Vanuatu approves China pact and readies revised Australia deal amid accusations
Vanuatu says its cabinet has approved a new strategic cooperation pact with China and a stripped-back version of the Nakamal Agreement with Australia. Prime Minister Jotham Napat said the country was now ready to sign the revised Australian deal, while also confirming approval of the China agreement. He accused both Beijing and Canberra of undermining Vanuatu as they compete for influence in the Pacific state.Mr Napat made the comments in parliament, where he said the two powers were too focused on gaining strategic leverage. He said Vanuatu would remain "friends to all, and enemies to none" and would not favour... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 May 2026 20:32 LONDON
Sponsored
G7 finance ministers meet in Paris amid Iran tensions and tariff concerns
Finance ministers and officials from the G7 gathered in Paris on Tuesday for a second day of high-level economic talks. The meeting brought together representatives from the group's major advanced economies, with images showing leaders arriving for a family photo alongside flags representing the G7 nations and the European Union. Among those attending were French Finance Minister Roland Lescure and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.The talks were taking place in the French capital as governments weighed the economic effects of rising tensions linked to Iran, US tariffs and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. The confirmed agenda included oil prices,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 May 2026 19:29 LONDON
G7 economic agenda strained by inflation fears and US-EU split over Russia oil sanctions
Inflation concerns are clouding the Group of Seven economic agenda as finance ministers prepare to discuss energy prices and sanctions policy. The immediate dispute centres on the Trump administration's decision to ease oil sanctions on Russia, which has put the United States at odds with Europe. The tension comes as the Iran war continues to unsettle markets and complicate the policy outlook for major advanced economies.The only confirmed detail in the supplied material is that the United States and Europe are at odds over the sanctions move. The report does not give a date for any formal G7 decision, but... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 May 2026 18:00 LONDON
Smotrich says ICC made secret arrest warrant request against him
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have made a secret request for an arrest warrant against him. He said he would not be intimidated by the move and described it as a clumsy attempt to pressure Israel over its policy positions. The claim comes after weekend reports that the court was preparing warrants for Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.Smotrich did not say who had told him about the alleged request or what grounds were being considered. The court denied the initial reports and has not commented on his latest claim. In a... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 May 2026 17:29 LONDON
Sponsored
