BSP tightens policy in the Philippines as inflation surge overrides growth concerns
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised its policy rate by 25bp to 4.50% on April 23, in the process demonstrating the prioritisation of inflation risks after a sharp rise in price pressures throughout March, and despite a weakening growth backdrop, a note from Capital Economics reports. Further tig»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran says first Hormuz toll revenue deposited at central bank
Iran's first revenue from Strait of Hormuz tolls has been deposited at the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Parliament Vice Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei admitted during a public gathering outside of Tehran, Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper reported on April 23. »»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Threatened, Bombed, Abandoned: Israel kills Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil
Israel targeted and killed well-known Lebanese Al-Akhbar correspondent Amal Khalil on April 23 after she received death threat messages from an Israeli number WhatsApp number. Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photojour»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Israel's Lebanon offensive threatens to unravel US-brokered gas deal and block Beirut's energy future
Israel's military occupation of southern Lebanon is threatening to upend a landmark 2022 US-brokered maritime border agreement and derail Lebanon's best remaining hope of tapping its offshore gas wealth. On April 19, the I»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Threatened, Bombed, Abandoned: Israel kills Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil
Israel targeted and killed well-known Lebanese Al-Akhbar correspondent Amal Khalil on April 23 after she received death threat messages from an Israeli number WhatsApp number. Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photojour»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Israel's Lebanon offensive threatens to unravel US-brokered gas deal and block Beirut's energy future
Israel's military occupation of southern Lebanon is threatening to upend a landmark 2022 US-brokered maritime border agreement and derail Lebanon's best remaining hope of tapping its offshore gas wealth. On April 19, the I»»»
Iran says first Hormuz toll revenue deposited at central bank
Iran's first revenue from Strait of Hormuz tolls has been deposited at the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Parliament Vice Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei admitted during a public gathering outside of Tehran, Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper reported on April 23. »»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Georgia permanently suspended from Open Government Partnership over civic space restrictions
The Open Government Partnership has permanently suspended Georgia from the international transparency initiative following a review that found the government had failed to address concerns about civic space, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, the organisation announced on April 22. »»»
Over a fifth of Bulgarians live below the poverty line
More than one in five Bulgarians were living below the poverty line in 2025, official data showed on April 23, highlighting persistent income inequality despite a slight improvement compared with the previous year. Bulgari»»»
MOSCOW BLOG: EU unblocks Ukrainian loan, twentieth sanctions package, as Kyiv builds a robot army
Phew. That was an effort. EU leaders met in Brussels yesterday and signed off on releasing the €90bn loan for Ukraine that will keep it in the fight with Russia for another two years. They also passed the twentieth sanctions package on Russia, however, that was gutted of some of its most painful me»»»
Washington uses Iraq's own oil money to bend Baghdad to its will
The Trump administration has blocked a shipment of nearly $500 million in cash to Iraq, pressing Baghdad to dismantle powerful Iranian-backed armed groups. Analysts say the blockage risks destabilising an already fragile economy. The US government blocked a cargo plane delivery of nearly »»»
Shadow of failed 1983 agreement haunts new Israeli-Lebanon talks
As Lebanon prepares to resume direct discussions with Israel, the ghost of the May 17 Agreement of 1983 – a deal that was signed but never implemented – is haunting the new round of negotiations. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are facing a smear c»»»
The Debate - Truce without talks: What room for diplomacy between US and Iran?
How to mediate between Iran and the United States when one side wants revenge for the killing of its leader and the other’s erratic messaging seems ratings driven?Donald Trump’s unilateral ceasefire declaration bringing neither side back to the bargaining table, what with more ships seized in Strai»»»
Press Review - AI robot beats elite table tennis players in 'pivotal breakthrough'
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 23: Le Parisien reports on an "unprecedented" criminal complaint filed against food delivery giants UberEats and Deliveroo for human trafficking in France. Le Monde looks at the important role of priests in the war in Ukraine and we also look at a suggestion to r»»»
Washington Tightens Conditions on Lebanese Army, Unconditional Aid Ends
As US-brokered direct talks between Lebanon and Israel unfold in Washington, Congress is stepping up pressure of a different kind, pushing the Lebanese army to act on pledges to disarm Hezbollah or face a freeze in annual US military aid. Senior congressional sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Repub»»»
Israel awaiting US green light to ‘return Iran to Stone Age’: defense minister
JERUSALEM: Defense minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was “prepared to resume the war against Iran,” adding that his country was awaiting a green light from the United States to return Iran to “the Stone Age.” “The IDF is ready both defensively and offensively, and the targets have b»»»
Katz: Israel Awaiting US Green Light to 'Return Iran to Stone Age'
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was "prepared to resume the war against Iran", adding that his country was awaiting a green light from the United States to return Iran to "the Stone Age". "The IDF is ready both defensively and offensively, and the targets have been marked,»»»
Iran war effects on Europe: Is a recession already unfolding
Brussels, Apr.23 ( SANA) The eurozone’s private sector slipped back into contraction in April, marking its weakest performance in nearly a year and a half since November 2024, as the war in Iran hit services and fuelled inflation. The war in the Middle East, involving Iran, has now done what no tra»»»
Queiroz aims to raise bar for Ghana ahead of World Cup
