Geopolitical Instability and Shifting Realitiesactive

According to NNA, the strikes hit an ambulance crew, resulting in casualties

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran has made key concessions in an ongoing negotiation to end the seven-week war, while a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon increased the prospect of a broader peace. Tehran is yet to publicly comment on the prospects of a deal. (Source: Bloomberg)

Claims that the US tech giant, Apple, intentionally erased settlement names in southern Lebanon recently went viral. The tech giant says they were never included.

Lyse Doucet says Iranians want a solution to the long-running animosity with the US, but leaders is not willing to make a deal on Washington's terms.

Riz Ahmed tells Mishal Husain that, just like Hamlet, we're being "gaslit" about the end of the "old order." (Source: Bloomberg)

A primary school on an outlying island in Hong Kong will cease operations in the 2029–30 academic year after failing to submit a survival plan due to an insufficient number of Primary One pupils for next year. CCC Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School will also be the first of 15 under-enrolled schools barred from operating subsidised P1 classes from September. A spokeswoman for the Education Bureau said on Friday that the school did not apply for any survival options despite being...

US President Donald Trump has described the war in Iran, which has killed more than 2,000 people, as a "little diversion."

A new Hamlet is in US cinemas with UK actor Riz Ahmed as the tortured prince. Known for his role in the Oscar-winning The Long Goodbye, he tells Mishal Husain of the enduring power of Shakespeare. (Source: Bloomberg)

The International Atomic Energy Agency is investigating the cause of a temporary external power outage at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday evening.

Hong Kong police are hunting for a man after mobile phones were snatched from two women moments before MTR train doors closed at two different stations. Police received reports from two victims, aged 48 and 33, at 8.24pm and 8.33pm on Thursday, respectively, that their phones had been grabbed by a man at Lai King and Mei Foo stations. The suspect, believed to be about 30 years old, took advantage of the closing doors to snatch the devices and escape. The stolen phones – an OPPO Find X9 and an...

Prime minister says Corio refinery fire will not push Australia into stage 3 restrictions, despite reduced production of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese says petrol production has fallen 40% at one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries but the damage caused by the fire at the Geelong facility will not lead to fuel restrictions. The prime minister spoke outside the Viva Energy refinery – which had been supplying about half of Victoria’s fuel before a massive fire burned for 13 hours until noon Thursday – on Friday morning, and said the facility was also producing less diesel and aviation fuel. Continue reading...

The US president said the operation was going "swimmingly"

Manycore Tech, a design software developer recognized as one of Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons," made its trading debut in Hong Kong on Friday. Shares surged 172 percent at the open, as the company aims to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and the physical world. The company's shares opened at HK$20.70 (US$2.64), a 172 percent increase compared to the offer price of HK$7.62. The company raised HK$1.09 billion through its initial public offering (IPO). On the grey market on Thursday,...

An Australian company will import 250,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Indonesia in the coming months, easing fears of a shortage that would crimp food production, Canberra said on Friday. Australia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of crops including wheat, barley and canola but relies on fertiliser imports that are threatened by ‌the war on Iran, which has cut supply from the Middle East, a major urea producer. The price of urea, a source of nitrogen that fuels plant growth, has risen...

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the US, went into effect at 5pm EST on Thursday. Lebanon's army soon after reported “acts of aggression” by Israel that it said violated the ceasefire agreement. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

US President Donald Trump has said that the war in Iran is progressing “swimmingly” and could “end pretty soon.”

Rat snakes comprise one of the most diverse groups within the reptile world, belonging to the largest family, Colubridae. These animals are widely distributed throughout the Old World and the New World, which accounts for their enormous variety. The Colubridae family includes species found in a wide range of habitats, with different adaptations depending on their environment. Despite their diversity, they share common characteristics such as a long, slender body and the ability to climb. Species from the Old World (Asia and Europe) and those from the New World (primarily the Americas) exhibit differences in color, size, and behavior, although they are typically associated with environments where they find their primary food source: small mammals and birds. Within this group, the corn snake has become popular as a pet, due to its docile nature and ease of care, as explained by the educational website HowStuffWorks. The diversity of rat snakes is reflected in unique species such as the rhinoceros rat snake, which has a protuberance on the tip of its snout that visually distinguishes it from other species. This variety of forms and behaviors has allowed rat snakes to occupy different ecological niches throughout their wide geographic distribution. Defense strategies and natural predators When faced with threats, rat snakes have developed various defense mechanisms. Many species...

