MOSCOW, April 27 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in St. Petersburg on Monday and told him he hoped the Iranian people would weather what he described as a “difficult period” and that peace would soon prevail. Russia has offered to mediate to try to help restore
Government surveyors failed to detect major fire risks at a housing complex destroyed in Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno in decades because they were following outdated guidelines that did not require in-person inspections of renovation works, a public inquiry has heard. The independent committee was told on Monday that illegal alterations to Wang Fuk Court’s emergency
PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique joked that picking his team against Bayern Munich will be like a “lottery” because he finally has a full-strength squad to choose from. That means midfielder Vitinha could start against the six-time champion in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal in Paris on Wednesday. He missed
BERLIN, April 27 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Monday that Ukraine may have to accept that parts of its territory could remain outside Kyiv’s control in a future peace deal with Russia, linking such concessions to the country’s prospects for joining the European Union. “At some point, Ukraine will sign a ceasefire
April 27, 2026, 9:03 a.m. ET LONDON, United Kingdom — The British are coming. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are making their first state visit to the U.S. from Monday, April 27, to Thursday, April 30, with garden parties, a state dinner and a New York minute all in the royal diary. Americans will
Hengli represents a far more significant target. It is one of China’s most advanced private refiners. (AI image) The Donald Trump administration’s step to sanction one of China’s largest privately owned refiners over its links to Iran will have implications beyond oil! China has for years remained the largest buyer of Iranian crude, much of
Investors are breathing a sigh of relief as the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has rebounded from a war-related drop to hit new highs. But is it too soon? The ceasefire has been holding steady, and oil prices are on their way down. Confident investors have been piling into tech stocks again, and the Nasdaq-100 index
Leading online trading services provider CFI Financial Group has announced that it started 2026 with its strongest quarter to date, recording trading volumes of USD $2.3 trillion. This represents an 11% increase compared to Q4 2025,and an 81% rise year-on-year, building on the momentum of a strong 2025, where total volumes reached USD $6.4 trillion.
Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has defended its decision to appoint singer Hins Cheung as a mentor in a “rehabilitation project” for youngsters arrested during the 2019 protests, saying it welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to share positive life experiences following criticism from internet users in mainland China. The project, which has been running for two
The plans were approved at the High Court (PA) (PA Archive) Plans for money transfer services provider Wise to move its primary stock market listing from the UK to the US have been approved by a High Court judge. The British company announced the proposal last June to switch its primary listing from the London
The logo of Meta is seen during the Viva Technology conference in Paris, France, 12 June, 2025. (Reuters) China has blocked Meta’s attempt to buy one of the world’s most high-profile artificial intelligence startups. The unwinding of the $2 billion acquisition of Manus, which is based in Singapore but was founded in China, comes as
BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) – Top EU officials and Hungary’s incoming government will discuss on Wednesday the changes Budapest needs to push through to release 17 billion euros in EU funds that have been blocked due to rule-of-law concerns under the outgoing government. Some of the frozen funds, such as 11 billion euros ($13 billion)
U.S. consumers have benefited from lower prices, many favor more cooperation with China, according to a CFR-Morning Consult poll conducted in January 2026. U.S. companies have also profited immensely from access to China’s market. In a 2019 study, economists Xavier Jaravel and Erick Sager found that increased trade with China boosted the annual purchasing power
Hong Kong police have arrested nine men in a joint operation with law enforcement agencies in six other jurisdictions, targeting the production, use and distribution of child pornography online. Hong Kong Police Force. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The city’s police force said on Monday that Operation Hurdler arrested a total of 326 people in March and
French striker doubtful after sustaining an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg, his club says. Published On 27 Apr 202627 Apr 2026 Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is doubtful for the upcoming El Clasico match against Barcelona after the club confirmed he had sustained a thigh injury during his last outing. Mbappe’s
Certain code letters next to a voter’s name mean they cannot vote in-person on polling day Polls will open on Thursday, May 7(Image: VV Shots via Getty Images) Local elections are set to take place across 136 counties and six mayoral authorities throughout England on May 7, and residents are currently preparing to cast their
Only TikTokers could discover that the camera flash on Samsung Galaxy phones is powerful enough to melt through plastic. A viral video from @neev.akavak shows the LED flash on a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE being used to burn a hole through a black plastic bag — and given that most recent Samsung phones share the
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister continued his shuttle diplomacy, landing in St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after a weekend in Pakistan and Oman. Tehran also pitched a new proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel. But the U.S delegation canceled its trip
The Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp apps can be seen on a smartphone display in front of the logo of the internet company Meta. Jens Büttner/dpa China has blocked the takeover of the AI start-up Manus by the US tech giant Meta. China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced on Monday that the authority responsible for
The latest season of a Netflix Original featuring Justin Theroux is a massive success on the streaming platform. Starring alongside an Oscar-nominated actress, the series showcases the dynamics of a dysfunctional family that owns a basketball team. Running Point Season 2 tops Netflix streaming charts According to Flix Patrol’s April 26 report, Running Point Season
Hong Kong plans to table a bill by year-end to standardise regulation of future mass transit projects, including Kai Tak and East Kowloon, the transport chief has said, as lawmakers raise concerns over fares and long-term service quality. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told lawmakers on Monday that the government was pursuing policy
The Morning Bull – US Market Morning Update Monday, Apr, 27 2026 US stock futures are slightly softer this morning, with E mini S&P 500 contracts slipping about 0.1%, as investors weigh stubborn inflation worries against a resilient tech backdrop. The US 10 year Treasury yield sits near 4.32%, which keeps borrowing costs elevated for
As the peace talks between Iran and the United States remain stalled, several media reports have claimed that Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stepped down as chief negotiator from Tehran’s side. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf seen on the plane before the first round of talks between the US and Iran in
From BROWN to YOU: The Shilla Duty Free leverages the global appeal of Line Friends to create a high-impact experiential journey designed to capture footfall and drive dwell time at Hong Kong International Airport HONG KONG, CHINA. BEAUTY&YOU by The Shilla Duty Free is marking the 15th anniversary of Line Friends with a large-scale experiential
Luis Enrique sprang some tactical surprises during Paris Saint-Germain’s meeting with Nice last month; left-back Nuno Mendes was moved to left wing. Centre-back Lucas Beraldo played in midfield; left winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia went up front The changes helped PSG to a 4-0 win, with Nuno Mendes producing a starring display in his new role and
Welcome to the latest edition of Inside Barcelona, our weekly series to follow throughout La Liga’s 2025-26 season. We will bring you key information and analysis on the biggest talking points in and around the Camp Nou, cutting through the noisy world of all things Barca with reporting you can trust. The information contained in
The girl, identified as Sharon Granites by the police, was last seen on Saturday when she was put to bed in her family home just before midnight. “Around 1.35am on Sunday morning, police received reports that Sharon could not be located at her residence on Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs. It is believed
The suspect at the White House correspondents’ dinner wrote of targeting Trump officials before the shooting. King Charles is headed to the U.S. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and mend Britain’s relationship with Trump. Plus, Elon Musk and Sam Altman square off in a trial that could influence OpenAI’s future. Subscribe to read this story
Asian equities surged to fresh record highs, with KOSPI jumping more than 2.5% and Nikkei advancing over 1.5%, extending what has become a powerful rally. The strength of the move signals more than just optimism—it reflects a market that is increasingly comfortable ignoring geopolitical noise and focusing on growth narratives. The shift has been building
A former Hong Kong prison officer has admitted severely wounding an inmate by repeatedly thrusting a stick into the man’s rectum after being sprinkled with baby powder during a game. Tam Lik-chung, an ex-assistant officer in the Correctional Services Department, pleaded guilty in the District Court on Monday along with an inmate, Ho Lik-wun, who
China on Monday launched a nationwide consumption week featuring 284 million yuan (about 41.5 million U.S. dollars) in travel and culture vouchers, aiming to boost tourism ahead of the May Day holiday. The campaign, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, runs through May 5, the final day of the five-day public holiday. To
As European markets navigate a landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index recently experienced a decline, reflecting broader market sentiment. In such an environment, identifying promising small-cap stocks requires careful consideration of factors like resilience to market volatility and potential for growth in traditionally defensive sectors. Name Debt
DUBAI: Iran has banned the export of steel slabs and sheets until May 30, state media reported on Monday without further details, as the country’s steel industry has been targeted in strikes during the conflict with Israel and the United States. Around 10 million tonnes of Iran’s annual steel production capacity, or 25% to 30%
China has moved to block Meta Platforms Inc.’s planned $2 billion acquisition of agentic AI startup Manus, in a surprise decision that effectively unwinds a deal already close to completion. The intervention marks a significant escalation in Beijing’s oversight of strategic technology transactions, particularly those involving artificial intelligence and cross-border investment. Regulator orders cancellation of
Hong Kong police have arrested nine men in a crackdown on child pornography linked to a seven-jurisdiction operation in which more than 300 suspects were detained across Asia. Police said on Monday the city had joined a coordinated international operation involving Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Brunei, targeting offences related to the production,
The upcoming APEC tourism meetings in June will provide Macau with an opportunity to showcase the strengths of the Greater Bay Area and tell China’s story on the international stage, according to Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. Speaking ahead of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th Tourism Working Group Meeting, Fernandes said
