Trade ministers from a 21-member group, including China, have urged greater cooperation to address economic challenges in the region through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework. South Korea's Minister for Trade, Cheong In-Kyo, said a joint statement was reached after significant differences were overcome, emphasizing the importance of global trading mechanisms like the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The agreement aims to navigate the uncertain global trade environment and includes commitments from South Korea to purchase more US liquefied natural gas and offer support in shipbuilding.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/apec-says-concerned-over-challenges-to-global-trade/article_c9730795-0187-5106-81be-121947400837.htmlThe UN and international aid agencies had been delivering aid to the Gaza region before Israel's blockade was implemented. Despite a ceasefire agreement on January 19 and a prisoner exchange with Hamas, Israel resumed attacks on March 18, citing concerns that Hamas would exploit humanitarian aid. The Israeli mission to the UN stated that it will not accept aid mechanisms supporting Hamas. However, humanitarian officials, including WFP Director Antoine Renard, argue that aid is distributed by the UN and international agencies, not by Hamas. With Gaza's borders blocked, WFP warehouses are empty, providing only enough food for 250,000 meals per day, far below actual needs, and Renard warned that people may soon go without meals altogether.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2007725/the-reason-behind-israels-blockade-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gazaThe People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly condemned the alleged deportation of 40 Rohingya refugees from India, describing it as "illegal", "inhumane" and a violation of international law. The refugees were detained under the pretext of biometric data collection and then flown to Port Blair, where they were thrown into international waters near Myanmar's Tanintharyi region. The deportation was carried out by the Delhi Police and the Indian government, with some individuals being subjected to physical abuse, interrogation and sexual harassment during their journey. PUCL president Kavita Srivastava criticized the Narendra Modi-led government's approach to refugee policy, comparing it to the US Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration. The organization has accused the government of violating constitutional norms and international humanitarian principles, and has called for an investigation into the matter.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pucl-alleges-illegal-deportation-of-rohingya-refugees-calls-for-urgent-probe/article69582991.eceIndonesia supports a comprehensive overhaul of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and urged APEC member economies to help revitalize the two-tiered dispute resolution mechanism. Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasized the need for fair and reliable trading systems, citing the negative impacts of US reciprocal tariffs on global trade. Indonesia prioritizes diplomacy over retaliatory measures, seeking mutually beneficial solutions through transparent and inclusive negotiations aligned with WTO mandates and Sustainable Development Goals.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/355473/indonesia-calls-for-fair-trade-through-wto-revamp?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European powers that reimposing UN sanctions would have "irreversible" consequences, following remarks made during an Istanbul meeting.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iran-european-powers-hold-nuclear-talks-in-turkiye-209260Russia's Vladimir Putin declined an invitation to meet face-to-face with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Turkey, instead sending a lower-level delegation to planned peace talks. The talks, the first direct negotiations since March 2022, were further dented by US President Donald Trump's statement that no progress would be made without a meeting between himself and Putin. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy expressed disappointment and felt "personal disrespect" from Russia, while Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with Zelenskiy in Ankara. The talks' agenda is to discuss a ceasefire, but Putin wants to start at which the details of such a truce could be discussed.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40362954/peace-breakthrough-unlikely-as-putin-declines-to-meet-zelenskiy-in-turkeyUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed little hope for a peace breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, citing tense exchanges between the two sides. Russian President Vladimir Putin decided not to attend, while Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky sent his defense minister instead. Turkish officials announced trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine, as well as US, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials. Trump suggested that a meeting with Putin was necessary for progress, while Zelensky said Russia was "not serious" about ending the war. Russian delegation leader Vladimir Medinsky met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan before the expected talks on Friday, where he vowed to find "possible compromises".
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/rubio-has-no-high-expectations-for-ukraine-russia-talks/article_0bce9953-a557-50ed-8a5c-8d4e5163e459.htmlUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace to discuss Russia-Ukraine talks, alongside US envoy Tom Barrack and Ukraine's presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak. The meeting also included representatives from the UK, Germany, and France, as well as Turkish spy chief Ibrahim Kalin and former Moscow envoy Mehmet Samsar.
https://www.news18.com/world/us-turkey-ukraine-meeting-ends-in-istanbul-us-official-9339833.htmlU.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, met at the Presidential Office in Istanbul to discuss a trilateral meeting ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/05/16/Turkey-Russia-Ukraine-peace-talks-start/6091747384478/