News
South Korea’s PPP narrows presidential field to two finalists
Former Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon remain in contention for the party’s nomination in the June 3 election. This vote will determine the successor to President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Indonesia’s coal politics: maintaining a strategic market price despite Chinese resistance
Indonesia's recent efforts to impose a government-mandated coal benchmark price or Harga Batubara Acuan on exports face resistance from its largest buyer, China
Croatia to prioritise economic cooperation as chair of Three Seas Initiative
Zagreb will focus on boosting economic, energy and infrastructure cooperation as it assumes the rotating presidency of the Three Seas Initiative, announced Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Poland imposes sanctions on MyPrice Russian discount supermarket chain
Poland has imposed sanctions on the MyPrice Russian discount supermarket chain, which recently returned to operate in two locatiosn in Poland.
El Salvador plays defiant game with IMF Bitcoin rules
El Salvador is still sticking to its Bitcoin freeze, the IMF said during the Spring Meetings 2025. But the country’s actual actions appear to contradict the global lender’s claim.
ِِAt least nine people killed in sectarian clashes in Syria
At least nine people, including five armed Druze men, were killed in sectarian-motivated clashes that erupted overnight on April 28 in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, Syria.
Cross-border oil smuggling reveals dark underbelly of US-Mexico trade nexus
A Utah couple stands accused of running one of the largest US-Mexico fuel smuggling schemes, allegedly moving 2,900 crude oil shipments worth $300mn—highlighting the deepening ties between white-collar and organised crime.
“We stand with Ekrem Imamoglu,” Florence mayor writes on city hall wall
Chief political opponent to Turkey's leader Erdogan remains imprisoned facing what he says are politically-motivated fake charges.
BRICS seeks new global alignment at Rio ministerial summit
The expanded BRICS alliance has emerged as a potent diplomatic force at its foreign ministers’ summit in Rio de Janeiro on April 28 ahead of the July meeting.
Explosion at Iranian explosives plant claims one life as probe begins
An explosion at an explosive manufacturing company in Iran’s central province of Isfahan on April 29 resulted in one death and dozens of injuries.
IMF suspends Colombia's flexible credit line amid fiscal concerns
The IMF has suspended Colombia's access to its Flexible Credit Line (FCL), worth approximately $8.1bn and in place since 2009, citing concerns over the country's fiscal management.
Hungarian analysts are split on MNB’s future course as rate hold looks imminent
The National Bank is widely expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.5% at Tuesday's policy meeting, but analysts are split on the course of monetary policy for the remainder of the year.
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Romania to invest €2.5bn in Black Sea airbase with or without US support
The expanded Mihail Kogălniceanu base is expected to become one of Nato's most strategically important military installations.
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Serbian students end two-week blockade of state broadcaster
A two-week blockade of Serbia’s public broadcaster by student protesters came to an end after authorities met a key demand for reform of the country’s media regulatory body.
Hungarian opposition MPs banned from Parliament for first time since regime change
Hungary’s parliament on April 28 approved the suspension of six opposition lawmakers for their role in the chaotic March 18 session, when they protested against legislation restricting assembly rights, specifically banning Budapest Pride.
Japanese official warns of wider Asian security impact of Trump tariffs
Former defence minister Itsunori Onodera, speaking in Washington at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, expressed particular concern about the potential impact on Southeast Asia.
India bans Pakistani Youtube channels over provocative content after Kashmir attack
The ban, announced on April 28, 2025, is in response to content described by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as inflammatory, communally charged, and aimed at undermining trust in India’s armed forces and security institutions.
North Korea acknowledges deployment of troops to support Russia in Kursk region
In North Korea the ruling Workers’ Party characterised this move as a demonstration of the “highest strategic level” of the enduring military alliance between the two nations.
Hungary and Slovakia warn EU against scrapping unanimity rule over Ukraine membership bid
The leaders of Hungary and Slovakia warned on April 28 against changing the European Union’s unanimity rule, after proposals emerged to bypass their opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession bid.