live Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over U.S. blockade, state media says- Saturday 18 April
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a Saturday statement that the Strait of Hormuz has...
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister, six days after dismissing the previous premier along with the entire cabinet.
Randrianirina, who seized power in October 2025 after the military backed mass youth-led protests that forced former president Andry Rajoelina from office, said the new prime minister would lead the government “on a clean path” and restore hope. There was no immediate comment from Rajaonarison.
Rajaonarison previously served as head of Madagascar’s anti-corruption agency, where he built a reputation as a prosecutor focused on tackling high-level graft and strengthening financial oversight in public institutions.
“That integrity you have is what I expect from you as prime minister. Show that the country needs people of integrity, people who cannot be swayed and who cannot be bought,” the president said in an address broadcast on state television.
Randrianirina did not give reasons when he dismissed former Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, who was appointed to office in October 2025 and the entire cabinet on Monday.
The dismissed officials have not publicly commented on the decision.
Randrianirina has led what he calls a “Refoundation” since taking power during the political transition that followed the collapse of the previous government.
He has framed the agenda as a national reset aimed at restoring state authority, combating corruption and rebuilding public trust in institutions in the Indian Ocean island nation.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping on Friday (17 April) for the first time since the U.S. and Israel killed Iran's ex-Supreme Leader in air strikes, triggering the Middle East conflict, at the end of February. A U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, however, remains in force.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a Saturday statement that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its "previous state" under the control of its "armed forces," citing the ongoing U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
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.
The Trump administration extended a sanctions exemption on some Russian oil as prices continue to skyrocket in the wake of the U.S.- Israeli war against Iran on Friday (17 April).
Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday (18 April) launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014.
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.
European leaders have set out plans for a coordinated defensive mission to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once security conditions allow, following talks involving more than 40 countries.
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.
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