News
EU paid €2.88bn for Russian Arctic LNG in first quarter
The EU paid an estimated €2.88bn ($3.33bn) to Russia for liquefied natural gas from the Yamal Arctic LNG project, majority owned by Novatek (NVTK.MM), in the first quarter of 2026.
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China's Xi hosts Taiwan's KMT chair in landmark Beijing meeting
Cheng is visiting China at the invitation of the CPC Central Committee and Xi. She is the first KMT chair to lead a delegation to China in a decade.
Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund eyes IPOs in London and Tashkent
Managed by a Franklin Templeton company, UzNIF at end-2025 held minority stakes across aviation, energy, banking and telecoms with a $2.4bn net asset value.
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah In one of the most consequential moments in Lebanon’s modern history, this could be the moment the country crossed a dangerous threshold.
Shipping begins moving through Strait of Hormuz
Marine data shows vessels beginning to move through the Strait of Hormuz on April 9, a day after the ceasefire, but Iran is pushing ahead with toll plans regardless.
BYD blacklisted in Brazil after 163 workers rescued from slave-like conditions
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has been added to Brazil's official forced labour blacklist after 163 Chinese workers were found in conditions analogous to slavery at the construction site of its new factory in Camaçari, Bahia, in 2024.
Flydubai flight first to cross Iraqi airspace after 40-day suspension
A Flydubai aircraft became the first commercial flight to pass through Iraqi airspace after a suspension of around 40 days caused by heightened regional security tensions.
Latin America growth slips as weak investment persists, World Bank says
The World Bank has cut its 2026 growth forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2.1%, down from 2.4% recorded last year, warning that the region faces a toxic combination of weak investment, tight fiscal space, and productivity deficits.
Hungary signs major US energy, defence, and technology agreements during Vance’s visit
Hungary signs $22bn in deals with the US during VP Vance's Budapest visit, including $700mn in HIMARS rockets, a $20bn SMR nuclear study and $500mn in crude oil purchases by MOL from American suppliers.
Taipei slams Cheng Li-wun's Beijing trip
Data from National Chengchi University shows a mere 2.5% of the population see themselves as Chinese, whereas 62% identify as Taiwanese.
Trump warns US forces will remain in place around Iran until 'real agreement' is complied with
Trump warns all US military forces will remain deployed around Iran until the ceasefire agreement is fully met, threatening that otherwise "the shootin' starts." He says Iran must not pursue nuclear weapons and Hormuz must stay open.
Beirut’s repeated destruction: How illegal weapons have devastated Lebanon’s capital.
The modern history of Beirut is a chain of tragic ruptures that transformed the "Pearl of the East" from a radiant centre of commerce, culture. It is a city that pays the price of other people's wars.
Hungary shared intelligence with Iran after 2024 Hezbollah pager incident
Shortly after Israel detonated thousands of pagers used by members of the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in a deadly operation in September 2024, the Orban government offered its assistance to Iran.
Cheng Li-wun leads KMT tour across China
Cheng asserted that her visit mirrors the precedents set by previous KMT leaders which supports the notion of a single Chinese entity while rejecting separatist movements for Taiwan.
Mirziyoyeva appears at Mar-a-Lago as US, Uzbekistan expand ties
President’s daughter meets with Rubio, attends inaugural meeting of bilateral business investment council.
Russia allows Telegram campaigning for Duma elections despite platform's formal blocking
Russia's election commission says parties can campaign on Telegram for autumn 2026 Duma elections despite the platform's formal blocking. The app retains 65mn daily users in Russia but faces heavy restrictions.
UAE demands Iran be held 'fully liable' for damages missiles and drones attacks
The UAE says Iran fired 2,819 missiles and drones at the country over 40 days and demands Tehran be held fully liable for damages. Abu Dhabi seeks clarification on the ceasefire and calls for unconditional reopening of Hormuz.
Iran accuses US of violating three clauses of 10-point framework before Islamabad talks begin
Iran accuses the US of violating three clauses of its 10-point framework before Islamabad talks begin, citing continued Israeli operations in Lebanon, an airspace breach and denial of its right to uranium enrichment.
Beirut’s safe zones are gone as Israel targets beyond Hezbollah’s strongholds
For years, Beirut lived by an unspoken rule: war has its boundaries. The southern suburbs of the capital, traditional Hezbollah strongholds would burn, frontlines would shift, but parts of the city remained off limits for attacks.
Ukraine’s hope for a peace deal with Russia rekindled by Iran ceasefire
Ukraine’s hopes for restarting peace talks with Russia have been rekindled after a two-week ceasefire deal in Iran was agreed on April 7.