The Debate - World's worst energy crisis? Iran war sparks scramble for alternatives to Gulf oil
Will the world have enough fuel to fill the tank and fertilize the crops? The seizure of ships by Iran adding to global jitters as the extension of a ceasefire offers zero visibility on prospects for the planet’s biggest choke point for oil and gas. Nearly two months on, the Paris-based Internation»»»
The Observers - Mapping the environmental toll of the Middle East war
Oil refineries set ablaze, missiles hitting pesticide factories, an oil slick in the Strait of Hormuz... In under two months, the US and Israel’s war on Iran has inflicted a heavy toll on the environment, fuelling concerns over the public health impact on local populations. It’s too soon to evaluat»»»
Three ships targeted in Hormuz, Iran seizes two
Iranian forces targeted three container ships on Wednesday, seizing two, the latest incidents to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war. Iran's parliament speaker said on Wednesday that the Islamic republic would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remain»»»
Earth Day: ‘Our power, our planet’
JEDDAH/RIYADH: International Mother Earth Day, which is observed annually on April 22, was established by a 2009 UN General Assembly resolution to recognize the planet as humanity’s shared home and to promote action on climate change, livelihoods, and biodiversity loss. This year’s theme, “Our powe»»»
Israeli forces trap 2 journalists in south, block rescue access, claim Lebanese authorities
LONDON: Lebanese authorities have accused Israeli forces of trapping two journalists in the southern town of Al-Tiri and blocking rescue teams from reaching the area after a drone strike nearby killed two people. Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli forces had prevented the Red Cross and the»»»
Suspected Boko Haram militants kill 20 in northeast Nigeria attacks
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram militants riding motorbikes stormed two villages in northeast Nigeria, killing at least 20 people, a local official said on Wednesday. The assaults are part of a surge by Boko Haram and its Daesh splinter Daesh-WAP, who have stepped up deadly attacks on »»»
German parliament speaker targeted in phishing attack: report
BERLIN: Germany’s parliamentary speaker has become the latest victim in a wave of phishing attacks targeting users of the Signal messaging app, which intelligence services have blamed on Russia, a report said Wednesday. Julia Kloeckner, a senior politician from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU party»»»
Teenager badly hurt in hit-and-run accident is improving
The condition of a 16-year-old pedestrian severely injured in a weekend hit-and-run accident in central Athens has shown signs of improvement in hospital, state ERT television reported Wednesday. Doctors have extubated the teenaged girl, who can now breathe without mechanical support and is in a po»»»
Western Neocolonialist Tools are Amoral and Violate All Norms
Large Western colonial powers are actively employing new instruments of control, trying to plunge developing nations into wars and saddle them with debts, Yemeni political analyst and author Hamid Abdel Kader tells Sputnik. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are one such tool. The c»»»
ISIS Shifts Priorities, Seeks to Raise Cost of Rule in Syria
Syria has moved since early this year from internal unrest in the northeast, the coast, and the south to relative calm and attempts to impose a new security and political order, most clearly seen in the security file and in an agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces. But the shift has set up an»»»
Rep. David Scott, 80, of Georgia, dies - UPI.com
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., has died. Photo courtesy of Scott's website. April 22 (UPI) -- Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., has died at 80, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who announced the death of the longtime congressman at a committee hearing Wednesday. Scott was a 12-term lawmaker who was first »»»
ICC Appeals Chamber rules it has jurisdiction in Rodrigo Duterte criminal case - UPI.com
Dahlia Cuartero, mother of a victim of an alleged extrajudicial killing during the war on drugs campaign of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, holds a picture of her son prior to watching a broadcast of an International Criminal Court proceeding from Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines»»»
Mexico seeks answers from U.S. over agents in Chihuahua operation - UPI.com
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wants an explanation about the unauthorized participation of U.S. agents in field operations on Mexican territory. Photo by Alberto Estevez/EPA April 22 (UPI) -- President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that Mexico sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. Embassy req»»»
Oil to Fabric: Middle East Crises Reshape Global Fashion
Rising oil prices are no longer just an energy market story; they are feeding directly into the cost of clothing. From petrochemical plants to fabric mills and retail racks, a complex supply chain is passing on higher costs, pushing up the final price consumers pay. According to the “Materials Mark»»»
Supreme Court Supreme hears arguments on permanent resident parole case - UPI.com
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in Blanche vs. Lau, which would determine when immigration officers can demote a permanent resident's status to parole, a temporary status that can be revoked and result in deportation. File Photo by Eric Lee/UPI | License Photo WASHINGTON, April»»»
Moose naps outside Montana radio station 'The Moose' - UPI.com
April 22 (UPI) -- A Montana moose went for a self-guided tour of Bozeman and even took a nap in front of a radio station called The Moose. Alivia Ballenger, a student at Montana State University, glanced outside her apartment Monday morning and saw a moose running across the neighboring vacant lot.»»»
