12:03

Middle East Conflict

live Iran signals strategic edge as Hormuz closure complicates U.S. talks - Middle East conflict on 19 April

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open, lifting markets and sending oil lower. Meanwhile the U.S. blockade remains in place as President Donald Trump warns the ceasefire may not be extended. Talks continue as a fragile Israel-Lebanon truce holds, while the regional death toll has surpassed 5,000.

11:59

Storm Damage

Suspected tornado tears through Illinois town leaving widespread damage

Cleanup efforts are underway in Lena, Illinois, after a suspected tornado tore through the village on Friday (17 April), damaging homes, schools and infrastructure, leaving thousands without power. Residents and emergency crews spent Saturday clearing debris, and working around downed power lines.

10:58

Middle East Conflict

Iran says gaps remain in U.S. talks as Trump cites 'very good conversations'

Iran’s top negotiator has said recent talks with the United States have shown progress, but that major differences remain over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside escalating regional instability.

09:42

Tech Showcase

Chinese humanoid robots outrun humans in Beijing half-marathon

Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.

09:27

Missile Launch

North Korea launches ballistic missiles in latest show of force

North Korea fired ballistic missiles towards the sea off its eastern coast on Sunday (19 April), accelerating its weapons tests amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran war and renewed diplomatic signals toward the United States and South Korea.

08:13

Legal Battle

Court clears way for Trump’s White House ballroom construction to proceed

Construction of U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project will be allowed to continue after an appeals court granted an administrative stay, temporarily blocking a lower court order that had halted parts of the work.

23:44

Deadly Shooting

Moscow-born suspected terrorist kills six people in Kyiv supermarket shooting before police shoot him dead

Six people have been killed after a man opened fire in a supermarket in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Saturday (18 April). Ukraine's Security Service said it was investigating the incident as a "terrorist act." 

21:48

Expert View

Europe energy security: Natural gas role urged to prevent crisis shocks

European countries should expand the role of natural gas in their energy systems to reduce the risk of supply shocks caused by international crises, an energy industry chief has said.

18:34

Expert View

Israel–Lebanon ceasefire at risk as 'incompatible' interpretations emerge

Lebanon and Israel have a “fundamentally incompatible” understanding of the ceasefire agreed on Thursday (16 April), Dr Nouran El-Bayaa has said.

17:29

Bulgaria

Bulgarians set to vote in eighth election since 2021 as anger over corruption grows

Bulgaria heads to the polls on Sunday (19 April) for its eighth election in five years, amid mounting public frustration over corruption scandals and repeated government collapses. 

17:26

ADF 2026

Global leaders gather in Türkiye for Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Global leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Türkiye on 17 April for the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, focusing on uncertainty, conflict, and the future of global cooperation.

23:05

Middle East conflict

Paris summit unites allies on Hormuz security as fragile ceasefire keeps vital shipping route open

Leaders from across Europe and beyond gathered in Paris on Friday for a summit aimed at managing the global impact of the Middle East conflict.

21:34

Gaza

At least 47 women and girls killed daily during Gaza war, says UN Women

An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to new figures released by UN Women.

20:42

View from China

Ancient Sanxingdui axe suggest meteorite metal use

A remarkable discovery at the ancient ruins of Sanxingdui offers a glimpse into what appears to be otherworldly craftsmanship - an axe believed to have been made using material from a meteorite.

20:19

View from China

China seeks deeper, high-quality cooperation with Turkmenistan across key sectors

China is seeking to strengthen and upgrade its cooperation with Turkmenistan, focusing on what officials describe as “high-quality development” across a range of sectors.

19:18

View from Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan targets $3 billion trade with Afghanistan through new transit links

Kazakhstan plans to boost trade with Afghanistan from $500 million to $3 billion, backed by infrastructure and transit projects designed to strengthen regional connectivity and improve access to global markets.

19:03

Iran War

Strait of Hormuz is open Iran and Trump say but U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports remains

The Strait of Hormuz has reopened, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (17 April), although Washington warned its naval blockade on Iran would remain until a peace deal is reached.  

18:44

View from Georgia

Weimar Triangle visit to Georgia signals rising EU concern ahead of key talks

A low-profile diplomatic visit to Tbilisi may prove more consequential than it first appears, as representatives of France, Germany and Poland meet figures across Georgia’s political spectrum, signalling that Brussels is watching closely ahead of a key EU foreign ministers’ meeting.

17:43

opinion

War in Iran is forcing Europe to think seriously about the Caspian Sea for energy security

The current Middle East crisis has already had profound macroeconomic and energy consequences. It also reflects a broader phase of globalisation, where interdependencies can be weaponised for geopolitical purposes.

16:34

Rohingya

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead or missing in Andaman sea in 2025 in deadliest year on record

NeaNearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record, the United Nations Refugee Agency said on Friday.

16:22

Pope Leo XIV

Huge crowds gather in Douala as Pope Leo visits Cameroon

Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.

16:21

Netflix shares slump

Netflix shares slide as co-founder Reed Hastings steps down as chairman

Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board.

16:06

U.S. tariffs

U.S. firms brace for $166bn tariff refund launch

AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.

13:49

Myanmar

Myanmar amnesty frees 4,335 prisoners amid transparency concerns

Myanmar’s newly formalised head of state, President Min Aung Hlaing, has authorised an amnesty that will see 4,335 prisoners released from the country’s overcrowded jails, state television reported on Friday.