Middle East Instability & Global Repercussionsactive

Police believe the ring operated by using genuine residency documents issued to Syrian refugees in Germany, which were sent to people in Syria with a similar appearance.

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. The ratings for Monday, April 20, 2026: These were the most-watched programs on Monday, April 20, according to the television ratings compiled by Ibope. The Olivia Garden Meganoticias Prime Aguas de Oro Meeting of the Overcomers The Olivia Garden (Summary) Dale Play Meganoticias Alert Teletrece What Does Chile Say? Mucho Gusto 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 TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Another change…

The U. S. spy agency has significantly expanded its international antidrug work under President Trump and CIA Director Ratcliffe.

According to Fatih Birol, it could take at least two years to stabilize energy markets

Six people have been charged with negligent homicide over the deaths of four members of a German family at a hotel in Turkey. Meanwhile, a major climate conference is starting in Berlin. DW has more.

The global geoeconomic volatility wrought by the second Donald Trump US presidency and hostilities in the Middle East make the shift in China’s Africa strategy even more important for China and for Africa. China’s Africa strategy started to shift in 2019, towards investment. It is anchored in Hunan Province. The “Hunan Model” emerged because the […] The post Iran war is turbocharging China’s Africa pivot appeared first on Asia Times.

The Colombian-Venezuelan citizen, Ali Zaki Hage Jalil, a suspected terrorist linked to Hezbollah, is suspected of being involved in the bombing of a Panamanian commercial airliner in July 1994, which resulted in 21 deaths, most of whom were Jewish. He arrived in Panama on Monday, extradited from Venezuela. Hage Jalil arrived at Tocumen International Airport, which serves the Panamanian capital, around 3:00 PM local time (19:00 GMT), according to an official source who confirmed the information to EFE. A significant security operation was deployed at the airport, including special agents and a canine unit. 🚨 For decades, Ali Zaki Hage Jalil was protected in Venezuela. Only after the country's U.S.-backed political shift did justice become possible for the 1994 Alas Chiricanas Flight 901 bombing, which killed 21 people. Read SFS's report: https://t.co/aJJKtcPmAK pic.twitter.com/N4fz8F97bK — Center for a Secure Free Society (@SecureFreeSoc) April 20, 2026 On March 27th, the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela had approved the extradition of Ali Zaki Hage Jalil to Panama. According to the same source, he was arrested on November 6, 2025, on the island of Margarita, in the state of Nueva Esparta, following a red alert issued by the Central American country. Ali Zaki Hage Jalil's arrival in Panama was marked by a significant security operation at Tocumen International Airport; however, despite the deployment, the transfer...

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that planned talks with Israel aim to end hostilities and the occupation in southern Lebanon, even as Hezbollah and its supporters rejected the negotiations. Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has sharply criticised the Lebanese government’s negotiations with Israel, which are set to enter a second round on Thursday. After the first round of talks last week, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day truce pausing more than six weeks of war...

The US has intercepted an Iranian ship entering the Gulf as part of its naval blockade, US President Donald Trump has said.

The EU Council has been returning to the topic of EU economic sanctions against Israel regularly over the past two years

Former national security adviser John Bolton said the two-week ceasefire between the U. S. and Iran was a “mistake” as it gave Tehran time to prepare for a continued war. “I think it was a mistake to have the ceasefire,” Bolton said on CNN on Sunday. “They‘ve got now a two-week breather where they‘re doing what they can…

More Iranians being sold 'privilege' of limited internet access, but most remain in the dark.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has accused his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski of making “irresponsible statements” in a dispute over the destruction of a Christian symbol in Lebanon by a member of the Israel Defense Forces. Sa’ar apologized “to every Christian” on Monday after a photo circulating on social media over the weekend appeared to show an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus in the head with a sledgehammer. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident. But despite the apologies, Sikorski wrote on X that the soldier in question should be “punished” and “lessons should be drawn” about the army’s training. “IDF soldiers themselves admit to war crimes. They killed not only civilian Palestinians but even their own hostages,” the center-right politician continued. Sikorski’s criticism seemed to add fresh fuel to the dispute. “What you wrote reflects ignorance and a deep lack of understanding,” Sa’ar responded on X on Monday. The IDF is a “professional and ethical army,” the minister added, and “there is no Western military that fights terrorism more precisely, or on the basis of better intelligence, than the IDF.” The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed it had completed an initial investigation into the act and that “appropriate measures” would be taken against “those involved,” adding that the statue would be restored to its original location. Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa also condemned the images as “a grave affront to the Christian faith,” calling for “disciplinary actions” against the perpetrator. The spat comes as tensions between Israel and the EU continue to escalate, with even traditional European allies of Israel voicing criticism of its treatment of Palestinians. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories” following reports by human rights organizations of a surge in violence against the group by settlers in the West Bank. Meanwhile, Italy suspended a defense and technology agreement with Israel last week “in consideration of the current situation” in the Middle East.

