Hormuz crisis throws spotlight on Malacca Strait as world’s largest ‘choke point’

Malacca Strait is reportedly the largest “oil transit choke point” in the world, surpassing Hormuz.

US and Iran could find common cause in shredding UNCLOS

For the past 46 years, Washington treated the Strait of Hormuz as a defensive line to be shored up in the service of unimpeded global commerce. But US President Donald Trump has frequently wavered on that orthodox position, shaming European and regional allies for not doing

These charts show how Iran's economy is in freefall

Tehran's hardline rhetoric belies a brutal reality facing the regime and Iranian citizens: its economy, vulnerable even before the war, is now in tatters.

Former Philippine President Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges

The pre-trial judges concluded there were "substantial grounds to believe that Duterte is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder", the International Criminal Court said.

Ira Sachs’ ‘The Man I Love,’ Starring Rami Malek, Secures French Distribution Ahead of Cannes Competition Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

Ira Sachs’ latest drama “The Man I Love,” starring Oscar winner Rami Malek and Tom Sturridge, has secured French distribution ahead of its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Alexandre Mallet-Guy’s company Memento will release the film in France. Set in

Seagate FireCuda X Vault review

Big on size, big on capacity, not that big on price.

High street drug dealer sells cannabis to undercover reporter

Across the UK, shopfronts are being exploited by criminal gangs pushing illegal drugs, experts say.

The art of translation: Discussing the art form with International Booker Prize judge Sophie Hughes

This World Book Day, we discuss the oft-overlooked art of literary translation and the future of the practice with translator and 2026 International Booker Prize judge Sophie Hughes.

Hong Kong fire victim returns to search for memories of his dog

He said he was only able to retrieve around 10 per cent of his belongings in the three-hour window.

China teases new aircraft carrier in video, vows to build up islands

Beijing is looking to boost maritime power, secure resources and bolster its territorial claims.

ICC confirms trial against former Philippine president Duterte

In the past, the ICC has taken up to a year between the confirmation of charges and the start of a trial.

Military officer arrested over fatal crash in Malaysia, suspected of drink driving

A 22-year-old Bangladeshi passenger died in the accident from head injuries.

Israel, Lebanon to meet in Washington on Thursday for second round of direct talks

With the Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire set to expire in three days, Israeli and Lebanese representatives are scheduled to meet in Washington for a second round of direct talks. Extending the truce is expected to be central to negotiations

Winning Hungary's election hasn't stopped false claims about Péter Magyar

Misleading posts misrepresent the Hungarian prime minister-elect by using old clips out of context.

‘Money Heist’ Producer Atresmedia Releases First-Look Images of Big New Primetime Play ‘Ágata and Lola’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Top Spanish free-to-air channel Antena 3, part of commercial broadcaster Atresmedia, behind “Money Heist,” “Veneno,” “Locked Up,” “Velvet,” “Alba” and “Ángela,” has unveiled first-look images of “Ágata and Lola,” its big new prime-time series. The series is produced by

Lebanon to seek ceasefire extension in US-hosted talks with Israel

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. will host a second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys on Thursday, with Beirut seeking the extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people including a

War in the Middle East: latest developments

The latest developments in the Middle East war: - Iran gets first Hormuz toll - A senior Iranian parliament official said on Thursday that Tehran has received the first revenue from tolls it imposed on the strategic Strait of Hormuz in its war with the United States and Israel.

What Happens When a Globalized World Collapses: Archaeologist Eric Cline Explains How Bronze Age Civilizations Adapted, Survived or Vanished

We live, as we’re often told, in the era of globalization. In fact, we’ve been told it so often over the past few decades that it now hardly seems like an observation worth making. But however thoroughly our era is defined by connections between far-flung nations, societies,

Bonobos enjoy pretend tea parties and chimps think rationally: why apes are more like us than we ever thought

A series of stunning findings about great apes’ mental capabilities in recent years has transformed how we see our closest relatives Clear plastic cups and pitchers adorned the wooden table in Des Moines, Iowa. Invisible juice was poured and presented to Kanzi, who

In Eastern Africa, the cradle of humankind is tearing apart

Eastern Africa's Turkana Rift is both a hotbed for fossil discoveries of our earliest ancestors and a literal hotbed of volcanic activity caused by shifting tectonic plates. Now researchers have found that Earth's underlying crust in the region has been significantly thinned,

Trump Rages over Epic Self-Own in Virginia—and Reveals Deeper Weakness

After Democrats narrowly passed a mid-decade redistricting in Virginia, Donald Trump erupted in fury on Truth Social. He slammed the result as rigged (of course), lied about the voting in it, and most important, openly called on the courts to step nullify it. But some

SXSW Horror ‘American Dollhouse’ Lands at Blue Finch Films for Sales Ahead of Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE)

Blue Finch Films has taken on worldwide sales rights to “American Dollhouse,” John Valley’s horror feature that world-premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival, and will introduce the title to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. The U.K.-based sales and distribution outfit is

A volcanic mystery reveals that rising magma has a stealth mode

In 2022 a swarm of earthquakes in the Azores suggested that an eruption was imminent, but none happened. Now we know why, and it means magma can be sneakier than we knew

