Dhaka: A series of lightning strikes killed 12 people in six districts of Bangladesh on Saturday. The majority of the lightning fatalities occurred in rural areas where people were working on their farmlands, local sources said. Deaths due to lightning strikes are common in Bangladesh during this t»»»

Sofia police have seized over 10 kg of fentanyl since the beginning of the year, the Interior Ministry said. Five investigations are underway and five people have been detained on suspicion of distribution. The seized quantity is equivalent to around 40,000 doses, with one dose averaging 0.25 grams»»»

Kyiv, Ukraine: Five people were killed in Kyiv on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after a gunman opened fire and took hostages at a supermarket in the Ukrainian capital before being killed during an arrest attempt, officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that at least 10 people were h»»»

After the ceasefire in Lebanon, displaced families are returning to heavily damaged towns like Nabatieh, where homes, businesses and essential services have been devastated by the war. Residents face a mix of relief and trauma as they begin to rebuild their lives, relying on aid for basic needs whi»»»

Despite warnings from authorities about the fragility of the ceasefire with Israel, thousands of people are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, as FRANCE 24's Cyril Payen reports from Beirut. Most do not see themselves as refugees, but rather as internally displaced people in their own co»»»

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the war in the Middle East hasn't just affected oil prices. Despite a provisional reopening during the current 10-day ceasefire, global supplies of jet fuel, fertilisers, industrial CO2 and naphtha have already been affected, potentially leading to s»»»

As part of his African tour, Pope Leo XIV is visiting Angola, where around 40% of the population is Catholic. The visit is highly significant for the country’s large Catholic community, who see it as an important moment of recognition and connection with the Vatican.»»»

Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Italy's former head of state offers an in-depth, insightful and thought-provoking reading of contemporary geopolitics, European cohesion, and leadership ethics. Speaking from the vantage point of a former leader of a major »»»

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»

A week of escalating tensions has unfolded between Donald Trump and the Vatican, after Trump insulted the Pope on social media following remarks on peace in the Middle East. His behaviour shocked audiences worldwide and reignited debate over his mental health. The feud has further exposed divisions»»»

Rescuers in northern Germany are trying to save a sick humpback whale nicknamed 'Timmy', which has repeatedly become stranded off the Baltic Sea coast. Experts are using air cushions and tugboats to refloat the animal, amid debate over whether it can still be safely rescued.»»»

Dubai: Filipino workers in parts of the UAE whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East are set to receive temporary financial relief, following a new advisory issued by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Under the programme, q»»»

Damascus, April 18 (SANA) Natural perfume production in Syria is expanding through home-based projects led by women who have turned traditional skills into small businesses, combining heritage craftsmanship with economic necessity. The craft of perfume-making involves extracting and blending scents»»»

1 of 3 | President Donald Trump signs an executive order on researching the effects of psychedelic drugs in mental health treatment on Saturday, in the Oval Office. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., podcast host Joe Rogan, Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell were»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are feeding through into global macroeconomic expectations, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning of a broad-based slowdown and renewed inflation pressures that are already shaping Panama’s near-term outlook. »»»

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast has unveiled an ambitious package of more than 40 economic and regulatory reforms aimed at breaking what he described as a decade of stagnation, but the proposal has already triggered political resistance and street protests as it moves towards Congress. »»»

Three people have appeared in court charged over an attempted arson attack on the London offices of Volant Media, the operator of Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, the BBC reported on April 17. An ignited co»»»

Three people have appeared in court charged over an attempted arson attack on the London offices of Volant Media, the operator of Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, the BBC reported on April 17. An ignited co»»»

Three people have appeared in court charged over an attempted arson attack on the London offices of Volant Media, the operator of Persian-language broadcaster Iran International, the BBC reported on April 17. An ignited co»»»

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»

Iran has announced tax exemptions for families with three or more children under the country's Family Support and Youth Population Law, state media reported on April 18. The announcement comes as the Islamic Republic's tot»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Thousands of trucks bound for the countries of Central Asia are stuck in the Caspian Sea port town of Alat in Azerbaijan because of border closures applied by war-hit Iran. Truckers normally enter northern Iran from Turkey»»»

Production of the iconic Poltsamaa strong mustard in Estonia will end this month after more than six decades, ERR News reported on its website ERR.ee on April 16. Parent company Orkla Eesti said mustard production would be»»»

