TOP NEWS

Oil Market
UK seeks to prevent US export ban

The UK is holding talks with US authorities in an effort to prevent the US from imposing a ban on diesel exports. This was stated by British Financial Secretary John Healey to the BBC.

"Fundamentally, what we need is a solution in the Middle East," he says.

Diesel prices in the UK reached record levels today. About a third of the diesel the country imports comes from the US.

Donald Trump said over the weekend that he is considering a halt to diesel exports—reportedly in the hope of driving down prices for Americans ahead of the midterm elections—according to sources.

Political Situation in Myanmar
At least 33 dead in airstrike near market in Myanmar

At least 33 people have been killed in an airstrike carried out by the Myanmar military on a rebel-controlled area in the western part of the country, the AP reports. Another 36 people were injured.

According to the armed group the Arakan Army, a fighter jet dropped two bombs near a market in the middle of the day. Civilians shopping and working at the market were among the dead, the group stated. The death toll has been confirmed by local authorities.

This is the latest in a series of deadly attacks against pro-democracy resistance movements and armed groups in Myanmar.

The Myanmar military has not yet commented on the incident. South Korea–Ukraine Relations
 

South Korea demands apology and explanation from Ukraine

After Ukraine revealed that it had handed over two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, the South Korean presidential office is now demanding both an apology and an explanation, Reuters reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed the secret prisoner handover during his speech at the UN General Assembly last week—a move that, according to South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, violated the confidentiality agreement the two countries had reached.

According to one of Lee’s presidential secretaries, the disclosure has seriously damaged trust between the two nations.

Ukraine has previously claimed that no such confidentiality agreement existed. 

Russian invasion Sanctions 

Ukrainian politician: Is the EU’s stance on Russia for sale?

The EU has imposed strict sanctions on Russian oligarchs following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. But just how tough is the European stance, really? This question has been raised by Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik after France lifted sanctions on one of the billionaires, *Berlingske* reports.

"Arrest an EU citizen, apply enough pressure, and suddenly sanctions become negotiable," Rudik wrote on X.

According to her, this is exactly what happened when French citizen Martin Ryan was released as part of a diplomatic negotiation between France and Azerbaijan earlier this week. His release came just hours after Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov was removed from the EU sanctions list. 

Political situation in Northern Ireland
Tensions in Northern Ireland as controversial march is permitted

For the first time since 1997, the Protestant "Orange Order" brotherhood has requested permission to march along Garvaghy Road in Drumcree, Northern Ireland, the BBC reports. Sunday’s march—held to commemorate the Protestant movement's revolt against the Catholic King James II in 1688—raises fears that it could inflame nationalist factions that have remained relatively calm since the 1998 peace agreement.

Senior politicians from both Sinn Féin and the SDLP have appealed to the police and authorities to halt the march, but a court ruling has determined that it may proceed.

"This is primitive behavior for 2026," says Michelle O’Neill, representing Sinn Féin.

Around 30 people are participating in the march, which began around 8:00 a.m. local time. Opponents have stated their intention to block the brotherhood from entering Garvaghy Road. 

Political situation in Spain
25,000 Spaniards took to the streets for Maricarmen

On Saturday evening, 25,000 Spaniards protested against the country's housing market. The protests followed the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen from her apartment after her landlord drastically raised her rent by 230 percent, *El País* reports.

The protests have intensified since Wednesday, when the news about Maricarmen first broke. "The eviction has become a symbol of a major problem regarding housing," political scientist Cristina Monge tells The Guardian.

Trade unions have singled out investment firms as scapegoats and called for tax hikes on them. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, for his part, has placed the blame on Madrid’s right-wing politicians.