A synagogue in North London, England, is targeted in a firebombing attack, which is suspected to be an act of terrorism.
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April 19, 2026 (Sunday)
1.7 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the March 23 Movement agree to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and release prisoners within 10 days following talks in Montreux, Switzerland, and sign a memorandum establishing mechanisms to monitor a ceasefire.
United States president Donald Trump says that negotiations with Iran will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 20, with a U.S. delegation led by vice president JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Tasnim News Agency reports that Iran is undecided as to sending a negotiating delegation to Islamabad while a naval blockade remains in place.
The United States Navy destroyer USS Spruance and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stop and seize control of the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, in the first direct action during the blockade.
Disasters and accidents
A fire destroys about 1,000 homes in a stilt settlement in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, displacing thousands of residents.
At least 23 people are killed, six others are injured and many are trapped in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
International relations
Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announce that El Al will establish a direct route between Argentina and Israel beginning in November 2026.
Law and crime
Four people, including two foreign nationals, are arrested in Jolfa, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, on charges related to importing Starlink equipment and alleged intelligence activities involving networks linked to Israel and the U.S.
Eight children are killed and two women are injured in a domestic violence mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. The perpetrator later carjacks a vehicle and flees to Bossier City, where he is fatally shot by police.
Politics and elections
Bulgarians vote for 240 seats of the National Assembly in the nation's eighth election since April 2021. Former president Rumen Radev leads the soft eurosceptic Progressive Bulgaria coalition, the frontrunner of the election according to opinion polls.
Several universities across Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, including International Islamic University and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, will shift to online classes amidst a potential second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Nus Kei, chairperson of the Golkar Party's Southeast Maluku Regency branch in Indonesia, is assassinated at Karel Sadsuitubun Airport. The two perpetrators are subsequently arrested.
April 18, 2026 (Saturday)
1.7 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The U.S. Central Command reports that 21 ships have been turned back since the start of the blockade.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announces that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again until the blockade ends.
A French soldier is killed and three are injured in a shooting against United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers in Deir Kifa, southern Lebanon. France has accused Hezbollah of being responsible, an allegation that the group has denied.
Iran says that a date for another round of talks with the United States has not been set, pending an agreement on a framework for negotiations.
The Gaza health ministry updates the total Palestinian casualties to 72,549 killed and 172,274 injured, including at least 773 killed and 2,171 injured since the October 2025 ceasefire.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that ceasefire negotiations have progressed but also states that a deal is far from ready.
Israel's military establishes a "Yellow line" along southern Lebanon similar to the one in Gaza. Israel conducts strikes against individuals it says approach its forces in violation of ceasefire arrangements, including operations targeting positions and tunnels linked to Hezbollah.
Disasters and accidents
Thirteen people are killed after lightning strikes across Bangladesh.
International relations
Australia and Japan sign an agreement for the delivery of the first stealth ships under a AU$10 billion (US$7.2 billion) program to supply the Australian navy with a new fleet of warships.
India's external affairs ministry summons the ambassador of Iran after an Indian-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
Headed by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez, left-wing heads of government gather at the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy and Progressive Global Mobilization in Barcelona. Participants included Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Colombia's Gustavo Petro, Kosovo's Albin Kurti, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, and Uruguay's Yamandú Orsi.
Law and crime
Six people are killed and 15 others are injured, including a child, in a mass shooting in Holosiivskyi District, Kyiv, Ukraine. The gunman barricaded himself inside a supermarket and took hostages before being killed by police.
Rawalpindi shuts down cafés, restaurants, gyms, markets, and marriage halls in preparation of possible Iran–U.S. talks.
Two Indian citizens are killed in a shooting outside a Sikh temple in Covo, Province of Bergamo, Italy.
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