UAE Embassy in Beirut warns public over scam messages posing as officials
The UAE Embassy in Beirut has urged the public to exercise caution over suspicious messages and calls requesting financial transfers, falsely claiming to be from the embassy or its staff. In a post on its official account on X, the embassy said all its services are provided exclusively through appr»»»
Jordanian authorities arrest dealers in nationwide crackdown on drugs
LONDON: Jordan’s Anti-Narcotics Department arrested multiple drug dealers in a nationwide crackdown this week, amid intensified efforts to protect national security. In the capital, Amman, police arrested two crystal meth dealers and seized 1,000 narcotic pills. In the Madaba Governorate, another d»»»
Ukraine resumes flow of Russian oil via Druzhba pipeline – Hungarian energy giant
Ukraine has restarted the flow of Russian oil to the EU via the Druzhba pipeline after a pause of almost three months, Hungarian energy giant MOL has said. The company said in a statement that Ukrainian operator JSC Ukrtransnafta has informed it that Ukraine began receiving crude from Belarus via t»»»
Aoun says contacts ongoing to extend ceasefire
President Joseph Aoun’s comments on Wednesday came a day before a second meeting is scheduled to take place in Washington between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors. Aoun said in comments released by his office that preparations are ongoing for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. He said the»»»
Germany’s Gnabry says he is out of World Cup after an adductor muscle tear
BERLIN: Bayern Munich and Germany attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry will miss the World Cup starting in June due to an adductor muscle tear sustained during training, he said on social media on Wednesday. Germany international Gnabry, who was in the starting lineup for both the recent friendly int»»»
Sheikh Joaan attends opening ceremony of Asian Beach Games
Sanya: President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the opening ceremony of the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026, which was held this evening at Yasha Park, in a vibrant celebratory atmosphere reflecting the rich cu»»»
Rehabilitated sea turtles return to sea in Fujairah
Fujairah: The Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA), in cooperation with the Fujairah Research Centre, has released a number of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) back into their natural habitat after rescue and rehabilitation. The turtles - of varying sizes and ages - were rescued across Fujairah b»»»
Qatar University opens readmission application for 2026 Fall semester
DOHA: Qatar University's (QU) Admissions Department has announced that applying for readmission to undergraduate programs for the 2026 Fall semester is open, from April 19-29. Fall 2026 applications are available for all but the College of Sport Sciences, the University has said. Those eligible for»»»
Putin: IOC's Actions Exposed Corruption Among International Sports Officials
The selective sanctions against Russian athletes were enacted under a pretext of condemning Russia’s attempts to protect its interests and citizens amid the Ukrainian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out. By imposing these sanctions while simultaneously ignoring other similar trag»»»
US Turns Internet Into Instrument of Neocolonialism
Control of the global digital infrastructure allows Western powers to control other nations like colonial powers of old controlled their colonies, veteran independent cybersecurity expert Lars Hilse tells Sputnik. How does it work?Building and maintaining data centers and undersea communication cab»»»
Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation affirms readiness to support Tunisia in its strategic projects
Tunis, April 22 (TAP) – Director-General of the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, Rashed Ahmed Al-Haroun, affirmed the institution’s readiness to support Tunisia in its development path by providing the necessary guarantees...»»»
Open Budget Survey 2025: Tunisia records improvement in public financial oversight
Tunis, April 22 (TAP) - The results of the Open Budget Survey 2025 (OBS 2025) revealed a mixed performance by Tunisia in the fields of transparency, public participation and budget oversight.According to the survey, which evaluates the level of...»»»
