Day: April 18, 2026

Pakistan Police Arrest 20 Migrants of Afghanistan

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Pakistani media have reported that the country’s police have arrested 56 suspects, including 20 Afghan migrants, in Islamabad.

Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday, April 18, that the individuals were detained from various areas of Islamabad.

According to the report, an official said on Friday that the operations were carried out in the jurisdictions of the Kirpa, Sumbal, Secretariat, Khanna, Industrial Area, Bani Gala, and Tarnol police stations.

No further details were provided about the reasons for the arrest of the Afghan migrants.

Previously, Pakistani police had offered cash rewards in different cities of the country for information leading to the identification of Afghan migrants.

Following tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, Islamabad has intensified the arrest and deportation of Afghan migrants.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the detention of Afghan journalists, civil activists, and women by Pakistani police. https://8am.media/eng/pakistan-police-arrest-20-afghan-migrants/

OCHA: The Risk of Gender-Based Violence in Afghanistan Remains High

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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the risk of gender-based violence (GBV) in Afghanistan remains elevated.

OCHA released a report on Saturday, April 18, covering the period from 7 to 17 April of this year, which highlights the damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding.

The office also emphasized that protection partners have provided psychosocial and (GBV)-related support to over 2,200 people.

The report states: “While wider protection risks remain elevated, including increased exposure to GBV, child labour, and psychological distress affecting an estimated 14,000 people.”

OCHA added that humanitarian partners have expanded urgent relief efforts following recent rainfall and floods that affected most parts of the country.

Overall, the report says that “several hundred people have been killed or injured,” thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, critical infrastructure, including hundreds of kilometers of major roads and several bridges, has been destroyed, and large areas of agricultural land have also been affected.

OCHA noted that more than 73,000 people have been affected, and over 31,000 people in need of urgent assistance have been identified.

The office stressed that various United Nations agencies have assisted affected families. https://8am.media/eng/ocha-gender-based-violence-afghanistan-risk-high/

Road Construction in Kabul: Taliban Even Demolishing Cemeteries

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The Associated Press (AP) has reported that the demolition of homes and even cemeteries for road construction by the Taliban continues in Kabul city.

The media outlet reported on Saturday, April 18, that the Taliban are implementing a road modernization plan that was inherited from the previous government.

According to the report, houses, businesses, and even a cemetery across Kabul are being demolished to make way for road construction.

The report states that widened roads, flyovers, and underpasses are rapidly replacing narrow and often deeply potholed streets.

It adds: “Much of the plan was drawn up years ago, when Afghanistan had a US-backed government. But most work never got off the ground, mired in red tape, corruption, and security risks due to the Taliban insurgency.”

Nematullah Barakzai, a spokesperson for the Taliban municipality, claimed that about 450 kilometers of roads have been built in the capital over the past four and a half years.

He also said that during this period, 11,278 properties have been confiscated.

According to Barakzai, more than 28 billion Afghanis (around 434 million US dollars) have been collected over the past four and a half years.

The report further states that in the Qala-e-Khater area of Kabul, part of a 200-year-old cemetery is also set to be demolished for a new road.

Graves have been emptied, and bodies relocated to another section of the cemetery.

The demolition of homes and road construction by the Taliban is continuing and has caused a shortage of housing and an increase in rent prices. https://8am.media/eng/kabul-road-construction-taliban-demolishing-cemeteries/

Have your say: What did you find in Census 1926?

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The 1926 census records were released on Saturday morning.

The National Archives has digitised a vast data set of more than 700,000 pages, painstakingly transcribing census returns in a process which took three years, that gives an intimate snapshot of a nation in its infancy and the lives of a recorded population of 2.97 million.

· What have you found of interest in the census?

· What did you discover about Ireland in 1926? Who lived in your neighbourhood 100 years ago? Did you uncover a relative you never knew existed? Or a job title you never heard of?

