Wednesday

April 22, 2026

Armed conflicts and attacks

Middle Eastern crisis

2026 Iran war

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy seizes two vessels after attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. A third vessel is also reportedly "disabled off Iran's coast". (CNN)

2026 Iranian strikes on the Kurdistan Region

Three members of the Kurdistan Freedom Party are injured in a drone attack in the Khabat District, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The group attributes the attack to Iran. (Al Jazeera)

2026 Lebanon war

A French UNIFIL peacekeeper dies from his wounds sustained from an ambush last week blamed on Hezbollah. (AFP via Al Arabiya)

Israeli airstrikes kill at least five people across Lebanon, including a journalist. (Al Jazeera)

Boko Haram insurgency

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on motorcycles kill at least 20 people in shootings in Borno State and Adamawa State, Nigeria. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war

Stocks in the United States, including S&P 500 and Nasdaq, rise following yesterday’s announcement that the ceasefire would be extended indefinitely. (CNBC)

2026 Iran war fuel crisis

German airline Lufthansa announces that it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights in Europe this summer, saying rising fuel prices have made many flights "unprofitable" for the company. (BBC News)

Germany–Russia relations, Russia in the European energy sector

Russia announces it will halt the transport of Kazakh oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting May 1, citing technical reasons, while the German economic ministry states that the interruption is not expected to significantly disrupt fuel supply. (AFP via France 24)

Disasters and accidents

A leak results in a violent chemical reaction involving nitric acid and another substance at a facility in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, killing two people and injuring 19 others, including one in critical condition. (AP)

International relations

Reactions to the 2026 Iran war

France and the United Kingdom host a military conference involving over 30 countries in Northwood, London, to discuss the use of military forces for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow. (AA)

Law and crime

Corruption in Moldova

Moldovan oligarch and former politician Vladimir Plahotniuc is sentenced to 19 years in prison for embezzling about US$1 billion from the country's banks. (Reuters)

International Criminal Court investigation in the Philippines

International Criminal Court (ICC) judges dismiss former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's jurisdictional challenge regarding the ICC's authority over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member, allowing proceedings to continue against Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

Balen Shah cabinet

Nepali home minister Sudan Gurung resigns to allow an impartial investigation into his financial activities, becoming the second minister to leave prime minister Balen Shah's government following recent elections. (AFP via The Straits Times)

Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid scandal

The Greek parliament votes to lift the immunity of 13 legislators from the ruling New Democracy party to allow investigation into alleged fraud involving European Union agricultural subsidies. (Reuters)

Presidency of José María Balcázar

Peruvian defence minister Carlos Díaz Dañino and foreign minister Hugo de Zela resign following president José María Balcázar's decision to postpone the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States. (Reuters)

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