Myanmar junta threatens to downgrade Australia ties over snub

Myanmar's junta on Thursday evening (May 19) threatened to downgrade diplomatic ties with Australia after it said Canberra would not replace its recently-departed ambassador to the military-run country.

U.S. appears set to deem Cuba not cooperating fully against terrorism-document

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Thursday appeared set to renew its assessment that Cuba is among a handful of countries "not cooperating fully" with the United States in the fight against terrorism, according to a government document.

Oil price rebounds from two days of losses in volatile trade

NEW YORK: Oil prices rebounded from two days of losses in a volatile session on Thursday, bolstered by weakness in the dollar and expectations that China could ease some lockdown restrictions that could boost demand.

Ukraine says Russian attacks on Donbas intensifying

KYIV/SLATYNE, Ukraine (Reuters) -Russian forces intensified their offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region using artillery, rocket-launchers and aircraft to damage defences around Donetsk, Ukraine's general staff said on Friday.

Blinken accuses Russia of using food as a weapon in Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia on Thursday of using food as a weapon in Ukraine by holding "hostage" supplies for not just Ukrainians, but also millions around the world.

SIA losses narrow as travel picks up

Iran's security forces clash with anti-government protesters in several provinces

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in several provinces on Thursday, according to posts on social media, as protests triggered by rising food prices continued to spread.

German ex-chancellor Schroeder under EU pressure to quit Rosneft

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament is set to urge the blacklisting of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder if he does not quit as a board member of Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft.

Singapore Air says business travel rebounding to pre-Covid level

Business travel is returning for Singapore Airlines Ltd., with forward bookings accounting for a similar proportion of ticket sales as before the Covid pandemic now that border restrictions have been lifted.

Oil prices recoup early losses on China hopes, global supply fears

TOKYO: Oil prices rose on Thursday, recovering from early losses, on hopes that planned easing of restrictions in Shanghai could improve fuel demand while lingering concerns over tight global supplies outweighed fears of slower economic growth.