The UAE leaving Opec is seen as a major blow and potential death knell for the oil cartel.
Hunt for suspected gunman aged 89 as five wounded in Athens
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 02:00 pmFive people were left with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Greece's state broadcaster ERT.
Ukraine accuses Israel of receiving shipments of grain 'stolen' by Russia
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 01:51 pmIsrael's foreign minister says it has received no evidence to support the claim that a vessel carrying grain from occupied Ukraine has reached Haifa.
Japan Airlines trials humanoid robots as ground handlers
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:03 amThese robots may in future help clean cabins and operate ground support equipment.
IS says it was behind deadly Nigeria attack on football pitch
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 03:28 amAuthorities say the militants raided a football pitch where people had been gathering and opened fire at random.
The Praxis (Dread Empire's Fall, volume 1) by Walter Jon Williams
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 09:51 am
The Shaa conquered the universe. Soon, there will be no Shaa. Who will take their place?
The Praxis (Dread Empire's Fall, volume 1) by Walter Jon Williams
'It's bizarre': Californians grapple with revelation that suspected Trump gunman was neighbour
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 11:14 amPeople living near the man charged with the attempted assassination of Trump say they were shocked to see their neighbour on TV.
Star Wars: staring down the barrel of the hot sun by magneticwave
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:47 pmFandom: Star Wars
Characters/Pairings: Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, Grogu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Bo-Katan Kryze, Korkie Kryze
Rating: Gen
Length: 25,754
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: magneticwave on AO3
Themes: Arranged marriage, Kidfic (has a child), AU - fork in the road, Humor
Summary: “Gone to a Child of the Watch, the Darksaber has,” Grand Master Yoda announces in his creaky little voice. “Peace, there is not, and yet peace, there must be.”
Reccer's Notes: On first glance this may not seem to fit the Arranged Marriage theme, but hear me out. In this AU the Republic won, and Luke is a renowned hero who is viewed with some misgivings by many other Jedi after gaining a reputation for (highly effective) violence in the war. Partly to get rid of Luke, he's instructed to accompany Obi-Wan on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore to investigate the fate of the Darksaber, and of course they meet Grogu. This causes a dilemma as Grogu must be trained, but he can't be separated from Din, who's struggling with having the mantle of the Mand'alor thrust upon him, and with the political factions of Mandalore. What makes this feel like an Arranged Marriage fic is the combination of a slightly disreputable hero being kind of exiled to a royal court (effectively), and machinations bringing him and the ruler together. In this case, the yentas are Obi-Wan, and, to a much greater degree, the Force. Luke's perspective is irreverent and funny - he struggles for jedi calm but just can't help being an action hero. It's beautifully written, and a great read.
Fanwork Links: staring down the barrel of the hot sun
Characters/Pairings: Luke Skywalker/Din Djarin, Grogu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Bo-Katan Kryze, Korkie Kryze
Rating: Gen
Length: 25,754
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: magneticwave on AO3
Themes: Arranged marriage, Kidfic (has a child), AU - fork in the road, Humor
Summary: “Gone to a Child of the Watch, the Darksaber has,” Grand Master Yoda announces in his creaky little voice. “Peace, there is not, and yet peace, there must be.”
Reccer's Notes: On first glance this may not seem to fit the Arranged Marriage theme, but hear me out. In this AU the Republic won, and Luke is a renowned hero who is viewed with some misgivings by many other Jedi after gaining a reputation for (highly effective) violence in the war. Partly to get rid of Luke, he's instructed to accompany Obi-Wan on a diplomatic mission to Mandalore to investigate the fate of the Darksaber, and of course they meet Grogu. This causes a dilemma as Grogu must be trained, but he can't be separated from Din, who's struggling with having the mantle of the Mand'alor thrust upon him, and with the political factions of Mandalore. What makes this feel like an Arranged Marriage fic is the combination of a slightly disreputable hero being kind of exiled to a royal court (effectively), and machinations bringing him and the ruler together. In this case, the yentas are Obi-Wan, and, to a much greater degree, the Force. Luke's perspective is irreverent and funny - he struggles for jedi calm but just can't help being an action hero. It's beautifully written, and a great read.
Fanwork Links: staring down the barrel of the hot sun
BBC reports from scene of fatal Indonesia train crash
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:50 amAt least 15 people have died after a train crashed into the female-only carriage of a commuter train in Bekasi.
Pakistan accused of attacking Afghan university
Monday, April 27th, 2026 04:54 pmAir attacks on the province of Kunar have killed at least seven people and injured 75, sources tell the BBC.
'I jumped around the house': Sabastian Sawe's parents celebrate marathon record
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:17 amEmily and Simion Sawe share their pride at the runner's historic sub-two-hour marathon win.
What happened when Rebel Wilson gave evidence in court?
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 08:54 amThe Hollywood star is accused by fellow Australian actress Charlotte MacInnes of making defamatory statements.
Now THIS Is a Party
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:36 am
Via Alaska SeaLife Center, which writes:
This is what we call a sea otter party! 🦦 🥳
All four otters change their social groups multiple times a day, and on this day all four got to come together for an enrichment party!
🎾 Tennis Tuesday — Madrid Open 2026 so far, Alcaraz withdraws from next big clay tournaments
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:59 am
Welcome to “Tennis Tuesday”, my new series of recurring posts with a weekly round-up of news and updates about Italian tennis.
Featured this week:
- Madrid Open 2026: Sinner’s road so far
- Madrid Open 2026: Musetti and Cobolli
- Alcaraz to skip Rome and Roland Garros: get well soon!
- ATP/WTA Titles Won so Far (Italian players only)
- Current ATP/WTA Rankings (Italian players only)
( Tennis Tuesday — Week #17 )
See you next week with Tennis Tuesday! 🎾
Russian superyacht sails through Strait of Hormuz despite blockade
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 12:03 pmThe 141m-long vessel, linked to a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, cleared the waterway despite an ongoing blockade.
Man admits plotting attack on Taylor Swift concert in Vienna
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 10:08 amThe state prosecutor told the court that police found an almost completed bomb in a search of the man's house.
Rescuers race to free survivors trapped inside train after fatal Indonesia crash
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 04:18 amTwo trains collided on the outskirts of the Indonesian capital on Monday, killing at least 15 people.
Venice opera house drops incoming music director after nepotism remarks
Monday, April 27th, 2026 05:13 pmBeatrice Venezi's appointment had been marred in controversy since being announced last September, prompting orchestra members to go on strike.