Hormuz Opening Amidst Lebanon Truceactive

This Friday, April 17th, President Claudia Sheinbaum will travel to Barcelona, Spain, to participate in the IV Summit for the Defense of Democracy. "La Mañanera del Pueblo" (The People's Morning Briefing) will be led by the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez. You can follow "La Mañanera del Pueblo" live from the Treasury Hall of the National Palace. Join our channel! EL UNIVERSAL is now on WhatsApp! Stay informed about the most important news of the day, opinion pieces, entertainment, trends, and more, all from your mobile device.

The price of oil experienced a sharp decline following Iran's announcement regarding the temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire agreed upon with the United States. The price of Brent crude fell significantly, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures also showed a substantial decline, all within a context marked by diplomatic negotiations and expectations of de-escalation in the Middle East. On Friday, international markets exhibited volatile behavior after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global hydrocarbon trade, would remain open to navigation for the duration of the ceasefire. This news triggered immediate reactions in global benchmark prices, with declines of around 10%. Brent closed at $89.43 per barrel, a decrease of $8.77 and a decline of 8.93%. Meanwhile, WTI finished the day at $81.53, losing $11.65 compared to the previous day. This downward trend reflected investor expectations of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran. The possibility of negotiations over the weekend and the implementation of a ten-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel reinforced optimism in the markets regarding a possible resolution of the conflict in the region. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed confidence that the conversations with…

Iran said it would open the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, increasing the prospect of a wider peace deal.

The blackout has become the longest nationwide internet disruption ever recorded worldwide

The Iranian regime announced this Friday that the Strait of Hormuz will be open to navigation during the ceasefire agreed with the United States. "In accordance with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remainder of the ceasefire period, along the coordinated route previously announced by the Organization of Ports and Maritime Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran," stated Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Developing story.

France is planning to replace Windows software with open-source alternative Linux across government computers, in a move aimed at reducing its dependence on American tech giants – but experts warn the transition will be costly and slow.

With war in Iran on hold, the world's largest industrial trade fair opens in Hannover. And Brazil, this year's partner country, is pulling out all the stops to convince visitors it's a reliable technology leader.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia Israeli forces are battling in Lebanon, avoided mention of the 10-day cease-fire but appeared to be adhering to it. A truce could remove an obstacle in U. S.-Iran peace talks.

Saeed Khatibzadeh said the current situation in the region "necessitates this, not only for security reasons, but also to ensure safe passage and address environmental concerns."

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will on Friday host a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. The force would help ensure safe and secure passage through the crucial waterway. France24 journalist Carys Garland reports from the Elysée Palace.

According to Dmitry Peskov, the duration of the truce "can hardly be predicted"

Pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer is growing over his naming of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite red flags. The PM says he was not told that Mandelson failed a background check before the appointment.

Progressive leaders from around the world are gathering in Spain on Friday to coordinate a response to the rise of far right and nationalist movements from Europe to the U. S. — with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the center of the push. More than 3,000 participants from over 100 organizations are convening in Barcelona for the launch of the “Global Progressive Mobilization,” a new initiative aimed at strengthening international cooperation among left-leaning parties and activists. The experiment is about organizing internationally, Stefan Löfven, president of the European Socialist Party (PES), told POLITICO. “Democracy is increasingly under pressure, and progressives are stepping up globally.” The two-day event aims to build a counter to advancing authoritarian and far-right forces, from the nationalist right in Europe — including parties aligned with the Patriots for Europe bloc — to global politics in the age of U. S. President Donald Trump. “This is not an isolated trend,” Löfven said. “It’s a shared challenge that requires a coordinated global response.” The Barcelona program includes a leaders’ dinner on Friday followed by a day of events featuring Socialist group chief Iratxe García and European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera as well as Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum. The gathering also gives Sánchez — the event’s host — a platform to elevate his international profile as a central figure of a renewed global socialist movement. “He’s not just acting as a Spanish leader,” said a senior European Parliament official, granted anonymity to speak freely. “He’s trying to exercise European leadership.” Sánchez could be eyeing a future role in Brussels, potentially challenging European Council President António Costa when the post comes up for mid-term review in 2027, the official said. Costa, who is expected to attend the Barcelona meeting, is widely seen as the favorite to retain the position, but Sánchez’s growing visibility could complicate that outlook. The Spanish leader’s international ambitions come at a sensitive moment at home. Spain is due to hold elections by 2027, with polls pointing to a fragmented political landscape and a tight race between his Socialist Party and the conservative opposition. Still, allies see him as a driving force behind the broader progressive push. Sánchez is “the great progressive catalyst of the world,” Vice President of Socialist International and event organizer Hana Jalloul Muro said, pointing to his recent diplomatic activity — including a high-profile trip to China and clashes with Trump-aligned figures — as evidence of his expanding role.

