05:30 PM • 6026 viewsDecember 4, 02:10 PM • 37446 viewsSwiss politicians are considering canceling the order for F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp after the US introduced 39% tariffs. The deal, worth up to $9.1 billion, became controversial due to "misunderstandings" regarding the price and the tariff shock.
Ukraine's dollar bonds continued to rise after the confirmation of a meeting between Russian and US leaders. This fueled speculation about a possible truce between Moscow and Kyiv.
The US-sanctioned tanker Contract II, currently at a scrapyard in India, is being sold under unusual payment terms and with the seller's identity concealed. This indicates increasing pressure on "dark fleet" vessels amid tightening sanctions.
The US is doubling tariffs on Indian goods as punishment for purchases of Russian oil. This creates a dilemma for India, which has long-standing relations with Moscow.
New tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump have come into force, raising the average US tariff rate to 15. 2%. This is the highest figure since World War II, posing a new challenge for the global economy.
Italy has approved the construction of a 13 billion euro bridge across the Strait of Messina after half a century of discussions. The project will connect the mainland with Sicily and is part of Giorgia Meloni's government plan to strengthen infrastructure for NATO commitments.
Russia is considering a limited air truce with Ukraine. This could be a concession to US President Donald Trump to avoid sanctions.
In July, revenues from oil sales to the Russian state budget decreased by 33% compared to last year. This happened due to the fall in world oil prices and the strengthening of the national currency.
India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Russia for annual consultations. This comes amid growing tensions in India-US relations and Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
On August 5, an earthquake of magnitude 5. 6 occurred in Iran, with its epicenter located 125 kilometers southeast of the city of Bam. No reports of casualties or destruction have been received.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the country to buy local goods in response to US threats to impose tariffs. The Modi administration has not instructed Indian refineries to stop buying Russian oil, considering it a commercial decision.
India has not obliged refineries to stop buying Russian oil, despite criticism from Donald Trump. The purchase of crude oil remains a commercial decision for the refineries.
New Zealand is introducing a fee of up to 40 New Zealand dollars for foreign tourists to visit popular sites. This is expected to generate 62 million New Zealand dollars annually, which will be invested in these facilities.
Ukraine plans to resume the implementation of the EU reform program to receive the full amount of financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility program. Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev said that changes to the program are being prepared and should be approved by the European Commission by the end of September.
The number of Russian hybrid attacks in Europe significantly decreased in 2025 compared to 2024. One of the reasons is the recruitment of incompetent perpetrators among petty criminals.
Indian officials have stated their intention to continue purchasing Russian oil, despite threats of sanctions from US President Donald Trump. India and Russia have a stable and time-tested partnership.
The King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, will make his first state visit to Russia from August 5 to 10 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit will strengthen ties and expand cooperation in trade, education, and technology.
Slovenia has banned the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel, becoming the first EU country to introduce such restrictions. This decision has symbolic significance due to the almost zero volume of arms trade between the countries.
At least four tankers with Russian oil are idling off the coast of India. Indian refineries are refusing Russian oil due to reduced discounts and warnings from the US President.
Global stocks continued their decline for the sixth consecutive day, the longest losing streak since September 2023. The reason was new tariffs announced by Donald Trump, which outweighed the optimism from tech giants' reports.
Airbnb is considering a loyalty program that will reward customers not only with points, but also with experiences and services. The company has updated its range of tours and travel services, adding the hiring of chefs and masseurs.
US President Donald Trump has maintained a basic tariff rate of 10% for countries with a positive trade balance. For 40 countries with a trade deficit with the US, a minimum tariff of 15% has been set, and for Canada, the tariff has increased to 35%.
Microsoft analysts found that the Russian cyber-espionage group Turla (Secret Blizzard) is attacking foreign embassies in Moscow, using local internet providers. The hackers disguise malware as Kaspersky antivirus.
Defense ministers of the Baltic states did not receive guarantees from the US regarding maintaining the number of American troops on NATO's eastern flank. The US promises to discuss a possible troop withdrawal with allies.
Germany plans to increase its defense budget to 162 billion euros by 2029, which is double the current level and significantly exceeds NATO targets. Part of the funds, 9 billion euros annually, will be directed to support Ukraine, as well as to a large-scale modernization of the German army.
The Thai army stated that Cambodian troops violated the unconditional ceasefire. Phnom Penh denied the accusation, citing difficulties in ensuring the truce after five days of border clashes.
The US has likely deployed nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time since 2008, signaling to Russia its commitment to European security. This is confirmed by the flight of a military transport aircraft from a US nuclear base to the British airbase Lakenheath, where millions are being invested in upgrading security facilities.
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a cessation of hostilities after the deadliest border conflict in a decade. The talks took place in Malaysia, facilitated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and with the participation of US and Chinese representatives.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with US President Donald Trump in Scotland to conclude a trade deal before Friday's deadline. If no agreement is reached, 30% tariffs on EU exports to the US will come into effect.
US President Donald Trump called the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, urging them to cease hostilities that erupted at the beginning of the week, and warned about the absence of trade agreements. Both countries face economic challenges, including the threat of high US tariffs, and Thailand, which depends on exports, has not yet concluded agreements with the US.