Dubai has completed its first flying taxi station, with commercial operations expected to begin by the end of the year, authorities in the Gulf emirate announced on Thursday. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, crown prince of Dubai and United Arab Emirates deputy prime minister, visited Dubai’s “first purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) Air Taxi Station,” the emirate’s media office said in a statement. The facility, described by the emirate’s authorities as the “first of its…

Israeli and Lebanese officials had confirmed they would implement the truce. Hezbollah acknowledged the cease-fire, but did not directly address whether it would follow it.

The Foreign Press Association has accused the Israeli military of discrediting a Lebanese journalist it killed in March, by using an AI-generated photo to present him as a “Hezbollah terrorist.” The Israel Defence Forces claimed responsibility for killing Ali Shoeib in a targeted Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. It then shared an edited photo of him on social media, overlaying his press vest with a Hezbollah uniform, saying a “press vest is just a cover for terror.”

US President Donald Trump announced in a Thursday social media post that the governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that will begin on Thursday evening. The president also said that he would be inviting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House to establish a more lasting truce between the two countries. Israel has for […] The post Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to 10-day ceasefire appeared first on Asia Times.

Following what he called 'excellent' phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said the truce would begin within hours.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced, in a move that could ease some of the tension straining Washington’s temporary truce with Tehran. Trump said the ceasefire, which comes into effect at 5pm EST, followed what he described as “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. “These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries,...

As hopes for a lasting deal between the US and Iran steady markets worldwide, traders are tentatively reviving a range of bets that benefit from falling volatility.

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump-Xi summit shaped by uncertainty, not strategy: experts The lead-up for the consequential Trump-Xi summit has been compressed and rather disjointed given the Middle East war and Trump’s preference for making last-minute decisions based on his “gut”. One source told the South China...

Indonesia’s push to bring thousands of unlicensed tourist stays into the legal fold is running into a familiar administrative obstacle in Bali, with operators saying the government wants faster compliance than the bureaucracy could allow. In December, the Ministry of Tourism said unlicensed accommodation providers in Bali, Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and West Java had until March 31 to register their hotels, guest houses, villas and homestays, in a move meant to improve service quality,...

UK’s largest supermarket chain posts flat full-year profits

An international media association has accused the Israeli military of discrediting a Lebanese journalist it killed last month by circulating an AI‑generated image of him in Hezbollah fatigues.

ONS figure for February suggests economy was gaining momentum before conflict stoked inflation with soaring energy prices The UK economy unexpectedly expanded by 0.5% in February, before the war in the Middle East dashed hopes of an uptick in growth this year, official figures show. The unusually large increase reported by the Office for National Statistics, suggests the economy had gained momentum before the conflict began. Economists had forecast just a 0.1% expansion. Continue reading...

The UK economy was expanding quickly in the weeks leading up to the outbreak of war in Iran, revealing the extent to which conflict in the Middle East has changed British fortunes.

Nearly 1,800 young Hongkongers convicted of protest and national security-related offences have taken part in a rehabilitation programme, authorities have said, including 99 per cent of those found guilty over the 2019 unrest, up from 63 per cent in 2021. Responding to a question from lawmaker Chan Hok-fung, the Security Bureau said that 1,768 inmates had taken part in Project PATH as of the end of February. “According to the observation and assessment made by correctional officers, Project PATH...

Some petrol stations may see short-term fuel outages as refinery output slows, but national supplies should not be affected Full report: Geelong oil refinery fire Geelong oil refinery fire: what we know so far Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Victorian motorists are being warned to brace for a spike in petrol prices of up to 20c a litre due to a huge blaze at Viva Energy’s oil refinery in Geelong, but oil and supply chain experts say the effects should be short-lived. Viva’s Corio facility is one of two domestic refineries that reduce Australia’s heavy reliance on direct imports of ready-to-use oil products from Asia. Continue reading...

The partial closure of a major landfill site on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali is forcing thousands of residents to instead burn trash in their gardens, sparking widespread environmental and health concerns. Suwung landfill, about 10km (six miles) northeast of Denpasar International Airport, used to handle some 1,000 tonnes (1,100 tons) of rubbish a day. As the site nears capacity, authorities said it would stop taking organic waste as of April 1 in an attempt to direct that matter...

