Philippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ‘real world’ readiness
MANILA: Philippine and US forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine island near Taiwan during annual exercises that started on Monday, which Manila’s military chief said would test their readiness under “real‑world conditions.” The April 20 to May 8 exercises known as “Bal»»»
US-Iran talks hang in balance as mistrust complicates Pakistan diplomacy
Diplomatic efforts to stabilise the ceasefire between the United States and Iran entered a delicate phase on Monday, as both sides sent mixed signals over the prospects of a new round of talks in Pakistan. Iranian officials stressed that deep-rooted mistrust of Washington remains a key obstacle to »»»
US seizes Iranian ship Touska, Tehran accuses Washington of ceasefire violation
Iran has denounced a US attack on one of its vessels as “armed maritime piracy,” warning of retaliation. On Sunday, a US warship fired at and subsequently seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The military said the ship, identified as the Touska, was attempting to breach a nav»»»
Trump: New deal with Iran will be better than old one
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Monday he believed a nuclear deal the US is currently negotiating with Iran will be better than a 2015 international agreement to curb Tehran’s nuclear program. “The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA, commonly referred to»»»
Hormuz Crisis’ Spread to Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Malacca Would Wipe Out the World Economy
The three strategic chokepoints are “critical passageways where a lot of trade, a lot of energy flows take place,” and prolonged closure would have a “huge impact in terms of energy prices…GDP growth, employment,” and could trigger a global recession or depression, says financial analyst Syed Javed»»»
Who will make up Magyar’s new Hungarian government? Meet the team shaping up to be Tisza’s first cabinet
Originally published at Napunk The soon-to-be-formed Tisza government in Budapest will differ from Viktor Orbán’s governments not only in personnel but also in structure. Over the four terms since 2010, Viktor Orbán has repeatedly reshaped his governments, abolishing traditional ministries and fold»»»
Saudi–China talks signal urgent push to contain escalation,secure global shipping lanes
Riyadh, April 20 (SANA) Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Monday to discuss regional developments.According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two sides reviewed the current situation and its security and economic repercussions at both r»»»
Global Village Season 30 reopening: New attractions, expanded spaces, and upgraded experiences
Global Village has officially reopened its door today continuing its milestone 30th season, and it's bringing more than just nostalgia. Since first welcoming visitors in 1997, the beloved shopper's attraction has grown into one of the UAE's most beloved destinations, drawing a record-breaking 10.5 »»»
OCA President Sheikh Joaan meets with His Majesty the King of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Olympic Council of Malaysia President Dr. Norza Zakaria warmly welcomed HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of OCA and President of NOC Qatar, on a one-day working visit to Malaysia on Monday, April 20. Dr. Norza, Vice President of the OCA for the Southeast Asia Zo»»»
How the US-Israel-Iran conflict may impact the Global South’s harvest season
LONDON: For much of the Global South, the US-Israel-Iran war is no longer a distant geopolitical crisis. It is showing up in farm budgets, fuel queues and food markets, as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz drives up costs and strains already fragile economies. Iran’s blockade of Hormuz has rattled»»»
Iran accuses US of ceasefire breach, vows retaliation over attack on ship
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, accused the US of violating a ceasefire by firing at one of Iran’s commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman, vowing to retaliate. State media quoted a Khatam Al-Anbiya spokesperson as saying early on Monday that the vess»»»
China's Xi insists Strait of Hormuz must remain open to navigation during call with Saudi crown prince
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday during which they discussed efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to navigation. During the call, the leaders discussed "»»»
Iran executes two men convicted of links to Israel’s spy agency
TEHRAN: Iran executed two men on Monday convicted of having links to Israel’s spy agency, the judiciary said, the latest in a string of executions since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States. “The death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn tod»»»
Global trade isn’t deglobalizing — it’s reshuffling, Harvard economist says
ALULA: Global trade is not retreating into deglobalization despite geopolitical shocks, but is instead undergoing a structural reshuffling led by US-China tensions, according to Harvard University economist Pol Antras. Presenting research at the AlUla Emerging Market Economies Conference, Antras sa»»»
Saudi treasury holdings rise 19% to $160.4bn in February
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasury securities rose 19 percent in February to $160.4 billion, the highest level in recent years, as the Kingdom increased purchases of short-term debt, official data showed. The total was up from $134.8 billion in January and 26.9 percent higher than $126.»»»
