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Mid Wales Opera's OpenStages productions are undertaken with a missionary zeal, nurturing both local communities and up-and-coming singing talent. Their recent staging of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, realized remarkably over a single intensive week of work, is a testament to this commitment.The opera, tailored by Purcell for the ladies of Josias Priest's boarding school in Chelsea in 1689, features a motley crew of amateurs forming a chorus portraying Carthaginian courtiers, followers of a witches' coven, and sailors. The young cast, some already launched on singing careers, delivered polished performances under the care of conductor Jonathan Lyness, particularly in their recitatives.Director Richard Studer's simple yet effective set design, featuring a central high pavilion on a raised dais against a cathedral backdrop, elegantly framed the action. The chorus, dressed in black with pale golden patches on their cheekbones, contrasted with the titular pair, Queen Dido and Aeneas, in standout white with elaborate golden facial adornments.Kathy Macaulay's portrayal of Dido conveyed vulnerability from the outset, while Alaw Grug Evans' expressive performance as Belinda added depth to the narrative. The production's inexorable progress towards Dido's final aria, When I am lain in earth, brought the tragedy full circle, underscored by the MWO string ensemble's lamenting mood.

In the quiet town of Iseyin, about 200 km north‑west of Lagos, shaded courtyards and narrow lanes have become the beating heart of Nigeria’s iconic aso‑oke textile industry. Under makeshift sheds, weavers operate wooden looms that have remained largely unchanged for generations. Recent years have seen a surge in demand for the thick, multicoloured fabric, driven by the Nigerian diaspora and an expanding international appetite for African fashion. Yet the craftsmen and women of Iseyin staunchly oppose the introduction of machines, arguing that the hand‑woven process is essential to the cloth’s distinctive texture and cultural value. The craft now serves as an economic lifeline. Young Nigerians—including university graduates—are flocking to Iseyin to learn the trade, attracted by the promise of a steady income. One such convert, Waliu Fransisco, abandoned a career as a Lagos nightclub singer a decade ago to master the loom. At 34, he says, “I now earn a decent living from weaving aso‑oke and I’m satisfied.” Aso‑oke, literally meaning “cloth from the up‑country,” has become a staple in Nigeria’s fashion scene, appearing in ceremonial attire, contemporary streetwear, and even high‑profile outfits such as the wrapper and shawl worn by Meghan Markle during her 2024 visit to Nigeria with Prince Harry. Traditionally, the fabric was produced from locally sourced cotton or silk, with threads hand‑spun, dyed, and woven in limited colour palettes. Today, most weavers use loom‑ready yarns imported primarily from China, allowing for a broader spectrum of hues while preserving the labor‑intensive hand‑weaving technique. Each loom requires meticulous arrangement of narrow, tightly patterned strips that are later sewn together to form the wider cloth used for garments and accessories. “This is what Iseyin is known for,” says 35‑year‑old weaver Kareem Adeola, echoing the sentiment of a community that views the craft as a direct inheritance from its forebears. As global fashion houses and consumers continue to seek authentic African textiles, the artisans of Iseyin stand at the crossroads of tradition and market opportunity, proving that cultural heritage can thrive alongside modern demand.

A devastating air strike by the Nigerian military on a village market in northeastern Nigeria has killed dozens and injured hundreds, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation. The strike, which occurred on Sunday, was aimed at members of the rebel group Boko Haram.According to Amnesty International, over 100 people were killed and 35 others wounded in the attack on the Jilli village market in Yobe state. A local chief, Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, reported that the total casualties, including dead and injured, were around 200.The Nigerian Air Force claimed to have killed Boko Haram fighters in an air strike on the Jilli axis in Borno state, but did not mention hitting a market. The government of Yobe state later confirmed that an air strike near a market had been conducted, affecting people attending the weekly market.Amnesty International condemned the strike, stating that launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method and that the Nigerian military's actions demonstrate a shocking disregard for human life. The organization called on Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the incident and hold suspected perpetrators accountable.The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) activated the emergency response, and many of the injured were taken to hospitals in nearby Geidam and Maiduguri. A worker at the Geidam General Hospital reported that at least 23 people injured in the incident were receiving treatment.

Benin's presidential election is a significant event in the country's democratic journey. The election process is crucial in determining the nation's leadership and future direction.The country's democratic institutions and electoral processes are under scrutiny as the nation heads to the polls. Transparency and fairness are key concerns for both local and international observers.Benin's experience with democracy is influential in the region, serving as a model or a cautionary tale for other West African nations. Electoral reforms and political stability are critical factors in the country's development trajectory.

