Péter Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister
Centre-right leader Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, propelled i...
The UK has intensified economic pressure on Russia by announcing a new wave of sanctions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 30 new measures which target key areas of Russia’s financial, military, and energy sectors, in response to President Volodymyr Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
"Putin's persistent unwillingness to engage in meaningful peace efforts has strengthened the UK’s determination to tighten its economic grip on Russia," said in a statement released by UK's government.
“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine. We know that our sanctions are hitting hard, so while Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws," - the statement stated.
“The threat posed by Russia cannot be underestimated, so I’m determined to take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure,” added the Prime Minister.
The latest sanctions further tighten the squeeze on Putin’s shadow fleet, with 20 oil tankers now directly targeted.
The UK is also stepping up pressure on those facilitating Russia’s illicit oil trade, sanctioning Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ for their involvement in staffing and managing these covert vessels.
"Today’s measures also strike at the heart of Russia’s military capabilities," targeting the GUGI — the military agency behind the development of underwater intelligence operations. The statement said that this move not only hampers Putin’s war machine but also strengthens the UK’s defences against potential threats to subsea infrastructure.
Additionally, two UK-based individuals, Vladimir Pristoupa and Olech Tkacz, have been sanctioned for operating a "shadowy network of shell companies" that funneled over $120 million worth of electronics — many classified as high-priority — to Russia, according to the UK's press release.
It adds that these UK residents, who own businesses on British soil, have played a critical role in "supplying advanced electronics essential to Putin’s military campaign."
The UK is making it clear: "there is no safe haven for enablers of aggression."
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said that the UK also plans to move with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap to hurt Russia’s oil revenues, while ensuring stability of the energy market.
"We are determined to hit Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues – the single most important source of funding for his barbaric war," - he added.
The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, though both sides signalled they did not want escalation. The clashes come as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a proposed deal to end the war while leaving key disputes, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now.
Efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war appeared to stall as the two sides exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz. A reported CIA assessment suggested Tehran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade for months despite mounting sanctions and renewed Gulf attacks.
Singapore has isolated and is testing two of its residents who travelled aboard a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Countries worldwide sought to prevent the further spread of the hantavirus on Thursday, after an outbreak on a cruise ship, by tracking those who had disembarked before the virus was detected and anyone who had close contact with them since.
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.
The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC+ on 1 May has put renewed focus on one of the most influential groups in global energy - and how its decisions can shape oil prices worldwide.
The United Arab Emirates has said it's quitting OPEC from 1 May, dealing a major blow to the oil producers’ group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, amid disruption caused by the Iran war.
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