Western companies miss deadline to exit Russia’s main drone production site

"Manufacturers from Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, and the U.S. continue operating in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, where Russia produces thousands of Shahed drones capable of reaching the EU.

A huge industrial site in Tatarstan, a region in central Russia, has gained notoriety for its outsized role in Russia's war against Ukraine.
The site, known as the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is Russia's main facility for producing Shaheds, its primary long-range attack drones used in the war against Ukraine.
Launched after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in 2022, the drone plant has produced tens of thousands of Shaheds, known in Russia by the domestic name Geran." KI

5.6 Earthquake - Churchill County, 42 mi east of Carson City, Carson City County, Nevada

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit 68 km (42 mi) away from Carson City, Nevada, United States, in the late afternoon at 6.29 pm local time (America/Los Angeles GMT -7). The quake had a very shallow depth of 5 km (3.1 mi) and was felt over a large region. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

125 combat engagements on frontline

"125 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded along the front line over the past day.
Russian forces launched airstrikes near the settlements of Novoivanivka in the Sumy region, Prosiana and Pysantsi in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Vozdvyzhivka, Novomykolaivka, Yehorivka, Charivne, Dolynka, Verkhnia Tersa, and Kopani in the Zaporizhzhia region; and Tomaryne in the Kherson region.
Aircraft of Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck five clusters of Russian personnel.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, one combat engagement took place, with Russian forces attempting to advance toward Taratutyne. Additionally, they carried out two airstrikes, dropping eight guided aerial bombs, and conducted 82 shelling attacks, three of which involved MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian troops launched five assaults near Zybyne, Lyman, Synelnykove, and Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces attacked three times toward Kivsharivka, Novoplatonivka, and Novoosynove.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight attempts to advance near Dibrova, Drobysheve, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces stopped two Russian attempts to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled one attack near Tykhonivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 17 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Stepanivka, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 21 Russian assault actions near Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Udachne, Zapovidne, Bilytske, Hryshyne, Pokrovsk, and Muravka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces launched seven attacks near Oleksandrohrad, Zelenyi Hai, Sichneve, Vorone, Zlahoda, and Novohryhorivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, 11 Russian attacks were recorded near Zaliznychne, Pryluky, Hirke, and Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to advance twice near Stepnohirsk and Konovalova.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian units repelled three enemy attacks near Bilohrudyi Island and the Antonivskyi Bridge." Ukrin

Trump Announces Blockade Of Hormuz Strait

"President Donald Trump announced Sunday announced that the United States Navy will immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions with Iran following the failure of high-stakes peace negotiations in Pakistan.

“So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were

agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” the president posted on Truth Social.
“At some point, we will reach an ‘ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT’ basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, ‘There may be a mine out there somewhere,’ that nobody knows about but them. THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted,” Trump continued, speaking in reference to Iranian mine placement.
In addition, Trump instructed the Navy to seize any vessel that pays a toll to the Iranian regime in order to navigate the strait. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!” he continued." 

TP

Zelensky congratulates Magyar on election victory, says Kyiv ready to 'develop cooperation' with Hungary

"President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar on a historic election victory on April 12, as Kyiv aims to reset relations with Budapest following

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 16-year rule over Hungary.
"I congratulate Peter Magyar and the TISZA party on their convincing victory. It is important when a constructive approach prevails," Zelensky wrote on social media.
"Ukraine has always sought good-neighborly relations with everyone in Europe, and we are ready to develop cooperation with Hungary," Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv is ready for "meetings and joint constructive work" with what will become the new Hungarian government." KI

Orbán Concedes: 16-Year Fidesz Rule Collapses

"In a stunning collapse that ends 16 years of uninterrupted rule, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, according to statements from opposition leader Péter Magyar.