HANOVER, Germany — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged to deepen political and economic ties between their countries in response to the increasingly unstable global order. The leaders and members of their governments on Monday signed off on a series of agreements to increase cooperation on everything from defense to rare earths and renewable energy. Merz also said Germany aimed to double its trade volume with Brazil in the next years. Without mentioning U. S. President Donald Trump by name, Merz suggested that deepening ties with Brazil was part of a larger German strategy of pursuing closer economic relations with so-called “middle powers” around the world in an effort to reduce dependence on the U. S. and China. “The close ties between our two countries are more necessary than ever at a time when the world order is undergoing such fundamental changes,” Merz said on Monday alongside the Brazilian leader. “We share an interest in an international order in which we can rely on agreements and treaties, and in which we are capable of working together to tackle even global problems.” Merz’s pledge for increased cooperation with Brazil comes as Germany’s struggling, export-oriented economy faces further headwinds amid the fallout of the U. S.-Israel war with Iran. “The repercussions will not stop at America’s doorstep,” Merz said of the war in the Middle East. “All of this is currently jeopardizing economic development around the world and could lead to further political destabilization far beyond the Middle East.” Lula said Brazil and Germany would work together to establish more independence in a technology sector dominated by U. S. firms. “We are interested in developing digital infrastructure such as data centers, high-performance computers, and semiconductors,” said Lula. “We no longer want to be dependent on foreign companies that enrich themselves at the expense of our citizens’ data—without any guarantees regarding privacy and security.” Among the 13 agreements struck between Berlin and Brasília during consultations held Monday are declarations of intent on cooperation in defense procurement, quantum computing, and critical and strategic minerals. Merz, earlier on Monday, vowed to significantly expand the current trade volume between Germany and Brazil, which amounted to €20 billion in 2024. “Given the size of these two economies, that is far too little,” he said of the trade volume. “We want to significantly increase it, and I wholeheartedly endorse the ambitious goal of doubling this trade volume in the coming years.” Merz also praised the provisional implementation the EU’s trade deal with the South American countries of Mercosur by the European Commission, which takes effect from the beginning of May. Hans von der Burchard contributed reporting from Hanover.

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 19, 2026 These were the most-watched programs on Sunday, April 19, according to the television ratings compiled by Ibope for free-to-air channels. Meganoticias Prime Domingo 133 Atrapados por la Realidad CHV Noticias Central Teletrece Fiebre de Baile Cultura 13 /Lugares que Hablan (R) Meganoticias Actualiza Domingo Detrás del Muro (Lo Mejor) Moisés Los 10 Mandamientos Sabingo (A) / El Valor de Chile 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 content consumption…

Lyse Doucet speaks with Ebrahim Azizi, who states that Iran will "decide who has the right of passage" through this crucial maritime route.

The BBC has found significant spikes in activity shortly before the US president made some announcements.

The company noted that during 2025, Kalashnikov made more than 40 modifications to the UAV’s ground control station software and equipped the aircraft with equipment capable of countering spoofing systems

Shamar Elkins, an Army veteran, is the suspect of a shooting in Louisiana that resulted in the deaths of eight children, including his own.

Former minister leading review into young people and work cites survey showing most teachers decry lack of ‘soft skills’ An “exam-obsessed” school system is leaving young people unprepared for work, Alan Milburn has said, as new polling suggests teachers believe pupils are leaving education without the skills they need for adult life. Milburn, a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair and now leading a government-commissioned review into young people and work, said the system had become overly focused on academic sorting rather than real-world readiness. Continue reading...

The vessel, identified as M/V Touska, was intercepted in the northern Arabian Sea while en route to Bandar Abbas.

A suspect in the mass shooting in Shreveport, La., that occurred early Sunday was determined to be the father of 7 of the 8 children he shot to death, officials say.  The alleged gunman, Louisiana man Shamar Elkins, was identified by police after he was fatally wounded following his fleeing of the scene in a…

Iran vowed retaliation after a US destroyer fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, as it was attempting to evade a US naval blockade. Tehran condemned the incident as “armed piracy” and warned its forces would respond soon. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

The BBC has found a pattern of spikes in trades ahead of public announcements by the US president.

