World Bank Chief: Middle East War to Cut Growth, Deliver Cascading Impact
The war in the Middle East will have a cascading impact on the global economy, even if a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump takes hold, World Bank President Ajay Banga told Reuters in an interview on Friday. And the damage will be far deeper if the ceasefire fails and the conflict esc»»»
North Korean Leader Kim Backs China’s Push for ‘Multi-polar World’ in Talks with FM
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un voiced support for China’s push to build a “multi-polar world” and called for deeper ties between the traditional allies during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, state media said Saturday. During the meeting Friday, Kim said his government will fully s»»»
Taiwan Spotted Chinese Warplanes as Xi Met Opposition Leader in Beijing
Taiwan's defense ministry said on Saturday that it spotted 16 Chinese warplanes operating near the island the previous day, around the same time China's president was meeting the Taiwanese opposition leader. Late on Friday morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwa»»»
CNN: US Intelligence Indicates China Preparing Weapons Shipment to Iran
US intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported late on Friday, citing three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments. The network said there are indications that Beijing is working to route the shipme»»»
Report: Iran’s New Supreme Leader Has Severe and Disfiguring Wounds
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war, three people close to his inner circle told Reuters. Khamenei's face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's»»»
US-Iran: More Than Four Decades of Enmity
The United States and Iran have been sworn enemies since the 1979 revolution and the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. On Saturday, the arch-foes are set to hold talks in Islamabad to end more than a month of war in the Middle East, as a fragile ceasefire holds despite deep mutual mistrus»»»
Russia and Ukraine Set to Begin Easter Truce
A temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine for Orthodox Easter is set to begin on Saturday afternoon, as US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war falter. The Kremlin said it had ordered a temporary truce from Saturday at 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) until the end of Sunday, a 32-hour period, AFP said. »»»
Colombia retaliates with 100 percent tariffs on Ecuador
Bogotá: Colombia slapped 100 percent tariffs on Ecuadorean imports on Friday in response to a similar move by its South American neighbor the day before, the Ministry of Commerce said. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war for months, with Ecuador's right-wing President Daniel Noboa cr»»»
Polls: Israelis Favor Resuming War with Iran, Netanyahu Likely to Lose Election
Three opinion polls conducted in Tel Aviv on Friday showed that an overwhelming majority of Israelis view the war against Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah as a failure for US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while supporting a resumption of the fighting to achieve t»»»
Iran Counts its Human, Material Losses in 5 Weeks of War
More than 125,000 civilian facilities have been damaged or destroyed in the US-Israeli attacks across Iran, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said on Friday. Pir-Hossein Kolivand told Iranian state television that around 100,000 homes and at least 23,500 shops were hit during the »»»
Pressure Mounts on Hamas as It Weighs Response on Disarmament
Diplomatic momentum is building around a Gaza ceasefire, as Hamas and other Palestinian factions prepare their final response to a “Board of Peace” plan on the movement’s disarmament and the second phase of the deal. Talks were set to begin in Cairo on Friday and Saturday, with more meetings possib»»»
US, Iran Teams in Pakistan ahead of 'Make-or-Break' Talks
Senior US and Iranian leaders were in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Saturday for negotiations to end their six-week-old war, although Tehran threw the talks into doubt by saying they could not begin without commitments on Lebanon and sanctions. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance»»»
Philippine carriers flight suspensions: Key dates, affected flights, and what to do
Dubai: Travellers flying between the Philippines and the Middle East are facing disruptions after flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) have suspended several routes due to ongoing security concerns. With many passengers affected, especially overseas Filipin»»»
Dubai places of worship update visiting hours as Gurudwara, temple and church reopen
Dubai: Places of worship across Dubai have announced updated schedules and phased reopenings, reflecting a coordinated effort to balance community access with safety and regulatory compliance under guidelines issued by the Community Development Authority (CDA). The updates include revised visiting »»»
Türkiye, Syria Advance Strategic Partnership to Support Reconstruction
Türkiye and Syria are moving to forge a broad strategic partnership spanning all areas of cooperation, backing reconstruction and efforts to restore stability after 14 years of war. A flurry of meetings in recent days has aimed to accelerate coordination between the neighbors across multiple sector»»»
Lebanon Asserts Itself at Israel Negotiations, Undermining Hezbollah and Iran
Lebanon is set to enter direct negotiations with Israel for the first time, marking a fundamental shift in how the state manages the conflict and underscoring its insistence on sovereign decision-making free of external tutelage. The shift follows Iranian attempts to preserve what is known as the “»»»
No, Emmanuel Macron did not share a (fake) photo of Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein
Social media users are claiming that French President Emmanuel Macron circulated a photo of Melania Trump, the wife of US President Donald Trump, appearing with Jeffrey Epstein. However, the image has been digitally altered and was never shared by Macron. The misinformation began circulating after »»»
Iranians Look at Pakistan Talks with Mixture of Skepticism, Outright Fear
Everyday Iranians are awaiting planned negotiations between Washington and Tehran with a mixture of skepticism and outright fear, caught between a government they say does not understand peace and an American president who has threatened to destroy a “whole civilization.” Talks between the US and I»»»
Iran sets 'preconditions' ahead of ceasefire talks as Vance warns Tehran not to 'play' US
Iranian and US delegations headed for Islamabad on Friday ahead of ceasefire negotiations between the two countries that threaten to be derailed by deep disagreements. While Iran said it would only begin talks if Washington accepted its "preconditions", Vice President JD Vance warned Teh»»»
