- A Mild-Mannered Pope Finds His Voice The New York Times
- When is a war a ‘just war’? CNN
- Pope Leo XIV denounces the 'delusion of omnipotence' he says is fueling the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran PBS
- Maybe Republicans are right. Has the pope even read the Bible? | Opinion USA Today
- The USCCB’s Just War Error First Things
‘A defeat for Putin’: Ukrainians hope Magyar’s victory will mark new era with Hungary
As Orbán is rejected, there is cautious optimism new leader can restore ties – but issues such as EU accession loom large
Like many Ukrainians, Oleh Kupchak was delighted when Péter Magyar won Hungary’s election last weekend, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power. “We were euphoric. Everyone was following the results closely. There were toasts,” said Kupchak, who has visited Budapest several times. “We didn’t love Orbán,” he added.
Ukraine celebrated Orbán’s landslide defeat in a series of jokes and memes. Several likened him to the Star Wars character Jabba the Hut, and shared an image of Orbán fleeing from a drone. Others portrayed him sitting on a bench in Russia, alongside Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin former president Viktor Yanukovych, and his exiled Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
Continue reading...Iran says strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ but sounds warning on US blockade
Iran’s parliamentary speaker says strait could close again if US blockade continues, but Trump says it will remain in place until ‘transaction’ with Tehran is complete
Iran’s foreign minister has said that the strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, reinforcing hopes for an eventual end to the war in the Middle East and sending oil prices tumbling despite analysts’ warnings that there will be no immediate widespread resumption of passage through the vital waterway.
In a barrage of social media posts, Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Iran had agreed never to close the strategic waterway again, hailing “A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!”
Continue reading...‘We never back down on our own doorstep’: PLA guided-missile frigate drives away foreign vessel after 20-hour standoff, CCTV video shows – Global Times
- ‘We never back down on our own doorstep’: PLA guided-missile frigate drives away foreign vessel after 20-hour standoff, CCTV video shows Global Times
- Japan MSDF destroyer sailed through Taiwan Strait on Friday: sources Japan Wire by Kyodo News
- Is Japan’s treaty-day Taiwan Strait warship transit a new flashpoint with China? South China Morning Post
- China Says Japan Stirs ‘Trouble’ with Vessel in Taiwan Strait Bloomberg.com
- China calls Japan warship Taiwan Strait transit a provocation Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Lebanese man removes Israeli flag from castle in southern Lebanon
A Lebanese man who returned to southern Lebanon removes the Israeli flag from Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif).
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 17, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 17, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Russian Region Calls Up Reservists to Fight Drones at Key Sites Bloomberg.com
- Leningrad Region Asks Veterans to Join New Air Defense Units After Drones Smash Oil Export Terminals The Moscow Times
- A fire broke out near a port in northwestern Russia following a drone attack. » Iraqi News Agency وكالة الانباء العراقية (واع)
- Drones attack Russia’s Leningrad region overnight, with strike also reported near airfield at Cape Khersones in Crimea Рубрика
Trump thanks Gulf states for their ‘tremendous’ support
‘This will be a great and brilliant day for the world’ Donald Trump said as Iran fully opens the Strait of Hormuz.
White House and Anthropic hold ‘productive’ meeting amid fears over Mythos model
The discussion is a sign the AI firm's technology may be too critical for even the US government to do without.
Gruenbaum leaving as GSA FAS commissioner – Federal News Network
Gruenbaum leaving as GSA FAS commissioner Federal News Network
UNICEF says Israeli fire kills two Gaza water truck drivers – Reuters
- UNICEF says Israeli fire kills two Gaza water truck drivers Reuters
- UNICEF ‘outraged’ after Israeli forces kill water truck drivers in Gaza Al Jazeera
- Statement by UNICEF on the killing of two water truck drivers in the Gaza Strip Unicef
- Two water delivery contractors killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, UN says The Times of Israel
- UNICEF ‘outraged’ by killing of Gaza water truck drivers, urges investigation UN News
Watch: Fuel truck leaves trail of fire on road in Syria
Eyewitnesses captured the moment a burning fuel tanker drove through the centre of Hasakah, Syria, leaving a trail of fire behind it.
UN aid chief warns of possible ‘full-scale famine’ in South Sudan
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher says that South Sudan is at risk of slipping into 'full-scale famine and collapse’.
Three sentenced for ‘man in bear suit’ insurance scam
Video went viral after investigators determined the purported ursine was actually a man in a costume.
Iran war live: Tehran says US blockade of ports must end as strait opens
Tens of thousands of people forcibly displaced by Israeli attacks on Lebanon use first day of ceasefire to return home.
Iran Update Special Report, April 17, 2026 – Institute for the Study of War
Iran Update Special Report, April 17, 2026 Institute for the Study of WarView Full Coverage on Google News
Family of US man who died after officer shoved knee into back sues police
Charles Adair’s relatives urge video to be made public after Kansas officer charged with second-degree murder
Relatives of a man whom investigators determined died after a Kansas sheriff’s deputy shoved his knee into the cuffed man’s back for a minute and 26 seconds have filed a federal lawsuit.
Attorneys for the family of Charles Adair renewed their demand on Friday that video of what happened be released publicly in announcing the wrongful death lawsuit.
Continue reading...Statement by UNICEF on the killing of two water truck drivers in the Gaza Strip – Unicef
- Statement by UNICEF on the killing of two water truck drivers in the Gaza Strip Unicef
- Unicef says two water truck drivers killed by Israeli fire in Gaza Middle East Eye
- UNICEF Outraged by Fatal Attack on Gaza Water Truck Drivers Devdiscourse
- UNICEF: Israeli Forces’ Gunfire Kills Two Water Truck Drivers in Gaza 8am.media
- UNICEF ‘outraged’ by killing of Gaza water truck drivers, urges investigation UN News
What does it take to survive in the Arctic? These rangers have an idea
The BBC spent time with the Canadian military in the country's northernmost region - this is what they taught us about dealing with extreme conditions.
He made jazz under air raids – and built an Indian city’s music scene
War correspondent, jazz bandleader and impresario, KC Sen shaped Kolkata’s music scene.
Pressure mounts on Peru’s election authorities amid presidential race delay
The vote count continues to determine who will join conservative Keiko Fujimori in Peru's presidential run-off in June.