News
Allegations of wartime profiteering surface in Ukraine as anti-corruption probe widens
Newly published materials linked to an investigation by Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have triggered a wave of allegations and political controversy.
Iran oil minister says US blockade 'failing' to curb oil exports
Iranian officials said a naval blockade had failed to choke off the country’s oil exports and that Tehran had enough storage capacity to see it through for another 30 days, pushing back against reports that Washington plans to widen pressure.
Trump tells Netanyahu that Israel must limit strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon
US President Donald Trump revealed that he instructed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit military operations in Lebanon to surgical strikes against Hezbollah.
Hungary close to political deal with European Commission on unlocking EU funds, Magyar says
Incoming PM Peter Magyar said he held "highly constructive talks" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Bursa Malaysia slides as UAE’s OPEC+ exit rattles energy markets
Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session in the red on April 30 as investor sentiment soured following news that the United Arab Emirates will officially exit the OPEC+ alliance on May 1.
Russia would not accept military presence of outside powers in Central Asia, says defence minister
Andrei Belousov tells SCO meeting Moscow is “closely monitoring” moves made by “non-regional states”.
Royal Jordanian Airlines records $19mn loss in Q1 as operating costs increase
Royal Jordanian Airlines posted a 15% rise in Q1 operating revenue but more than doubled its net loss to $19.2mn, with airspace rerouting driving flight hours up 19% and inflating fuel and insurance costs in the wake of the US-Iran war.
Albania, US firms sign $6bn LNG deal to boost Balkan energy security
Albania signed a 20-year agreement with AKTOR Group’s US subsidiary to import liquefied natural gas.
Croatia pushes stronger financing role for Three Seas Initiative at Dubrovnik summit
With global uncertainty driving demand for resilient supply chains and energy diversification, leaders said the initiative could play a larger role in Europe's economy provided it can secure investment.
Emerging Europe weathers Iran war shock, but risks mount, wiiw says
Higher energy prices, weaker trade and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on the region’s outlook, according to new forecasts from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies.
Iran slams US seizure of two oil tankers as ‘piracy’
Iran condemned the US seizure of two tankers carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean, calling the confiscation of 3.8mn barrels of oil an example of “US addiction to lawlessness” and the “outright legalization of piracy” amid a naval siege.
Rift surfaces in BRICS over West Asia conflict
In spite of the diplomatic impasse at the declaration level, the consultations reportedly addressed humanitarian conditions across several conflict-affected states and examined prospects for post-conflict stabilisation in the broader MENA region.
Germany in talks with Poland over oil route for Schwedt refinery after Russia halts supplies
Germany is in talks with Poland on whether replacement oil supplies can be delivered to the PCK Schwedt refinery through the Polish port of Gdańsk after Russia said it would halt Kazakh crude flows to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline.
Polish coal firm JSW reports heavy 2025 losses as government approves rescue plan
The EU's largest producer of high-quality hard coking coal reported multi-billion-zloty losses for 2025, as the Polish government approved a rescue scheme to stabilise the company.
India tycoon's son offers to take Colombia's Escobar hippos
Anant Ambani, a director at Reliance Industries and son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has asked Colombia's government to suspend a planned cull of 80 hippos descended from animals brought to the country by drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Iraq’s President tasks Ali Al-Zaidi with forming new government
Iraq’s President, Nizar Amidi, formally tasked Ali Al-Zaidi, the nominee of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Iran-aligned political parties, with forming a new government within 30 days.
Nato weighs scrapping annual summits to avoid Trump confrontation
Nato is considering abandoning its recent practice of holding annual summits, six sources have told Reuters, in a development that would mark a significant shift in how the world's most powerful military alliance.
Bosnia, Croatia sign gas pipeline deal despite civil society backlash
Southern Interconnection intended to boost energy security and reduce reliance on Russian gas, but civil society groups warn it risks locking the region into fossil fuel dependence.
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ECLAC cuts Latin America growth forecast as Middle East war fans inflation
ECLAC trims Latin America's 2026 growth forecast to 2.2%, warning that soaring oil prices, tighter credit and slowing global trade are locking the region into a fourth consecutive year of sluggish expansion.
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UAE announces its withdrawal from OPEC
The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1, 2026, stripping the cartel of one of its highest-capacity and lowest-cost producers.