US Treasury removes Syrian sanctions regulations following regime change

US Treasury removes Syrian sanctions regulations following termination of national emergency and policy shift towards new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

US remittances to Mexico fall to lowest levels since 2022

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that remittances from the United States have declined to their lowest levels since 2022, attributing the 5% drop to the "climate of fear or concern" under President Donald Trump.

Serbia caps retail margins, cuts loan rates to fight inflation

Belgrade aims to ease economic strain that has contributed to a wave of anti-government protests in recent months, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the political climate and living conditions.

Argentine President Milei embroiled in corruption scandal

Argentine police raided over a dozen luxury properties, including the headquarters of the national disability benefits agency, as a corruption investigation threatens to engulf President Javier Milei's inner circle, including his sister

War of words escalates between Budapest Brussels and Kyiv following the latest Druzhba oil pipeline attacks

US President Donald Trump is very angry with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over the attacks on Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline that lead to an exchange of irate letters over the weekend.

Japan considers new accommodation taxes amid tourism boom

While 728 local governments reported being “interested” in the concept, 506 indicated they had no plans to introduce such taxes.

India rejects criticism over Russian oil trade but flow from Moscow plummets

India has pushed back against mounting criticism of its continued energy ties with Moscow, insisting that no country is obliged to buy refined Russian oil products exported from Indian refineries.

India halts postal bookings as US tariffs loom

India’s Department of Posts has halted bookings of most postal items to the United States from August 25, 2025, after Washington scrapped its duty-free exemption for low-value imports.

Vietnam Airlines cancels and reschedules flights as Typhoon Kajiki disrupts central Vietnam

The airline has warned that knock-on effects may also disrupt other domestic and international flights on August 25 as adverse weather continues.

Iran’s Supreme Leader accuses US of seeking submission from Iranian nation

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on August 24 that the United States’ hostility towards Iran over the past 45 years stems from its desire to force the Iranian nation and government into submission.

Trump risks collapse of US-India relations over Russian oil trade, warns Navarro

Russian oil deliveries to Hungary off again after third attack on Druzhba pipeline as Ukraine ups attacks on Russian oil assets

Russian crude deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended on August 21 after a third attack on the Druzhba pipeline system in less than two weeks, officials confirmed. Flows are expected to remain offline for at least five days.

China willing to supply Ukraine peacekeepers if there is a UN mandate

China has indicated its readiness to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission, but only if such a deployment is authorised by the United Nations, Welt am Sonntag reported on August 24, citing European Union diplomats.

Uzbekistan joins Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in push for expanded trade and transit corridors

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have adopted a joint statement and signed agreements on transport, logistics, shipbuilding, civil aviation and commodity exchange cooperation during a trilateral summit.

Brussels warns Kosovo putting relations with EU at risk by excluding Serb parties from elections

EU statement says "inclusive" elections are crucial for future relationship between Kosovo and the bloc.

South Korea’s Lee to head to Washington after two day visit to Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is concluding a two-day official visit to Japan before travelling to Washington for his first summit meeting with US President Donald Trump.

North Korea test-fires two new air defence missiles

The timing of the launch was also notable, taking place on the same day South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, before travelling to Washington.

Bosnia’s Republika Srpska votes for referendum, escalating standoff with central authorities

MPs reject Central Election Commission’s decision to revoke Milorad Dodik as president of Bosnia’s Serb entity.

Turkey to re-try contested sale to US embassy of Ataturk Forest Farm land plot

In a complaint, the Ankara Chamber of Architects argued that the sale breached the legal testament of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founding father of modern Turkey.

Kenya asks China’s approval to convert dollar-denominated $5bn railway loan into yuan

Apart from lobbying Beijing to convert the loan into yuan, Kenya hopes to generate $4bn by securitising a levy on imports to finance a planned extension of the China-built standard gauge railway (SGR).