Geopolitical Instability and Resource Concernsactive

"The United States, the United Kingdom, France and a number of their allies are seeking political, military and financial control over strategic maritime routes," Nikolay Patrushev added

Keir Starmer said he would seek powers for the UK to automatically sign up to some new European Union rules, as the prime minister tries to boost Britain’s flat-lining economy and use dividing lines on Brexit to bolster his chances of political survival.

The dollar started Monday with a significant jump against the Chilean peso, breaking the 900-peso mark, amid another day of unease in major global markets due to the tense situation in the Middle East following the United States' announcement of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. currency is trading around 906.6 pesos, a 0.72% increase compared to Friday's closing price, in line with the rise shown by the dollar index against major global currencies. Geopolitics are once again putting pressure on the markets, in a context where the prospect of a ceasefire is again in doubt following the events of the weekend. "The lack of an agreement between the United States and Iran, coupled with statements from President Donald Trump, who indicated that the United States will block ships entering or leaving Iranian ports starting April 13, has reignited concerns about further disruptions to the supply chain," said Ignacio Mieres, head of research at XTB. This scenario has strongly boosted oil prices, which are now consolidating above $100 per barrel, and has been interpreted by the market as a signal of increased risk for global trade flows, reinforcing the perception of a potential inflationary shock. The return to escalating conflict is impacting investor sentiment worldwide. Global stock markets are falling, while Wall Street futures are anticipating losses at the opening: the D…

Shu Meng emphasized the influence of Israel, noting that while it is not directly involved in the negotiations, its strategic position and demands significantly restrict the potential for compromise between the US and Iran

Russian oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline to oil refineries in Hungary and Slovakia since January 27

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sparked a diplomatic row with Israel and criticism at home after comparing Israeli military actions against Palestinians to the Holocaust in a post on social media platform X. The controversy began on Friday after Lee said “wartime killings” by the Israel Defence ‌Forces were “no different from the Jewish massacre” by the Nazis in World War II and reposted footage with a caption that said it showed Israeli troops had tortured and thrown a Palestinian from...

Pakistan’s deployment of an air force contingent at a base on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast, coming as it mediated talks between Iran and the US, could force Tehran to reconsider its strategy of attacking critical energy infrastructure in the kingdom, analysts say. While purely defensive in nature, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) task force posed a poignant question to Tehran: if hostilities resumed, would it be prepared to risk shooting down warplanes belonging to the peacemaking country it clearly...

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam earlier demanded that the Shiite organization transfer weapons to the Lebanese state and limit its activities to the political sphere within the framework of constitutional provisions

Alexander Maslennikov noted that the continuation of the Middle East crisis could increase the number of people facing hunger worldwide by 45 million, bringing the total to a record 673 million.

The conflict in the region creates risks to Russia’s food security too, Alexander Maslennikov noted

China is pushing a ceasefire in the Iran war as key to the Strait of Hormuz being open to international trade and energy, as US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping naval operation targeting the oil transit chokepoint. Guo Jiakun, a foreign ministry spokesman, said during a daily press briefing on Monday that the strait was an important channel for international trade in goods and energy, and that “maintaining its safety, stability and unimpeded passage serves the common interests of the...

Faisal Niaz Tirmizi described BRICS as an emerging platform in the global economic landscape

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated that the restoration of the freedom of navigation was of paramount importance for the EU

The US Navy command will face new challenges and threats, Alexander Stepanov said.

AI companies are rationing their offerings and products, rankling users—a warning sign for a boom that depends on rapid adoption.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Holocaust survivors in his office in Jerusalem, on the occasion of Remembrance Day, which is observed on Monday and Tuesday, and assured them that Israel is "hunting down the oppressors" in the context of the regional escalation. "Every year, my wife and I meet with the torchbearers. It is an extraordinarily moving moment because they are giants of the spirit. They endured indescribable suffering, and yet they came to the Land of Israel and participated in our great renaissance," Netanyahu said. "We prevented them from carrying out their plan of annihilation with a force that brought the State of Israel to the peak of its power since its founding," the Prime Minister stated in a statement released by his office on Monday, referring to Iran. "Who would have believed 80 years ago that our brave pilots and our squadrons would be flying over Iran, over Tehran, and not only alone, but also alongside the world's greatest power, flying side by side to attack the oppressor?" he continued. Netanyahu stated that all of this represents a "profound change" compared to the Holocaust experienced by the group of survivors sitting with him in the meeting. "This means that the people of Israel are alive, strong, and powerful. There will be no more Holocaust," he concluded. One of the survivors, Avigdor Neumann, stated that members of his synagogue community...

