Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Tehran in Move to Ease Tensions and Arrange More US-Iran Talks
Pakistan’s army chief arrived Wednesday for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war. The Pakistani military said the delegation also included the c»»»
Iran Can Go up to Two Months without Oil Exports Before Cutting Output, Analysts Say
Iran can withstand a complete halt in oil exports of up to two months before being forced to curb production, analysts said, after the US began blocking shipping in and out of the country's ports on April 13. The blockade could prevent roughly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude from r»»»
China FM Tells Iran Beijing Supports ‘Momentum of Peace Talks’
China's top diplomat told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing "supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks" in a phone call on Wednesday, as negotiators from Pakistan landed in Tehran to discuss a second round of US-Iran talks. Peace talks are "in the fundamental interests o»»»
Trump says Iran war 'very close to being over'
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated peace talks with Tehran could resume this week, as the United States turned the screws Wednesday with a naval blockade it said had cut off maritime trade with Iran. Trump's hint came as Israel and Lebanon agreed to open direct negotiations after a rare face»»»
Why the Strait of Hormuz could push 45 million people into hunger
The United Arab Emirates has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, at a time of unprecedented global food security challenges and mounting risks linked to the near-total disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—developments that coul»»»
Trump says China agrees not to arm Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China has agreed not to send weapons to its close partner Iran and that he has received personal assurances from leader Xi Jinping. "They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few week»»»
Trump opening Strait of Hormuz ‘for China’
US President Donald Trump has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying he made the decision after China agreed not to send weapons to Iran. Trump initially announced the blockade of the vital waterway on Sunday after Pakistani-mediated talks failed to produce a peace deal with Iran. On»»»
Kyrgyzstan and China discuss expansion of agricultural exports - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan and China discussed expansion of exports of agricultural products, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry reported. According to the ministry, the issue was raised during a meeting of Agriculture Ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Org»»»
Trump says talks with Iran likely to restart in next 2 days in Pakistan - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that talks to end a seven week-long war with Iran "could be happening in the next two days," most likely in Pakistan. Photo by Salwan Georges/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said peace talks with Iran "could be happening in »»»
[Interview] Ivan Krastev: The ‘West’ of the Cold War-era will not return
First published in Respekt. Defending the status quo cannot be exciting for anyone. Europe must be able to imagine a society that is better than ours and see opportunities even where there are objectively many risks. Where do you think the world is heading? In 1643, an English Protestant priest tol»»»
High Tech: Tunisia shines in global competition, secures spot in China final
Tunis, April 15, 2026 (TAP) – Tunisia has once again distinguished itself in the regional phase of the 10th edition of the Huawei ICT Competition, qualifying three teams for the global final—set for June 2026 in Shenzhen, China—for the third...»»»
Kyrgyz athletes depart for 6th Asian Beach Games in China - | 24.KG
A ceremonial send-off for the national team of Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek ahead of their participation in the Asian Beach Games, the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports reported. According to the agency, the 6th Asian Beach Games will take place from April 22 to 30 in Sanya, bringing t»»»
Young people between jobs crisis and a new beginning — MADE
Whether in China, Kenya or Germany, young people struggle to find jobs, prospects, and recognition. Five stories show how they're using creativity, protest, and courage to discover new paths in a changing world of work. https://p.dw.com/p/53Q8xAdvertisementSend us your feedbackYour feedback»»»
Israel, Lebanon hold first diplomatic talks in decades - UPI.com
Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in trilateral talks with Israel and Lebanon in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. File Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- Delegations from Lebanon and Israel have concluded negotiations in Washington, the first diplomatic talks between »»»
Putin's Visit to China Being Prepared, Russia Will Inform About Exact Dates - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China is currently being organized, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. "President Putin's visit to China is indeed being prepared. China is our privileged strategic partner. The visit, high-level contacts are being »»»
Benghazi based Emaar Libya Holding discusses investment opportunities in various sectors with China Railway Corporation
Benghazi based Emaar Libya Holding Company, headed by Chairman Abdulhamid Musa Awad, hosted a delegation from China Railway Corporation last Friday (10 April) to explore investment opportunities across various vital sectors. The meeting addressed prospects for collaboration, reviewed available oppo»»»
N. Korea calls Japan’s criticism of its nukes a ‘grave provocation’ - UPI.com
North Korea on Wednesday accused Japan of a “grave provocation” after Tokyo expressed concern about Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs in an annual diplomatic report. In this February 2026 photo, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi delivers a speech at the National Diet in Tokyo. File»»»
China and Russia must firmly defend their legitimate interests: China President
Beijing, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, urged closer and stronger strategic coordination between China and Russia to firmly defend their legitimate interests and safeguard the unity of Global South countries. Xi made the remarks when meeting with Russian Foreign M»»»
Iran War Promises Green Edge for Asia as Plastic Packaging Runs Short
An "eco-friendly" range of paper tubes and pouches touted by Yonwoo, a South Korean maker of packaging for cosmetics, has reaped unexpected benefit from the Iran war, which has disrupted supplies of the plastic needed to turn out single-use wrapping. While the conflict has sent prices of plastic so»»»
Double Olympic badminton champion Axelsen announces retirement
Copenhagen, Denmark: Denmark's double Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement at 32 on Wednesday, saying back problems meant he could no longer "compete and train at the highest level". Axelsen, who won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and again in Paris in 2024, had back »»»
Investing in Gold in Times of Conflict: Safe Haven or Risky Bet?