Xi tells Saudi Crown Prince passage through Hormuz 'should be maintained': state media
Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping told Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Monday that "normal traffic" through the vital Strait of Hormuz "should be maintained", state media said. “Normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained, this is i»»»
Western Policy Aimed at Deterring Russia, China Threatens International Peace - Moscow
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The policy of the West, which is aimed at deterring Russia and China, poses a threat to international peace and security, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Evgeniy Ivanov said on Monday. "If we talk about the external perimeter, then the main threat to international peace and secur»»»
Why Strait of Malacca Could Be Next Global Chokepoint After Hormuz
An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns of “a chain-reaction response” in more critical shipping lanes — and he mentioned Malacca specifically. Here's why:The Strait of Malacca is an narrow bottleneck (2.8 km at the narrowest point) that connects the Indian Ocean to the South Chi»»»
SCO Ministers meeting: Kyrgyzstan advocates for research and knowledge exchange - | 24.KG
During the 9th Meeting of Health Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan, Damir Osmonov, held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts, representatives of relevant departments, and international organizations. According to the ministry,»»»
Iran claims drone strikes on U.S. Navy, peace talks hang in balance - UPI.com
The 965-foot-long Iranian container ship Touska, seen here in 2017 after it ran aground off Hong Kong's main island, remained in the custody of the U.S. Navy on Monday after it was boarded and seized by U.S. Marines. File photo by Jerome Favre/EPA April 20 (UPI) -- Iran said that it carried out dro»»»
India, South Korea target doubling trade by 2030
New Delhi: India and South Korea aim to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, the leaders of both countries said on Monday following talks in New Delhi. South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung, on his first visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace, with Pr»»»
Xi tells Saudi prince passage through Hormuz 'should be maintained'
Chinese President Xi Jinping told Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Monday that "normal traffic" through the vital Strait of Hormuz "should be maintained", state media said. Xi also stressed in the call that China "advocates for an immediate and comprehensive ceasef»»»
Rising Tensions as BRICS Nations Consider New Currency Amid U.S. Tariff Threats
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—threatening a 100% tariff on countries attempting to undermine the U.S. dollar by adopting a new currency. This com»»»
How China is reshaping the global chip industry
BusinessChinaHow China is reshaping the global chip industryNik MartinUS curbs on advanced chips pushed China to focus on its own semiconductor ecosystem. And while it trails at the very cutting edge, China's "good‑enough" technology is fast powering much of the global economy. https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
China Voices Concern Over US Seizure of Iranian Cargo Ship, Urges Further Talks
China has expressed concern over the "forced interception" by the US of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, urging relevant parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner. "The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive»»»
Israel questions France, China, Pakistan over Iran shipping deals at UN
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has lashed out at his French, Chinese, and Pakistani counterparts, accusing their countries of effectively backing Iran by allegedly striking deals to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The rebuke appears to stem from media reports which rece»»»
Why My Children Learn to Speak Chinese
As UN Chinese Language Day is marked around the globe, it is worth reflecting on a broader reality: We have long since moved beyond the strange unipolar moment that followed the Cold War. By Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya SegodnyaPower is no longer c»»»
Iran Warns of Imminent Response to US Piracy
The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters warned that the latest act of “piracy” by US military forces against an Iranian trade vessel will soon be met with retaliation. “The aggressive United States, by violating the ceasefire and engaging in maritime banditry, attacked one of »»»
Counterpoint: Philippines cannot afford romantic anti-development politics
Manila: Fiery attacks or protests against the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and the idea of “Pax Silica” Initiative (PSI) tap into a familiar reflex in Philippine politics. Last week (April 2026), Manila signed up as the 13th member of PSI, resulting in the planned establishment of a "giant" 16 km²»»»
British PM Starmer Faces Angry Lawmakers Over Mandelson’s Appointment as Ambassador
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will try on Monday to get a grip on a crisis that has left power slipping from his grasp. Starmer will face a tough barrage of questions in Parliament when he stands up to explain why Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished politician and friend of Jeffrey Epstein, »»»
Taiwan Business Group Urges Beijing, Taipei to Keep Politics Out of Trade
The head of one of Taiwan's top business groups said on Monday both Beijing and Taipei should leave politics out of resuming normal trade and tourism exchanges, after China unveiled new incentives for the island. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, announced meas»»»
‘Save Humanity’: Four Figures Battling It Out to Lead Embattled UN
Four contenders are squaring up to succeed Antonio Guterres as leader of the United Nations, which faces unprecedented global instability, wars and its own crushing budget crisis. Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, and Senegal's Macky Sall will each f»»»
UDST signs contract with ‘Be My Sense’ to advance innovation
Doha, Qatar: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) announced the signing of a Technology Support Contract with ‘Be My Sense,’ a startup founded by UDST students and launched through the University’s incubation centre, UHUB. The agreement marks a significant step in supporting student»»»
US Begins Philippines War Games in Thick of Middle East Conflict
Thousands of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises Monday set against the backdrop of the Middle East war. The war games will feature live-fire exercises in the north of the country facing the Taiwan»»»
Iran Executes Two Men Convicted of Links to Israel’s Spy Agency
Iran executed two men on Monday convicted of having links to Israel's spy agency, the judiciary said, the latest in a string of executions since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States. "The death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn today," the»»»
World Weighs Fate of Middle East Ceasefire After US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship
Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate. Efforts to build a more lasting peace in the region likewise appeared to be on shaky ground,»»»
JCK Kings 013: Baktygul Kurmanbekova defeats Chinese athlete - | 24.KG
Kyrgyz athlete Baktygul Kurmanbekova defeated her Chinese opponent, Xiaoni Liu, at the JCK Kings 013 International MMA Tournament. The competition, organized by the Jue Cheng King Fighting Association, took place in the Chinese city of Lüliang. The tournament program included nine bouts, featuring »»»
Trump says US delegation will travel to Islamabad on Monday, Iran declines talks
Iran is not currently planning to attend the next round of talks with the US, which has announced that it would send a team of negotiators to Pakistan on Monday, Iranian state television reported on Sunday. Iran is not planning to participate in new peace talks with the United States, its sta»»»