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife has been charged with influence peddling and private-sector corruption.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, confirmed this Monday that the United Kingdom will not join the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, and emphasized that all of London's efforts are focused on achieving the full reopening of this strategic waterway. "What the United Kingdom has been doing in recent weeks is bringing countries together to ensure that the strait remains open, and not closed," Starmer stated in an interview with BBC Radio 5 on Monday. The Labour leader warned about the direct economic consequences of the closure of the maritime route for British citizens. "As long as the strait remains closed or is not freely navigable as it should be, oil and gas will not reach the market. This means that prices will rise. This means that everyone who is listening to us will face higher energy bills. And I don't want that to happen," he said. Starmer also expressed his concern about the impact of the conflict on the cost of living in the United Kingdom, and directly attributed the increase in prices to the actions of Tehran. "The increase in costs is largely due to the actions of Iran in closing, either completely or partially, the Strait of Hormuz," the Prime Minister stated. Starmer's rejection of the blockade comes a day after Trump announced that the United States would take control of the strait "with immediate effect."

According to Deputy Secretary Alexander Maslennikov, a shortage of physical food supplies could emerge by the third or fourth quarter of 2026.

The pontiff stressed that his increasingly strong anti-war statements are not attacks on any one person.

Pope Leo XIV said he has no intention of entering into a debate with the US president

Failed talks between Iran and the United States over the weekend dashed hopes of a swift deal to permanently end the war.

Prime Minister Koichi met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vo Van Thuong, via telephone, exchanging views on the situation in the Middle East and reaffirming their commitment to cooperate in ensuring energy stability for the entire Asian region.

Spending bills with longer timelines offer tempting ways around blockages, but also put changes out of reach

A driver of a car registered in Singapore has been arrested in Johor for allegedly filling up with subsidized Malaysian petrol. This arrest has sparked a wave of online approval from Malaysians, as the government intensifies border controls due to rising fuel costs and concerns about subsidy abuse in the face of a global energy crisis. The arrest follows months of viral social media posts showing vehicles registered in Singapore allegedly filling up with RON95 petrol in the neighboring state of Johor, fueling public anger over the misuse of a subsidy intended for...

Israeli forces fired tear gas towards a group of children trying to walk to school in the occupied West Bank.

Behind most card payments in Europe stand two American giants, Visa and Mastercard – a dependence recently thrust into the spotlight. After issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several judges at the International Criminal Court were sanctioned by Washington, leaving them unable to use their bank cards – even on European soil.

Russia's Lavrov to visit China for talks on Iran-US conflict, Hormuz blockade

OP Pohjola anticipates a slow but gradual recovery for the Finnish economy, although the war could hinder progress.

The Chinese government on Monday called for an "unimpeded passage" through the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized the need to reach an agreement "as soon as possible" to end the war in the Middle East. This statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the waterway following the failure of weekend talks in Pakistan aimed at reaching a peace agreement with Iran. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for international trade in goods and energy. Maintaining security, stability, and unimpeded passage in the region benefits the common interests of the international community," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press conference. He noted that "the fundamental cause of disruptions to navigation in the Strait (of Hormuz) stems from the conflict surrounding Iran," before adding that "the way to resolve this problem is to achieve a ceasefire and an end to hostilities as soon as possible," according to the Chinese newspaper 'Global Times'. "All parties must remain calm and act with restraint," Guo argued, reiterating that "China is willing to continue playing a positive and constructive role" in reaching a peace agreement that would end the offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran. Trump announced on Sunday, after…

Pope Leo said Monday that he was not scared of the White House, after U. S. President Donald Trump launched a stinging attack on the Catholic church leader. “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” Leo told reporters on a plane to Algeria after sparking Trump’s fury by criticizing the U. S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran. “I do believe in the message of the gospel, as a peacemaker,” Leo said, adding he will “not shy away from pronouncing [that] message.” The pontiff added, “To put my message on the same plane as what the president is attempting to do here is not understanding what the message of the gospel is, and I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church.” Trump blasted Leo on Monday, accusing him of being “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy” in a Truth Social post that underscores a widening rift between the White House and the Vatican. In his remarks Monday, the pontiff dismissed Trump’s criticism and said, “I have no intention of having a debate with him.” Senior Italian politicians, for whom Catholics are a key constituency, indirectly backed the pope on Monday, as the diplomatic furor escalates. “May the ministry of the Holy Father help foster the resolution of conflicts and the return of peace, both within and among Nations, following the path laid out by his Predecessors, and provide support and comfort to the Christian communities he will have the opportunity to meet during the journey,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement published Monday. “Best wishes to Pope Leo for his apostolic journey to Africa,” said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. “I greatly appreciated his call for peace in Sudan. His authoritative words further encourage the Italian government’s commitment through humanitarian missions. Words that represent an important contribution to achieving a ceasefire and the end of the civil war after three years of harsh conflict. “We accompany his mission with prayer,” Tajani added.

