WTI Crude Oil: China Data Battles New US Tariff Threats

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly cautioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell against attending an upcoming Supreme Court hearing, arguing the appearance would be a "mistake" that could damage the central bank's political neutrality.

A Warning from Davos on Fed Independence

Speaking in an interview with CNBC from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bessent criticized Powell's reported plan to be present for oral arguments in a landmark case.

"I actually think that's a mistake," Bessent stated. "If you're trying not to politicize the Fed, for the Fed chair to be sitting there trying to put his thumb on the scale, that's a mistake."

The comments follow a CNBC report that Powell intended to attend the hearing, which centers on the president's authority over the Federal Reserve's board.

The Case: Trump vs. Governor Lisa Cook

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case challenging President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from her position as a governor of the Federal Reserve.

In August, Trump announced he was firing Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud. Despite the announcement, Cook has remained in her post at the central bank. The case raises fundamental questions about the independence of the Fed from the executive branch.

President Trump has also threatened to fire Chairman Powell on multiple occasions, creating a tense backdrop for the legal proceedings.

Powell Faces Separate Scrutiny

Bessent's remarks were made just days after Powell issued a rare video statement on January 11, disclosing that he is under a criminal investigation.

In the statement, Powell suggested the investigation was based on false pretenses. "This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings," he said. "Those are pretexts."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has indicated he will likely cancel his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos to manage the response to a wave of Russian air strikes that have crippled essential services in Kyiv. With temperatures in the capital well below freezing, Zelenskiy stated his priority is coordinating the emergency on the ground.

The president explained that his plans could change, but only under specific conditions. A trip to the conference in Switzerland would be reconsidered if negotiators produced a concrete agreement on Western-backed security guarantees or a plan to end the four-year war.

"So far the plan is on how to help people with energy," Zelenskiy told reporters in an online audio message. "I choose Ukraine and not the economic forum, but everything can change at any moment."

Deal-Making as a Precondition for Travel

U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators had previously agreed to hold further talks in Davos, and Zelenskiy had planned to attend, potentially to sign agreements on security and economic revival. The president emphasized that any travel must be tied to tangible outcomes for his country.

"For me, it is important to end the war, and the plan for prosperity and security guarantees are important," he said. "The last mile remains to complete these documents—if they are ready and there will be a meeting and a trip, if there are energy packages, or additional air defense packages, I will definitely go."

He added that Ukraine would be represented in Davos only if the meetings "can provide greater protection for real people and real cities and villages." Otherwise, he said, Ukrainian officials should focus on concrete matters that help the state and its citizens.

Kyiv Reeling from Coordinated Russian Attacks

The decision comes as Kyiv grapples with the aftermath of recent Russian missile and drone attacks. Kyiv's Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported via Telegram that the barrage left over 5,000 high-rise residential buildings without heat. The city's eastern districts also lost their water supply.

The attacks were not limited to the capital, with strikes reported in the central regions of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia and the western Rivne region. In response, neighboring Poland temporarily halted operations at two of its eastern airports, Lublin and Rzeszow.

According to Zelenskiy, the nationwide assault involved a "significant number" of ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside 300 attack drones. He noted that a recent shipment of air-defense missiles had "helped significantly" in countering the attacks.

The Strain on Diplomacy and Infrastructure

The relentless attacks are undermining any potential for dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskiy stated that the continued Russian aggression was "discrediting the diplomatic process," a message he directed at U.S. negotiators who have encouraged a peace deal.

Last week, Zelenskiy declared a state of emergency in Ukraine's energy sector. Repair crews are working continuously, but the frequency of attacks on Kyiv leaves little time to restore power, water, and heating. The dire situation prompted Mayor Klitschko to urge residents to leave the capital on January 9.

Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, is still assessing the damage from the latest assault. "We went through three winters, and we will get through this winter. But every winter becomes more difficult for us," said DTEK's Chief Executive Officer, Maxim Timchenko, at a briefing in Davos.

Malaysia is bracing for a period of modestly higher inflation in 2026, with economists forecasting a manageable but firm uptick in consumer prices. This outlook follows the release of December's headline Consumer Price Index (CPI), which rose 1.6% year-on-year, slightly surpassing the market consensus of 1.4%.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the December increase was fueled by higher costs for personal care, education, and various household expenses. The full-year inflation for 2025 averaged 1.4%, a decrease from the 1.8% recorded in 2024.

Analysts anticipate this gentle upward trend will continue through 2026, driven by a combination of policy adjustments, strengthening demand, and costs being passed on to consumers.

Key Drivers Behind the Upward Price Trend

Several factors are expected to contribute to rising inflation this year.

MBSB Research, which maintains its 2026 inflation forecast at 1.8%, points to government policy changes as a primary driver. These include the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) and the gradual pass-through of costs from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The firm also anticipates growing demand-pull inflation following earlier monetary policy easing.

Kenanga Research highlights other potential cost pressures, noting that firms not covered by targeted subsidy programs will face higher operating costs. Furthermore, the planned introduction of a multi-tier levy for migrant workers in 2026 could increase expenses in labor-intensive sectors.

Factors Keeping Inflation in Check

Despite the upward pressures, several countervailing forces are expected to keep inflation from accelerating sharply.

• Stronger Currency: A firmer ringgit is anticipated to help control imported inflation.

• Global Commodity Prices: Falling global food prices and lower crude oil prices are expected to contain broader cost increases.

• Government Subsidies: Kenanga Research noted that ongoing programs like the Budi95 fuel subsidies should help cap price growth.

CIMB Treasury & Markets Research argued that the December CPI increase was partly due to "one-off" factors. A significant contributor was the normalization of prices in the information and communication (ICT) category after a full year of deflation, driven by a 13.9% year-on-year surge in subscription costs for streaming services.

