Shifting Geopolitics and Regional Instabilityactive

A decade after Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his “Vision 2030” program to transform the country’s economy, the kingdom is facing financial strains and reassessing its trajectory.

Over the past day, Russian troops carried out 1,222 attacks on the Donetsk region, damaging 14 civilian objects. Preliminary reports indicate there were no casualties.

The struggling humpback whale is due to be fitted with a radio transmitter to help follow his recovery. Meanwhile, Chancellor Merz has promised that Germany is prepared for any crisis. DW has more.

An advisor to Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned of a "chain-reaction response" in more critical shipping lanes, including the Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia, after Iran declared another full closure of the Hormuz Strait before a fragile ceasefire is due to take effect. "The era of imposing security from across the oceans has come to an end. Today, not only has the security of Hormuz and Malacca been guaranteed under the shadow of our power and that of our strategic partners, but the...

Iranian officials are yet to commit to a second round of talks with the US, as ceasefire deadline approaches.

After the Nazis seized power in 1933, many Germans escaped by fleeing abroad. Some ended up in what was then Yugoslavia. German historian Marie Janine Calic tells their story.

Russia’s total combat losses in its war against Ukraine have reached approximately 1,319,270 personnel from February 24, 2022, to April 20, 2026, including 1,050 troops lost over the past day.

As autos and heavy manufacturing falter, Berlin is steering factories, workers and capital toward rearming Europe.

US-Iran war: Live updates. Iranian forces immediately responded to the US troops' attack on the Iranian container ship in the Gulf of Oman, targeting American military vessels with drone attacks.

Inside the detailed report, Sarah Fitzpatrick of The Atlantic raises many questions about the alleged excessive drinking and erratic behavior of the FBI Director. Kash Patel has described the allegations as "fake news" and threatens to take legal action against the publications. Gavin Lee speaks to Sarah Fitzpatrick.

President Trump accused Iran of firing on ships passing through the strait, while Iran said the U. S. blockade violated their deal and amounted to a war crime.

The man was wanted by the authorities, and they found the cell phones belonging to the deceased women in his possession. Authorities are currently investigating whether he was attempting to steal money.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a long-time supporter of Trump, says the president's feud with the pope is a "distraction." A Republican lawmaker has condemned what he refers to as Donald Trump's "holy war" against Pope Leo XIV. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, a long-time supporter of Trump and the ultraconservative MAGA movement, condemned the president's attacks on the pope during a Fox News interview on Saturday. Continue reading...

Irish neutrality, long seen as a guarantee of independence from its former British colonizer, has been eroding under European and Atlantic pressures. After decades of naval weakness, Dublin has committed to strengthening its navy.

FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire for excessive alcohol use and conduct attor. He has hired Jesse R. Binnall to fight a battle against The Atlantic.

Despite Trump and the war with Iran, Brussels’ interests remain deeply entwined with Washington’s

In the Poltava region, a Russian drone attacked railway infrastructure.

Iran has not yet determined the burial site for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.

Hong Kong should take a more proactive approach to removing barriers hindering the cross-border flow of people, capital, goods and data with neighbouring Shenzhen, analysts have said, as the new leadership of the mainland China tech hub signals a fresh push for deeper integration. The calls for action followed the appointment of Jin Lei, an economist and former official in Sichuan province, as Shenzhen’s Communist Party chief last month, succeeding Meng Fanli, who has since been named the...

Six guided aerial bombs were shot down by air defense systems

The president has publicly highlighted his White House ballroom project on roughly a third of the days this year, a Washington Post analysis found.

They were suspended from duty during the investigation

"The full impact is coming," and what the world has seen so far in energy costs is "just the tip of the iceberg," according to Qatar's finance minister, who warned of a broader energy and supply shock as Iran tightens its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have repelled another large-scale attempt by Russian troops to break through in the area of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.

New Delhi summoned Iran's envoy after two India-flagged vessels were attacked while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. DW has the latest.

US-Iran war updates: In a reversal of its previous decision, Iran again closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, adding further uncertainty to the war that the US and Israel launched on February 28.

