* Romanian President Nicusor Dan said Tuesday he has begun consultations on forming a new government after lawmakers passed a no-confidence motion against the government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.
* The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele called for unity and calm on Wednesday, one day before parliament will convene to consider a motion of no confidence in him. Speaking at a press conference, Manele urged Solomon Islanders to continue with their normal daily activities, saying the political process should not disrupt everyday life.
* Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing sustained diplomatic engagement aimed at de-escalation and dialogue in the region and beyond.
* U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Project Freedom, the U.S. military operation aimed at guiding ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, will be paused to see whether a peace deal can be reached between Washington and Tehran.
* U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that if Tehran does not agree to a peace deal with Washington, U.S. forces will resume bombing "at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."
* U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday the United States will not allow Iran's control of the Hormuz Strait to be "normalized" after the two sides exchanged fire in the crucial global energy waterway one day earlier.
* The United States and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end their war, Axios reported on Wednesday. A potential deal would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment and the United States agreeing to lift sanctions, with both sides lifting restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, it said.
* Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone call on Tuesday with Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate Ali al-Zaidi, during which Pezeshkian said Iran is ready for dialogue within the framework of international law, but will not acquiesce to force.
* Iran said Wednesday it has not exchanged any new written messages with the United States, pushing back against reports that the two sides are close to a one-page agreement to end hostilities.
* The United Nations on Wednesday demanded Israel "immediately and unconditionally" release two activists taken from a Gaza-bound flotilla.
* The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday said its air defenses are responding to an Iranian missile threat, urging residents to remain in safe locations.
* The United Nations on Wednesday demanded Israel "immediately and unconditionally" release two activists taken from a Gaza-bound flotilla.
* UN humanitarians on Tuesday warned that civilians in Gaza continue to come under fire, as strikes and exchanges of gunfire hit residential areas.
* Israel's military said Wednesday it launched a new series of airstrikes in multiple areas of Lebanon, targeting what it described as Hezbollah sites.
* The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday underscored the need for greater regional cooperation to prevent an escalation of tensions, according to statements from both governments.
* New Zealand announced on Wednesday that it will introduce a citizenship test from late 2027 to strengthen requirements for applicants seeking citizenship by grant.
* Kazakhstan has exported 11.1 million tonnes of grain since the start of the current agricultural year last September, up 13 percent from the same period a year earlier, the country's agriculture ministry said Wednesday. Exports to key markets registered solid growth.
* Malaysia's semiconductor industry is not facing significant risks from energy supply or raw material shortages for now, as the country's net gas exporter status provides a buffer for industrial expansion, Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani has said.
* China saw a surge in cross-border travel during the May Day holiday, with nearly 11.3 million trips recorded, as an uptick in international visitors, including those entering visa-free, added to the increase.
* Australia's government will allocate more than 10 billion Australian dollars (7.24 billion USD) in next week's federal budget to strengthen fuel security, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday.
* Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a 250 million USD climate-resilient water supply and sanitation project to improve reliable access to water and strengthen water infrastructure against climate risks, the Department of Government Information said in a statement on Tuesday.
* Malaysia is among the most resilient emerging markets to global shocks, Moody's Ratings said Tuesday. The rating agency said in a report that Malaysia, alongside India, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico, has consistently shown strength during periods of market stress.
* Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to recognize the National Export Development Plan 2026-2030 as the country's official strategic framework for export development and promotion, the Department of Government Information said in a statement on Tuesday.
* Indonesia's economy grew 5.61 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, driven by broad-based expansion across sectors and a surge in government spending, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) said Tuesday.
* New Zealand on Wednesday welcomed Costa Rica's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
* Australia's government will allocate more than 10 billion Australian dollars (7.24 billion USD) in next week's federal budget to strengthen fuel security, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday.
* U.S. job openings remained unchanged in March at 6.9 million, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The labor market has been volatile this year after a lackluster year in 2025, with the Middle East conflict introducing significant uncertainty into the economic forecast and labor market.
* French shipping company CMA CGM confirmed on Wednesday that one of its vessels was targeted in an attack on Tuesday while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, according to local media reports. The vessel, named San Antonio, was attacked during its passage through the strategic waterway, according to French daily Le Figaro.
* Spain will receive the hantavirus-linked vessel MV Hondius in the Canary Islands in accordance with international law and the spirit of humanitarianism, the Spanish Health Ministry said in a statement on social media on Tuesday.
* The European Union's (EU's) trade chief has urged the United States to quickly restore the tariff levels agreed under last year's EU-U.S. trade deal, the European Commission said on Tuesday. The Commission added that it would be "beneficial" to have the main terms of the deal in place ahead of its first anniversary in July.
* The Swedish government is moving ahead with plans to establish a new foreign intelligence agency as part of reforms to the country's intelligence system, according to a government statement published on Tuesday.
* Armenia and the European Union (EU) signed a connectivity partnership deal and pledged to strengthen economic and security cooperation at their first-ever summit on Tuesday, local media reported.
* The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans to deploy about 100 observers for Cabo Verde's legislative elections scheduled for May 17, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the regional bloc.
* The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said it is closely monitoring reports of a new cluster of hantavirus infections as countries in Africa and beyond initiated a coordinated international response.
* Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of high waves of up to four meters in several waters across the country from Tuesday to Friday, urging seafarers and coastal communities to remain vigilant.
