Voting under way in key Indian states Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is hoping to make inroads in the opposition strongholds.
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Africa: Ukraine Is Coming to Africa. but Did Anyone Ask Africa?
[African Arguments] On 25 March 2026, a high-level interagency coordination meeting took place at Ukraine's Presidential Office, chaired by Kyrylo Budanov. The subject was the expansion of Ukraine's presence on the African continent -- and it was the first such meeting in the
Africa: From Resolution to Reality - Delivering Water and Sanitation for 'The Africa We Want'
[IPS] Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- When Africa's Heads of State and Government gathered in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026 for the African Union's 39th Ordinary Session, they did more than adopt another resolution. They made a choice: to place at the centre of the agenda the most
Scientists filmed Uganda’s Marburg virus hotspot for 5 months. Here’s what they found
Scientists set up cameras in Uganda’s Marburg virus reservoir, capturing rare footage of wildlife and humans interacting in the site and raising concerns about spillover risk.
Watch: BBC goes undercover at mini-mart selling drugs
BBC UK editor Ed Thomas confronts a shopkeeper secretly filmed selling cannabis and cocaine to one of our researchers.
Iran tightens control of Hormuz after US calls off renewed attacks
WASHINGTON/DUBAI/ISLAMABAD, April 23 (Reuters) - Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz as it tightened its grip on the strategic waterway after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was indefinitely calling off attacks, with no sign of peace talks restarting.
Africa: Minister Ogwang Rallies East Africa to Deliver Historic Afcon 2027
[Nile Post] The State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has called for full commitment from East African governments and football stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
East Africa: EAC Kicks Off High-Level Talks to Shape Future of Agriculture in East Africa
[Daily News] Dar es Salaam -- The East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with AGRA, has officially launched a high-level regional validation meeting for the Draft Regional Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan (RASIP 2026-2035) in Dar es Salaam, marking a significant step
Malaysia’s King says he will choose a new anti-graft chief
It is first the official confirmation that current head Azam Baki’s term won’t be renewed when it ends in May.
Malaysia's king says he will choose next anti-graft agency chief
KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 - Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim said on Thursday that he will select the next head of the country's anti-graft body, with the agency's current chief under growing pressure to resign over misconduct allegations.
Latest news bulletin | April 23rd, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this April 23rd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Can the ‘deadzoning’ trend be a way to improve our wellbeing while travelling?
This new travel craze is sweeping through millennials and Gen Z, who are intentionally becoming disconnected in an era of being chronically online.
ChatGPT mirrors abusive language in heated conversations, study finds
OpenAI’s ChatGPT produced insults and swear words as it responded to tense human conflicts, a study has found.
Reza Pahlavi declined invitation to address members of the EU parliament
Last week, Reza Pahlavi (pictured) addressed the Riksdag, Sweden’s Parliament in Stockholm where he was invited by the Sweden Democrats and Christian Democrats. There he strongly criticized Europe. "When I look at Europe, I see ambivalence and a continued inability to see the
Is China’s soft power rising, or is America’s just crumbling?
Soft power is notoriously hard to quantify, but it’s difficult to argue that global soft power has been shifting steadily toward East Asia in recent decades. A few years ago, I wrote a post about how South Korea became a cultural superpower on purpose, while Japan became one by
Sellers in China trade hub Guangdong seek tariff reprieve from Trump visit
Factories in Guangdong province have borne the brunt of Mr Trump’s mercurial policies and a blistering trade war.
5 takeaways from first major California governor's debate after Swalwell exit
Six candidates running for California governor squared off on the debate stage Wednesday, yet the forum may have created more questions than answers for politcal observers, as Democrats struggle to coalesce around a candidate ahead of the June primary The debate came just weeks
Flights delayed at Japan’s Haneda airport after international check-in system glitch
This comes just two days after the airport suffered a glitch in its air traffic control system.
Africa: 6 African Thinkers Who Help Us Understand the World - New Book
[The Conversation Africa] Who counts as an intellectual? In many traditions, the figure of the intellectual is tied to the search for truth, social critique and public engagement. From the Dreyfus Affair (a political scandal in 1894 in France that mobilised writers and thinkers
China's Xpeng expects to start delivering 'flying' cars in 2027
The Chinese electric vehicle maker has received more than 7,000 orders for its flying cars, the majority of which are in China.
‘Cut fossil fuel industry’s lifeline’: How subsidies and petrochemicals are propping up oil and gas
Experts on the major wins they want to see from the Santa Marta fossil fuel phaseout conference.
Lebanon accuses Israel of targeting journalist killed in airstrike
Lebanon's prime minister accused Israel of war crimes after IDF attacks on Red Cross vehicles also stopped rescuers from reaching the site.
Fury as Indonesian court dismisses 1998 mass rape lawsuit
Rights groups called the ruling a major step backwards that further perpetuates impunity.
Chinese EV maker Xpeng expects to start delivering ‘flying’ cars in 2027
It also expects to start large-scale production of its humanoid robots in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Thailand moves to end 60-day visa-free stays to screen out unwanted visitors
Thailand is seeking to shift its tourism strategy towards higher-quality and longer-stay visitors.
