International News – 04/28/2026

Politics

• Iran sends revised peace proposal as Trump weighs response – Mediators in Pakistan are expected to receive a revised proposal from Tehran in the coming days, after President Trump signaled he would not accept the earlier version. Iran has offered to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports and suspending the threat of renewed bombing.
• UAE to withdraw from OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil cartel – The United Arab Emirates announced it will leave OPEC this week, citing the strategic moment created by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The move risks triggering further defections and could fundamentally reshape the world’s leading oil-producer alliance.
• Israel warns Lebanese villages to evacuate over alleged Hezbollah breaches – The Israeli military issued evacuation orders to residents of more than a dozen southern Lebanese villages after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire. Qatar separately warned Iran that it would not allow itself to be used as a “political punching bag” in the regional standoff.
• Iranian foreign minister visits Moscow seeking diplomatic backing – Iran’s top diplomat arrived in Russia on Monday after a weekend of intense shuttle diplomacy, looking for political leverage and foreign support while talks with Washington remain stalled. The visit underscores Tehran’s effort to widen its diplomatic options as U.S. pressure mounts.
• Palestinians hold local elections seen as step toward presidential vote – Officials say the local elections in Gaza and the West Bank are an important first step toward a long-delayed presidential election. Organizers framed the ballot as a test of whether Palestinian institutions can function under current security and political constraints.

Economy

• Bank of Japan holds rates as Iran war reshapes inflation outlook – The BoJ kept its policy rate steady at 0.75% on Tuesday while sharply raising its core inflation forecast to 2.8% from 1.9%. Growth projections for fiscal 2026 were cut to 0.5% from 1%, as the central bank flagged supply-side risks tied to the conflict in the Middle East.
• Oil pushes U.S. gasoline prices to a multi-year high – The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.176, the highest since August 2022, according to AAA. WTI crude briefly traded above $100 a barrel before easing, as markets reacted to the Strait of Hormuz crisis and uncertainty around the U.S.-Iran negotiations.
• Asian markets close mixed amid Iran diplomacy and OPEC turmoil – Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.02% to 59,917 after Monday’s record close, while the Topix added 0.99% to 3,772. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.39% as investors weighed the prospects of an Iran deal and the implications of the UAE’s departure from OPEC.
• Mexico posts surprise $2.5 billion trade surplus in March – Mexico’s March trade balance swung to a $2.499 billion surplus from a deficit of nearly $1 billion in February, far above the $0.7 billion consensus. Front-loaded auto exports to the United States and broad manufacturing strength drove the $3.5 billion month-on-month swing.
• IMF: global growth dimmed by “shadow of war” – The IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook projects global growth at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, well below pre-pandemic averages. The Fund warns that an escalation of the Iran conflict beyond current assumptions would push energy costs higher and force tighter policy across major economies.

World News

• Senate Republicans push White House on Iran war authorization – With the 60-day War Powers deadline approaching, Senate Republicans signaled they will demand congressional accountability for the Iran conflict. Senator Susan Collins underscored that absent congressional approval after the deadline, lawmakers can move to block continued military action.
• Surge of attacks raises security concerns ahead of Colombia’s election – A wave of attacks targeting civilians and military bases in southwestern Colombia has heightened security fears as the country approaches a May presidential vote. Authorities are weighing additional deployments to protect candidates and polling sites.
• South American migrants deported by U.S. stranded in conflict-hit DRC – Fifteen South American migrants and asylum seekers deported by the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo are now in legal and humanitarian limbo. They have no ties to the country and find themselves in a region grappling with active armed conflict.
• UN conference on phasing out fossil fuels opens in Colombia – Delegates gathered in Santa Marta from April 24 to 29 for the first UN conference dedicated to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Discussions focus on financing for developing economies and the political feasibility of binding timelines amid surging oil prices.
• AI used to reconstruct face of Vesuvius eruption victim – Archaeologists announced they have used artificial intelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a man killed in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Researchers say the technique could be applied to other ancient remains, opening new avenues for studying historical disasters.

Bulletin automatically generated on 04/28/2026.