This roundup summarises the most important news stories around the world in the last month (April 2026).

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Artemis II astronauts flew around the far side of the moon, setting a new record for the longest distance humans have travelled from Earth since the Apollo 13 mission. The astronauts were also the first humans to be sent into deep space since 1972. Following their historic lunar flyby, they returned home safely after parachuting into the Pacific Ocean.

The Iran war and ceasefire

Earlier in the month, the United States (US) and Iran agreed on a ceasefire, which initially did not include Lebanon. In the preceding hours, US president Donald Trump had levied serious threats against Iran online. Following continued Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, the ceasefire came under strain. Israel first said the ceasefire did not cover its Lebanon operations, before officials from both countries sat down for direct negotiations for the first time in decades.

Thereafter, the US announced its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, preventing ships from entering and leaving Iranian ports. Developments since then have swung back and forth, leading to corresponding instability in oil prices. For example, following the Lebanon ceasefire deal, oil prices fell sharply after Iran and the US announced that the strait was “completely open.” Very soon after, however, Iran’’ military said it again reimposed “strict control” of the strait.

Relatedly, amidst the war and ceasefire developments, Mr. Trump also attacked Pope Leo XIV and posted an image depicting himself as a Jesus-like healer, before removing the image later. This happened as the Pope completed a 11-day African tour, given the continent’s growing importance to the Catholic church.

Canadian and Hungarian electoral developments

In Canada, the prime minister secured a majority government, holding more than half the seats in the House of Commons, after his party won a key special election. And in Hungary, after 16 consecutive years in power, the longtime prime minister was defeated by a onetime ally-turned-challenger, despite an election rigged in the prime minister’s favour. Turnout was over 77 per cent, the highest in nearly four decades.

In other news

• Bangladesh: A measles outbreak killed at least 100 people, most of whom were children.
• The United Arab Emirates said it will leave OPEC, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
• The United Kingdom passed a bill to phase out tobacco sale nationwide, by permanently barring anyone born after 2008 from buying cigarettes, vapes, or heated tobacco.