About one-fifth of U. S. aluminum imports come from the Gulf and the Middle East accounts for about 9% of global aluminum output.

The economist, famously nicknamed "Doctor Doom" for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has seemingly transformed into a bullish "Doctor Boom" with his latest economic outlook. Nouriel Roubini now predicts that a "Cambrian explosion" of technological advances – including artificial intelligence – could propel the US' potential economic growth to 4 percent by 2030, and as high as 10 percent in less than a quarter-century, overshadowing Middle East oil shocks and other near-term headwinds. Framing AI...

Malaysia ended last week with seven oil tankers en route via the Strait of Hormuz and a government promise that supplies would last through May. Then US President Donald Trump announced a blockade. Analysts say the escalation in the US-Israel war on Iran puts Malaysia on a collision course with an energy crisis sooner than expected. “Putrajaya has already flagged June as a critical pressure point,” said geopolitical risk consultant Asrul Sani, associate vice-president of The Asia Group. “This...

The head of the Catholic Church, who has repeatedly called for an end to the conflicts in Iran and Lebanon, has received sustained criticism from the US president.

LONDON — Britain is not supporting Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Keir Starmer said Monday. The U.K. leader said in a BBC radio interview that he is focused on getting the vital shipping route open. Starmer, who has come under fire from the U.S. president for not providing full military support for U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, said he is “very concerned” about the impact of the war on people in the U.K. who’ve “obviously played no part,” adding: “I don’t want them paying the price.” “We’re not supporting the blockade,” he said. Starmer confirmed that Britain does have “minesweeping capability,” but declined to comment on “operational matters.” Emmanuel Macron stopped short of explicitly stating his opposition to Trump’s blockade in an online post Monday, instead warning that the conflict in the Middle East must be resolved “through diplomacy.” “We mustn’t spare any effort in order to quickly reach a strong and long-term resolution of the conflict in the Middle East through diplomacy,” the French president wrote. He said he will co-host a conference of countries that want to take part “in a peaceful multinational mission” to restore freedom of navigation in the strait in the coming days. “This mission [will be] strictly defensive and separate from the belligerents, and will be deployed as soon as the situation permits,” Macron said. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Sunday that the U.S. would be “blo…

The President of the United States accuses Pope Leo XIV of being "soft on crime and incompetent in foreign policy."

Deputy Secretary Alexander Maslennikov stated that Europe is facing the potential loss of traditional imports from the Persian Gulf, and is also unable to increase its own fertilizer production due to rising gas prices.

Elizabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, discusses the latest on the Middle East conflict as talks between the US and Iran collapsed and President Trump threatened to  blockade the Strait of Hormuz. She speaks on Bloomberg Television. (Source: Bloomberg)

The Lobaev Arms company said the system can be used in remote control mode, as well as in a highly autonomous mode, where AI performs most of the calculations and functions

The arrest of opposition politician Umit Erkol on corruption allegations has intensified claims that President Erdogan’s government is using the judiciary to target political rivals in a sweeping crackdown.

Online data is generally pretty secure. Assuming everyone is careful with passwords and other protections, you can think of it as being locked in a vault so strong that even all the world’s supercomputers, working together for 10,000 years, could not crack it. But last month, Google and others released results suggesting a new kind […] The post Quantum computers to break our codes faster than expected appeared first on Asia Times.

US President Donald Trump’s plan for a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to deepen an already unprecedented crisis.

The US president launches an unprecedented attack on Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff's rejection of the Iran war, accusing him of being "weak on crime" and hurting the Catholic Church.

The US announced a blockade against ships calling at Iranian ports, ramping up pressure on the Middle East nation after marathon peace talks over the weekend ended without a deal. Action was due to start Monday at 10am New York time (10pm Hong Kong), according to US Central Command. Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports won’t be affected, it said. President Donald Trump had earlier said that the blockade would cover all ships using the vital waterway. “Any Iranian...