You can let us know what you found using the form below. Please limit your submissions to 400 words or less. Please include a phone number for verification purposes only. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please indicate this in your submission – we will keep your name and contact details confidential.

We will curate a selection of submissions for an article but please note we may not publish every submission we receive. https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/18/have-your-say-what-did-you-find-in-census-1926/

Alec Baldwin to face civil trial after fatal shooting

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Alec Baldwin is due back in court following the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. The cinematographer and mum-of-one, 42, died on the set of the actor’s film, Rust, in 2021 when a live round was discharged from a revolver that Baldwin, 68, was using as a prop.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico stated that neither Baldwin nor first assistant director David Halls knew that the gun in question was loaded.

On January 31, 2023, the district attorney charged Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with one count each of involuntary manslaughter. Halls agreed to plead guilty to the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

On February 23, 2023, Baldwin pleaded not guilty, and on April 20, it was reported that prosecutors had indicated that the charges against him were being dropped.

However, on Friday, April 17, a Los Angeles judge ruled that a lawsuit filed by Rust crew member Serge Svetnoy against the actor will proceed.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter ruled that a lawsuit brought by Svetnoy will proceed to determine if Baldwin negligently fired a loaded revolver on the film set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which struck and killed the mother, according to Mail Online.

Back in October, manslaughter charges were dismissed by a New Mexico judge after she determined that prosecutors allegedly withheld evidence.

Now, Svetnoy is suing the film’s star and production company for emotional distress suffered due to alleged negligence on set.

Prior to the shooting, several crew members reportedly walked off set, citing safety concerns, including two previous accidental discharges of prop guns.

Baldwin, who fired the fatal shot from a prop revolver, has always maintained that he had no idea the gun was loaded with live rounds and denied ever pulling the trigger. The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also injured in the shooting.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Svetnoy’s attorney, John M. Upton, said they were ‘pleased with the Court’s decision to deny the motions for summary judgment brought by Rust Movie Productions and Alex Baldwin.

‘These rulings enable our client to present his case at a jury trial, now scheduled for October of this year,’ he added. ‘He looks forward to finally having his day in court on this long-pending matter. ‘

The Mirror has contacted Baldwin’s rep for comment. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/alec-baldwin-face-civil-trial-37035607

‘I took photos of the late Queen – her brilliant six-word reply spoke volumes’

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Queen Elizabeth once delivered a hilarious six-word retort that revealed a glimpse of her true personality, an artist has disclosed. Chris Levine, the photographer responsible for some of the most iconic portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, has shared details of how he was “positioning” the late monarch while capturing her with a 3D laser scan.

Commissioned by Jersey Heritage in 2004, Chris was given the task of producing a portrait to mark Jersey’s 800-year allegiance to the Crown. The completed photograph, Equanimity, was later presented to the National Portrait Gallery.

A second image, the holographic Lightness of Being, was a variation that Chris started using in 2008, and it would become one of the most enduring portraits of Queen Elizabeth, who would have marked her 100th birthday on April 21.

Sitting for the portraits didn’t appear to dampen the late Queen’s mood, however.

In fact, she even offered an amusing six-word response to Chris’s assistant, Nina Duncan, after the process was likened to that of a “passport photo”. Her comment came to light after Chris shared new images of the Queen with The Mail.

He said: “When I was positioning the Queen to have her 3D laser scan taken, my assistant, Nina Duncan, said, ‘It’s a bit like having your passport photo taken, Your Majesty’.”

“Ma’am replied with a smile, ‘One doesn’t need a passport photo’. I took the head-on picture just after that moment’.”

He added: “I captured the moment with a small digital, hand-held camera. I always liked it but never released it.”

As the former Sovereign, Elizabeth, who sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of 96, had no requirement for a passport during her reign, according to the Royal Family website – a privilege that equally applies to King Charles today.

It reads: “When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport. As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one.

“All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports.”