Multiple ballistic missiles fired from eastern Sinpo area in seventh such test this year.

Enemy Shahed-type drones are equipped with SIM cards from the Russian mobile operator Tele2, whose roaming is blocked in Ukraine.

FBI Director Kash Patel has threatened to sue The Atlantic after the magazine reported that his colleagues have grown alarmed by what it described as episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences. “See you and your entire entourage of false reporting in court… But do keep at it with the fake news, actual malice standard…

Donald Trump's proposal for a new White House ballroom includes extensive security features, such as bomb shelters and missile-resistant materials.

A shocking claim, alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel will be fired within five weeks, emerged on Saturday.

Construction is expected to continue at the White House until the next hearing which is due to take place in June.

Construction is expected to continue at the White House until the next hearing which is due to take place in June.

A three-judge federal appeals panel on Friday allowed construction on President Trump’s White House ballroom to go forward into June, a move that came one day after a federal judge limited the project to “below-ground construction.” The panel from the U. S. Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit granted the Trump administration a stay of…

Authorities are piecing together the events of the family gathering that ended in tragedy, as they work to precisely determine the sequence of the attacks.

Ukraine's Defense Forces have repelled a large-scale Russian attempt to break through near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.

“I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at an event on Thursday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports alleging food shortages on board two important US Navy vessels.

The U. S. military is readying to board ships linked to Iran and seize commercial vessels in international waters in the coming days as President Trump looks to expand a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal military planning, told The Hill…

The 34-year-old coach, the first woman to lead a men's team in the top five European leagues, suffered a home defeat (1-2). Upon entering the field, she was greeted with a banner that read "Goddess of Football."

Kash Patel's longtime girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, has shared a new update hours after the FBI Director denied drinking problem claims

This Saturday, the world of football was focused on the Bundesliga. Marie-Louise Eta, a 34-year-old coach, was making her debut as the first woman in history to coach a team in the German first division. However, her debut didn't go as planned: her team lost 2-1 at home against Wolfsburg, a team currently in the relegation zone and which hadn't won in three games since January. Goals from Patrick Wimmer (11') and Dženan Pejčinović (46') were enough to secure the victory for the visiting team, which remains in 17th place with only 24 points. While Oliver Burke (85') managed to score a goal for Union Berlin, the German coach had to endure a bitter defeat that leaves her team stuck in 11th place with 32 points. "ALL THE ATTENTION IS ON HER!" Marie-Louise Eta makes her debut as coach of Union Berlin and becomes the first woman in history to coach a first-division team in Europe. 📺 Watch the #Bundesliga on #DisneyPlus Premium plan. pic.twitter.com/i5iCJwa6j5 — SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) April 18, 2026 Milestones for Marie-Louise Eta The atmosphere for Eta's debut was festive. Before the kickoff, the fans of the team from the German capital chanted "fussballgöttin" (Goddess of football) to give a warm welcome to the pioneering coach. In that spirit, the build-up to this match had been marked by a great deal of...

The Atlantic reports on a panic attack (the employee believed he had been fired due to a computer problem), postponed meetings due to hangovers, and even the intervention of special forces who had to enter his room after hours of silence.

A man opened fire on Saturday in the Holosiivskyi district of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, leaving “several people dead and wounded,” and then barricaded himself inside a supermarket, according to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko.

A shooting in Kyiv has left several people dead, with a child among the injured.

Trump said Tehran cannot use the strait as leverage in its dealings with Washington. Trump said Iran can't "blackmail" Washington using Strait of Hormuz.

An 81-year-old Chinese woman dubbed “the strongest Chinese mother” was born without limbs and managed to raise three children. The octogenarian who has moved many people online sewed with her mouth and used her elbows to hold chopsticks while looking after her family. Wang Yushi, 81, from Baiyin in Gansu province, northern China, was born with a congenital disability and has had no limbs since birth. She did not even have an official name until her late 20s. “My mother was born without hands or...