RT explores Iran’s PR campaign targeting US and Israel
One of the more surprising turns of the US-Israeli war on Iran has been the sophistication of Tehran’s multi-pronged PR response. From memes to sleek AI-generated cartoons to official messaging, pro-Iranian online content looks like anything but the product of a stiff-necked self-centered bureaucra»»»
Venezuela's repressive system still active, Amnesty International says - UPI.com
Repression in Venezuela has continued under interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Amnesty International says. File Photo by Henry Chirinos/EPA April 22 (UPI) -- Amnesty International said Venezuela has not dismantled its "repressive apparatus" nearly four months after former President Nicolás Maduro w»»»
Devin Nunes out as CEO of Trump Media amid $1 billion losses - UPI.com
Former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned from his post as CEO of Trump Media and Technology Group Wednesday as the company’s losses topped $1 billion. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo April 22 (UPI) -- Former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned from his post as CEO of Trump Media an»»»
UAE and Syrian Presidents discuss bilateral relations
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Ahmed Al Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, who is on a working visit to the UAE. During the meeting, the two sides discussed fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the development an»»»
More than 50,000 Lebanon housing units damaged, destroyed in Israel war: govt estimate
BEIRUT: Israeli attacks on Lebanon during its latest war with Hezbollah damaged or destroyed more than 50,000 housing units in the country, a government estimate found on Wednesday. “Within about 45 days (of the war), we had 17,756 destroyed housing units and 32,668 damaged housing units,” Chadi Ab»»»
Gaza Prepares for First Local Elections in Two Decades
Deir al-Balah in central Gaza will hold the enclave’s first local elections in nearly two decades, with voting set to begin on Saturday alongside municipal polls in the occupied West Bank. A decree by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas designated Deir al-Balah as the only voting site in Gaza, citi»»»
South of Litani: A New Front Under Israel-Set Deterrence Limits
After Israel imposed a new reality on the ground following a ceasefire, a new deterrence equation has emerged, confining hostilities to the area south of the Litani River. Israeli forces continue operations in zones under their control, while Hezbollah has limited its attacks to that area, with res»»»
JFK sees near miss of Air Canada, American Airlines planes - UPI.com
Two planes flew too close together at JFK International Airport on Monday. They were Air Canada and American Airlines flights. File Photo by Graham Hughes/EPA April 22 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it is investigating a near miss between two planes landing in New York »»»
Peru election mired in crisis as ballot dispute delays runoff and topples electoral chief
Peru's general election, held on April 12, has produced what its fragmented political system reliably delivers: no first-round winner, a disputed count and a paralysed electoral authority. With no candidate near an outright majority, a runoff on June 7 is now certain. But who will face conservative»»»
COMMENT: Why China is hedging for now in the Middle East
As the US-Israel-Iran war enters its second month, one of the most consequential geopolitical actors has been conspicuous by its silence. China has not intervened, has not condemned, and has not chosen sides in any meaningful public way. But Beijing is not simply watching. It is calculating — and a»»»
Peru election mired in crisis as ballot dispute delays runoff and topples electoral chief
Peru's general election, held on April 12, has produced what its fragmented political system reliably delivers: no first-round winner, a disputed count and a paralysed electoral authority. With no candidate near an outright majority, a runoff on June 7 is now certain. But who will face conservative»»»
Latin America oils up as Hormuz crisis reshapes global energy supply
The conflict that has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for one-fifth of global crude and a significant share of gas supplies, has done more than spike oil prices. It has laid bare how dangerously concentrated energy supply had become around a single chokepoint, sending importers s»»»
Nigeria’s Dangote refinery to expand downstream petchem portfolio with major LAB facility
Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery is advancing plans to build a Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB) production facility with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, marking a major expansion of its downstream petrochemicals portfolio. »»»
Latin America oils up as Hormuz crisis reshapes global energy supply
The conflict that has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for one-fifth of global crude and a significant share of gas supplies, has done more than spike oil prices. It has laid bare how dangerously concentrated energy supply had become around a single chokepoint, sending importers s»»»
Iran's Assembly of Experts selects Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader
Iran's Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader, succeeding his father, the late Ali Khamenei, Tasnim News Agency reported on April 22. The appointment was confirmed as Sunni an»»»
Iran's Assembly of Experts selects Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader
Iran's Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader, succeeding his father, the late Ali Khamenei, Tasnim News Agency reported on April 22. The appointment was confirmed as Sunni an»»»
Iran's Assembly of Experts selects Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader
Iran's Assembly of Experts has selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader, succeeding his father, the late Ali Khamenei, Tasnim News Agency reported on April 22. The appointment was confirmed as Sunni an»»»
Russian state agency warns Hungary's incoming government against reviewing Paks nuclear deal
An article by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti takes a critical tone on the Paks nuclear project and cautions Hungary’s incoming leadership against revisiting the agreement, 444.hu writes on April 21. RIA ran the »»»
Putin's coal sector is running out of time and political cover
Russia's coal industry is heading toward a systemic crisis from which the Kremlin's patronage network can no longer shield it, according to a paper published this week by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The»»»
Mystery surrounds migrants U.S. wants to send to Paraguay; some rejected - UPI.com
Migrants from their their plane at the Guatemalan Air Force base after arriving on the last deportation flight of the year from the United States, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on December 30, 2025. File Photo by Alex Cruz/EPA ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, April 22 (UPI) -- Paraguay has rejected nine of the »»»
Borislav Sarafov Resigns as Acting Prosecutor General, Politicians React
After nearly 3 years in office, Borislav Sarafov resigned as Bulgaria's acting prosecutor general on Wednesday morning. His tenure was overshadowed by a lingering controversy over his legitimacy. A number of Bulgarian courts argue that, under Judicial System Act amendments effective January 21, 202»»»
EIB-funded projects in Tunisia at heart of meeting
Tunis, April 22 (TAP) - Minister of Public Works and Housing Slah Zouari met on Tuesday with Head of Operations Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Division at the European Investment Bank (EIB) Ulrich H. Brunnhuber, who was accompanied by a...»»»