Shamar Elkins, suspected of killing 8 children in Shreveport, was fatally shot by police; reports suggest he may have been struggling with mental health issues.

On Sunday, the Israeli military published a map showing its 'forward defense line' and an area in red stretching the length of the south Lebanon border, where it said forces were operating to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and 'prevent direct threats to communities in northern Israel.'

Shamar Elkins, who was identified as the Louisiana mass shooting suspect, had shared a concerning message in March

"Iran will decide the right of passage" through the crucial shipping route, Ebrahim Azizi tells the BBC's Lyse Doucet.

The suspect behind the deadly Shreveport shooting spree that left eight children dead has been identified as Shamar Elkins

In Louisiana, a state in the southern United States, a man went on a shooting rampage on the 19th, resulting in the deaths of eight children. The suspect was shot and killed while fleeing, and police are investigating the motive and other details.

Police say that several of the eight children killed in the Shreveport mass shooting were related to the suspect who was killed in a police chase.

In Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, a man opened fire on at least three homes, resulting in the deaths of eight children, ranging in age from one to fourteen years old. Initially, around 6:00 AM, police responded to a call regarding a domestic violence incident. The Shreveport Police Department spokesperson, Christopher Bordelon, stated that "we have three separate crime scenes. The shooting occurred here, in the 300 block of West 79th Street." "There is also another shooting related to this incident on Harrison Street, and then there is the adjacent residence on West 79th Street where one of the victims ran after the shooting," Bordelon told the press. He mentioned that after leaving the last location, the suspect stole a vehicle at gunpoint. At that point, Shreveport police officers initiated a pursuit. Moments later, the officers shot and killed the suspect near a church in the city. While the identity of the attacker has not yet been released, Bordelon said that he is an adult male, and that some of the children who were killed were his relatives. In addition to the eight fatalities, police reported that two other people were injured, but they did not provide further details about them. The Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, wrote on his X account that "we are heartbroken by this horrific situation, and we are praying for all those affected."

Ukraine is strengthening its agency on the global stage, attracting a new level of interest from other countries and becoming an appealing partner. This is even leading to a degree of competition for Ukraine's attention and for cooperation with it.

HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander will this week discuss with chancellor how to limit effects of conflict The bosses of Britain’s “big five” retail banks have been summoned to a meeting with the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, this week to discuss how to limit the economic impact of the crisis in the Middle East triggered by the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran. The chief executives of HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander have been asked to attend an emergency summit that comes amid increasing acceptance that a major economic hit from the Iran war is unavoidable. Continue reading...

A single father is refusing to accept any more donations from Malaysians following a viral video that appeared to show him having difficulty finding money to pay a mechanic after his motorcycle broke down in Kuala Lumpur. According to Sinar Harian, the man known as Dicky Yau was touched by the concern shown by social media users who had offered to extend financial help to him after seeing the situation he was in. “I would like to thank everyone who sent private messages to offer help. However, I...

Military journals provide tantalising glimpses into what Tehran’s military thinks and its priorities, including drones

The truce appeared to mostly hold even as Israel said it had carried out strikes on what it called “terrorists” approaching its forces in southern Lebanon. Separately, a U. N. peacekeeper was killed.

BBC Arabic's correspondent Carine Torbey reports from the border town of Khiam, as the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon goes into its second day.

More than 227,000 people have fled conflict in Lebanon for Syria. But there they have found a lack of housing, economic hardship and no real state services. Despite a new ceasefire, many say they will stay in Syria.

The resignations of two lawmakers facing ethics investigations have drawn comparisons to the #MeToo movement. Some House members say it’s time to revisit their rules and culture.

Iranians, struggling to maintain a semblance of normal life after weeks of US and Israeli bombing and a deadly crackdown on protesters in January, remain apprehensive about the future, as the damage from airstrikes and internet disruptions takes its toll. With talks expected on extending a truce and agreeing to an end to the conflict, shops, restaurants, and government offices have remained open. On sunny spring mornings, city parks are filled with families picnicking and young people playing sports, while others gather at...

Some passengers have been unable to use any mandatory e-payment options on Hong Kong taxis, as cabbies cited faulty machines or battery problems, reasons that customers have deemed as excuses as the “cash is king” mentality persisted. Experts said this week that many taxi drivers still held a deep-seated fear of having a traceable income record, which could lead to taxation or the loss of eligibility for public housing. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung told the South China Morning Post that many...