Mahua, Feni make UK debut as Indian heritage drinks

If this situation continues, it will be a political defeat for Washington, said the Chairman of the Federation Council's Information Policy Commission Alexey Pushkov

Victoria Bonya says authorities are too afraid to address issues with Vladimir Putin, whose approval ratings are declining. The Kremlin is dealing with the consequences of a celebrity blogger's criticism of Russian authorities going viral, as Vladimir Putin's approval ratings have fallen for the sixth consecutive week. Victoria Bonya, a well-known figure in Russia who gained fame in 2006 on Dom-2, the country's version of the reality TV show Big Brother, posted a video on Monday warning the Russian president that a series of growing problems risked spiraling out of control. Continue reading...

The Trump administration on Friday issued a one-month sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded at sea, despite the treasury secretary indicating two days earlier that Washington would not renew the measure. The move comes amid efforts to ease global energy prices, which have surged following the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Patel almost believed that he had been ousted from his job as he reportedly couldn't log into an internal computer system. That was just one instance.

U. S. President Donald Trump is making a dramatic show of religiosity just days after he posted an image on social media that many Christians found offensive. A recording of Trump reading a verse from the Old Testament will be released next week as part of a celebration of the Bible, organizers of the event said Friday. The president’s reading, which has already been recorded, will be part of an 84-hour public presentation at the Museum of the Bible in Washington that will feature nearly 500 readers cycling through scripture from Genesis to Revelation over eight days. Trump’s roughly two-and-a-half-minute reading, which is slated to air Tuesday, comes after he angered many Christians with a social media post that appeared to depict him as Jesus and publicly quarreled with Pope Leo. Bunni Pounds, the founder of Christians Engaged and an organizer of the Bible event, welcomed the president’s participation and declined to weigh in on the controversies — though she noted that the president’s reading might be relevant. “It’s a scripture about repentance,” Pounds said. “None of us are perfect.” The president’s reading, Second Chronicles 7:14, is among the most frequently invoked verses in American public religious life, calling on believers to “humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face… and turn from their wicked ways.” The White House on Friday released a statement tying the initiative to the broader sweep of American history, emphasizing what it described as the Bible’s “indelible” role in shaping the nation’s identity. The statement nods to figures like John Winthrop and Abraham Lincoln, and frames the reading as part of a larger commemoration of 250 years of the Bible’s influence in America. “We needed a similar moment in our country today,” Pounds said, describing the initiative as an attempt to bring together leaders and citizens in a shared act of reflection. “I believe it’s historic to have a sitting president read a lengthy section of Scripture with no commentary around it.” In addition to the president, the lineup features several Cabinet officials and Republican lawmakers, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; White House chief of staff Susie Wiles; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins; Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum; and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Drones struck an oil depot in the area of Kozacha Bay in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Following a report from The Atlantic alleging excessive drinking by FBI Director Kash Patel, his legal team is threatening court action.

Charles Adair relatives urge video to be made public after Kansas officer charged with second-degree murder Relatives of a man whom investigators determined died after a Kansas sheriff’s deputy shoved his knee into the cuffed man’s back for a minute and 26 seconds have filed a federal lawsuit. Attorneys for the family of Charles Adair renewed their demand on Friday that video of what happened be released publicly in announcing the wrongful death lawsuit. Continue reading...

The injured man recounted how he managed to escape on a motorcycle after the attack. One of the lines of investigation points to the former partner of one of the victims.

Ruling is latest loss for Trump administration, which has sought access to state voter data ahead of the US midterms.

The Russian player will now face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Kazakhstan's Yelena Rybakina, the tournament's top seed, and Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the semifinals.

Russian troops are concentrating personnel and equipment on the southern outskirts of Myrnohrad in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko held meetings with members of the Ukraine Caucuses in the United States Congress during her visit to the United States, focusing on Ukraine's key defense needs and increasing pressure on Russia.

Families of U.S. Navy personnel are expressing concern about food shortages on warships, with images of meager meals circulating online.

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Hugh WILLIAMSON. As Human Rights Watch Director for Europe and Central Asia, he views Russia’s restrictions on VPNs as part of an architecture of censorship that has expanded significantly since the 2022 Ukraine invasion began. He argues that these policies reflect a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to curtail access to independent information, suppress public debate, and consolidate political control. He highlights the unintended consequences of this strategy: growing public frustration, economic disruption, and political risk for the government.

