News
China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
IAEA chief calls for agency role in Iran-US talks ahead of Tehran visit
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has called for the UN body to play a role in the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States
Serbian students continue blockade of state broadcaster RTS
A student-led blockade of Serbia’s national broadcaster RTS entered its third day on April 16, as demonstrators continued to decry biased reporting and state media complicity in a deepening political crisis.
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Iran's Expediency Council to vote on FATF-related bills after years of delay
Iran's Expediency Council will hold a decisive vote on the country's accession to two controversial international conventions after years of deliberation, the council's spokesman announced on April 16.
EU observers reject election fraud allegations in Ecuador
European Union observers rejected allegations of electoral fraud in Ecuador's presidential elections, countering claims made by leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez following her defeat to incumbent conservative President Daniel Noboa.
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Turkey’s opposition aims for 30mn signatures calling for Imamoglu release and early elections
Figure is higher than number of votes ruler Erdogan received in last election. But CHP risks reliance on gimmicks with no meaningful impact on regime.
US removes Orban key ally from sanctions list "as it no longer aligns with US foreign policy interests”
Reversal comes three months after Antal Rogan was blacklisted under the Global Magnitsky programme for his alleged central role in systemic corruption.
EU is discussing plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions
The EU is discussing a plan to sidestep Hungary’s veto on renewing sanctions that boils down to not holding the biannual vote to renew them. Under EU rules if the sanctions are not renewed the measures currently in place remain in effect.
Coal remains vital for India despite robust growth in renewables
The Indian government is of the view that coal-based power will remain extremely vital, with its share estimated to be at 55% by 2030 and 27% by 2047.
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Mexico confident on renewing tomato agreement with US
Mexico's government expects to open negotiations with the United States to renew a bilateral agreement on tomato exports after Washington announced its intention to withdraw from the pact.
China to boost Russian LNG imports in 2025, ambassador confirms
China is poised to expand its intake of Russian liquefied natural gas in the coming year, according to its ambassador to Moscow, Zhang Hanhui.
Singapore eases monetary policy again as growth outlook dims and tariff pressures mount
In its latest policy statement, MAS announced a reduction in the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate policy band, though it will maintain a path of gradual appreciation.
Russia and Indonesia work on direct bank settlement framework to bolster trade
Russia and Indonesia are currently working to establish direct settlement mechanisms between their respective banking institutions.
Venezuela’s Henrique Capriles expelled from opposition party
Venezuela’s opposition party Primero Justicia has expelled six senior members, including former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, over their decision to contest upcoming legislative and regional elections in May.
Tajik opposition files international lawsuit accusing government of crimes against humanity
Court decision likely years in making.
Serbian students arrive in Strasbourg to urge EU action on protests
Students made a 13-day, 1,400-kilometre bicycle journey from Novi Sad to Strasbourg, called on European institutions to break their silence over months of anti-government protests in Serbia.
Azerbaijan's central bank halts disclosure of FX auction results
Decision reduces transparency around FX operations that were previously disclosed every Tuesday and Thursday.
Five Polish presidential candidates excluded from TV debate after final list of 13 contestants published
Poland’s National Electoral Commission (PKW) confirmed the final list of 13 candidates who will compete in the May 18 presidential election, but a scandal broke out after five were excluded from a presidential TV debate.
Polish opposition slams “brutal” Tusk for revoking broadcaster licence
The Polish opposition slammed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for riding roughshod over freedom of speech principles after a Warsaw court revoked the licence of the TV Republika and wPolsce 24 independent conservative broadcasters.
Chinese state media spotlights Hungary’s cost-of-living crisis in rare rebuke
Hungarian families are being squeezed by Europe's fastest-rising living costs, according to a rare and striking report aired over the weekend by CGTN, the international arm of China’s state-controlled media.