The leader of Iran’s joint military command threatened Wednesday to halt trade in the Gulf region if the US does not lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Even so, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was “very close to over” in an interview that aired Wednesday. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

A fire at one of Australia’s two operating oil refineries could hit petrol production more than diesel and aviation fuel, authorities said on Thursday, as emergency crews worked overnight to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters were battling flames as tall as 60 metres (200 feet) at Viva ‌Energy’s motor petrol production unit at its Geelong refinery in Victoria state, which processes crude into high-octane petrol. No injuries have been reported from the fire, which emergency crews were alerted to...

The fire is burning out of control at the Geelong oil refinery, one of only two in Australia.

Fire Rescue Victoria said it responded at 11:15 pm on Wednesday following multiple reports of explosions and flames at the Viva Oil Refinery in Geelong.

Scheme cutting bills by up to 25% expanded to cover 10,000 firms, but they will not be paid until next year Rachel Reeves has announced an expansion of support for the most energy-intensive UK businesses, as they face soaring bills as a result of the Middle East conflict. The chancellor said the long-promised British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) would be expanded to cover 10,000 companies, up from the 7,000 originally announced. Continue reading...

The BBC's chief international correspondent reports from Iran as diplomatic efforts to avoid a return to war intensify.

Concerns about a full-blown supply crisis recede as Asia cuts consumption

Every day, the company Ibope compiles ratings that help to rank the most popular television content among viewers. Using a new methodology, Ibope now measures content consumption not only on free-to-air television but also on cable, digital platforms, and mobile devices. This expanded scope now encompasses a universe of 16.6 million people when it comes to choosing from the available programming options. The main channels competing in national free-to-air television are Chilevisión, Mega, Canal 13, and TVN, all offering a wide range of productions. Morning shows, news programs, soap operas, and a variety of talk and entertainment shows are all part of the programming lineup of Chilean channels and are key factors in the ratings. To determine the daily television ratings, the data collection covers all 16 regions of the country, allowing for a more accurate and representative picture of viewership. Television Ratings for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 These were the most-watched programs on Tuesday, April 14, according to the television ratings compiled by Ibope for free-to-air channels. Aguas de Oro Meganoticias Prime El Jardín de Olivia Reunión de Superados El Jardín de Olivia (Summary) Dale Play Teletrece Conmebol Women's League of Nations / Colombia - Chile Meganoticias Alerta La Hora de Jugar According to Ibope, their measurement system incorporates the People Meter 7, a tablet that optimizes data collection in households, along with the Focal Meter, a device that measures video consumption on smart screens and computers.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been selected as one of the 100 most influential people of 2026, according to the magazine Time. His work during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and his role as a mediator in the delicate situation of nuclear power plants were key factors in his selection. After Russian troops occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, both Kyiv and Moscow allowed a mission led by Grossi to enter the facility to inspect the damage and monitor the safety of the reactor, according to Time Magazine. The IAEA Director is currently responsible for assessing Iran's nuclear program following the joint attack by the United States and Israel, which occurred a day after the IAEA's board of governors accused Tehran of violating the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. In June 2025, inspectors from the UN agency were scheduled to visit a new Iranian facility, a visit that did not take place due to the Israeli offensive, according to the publication. Amid these challenges, Grossi, a national of Argentina, has emerged as a leading candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations, a position he considers essential. "When we see cases like Gaza, South Sudan, the Caucasus, India and Pakistan, or Cambodia, the common factor is the absence of the United Nations. This cannot continue," stated the current head of the…

In Malaysia, artificial intelligence is already causing harm to content creators through deepfake nudes, cloned voices, scam advertisements and stolen likenesses, experts have warned. They shared the view at the Freedom Film Network’s second International Conference on Film & Society in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, where creators, researchers and advocates from across Southeast Asia gathered under the theme “Cultivating Artistic Freedom in a Volatile World”. Melissa Lim Shi Hui, a lawyer and legal...

A breakthrough in India’s nuclear power research has been hailed as a defining moment for the country’s energy programme and a step towards self-reliance. Earlier this month, Indian scientists revealed they had achieved criticality, a state of self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, at the Kalpakkam prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) in Tamil Nadu state. The programme promises to harness India’s abundant thorium reserves, which constitute around 25 per cent of global deposits, advancing its...