In other news, Elizabeth is set to be commemorated with a limited-edition collector’s teddy bear crafted in her likeness, as part of festivities marking her 100th birthday next week.

Steiff’s Queen Elizabeth II Bear, crafted from mohair, is accessorised with a jewelled brooch and hat. Dressed in a classic lime-green ensemble associated with Elizabeth, it also features a handbag and a pearl necklace.

Each bear is individually numbered and comes in a souvenir bag with a certificate of authenticity, while embroidery on the soles of its feet marks the late monarch’s 100th birthday.

Charles is expected to lead the tributes next week, with the King addressing the nation and celebrating his mother’s life. He and Queen Camilla will also hold a reception for representatives from organisations and charities associated with the late Queen. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/i-took-photos-late-queen-37036071

China, Turkmenistan Deepen Gas Ties as Project Breaks Ground

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China and Turkmenistan moved to deepen their energy partnership as Beijing’s top envoy attended the launch of a major gas project and signed cooperation deals, underscoring the strategic importance of natural gas ties and broader cooperation.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, President Xi Jinping’s special representative, attended the groundbreaking of a gas field project this week, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. Ding also met with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Both sides agreed to expand gas cooperation and accelerate major projects, according to Xinhua. China and Turkmenistan signed agreements covering gas cooperation principles, a cooperation plan running through 2030, and new deals in areas including logistics, artificial intelligence, science and cultural exchanges, the report added. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-18/china-turkmenistan-deepen-gas-ties-as-project-breaks-ground

The DOJ Is Normalizing Vigilantism

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Officials at the DOJ delivered a politically convenient one-two punch to the work of their predecessors this week.

The Department of Justice’s “Weaponization Working Group” issued its first report, accusing the Biden administration of unfairly targeting Christian and anti-abortion activists with federal charges. On the same day, the DOJ filed a motion to vacate the convictions of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys who were found guilty of seditious conspiracy for their actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol — even though President Donald Trump had already pardoned them.

The moves are an attempt to rewrite history and make it appear that the Biden administration had abused its authority. They also make our nation less safe by normalizing vigilante violence and whitewashing the records of those predisposed to commit crimes.

The Weaponization Working Group was created by former Attorney General Pam Bondi to restore the DOJ’s “core values.” Its first report, released Tuesday, alleges the department under Biden abused the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, the federal statute that makes it a crime to block access to abortion clinics. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who took over the department just weeks ago after Bondi was fired, called the cases “selective prosecution on the basis of beliefs.” But the cases themselves belie that claim.

Many of the defendants were charged with illegal and dangerous conduct, including firebombing, arson, bomb threats and coordinated blockages. As Dawn Ison, the US attorney in Detroit, stated after a jury convicted eight defendants for physically obstructing access to clinics in Michigan, “These defendants are entitled to their views, but they are not entitled to prevent others from exercising the rights secured to them by the laws of the United States.”

Blanche’s release of the report also comes at a convenient time for Trump’s political interests, although it’s likely been in the works for weeks or even months. Trump is engaged in a public and bizarre feud with Pope Leo, who has criticized the president’s treatment of immigrants and military aggression. In response, Trump’s attacks on the pope as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” have cost him support with Catholics.

Trump had already pardoned 24 FACE Act defendants earlier in his term, and the DOJ paid to settle civil lawsuits with some of them. Bondi and Blanche had also fired prosecutors who worked on those cases in an apparent attempt to purge lawyers with priorities that might be unappealing to important political voting blocs. A settlement of more than $1 million reportedly went to a man convicted of shoving to the ground a 72-year old volunteer escort at a Planned Parenthood facility in Pennsylvania. The payout came despite a judge’s decision to dismiss the case on the grounds that the plaintiff’s “indignation is not a substitute for plausibility.”

But Trump’s DOJ claims to know better. As part of its action to “rectify these wrongs,” the Justice Department announced that going forward, federal prosecutors may only pursue cases under the FACE Act in “extraordinary circumstances or in cases presenting significant aggravating factors.”

