Malaysia and the UK have strengthened their bilateral trade prospects through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade bloc that allows Malaysian and UK companies to expand markets further. The agreement came into effect on November 29, 2022, for Malaysia and December 15 last year for the UK. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof hosted a dinner in London, attended by high-profile guests including his wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir, Tenaga Nasional Bhd's chief new energy officer Mohd Zarihi Mohd Hashim, and Sarawak Energy Bhd's group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. The UK's accession to the CPTPP has yielded significant benefits for Malaysia in the renewable energy sector, with the launch of high-capacity solar farms in Eastfield and Bunkers Hill showcasing the country's expertise in sustainable energy solutions.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/28/uk-welcomes-first-tariff-free-malaysian-palm-oil-shipment-under-cptpp/174813Mexico and the US have reached an agreement where Mexico will send more water from the Rio Grande basin to Texas farmers, following a threat by US President Donald Trump of tariffs and sanctions earlier this month.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/28/mexico-us-water/Filippo Grandi, the U.N.'s high commissioner for refugees, warned that millions of people worldwide are suffering due to over 120 ongoing conflicts, particularly in Sudan and Ukraine, where nearly seven million have become refugees. He emphasized that refugees will not return home unless they can feel safe and secure in both the short and long term. Grandi also criticized global politics for retreating from aid efforts, citing concerns about national interests and defense spending as a hindrance to providing assistance.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/29/un-security-council-updated-on-growing-refugee-crisis-across-globe/The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) in Amman hosted a meeting with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Egypt to discuss the technical aspects of an Arab Common Electricity Market pilot project. The initiative aims to establish a common market grounded in commercial principles, delivering energy at the lowest cost and highest quality while promoting renewable energy sources and reducing carbon emissions. The project is part of the Arab League's objectives for economic integration and will link national grids, facilitating regional energy trade and bolstering energy security. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt were selected for the pilot due to existing electricity links between them, with plans to expand to all Arab countries by 2038.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/business/nepco-hosts-4th-meeting-arab-mashreq-energy-exchange-projectIndia's strained relationship with Pakistan and a history of conflicts suggest that a potential response to terrorist attacks originating in Pakistan could lead to a crisis that may escalate into nuclear war. The US analyst Bruce Riedel stated that Pakistan sponsors the most dangerous terror group, LeT, which attempted to disrupt Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration by attacking the Indian consulate in Herat, Afghanistan. The Pakistani intelligence service, ISI, continues to support LeT and its leader Hafez Saeed is living freely in Lahore under ISI protection. A report by the European Foundation for South Asian Studies highlights a deeply entrenched relationship between Pakistan's military establishment, ISI, and radical religious leaders, fueling extremist ideologies and Islamist radicalism.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/global-terror-engineering-how-pakistan-tuned-its-war-machine-to-create-a-network-of-terrorism-13883868.htmlGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed confidence in continued US support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, citing Europe's security as a top priority since World War II. He emphasized that the conflict affects all of Europe and urged the US to maintain its commitment. Pistorius also expressed skepticism about a unilateral ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting past experiences with similar statements from the Kremlin were not encouraging.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/967513-germany-relies-on-us-for-ukraine-and-europe-s-securityUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the coming week could be "very critical" for ending the war in Ukraine, amid pressure from President Donald Trump on Moscow and Kyiv to reach a deal. Rubio expressed impatience with both sides, suggesting Russia's Vladimir Putin may not want to stop the war. He emphasized the need for a negotiated settlement, stating that there would be "no military solution" to the conflict. Rubio also noted that discussions have taken place about territory with Moscow and Kyiv, but did not provide further details.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1306021-us-says-it-could-be-very-critical-week-for-ukraine-dealState Street's Timothy Graf warns that tariffs will have a significant impact on the global economy, even if they are lifted. He believes that cutting off the US's largest trading partner will lead to higher prices and negative effects on real incomes and demand. According to a poll of 29 major central banks, more than 65% are expected not to meet their inflation targets this year, with the number slightly decreasing to 15 for next year.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/28/recession-risks-surge-as-us-tariffs-send-shockwaves-through-global-economy/174828Japan is considering simplifying customs checks for imported cars in talks with the US, as part of a broader effort to boost trade between the two nations. The discussions come after US President Donald Trump met with Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, where they likely discussed ways to reduce barriers to car imports and increase bilateral trade.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250429/p2g/00m/0in/011000c