DBS Bank (Hong Kong) has agreed to pay about HK$2.62 billion (US$334 million) for six floors at The Center – once the world’s most expensive skyscraper – marking the city’s largest office transaction so far this year. The lender acquired the 26th, 32nd, 36th, 37th, 56th and 76th floors late last month, with the deal registered on Tuesday, according to Land Registry records. The purchase adds 151,934 sq ft of gross floor area, DBS said in a statement on Wednesday. The price works out to roughly...

Section of state’s electoral act that introduced caps on political donations but carved out an exemption for major parties ruled unconstitutional The high court has ruled Victoria’s political donation laws are unconstitutional, in a move that has been described as “enshrining a level playing field”. The unanimous decision, handed down by Australia’s highest court on Wednesday, struck out an entire section of Victoria’s electoral act that introduced caps on political donations but carved out an exemption for major parties. Continue reading...

Rep. Clay Fuller (R-Ga.) was sworn into office on Tuesday after winning a special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Fuller will serve out the remaining months of Greene’s term — helping Republicans maintain their razor-thin majority in the House and bolster support for President Trump’s agenda in Congress. “You were sent…

Filing seeks to overturn seditious conspiracy charges of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members who laid siege to US Capitol in 2021 The US Department of Justice has requested that a federal appeals judge overturn convictions for members of far-right groups Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, who were previously found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the violent siege of the US capitol in 2021. Jeanine Pirro, the Donald Trump-appointed US attorney for the District of Columbia, signed separate motions on Tuesday to vacate convictions for a slew of individuals, including the Proud Boys’ leaders Ethan Nordean and Joseph Biggs as well as Stewart Rhodes, a former attorney who founded the Oath Keepers’ militia. Continue reading...

President Donald Trump last year commuted the prison sentences of 12 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

Lebanon was pulled into the region-wide Iran war on 2 March after Hezbollah attacked Israel, it said in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In Marco Rubio's opinion, there is hope that a framework can be worked out that leads to "a permanent and lasting peace"

Germany will continue to support Ukraine’s path toward EU accession, Friedrich Merz said

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Cabinet are in Berlin on Tuesday for broad talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German government ministers. DW has more.

Migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates, whose hospitality industry has been hit hard by the war with Iran, are facing furloughs, pay cuts and even repatriation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his cabinet are expected in Berlin on Tuesday for broad talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German government ministers. DW has more.

No new energy shipments have been loaded in April, signalling a worsening disruption that could intensify the global energy and economic impact, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Monday.

Front-loaded orders, fewer February working days, and a low base lifted Taiwanese panel makers' March revenue. In the first quarter of 2026, Innolux, GiantPlus, and Hannstar Display all posted year-over-year growth, while AUO lagged.

The Iran war has exposed vulnerabilities of countries reliant on Middle Eastern fossil fuels. Ramon Mendez, former Uruguayan Energy Secretary and President of REN21, tells France 24 that a drastic shift to renewable energy is possible with the right strategy in place, and other nations can follow Uruguay's footsteps - the South American country now gets 98% of its electricity grid from low-carbon sources.

Omer Celik stressed that the situation "has reached a point that could lead to cracks even within NATO and the entire Western alliance"

A new report distills the Trump administration’s strategy as officials jockey to shape health care messages ahead of this year’s midterm elections.

Every day, the Ibope company compiles ratings that help to rank the most popular television content among viewers. Using a new methodology, Ibope now measures content consumption not only on free-to-air television but also on cable, digital platforms, and mobile devices. This expanded scope now encompasses a universe of 16.6 million people when it comes to choosing from the available programming options. The main channels competing in national free-to-air television are Chilevisión, Mega, Canal 13, and TVN, all offering a wide range of productions. Morning shows, news programs, soap operas, and a variety of talk and entertainment shows are all part of the programming lineup of Chilean channels and are key factors in the ratings. To determine the daily television ratings, the data collection covers all 16 regions of the country, providing a more accurate and representative picture of viewership. Television Ratings for Sunday, April 12, 2026 These were the most-watched programs on Sunday, April 12, according to the television ratings compiled by Ibope for free-to-air television. Meganoticias Prime Sunday 133 Trapped by Reality CHV Noticias Central Teletrece Sabingo (B) / Secrets of the Pacific Fiebre de Baile (Dance Fever) CHV Noticias Tarde (CHV News Afternoon) Cultura 13 / Places That Speak (R) 24 Horas Central Sunday (24 Hours Central Sunday) Meganoticias Actualiza Domingo (Meganoticias Updates Sunday) According to Ibope, their measurement system incorporates the People Meter 7, a tablet that optimizes data collection in households, along with the Focal Meter, a device that measures video consumption…

Buchenwald was one of the largest concentration camps on German soil. Eighty‑one years ago, it was liberated. The commemoration included moving words — and protests.

