Central Asia risks losing $640 million in annual energy gains as power grids struggle
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, wit...
U.S. President Donald Trump says a trade agreement with Vietnam is nearly finalized, though key details remain unclear. The pact aims to lower tariffs and address concerns over transshipment.
Speaking at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, Trump said the deal would reduce proposed tariffs on Vietnamese imports to 20%, down from the previously threatened 46%.
However, items identified as illegally transshipped through Vietnam may still face a steep 40% levy.
The agreement, first introduced earlier this month, remains unofficial, with key issues unresolved—such as what qualifies as illegal transshipment, how much value Vietnam must add to imports, and which products will be affected.
Vietnam has not confirmed specific tariff figures, only referring to a general trade framework.
When asked about releasing details of the Vietnam trade deal, Trump said, "I don't think it matters how much you release of the deal. We have a Vietnam deal, and I would say that that deal is being pretty well set."
The surge in trade talks comes amid Vietnam's rapidly growing economic ties with the U.S. Since 2018, when the Trump administration imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods, Vietnam has nearly tripled its exports to the United States, as manufacturers sought alternative production hubs in Southeast Asia.
In parallel, the country also expanded its imports from China, with trade flows from both directions closely aligned.
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Strengthened U.S.-Central Asia ties reflect a broader trend in international relations, with growing emphasis on developing alternative transit routes and diversifying energy and critical mineral supply networks to gain geopolitical influence.
At least 68 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, in the second deadly rail disaster in less than a year on a major route linking Madrid with the southern Andalusia region.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
A powerful El Niño is driving extreme weather worldwide, leaving millions facing drought, wildfires and destructive storms as governments scramble to respond to the growing crisis.
A high-speed train involved in Wednesday's deadly collision in Spain was travelling at between 160 and 200 kilometres per hour, far above the 40 km/h safety limit, according to a preliminary investigation published on Friday.
Evacuations and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky have begun, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. In a statement on Telegram, David Arakhamia said a six-day ceasefire was holding, and that more details would follow.
Hackers have pulled off a staggering $6.3 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Binance, shaking confidence in one of the world's biggest digital asset exchanges and sending crypto prices tumbling. U.S. analysts suspect North Korea was behind the attack.
Pentagon officials have in recent weeks asked several NATO countries to tone down their rhetoric regarding the threat posed by Russia, arguing that some statements by European leaders and officials have undermined continental security, four people familiar with the matter said.
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