That means women and abortion providers will, once again, face the kinds of dangers they did before the act was passed in 1994. Imagine a pregnant woman who had received devastating news of an ectopic pregnancy or a lethal fetal anomaly having to face a group of extremists, blocking her path and berating her, on her way to a clinic. Or consider health-care providers worrying each time they go to work whether a Molotov cocktail will come through the window.

The request to vacate the convictions against members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, likewise, normalizes vigilante violence. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the defendants, wearing helmets and battle gear, stormed the Capitol in a military-style formation in a plot to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden as president. Yet the DOJ now says the grounds for vacating the convictions is “the interests of justice.” The Trump administration’s treatment of the attackers promotes the narrative that they were “great patriots” and “political prisoners” and encourages similar behavior in the future.

Venezuela’s Machado Says in Close Talks with US Over Her Return

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Venezuela’s main opposition leader María Corina Machado said she’s “coordinating” her return to the country with the US, without giving a date.

Machado, speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Saturday, said she’s in “permanent” contact with officials in the Trump administration and “trusts” the phased process Washington is pushing in her home country.

“My return to Venezuela is intended to ensure that we channel Venezuelans’ anguish and yearnings for democracy in a civic and organized manner, centered around an electoral process,” Machado said.

Conversations with the US have been “detailed and frank” and kept “private” in agreement, Machado said, adding that this also applies to her opinion on certain issues, when requested.

Peace Prize

She thanked US President Donald Trump for “risking the lives” of US citizens to secure change in Venezuela, and defended her offering of the Nobel peace prize to him as a “mandate” of the Venezuelan people.

In early March, Machado said she would return within “the next few weeks,” following Nicolás Maduro’s Jan. 3 capture by US forces.

Her arrival would test interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s tolerance for dissent and the US’s commitment to back the opposition leader it once pledged to protect. Machado had stayed largely in hiding after the 2024 election that Maduro claimed he’d won and the world acknowledged her party won.

Rodríguez has moved swiftly to approve new energy legislation and release political prisoners, welcoming US officials and companies aiming to open its economy.

Consequences

Machado said Rodríguez is only taking steps to dismantle corruption in the government to comply with US demands and not because of a “change of heart.”

“They are very well aware of consequences from the US if they fail to deliver,” she said.

Machado said “free and fair” elections are key to secure stability and peace for an “orderly transition” in the country. “Venezuela’s society is clamoring for an electoral calendar and specific dates,” she said.

Machado has been touring cities in Europe, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni this week. Machado declined an invitation to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has signaled support for Rodriguez.

Since removing Maduro from power in early January, the US government has moved to ease oil and financial sanctions in Venezuela, as it looks to help reinsert the country into the financial markets and secure its oil production amid the energy disruption caused by the Iran war. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-18/venezuela-s-machado-says-in-close-talks-with-us-over-her-return

China Central Bank’s Pan Flags AI Risks, Opportunities at IMF

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China’s central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said artificial intelligence is driving a new wave of technological and industrial transformation that brings both opportunities and risks to the global economy.

Speaking at an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington earlier this week, Pan said rising geopolitical tensions, protectionism and trade restrictions are further weighing on global growth and increasing financial market volatility, according to a statement published on the PBOC’s website Saturday.

Pan also called for deeper international policy coordination to safeguard macroeconomic and financial stability and urged countries to uphold multilateralism and free trade.

The remarks came along with meetings this week of major multilateral lenders in Washington, where China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an reiterated Beijing’s call for faster World Bank shareholder reform and greater financing for infrastructure and job creation. He also pledged deeper cooperation as China seeks to expand domestic demand and share its development experience with other emerging economies, according to a separate statement on the finance ministry’s website Saturday. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-18/china-central-bank-s-pan-flags-ai-risks-opportunities-at-imf?srnd=phx-technology