Top Stories

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  Last update: 17:05 GMT 18.04.2021

  17:05 GMT 18.04.2021

  Middle East

  Iraqi Base Hosting US Contractors Hit by at Least Five Katyusha Rockets

  The base, situated north of the capital Baghdad, has repeatedly come under rocket attacks. In February, a similar incident injured two people.

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  Last update: 14:23 GMT 18.04.2021

  14:23 GMT 18.04.2021

  Asia & Pacific

  Two Strong Quakes Measuring 6.2 and 5.8 Hit Taiwan

  The island is relatively frequently hit by earthquakes, as Taiwan is located near the Ring of Fire - a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean with extremely high seismic activity.

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  Last update: 15:17 GMT 18.04.2021

  15:17 GMT 18.04.2021

  Asia & Pacific

  Three Babies ‘and Above’: People’s Bank of China Urges Gov’t ‘to Encourage Childbirth’ to Compete With US

  In February, the Chinese Public Security Ministry claimed in a report that the number of newborns in the country nosedived by at least 15% in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and growing economic downturn.

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  Last update: 13:46 GMT 18.04.2021

  13:46 GMT 18.04.2021

  Military & Intelligence

  Iran Showcases Dozens of Domestically-Produced Drones During Annual Military Parade

  Following the introduction of a UN ban on armaments' sales to the Islamic Republic, Tehran started to develop its own domestic defence industry. In terms of drones, Iran has reached significant heights since starting their development by trying to copy Israeli and American models.

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  Last update: 15:22 GMT 18.04.2021

  15:22 GMT 18.04.2021

  Sport

  Lionel Messi Becomes Second-Most Decorated Player in History of Football

  The Argentine could strengthen his position even further this year, as Barcelona has managed to transform its performance in the second part of the season and is now fighting for the La Liga title. With eight games left, the club is currently ranked third and is trailing one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

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  Last update: 13:34 GMT 18.04.2021

  13:34 GMT 18.04.2021

  Russia

  Russia is Not the Aggressor in Ukraine, Ambassador to UK Says

  Kiev has been massing troops, armour, and artillery on the contact line with the self-declared, majority Russian-speaking Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, which broke away following a 2014 coup that also saw the Crimea vote to reunite with Russia.

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  Last update: 13:34 GMT 18.04.2021

  13:34 GMT 18.04.2021

  Russia

  Russia Plans to Withdraw From ISS, Deploy Its Own National Space Station

  PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia (Sputnik) - Russia will exit the International Space Station (ISS) initiative in 2025 and will inform its international partners about that decision, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told broadcaster Rossiya 1 on Sunday.

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  Last update: 14:43 GMT 18.04.2021

  14:43 GMT 18.04.2021

  Russia

  Kremlin Spokesman Explains Why President Putin Chooses Siberia as Holiday Destination

  Putin is a big fan of outdoor activities and to that end he frequently visits the region. In 2019, the Russian president even decided to celebrate his 67th birthday in the Republic of Tuva, where he went on a hike in the taiga and climbed mountains.