News
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India and Pakistan continue to hit each other with drones and missiles
The government of India in its May 8 briefing said that Pakistan had launched missiles and drones against its military installations across North India which were all intercepted by its integrated air defence grid on the night of May 7.
Russia backs Beijing's 'One China' claims over Taiwan
Taiwan is a self-governed island democracy that has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party regardless of claims to the contrary by Beijing. Despite this, China views the island as a breakaway province.
78-year-old protest legend Nina Bahinskaya faces new charges in Belarus crackdown
According to a report from Human Rights Group Viasna released on May 8, Belarusian authorities have initiated a criminal investigation against 78-year-old activist Nina Bahinskaya for wearing a white-red-white pin in Minsk in 2024.
Former Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsany, long-time adversary of Viktor Orban, quits politics
Ferenc Gyurcsany, Hungary's former PM and longtime figurehead of the Democratic Coalition, is stepping down from all political roles and retreating from public life, marking the end of a polarising two-decade career that shaped Hungarian politics.
Turkmen leader touts trade and investment during French trip
Offering confirmation that Ashgabat is ready to do business with Western firms.
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Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada ratifies US-Ukraine minerals deal
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved a landmark agreement with the United States on May 8 to establish a joint reconstruction investment fund aimed at attracting global capital for the country's recovery efforts.
Iran pips Saudi Arabia and Russia as having world's cheapest gasoline
READ MORE: Iran's petrol now world's cheapest at just $0.018/litre, undercutting Saudi Arabia's $0.62 rate amid growing pressure for subsidy reforms.
Mexican President vows to defend USMCA despite Trump's trade measures
Mexico will defend its free trade agreement with the United States and Canada despite President Donald Trump's recent trade measures, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico forced to fly around the houses on his way to Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was forced to take the long way round on his trip to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Parade on Red Square on May 9.
Warsaw University in shock as student kills woman, injures man with axe
Poland’s leading University of Warsaw is in mourning after a 22-year-old law student killed a woman working as a porter and nearly fatally injured a man who attempted to assist her using an axe on May 7.
Gulf ACWA Power's Q1 profits surge 44%, exceeding market expectations
Saudi Arabia's renewable energy giant ACWA Power reported a 44% year-on-year increase in first-quarter net profits to SAR427mn, significantly outperforming analyst forecasts of SAR358mn.
Russia’s Alrosa finds its largest diamond ever, as Mirny mining operations restart
Russia’s diamond mining monopolist has founds a 468 carat amber-coloured diamond, the largest diamond it has ever found, after it reopened its Mirny diamond mine in Yakutia that has been closed for seven-years.
Kremlin to shut down Moscow’s internet during Victory Day parade, as Ukrainian drone attacks cause civil aviation chaos across the country
Widespread disruption is expected across Russia’s capital during the May 9 Victory Day parade after the Kremlin decided to shut down the city’s internet and SMS services for several hours.
Brussels refers Hungary to EU Court over release of human smugglers
The European Commission has referred Hungary to the European Court of Justice over its controversial policy of releasing convicted human smugglers from prison before they complete their sentence, citing violations of EU criminal law obligations.
Poll shows narrowing gap between Simion and Dan ahead of Romanian presidential runoff
Result of the May 18 runoff could hinge on turnout and the mobilisation of undecided voters.
India may have lost its most advanced fighter in strikes against Pakistan
While it is unclear exactly how many of the 36 Rafale airframes IAF operates were part of Operation Sindoor or were lost during or after it, unverified images on social media show a mostly intact tail fin segment bearing the markings of the IAF.
Pakistan lacks fiscal space for war with India
Pakistan has asserted its right to retaliate following India’s missile strikes on nine locations in its territory and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but analysts at Moody’s believe Islamabad lacks the financial capacity for any military action.
ASEAN aligns with Japan, China and South Korea in warning against protectionist risks
Meeting on the sidelines of the recent Asian Development Bank’s annual gathering in Milan, Italy, the officials reiterated their support for a rules-based, free and fair multilateral trading system.
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Putin rolls out red carpet for Maduro as Venezuela cements Russian alliance
President Nicolás Maduro arrived in Moscow on May 7 for talks with Vladimir Putin, where both sides committed to expanding cooperation across defence, energy, technology, and finance.
Venezuelan dissidents escape Argentine embassy after year-long standoff in Caracas
Five Venezuelan dissidents who had sought refuge in Argentina’s embassy in Caracas have escaped the country after more than a year in hiding, in what sources described as a covert military operation led by the United States.