Accra, Ghana: Newly-appointed Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said Thursday that leading the Black Stars at the 2026 World Cup will be "the biggest challenge" of his career. The arrival of the veteran Portuguese coach, who oversaw Iran at the 2022 World Cup and also spent a season at Real Madrid, has sp»»»
Miguel Díaz-Canel says no talks if U.S. rejects Cuba's terms - UPI.com
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks at an event commemorating the 65th anniversary of the proclamation of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution, in Havana on April 16. Photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA April 23 (UPI) -- President Miguel Díaz-Canel said any negotiations with the United»»»
Iran’s Hormuz Toll Offers SWIFT-Free Dollar Fiscal Endurance Lifeline
Iran has the justification for its Hormuz tolls, as it can cite “severe constraint” from US sanctions and war, Professor Azmi Hassan, senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research in Malaysia, tells Sputnik. It also has unique leverage in that it effectively controls the waterway, he»»»
Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei ‘gravely wounded’ but ‘mentally sharp’: NYT
WASHINGTON: Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei but is mentally sharp, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Citing several Iranian officials which it did not name, the Times said Mojtaba»»»
London landlords caught advertising ‘Muslim only’ flats
Landlords across London and the south-east of the UK have been illegally advertising properties exclusively for Muslim tenants, in an apparent breach of Britain’s equality laws, according to an investigation published by The Telegraph on Wednesday. Listings on Facebook and Telegram posted across mu»»»
From Ukraine to Taiwan: Drone warfare lessons meet Indo-Pacific reality - UPI.com
A C-230 Overkill (Striker)) one-way attack drone is on display during a press tour in Taichung, Taiwan, on Tuesday. Thunder Tiger Corp. is a Taiwanese company that designs and manufactures defense-oriented unmanned vehicles, including UAVs, unmanned surface vessels, underwater ROVs and all-terrain »»»
Peanut butter and honey add grown-up flair to nostalgic crispy rice treats
Crunchy, gooey, sweet and easy to make, crispy rice treats are a dessert that delivers joy and invites creativity. The recipe as we know it first appeared on a box of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal in 1940 and is a simple combination of the cereal, marshmallows, butter and vanilla. It has not only »»»
Trump reposts rant decrying India, China as ‘hellholes’
US President Donald Trump has shared a letter deriding India and China as “hellholes.” Trump reposted the letter from former radio host Michael Savage’s podcast Savage Nation on Truth Social on Wednesday. The post was a criticism of the US birthright citizenship laws, which referred to India, China»»»
US pushes FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
Italian officials have rebuked a US proposal for their national football team to replace Iran at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Italy lost the chance to participate at the World Cup for a third successive time after a humiliating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff last mon»»»
Wartime exit: Why the US Navy chief’s departure matters now
The abrupt departure of US Navy Secretary John Phelan has come at a particularly sensitive moment — with American naval forces deeply engaged in operations linked to the Iran conflict and a fragile ceasefire still holding. The Pentagon announced that Phelan was leaving “effective immediately,” offe»»»
Lebanese leaders accuse Israel of war crime after journalist killed
Lebanon's leaders accused Israel on Thursday of committing a war crime, after an airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist in the country's south, with the Israeli army saying it was reviewing the incident. Rescuers and the reporter's employer on Wednesday confirmed the death of Amal Khalil, a 42-year»»»
Turkiye trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdogan tells NATO chief
ANKARA: Turkiye is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, Ky»»»
LVMH's Arnault says to talk of retirement in '7-8 years'
Paris, France: Bernard Arnault, chief executive of the world's biggest luxury conglomerate LVMH, brushed off speculation of his retirement on Thursday, telling shareholders that "we'll talk about all this again in seven to eight years". The 77-year-old founder of the French group whose brands inclu»»»
Senate passes resolution to begin budget reconciliation to fund DHS - UPI.com
Senate Republican Leader John Thune, R-S.D., helped the Senate pass a bill to begin the budget reconciliation process early Thursday Morning. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans were up all night voting, eventually adopting a budget reconciliation pack»»»
Wadi Al Qarha declared protected nature reserve in Sharjah
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree on the establishment of “Wadi Al Qarha” Nature Reserve in the Emirate of Sharjah. The decree stipulates that a natural reserve named “Wadi Al Qarha Nature Reserve”»»»
166 Case Files Related to Election Violations by Persons With Immunity Have Been Opened by Sofia City Prosecution Office
By April 22, a total of 166 election-related case files have been opened by the Sofia City Prosecution Office, the prosecution said, reacting to allegations regarding its work on cases involving individuals with immunity. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said tha»»»
Amsterdam airport offers airline discounts over fuel costs
The Hague: Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport said Thursday it would offer airlines a 10-percent discount on airport charges due to the high price of jet fuel caused by the current Middle East geopolitical situation. The discount is a temporary measure that applies to daytime flights only from April 27, »»»
Britain, France sign $894M deal to stop migrant boats crossing Channel - UPI.com
Britain and France inked a new $894 million agreement Thursday to tackle small boats carrying asylum seekers attempting to get to England that will see the number of police patrolling French beaches rise from 700 to nearly 1,100. File photo by Mohammed Badra/EPA-EFE April 23 (UPI) -- Britain and Fr»»»
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Only the State Decides on Talks with Israel
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Lebanon “has started to gradually reclaim its natural right to determine its own fate independently of others’ calculations,” stressing that the Lebanese state “alone holds the decision to negotiate,” and that Lebanon “is not subordinate to anyone and is»»»
Defying Hezbollah, Israel and Lebanon start talking
For the first time in decades, Israeli and Lebanese civilian officials sat across a table in Washington and began talking. The discussions—convened in the shadow of a wider war with Iran, mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and given a 10-day ceasefire window by Donald Trump—are truly histo»»»