Benchmark three-month Copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.9% to $12,843 per metric tonne by 1700 GMT. It had earlier reached a session high of more than $13,050. LME copper is up about 3% in the last four sessions but still far below its record high of $14,57.50 on January 29, which was reached. The fact that there is more inventory outside the U.S. may be a little dampener...

According to an IDX official and an analysis of publicly available data, nearly one third of the companies listed on 'the Indonesia Stock Exchange', including its largest listings, could be affected by capital markets reforms promised by Jakarta. This could potentially unleash over $11 billion of new share supply. Indonesia has announced a number of capital market reforms after index provider MSCI warned in late January that the country could be downgraded to frontier status by May due to the opacity on the market, which'may have enabled price manipulation. The plan includes a key component of raising the minimum level...

The prices of copper, aluminium, and other base metals rose on Friday as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned sweeping tariffs that were imposed by President Donald Trump in accordance with a law meant to address national emergencies. London?Metal Exchange benchmark 3-month copper increased 0.8% to $12,917 per metric ton at 1720 GMT. It had previously reached $12,985.50, its highest level in a week. Aluminium also rose 1.2% to $3103.50. The ruling is "constructive" for base metals, as it reduces the near-term risk to global trade flows and demand. The upside will likely be limited, however, given that some sector-specific duties...

The price of copper rose on Wednesday after a drop to a low that was more than a week old. Investors bought the dip, and industrial metals prices followed a rebound in tech stocks. As of 1700 GMT the benchmark?copper price on?the London Metal Exchange had risen 2.2% to $12,893 per metric ton, having earlier climbed to $12,941. The metal fell 1.8% Tuesday, reaching its lowest level since February 6. Due to the Lunar New Year, traders in China, a major metals consumer, were mostly absent. Tom Price, a Panmure Liberum analyst, stated that traders "rarely leave significant capital on...