U.S.-bound container imports hit second-highest month on record amid tariff and seasonal pressures

U.S.-bound container imports hit second-highest month on record amid tariff and seasonal pressures Summary The August edition of Descartes’ Global Shipping Report shows U.S.-bound container imports reached 2,519,722 TEU — the second-highest monthly total in 2025. Volumes dropped 3.9% from July but rose 1.6% year-on-year and remain 17.6% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Year-to-date imports through […]

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ESD Malaysia opens MYXpats Centre in Klang Valley to streamline expatriate services

ESD Malaysia opens MYXpats Centre in Klang Valley to streamline expatriate services Summary The Malaysia Expatriate Talent Service Centre (MYXpats Centre) was officially opened on 1 September by Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Located in Surian Tower, Petaling Jaya, the centre is a one-stop facility to process and issue Employment […]

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17 arrested in Singapore for suspected illegal employment and false work pass declarations

17 arrested in Singapore for suspected illegal employment and false work pass declarations Summary Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on 2 September that 17 people were arrested for suspected illegal employment and making false declarations in work pass applications. Authorities say the suspects were allegedly part of a syndicate hiring foreign performing artistes to […]

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First bus timing for selected cross-border services from Johor Bahru checkpoint to be brought forward effective 15 Sept

First bus timing for selected cross-border services from Johor Bahru checkpoint to be brought forward effective 15 Sept Summary SBSTransit and SMRT have announced earlier first-bus timings for selected cross-border services departing from the Johor Bahru Checkpoint. From Monday 15 September 2025, bus services 160 and 170/170X (SBSTransit) and service 950 (SMRT) will start operating […]

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Labour markets strong but participation and skills gaps persist in 2025: WEF updates

Labour markets strong but participation and skills gaps persist in 2025: WEF updates Summary Unemployment remains near historic lows in many higher‑income economies, but the World Economic Forum (WEF) and related sources show a much more complex picture beneath the headline figures. Regional extremes — from Mexico’s very low jobless rate to South Africa’s deep […]

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Proton Malaysia’s new EV plant to create over 200 jobs in EV industrialisation and technical services

Proton Malaysia’s new EV plant to create over 200 jobs in EV industrialisation and technical services Summary Proton has launched its first assembly plant dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles at Proton Tanjung Malim in Perak. The facility, located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), is expected to be operational by November 2025 and will […]

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