Russian state agency warns Hungary's incoming government against reviewing Paks nuclear deal

Russian state agency RIA Novosti has warned Hungary's incoming Tisza government against reviewing the Paks 2 nuclear deal, saying Magyar's criticism of the €14.7bn ($16.69bn) cost is "self-promotion and informational noise."

Kazakhstan pushes for regional cooperation on climate as threats increase

Kazakhstan’s Ecology Minister Yerlan Nysanbayev called for deeper cooperation across Central Asia to tackle shared environmental issues ahead of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana.

US and Cuba talk in Havana but cannot agree on what was said

Cuba has confirmed that senior officials from Havana and Washington held face-to-face talks on the island in early April, in the highest-level diplomatic encounter between the two governments in nearly a decade.

IDF soldier recieves 30-day military detention after smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon

An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 30 days of military detention after being photographed decapitating Jesus on a cross statue.

Russian Duma passes crypto regulation bill in first reading

Russia's State Duma has passed a crypto regulation bill in its first reading creating a legal framework for cross-border cryptocurrency settlements, with the legislation set to come into force on July 1 if approved.

Russia expects resumption of Gulf diplomacy, Lavrov says

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow expects positive news on the resumption of diplomatic efforts around Iran, offering to mediate between the Arab Gulf monarchies and Tehran on regional security.

Putin says Russia "knows how it will end" in Ukraine but will not announce war goals publicly

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow knows how the war in Ukraine will end but will not make public statements on the outcome, telling municipal officials Russia will simply implement its goals.

UAE warns it could sell oil in yuan if dollar liquidity crunch hits

The UAE has warned Washington it could switch to yuan or other currencies to settle oil sales in the event of a severe dollar shortage, with reserves at $270bn as Gulf state faces mounting Iran war pressure.

Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows

A Chinese tanker just paid $4mn to jump the Panama queue. With Hormuz near-closed, the canal has become the world's most contested shipping lane — and prices are only heading one way.

Western Balkans risk losing €700mn in EU funds over delayed reforms

The European Union has warned Western Balkan countries they risk losing more than €700mn in growth package funding unless stalled reforms are accelerated.

BREAKING: Iranian aircraft tracked heading towards Pakistan as talks set to resume

IntelliNews tracking showed two Iranian aircraft as the only flights over Iran on April 21, heading east to Pakistan as Vance arrives in Islamabad for talks and the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire expires.

Swedish intelligence says Russia disguises economic strain from war, sanctions - FT

Russia has been manipulating economic data to project resilience against wartime pressures and Western sanctions, while potentially misleading even President Vladimir Putin about the true state of the economy, according to Swedish intelligence.

Japan remains vigilant despite easing of tsunami threat

The Meteorological Agency took the unusual step of highlighting a 1% likelihood of a magnitude 8 tremor occurring soon, a risk level ten times higher than the standard baseline.

India-South Korea summit unveils new agreements

South Korea has also formally joined the India led International Solar Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and reciprocally India has agreed to join the Global Green Growth Institute.

Romania’s Social Democrats withdraw support for PM Bolojan forcing coalition reset

PSD votes overwhelmingly to withdraw political support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, raising the prospect of a government collapse.

Peter Magyar unveils cabinet line-up, demands Orban-era officials resign by May

Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, named seven ministers and a further nine ministries in his incoming government in a two-hour press conference in Budapest on April 20.

Israel's atrocities in Southern Lebanon and Gaza mount as it seeks a buffer zone

There are widespread reports of IDF targeting of ambulances and health workers, which it claims are being used to ferry military supplies by various terrorist organisations.

Trump calls for regime change in Iran ahead of negotiations

Trump has called for regime change in Iran in a Truth Social post, comparing the situation to Venezuela and complicating Pakistan-brokered ceasefire talks 48 hours before the truce expires.

Iran says US naval blockade still blocking talks, dismisses Trump claim of imminent negotiations

Argentina's Milei cements Israel alliance as self-declared world's most Zionist president

Argentine President Javier Milei signed a sweeping bilateral framework agreement with Israel and declared his unequivocal support for the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran during a three-day state visit to Jerusalem.