Widespread voter dissatisfaction in the Finnish government is propelling the opposition one year before a general election.

Oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the war in Iran "should end pretty soon," while a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon raised expectations of a decrease in supply disruptions. The U.S. WTI crude for May delivery retreated 1.44%, to $93.33 per barrel, while Brent crude for June delivery fell 1.29%, to $98.1. On Thursday, Trump stated that "the war in Iran is going very well," reiterating his projections about the end of the conflict that began on February 28. Hours earlier, the president indicated in a post on Truth Social that a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would begin at 5:00 PM (ET). The U.S. president added that the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, would be invited to the White House for what he described as the first significant talks between the two countries since 1983. The U.S. Department of State stated that both sides are seeking to create conditions for a lasting peace, including mutual recognition of sovereignty. The initiative includes improvements in border security and reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense. The department also expressed shared concerns about non-state armed groups that could undermine Lebanon's sovereignty. In that regard, …

Three vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz towards the Persian Gulf and the same amount towards the Gulf of Oman

An 85-year-old Frenchwoman who was arrested by ICE after her American veteran husband died, has returned to France, the foreign ministry announced Friday. The detention of Marie-Thérèse Ross – who had moved to the US to marry her long-lost love and was still waiting for her Green Card application to be approved – has caused an uproar in France.

Iran can defeat the United States in the sense that it will not allow the US to achieve the goals it has set for itself in the war, Alexey Pushkov noted

Stuck in gridlocked traffic, Lebanese people who had been displaced by the fighting expressed a mixture of excitement and uncertainty about a pause in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Friday that the war in Iran had highlighted the urgent need for long-delayed UN reforms, arguing that the world body must be strengthened if multilateral diplomacy is to help restore global peace and security. "We have been talking about that for a long time, but only talking happens," Tokayev told the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. "Everybody is feeling the impact of the Iran war and everybody is suffering." At the three-day summit ending...

European public service broadcasters are under growing political and financial pressure, while also having to contend with fake news and propaganda.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his support on Friday for the announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but also voiced his "concern" that the agreement "may already be weakened" due to "military operations" in the past few hours. "I fully support the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, as announced yesterday by President (Donald) Trump. I also express my concern that it may already be weakened by the continuation of military operations," he stated in a message on social media. "I call for the safety of the civilian populations on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel," Macron said, emphasizing that "Hezbollah must renounce its weapons" and that "Israel must respect Lebanese sovereignty and stop the war." The message was published a few hours after the Lebanese Army reported "several violations" of the ceasefire by Israel shortly after it came into effect. They criticized "several Israeli attacks, in addition to intermittent bombings affecting several villages" in the south of the country. For its part, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in a message released shortly after the agreement came into effect that they would maintain their positions in southern Lebanon. In fact, they requested that residents of southern Lebanon "...

The former NATO Secretary General noted that some disagreements between the US and other NATO nations persisted at present, however, these states could feel secure only by staying together

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is on a visit to Ukraine, currently staying in the western city of Lviv.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is typically seen in carefully planned meetings with presidents, kings, and regional leaders in Putrajaya. It was therefore striking to see him instead riding through the city on a casual live stream with Sneako, the controversial 27-year-old American streamer and Muslim convert whose appeal to mainly young male audiences has made him an unlikely cultural figure. For more than an hour on Friday, the live stream gave Anwar a rare chance to promote Malaysia and...

Political scientist Vali Nasr, 65, is widely regarded as one of the leading global experts on Iran, Shiism, the Islamic Republic, and U.S. policy in the Middle East. Nasr is a professor at Johns Hopkins University and the author of seminal works on his native country. But his work extends beyond academia: between 2009 and 2011, he served as senior advisor to Richard Holbrooke, Washington's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. During that period, he also advised the State Department and President Barack Obama on Iran.