Off the northern boundary of the Spratly Islands, winds howl and waves surge. A Japanese-flagged oil tanker ploughs through these disputed waters in the South China Sea. The Towa Maru, measuring roughly 340 metres (1,115 feet) long and 60 metres wide, rivals an aircraft carrier in sheer bulk. A Chinese satellite locks its gaze upon the vessel, 35,800km (22,245 miles) overhead. Last month, China released a series of undated radar images of the Towa Maru. It marked the first time ever that a...

Rapidly strengthening storm brings destructive winds, flooding risk and dangerous seas to western Pacific The Mariana Islands archipelago in the western Pacific, home to the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, is bracing for extreme weather early this week as Super Typhoon Sinlaku approaches. The system originated as a cluster of thunderstorms over the seas of Micronesia before strengthening into a tropical storm and then a typhoon on Friday and Saturday. Continue reading...

PM rejects claim plan is integration with EU ‘by stealth’, saying changes will happen only if parliament passes law UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer has defended plans for the UK to align more closely with some EU rules without parliamentary votes, saying a closer relationship with Europe “is in the UK’s best interest”, particularly given the international turmoil over the Iran war. Speaking to the BBC after the Guardian revealed that ministers were planning to use so-called Henry VIII powers to dynamically align with EU rules by default, Starmer argued that, nearly 10 years after the Brexit referendum, it was time to “look forward”. Continue reading...

We speak to an influential voice on European reform, the former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, author of a landmark report on the future of the Single Market, presented in April 2024. Two years on, he says many of its recommendations remain unimplemented, warning that continued fragmentation of the Single Market – and by extension the energy market – is contributing to higher costs for the EU amid the war in the Middle East. We also ask him about the EU’s plans for a digital single currency, alongside a report on the issue from our correspondent Alix Le Bourdon.

Singapore is at the sharp end of the energy crisis. Imported natural gas accounts for an estimated 95 per cent of the city state’s electricity generation. According to Nomura, Singapore is the fourth most vulnerable Asian economy to the energy shock emanating from the war in Iran, based on a set of criteria that includes the share of fossil fuels in energy consumption and the proportion of energy imports from the Gulf. Last month, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the...

During a visit to the project, Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing stated that a mega-dam in Tibet must prioritize ecological integrity and safety. The dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River will be the world's largest hydropower facility and is a key component of China's plans to harness the potential of the Tibetan Plateau by promoting regional growth through green energy and infrastructure. India has repeatedly voiced concerns that the project could lead to water shortages and ecological damage.

PM says opening waterway is ‘vital’ as he rules out any UK involvement in US moves to blockade strait Good morning. The parliamentary recess is over, the Iran war disaster isn’t, campaigning is ramping up because the May elections are less than four weeks to go, and there will be plenty for MPs to discuss as they meet in the Commons this afternoon. The full timetable, as usual, is down below. Keir Starmer is in Greater Manchester this morning, on a visit linked to the English local elections. But he is expected to be in the Commons later giving an update on the UK response to the Iran war, and in an interview on Radio 5 Live a few minutes ago he confirmed that Britain will not join the US in enforcing the new blockade of the stait of Hormuz proposed by Donald Trump. We’re not supporting blockade. The strait is shut or not free for navigation in the way it should be. That means that oil and gas is not getting to market. That means the price is going up. That means everybody listening to this is facing higher energy bills. And I don’t want that to happen. I want their energy bills to be stabilised and lower. And so it is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open. Continue reading...

Now that the United States has failed to get Iran to accept all its demands, "unattractive options" are what remain for Washington, the TV channel noted

China’s reported decision to halt sulphuric acid exports, together with the failure of peace talks between the United States and Iran over the weekend, risks driving prices higher and disrupting global mining and fertiliser supply chains that have few readily available alternatives. Beijing had indicated it would halt shipments of sulphuric acid from May, according to reports from Acuity Commodities and Bloomberg, though no official announcement has been made. Economists said food security sat...

Trump vowed to block all vessels passing through the Strait after weekend talks with Iran broke down, causing oil and natural gas prices to climb sharply.

The world’s largest water fight erupted across Bangkok on Monday as the three-day annual Songkran festival drew a surge in tourists to a country whose bruised economy badly needed a reason to celebrate. Thailand has refused to let a fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran dampen its traditional New Year’s celebrations, even as prices spike for everything from petrol to ice during the hottest month of the year. The water festival – also known as Thingyan in neighbouring Myanmar and...