Japan mulls social media age limits as global curbs spread
In Japan, teenagers spent nearly 70 minutes a day on social media on weekdays, almost double the overall national average.
Another American quagmire at Hormuz
There is a certain grim symmetry to watching Washington, in the spring of 2026, once again flailing about in the Persian Gulf — blockading Iranian ports, rattling sabers over a strait it cannot fully control and dispatching delegations to Islamabad in search of a diplomatic
Diplomacy stalls as Iran fires on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and US maintains blockade
Diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States appear to stall, with Tehran rejecting the premise of talks until Washington lifts its naval blockade of its ports. The international community has urged all parties to de-escalate and engage with diplomatic efforts to bring
Use of toxic Pfas in consumer goods must be urgently restricted, MPs say
Commons committee heard from residents of Yorkshire town with the highest levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in UK On 15 January, members of the House of Commons environmental audit committee (EAC) visited Bentham, the North Yorkshire town that has the highest levels of Pfas
One ship, three deaths: the shocking truth behind working conditions on a Chinese trawler
Damning testimony from the crew of one tuna-fishing vessel has lifted the lid on the treatment of workers in the fleets supplying fish to the UK and EU Abdul was the first to fall sick, in February 2025, four months into his first ever stint on a longline tuna fishing vessel in
Katie Couric on Media’s ‘Capitulation’ to Trump: ‘A Good Old-Fashioned Shakedown’
The former CBS Evening News anchor called her former network's $16 million settlement with Trump "deplorable"
Why China’s support for Iran has limits
Beijing showed little support for Tehran's defence besides criticising the attacks.
Three GOP senators break with leaders over addressing insurance companies’ denial of medical care
Three Republican senators broke with the rest of the Senate GOP conference Wednesday night to vote in support of an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) to address insurance companies delaying or denying necessary medical care. Vulnerable Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Negeri Sembilan’s royal dispute deepens as dissenters’ seats lay empty at state assembly
The state’s Malay ruler stressed that their absence would not affect the legality of the state assembly sitting.
Lena Dunham Says She Has the ‘Plot Line in My Brain’ For a ‘Girls’ Movie: ‘I Would Love to Do it’
Lena Dunham recently told SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy” that she has an idea for a “Girls” movie. She also shared that she made a group chat with the original cast, in which they’ve discussed reuniting when the hit HBO drama is “appropriately missed.” “I would love to do it, and I
Collins, Sullivan break with Senate GOP leaders on amendment to reverse SNAP cuts
Senate Republicans on Wednesday defeated an amendment sponsored by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to create a reserve fund to lower grocery costs and reverse an estimated $187 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enacted by last year’s One Big Beautiful
New York City council member arrested during eviction protest
New York City Council member Chi Ossé (D) was arrested on Wednesday during a protest to stop a city resident from being evicted from her home. Ossé was later released, telling reporters outside the New York City Police Department's 79th Precinct that three men "manhandled" him,
‘Dancing in their hands’: Japan wig masters set stage alive
A fresh wig is crafted for each kabuki performance and customised for each actor.
Trump gave Iran a reprieve, but negotiations still hang in the balance
Trump's pause may ease immediate pressure, but deep divisions within Iran's leadership – and its belief it can outlast U.S. pressure – could still derail any diplomatic progress
South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies
SEOUL, April 23 - South Korea's air force apologised on Thursday for a 2021 mid-air collision involving two fighter jets, a day after auditors said pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident.
Stocks sink and oil rises with Iran, US no closer to peace talks
Asian stocks fell and oil prices rose Thursday as the United States and Iran appeared no closer to holding fresh peace talks and Tehran continued to refuse to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Hopes that the two would meet for a second round of negotiations in Pakistan have
‘Beaches’ Broadway Review: Soulless and Uninspired Musical Remake of Beloved Film Washes Ashore
Audiences going to the musical “Beaches” are likely to know what to expect: the story of a decades-long, female friendship with plenty of schmaltz, some sass, and a mega-hit song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The musical, which began its development a dozen years ago — and most
As more ASEAN states turn to Russia for fuel, will Moscow boost its influence in the region?
Asian countries have been especially affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Republicans break with party as GOP defeats budget amendment to lower health care costs
Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted against an amendment sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to create a point of order against any future budget reconciliation bill that doesn’t lower out-of-pocket health care costs for Americans. Schumer offered a
Malaysian TikTok creator arrested for wearing police gear in viral video
The incident involves a video believed to be recorded for online content.
Ex-Jakarta agency head faces charges in deadly landfill collapse
The environment agency had failed to comply with administrative sanctions imposed since late 2024.
LA mayor says she had 'positive discussion' with Trump on FEMA help for wildfire recovery
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) on Wednesday said she had a "positive discussion" with President Trump at the White House about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for areas of the city still recovering from last year's devastating Palisades and Eaton
Over 1,000 people urged to evacuate as wildfires rage in north-eastern Japan
The local weather observatory had warned of dry air and strong winds in Otsuchi.