News
Asian carrot smuggling ring busted in the Philippines
The cargo, consigned to Fourth Consumer Goods Trading, contained more than 53,000 kilograms of carrots that were already beginning to rot.
India, US near major trade deal cutting tariffs to 15–16% if New Delhi will limit Russian crude imports
India and the United States are close to finalising a long-awaited bilateral trade deal that could sharply lower tariffs on Indian exports to about 15–16% from the current average of 50%
Tajikistan’s Grand Mufti scolds ‘Botox beauty’
Lip flips and anti-wrinkle injections condemned as sinful by Islamic jurist.
Mongolia’s PM to stay in power after court rules dismissal illegal
Observer says opponents of Zandanshatar Gombojav “rushed and sloppily handled motion” to dislodge him. Second attempt to vote him out not expected.
UK sanctions Balkan gangs and financiers over people-smuggling networks
Measures target criminal networks involved in producing fake travel documents and an illicit financial group accused of supplying small boat engines to smugglers, Foreign Office says.
Slovak PM Fico to unblock 19th round of sanctions in exchange for EU’s concessions to car industry
During a parliamentary session in Bratislava, Fico reportedly admitted he uses the support for sanctions as a "pressure tool".
Smuggler balloons from Belarus disrupt flights for 4,000 passengers at Vilnius Airport
Lithuanian officials have accused Belarus of sending balloons across the border to transport contraband goods or disrupt air traffic near Vilnius.
_1761147529.jpeg){kind=spacer}
China accuses Washington of “bullying” over visa ban threats in Central America
China has sharply criticised the United States for its decision to impose visa restrictions on Central American officials and citizens accused of ties to the Chinese Communist Party, describing the move as evidence of American “arrogance and bias."
Serbian president calls fire, shooting outside parliament a terrorist attack
The attacker, a retired employee of the former State Security Service, opened fire on a tent settlement of pro-government supporters.
Bolivia's new leader must rebuild a shattered economy
Bolivia enters a new political and economic phase as centrist Rodrigo Paz prepares to take office on November 8, inheriting one of the country’s most acute crises since the hyperinflation of the 1980s.
Hungarian foreign minister says "many actors" worked to prevent Budapest summit
The White House has suspended plans for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
Central Asian states registering impressive trade gains
Success despite the lack of access to a seaport.
MOL says no risk to domestic fuel supply after Danube refinery blaze
Fires broke out at refineries in both Hungary and Romania in recent days.
Taiwan confirms first African swine fever outbreak
Authorities detected the virus on a pig farm in Wuqi District, Taichung, after 117 pigs died between October 10 and 20.
Afghanistan withdraws from Pakistan tri-nation T20 to protest murder of three local cricketers
The Afghanistan Cricket Board says it has secured clear video footage implicating the Pakistan state in an attack that killed three local cricketers.
Sanae Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
In her first press briefing as leader, the 64-year-old pledged to drive reform with confidence and determination, describing her administration as one “ready to decide and move forward.”
White House halts plans for Trump-Putin summit in Budapest
Anonymous White House official tells AFP there are “no plans” for Trump to meet Putin “in the immediate future”, effectively shelving a Budapest gathering that Trump had described as imminent only days earlier.
Grand master mason arrested as part of Turkey’s Can Holding investigation
Second wave of detentions executed.
Istanbul prosecutors summon Koc official and Akfen boss in Imamoglu investigation
Word of move sparked volatility in stocks.
EU decision to ban Russian gas transit raises alarm in Serbia
Belgrade warned that the EU's decision to halt imports and transit of Russian natural gas from 2026 poses a serious threat to its energy security, with senior politicians calling the move "catastrophic".