Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel as Lebanon attacks stoke tensions
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has suspended Italy's defence cooperation agreement with Israel amid rising tensions between the two countries after Rome accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Italy has suspended its defence agre»»»
Spain launches programme to offer amnesty to 500,000 undocumented migrants
As countries on both sides of the Atlantic ramp up deportations of undocumented migrants, Spain’s left-wing government on Tuesday prepared to give legal status to hundreds of thousands of irregular workers. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has championed the amnesty as a way to not only give informal w»»»
Press Review - Italian papers united as PM Meloni faces off with Trump
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 15, 2026: First, the Italian front pages rally around Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she stands up to US President Donald Trump. Next, war robots in Ukraine have captured Russian positions for the first time in history. Meanwhile, the war in Sudan enters its f»»»
EU urges swift reform in Hungary as election night 'euphoria' gives way to 'Monday morning hangover'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Zsuzsanna Szelényi, foreign policy specialist, former politician, author and founding director of the CEU Democracy Institute Leadership Academy. For more than three decades, she observed, first-hand, Hungary’s political transformation from within. There was no»»»
Gaza aid flotilla sets sail from Barcelona in bid to break Israeli blockade
A flotilla of dozens of boats set sail for Gaza from Barcelona on Wednesday in a fresh bid to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid supplies. Last year, another flotilla of about 50 boats was boarded by the Israeli navy, resulting in crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg,»»»
Critically endangered Borneo orangutan born at Madrid zoo
A Borneo orangutan in the Madrid Zoo Aquarium gave birth in early April to a healthy baby, the zoo said. Habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade have severely curtailed the number of these gentle primates living in the wild. A critically endangered Borneo orangutan has been born at Madrid's zoo»»»
Saudi Arabia Pledges $3 Billion More in Financial Support to Pakistan
Saudi Arabia will provide $3 billion in additional support for Pakistan to help the South Asian nation bridge a multi-billion-dollar gap in its finances linked to an upcoming debt repayment to the United Arab Emirates. The extra funding for Pakistan comes on top of Riyadh extending the rollover arr»»»
Constitutional Court Launches 35th Anniversary Celebrations with Ceremony in Veliko Tarnovo
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria is launching a series of events here on Wednesday, marking the 35th anniversary of its establishment with a ceremonial celebration of the Day of the Bulgarian Constitution in Veliko Tarnovo, the Court's press service reported. The Court will welc»»»
Business - 'War is development in reverse,' UNDP chief tells FRANCE 24
Amid uncertainty over the war in Iran, the International Monetary Fund has downgraded its outlook for the global economy under three different scenarios depending on how long the conflict will last. Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme is warning that even if hostilities were to end »»»
Turkish automaker Tofas obtains €276mn BBVA loan to produce new K9 LCV models for Stellantis
Turkish automaker Tofas has signed an agreement with BBVA (Madrid/BBVA) to obtain a €276mn export credit agency (ECA) loan, including an insurance premium, according to a company stock exchange filing. Tofas expects to uti»»»
Australia, Singapore increase energy ties
Australia and Singapore have agreed to reinforce energy co-operation, pledging to maintain flows of refined fuel and LNG as both nations work to navigate international and regional energy issues on the back of the conflict in the Middle East. »»»
Turkish automaker Tofas obtains €276mn BBVA loan to produce new K9 LCV models for Stellantis
Turkish automaker Tofas has signed an agreement with BBVA (Madrid/BBVA) to obtain a €276mn export credit agency (ECA) loan, including an insurance premium, according to a company stock exchange filing. Tofas expects to uti»»»
India’s bank credit growth seen at 13% in FY27
India’s bank credit growth is expected to be around 13% this fiscal year (FY27), driven by robust growth in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) and retail sectors. Another major factor driving this growth is corporates' continued preference for bank credit over bond issuance amid the prev»»»
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
US taps Gulf allies, warns Chinese banks in stepped-up Iran sanctions push
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15 in Washington that the US is working with Persian Gulf allies to obtain data on bank accounts linked to members of the Iranian government and is contacting international lenders, including in China, to choke off Iran-related transactions. »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
Iran says it arrested separatist leader and 30 suspects linked to Mossad
Iran's intelligence ministry said it had arrested the leader of a separatist group, dismantled two weapons smuggling cells and detained 30 people it accused of links to Israel's Mossad, Etemad Online reported on April 15. »»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
The empty throne
Iran has a supreme leader on paper. Whether it has one in practice is a different question entirely The Islamic Republic of Iran was built on a single, load-bearing premise: that sovereignty belongs to God, and that God's »»»
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
Trump says China agreed to stop arming Iran in exchange for reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said China had agreed not to send weapons to Iran in return for Washington's efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting on his Truth Social account on April 15. "China is very happy that I am»»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
Jesus punches Trump in face in AI video posted by Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan
Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan has posted an AI-generated video of Jesus punching Donald Trump in the face and throwing him into the fiery pit of hell. »»»
The empty throne
Iran has a supreme leader on paper. Whether it has one in practice is a different question entirely The Islamic Republic of Iran was built on a single, load-bearing premise: that sovereignty belongs to God, and that God's »»»
COMMENT: The US and Israel ostracised 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»»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
World leaders head to Beijing, as China becomes geopolitical fulcrum
The Trump administration’s being ostracized by the international community for America’s war mongering. That is making China a fulcrum in the East-West clash that now has its centre of gravity in the Middle East. World leaders are flocking to Beijing to find a counterbalance. »»»
IMF the first to improve Russia’s growth outlook on Iran war windfall
The International Monetary Fund has become the first institution to raise its forecast for Russia’s economic growth in 2026 in anticipation of the windfall it is expected to earn from the effects of the Iran war related spike in energy prices. »»»
The empty throne
Iran has a supreme leader on paper. Whether it has one in practice is a different question entirely The Islamic Republic of Iran was built on a single, load-bearing premise: that sovereignty belongs to God, and that God's »»»
Jesus punches Trump in face in AI video posted by Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan
Iran’s embassy in Tajikistan has posted an AI-generated video of Jesus punching Donald Trump in the face and throwing him into the fiery pit of hell. »»»
US taps Gulf allies, warns Chinese banks in stepped-up Iran sanctions push
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 15 in Washington that the US is working with Persian Gulf allies to obtain data on bank accounts linked to members of the Iranian government and is contacting international lenders, including in China, to choke off Iran-related transactions. »»»