While many Europeans are considering putting long-haul flying on the back burner as jet fuel costs and airfares climb, those with a trip already booked for Malaysia may need to watch out if ambling around with a camera slung across a shoulder. Following an early April warning about unlicensed street photography, city authorities in Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, have confiscated equipment from six people, five of them non-Malaysians, pending payment of fines levied under street hawking...

President Donald Trump is signaling he’s ready to wrap up the US war with Iran, even as details of a deal remain murky and hurdles to a lasting peace remain high.

The US president also said that Tehran wants to make a deal

With domestic profits narrowing and production capacity expanding, China’s firms are continuing to widen their overseas footprints in search of new, more lucrative markets. In this series, we examine China Inc.’s next phase of “going global” and the complex, challenging international environment its companies have chosen to enter. When Lawrence Wong decided to set up a toy factory in Vietnam last year, he had a clear plan: 600 square metres (6,458 sq ft) of floor space at the start of 2026, with...

Antonio Guterres said that it is the international law that gives countries a common language and the predictability of a common framework to resolve differences peacefully

The 10-day ceasefire with Israel came into force in Lebanon on April 17 at 12 a.m. Moscow time

In the 1960s, the ancient irrigation systems of Bali, Indonesia, were replaced by scientific ones. The proponents of the “green revolution,” based on cutting-edge Western technology, discarded the water management practices of the priests at a Hindu-Buddhist temple dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the lake. They opted for fertilizers and genetically modified seeds to increase production. They dismissed what they called the “rice cult” as magic and superstition. Seguir leyendo

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.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (FRB) has released its latest economic report, highlighting the risk of inflation accelerating again. The report notes that the situation in Iran has led to a sharp increase in the cost of energy and fuel across all regions.

US war with Iran threatens to upend Milei’s promise to tame monthly inflation to below one percent by the middle of this year. Leer más

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) on Wednesday said the Republican party was fractured and has not accomplished "anything" despite their majority in both the House and Senate. "Everything that goes on up here... is about, 'Oh, we have to get reelected. We have to keep the majority.' Well, frankly, we haven't done anything..."

The diplomacy came as the U. S. Navy locked down trade to Iranian ports, and Iran responded by threatening critical shipping routes across the region.

The U.S. Vice President, JD Vance, on Tuesday invoked World War II to defend the potential U.S. bombing of Iran, a move that came in response to criticism from Pope Leo XIV, continuing the rift between the Donald Trump administration and the Catholic Church, and highlighting the difficulties the White House has faced in justifying an unpopular war, according to the New York Times. On Sunday, Trump attacked the Pope in a social media post, calling the first pontiff born in the United States "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." Pope Leo XIV has remained steadfast in his anti-war stance, and told journalists on Monday that he "is not afraid of the Trump administration." Without mentioning Iran or Trump, the Pope posted on social media on Tuesday that "God's heart is broken by wars, violence, injustice, and lies." The exchanges have presented a particular dilemma for Vance, a convert to Catholicism who is about to publish a book about his journey to faith and who has long courted the Republican religious base. At an event held in Athens, Georgia, organized by the conservative group Turning Point USA, Vance said that the Pope was wrong to claim that a disciple of Christ "never takes the side of those who yesterday wielded the sword and today throw bombs." "Was God on the side of the Americans who..."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed his commitment Wednesday to facilitating Iran's participation in the World Cup in the U.S. later this year, despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations. His comments follow the U.S. and Iran's failure to reach an agreement to end the six-week conflict, as President Donald Trump seeks to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. The Iranian team is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in June ahead of the tournament. The team is slated to play matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before traveling to Seattle to face Egypt. "The Iranian team is coming for sure," Infantino told CNBC. "We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come." Whether or not Iran will actually travel to the U.S. for the tournament remains an open question. Trump said it would not be "appropriate" for the Iranian team to attend the World Cup "for their own life and safety." That comment came days after Infantino spoke with Trump and urged him to allow the Iranian team to compete. In response, Iranian sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that "under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup." Donyamali had asked FIFA to relocate their matches to Mexico, but the organization denied that request last week. Infantino said he traveled to Antalya, Turkey, to visit the Iranian team ahead of a f…

WASHINGTON — The White House budget director on Wednesday defended the administration’s latest request for Congress, testifying before the House Budget Committee that a 43% increase in defense spending and a 10% cut to domestic programs is the best path forward.  Democrats on the panel were highly critical of that proposal, which lawmakers will debate […] The post Trump budget director defends 43% military spending boost appeared first on Asia Times.