Intense rainfall has caused severe flooding in multiple provinces of Saudi Arabia, leading officials to temporarily close schools to ensure student safety. Video footage circulating online captures inundated streets, submerged vehicles, and classrooms rendered unusable by rising waters.Education authorities cited the need to protect children from hazardous conditions, noting that the closures affect thousands of students and may disrupt the academic calendar. The Ministry of Education is coordinating with local municipalities to assess damage and plan for a swift reopening once floodwaters recede.While the immediate priority remains public safety, the event underscores the growing vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather events in the region, prompting calls for improved flood‑risk management and resilient school facilities.

Tehran – Iranian officials warned that the United States must increase pressure for any peace agreement while urging their supporters to keep the streets under control.Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US delegation in Islamabad “failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation” during the marathon talks.US President Donald Trump announced an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and declared that US forces are “locked and loaded” to finish Iran at the “appropriate moment.”Iran hailed the delegation’s refusal to accept Washington’s core demands – ending nuclear enrichment and relinquishing control of the Strait – as a sign of defiant resolve.Judiciary chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei thanked the Islamabad team for “guarding the rights” of government supporters, including paramilitary forces that have been gathering in Tehran’s main squares for more than six weeks.State television aired an IRGC aerospace officer urging flag‑waving crowds not to worry, stating, “If the enemy does not understand, we will make them understand,” which was met with cheers demanding more missile and drone attacks.Iranian officials blamed Trump’s “excessive demands” for the talks’ failure, noting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not expect an agreement after a single day of negotiations.Hard‑line parliamentarians expressed satisfaction with the stalemate, viewing Iran as holding the upper hand. Deputy speaker Hamidreza Haji‑Babaei said only a UN Security Council resolution signalling US surrender would lift sanctions on Iran.Lawmaker Amir Hossein Sabeti of the Paydari faction thanked the negotiating team for standing by red lines and called for “resistance in the field against these evildoers.”The sudden announcement of a two‑week cease‑fire left pro‑state voices disappointed; local media reported the Iranian delegation numbered over 85 members, including state‑affiliated journalists and factional analysts.The talks confirmed that a diplomatic breakthrough was not imminent and hinted at further escalation, though not necessarily a return to full‑scale fighting.National security commission head Ebrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s blockade threats as “excessive talk.”The IRGC warned it would meet any vessel passing the Strait of Hormuz with “full force” and rejected US claims that two warships had already transited the waterway.Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian he remains ready to facilitate a Middle‑East peace settlement.Pezeshkian, focused on domestic affairs, reaffirmed support for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced that schools and universities will continue online via a limited intranet.Iran’s economy continues to suffer from chronic inflation, rising unemployment and a near‑total internet shutdown, deepening public hardship.

On Saturday, Chelsea will welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League encounter that may prove decisive in the ongoing title race.The fixture is slated to begin at 4:30 pm local time (15:30 GMT), as both clubs seek vital points to solidify their positions near the top of the table.

Hungarians are casting their votes in a parliamentary election that could mark a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a eurosceptic nationalist, is facing his biggest electoral challenge after 16 years in power.The election for the 199-seat parliament began at 6am local time (0400 GMT) and is set to close at 7 pm (0500 GMT). Opinion polls over the last two weeks have shown Orban's Fidesz party trailing Peter Magyar's upstart centre-right opposition Tisza party by 7-9 percentage points, with Tisza at around 38-41 percent.Orban has framed the election as a choice between 'war and peace', warning that Tisza's victory could drag Hungary into Russia's war with Ukraine. However, many Hungarians have grown weary of Orban's 16-year rule, citing economic stagnation, soaring living costs, and reports of oligarchs close to the government accumulating wealth.A 24-year-old Budapest resident, Kriszta Tokes, expressed her concerns, stating, 'I am very excited but also very scared... I know that my future depends on this.' She added that she plans to leave Hungary if Orban wins.Despite the challenges, Orban remains optimistic, telling supporters in his birthplace Szekesfehervar, 'If we know ourselves well, if we know our country well and if we know our own people well, then I must say Hungarians will vote for safety on Sunday.'

On April 12, 2026, relatives and neighbors in Afghanistan assembled to pay their respects to those killed in a deadly shooting. The gathering, marked by solemn chants and the display of photographs, underscored the deep grief felt across the community. While details about the incident remain scarce, the presence of dozens of mourners demonstrated a unified response to the tragedy, with many expressing hopes for peace and security in the region. Local leaders urged authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to provide support for the bereaved families, emphasizing the need for justice and prevention of future violence.