Worth noting. Laser systems might well become a game-changer in C-UAV

Handy infographic

UN experts warn of human rights abuses in Belarus' prison system There are more than 1,100 political prisoners in Belarusian jails, many arrested after a disputed 2020 election that triggered widespread protests. #EuropeNews

"United Nations experts expressed concern on Monday over allegations of prolonged incommunicado detention and dire custody conditions in Belarus that may amount to torture."
@euronews.com
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

China’s energy fortress was built to withstand just this type of oil shock | CNN For more than a decade, leader Xi Jinping has overseen a transformation within the Chinese economy with one aim: making it energy-secure.

"China has unleashed a renewable energy revolution of wind, solar and hydropower, drilled ever deeper into oilfields offshore and on, and forged pacts with partners for more supply – all in a bid to cut the country’s reliance on imported fuel.”
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2026/04/20/c...

Tusk and Macron discuss joint nuclear exercises “Having Rafales with atomic bombs above Poland is not my dream,” PM Donald Tusk said, but added: “We live in a world in which we need nuclear dissuasion capacities.”

"France is the E.U.'s only nuclear power. Earlier this year Macron announced 'a new phase in French deterrence,' a historic shift that would see other European countries play an enlarged role in deterrence, starting with participation in nuclear drills."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Apple names new boss to replace Tim Cook after 15 years John Ternus will take over running the technology giant as Cook steps up to become executive chairman.

"Ternus, currently the head of hardware engineering who has been at Apple for 25 years, will take over on 1 September and Cook will become executive chairman."
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Good morning, Ulf!

Donald Trump: US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran The US president's comments come amid uncertainty over whether Iran will attend peace talks in Pakistan this week.

"The blockade, which began a week ago, is 'absolutely destroying Iran', Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding his country was winning the conflict 'by a lot'."
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Japan approves scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy Japan has endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partn...

"The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet of the new guideline clears a final set of hurdles for Japan’s postwar arms sales and facilitate its future sale of weapons such as a next-generation fighter jet and combat drones."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/japa...

Joseph Wacholder, 14 years old, and his mom Dasza - murdered together by German Nazis like millions of women, men, and children. We will never forget each and every victim. 🕯️

#Ukraine situation report Apr 20, 2026

#Iran update Apr 20, 2026

Good morning to a terrific Tuesday everybody - with a very handsome Chaffinch in the spring sun. [📷Nikon D850 f/6,3 1/400 600mm ISO 400]

Excellent capture, Alan.

Great way to start your day David! Managed to squeeze in 8.5 km this morning - even though it was rainy and kinda cool, it always is very rewarding.

Well done, John. 👍

Doubts over talks between Iran and US after violence flares in Strait of Hormuz Pakistan is preparing for new talks between the U.S. and Iran, even as tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz.

"U.S. President Donald Trump has said American negotiators would head to the Pakistani capital on Monday, but it was not immediately clear whether those plans would now change."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/us-i...

Sweet! Thanks for sharing.

Very impressive

Tehran vows swift response after US Navy seizes Iranian-flagged vessel The US said its naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue despite the ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to U-turn on its reopening of the Strait of Hormuz just hours after it declared it open for ...

"The ship was the first to be intercepted by the US Navy since it began blockading Iranian ports last week in response to Tehran’s closure of the strategic waterway since the US-Israeli war on the country broke out on 28 February."
@euronews.com
www.euronews.com/2026/04/20/t...

Los Angeles woman arrested on suspicion of helping Iran send weapons to Sudan | CNN Federal prosecutors said a 44-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan, which is in a bloody civil war.

"Shamim Mafi will face charges that she brokered the sale of 'drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition' between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces, First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Sunday on social media."
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2026/04/19/u...

Oil prices jump after Trump says Iranian ship seized Energy markets have seen wild swings since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

"Brent crude futures were up by 4.74% at $94.66 (£70.11) a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was 5.6% higher at $88.55."
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Russia-aligned Rumen Radev wins landslide in Bulgaria Radev has crushed the country’s traditional parties that he accused of being part of a “mafia state.”

"The election was the Balkan country’s eighth in five years — amid rolling political crises and fragile coalitions — and 62-year-old former air force commander Radev used his newly created Progressive Bulgaria party to break the impasse."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/bulg...

Money, lobbyists, inertia: why fossil fuels are so hard to quit When the international community agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the 2023 COP28 global climate summit, some hailed the moment as the beginning of the end for oil.

"To move away from oil, financial support is needed for both wealthy oil-producing countries and poorer countries entirely dependent on oil imports."
@en.afp.com v @france24.com
www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Oil prices rise anew after a US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz strands tankers Oil prices are rising in early trading as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz.

"The price of U.S. crude oil increased 6.4% to $87.90 per barrel an hour after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 5.8% to $95.64 per barrel."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/oil-...

Bernard Kolerstein, five years old when he was brutally murdered by German Nazis - one of an estimated 1.5 million children that fell victim to the Holocaust. 🕯️

#Ukraine situation report Apr 19, 2026

#Iran update Apr 19, 2026

Good morning and a good start into your working week everybody. Mondays tend to be grey and a bit depressing - so maybe this colourful Mandarin duck might brighten your day a bit. [📷 Nikon D850 f/6,3 1/200 600mm ISO 400]

How Chinese satellites have boosted Iran’s war effort As American images went dark, Chinese alternatives filled the void

"The proliferation of Chinese photographs reflects dramatic advances in the scope and sophistication of the country’s Earth-observation capabilities. It marks the end of a Western monopoly on the most advanced images from space."
@economist.com
www.economist.com/china/2026/0...