Swedish Powerhouse SVT Unveils 2026-27 Lineup, Betting on ‘Series that Travel’ Such as ‘Summer of 1985,’ ‘The Cold Song’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Swedish pubcaster SVT which nabbed two prizes at March’s Series Mania – best actor to Amanda Jansson for “My Brother” and the Spectateurs Séries Mania label to “Burden of Justice” – is rising high on a domestic ratings spike and festival nod bonanza. “We’ve had a fantastic 2025

Sulfur squeeze: Gulf chaos is coming for Asia’s food prices

Fertilizer input stress is beginning to rebuild upstream as shipping disruptions continue to constrain flows through critical energy and chemical corridors. Recent developments across Middle Eastern routes, namely the blockades at the Strait of Hormuz, combined with tightening

Toddler in Malaysia tests positive for drugs after accidentally consuming laced sweets

The child tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, a main psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

India's state elections test Modi alliance as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal voting begins

The contests are closely watched as a gauge of public sentiment towards the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Two passenger trains collide in Denmark, leaving 17 injured

Two trains crashed head-on near Copenhagen on Thursday morning, injuring 17, with some in critical condition. All passengers have been evacuated from the trains.

Japan PM Takaichi tells fellow politician she needs ‘more sleep’

She said her waking hours are spent on work and housework.

GOP senators hope for a quick Cabinet shakeup

Approving replacements for Donald Trump’s embattled deputies could get complicated, lawmakers are warning.

France and UK renew landmark pact to curb English Channel crossings

The aim of the agreement is to prevent illegal crossings of the English Channel. The two countries' interior ministers are due to meet near the northwestern French city of Dunkirk on Thursday.

Trump attacks against NATO allies 'painful', says former NATO chief

Former NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the hostility US President Trump holds for NATO allies is 'painful' to see. He says Europe needs to move fast to become independent from US security architecture, and, where possible, make a preference for European

Explainer-Hormuz crisis throws spotlight on world's largest 'chokepoint' - the Malacca Strait

BANGKOK, April 23 (Reuters) - The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest waterway for international trade. WHAT IS THE

10 Stocks in S&P 500 Still Show Strong Upside at Record Market

Meryl Streep: ‘Would we have fashion without gay people?’

The award-winning actress, who has long been an LGBTQ+ ally, returns to her iconic role of Miranda Priestly in the upcoming 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'.

Two trains collide head-on in Denmark, leaving multiple injured

Two trains collided near Hillerød in Denmark leaving several people injured.

'Recovery could take years’: EU energy commissioner forecasts future energy pain

European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has warned in exclusive comments to Euronews that, even if the Middle East conflict is resolved, energy prices will not stabilise to pre-war levels for years.

Two GOP senators break ranks on final Senate budget vote

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) broke ranks Thursday morning and voted against a budget resolution that could set the stage for ending the two-month shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Murkowski, a senior member of the Senate

Opinion: The courage to speak

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, my experience as a rabbi showed that even small moments of dialogue can begin to rebuild fragile bridges between communities.

China rejects US criticism of pressure on Taiwan flight permit

BEIJING, April 23 - China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it firmly opposes Washington's criticism of Chinese pressure on some African countries to revoke overflight clearances for Taiwan's president.

Latvian defence minister has 'no doubt' US would aid NATO allies if needed

Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds hailed an "excellent relationship" between the US and its allies despite President Donald Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and threats to exit NATO.

Two trains collide head-on in Denmark, leaving five critically hurt

The accident happened early on Thursday at a level crossing north of Copenhagen.

Honor’s new phones look like iPhones for Android

Honor has announced the 600 and 600 Pro, which it calls "accessible flagships," and they look… familiar. Especially in that orange. The Pro makes the iPhone comparison especially obvious thanks to its triple rear camera - it even has the same flash layout - while the 600 is

Hear Classical Music Composed by Friedrich Nietzsche

A philosopher perhaps more widely known for his prodigious mustache than for the varieties of his thought, Friedrich Nietzsche often seems to be misread more than read. Even someone like Michel Foucault could gloss over a crucial fact about Nietzsche’s body of work: Foucault

Clearing Hormuz Strait mines could take six months: report

A Pentagon assessment said it could take six months to completely clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines, which could keep oil prices high, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday. Iran has all but blocked the vital waterway since the start of a war with the United

US firms voice ‘concern’ over China’s new supply chain rules

Western governments are increasingly concerned about their reliance on Chinese supply chains.

The global edtech boom is fading as investors look elsewhere

Venture capital is moving away from K-12 edtech worldwide as investors prioritize AI tools and workforce training with clearer returns.

Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells to Star in West End Revival of ‘Amadeus’

Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells are set to star as rival composers Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in a new production of Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus,” marking the first major revival of the work in over a decade and the first time two Welsh actors have taken on

Kore-eda Hirokazu’s ‘Look Back’ Leads Tokyo International Film Festival Goes to Cannes Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)

Five Japanese features are heading to the Cannes Film Festival next month through the Tokyo International Film Festival’s Goes to Cannes showcase, with Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Look Back” – a drama about two young women bound together by their devotion to manga across 13 years –