Global events and international developments affecting markets.
Reporting on international affairs, geopolitical developments, and global economic trends. This category connects world events to their potential impact on financial markets, trade flows, and investor risk perception.
3,110 total articles
South Korea and Japan held talks on a possible military logistics support arrangement during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, but South Korea's defence minister emphasized a cautious approach given domestic sensitivities tied to historical grievances and public resistance to Japanese military presence on the peninsula.
Israeli troops have captured the medieval Beaufort Castle and the adjacent ridge in southern Lebanon, the military announced, seizing a vantage point used to launch attacks into Israel. The operation targeted the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki to degrade Hezbollah’s launch infrastructure, and followed intense rocket and drone activity that disru…
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, defence ministers and military leaders from Indo-Pacific nations signalled a rapid expansion of regional cooperation and armament. While U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged partners to take on more security responsibilities, attendees expressed unease about whether Washington's attention could be split…
China's military and coast guard carried out patrols near the Scarborough Shoal on Sunday, following a five-day maritime exercise between the Philippines and the United States in the same waters. Beijing described the patrols as measures against rights violations, while Manila's defence chief said the country remains under a 'severe threat' despite…
A meteor fragmented high over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire on May 31 at about 2:06 p.m. EDT, producing a bright fireball and a loud boom. NASA, citing satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts, said the breakup occurred near 40 miles (64 km) altitude and released energy estimated at about 300 tons of TNT, generating pre…
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi denied that Tokyo is pursuing a new militaristic path and called attention to China's rapid, non-transparent expansion of its armed forces. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Koizumi emphasised Japan's post-war commitment to international law, lamented missed diplomatic engagement with China …
Civil rights organizations have filed suit in federal court challenging conditions at Camp East Montana, the United States’ largest immigration detention site on the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas. The complaint, brought by the ACLU along with Human Rights Watch and the Texas Civil Rights Project on behalf of four current detainees, nam…
A senior Pentagon official has told German media that the United States is preparing to speed up the reduction of its military footprint in Europe and may submit specific plans to NATO partners within weeks. The proposals, which would outline capabilities and troop deployments targeted for scale-back, are expected to be tabled at NATO's Force Sourc…
A German newspaper has reported that the United States intends to hasten the pullback of forces stationed at bases in Europe and will lay out its proposals to NATO allies at a conference next month. The move follows an earlier May announcement to remove 5,000 troops from Germany; details on the new timeline and which bases would be affected have no…
Colombia's foreign ministry has publicly accused Ecuador of "deliberate interference" in Colombia's upcoming presidential election after Ecuador's president announced he would lift bilateral tariffs following a conversation with a Colombian presidential contender. The diplomatic row stems from a months-long trade dispute over drug trafficking along…
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned that the Philippines remains under a severe territorial and political threat from China despite signs of easing between Washington and Beijing. Teodoro said Manila will prioritize resilience, bolster alliances, and rapidly upgrade defence infrastru…
Qatar said it opposes any permanent fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz but is open to temporary charges for narrowly defined purposes such as mine-clearance and restoring safe navigation. The comments at a Singapore security forum come amid reports that Iran and Oman have discussed a possible toll framework for the critical waterw…
SINGAPORE, May 30 - The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are collaborating to develop unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) as part of the trilateral AUKUS security arrangement. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the project as a signature effort within AUKUS’ 'Pillar Two' to advance defence technologies including quantum c…
The Trump administration has initiated an investigation into Vietnam’s intellectual property protection and enforcement, designating Vietnam a priority country for unresolved IP concerns. The probe - opened on May 30 - could result in tariffs or other trade actions. USTR noted some recent steps by Vietnam but said infringement still weakens U.S. in…
The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a probe, handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, into American Future Republic - a group connected to Reid Hoffman - for its partial financing of writer E. Jean Carroll's successful lawsuits against former President Donald Trump. The investigation is focused on possible money laundering and obstru…
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told participants at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that Washington is capable of restarting attacks on Iran if negotiators cannot secure a deal. He said U.S. stockpiles and an accelerated munitions production effort mean the United States can sustain operations while remaining engaged in the Asia-Pacific. …
Less than two months after formally assuming the civilian presidency following a transition from military leadership, Min Aung Hlaing departs on a five-day official trip to India — his first overseas visit since taking the civilian role. The trip, which includes talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signals a gradual regional re-engagement for M…
Three members of a Latvian climbing team died after a fall in the vicinity of Denali Pass in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. A fourth climber survived and was evacuated to a hospital; the Park Service has transitioned operations for the remaining victims from rescue to recovery and withheld further identity details pending next-of-kin n…
Poland’s president has asked the advisory Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle to consider revoking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s award following Kyiv’s decision to rename a special forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organisation tied to wartime massacres of Poles. Warsaw says the move wounds victims’ memory and…
Bret Michaels, lead singer of rock band Poison, has withdrawn from the Freedom 250 concert series planned for the National Mall, saying what was presented as a nonpartisan tribute has become more divisive and that safety threats have emerged. Michaels is the fifth artist to leave the lineup for events set from June 25 through July 10. Organizers sa…
The commander of U.S. Southern Command, General Francis Donovan, held a brief and uncommon meeting on the perimeter of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay with senior Cuban military officials, including General Roberto Legra Sotolongo. The encounter, described by a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity, focused on operational secur…
Moody’s has affirmed Uganda’s B3 long-term local- and foreign-currency issuer ratings and maintained stable outlooks, leaving country ceilings unchanged. The decision reflects a mix of improving external buffers and growth prospects from upcoming oil production, offset by weak debt affordability, a rising debt burden and fiscal management weaknesse…
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Latvia's long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign ratings at A/A-1 and left the outlook stable. The agency highlighted Latvia's resilient economy and prudent policymaking, while flagging rising government debt, widening deficits driven by elevated defense spending, and external pressures from regiona…
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed South Africa’s sovereign ratings at BB (foreign currency) and BB+ (local currency) with a positive outlook, noting improved fiscal metrics including a third consecutive year of primary surpluses and higher-than-expected revenue in fiscal 2025. The agency lowered near-term growth expectations amid inflation and intere…
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Lithuania’s 'A/A-1' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings and maintained a stable outlook. The rating agency forecasts 3% GDP growth in 2026 supported by domestic demand, while higher defense outlays, rising net government debt and an expected current account deficit reflect fiscal …