With early results showing the Tisza Party on track for 128 seats in the 199-seat National Assembly and Fidesz collapsing to just 62 seats (based on more than 21% of votes counted), Orbán’s long-dominant alliance has suffered a decisive repudiation.
What the Numbers MeanTisza: ~128 seats (and climbing as more precincts report)
Fidesz: ~62 seats
Previous election (2022): Fidesz 135 seats
Urban centers, younger voters, and economically frustrated middle-class families drove the surge, while Fidesz held rural strongholds. The opposition’s consolidation under Magyar — a center-right, pro-EU, anti-corruption platform — proved decisive after years of fragmented resistance." ZH

5.1 Earthquake - 60 mi south of King Cove, Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Gulf of Alaska near Sanak Island island, USA, around noon at 12.14 pm local time (GMT -8). The quake had a shallow depth of 35 km (22 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

5.1 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 93 km southeast of Colonia, State of Yap, Micronesia

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 88 km (55 mi) from  Micronesia in the early morning at 5.44 am local time (GMT +10). The quake had a shallow depth of 64 km (40 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

120 clashes and 2,299 ceasefire violations recorded on front lines

"120 combat clashes took place between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian troops. As of 7:00 a.m. 2,299 ceasefire violations had been recorded.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors over the past day, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders five times and carried out 46 shelling attacks on Ukrainian military positions and populated areas, including six using multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy attempted five times to break through the Ukrainian defensive lines in the areas of the settlements of Starytsia, Veterynarne, Prylipka, and Vovchanski Khutory.
In the Kupiansk sector, according to updated information, the enemy attacked four times toward the settlements of Petropavlivka and Novoosynove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attempted nine times to breach Ukrainian defenses near Zarichne and toward Shyikivka, Drobysheve, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders repelled four attempts by the invaders to advance in the area of Platonivka and toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy launched 21 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 22 aggressor assaults in the areas of the settlements of Rodynske, Dorozhne, Myrnohrad, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy attacked six times in the areas of Novohryhorivka, Ternove, and toward Pryvillia.
In the Huliaipole sector, there were seven attacks by the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Solodke, Olenokostiantynivka, Zaliznychne, Myrne, and toward Charivne and Huliaipole." Ukrin

Chaos in Mecca! Saudi Arabia Turned Valleys Into Raging Rivers by Flash Floods

"Saudi Arabia is facing extremely dangerous flash floods in April 2026 as powerful

thunderstorms transform dry desert valleys into fast-moving rivers within seconds. From Riyadh region areas like Dilam and Mawaan to Tathlith, Muhayil in Asir, and Hafar Al-Batin in the Eastern Province, sudden floodwaters have swept across roads, vehicles, and low-lying communities. In western regions including Makkah, Jeddah, and Rabigh, authorities issued red alerts as intense rainfall, hail, and strong winds increased the risk of life-threatening flash floods. These events are driven by unusual atmospheric patterns pulling moist air into the Arabian Peninsula, creating severe storm systems. With desert ground unable to absorb water, flood currents become extremely powerful and unpredictable." X

Ukrainian Forces Shot Down Iranian Drones in Middle East

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukrainian anti-drone personnel were deployed to the Middle East nations attacked by Iran during Operation Epic Fury and were able to counter Iran’s Shahed drones with their own interceptor technology." Breitbart

Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei's 'face is severely disfigured but he is still alive'

"Iran's new supreme leader's face is severely disfigured but he is still alive and taking part in meetings, his inner circle has said.
Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly suffered injuries to one or both legs and his face in the airstrike which killed his father in central Tehran at the end of February." msn

Russians execute four Ukrainian POWs in Kharkiv Oblast

"Russian forces have executed four Ukrainian prisoners of war near the settlement of Veterynarne in Kharkiv Oblast.
Videos released show Russian troops shooting and killing Ukrainian defenders lying face down on the ground." Pravada

Ukrainian draft enforcers beat and drag man from apartment entrance

"A Ukrainian man was violently seized and beaten by conscription officers in the southern city of Odessa, according to footage circulating online, in the latest incident highlighting the brutality of Kiev’s mobilization drive.
As Ukrainian forces suffer mounting losses in the conflict with Russia and the pool of willing recruits continues to shrink, draft enforcement squads have increasingly turned to coercion to fill the ranks. The practice, commonly dubbed ‘busification’, involves military-age men being snatched from the streets, workplaces, and residential areas, then taken to recruitment centers against their will, often triggering clashes with relatives, neighbors, and passersby." RT

UK halts Chagos Island transfer after U.S. withdraws support

"The United Kingdom paused its transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after President

Trump recently withdrew his cooperation for the 2024 agreement.
The U.K. and the U.S. have shared a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos, since the 1970s. The agreement to transfer the islands to Mauritius, which would allow for continued use of the base.
The British government said it is permanently abandoning the agreement with Mauritius, stating that it cannot go forward with the transfer without U.S. support." msn