The US president accuses Leo of being "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy".

According to Business Standard, the decline in stock indices was driven by investor concerns over a potential new escalation around Iran and the resulting rise in oil prices

Burundi nominated former Senegal president Macky Sall for UN chief, but Africa's backing fractured. AU procedural disputes, objections and regional politics scuppered a united endorsement.

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Walk into a bank and you will probably hear the tapping of keyboards and see smartly dressed staff. Now, you may also catch the scent of Singapore’s renowned pandan cake. It is an unusual combination – but you are not mistaken. You have arrived at OCBC Hong Kong’s new branch in Central. In an era when banking is increasingly conducted on smartphones and laptops, physical branches might feel like relics of the past. Yet...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday criticized Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of being "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post that highlights a growing divide between the White House and the Vatican. Trump's 334-word statement followed recent remarks by Leo condemning the Israeli-U.S. war in Iran, including describing a threat by Trump to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure as "truly unacceptable." "God does not bless any conflict," Leo wrote on X Friday. "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs." In what appeared to be a response, Trump criticized the pope for "catering to the Radical Left" and failing to support the U.S. on matters of national security. "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump wrote, referring to Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida. "He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela," Trump said. The U.S. president, who was raised Presbyterian, followed up his comment with a post featuring an image of himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick man while eagles and jet planes soared overhead. Trump also questioned the legitimacy of Leo's election, claiming, without evidence, that his own presidency had en...

This process could benefit both sides, Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said

"The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who buys or sells sanctioned Iranian oil," US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said

Singapore’s central bank is poised to tighten policy, potentially becoming one of the first in Asia to adjust settings following the Middle East conflict.

Market sentiment is negative following the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran. In the wake of this breakdown, the American president announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Passenger flight cuts triggered by surging fuel prices could temporarily affect Hong Kong’s status as a transit hub, but the impact will be relative and depend on how long the Middle East conflict lasts, aviation experts have said. Steven Cheung King-lung, chairman of the Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association, said on Monday that the city faced fierce competition in the region not only from Singapore, but also from the Greater Bay Area, as well as from Japan and South Korea. “While...

Economist and CEO Nouriel Roubini says decisive escalation can force a surrender from Tehran and bring a durable end to the Iran war, even as it risks ever higher oil prices. He speaks to Bloomberg's David Ingles at the Greenwich Economic Forum in Hong Kong. (Source: Bloomberg)

Trump has warned of a long-lasting impact from the move, saying that oil and gasoline prices may remain high through November’s midterm elections.

Trump: "Other nations are working to ensure that Iran cannot sell oil."

The yen has been hovering around 159.70, near the 160 yen level many consider to be intervention-danger zone and Japan’s trade minister said that a rate increase could be one way to bolstering the currency.

Taiwan has formally inaugurated its first national-level robotics hub. The National Center for AI Robotics, established under the National Institutes of Applied Research, is a strategic bet on converting academic research into globally competitive companies. The center is expected to anchor the island's push to build a world-class intelligent robotics industry.

In today’s newsletter: Orbán concedes defeat after 16 years in power, ushering in a new era for Hungary’s relations with the EU, US and Russia. Good morning. The people of Hungary are waking up in an unfamiliar political landscape – one in which Viktor Orbán, who has served as prime minister since 2010, is stepping aside after defeat to Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party has won an election likely to reshape the country’s ties with the EU, the US and Russia. Less than three hours after polls closed on Sunday, Orbán conceded defeat after what he described as a “painful but unambiguous” result. Magyar, who has pledged to repair Hungary’s strained relationship with the EU, crack down on corruption and channel funds towards long-neglected public services, said Tisza voters had rewritten Hungarian history and that “truth prevailed over lies”. Middle East | Donald Trump has said the US will begin blockading the strait of Hormuz in an attempt to take control of the strategic waterway from Iran in the aftermath of failed peace negotiations. Carers | Thousands of unpaid carers will continue to be hit with hefty and potentially unfair benefit repayment demands, as a government initiative gets under way to fix welfare injustices that have drawn comparison to the Post Office scandal. UK news | The Home Office is to announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels this week as part of its pledge to close all such facilities by the end of this parliament. Ireland | Police have cle…

President Donald Trump has ordered the US navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran failed in Islamabad. The Lebanese Prime Minsiter, meanwhile, said he was working to stop the Israel-Hezbollah war, ahead of talks in Washington on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US Navy would impose a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, announced after failed face-to-face talks in Islamabad, signals a perilous new phase of the Iran war, one that threatens to prolong the oil shock’s impact on the global economy and entrench US forces in a long-term conflict. […] The post Dueling Hormuz blockades push world to the brink appeared first on Asia Times.