Why did gold suffer its sharpest fall since 2008? Investors saw the Middle East conflict not as a normal geopolitical event, but as the start of a new inflation shock, increasing expectations that central banks would keep interest rates higher for longer. That was negative for gold. As US Treasury »»»
China's Gordian knot: why it has no good options in Iran
Since the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February, China has issued a cascade of diplomatic communiqués condemning the strikes, calling for a ceasefire, invoking UN Charter principles, and proposing a joint five-point peace initiative with Pakistan. Not a single weapon has followed. Not a wa»»»
Russia Pledges Further Oil Supplies to Cuba After Dispatching Crude Cargo
Russia will continue helping fuel-hungry Cuba with crucial supplies of oil, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, two weeks after Moscow sent a tanker with around 700,000 barrels of crude to the Caribbean island. Washington stopped oil exports to Cuba from its main ally Venezuela afte»»»
Tunnel excavation underway on Kyrgyzstan–China–Uzbekistan railway - | 24.KG
As part of the construction of Kyrgyzstan—China—Uzbekistan railway, tunnel excavation and infrastructure preparation are currently underway. The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to the ministry, key preparatory infrastructure has already been put in place. »»»
Russia Can Help China, Other Countries Replenish Energy Resources - Lavrov
BEIJING (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia can fill the energy shortfall in China and other interested countries caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. On Russia-China Relations"Russia can certainly fill the resource gap that has arisen in Chin»»»
Hormuz Under Insurance Pressure as ‘War Premiums’ Violate Int’l Laws
As military tensions flare in the Strait of Hormuz, another battle is unfolding behind the scenes, one no less dangerous. Insurance companies have emerged as key players shaping the fate of global shipping. With premiums surging to unprecedented levels, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the world is app»»»
What the Hormuz shutdown means for Asean’s energy security, renewables: 10 things to know
Manila: The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026 disrupted passage for roughly a quarter of the world’s daily seaborne oil. To this day, uncertainty remains and the global fuel crunch continues to raise fears of a deeper supply shock. Uncertainty over freedom on navigation»»»
Xi Calls China-Russia Ties ‘Precious’ in Current International Context
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are particularly “precious” in the face of an international landscape intertwined with change and chaos. During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, Xi said the strong»»»
U.S. kills four in fourth anti-drug boat strike since Saturday - UPI.com
The U.S. military under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conducted another strike Tuesday targeting an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacifiic. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. military killed four men on Tuesday in a strike on a suspected drug-traf»»»
Russia, China Oppose Western Attempts to Maintain Hegemony — Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing cannot agree with Western efforts to preserve global dominance. “Blatant attempts by the West, both the United States and Europe, to maintain and even upgrade its hegemony… including the slave trade, colonialism… continue living… at the»»»
Can NATO survive the US-Iran war?
