UPDATE – Radev sweeps Bulgaria election, ending three decades of coalition rule

Progressive Bulgaria won a decisive victory in Bulgaria’s snap parliamentary election on April 19, securing the country’s first single-party majority in nearly three decades.

India-South Korea summit puts shipbuilding, tech at the forefront

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and South Korea surpassed $25.1bn in 2024, following the implementation of a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010.

Iran MP plans for strategic management of Strait of Hormuz using the rial

Iran's parliamentary infrastructure commission chief has set out detailed terms for a strategic management plan for the Strait of Hormuz, including an Israeli shipping ban and tolls payable only in rials.

BREAKING: Tsunami of 80cm observed at Kuji, Iwate as 3m waves forecast for northern Japan

A tsunami of 80cm has been observed at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the Sanriku coast, with waves of up to 3m forecast for Pacific coastlines of Hokkaido and northern Japan.

UPDATE: Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits off northern Japan, tsunami warning issued for Hokkaido and Tohoku regions

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck off Japan's Sanriku coast at a depth of 10km, prompting a tsunami warning for Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido and Tohoku with shindo 6 lower recorded in Aomori Prefecture.

Israeli soldier photographed smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon, triggering IDF investigation

Final Hungarian election results confirm supermajority for Tisza

Tisza will have 141 representatives in Hungary's 199-seat parliament after ousting Fidesz in a landslide.

UPDATE: Bulgaria’s Radev wins election, set for parliamentary majority

Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to secure a parliamentary majority in the country’s snap election, according to parallel vote counts, in what would be the first single-party majority since 1997.

Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has announced Madrid will formally ask the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel at a foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, as he opens the Andalusian election campaign.

Trump threatens to strike Iranian power plants and bridges over Strait of Hormuz incident

Trump has threatened to strike every Iranian power plant and bridge after Tehran allegedly fired at French and British ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran rules out talks while the US naval blockade remains.

Iran rules out resuming US talks while naval blockade remains in place

Iran says no second round of US talks will take place while the naval blockade on Iranian ports remains in place, hardening Tehran's position as Trump claims a deal could be signed in Islamabad within days.

Western Japan lenders strike capital, business alliance

Japan's Shiga Bank and Senshu Ikeda Holdings, the parent of Senshu Ikeda Bank, have agreed to a capital and business tie-up, marking the latest step in the consolidation trend among Japan’s regional lenders.

India to benefit from US extension of Russian oil waiver

The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington.

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled in 2024, IISS says

Russian sabotage operations in Europe almost quadrupled from 2023 to 2024 according to IISS research, with submarine cables, legacy IT systems and underinvestment in critical infrastructure identified as key vulnerabilities.

Iran reopens six airports as commercial aviation resumes

Iran has reopened six airports including Mehrabad, Imam Khomeini, Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan and Zahedan as commercial aviation resumes following the ceasefire with the US and Israel.

Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) loan to airBaltic after the US-Iran war drove jet fuel prices to record highs, with the airline having hedged only 6% of its Q1 fuel requirements.

Estonia's Poltsamaa mustard production to end after 64 years as war pushes up input costs

Estonia's iconic Poltsamaa mustard production will end this month after 64 years as Orkla Eesti moves operations to Latvia, with the Iran war adding bankruptcy risk for Estonian industry.

Chile’s Kast pushes sweeping tax and spending overhaul

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast has unveiled an ambitious package of more than 40 economic and regulatory reforms aimed at breaking what he described as a decade of stagnation.

Middle East tensions and global slowdown cloud Panama outlook as IMF flags inflation risks

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are feeding through into global macroeconomic expectations, with the International Monetary Fund warning of a broad-based slowdown and renewed inflation pressures that are shaping Panama´s outlook.

Russia’s VK sells 25% in Tochka Bank to Potanin’s T-Technologies

Russia’s state-controlled internet major VK (VKCO) has sold its 25% stake in digital lender Tochka Bank to Interros.