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»

A delegation from the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan, led by Speaker Marlen Mamataliev, met with compatriots living, working, and studying in Germany. The parties discussed migration issues, social support, and improving the living conditions of citizens of Kyrgyzstan abroad. According to the parlia»»»

Poland could attract billions of dollars in foreign investment if it quickly creates favorable conditions for data center development, according to Dominik Leszczyński. He argues that data centers should be treated as critical infrastructure due to their importance for economic growth and national »»»

Europe is increasingly shifting from a free-market model toward a system where the state sustains industry through massive, long-term funding. With weak private demand and high energy costs, sectors like defense and infrastructure are becoming the main drivers of production and employment. Rising c»»»

Doha, Qatar: Officials and members of the Shura Council stated that the adoption of Qatar's emergency item at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reflects the growing impact of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy and its role in supporting national, Arab, and Islamic positions. They noted in statements »»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Justin Sun, founder of the Tron blockchain platform. The presidential press service reported. The parties discussed current issues of global financial transformation, development of virtual assets, and blockchain technologies in Kyrgyzstan. Welcoming t»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and Justin Sun, founder of Tron blockchain platform, visited Ala-Archa State Nature Park, where a large-scale ethnocultural program was organized for them. The presidential press service reported. During the visit, the guests were shown the centuries-old tradit»»»

Dubai: Dubai has, over the past two decades, demonstrated a consistent ability to navigate global financial crises and a pandemic. The current climate, however, feels distinct. There is a palpable gravity to today’s global headlines, yet on the ground in the UAE, the atmosphere remains one of focus»»»

ANTALYA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi participated in a high-level session on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum titled 'Emerging Partnerships in International Mediation for Peace'. In his remarks during the session, D»»»

Zagreb, Croatia:Thousands of Croatians protested Saturday, April 18, 2026, in the capital Zagreb to demand higher salaries and pensions amid rising inflation in the EU nation in recent months. The protest dubbed "Croatia Together for Higher Wages and Pensions" was held as the country in March regis»»»

Imagine you know about a brutal gang of serial killers openly committing one sadistic crime after the other. Imagine you recognize your obvious moral obligation to do something to stop or at least impede these crimes as best you can, but your country’s morally perverse and politically corrupt autho»»»

Bulgarians are about to vote in the country’s eighth election in five years. Unpopular caretaker governments have come and gone, and now victory looks almost certain for former president, Ukraine skeptic and left-winger Rumen Radev. Read more Battle for Bulgaria: The EU opens a new front in its ele»»»

It has become common among analysts to say that the world has entered a new global order, where the logic of “might makes right” has replaced the “power of right,” and the old rules-based international system has faded. International relations are increasingly managed through power and influence ra»»»

Skopje, 17 April 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday the rise of industry turnover is solid and tops the region, notes there are challenges in the mining industry and adds the Government will do everything to keep the mines open. "Considering the situation in Europe and acros»»»

Beirut, Lebanon: Lebanon's president and prime minister discussed on Saturday, April 18, 2026, preparations for the first direct negotiations with Israel in decades, as southerners headed home after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a statement, the office of President HH Joseph Aoun sa»»»

Lebanon's president and prime minister discussed on Saturday preparations for the first direct negotiations with Israel in decades, as southerners headed home after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a statement, the office of President Joseph Aoun said he and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam »»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation (QF) said schools within its Pre-University Education ecosystem continue to foster a stable and supportive learning environment, placing student wellbeing and reassurance at the heart of the educational experience. In a statement, QF said, "Across the schools, leaders »»»

DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF) said schools within its Pre-University Education ecosystem continue to foster a stable and supportive learning environment, placing student wellbeing and reassurance at the heart of the educational experience. In a statement, QF said, "Across the schools, leaders are foc»»»

Abu Dhabi: More than 25,000 people from across society took part on Saturday in the “Your Nation Is Fortified” race in Abu Dhabi, in a strong show of unity, cohesion and social solidarity across the UAE. The race began at Wahat Al Karama and ended at Erth Abu Dhabi (Armed Forces Officers Club & Hot»»»

Muscat, Oman: The member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) have achieved remarkable progress in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, clearly outperforming global averages, particularly in the fields of health, education, and basic»»»