NATO allies said on Monday they would not get involved in US President Donald Trump's plan to blockade Iranian ports, proposing to intervene only once fighting ends, in a move likely to anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance. "We're not supporting the blockade," British Prime Minister Ke»»»
Business - China's exports slow amid surging costs brought on by Iran war
China's exports grew only 2.5% in March from a year earlier, a significantly slowdown caused by the war in Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up the cost of materials, and many Chinese factories saw their profits squeezed last month. Also in this edition: hundreds of Hollywood sta»»»
How a Russian ship under sanctions delivered armoured vehicles to Mali
Dozens of military vehicles transported from Russia were delivered to Mali through the port of Conakry, Guinea, in late March. The equipment was carried by a Russian cargo ship currently under international sanctions. A satellite image posted on March 6 on the X account of an open-source investigat»»»
'Blindsided': US farmers strained as fertiliser costs surge on war
On Andy Corriher's farm in North Carolina, planting and preparations are underway for his corn and soybean crops -- but fertiliser costs have surged on war in the Middle East, and orders he placed weeks ago have yet to arrive. The 47-year-old is among US farmers facing a double whammy of soaring fe»»»
US hails 'historic opportunity' for peace after Lebanon, Israel talks in Washington
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to launch direct negotiations after wrapping up talks in Washington on Tuesday, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a “historic opportunity” for peace. Israel and Lebanon agreed to direct negotiations following talks in Washington on Tuesday that US S»»»
IMF cuts China 2026 economic growth forecast to 4.4%
TOKYO — The IMF on Tuesday lowered its forecast for Chinese economic growth this year to 4.4 per cent, despite reduced US tariffs and stimulus measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the Middle East conflict.The new projection, published in the International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic»»»
Reports: U.S., Iran talks to resume after Strait of Hormuz blockade - UPI.com
Unnamed White House officials said U.S. and Iranian negotiators plan to return to talks after they failed to reach an agreement over the weekend. File Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/UPI | License Photo April 14 (UPI) -- The United States and Iran are considering another round of negotiations after talks»»»
Ecuador to acccept Chinese hydroelectric plant despite concerns - UPI.com
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Carlos Perez (C) visits the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric power plant during a tour for journalists in El Chaco, Ecuador, in June 2018. The government at the time was preparing to hire a specialized company check the plant for safety issues, File Phot»»»
Pepe Escobar: China Blockades the American Blockade of Iran
The whole planet is asking the same question: Will CENTCOM dare to go to war against China? This is not a wild hypothetical anymore.According to MarineTraffic data, the Chinese-owned Rich Starry tanker, sailing under the Malawi flag, linked to Shanghai Xianrun, and departing from Sharjah in the UAE»»»
Russia markets discounted but sanctioned LNG to South Asia
Russia is again seeking to capitalise on the tightening global gas market by offering LNG from US-sanctioned facilities to energy-constrained buyers in South Asia at steep discounts. Bloomberg has reported that shipments f»»»
Russia markets discounted but sanctioned LNG to South Asia
Russia is again seeking to capitalise on the tightening global gas market by offering LNG from US-sanctioned facilities to energy-constrained buyers in South Asia at steep discounts. Bloomberg has reported that shipments f»»»
Pakistan races to arrange second round of US-Iran talks as Strait of Hormuz standoff deepens
Pakistan is working to bring the United States and Iran together for a second round of peace talks in the coming days as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz threatens to reignite hostilities, according to sources speaking with US media. »»»
Russia markets discounted but sanctioned LNG to South Asia
Russia is again seeking to capitalise on the tightening global gas market by offering LNG from US-sanctioned facilities to energy-constrained buyers in South Asia at steep discounts. Bloomberg has reported that shipments f»»»
China denies arms sales to Iran, warns US of countermeasures
China's foreign ministry has denied accusations that Beijing is providing military support to Iran, calling media reports on the matter "purely fabricated" and warning of countermeasures if the United States raises tariffs on the basis of such claims. »»»
Developing countries skip landlines and go straight to mobile phones - OWID
The concept of “leapfrogging” is popular in development. It suggests that, as they develop, lower-income countries can skip intermediate technologies or systems and go straight to the modern equivalent, Our World in Data (OWID) reports. »»»
Russia markets discounted but sanctioned LNG to South Asia
Russia is again seeking to capitalise on the tightening global gas market by offering LNG from US-sanctioned facilities to energy-constrained buyers in South Asia at steep discounts. Bloomberg has reported that shipments f»»»
Where elections are seen as fair or flawed - OWID
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month directing the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to compile lists of US citizens eligible to vote in each state, Statista reports. The order also instructs the US Postal Service to send mail b»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»
The US and Israel ostracized by the global community
For most of the first year of the Trump administration, America’s so-called western allies spent most of their time flattering, toadying and attempting to manipulate the US President’s ego in a vain effort to rescue the fast decaying transatlantic “special relation.” They even agreed to more than d»»»