News
Stolen Ukrainian grain is being unloaded in Haifa, EU threatens sanctions
Ukraine summoned Israel's ambassador to Kyiv on April 27 and filed a formal protest after a second shipment of grain allegedly stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories docked at the port of Haifa, in a diplomatic scandal.
Saudi Arabia leads Middle East tourism growth in 2025
Middle East tourism grew 5.3% in 2025 to contribute $385.8bn to regional GDP, outpacing the global average of 4.1%, WTTC data shows. Saudi Arabia led with 7.4% sector growth and a $178bn contribution, with business travel up over 55% on the year.
India in talks with Iran, US over Chabahar port as sanctions waiver complicates outlook
India is in continuing talks with Iran and the US over the future of Chabahar port, with the expiry of a sanctions waiver and the regional conflict adding complexity.
Drone strike triggers fire at Russia's Tuapse oil refinery in latest attack on Black Sea facilities
A drone strike triggered a fire at Russia's Tuapse oil refinery on April 28, the third attack on the Black Sea port city's infrastructure in recent weeks. Earlier strikes on the seaport caused a major oil spill into the Tuapse River and Black Sea.
Greece's Athens hit by twin shootings as 89-year-old opens fire at EFKA office, court of appeals
An 89-year-old man opened fire at an EFKA social security office in Athens on April 28, wounding an employee, before travelling by taxi to the Athens Court of Appeals where he shot four more people.
Ukraine eyes €19bn gap as war strains finances despite EU lifeline
Ukraine could face a budget shortfall of around €19bn in 2027 despite substantial financial support pledged by its Western partners.
Iran's Nikzad warns of further US military action
Iran's deputy parliament speaker Ali Nikzad has warned of possible further US military action but argued direct confrontation, economic siege, proxy warfare and media pressure would all backfire on Washington given Iran's deterrent capability.
Putin holds talks with Iran's Araghchi in St Petersburg in first visit since war
Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg on April 27, the first visit by a senior Iranian official to Moscow since the outbreak of the US-Iran war and Tehran's leadership transition.
Hungary’s Meszaros Group denies TV2 sale reports as claims emerge of Orban allies shifting wealth abroad
Tisza leader Peter Magyar, winner of Hungary's recent general election, claimed oligarchs are making plans to flee the country and move assets abroad.
Moldova ready to join Coalition of the Willing to help Ukraine
President Maia Sandu's announcement slammed by pro-Russian politicians in Chisinau.
Romania’s Social Democrats align with far-right AUR to topple PM Bolojan, deepening political crisis
The move sharply escalates the country’s political crisis and brings the government to the brink of collapse, with the early elections scenario closer than ever.
China to list sovereign bonds in Indonesia in reciprocal deal
The deal permits China to issue yuan-denominated sovereign bonds directly on the Indonesian stock exchange for the first time. In return, Indonesia gains equivalent rights to issue Indonesian sovereign debt in China’s domestic market.
World Bank invests $24.5mn in Philippines' food sustainability
The funding acts as a companion to a $1bn loan intended to pivot the country away from its rigid obsession with rice self-sufficiency.
Argentina and UK trade barbs over Falklands as US said to rethink neutral stance
Argentina has stepped up its sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands (Falklands) following reports that the United States could reconsider its position on the dispute.
Latin America's unfinished battle with inflation leaves the region exposed to the Iran shock
The Middle East conflict has landed on Latin America at an awkward moment. After two years of gradual progress bringing inflation under control, the region's central banks now face the prospect of that effort being undone by an external conflict.
Serbia to revoke judicial reforms after EU backlash, president says
President Aleksandar Vucic admits legislation not aligned with EU rules, as government moves to defuse a dispute that risked jeopardising funding.
Colombia pre-election violence escalates after bus bombing kills 20
Colombia’s death toll from a bus bombing in the southwestern department of Cauca rose to 20, authorities said, in one of the deadliest recent attacks on civilians as the country approaches presidential elections.
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Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed as Iran maintains shipping restrictions
Only four vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on April 26 according to Kpler data, Tasnim has reported, indicating the world's most important oil chokepoint remains effectively closed at Iran's discretion despite the April 7 ceasefire.
New Zealand's lamb, wool gain day-one duty-free India access, dairy left out
New Zealand sheep meat will enter India duty-free under the new FTA signed on April 27, eliminating a 33% tariff that has long blocked Wellington from the Indian market. Wool and forestry also gain day-one access, but dairy remains largely excluded.
Zelenskiy rejects EU membership-lite offer
The EU gathered in Cyprus last week to discuss Ukraine with a rare burst of momentum behind it: a €90bn loan for Ukraine approved; a twentieth sanctions package adopted; and Hungary's veto power broken by electoral defeat.