Netflix's hit series Beef returns for season 2 while London's V&A East celebrates British Black music in a landmark new exhibition. Here's what else to look out for this week.

Southeast Asian nations called on the US and Iran to continue negotiations to end their conflict after talks over the weekend fell through.

Researchers say hardship is a direct consequence of welfare benefit cuts implemented by Conservative governments in recent years. More than a fifth of all British children, part of the so-called "austerity generation," have experienced poverty for at least half of their childhood, a direct result of welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals. The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship increased significantly after ministers froze benefit levels for working-age adults and implemented policies such as the two-child limit, the research found.

Exclusive: MPs say profit-making levels in England are ‘scandalous’ and call for cap on amount private companies can make from NHS Private firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals. The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels. £2bn of the £12bn of contracts went to firms with owners based outside the UK. £533m of that £2bn went to companies owned by people living in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands. Firms, especially those owned by private equity outfits, used £353m of their £12bn NHS income to pay interest on debts. Continue reading...

The political aftershocks from Sunday's election in Budapest comes at a volatile time amid a collapsing ceasefire between the United States and Iran as Tehran re-imposes a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, back in Brussels, the 2028-2034 budget is on the table.

Coach believes there’s no limit to 18-year-old’s talent while athlete himself says he’s ‘ready for more’ Having cracked the 20-second barrier with a sizzling run over 200m – and in the process fulled comparisons with the great Usain Bolt – the question now is, how fast can Gout Gout go? “How long’s a piece of string?” said Gout’s coach and mentor, Di Sheppard, after he clocked 19.67sec at the Australian championships in Sydney on Sunday. Continue reading...

The total combat losses of Russian forces from February 24, 2022, to April 13 2026 in the war against Ukraine amount to approximately 1,312,140 personnel, including 960 over the past day.

"This conflict is no longer doing anyone any good," Nikolay Azarov said

Naval embargo designed to cut off Iran’s exports threatens to destabilise global energy markets

Pope Leo XIV on Monday begins his most ambitious trip since becoming head of the Catholic Church, travelling across four African countries with a focus on peace, inequality and interfaith dialogue.

Vice President JD Vance led the highest-level talks between the United States and Iran in nearly 50 years.

The only request received by Canberra concerned support for Gulf countries, Anthony Albanese said

China’s tea-drink market, with estimated annual sales of 370 billion yuan (US$54.2 billion), has become yet another example of involution as brutal price competition threatens to expel thousands of unprofitable small players. The dire scenario represents a rude reminder to those who hope to strike it rich by investing in a fast-growing business in mainland China’s vast consumer market, which abounds with boom-to-bust cycles. “Bubble tea is a dynamic market, and it is never easy to make money...

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing 2. ‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China 3. UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation 4. Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its...

President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U. S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is "doing a very good job." (Image credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The Ukrainian president will be at Palazzo Chigi this afternoon. A ceasefire is currently in effect for the Orthodox Easter holiday.

The US president believes that Leo XIV was put on the candidates list "because he was an American"

UK could make migrants wait up to 20 years before becoming settled – making it one of the longest waits in world

The Dutch king and queen are scheduled to stay at the White House on Monday night. Amidst current tensions between the Atlantic nations, the Netherlands is uncertain about how to feel about this.

A cluster of Chinese firms is poised to win big from the energy crisis set off by the war in the Middle East, building on booming investment in artificial intelligence.

The number of tickets available to win "Tête de Femme" will be limited to 120,000, and the proceeds will go to Alzheimer's research. A raffle in France is offering the chance to win a portrait by Pablo Picasso for the price of a €100 (£87) ticket, with the proceeds benefiting Alzheimer's research. Picasso painted the gouache-on-paper work "Tête de Femme" (Head of a Woman) in 1941. The raffle organizers' online sales platform states that the number of tickets will be capped at 120,000, meaning the draw could generate €12 million if all tickets are sold.

Officials grant Grade II* protection to ‘rare building that raises more questions than it answers’ It is an elite list with some of the most significant and beautiful buildings and structures in England, including Battersea power station, Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge and the London Coliseum. Now the Grade II* landmarks are being joined by a mysterious, limestone rubble “barn” on a grassy knoll in the Lake District, which was most recently used as a shelter for sheep and cows. Continue reading...