CIMB expects inflation to remain stable in 2026, as the price trends for major CPI components were largely steady in 2025. The research house also predicts that pressure from insurance costs, a key inflation driver last year, will likely ease in the second half of 2026 as base effects wear off.

Outlook on Monetary Policy

Reflecting a balanced view of economic dynamics, all three research houses—MBSB, CIMB, and Kenanga—project that Bank Negara Malaysia will maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at its current level of 2.75% throughout 2026.

This consensus is based on the view that the central bank will aim to balance growth and inflation while preserving policy flexibility in the face of external uncertainties. Kenanga Research expects that even with the modest uptick, inflation will remain below its 30-year average of 2.3%.

Severe floods from heavy rains have forced thousands to flee homes in Mozambique and left some stranded on roofs as surging waters swamp settlements, aid workers and witnesses said on Monday.

The floods have directly impacted more than 620,000 people, with over 72,000 houses flooded and widespread damage caused to roads, bridges and health centres, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which is assisting with relief efforts.

"Rains are still expected to continue for the coming days, and the water dams are already at full capacity, so the situation could worsen, placing further people at risk," IFRC Program and Operations Manager Rachel Fowler told Reuters from the capital Maputo.

BOATS AND HELICOPTERS USED TO REACH SURVIVORS

Red Cross volunteers have been using small fishing boats to reach survivors but access is becoming increasingly hard, Fowler added. Neighbouring South Africa has deployed an air force helicopter to help.

Hospital worker Celeste Maria told Reuters she and her family fled their home in Chokwe in the southern province of Gaza after authorities sent out flood warnings last week.

"Our home is now completely submerged ... We left behind neighbours who are now telling us they are sheltering on rooftops as the water continues to rise," the 25-year-old said by phone from a resettlement centre.

Aerial videos showed vast areas of land submerged in water, with only the tops of trees sticking out.

There were no immediate estimates of the number of people killed or injured in the latest flooding.

PRESIDENT CANCELS TRIP, PORT OPERATIONS SLOWED

President Daniel Chapo cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos and said on social media late on Sunday that "the absolute priority at this moment is to save lives".

The southern African country has been hit by frequent weather-related disasters that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.

Portuguese news agency Lusa quoted the National Director of Water Resources Management Agostinho Vilanculos comparing water levels last week to those in 2000 that killed some 700 people.

A spokesperson for Maputo Port, a commodities export hub, said operations were slower than usual but did not stop.

Petrochemical company Sasol (SOLJ.J) and logistics firm Grindrod (GNDJ.J), two major foreign businesses operating there, said their operations have not been affected at this stage.

Heavy rains have also affected parts of South Africa, including the northeast where the renowned Kruger National Park reopened on Monday after being closed for several days.

Source: Reuters

Source: AP

The British government has officially approved China's plan to construct its largest European embassy in London, ending a years-long stalemate over the controversial project. The decision aims to mend ties with Beijing but comes despite stark warnings from UK and US politicians that the facility could serve as a major hub for Chinese espionage.

The proposed embassy is set for the historic Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London. For three years, the project was blocked by opposition from local residents, lawmakers, and pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong now living in Britain.

A Diplomatic Move Ahead of Starmer's China Visit

The timing of the approval is critical, coming just before Prime Minister Keir Starmer's expected visit to China this month—the first by a British leader since 2018. Some British and Chinese officials had indicated that the trip was conditional on the embassy project getting the green light.

"All material considerations were taken into account when making this decision," the government stated, adding, "The decision is now final unless it is successfully challenged in court."

China purchased the Royal Mint Court property in 2018, but its initial planning requests were rejected by the local council in 2022. The central government stepped in last year to take control of the decision-making process after Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly asked Starmer to intervene.

Espionage Risks at the Forefront

The new embassy plan has been dogged by security concerns. Critics in both the UK and the US argue that China should not be allowed to build on a site so close to London's financial district. The primary fears include:

• Electronic Surveillance: The potential for Beijing to eavesdrop on sensitive financial data transmitted through fiber-optic cables running beneath the area.

• Increased Spy Presence: British security officials have warned that a significantly larger embassy would accommodate not only more diplomats but also a greater number of intelligence officers.

Figure 1: The entrance to Royal Mint Court, the historic site approved for China's new London embassy.

While the head of Britain's MI5 domestic spy agency suggested in October that any security risks could be managed, the agency has also highlighted the threat of Chinese attempts to recruit and cultivate influential figures within the British government. In November, MI5 issued a warning to lawmakers about Beijing’s efforts to interfere in UK politics.

The government's decision has drawn criticism, particularly after the recent collapse of a trial involving two British men accused of spying for China. Critics argue the government is prioritizing diplomatic relations over national security.

A Strategic Reset in UK-China Relations

This approval is a key component of Prime Minister Starmer's effort to reset the UK's relationship with Beijing. It signals a shift in a foreign policy that has fluctuated dramatically over the past decade. After once aiming to be China's biggest supporter in Europe, Britain became one of its most vocal critics. Now, the pendulum is swinging back towards engagement.

Last month, Starmer emphasized that fostering closer business ties with China was in the UK's national interest.

The Scale of the Royal Mint Court Project

The new embassy is set to be one of the largest diplomatic compounds in the world, with a planned footprint of approximately 55,000 square meters (600,000 square feet). This is nearly ten times the size of China's current embassy in central London and significantly larger than its embassy in the United States.

Before this week's decision, China had reportedly blocked Britain’s plans to expand its own embassy in Beijing. Chinese officials have maintained that when they purchased the Royal Mint Court site for £255 million ($343.54 million), they received assurances from the previous Conservative government that the embassy could be built.

Meanwhile, some local residents who oppose the project are now considering a judicial review to challenge the government's approval.