The term "banana spider" has become popular to describe several species that, although different, share certain striking characteristics that have caused concern in various regions. The educational website HowStuffWorks indicates that this nickname is usually associated with large arachnids, with bright colors and noticeable behaviors, found in plantations, gardens, or domestic environments, especially in tropical areas. Although the name may evoke fear, most of the species referred to as "banana spiders" do not pose a serious threat to humans; many possess venom, but its toxicity rarely represents a significant danger, and their bites tend to cause only minor discomfort. In general, these spiders exhibit elongated bodies and long legs, sometimes with bright colors, and display a reserved and non-aggressive behavior towards people. The common designation has contributed to many people irrationally fearing these arachnids, associating them with potentially fatal bites or serious reactions, when this fear is based on misinformation and the confusion caused by the inaccuracy of common names. Specific species called "banana spiders" and their characteristics The nickname "banana spider" does not refer to a single species, but rather groups several types of spiders named as such for different reasons in various regions. Among the most well-known is the golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes), the only…

Every fourth person living in Germany has either moved there or been born to parents who are both immigrants. The new statistics are a modest increase on the 2024 figures.

On April 1, Baidu’s Apollo Go opened bookings on its own app in Dubai, the first international deployment of its proprietary autonomous ride-hailing platform. Two days earlier, on March 30, WeRide and Uber launched the first fully driverless robotaxi operations in Dubai, allowing riders to book without a human operator through the Uber app. The […] The post China tech companies going gangbusters in the Gulf appeared first on Asia Times.

BERLIN — The leaders of Germany’s centrist coalition on Monday announced a range of measures to tackle the fallout of the U. S.-Israeli war with Iran. Ministers in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative alliance and their coalition partner, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), had been at odds in recent weeks over the best way to address the growing strain that the war in the Middle East is placing on Germany’s already struggling economy. Monday’s measures were announced following closed-door negotiations that lasted all weekend. “We will feel the consequences of this war for a long time to come, even after it is over,” Merz said at a press conference in Berlin. “That is why we want to do everything within our power — and while our resources are limited, they do exist — to maintain and improve the competitiveness of the German economy and to ease the situation for private households.” Among the measures to ease the immediate pressure are a temporary reduction of the mineral oil tax by 17 cents per liter for two months, and the option for companies to pay their employees a tax-free “relief bonus” of up to €1,000. “The strain over the past few weeks has been unbearable for many people — unbearable for small and medium-sized businesses, but also for individual citizens,” said Markus Söder, the leader of the Bavarian conservatives. “Daily reminders that prices are going up, like at the gas pump [have caused] a sense of powerlessness, anger, and a real heavy burden … We are acting against this.” Merz’s government had hoped to revamp the EU’s biggest economy this year, but the fallout of the war in Iran could significantly hinder that prospect. The German economy shrunk in 2023 and 2024 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Last year, the country’s gross domestic product grew by just 0.2 percent. Bärbel Bas, one of the co-leaders of the SPD, pointed to the need to become more resilient. “It is also important that we become less dependent on others,” she said. “That was also a discussion we had — that we need to make ourselves stronger so that we can withstand everything else around us that we have little control over.” Péter Magyar’s victory in Hungary would make it easier for the European Union to act swiftly and in a united way over the coming months, she added. The coalition announced that they would present a longer-term proposal for tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners in the coming weeks. They also aim to pass a systematic reform of the health insurance system in parliament by summer in a bid to ease the burden on German employers in light of the country’s rapidly aging population. The coalition also confirmed its intention to do battle in Brussels and push to further weaken emissions targets for automakers, rejecting the European Commission’s small-car proposal, as well as a proposal to require offsets for extra emissions. “The auto industry is inextricably linked not only to jobs, but also to Germany’s economic strength and identity,” Söder said. “We must not simply hand this important economic asset and market over to China.” Jordyn Dahl contributed reporting from Brussels.

