News
Singapore sees gold rush as investors flock to bullion amid global uncertainty
Physical gold sales in Singapore surged in the first four months of 2025, with bullion demand reaching 2.5 tonnes in the first quarter, up 35% year-on-year, marking the steepest increase since 2010.
Widespread vote-buying and fake voters mar Philippine midterm elections
Massive vote-buying and the re-emergence of fraudulent voters have cast doubt over the integrity of the recent midterm elections in the Philippines, with reports surfacing from various provinces across Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon.
India denies hitting Pakistani nuclear storage site
Modi said that India's strikes during Operation Sindoor were a message to all terrorists that their actions against India will be punished no matter where they hide.
Duterte wins mayoral race in Philippines - from ICC detention facility
Election day was marked by long queues in 33°C heat, reports of voting machine issues, and isolated incidents of violence. Showbiz-style campaigns once again dominated over issues like inflation and infrastructure.
Brazil's Lula leverages US-China tensions for investment windfall during Beijing visit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has begun a five-day state visit to China, seeking to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing amid growing US-China trade tensions.
Albania, Montenegro to be first Western Balkan candidates to join EU, European Council president says
Antonio Costa says it's "not fair" for the Western Balkan countries to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova.
Colombia to join Beijing's Belt and Road initiative
Colombia will join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Gustavo Petro Urrego announced during his visit to the Great Wall on May 12.
American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander returned to Israel in US-brokered deal
Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander has returned to Israeli territory after 584 days in Hamas captivity. Alexander crossed the border and arrived at an initial reception point in southern Israel.
‘Iran is ready to turn the page with Europe,’ says foreign minister
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi is extending an olive branch to European nations while cautioning against their "confrontation strategy" in recent years.
Trump Tower proposal in Damascus signals al-Sharaa’s trade ambitions
Syria followers other Arab countries potentially offering US President Donald Trump a future hotel in Damascus.
Brazil poised to challenge China's rare earth dominance
Brazil could emerge as a major competitor to China in the strategically critical rare earths market amid escalating global trade tensions and surging demand for these essential elements in high-tech manufacturing.
India releases satellite imagery confirming strikes hit key Pakistani military installations
The strikes were part of India’s Operation Sindoor, which despite a ceasefire agreed with Pakistan remains ongoing. Despite the high stakes environment, officials noted that the night of May 11, 2025, passed without significant Pakistani actions.
Currency appreciation in Taiwan sparks concern in business and on the street
Over the past week, the New Taiwan Dollar has experienced a significant appreciation against the US dollar, surging nearly 6% in a month and marking its largest single-day gain since the 1980s.
Duterte detention casts long shadow over Philippine mid-terms
The vote comes at a critical juncture, just weeks after the dramatic arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Orban backs away from far-right Romanian presidential candidate Simion
Hungarian PM Orban’s apparent support for ultranationalist politician George Simion sparked a backlash from Romania’s Hungarian minority.
Bosnian politicians move to oust Dodik’s SNSD while he meets Putin and Xi in Moscow
10 political parties sign joint platform on Bosnia’s European future, excluding Milorad Dodik’s SNSD.
COMMENT: Slovak Prime Minister Fico hits back at EU foreign policy chief Kallas criticism of his Moscow trip in a scathing letter
A war of words between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas escalated with a scathing letter following Fico Moscow trip to attend Putin's V-Day celebrations.
Poland and France seal landmark defence and cooperation treaty
The agreement, which includes mutual military assistance, marks the first time France has extended such a commitment to a non-neighbouring country.
Tensions, trade, and the fuel factor—India’s energy supply amid conflict with Pakistan
As India turns Westward for crude, with one eye on Pakistan’s military actions to the Northwest, the LNG picture is less optimistic. The ongoing strain with Pakistan threatens to compromise pipeline logistics and maritime routes of the fuel.
Bulgaria’s president to seek referendum on euro adoption
Rumen Radev makes shock move to block euro adoption just months ahead of expected January 2026 Eurozone entry.