News
Tensions in the Baltic Sea: Russia detains oil tanker that left Estonian port
Russian authorities detained a Greek-owned oil tanker, Green Admire, on May 18 after it departed from Estonia’s Port of Sillamae en route to Rotterdam, and was transiting Russia’s territorial waters along a previously agreed shipping corridor.
Iraq rediscovers its forgotten Somalian refinery after 45 years
An Iraqi oil refinery built in Somalia in the 1970s has remained abandoned for nearly 45 years, before re-emerging into public awareness during recent diplomatic talks.
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Latin American EV market accelerates threefold in 2024
The fleet of light electric vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean saw a dramatic surge last year, tripling in size from 154,966 registered units at the end of 2023 to 444,071 vehicles by December 2024, according to data from Olade.
Milei's La Libertad Avanza secures crucial victory in Buenos Aires election
Argentine President Javier Milei's La Libertad Avanza party achieved a significant electoral breakthrough on May 18, securing first place in Buenos Aires City Legislature elections with 30.13% of the vote.
Nationalist gains upper hand in Polish presidential race despite first-round defeat
Historian Karol Nawrocki, running as independent with the backing of radical right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, came second in last night’s first round of presidential election in Poland that will make the run off a tight race.
Hungarian fertilser maker agrees with bondholders on extending €200mn debt
Hungary’s leading fertiliser maker Nitrogemuvek, owned by businessman Laszlo Bige, has reached an agreement with investors holding 75% of its €200mn bond package on a 60-day extension of the debt after the company missed a deadline last week.
Romanian pro-EU presidential candidate Dan defeats far-right rival Simion
Romania's new president Nicusur Dan will have to urgently negotiate the formation of a ruling majority to tackle Romania’s acute fiscal and budgetary challenges.
Protesters against euro adoption block roads in Bulgaria
Roads blocked in Bulgaria's biggest cities as activists step up their campaign to prevent country's entry to the Eurozone in January 2026.
European leaders in Tirana for EPC summit amid “relentless attacks” on international order
European leaders focus on continent's mounting challenges: Russia’s war in Ukraine, economic security and democratic resilience.
Arab League leaders call for Gaza ceasefire at Baghdad summit amid regional crises
Gaza and Lebanon dominated the 34th Arab League Summit as some top brass skipped attendance.
Georgian laments "lack of communication" in open letter to Trump
Irakli Kobakhidze appeals for resumption of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, writes of “striking alignment of values and ideology” between Tbilisi and Washington.
Russo-Ukraine Istanbul ceasefire talks break up without result
The first direct meeting between the Kremlin and Bankova for negotiations since the start of the war in Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16 ended in failure with little progress being made.
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Trump administration proposes 5% tax on migrant remittances amid Latin American outcry
The Trump administration has introduced a controversial legislative proposal to impose a 5% tax on remittances sent abroad by non-citizens living in the United States.
Syria and DP World sign $800mn MoU to develop Tartus Port
Syria's new government has signed a deal with Dubai-based DP World to rebuild Tartus port on the Mediterranean Sea.
India asserts regional air superiority with Operation Sindoor success
Between May 7 and 10 during what it dubbed Operation Sindoor, India executed a swift and precise air campaign against Pakistan, showcasing its advanced indigenous aerial capabilities and shifting regional perceptions of air superiority.
Poles to hint if they want to hand Tusk more power in presidential election's first round this Sunday
Voting is underway in Poland and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski is poised to advance to the second round of Poland’s presidential election on May 18, according to multiple opinion polls ahead of the first-round vote on May 18.
BYD moves European HQ to Hungary, sets up €250mn business and development
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD will relocate its European headquarters from the Netherlands to Hungary as part of a newly signed strategic cooperation agreement with the Hungarian government on May 15.
Viktor Orban's "bullet shield" and long-time chief prosecutor leaves post to secure job at Constitutional Court
Peter Polt is stepping down as chief prosecutor after more than two decades in the role, three years before his mandate was due to end, to take up a seat on the Constitutional Court, an institution already stacked with figures loyal to Viktor Orban.
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Brazil and Russia edge closer on nuclear deal
Brazil and Russia are expected to advance cooperation on small modular reactor (SMR) technology, Brazil’s Minister of Energy Alexandre Silveira said after a visit to Moscow with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Albanian PM shoots down Starmer’s hopes of asylum seeker “return hub”
Edi Rama firmly rejects allowing the UK to set up a “return hub” on Albanian territory, saying Tirana will only host migrants for Italy.