Brussels meeting signals renewed EU engagement with Syria
After years of limited engagement, relations between Syria and the European Union are drawing renewed diplomatic a...
The United States has suspended sanctions for 30 days on Serbian oil company NIS, which is majority-owned by Russian companies and runs the country's only oil refinery, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, citing a U.S. Treasury document.
Vucic posted a photo of the document on his Instagram page. Reuters was not immediately able to verify it.
"We got 30 additional days for NIS. This is good news for the citizens of Serbia," Vucic said in his post.
The United States placed sanctions on Russia's oil sector on January 10, and gave Russian oil company Gazprom Neft (SIBN.MM), opens new tab until Thursday morning to exit ownership of NIS.
On Wednesday, Gazprom Neft reduced its majority stake in NIS by transferring around 5% of its share to its parent company Gazprom (GAZP.MM), opens new tab.
A sanctions reprieve would be a relief for Serbia. NIS supplies about 80% of the domestic retail market with crude oil and gas derivatives.
If sanctions were imposed, it would be unable to import crude oil through Croatia's pipeline operator Janaf.
The United States is yet to comment publicly since the deadline expired. It is not clear if it will accept the stake swap long term, given that Gazprom Neft is the oil arm of energy giant Gazprom.
The Serbian government holds a further 29.87% stake with small shareholders accounting for the remainder.
Australia confirmed it will repatriate citizens from the MV Hondius cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with quarantine on arrival. Spain, France are evacuating nationals as three deaths are confirmed. In the U.S., two passengers have been isolated after testing positive for the virus.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” saying Tehran failed to commit to abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, while warning the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support”.
President Donald Trump called Iran’s response to a US war proposal “totally unacceptable” after Tehran sent its reply through mediator Pakistan, according to IRNA. Qatar’s al-Thani also warned Iran against using the Strait of Hormuz as “a pressure tool”.
Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku has been elected the 142nd head of the Georgian Orthodox Church at a meeting of clergy in Tbilisi following the death of longtime Patriarch Ilia II.
A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire in its landing gear tyres after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday (11 May) morning, temporarily disrupting airport operations, officials said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital maritime chokepoint and serves as the primary artery linking the Persian Gulf to international energy markets. With approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments transiting this waterway, it is the backbone of energy security for Asia, Europe, and beyond.
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies amid fears that the conflict involving Iran could drive up global energy and transport costs.
Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices eased and the U.S. dollar weakened amid shifting global risk sentiment.
Stocks around the world climbed to fresh record highs on Wednesday (6 May), while oil prices fell sharply, after reports suggested the United States and Iran were nearing an agreement to end conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week, up from the 15% level agreed last year, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with its trade commitments.
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