In southern Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel had eliminated the “threat of an invasion” by Hezbollah, during his first visit there since fighting began against the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite movement on March 2.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized this Sunday that "the war continues," during his visit to southern Lebanon, a region that has been the target of an Israeli military offensive since March 2nd. The offensive, according to the Israeli military, is aimed at operations against the Lebanese Shia militia and political party, Hezbollah, while the official death toll in the invaded country has already exceeded two thousand. "The war continues, even within the security zone in Lebanon, where I was just now," Netanyahu stated in a video posted on his social media channels. Surrounded by members of his country's forces, he said they have "thwarted the threat of an invasion from Lebanon" thanks to this security zone. Thus, claiming to have accomplished "a tremendous amount of work" and achieved "great successes," the Israeli leader pointed out that "there is still more to be done," while they continue to "deal with high-trajectory rockets." "We have changed the landscape of the Middle East," he argued, adding that Israel's "enemies" wanted its "destruction," but "now they are simply fighting for their own survival." Since the end of March, Israel has accelerated its invasion of southern Lebanon, a primary target for the Israeli military. The goal is to create a buffer zone between northern Israel and the region, a target of attacks by the Shia militia. Meanwhile, the official figures from the Ministry of Health...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he expects oil firms to pass on a fuel duty cut to consumers. DW has the latest.

The global semiconductor foundry industry has reached an estimated $402 billion in 2026, reflecting both the scale and the structural complexity of modern semiconductor manufacturing, according to Yole

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition agreed on a raft of measures worth €1.6 billion ($1.9 billion) to ease the impact of surging fuel prices for German consumers.

According to a joint report by the organizations Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM), the Iranian regime's authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989. The report warned of a potential further expansion of the use of the death penalty following the January protests and the conflict with Israel and the United States. The annual report indicated that this figure represents a 68% increase compared to the 975 executions recorded in 2024. The total includes at least 48 women who were executed, the highest number in over two decades. The organizations noted that the number represents an "absolute minimum," as many cases are not reported in Iranian official media and require independent verification. On average, more than four executions were recorded per day during 2025. The report stated that this is the highest number since IHR began collecting data in 2008 and the largest reported since the early years following the Islamic Revolution. "If the Islamic Republic 'survives the current crisis, there is a serious risk that executions will be used even more widely as a tool of oppression and repression,'" the report warned. The NGOs also warned that "hundreds of protesters who remain detained are still at risk of receiving death sentences and executions" after being accused of capital crimes in connection with the January 2026 protests. These protests…

Trips in electric vehicles will be exempt from the temporary fee of 5 cents per kilometre, rideshare firm says Uber customers in Australia will be charged a fuel surcharge for almost two months from Wednesday unless they ride in an electric vehicle. Trips in petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles will attract an extra fee of 5 cents per kilometre from 15 April to 8 June, Uber announced on Monday. Continue reading...

Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said ⁠it detained ⁠two tankers for allegedly conducting ⁠an illegal ship-to-ship transfer of about 700,000 litres (185,000 gallons) of diesel off the island of Penang over the weekend. Malaysia has been cracking down on fuel smuggling amid mounting shortages and ‌supply disruptions throughout the region caused by the war in the Middle East. Penang MMEA director Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said authorities carried out checks following an intelligence...

BOE former chairman Wang Dongsheng once predicted that panel production lines below Generation 7.5 would eventually be phased out following the end of the industry's oligopolistic phase. Yet Taiwan's leading panel makers are taking a more nuanced path. While capacity reductions continue, both AUO and Innolux reject a blanket shutdown approach, opting instead for selective and strategic adjustments.

Exclusive: Documents viewed by Guardian Australia reveal private prison contractor told staff ‘restraints must be used’ for all risk levels Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The American private prison company running Australia’s onshore immigration detention system has ordered that all detainees be handcuffed while travelling – regardless of whether they pose a risk – after a string of security lapses. More than a dozen escapes or attempted escapes have taken place since the Management and Training Corporation (MTC) began operating the immigration detention centres last March, having won a $2.3bn contract with the Department of Home Affairs. Continue reading...

Nine million voters have been dropped from rolls in West Bengal, raising concerns over exclusion and fairness.

Hakan Fidan spoke over the phone with US and Pakistani officials

No American president should ever casually talk about wiping out a civilization.

Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire on Sunday as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

As the U. S. nears its 250th anniversary, a battle for the soul of U. S. history is unfolding, with efforts being made to whitewash the history of resistance against enslavement, prompting Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) to introduce a resolution in Congress to protect Black history museums and cultural institutions.