Even amid uncertainty over whether Hezbollah would uphold the truce, Lebanese residents expressed relief at the prospect of quiet, and aid groups were mobilizing help.

The three astronauts currently stationed on China's Tiangong space station will extend their stay by approximately a month, according to state broadcaster CCTV on Friday. The crew launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 31 aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and were expected to return to Earth at the end of this month after a standard six-month mission. In November, a crack was discovered in a window of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, forcing the space station's previous crew to extend their...

Alexey Pushkov said that Iran did not pose any threat to the West

China has long been the diplomatically isolated country's main economic backer, though Pyongyang has also drawn closer to Moscow since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The far-right Alternative for Germany has nudged ahead of its political rivals in a new poll, the most recent of several that it has topped. Meanwhile, a last-ditch attempt to save whale Timmy is underway. Follow DW.

An NPR analysis shows how immigrants' attempts to live or work legally in the U. S. are caught in a bureaucratic morass. (Image credit: Damian Dovarganes)

Ukraine’s air defense forces intercepted or jammed 147 drones used by Russian forces to attack Ukraine since the previous evening. Impacts from a ballistic missile and 20 strike UAVs were recorded at eight locations.

Units of the Azov Brigade within the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine are using attack drones to control Russian logistics routes around Donetsk and strike targets deep behind enemy lines.

Tehran’s new ability to charge tolls in the Gulf is a powerful bargaining chip

Rising cost pressure is pushing China's smart EV makers to pivot from scale expansion to efficiency and cost discipline.

A viral video shows a woman with a red bag boarding Air Force One with Donald Trump, leading to speculation about her identity.

On April 15, 2026, the High Springs Police Department arrested KaShawn Nicola Roper, who was wanted by the U.S. federal agency, the FBI, and charged with the murder of Jazmyn Henrion in Kansas City, Missouri, in August 2020. The case garnered national attention due to the nature of the charges, the lengthy period during which the suspect remained at large, and prompted the FBI to offer a reward of up to $1,000,000. According to a statement from the federal agency, reported by the U.S. newspaper USA Today, Roper's arrest occurred shortly after she was added to the list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, where "only two women were listed at the time of her arrest." The operation was carried out without incident, and the detainee was transferred to a local facility pending extradition to Missouri. The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies proved crucial, according to official statements. The murder of Henrion, 23, shocked the Kansas City community in 2020 when the victim was shot while in a vehicle. Authorities identified Roper as the prime suspect, leading to the issuance of state and federal arrest warrants. The case remained open for nearly six years and culminated in the coordinated intervention of multiple agencies. Who is KaShawn Nicola Roper, and why was she being sought by the authorities? KaShawn Nicola Roper, 50 years old, and r…

Suzanna Maloney, vice president and director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution, joins Scarlet Fu on "Bloomberg Markets." President Trump said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a move that offers to ease tensions more broadly in the region while the US and Iran are in discussions to extend their own truce ahead of its expiration next week.  (Source: Bloomberg)

The Commission of Fine Arts asked the architect for revisions, with one member suggesting the project could be downsized by leaving out gold-plated statues.

A federal judge has limited President Trump's White House ballroom project to "below-ground construction," rejecting the administration's claims that the entire project must proceed for security reasons. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, ruled last month that construction of the $400 million ballroom must stop except where "necessary to ensure the safety and security"...

The Senate turned back a similar measure Wednesday seeking to rein in the president as the unpopular war approaches the two-month mark.

