Monday, April 13, 2026

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Iran’s crude oil shipments to China tripled since 2020: Report

Iran’s crude oil exports to China have tripled over the past three years, up from 324,000 barrels per day in 2020 to approximately one million this year despite US sanctions targeting the Iranian oil exports, the latest figures by data analytics firm Kepler have showed.

IMF revises up its 2023 economic growth forecast for Iran

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised up its 2023 economic growth forecast for Iran amid its better oil exports and despite the continued pressure of the US sanctions.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 523: Five killed, dozens injured in Russian missile strike against Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Dozens killed in blast at political rally in Pakistan

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 150 injured in a bomb explosion in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province that targeted a political party gathering, police have confirmed.

“US’s Robert Malley snitched by traders of sanctions”

The editor-in-chief of the Tehran-based Jomhuri Eslami  newspaper said former American Special Envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, had negotiations with Iranian officials, and that efforts were made to stall the talks.

Russia holds Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg

Russia’s annual Navy Day parade was held in St. Petersburg, with sailors and veterans showing off the country’s naval might. The Kremlin has announced forty-five ships, boats and submarines took part in the parade along with around 3,000 servicemen.

Israel plans to build $27bn rail expansion, eyes future link to Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday Israel will build a 100 billion shekel ($27 billion) rail expansion that will connect its outlying areas to Tel Aviv and, in the future, could provide overland links to Saudi Arabia.

Iraq’s electric grid hit by fire, blasts amid scorching heat

A fire at a power station in southern Iraq and several explosions have affected the country’s ailing national electricity grid as temperatures rise. The incidents led to power blackouts in a country that sees them regularly during summer heat.

Moscow’s financial district under Ukrainian drone attack: Mayor

Ukrainian drones have attacked Moscow City, the Russian capital’s iconic financial and business district, where some of Europe’s tallest skyscrapers are located, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed on Sunday.

Iran’s under-16 volleyball team crowned at 2023 Asian Championship

The Iranian men's national under-16 volleyball team has defeated the host nation to claim the top position at the conclusion of the inaugural edition of the Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship in Uzbekistan.

Israelis keep pressure on PM over judicial overhaul

Tens of thousands of  Israelis have staged new rallies across occupied territories after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed through a highly-contested law to limit some Supreme Court powers.

Israeli court orders removal of Palestinian village to build Jewish neighbourhood

An Israeli court has ordered Palestinian families in the Negev to destroy their homes and leave the area by next March to make way for the expansion of a nearby Israeli town.

Daesh claims responsibility for attack on shrine near Syria’s Damascus

The Daesh terror group has claimed responsibility for an attack on the Sayeda Zeinab shrine south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, that killed several people and wounded others.

8 killed in fire, blast at textile warehouses in Iraq’s Karbala

As many as eight people have been killed after a fire broke out triggering the explosion of fuel tanks at textile warehouses on a street leading to the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) in the Iraqi city of Karbala.

Israeli soldiers kill 14-year-old Palestinian boy in West Bank

A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city Qalqilya on Thursday morning.

EU’s Borrell censures Quran sacrilege amid growing Muslim outrage

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell has condemned the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European states as "disrespectful", calling for mutual understanding and respect.

North Korea’s leader meets Russian defense minister, first since Covid

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in his first known meeting with a foreign dignitary since the Covid-19 pandemic. Shoigu’s visit comes as North Korea is marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Rights groups say Saudi Arabia arrested 5 relatives of US citizen over failed lawsuit

Saudi Arabia has detained five relatives of an American citizen, rights groups say, arguing that the detentions were made in retaliation for his family's failed lawsuit against the Saudi government in the United States.

Russia has tamped down dissent since Wagner mutiny: Western officials

Western officials believe the Russian government has silenced dissent by detaining up to seven people following Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny last month.

Israeli forces fatally shoot Palestinian youth in WB

Israeli troops have shot dead a young Palestinian man in the northern occupied West Bank city of Nablus. It comes only a day after they fatally shot three youths in the area.

US pledges to continue military aid to Israel despite judicial overhaul

The US State Department announced that Washington will continue to provide aid to Israel, even as the Knesset passed controversial legislation resulting in increased political control over the judiciary.

Saudi Arabia spent $6bn on ‘sportswashing’: Report

Saudi Arabia has spent at least $6.3bn (£4.9bn) in sports deals since early 2021, more than quadruple the previous amount spent over a six-year period. Critics have labelled this an effort by Riyadh to distract attention from its human rights record, according to an exclusive report by the Guardian.

Peace deal reachable if Baku talks with Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia

A peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could be reached by the end of the year if Baku engages in direct talks with its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan has said.

China’s FM removed from office in surprise shake-up of Xi’s foreign policy leadership

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been suddenly replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi in a surprise shake-up to China’s foreign policy leadership. Qin had been missing from the public eye for a month without explanation.

Israeli soldiers kill 3 Palestinians in West Bank

Three Palestinians have been shot dead by the Israeli military in northern West Bank, the latest deaths in a surge of violence in the occupied territory since early last year.

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