Hong Kong and Shanghai have taken a significant step in the digital integration of the two financial hubs by linking authentication systems, while five mainland Chinese enterprises have established operations in the city, officials have said. Both sides highlighted the progress on Sunday during the first annual meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Cooperation. They gathered in Hong Kong to review a deepening partnership over the past year aimed at tackling technical...

Leone renewed his call for a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the world's attention on Ukraine.

Hong Kong singer Hins Cheung’s new role as a mentor and volunteer for the Security Bureau’s youth rehabilitation programme has sent shock waves through his fan base. For years, the Guangzhou-born singer was celebrated not just for his vocal prowess but also for his perceived alignment with the city’s grass-roots sentiments during social movements. The South China Morning Post unpacks how the controversy exploded overnight. 1. Who is Hins Cheung? Born in 1981 in Guangzhou, Cheung moved to Hong...

Muhoozi Kainerugaba accused Turkey of profiting from infrastructure and port deals in Somalia, while Ugandan troops have spent two decades fighting Al-Shabab militants.

Malaysia is expected to face a critical period regarding fuel supply by June, according to Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. He stated that the government is implementing measures to address the global fuel shortage amid the Middle East conflict, including exploring alternative raw materials. "June and July will be a very critical period in ensuring fuel supplies are available," Akmal Nasrullah said after attending an event in Johor Bahru. "It will be equally important to ensure...

Hong Kong authorities will not “draw a line” on who is eligible for a rehabilitation programme for those arrested during the 2019 anti-government protests, the security minister has said, while defending the decision to keep the project a secret for two years to prevent bullying. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Sunday that a special rehabilitation programme run by the Security Bureau for people arrested in connection with the 2019 unrest had been ongoing for the past one to...

Swiss musician To Athena has performed inside a cave in a melting glacier to highlight ice loss in the Alps.

Nguyen Van Loc was persecuted for performing Hanoi’s old romantic music during (and after) the Vietnam War. He can’t stop. He won’t stop.

Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch distance themselves from the US president, having once celebrated his example

A minister is being mistreated, insulted, and detained (or kidnapped) at a university, an institution where rational debate is supposed to be fostered. Classes are being suspended due to violence, or the threat of violence, between students, against professors, or against visitors, as was the case at the Austral University this week. The question that keeps coming up is: what can stop this? What works? As if it were a switch that can be turned on and off. Metal detectors. Backpack searches. Harsher penalties for those who violate the rules. All measures that can help, especially in alleviating the anxiety of parents facing the risk, but which have not been a panacea for reducing violence and the occurrence of these incidents. Let's consider the case of Minister Ximena Lincolao. Regarding the metal detectors, the question being debated today is: what metal detector could have stopped those young people who decided, in practice, to kidnap her? Those who insulted her because of her Mapuche heritage, who physically assaulted her, who frightened her, who spat on her, who left her in a state of suspension, waiting for someone to rescue her, whisking her away in a car with the doors open? In addition to punitive and preventative policies, we must also consider the factors that enable young people, who are being educated – whether in school or at the university – to think and act under the premise that violence is acceptable if their causes warrant it. That they think that...

Judges, however, raise questions about Trump arguments that completing the ballroom is necessary for national security.

The Trump administration has revoked green cards for three more Iranian immigrants with alleged ties to the regime, a week after arresting two relatives of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. The State Department said in a statement that Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi and their son were taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody,…

In India’s West Bengal state, the beloved fish has leapt from the kitchen table to the campaign trail, becoming an unexpected flashpoint in a fiercely contested election. For Bengalis, fish is not merely food. It is intrinsic to the Bengali identity and pride. Its aroma drifts from roadside fryers, and it is a must at wedding feasts and festival spreads. Now, as the state of over 100 million people gears up for polls on April 23 and 29, the slippery staple has also become political...

Most people and businesses in Germany say they've seen little change in bureaucracy despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government promises to reduce it.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ignited a debate by declaring that 80% of Syrians would be repatriated. Does this mean that Germany also intends to deport those who are integrated and whom the country needs?

Unite Here co-president demands improvement in working conditions and urges Fifa to keep ICE away from matches A hospitality union that represents about 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has threatened to strike during the World Cup if Fifa leaders do not heed their concerns about working conditions and the presence of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This summer, SoFi Stadium will be thrust into the national spotlight as it hosts eight World Cup matches. Between June and July, Los Angeles is estimated to see 150,000 more out-of-town visitors than typical for the time period. Continue reading...