Czech President inspects Doosan Enerbility's subsidiary amid nuclear project talks, while the company secures $1.5B deals for power plants in Saudi Arabia and supplies key components for Bill Gates' TerraPower. Doosan Enerbility lands a $418 million order to build turbines for South Gyeongsang plant Yanbu 2, located within the Yanbu Industrial City, where it previously participated in its original construction as a supplier of boilers and steam turbines. The company will replace the plant's oil-based power generation system with a gas-fired system by 2028, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 25 percent.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-29/business/industry/Doosan-Enerbility-signs-90-billion-deal-for-fuel-conversion-project-in-Saudi-Arabia/2296212European Central Bank policymakers are expressing uncertainty over the impact of trade tensions on economic growth and inflation, with ECB governor Robert Holzmann likening it to years of calm. Austrian central bank governor Robert Holzmann compared the current uncertainty to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Dutch Bank president Klaas Knot described it as a strong negative factor for growth. Acting German finance minister Joerg Kukies downplayed concerns about the US-EU relationship, but acknowledged that Trump's approach to the Russia-Ukraine war has caused tension. Estonian finance minister Siim Kallas urged more pressure on Russia to push towards peace, while expressing confidence in Europe's ability to support Ukraine financially and militarily.
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/business/money-report/its-unlike-anything-we-have-seen-before-european-union-left-reeling-after-trumps-first-100-days/3553500/German consumer morale has risen ahead of May, driven by hopes for economic revival under the new government, despite concerns over US tariffs. The forward-looking indicator, which measures consumer sentiment, rose to minus 20.6 points, up from a previous month's level. This increase is attributed to the conclusion of coalition negotiations and the prospect of a fully operational government, offsetting the negative effects of US trade policy. CDU leader Friedrich Merz is set to take over as German chancellor next week, having led efforts to boost the economy by lifting constitutional spending limits.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/german-consumer-morale-up-as-new-govt-to-take-office-208602Piyush Goyal, India's current Commerce Minister, recently met with business leaders in London to strengthen investment and trade ties between the two countries. The meeting aimed to boost bilateral relations and encourage Indian companies to invest in the UK. This move is seen as a significant step towards increasing economic cooperation between India and the UK, two major economies in the region.
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/piyush-goyal-meets-business-leaders-in-london-to-boost-india-uk-investment-and-trade-ties-11745894525461.htmlIndia and Pakistan have escalated tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent people. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a strong response to Pakistan Army firing along the Line of Control (LoC) near Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors. The meeting came after Pakistan's X Corps fired on Indian posts just hours earlier, prompting an Indian retaliation.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/pahalgam-indian-forces-respond-as-pakistan-army-continues-firing-at-loc-for-fifth-night-13883875.htmlLawmakers from both Japan and China have proposed a unique solution to strengthen bilateral ties: leasing giant pandas to Japan. In talks held in Beijing, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Hiroshi Moriyama met with Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries president Yang Wanming. The proposal aims to promote cultural exchange between the two nations by allowing Japanese citizens to visit and care for the giant pandas at a designated facility in Japan.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250429/p2g/00m/0na/009000cThe Bernard L. Schwartz Annual Lecture on Economic Growth and Foreign Policy series explores how businesses influence foreign policy decisions and vice versa. The lecture series features prominent speakers such as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who discussed the role of business in shaping US foreign policy during his tenure. The series aims to foster collaboration between government and industry to address global challenges, with a focus on leveraging business expertise to inform and improve foreign policy decisions.
https://cfr.org/event-series/bernard-l-schwartz-lectureFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's comments suggest a diplomatic path to resolving tensions with Iran over its nuclear program is possible, but narrow. He voiced hope for negotiations between Tehran and Washington to yield results, involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, France, Germany, and the UK. The talks aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief. Le Drian warned that if European security interests aren't guaranteed, all lifted sanctions would be reapplying, posing a threat to Iran's economy.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/602295-france-threatens-iran-with-sanctions-if-nuclear-deal-not-reachedBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of multilateralism and reforming international institutions during a BRICS meeting, which brought together key figures like Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The gathering addressed pressing issues such as tensions in Africa and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Haiti, and Gaza, with Vieira condemning Israeli bombings in Gaza and the obstruction of aid.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/28/brics-foreign-ministers-meet-in-brazil-to-hone-unity/