News
Australia, Singapore increase energy ties
Australia and Singapore have agreed to reinforce energy co-operation, pledging to maintain flows of refined fuel and LNG as both nations work to navigate international and regional energy issues on the back of the conflict in the Middle East.
Germany rallies behind Ukraine as peace talks stall, EU membership debate divides the bloc
Germany has unveiled a sweeping €4bn military support package for Ukraine and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the rapid disbursement of a long-delayed €90bn EU loan to Kyiv, as European powers scramble to shore up Ukraine's defences.
Trump breaks silence on Hungary’s election results, Russia adds Budapest to list of unfriendly countries
After two days of silence following Hungary's historic elections, US President Donald Trump has issued a measured response to the defeat of his ally Viktor Orban, but refrained from openly congratulating his challenger, Peter Magyar.
Around 250 feared dead after migrant boat capsizes off Bangladesh
The migrants on the boat were, it has been speculated, most likely fleeing overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, which hosts more than a million displaced Rohingya people.
IMF raises Latin America growth forecast but warns of uneven impact from Middle East war
The IMF raised its 2026 growth forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean by a tenth of a percentage point to 2.3%, while cautioning that the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East will most impact the region's smaller economies.
Hungary's Magyar to reengage with EU but no blank cheques
The election victory of Peter Magyar in Hungary is set to unblock tens of billions in EU support for Ukraine, easing one of the most persistent internal constraints on Brussels' war financing — but without delivering a clean strategic alignment.
Kyrgyz officials in Washington seeking investment
Competing with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to create an innovation hub.
Serbia to jointly produce drones with Israel, president confirms
President Aleksandar Vucic confirms Serbia will partner with an Israeli manufacturer to build drones.
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego. That time is over.
Russia markets discounted but sanctioned LNG to South Asia
Russia is again seeking to capitalise on the tightening global gas market by offering LNG from US-sanctioned facilities to energy-constrained buyers in South Asia at steep discounts.
Italy suspends defence pact with Israel as Meloni rebukes Trump over pope remarks
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence co-operation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced, in Rome's sharpest signal yet of disapproval over Israeli military operations.
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Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in four decades as war grinds on
Lebanon and Israel hold their first direct talks in over 40 years in Washington, with Beirut demanding a ceasefire and full withdrawal while Israel insists on negotiating as its ground campaign intensifies.
Thailand holds steady oil buffer as Middle East tensions continue to unsettle markets
According to the Thai Energy Ministry’s latest assessment, diesel production in the country continues to exceed domestic demand with daily output reaching 83.37mn litres, compared with a nationwide demand of 68.69mn litres.
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Belarus's Lukashenka calls on citizens to mobilise for economic survival
Belarus's Lukashenka has called on citizens to mobilise and prioritise the economy, warning of an unpredictable global situation and saying the state will no longer put public comfort ahead of economic performance.
Colombia to cull dozens of Escobar's hippos in bid to halt population explosion
Colombia will begin euthanising dozens of invasive hippopotamuses in the second half of 2026 as authorities move to contain a rapidly expanding population descended from animals illegally imported by drug trafficker Pablo Escobar four decades ago.
China denies arms sales to Iran, warns US of countermeasures
China has denied accusations of providing military support to Iran, calling the reports fabricated and warning the US of countermeasures if tariffs are imposed on Beijing over the claims.
Pakistan races to arrange second round of US-Iran talks as Strait of Hormuz standoff deepens
Pakistan is racing to arrange a second round of US-Iran peace talks as the Strait of Hormuz blockade deepens, with a Chinese-linked tanker defying the US naval cordon and Iran warning of retaliation against Gulf ports.
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Argentina heads to IMF talks with weak reserves and currency concerns
Argentina’s Economy Minister Luis Caputo will travel to Washington in the coming days for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings, facing mounting concerns over weak foreign reserves and exchange rate dynamics.
Iran's business leaders warn of unemployment crisis by June
Iranian business leaders warn of an unemployment crisis by June unless the Pezeshkian government restores internet access, cuts bureaucracy and gives the private sector a greater role in economic recovery.
Czechoslovak Group owner said to be in talks with PPF to acquire largest commercial TV station in Slovakia
Michal Strnad is understood to be in talks with investment company PPF Group over a potential sale of TV Markíza, the biggest Slovak commercial television station.