Iran Says Final Deal Still Far off as Hormuz Strait Shuttered
The strategic Strait of Hormuz was again closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran's powerful parliament speaker signalling a final peace deal remained "far" off despite some movement in negotiations. As mediation efforts continued following high-level talks in»»»
Why Iran’s ‘Mosquito Fleet’ Remains a Potent Threat in the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian warships sunk by US and Israeli attacks litter naval harbors along the Gulf coast, but what is sometimes called a “mosquito fleet” lurks in the shadows. It is a flotilla of small, fast, agile boats designed to harass shipping, and it forms the heart of the naval forces deployed by the Irani»»»
Iran says final deal still far off as Hormuz Strait shuttered
Tehran: The strategic Strait of Hormuz was again closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran's powerful parliament speaker signalling a final peace deal remained "far" off despite some movement in negotiations. As mediation efforts continued following high-level »»»
Has Iran's ideology actually hardened?
Israel’s killings of Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi were meant to do more than remove two senior figures from the Islamic Republic’s political landscape. Within Tehran’s political and analytical circles, they were interpreted as an attempt to erase something less visible but more consequential: the»»»
How a tiny waterway put the global economy into a chokehold
In a 2020 survey of Americans, just over one in five could locate Iran on a map. With such a poor result for a Middle Eastern country that is roughly the size of the state of Alaska and twice the size of Texas, it is a safe wager that an even lower percentage of Americans would have ever heard of t»»»
Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration
Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigra»»»
Strait of Hormuz to Stay Closed Until Port Blockade Lifts, Iran Says
The crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran said Saturday, as a top official warned that a final peace deal remained "far" off. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address that th»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah responsible, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French UN peacekeeping soldier Saturday following an attack that also left three people wounded in southern Lebanon, saying that "everything suggests" Hezbollah being responsible for the attack. The Iran-backed group denied involve»»»
Tornadoes cause damage in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois; no injuries - UPI.com
Storms tore through the upper midwest, causing damaging tornadoes Friday. Image courtesy of UPI April 18 (UPI) -- Tornadoes swept through several midwestern cities Friday leaving destruction and devastation in their wakes as a massive storm system tore through the area. Rochester, Minn., Lena, Ill.»»»
Two Indian-flagged tankers fired upon in Strait of Hormuz as Iran asserts control over waterway
Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil came under gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as Iran declared it would control traffic through the vital waterway in retaliation for an ongoing US naval blockade. Following the attack, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran’s am»»»
Pope Leo XIV flies to Angola, says he is not debating Trump - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Pope Leo XIV waves during a welcome ceremony at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday. The Pope is on an 11-day trip to Africa, with stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV said h»»»
Jordan’s Safadi: New Syria determined to rebuild state and avoid conflict
Antalya, April 18 (SANA) – Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Saturday that the new Syria is determined to rebuild its state and avoid entering into any conflict, stressing that countries around the world support Syria’s stability and sovereignty over all its territory. Speaking during»»»
Hormuz domino effect: How the Middle East crisis affects food, flights and global supply chains
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the war in the Middle East hasn't just affected oil prices. Despite a provisional reopening during the current 10-day ceasefire, global supplies of jet fuel, fertilisers, industrial CO2 and naphtha have already been affected, potentially leading to s»»»
Turkey’s economy hit as Syrians return home
Since the end of the war in Syria last year, many Syrians have left Turkey to return home. Of the 3.6 million refugees living in the country, more than half a million are believed to have already gone back. These departures are weakening the Turkish economy, which relies heavily on low-cost labour,»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Carney leads middle power coalition drive as CANZUK gains traction
Energy giant Canada has emerged as the leading driver of efforts to build a formal middle-power coalition among like-minded Commonwealth nations, with Prime Minister Mark Carney using his first year in office to push the long-dormant CANZUK concept and a broader variable-geometr»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Thousands of Central Asia-bound trucks stuck in Azerbaijan due to war-hit Iran’s border closure
Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»
Trump Says Iran Cannot 'Blackmail Us' with Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to "blackmail" Washington with its flip-flopping on the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran declared the strategic waterway once again closed. "We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again -- you know, as they've been d»»»
Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz, fires on commercial ships - UPI.com
The Strait of Hormuz is closed again, this time by Iran. Two ships have reported being fired on in the strait Saturday. File Photo by Divyakant Solanki/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- Just one day after the Strait of Hormuz was declared open, Iran has blocked the passage again, citing "breach of promise" by »»»
Record fuel prices: How are governments responding?
