Australia and Singapore boost energy security ties as Middle East tensions strain fuel supplies
Australia and Singapore have agreed to deepen cooperation on energy security as global fuel markets come under strain from disruption linked to the...
Kazakhstan has reached an agreement with the European Commission to lift a ban on the transit of its coal through certain Russian ports, the country’s trade ministry said on Tuesday.
The restriction was introduced in February 2025 under the European Union’s 16th sanctions package, banning transactions with several Russian ports. According to the ministry, the measure had threatened the stability of Kazakhstan’s coal exports to Europe, particularly via Ust-Luga, a key transit hub.
Following negotiations, amendments in the EU’s 18th sanctions package now exempts certain Russian ports from the ban for coal of exclusively Kazakh origin. The cargo must be owned by entities not subject to EU sanctions, and ports can only be used for transit, loading or shipment – not for purchasing or producing the coal.
Kazakhstan exported 5.2 million tonnes of coal to the EU in 2024, down from 6.1 million tonnes in 2023. Between January and May 2025, exports amounted to 1.6 million tonnes.
The ministry said the new arrangement should help restore supplies to the EU and strengthen the resilience of logistics routes for Kazakh coal exports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
Israeli and Lebanese envoys are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday in a rare U.S.-driven diplomatic effort to halt escalating violence between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
Myanmar’s newly installed president, Min Aung Hlaing, has said his government faces major challenges and must work to restore the country’s international standing, including rebuilding strained ties with Southeast Asia after years of isolation.
An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, as Pakistan urged all sides to engage constructively. Meanwhile, the United States and Lebanon called on Israel to pause its attacks ahead of planned negotiations.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after talks in Kabul on aid coordination, bilateral ties and job creation.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
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