News
North Macedonia heads to local elections amid promises, unfinished projects and city challenges
North Macedonia is in the midst of a pre-election period characterised by a flurry of promises from politicians, ranging from infrastructure investments to tackling environmental issues, as the country prepares for its upcoming local elections.
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Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado awarded 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured Venezuelan democracy activist and opposition firebrand Maria Corina Machado with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognising her unwavering commitment to democratic rights and peaceful resistance.
Belarusian dissident Kolesnikova sends first letter from prison in more than two years
Maria Kolesnikova’s letter shared on Instagram as the Belarusian government seeks to re-establish limited diplomatic channels with Western countries.
Peru removes President Boluarte as crime crisis fuels political upheaval
Peru’s Congress ousted President Dina Boluarte on October 10 in a swift, orchestrated move that revealed more about politicians’ instinct for self-preservation than any real constitutional remedy.
Saudia launches flights from Riyadh to Moscow in boost for Russian tourism
Saudi Arabia's Saudia launches Riyadh-Moscow flights on October 10, joining budget carrier Flynas as Russia welcomed 52,400 Saudi tourists in 2024, five times previous year's level.
UPDATE: Tsunami warning issued by Philippines, Indonesia following M7.6 quake
Authorities in The Philippines and Indonesia have issued tsunami warnings after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines early on October 10.
Azerbaijan’s SOFAZ invests in London’s Gatwick Airport in major European infrastructure deal
Gatwick investment positions Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth fund as an increasingly active global investor in strategic infrastructure assets.
Baku touts reset in ties after Azerbaijan’s president Aliyev meets Putin in Dushanbe
Russian president detailed causes of Azerbaijan Airlines plane downing over Russian airspace at one-on-one meeting.
Putin calls for Central Asia to boost trade with Russia
With Moscow preoccupied by Ukraine, China has raced ahead in building up commerce and investment with the region. Other powers are also looking for bigger pieces of the pie.
Japan - Korea links under pressure
Takaichi, known for her right of centre leanings on historical and territorial matters, has long taken a hardline stance on Japan’s wartime past and the disputed Dokdo islets as they are known in Korean – Takeshima in Japanese.
US sanctions on Serbian oil company NIS take effect
Sanctions imposed by the United States on Serbia’s sole oil refiner, NIS, took effect on October 9, ending months of postponements and raising fears of fuel shortages and wider economic disruption.
EU tariffs to hit Serbian steel industry
President Aleksandar Vucic warns EU steel tariffs will hit the Smederevo ironworks, owned by China’s Hbis Group, and could weaken Serbia’s attractiveness for foreign investment.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire set to begin on the evening of October 9
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is scheduled to take effect on the evening of October 9, pending Israeli government ratification.
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Political and fuel crises push Bolivia into lonely Latin American recession
Bolivia faces one of its most severe economic crises in decades, with the World Bank projecting a three-year recession stretching until 2027.
The only way to stop Russia is by force, Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski argues
Moscow will not negotiate in good faith until it faces clear limits on its military and economic options, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski argued in an essay published by the New York Times.
Moldova's separatist Transnistria faces deepening budget crisis after Russia cuts gas supplies
Official says Transnistria has to "mobilise all possible resources" to overcome the tiny self-declared republics ongoing financial crisis.
Babiš says he will axe state military aid for Ukraine if ANO forms next Czech cabinet
After his ANO party won Czechia's general election, Babis told journalists he won’t give Ukraine a single crown for weapons.
Trump’s attendance at ASEAN Summit hinges on Cambodia–Thailand peace deal
US President Donald Trump will only attend the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia later this month if he is allowed to preside over a symbolic peace deal signing between Cambodia and Thailand,
Putin arrives in Tajikistan for meetings with Central Asia, CIS leaders
Calls made for Tajiks to arrest Russian leader under international court warrant, but Dushanbe remains strategic ally of Kremlin.
Smyk plans Warsaw IPO to raise €35.26mn for debt repayment and expansion
Polish children’s goods retailer Smyk announced plans to launch an initial public offering and list its shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.