The United States has vowed to blockade Iran's ships until the country makes a deal to end their war. But is the blockade working?
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday defended the Trump administration's recent about-face to temporarily extend a sanctions waiver that allowed the sale of Russian oil already at sea.
French prodigy Paul Seixas at 19 became the youngest winner of the La Fleche Wallonne one-day classic on Wednesday in his first ride in the race.
- Oil prices rise on uncertain prospects for US-Iran ceasefire
- New drugs raise hopes of pancreatic cancer breakthrough
Economy
South Africa risks thousands of premature deaths if the phase-out of coal plants is delayed due to the government's updated decommissioning dates, climate rights groups said in a report Wednesday.
April 22, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Vietnam's top leader To Lam hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on Wednesday, announcing a dozen cooperative agreements including on tech innovation and development of nuclear power plants.
April 22, 2026
RECENT NEWS
The EU on Wednesday gave a preliminary green light to unblocking a 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) for Kyiv, after a months-long row between Ukraine and Hungary over a damaged pipeline.
April 22, 2026
International Criminal Court judges Wednesday threw out a challenge against the court's jurisdiction by Rodrigo Duterte, meaning the former Philippines president could still stand trial over his war on drugs.
April 22, 2026
Iranian forces targeted three container ships on Wednesday, seizing two and firing on a third, global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards said, the latest incidents to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war.
April 22, 2026
Politics
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called for "greater room for freedom" in Equatorial Guinea and delivered a rare criticism of living conditions for prisoners before visiting inmates in a jail known for its squalor and ill-treatment of detainees.
April 22, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces had seized two container ships seeking to cross the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks.
Since the outbreak of war between Iran, Israel and the United States, colourful murals have sprung up across capital Tehran and other major cities, rich in symbolism and themes of resistance and defiance.
Oil prices edged higher Wednesday while Europe's main stock markets eased on uncertainty surrounding the prospect of resumed Mideast peace talks following an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire.
Iranian gunboats attacked at least one container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime agencies said, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks.
April 22, 2026
Economy
The German government on Wednesday is expected to cut its growth forecast for this year as the energy shock triggered by the Middle East war hammers Europe's biggest economy.
April 22, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Pakistan's capital was still locked in gear on Wednesday to host high-stakes US-Iran talks that were pushed back at the last minute overnight, but many residents began to tire of the heavy personal and economic toll of tight security restrictions.
Iranian player Hossein Vafaei begins his campaign at the snooker world championship later Wednesday but he admits it has been hard to focus because of the bombardment of his country by the United States and Israel.
Sakib Hussain's father is a labourer from India's poorest state and his mother sold her jewellery to buy him bowling boots.
Saffron-robed Buddhist monks began a week-long peace walk across Sri Lanka on Wednesday, accompanied by a rescued stray dog that has become a celebrity in its own right.
April 22, 2026
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- Trump extends ceasefire, claims Iran 'collapsing financially'
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- UK inflation jumps as Mideast war propels energy prices
- Oil falls, stocks mixed as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce
- Oil, stocks mixed as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce
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