Mercedes-Benz reported lower profitability in its car business in the first quarter of 2025, with a profit margin of 7.3% compared to 9% last year. The company's group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) decreased by 41% to €2.3 billion. Mercedes is warning that tariffs could impact its full-year earnings due to trade tensions, particularly under President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff regime.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40360296/mercedes-reports-profit-drop-in-q1-as-tariffs-biteJapanese Minister Muto attended a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, where he emphasized the importance of protecting the multilateral trade system during discussions with the US and ASEAN. The same day, he participated in the first meeting of the Japan-Thailand Energy and Industry Dialogue in Bangkok.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/30/japan-thailand-energy-industry-dialogue/Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir urged middle-income countries to strengthen solidarity and trade at a conference in Manila, Philippines. He warned that if they don't act, over 100 countries with 75% of the global population will be stuck in the "middle-income trap" due to rising competition, protectionism, and weakening multilateral systems.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/353485/indonesia-seeks-stronger-trade-between-middle-income-countries?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=top_newsThe Netherlands is imposing restrictions on sea and air travel in preparation for a NATO summit near The Hague. A no-fly zone will be in place within a 93-kilometer radius of the summit site, allowing only large commercial airliners with permits to fly. Sea travel will also be restricted, with limited access guaranteed to authorized fishermen and tour boats during the three days before the summit, and a complete closure to shipping between June 23 and June 25. The event is the largest NATO summit ever held in the country, following former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's transition as NATO secretary-general.
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-summit-hague-rutte-trump-ukraine-war/White House trade adviser Peter Navarro disputed the country's shrinking gross domestic product, suggesting that it actually improved when President Donald Trump's tariffs and DOGE policies were not included.
https://www.rawstory.com/peter-navarro-gpd-spin/China's North Industries Corporation (Norinco) is developing the PCL-181 howitzer, which could reach targets up to 53 kilometers away. China has pledged support to Pakistan in case of a conflict, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi assuring Pakistan's strong commitment to their friendship and shared vision for peace and security. Experts say India does not want to escalate tensions further, but analysts Asfandyar Mir and Christine Fair believe the situation is moving towards a hot conflict, with India seeking revenge and Pakistan prepared to counter any Indian action. China's support for Pakistan, including nuclear technology and arms supplies, has strengthened ties between the two countries, making it difficult for India to predict the outcome of a potential war.
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/terrorists-and-chinese-arms-pakistans-arsenal-against-india-explained-13884389.htmlSouth Korea's National Intelligence Service estimates that around 4,700 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russia against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This assessment comes after North Korea confirmed it had sent combat troops to help Russia recapture lost territory. According to Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended a briefing, 2,000 injured North Korean soldiers were repatriated home between January and March, while their dead comrades were cremated in Russia before being returned to North Korea.
https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-casualties-troops-cf71c682b57863e4e5207d2c86295738Norway has decided to proceed with supplying fuel to the US Navy despite a boycott call by one of its companies, citing security laws. The decision comes as concerns grow over the strategic importance of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the High Arctic that is becoming increasingly attractive due to melting sea ice and new shipping routes. Environmentalists from NATO countries, including Norway, are leading the consortium behind the sale, with half of the proceeds going towards environmental projects in Svalbard.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/norway-raises-security-concerns-manhattan-sized-arctic-land-sale-rising-tensionsPakistan's international bonds experienced a decline of over 1 cent due to escalating tensions with India, with the 2036 bond falling to 71.85 cents in the dollar. The drop comes amid "credible intelligence" suggesting India plans to launch military action, following an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40360320/pakistan-dollar-bonds-drop-amid-rising-tensions-with-india