Former IS group child ‘fighters’ jailed in Iraq seek repatriation to France
Three Frenchmen who were taken to Syria by their jihadist parents as children and forced to work for the Islamic State (IS) group are seeking repatriation, their lawyer said on Friday. The men are among thousands of IS group "fighters" who are being held in Iraq after being transferred fr»»»
Pakistan slashes fuel prices as Middle East tensions ease
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a reduction in fuel prices, saying the country is offering relief to the public as regional tensions ease. Addressing the nation, PM Sharif said petrol prices have been reduced by 12 rupees per litre and diesel by 135 rupees per litre, with conti»»»
Lebanon Between 2026 War and Negotiation Talks Next Week
Lebanon, under sustained Israeli air strikes and an open war, is entering a pivotal week as it prepares for preliminary meetings expected next week that could open a new negotiating track to secure a ceasefire, stabilize the border, and regulate the south. The move brings Lebanese-Israeli negotiati»»»
Tête à tête - 'We can provide more durable cooperation with Gulf countries', Ukraine defence industry chief says
Speaking to FRANCE 24, Ihor Fedirko, CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, said Kyiv is seeking “sustainable and durable cooperation” with Gulf states on drone defence technology – a partnership he says has accelerated since the war in the Middle East. He added that Ukraine has the»»»
'Trump harbors an unexplained sympathy for Vladimir Putin', Ukrainian analyst says
Ukrainian leadership on April 8 hailed the two-week ceasefire reached between the U.S. and Iran but stressed it is time to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine as well. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Peter Zalmayev, Founder and Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, says that the »»»
Lebanon Says Israel Talks Set for Tuesday in US, Israel Won’t Discuss Hezbollah Ceasefire
Lebanon's presidency said Friday that a meeting would be held with Israel in Washington next week to discuss a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war and the start of negotiations between the neighbors. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly expressed readiness for direct talks with Israel si»»»
Israel Adopts Phased Approach to Lebanon Negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had opted for a gradual approach in negotiations with Lebanon, sources close to Netanyahu said on Friday. This means that Israel will start with technical and procedural issues before moving to major files, depending on the trajectory of US-Iran talks that »»»
Trump Hopes Strait of Hormuz to Open Up 'Automatically' If Deal With Iran Reached
US President Donald Trump claims that the Strait of Hormuz will open "automatically" if a deal with Iran is reached. "That'll open up automatically," the US leader told reporters. At the same time, Trump expressed confidence that the strait would be open to shipping anyway. Trump reiterated that th»»»
US, Lebanon Ask Israel to Pause Attacks on Lebanese Territory Ahead of Talks - Reports
Lebanon, through US intermediaries, has asked Israel to suspend attacks on its territory ahead of talks, Axios reported citing sources. The US has supported the Lebanese request and is demanding Israel accept it, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made a decisin on the matter»»»
Iranian Delegation Lands in Islamabad Ahead of 'Make-or-Break' Talks
Iran's negotiating team arrived in Islamabad on Friday for peace talks with the United States, even as Tehran insisted on measures it said needed to be addressed first, throwing last-minute doubt over the meetings. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire in the six-week war on Tues»»»
Iranian Delegation Arrives in Islamabad for Talks With US
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Friday confirmed the arrival of an Iranian delegation to participate in talks with the United States and expressed hope for constructive dialogue. "A high-powered delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Speaker of the Iranian. Parliament H.E. Mohammad Bag»»»
Seoul’s missing $7.8bn central bank surplus
South Korea submitted a KRW26.2trillion ($19.2bn) "war supplementary budget" to the National Assembly that unusually omits surplus funds from the Bank of Korea (BoK), drawing fire from legislative watchdogs on April 9, Chosun Daily reports. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Orbán: “Hungarians beyond the borders have the most at stake in this election”
Speaking at a campaign rally in Debrecen, Prime Minister Orbán thanked RMDSZ President Hunor Kelemen for attending the event and stated: “If anyone has a great stake in this election, it is Hungarians beyond the borders.” He added that these communities require a strong national government to safeg»»»
EU boosts Russian LNG imports despite phaseout plans – FT
The EU has sharply increased its purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the first quarter of 2026 even as it insists it will phase out Russian energy by the end of next year, the Financial Times reported on Friday. According to Kpler data cited by the outlet, the EU’s imports from Russ»»»
At least 14 killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon – Ya Libnan
Share: An Israeli air strike on a government building in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh killed at least 13 members of the country’s State Security agency, Lebanese authorities said. The attack comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon. I»»»
How Pakistan’s solar boom became a geopolitical buffer
Driven by spiralling electricity tariffs, erratic supply, and policy uncertainty, Pakistan citizens — particularly the urban middle and upper classes — opted out of a failing electricity grid. What began as a private coping mechanism has, quite unexpectedly, evolved into a strategic national buffer»»»
Lebanon talks with Israel will take place Tuesday in Washington – Ya Libnan
Share: File photo- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Lebanon’s presidency said Friday that a meeting would be held with Israel in Washington, D.C., next week to discuss a ceasefire and the start of negotiations. Lebanon has emerged as a flashpoint in »»»
Germany rejects 95% of Syrian asylum claims after policy shift – media
Germany has rejected 95% of all new asylum applications from Syrian migrants following a policy reassessment of the Middle Eastern country, according to media reports, citing an official document. The change represents a stark reversal from the peak of the influx in 2014-2015, when recognition rate»»»
Iranian Delegation, Headed by Qalibaf, Arrives in Islamabad, Pakistan
The Iranian negotiating team, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to negotiate with the American side.The delegation includes security, political, military, economic and legal committees. The talks will begin if the other side accepts Iran’s precondit»»»