PoliticsGlobal issuesRecord fuel prices: How are governments responding?Jan D. WalterIn Germany, a liter of diesel costs up to 40% more than before the Iran war and other countries have seen even bigger price jumps. What are governments around the world doing to combat record fuel prices? https://p»»»
Türkiye Says Iran Gas Pipeline Contract Nearing Expiry, No Talks Yet on Extension
Türkiye's long-term contract for importing natural gas from Iran is due to expire in the coming months, and the two countries could hold talks on a possible extension, though no negotiations are under way yet, Türkiye's energy minister said on Saturday. The agreement, due to expire in July, provide»»»
Cobolli downs Zverev to reach first Munich final
Munich, Germany: Flavio Cobolli ended top seed Alexander Zverev's Munich Open title defence on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as the Italian breezed past the world number three in straight sets to book his spot in the final. Fourth seed Cobolli downed the home favourite 6-3, 6-3 in just under 70 minutes»»»
No Date Set for Next Round of Iran-US Talks, Says Iran Deputy FM
No date has been set for the next round of Iran-US peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial round, Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday. "Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date," Saeed Khatibzadeh told journalists on the sidelines of an annual d»»»
The Iran War Has Revealed Trump's Pressure Point: The Economy
Seven weeks of war have failed to topple Iran’s theocratic rulers or force them to meet all of President Donald Trump's demands, but for US adversaries and allies it has cast a spotlight on one of his central vulnerabilities: economic pressure. Even with Iran’s announcement on Friday that it was re»»»
Iran says no date set for next round of talks with US
No date has been set for the next round of Iran–U.S. peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial round, Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday. "Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date," Saeed Khatibzadeh told journalists on the sidelines of an annual»»»
French film star Nathalie Baye dead at 77: family to AFP
Paris, France: French film star Nathalie Baye, a multi-Cesar Award winner who starred in Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me if You Can," has died at the age of 77, her family told AFP on Saturday. Baye, a stalwart of French cinema, starred in some 80 films and took home the best actress Cesar -- France's»»»
Australia: One dead after car hits pedestrians in Melbourne
A man has been arrested in Melbourne after a car mounted a kerb and struck two pedestrians, killing one and leaving another with life-threatening injuries, according to Victoria Police. According to the BBC, the incident occurred on Saturday in the suburb of Ascot Vale, when a grey Toyota struck th»»»
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Says There Will Be No Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
ANTALYA, Turkey (Sputnik) - The Strait of Hormuz is open for merchant shipping, with possible technical restrictions due to mines, but there is no blockade and there will not be one, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said. "There is no uncertainty for us on this issue. I cannot »»»
EGYPT’s new is to create jobs and raise people’s living standards
Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said that there are no reforms without challenges, and that Egypt’s economic reform has went through its most difficult phase, and that the government is committed to continue its reform through, backed by the political leadership’s will and support, towards achieving i»»»
Defiant Return: Displaced Families Head Back to Beirut’s Southern Suburbs Despite Widespread Destruction
Displaced Lebanese continue to return to Beirut’s southern suburbs following the cessation of Israeli aggression and the implementation of a ceasefire, after weeks of offensives that subjected the area to hundreds of airstrikes. During the offensive, the southern suburbs were hit by hundreds of air»»»
Pakistan military chief, PM head home after Iran war diplomacy blitz
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Global Markets Regain Momentum after Strait of Hormuz Reopening Announcement
Global markets moved sharply on Friday after Iran said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels, prompting investors to rapidly reassess geopolitical supply risks. Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was fully open to all commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefi»»»
Pakistan PM, military chief complete three-country diplomatic tour aimed at Iran peace
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak air base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition, SANA reported on April 16 citing a statement issued by the Syrian defence ministry. »»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»