Russian media began reporting last week that the Kremlin may replace Gladkov with an army general who fought in Ukraine.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said during a recent podcast appearance that President Trump had an "unkind" response when she messaged him about receiving death threats against her and her family after she resigned from Congress. Greene told the "Piers Morgan Uncensored" host on Wednesday that she reached out to FBI Director Kash Patel…

National Public Radio is getting a new injection in funding from private donors months after President Trump’s administration pulled federal dollars from the public broadcaster. NPR announced on Thursday a total of more than $113 million philanthropic investments — including the largest gift by a living donor in its history, for what it is calling a…

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Keep our news free from ads and paywalls by making a donation to support our work! Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support. Russia has installed an exhibition titled “Ten Centuries of Polish Russophobia” outside the entrance to a cemetery containing thousands of Polish military officers murdered by the Soviets in the Katyn massacre of 1940. The outdoor exhibit, which includes a section downplaying Soviet responsibility for the massacre, was opened just before Poland marked its annual day of remembrance for victims of the killings. The exhibition is organized by the Russian Military Historical Society (RMHS), which was established in 2012 by Vladimir Putin to “counter attempts to distort Russian history.” The body is overseen by the defence and culture ministries and is chaired by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin. Made up of a series of panels, the exhibition was first displayed in central Moscow last year and, according to RMHS, aims to show how “Russophobia has become the foundation of Polish political consciousness today” and how “the origins of modern neo-Nazism in Poland are deeply rooted in history.” In actual fact, neo-Nazism is a completely marginal phenomenon in Poland, and the country has strict laws against the promotion of Nazi or other fascist ideologies. While most Poles do hold ne…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, "The United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the strait," while warning Iran to "choose wisely" when considering a deal with the US to end the conflict in the Middle East. Hegseth spoke on Thursday at the Pentagon. (Source: Bloomberg)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine will brief reporters on Thursday morning, as the war nears the seven-week mark and the ceasefire hits nine days. A series of Trump officials will make their way to Capitol Hill on Thursday, where lawmakers continue to duke it out…

Russian occupying forces are attempting to expand their offensive and establish a foothold in the settlement of Hryshyne in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has always had a blunt and outspoken style. On social media and at press conferences, he tends to make comments that can be perceived as extreme and provocative. For many politicians, analysts, and even former supporters of the Republican, the line has been crossed, and they are now questioning his mental health. Recently, Trump (79) said he would annihilate the entire Iranian civilization in a single night, and he also attacked Pope Leo XIV for not agreeing with his call for peace. He said the Pope was "WEAK on crime and terrible for foreign policy." Even after the conflict with the religious authority, he posted an image of his face superimposed onto the image of Jesus Christ, although he later deleted it and justified it by saying he thought it was a "doctor" and that "only fake news would come up with something like that." This would not be the first time that various figures in the political arena have questioned whether President Trump is in good health. Since the beginning of his political career, Trump has challenged all kinds of diplomatic protocols. However, according to an analysis by sources who spoke with the New York Times, the president's recent behavior "has left many with the impression of an autocratic leader who is unhinged and driven mad by power." This is what has been said about Trump, from various perspectives within the American political world. Opinions on Donald Trump's mental health: According to the compilation…

A German teachers' group says decisive action is need to counter a surge in violence in classrooms and corridors. Meanwhile, the Greens say a blanket speed limit on major highways would halp save fuel. DW has the latest.

The restriction will apply to different types of vehicles, depending on the last digit of their license plate.

The health of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Narges Mohammadi, is critical after she suffered a heart attack last month, according to members of her circle who visited her on Wednesday at the prison in northern Iran, in Zanjan, where she is being held by the Islamic Republic's regime. Mohammadi, 53, was arrested on December 12th in the city of Mashhad after criticizing Iranian clerical authorities during a funeral ceremony. Family members and lawyers were able to visit her on Saturday, during which "clear signs of a deterioration in her overall condition were observed, and her physical condition was described as critical," according to a statement from the Narges Mohammadi Foundation. In a previous visit, at the end of March, it was reported that Mohammadi had suffered a heart attack at the beginning of that month. The statement detailed that, after the emergency, Mohammadi remained unconscious for more than an hour without receiving immediate medical assistance. Following the meeting on Saturday, the family reported that the Nobel laureate "has become very weak and has lost a lot of weight," according to statements from her brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, who resides in Norway. Narges Mohammadi received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 in recognition of her more than two decades of activism in defense of human rights. Mohammadi's situation worsened in February when she was transferred without prior notice – in violation of the criminal procedure law…

CATL puts $4.4bn into new subsidiary to strengthen supply chain self-sufficiency