According to an official statement from the British government, around 40 countries will participate in the conference

Asian airlines are reducing the number of flights, increasing fares, and reorganizing their routes as the war in Iran causes jet fuel prices to skyrocket, forcing carriers across the region to scramble to protect their profit margins and maintain vital routes. Aviation analysts say that the impact has been particularly severe in Asia because many economies rely heavily on fuel supplies from the Middle East, and some regional carriers are less protected from sudden price increases than their counterparts in Europe or the United States. "The impact has been...

The impact of the situation in Iran is spreading to various sectors within the country. We interviewed people working in different areas, including regional railways that operate diesel vehicles and manufacturers that handle chemical fibers derived from petroleum, all of whom are concerned about the future.

To sharpen its competitive edge in the world’s next-generation vehicle market, China has pledged to fast track automotive technical standards to build its status as a global rule-setter. The carmaking powerhouse would drive high-quality development of the auto sector through the formulation and enhancement of core standards during the next five years, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) told state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing on...

The LIV circuit, for which Riyadh invested $5 billion, causing a global rift, may be halted after this season if it doesn't attract new investors. In May, a tournament will be held in Virginia on a course owned by the American president.

The Chinese government on Friday praised the ten-day ceasefire announced in Lebanon and called for a "sense of responsibility" in negotiations that would lead to an end to the conflict. "China applauds all efforts that lead to a ceasefire and an end to hostilities," said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the agreement was confirmed, following contacts between the two countries mediated by the United States. He emphasized that "China hopes that the relevant parties will act with a sense of responsibility, maintain the momentum of the ceasefire and negotiations, and resolve their disputes through political and diplomatic means," according to the Chinese newspaper 'Global Times'. The latest large-scale hostilities erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah launched projectiles against Israel in response to the assassination of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an offensive launched on February 28 by Israel and the United States against the Asian country. Israeli forces then launched a new large-scale offensive and a ground invasion of Lebanon, resulting in nearly 2,200 deaths since then. Previously, the parties had agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 after thirteen months of continuous fighting following the attacks of October 7, 2023, although since then, Israel has continued to launch frequent bombings against the country, arguing that it is acting...

TOKYO — On top of the tariffs, wars and inflation upending the global economy, US chieftains are grappling with a new question: which tech companies might get “BYD-ed” next? The reference here is to the Chinese electric-vehicle juggernaut that’s zoomed past Elon Musk’s Tesla and its peers to become No. 1 globally. The idea that […] The post China Shock 2.0 jolts global economy as Trump does Xi’s work appeared first on Asia Times.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it’s “unforgivable” that he was not informed Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting during his appointment as ambassador to the US, and pledged to lay out all the facts around the scandal to Parliament on Monday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, April 17: We take a look at how papers are reacting to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Next: the UK suffers food shortages "from Trump's war". Also: did Pete Hegseth really quote from "Pulp Fiction" in his latest war prayer? Finally, we take a look at the latest dating trends.

Hong Kong’s food hygiene authorities have deployed drones to help dismantle an illegal slaughterhouse in Yuen Long, arresting its 67-year-old operator and seizing 7.4kg of goat meat and offal with an estimated market value of HK$3,000 (US$380). Acting on a tip-off earlier this week, officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department identified a suspicious farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long. The unlicensed premises were allegedly used to keep and slaughter goats, with the meat to be sold in Kam...

The country’s leaders secured a truce through risky talks with Israel, but the government now finds itself caught between competing pressures.

The report noted that the incidents involved eight passenger ships, eight tugs, six private and fishing vessels, five merchant ships, and three search-and-rescue vessels, among others

The Iran war is risking America’s global security ties and damaging its reputation, especially among the world’s Muslims, according to a set of State Department cables obtained by POLITICO. The cables, dated Wednesday, described the fallout of the war for America’s standing in three countries in different parts of the world: Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Indonesia. U. S. diplomats at embassies in the countries’ capitals painted damning portraits of an America under siege in multiple media spheres by pro-Iranian actors that are exceptionally agile in the digital space. In Azerbaijan, what had been a significantly improving relationship has hit a plateau at best, and appears to be faltering. Bahrain’s government is facing questions about whether the U. S. abandoned it to fend for itself against Iranian drones and missiles. And Indonesia’s leader could face growing calls to reduce security ties with the U. S. Some of the cables describe anti-U. S. sentiment that is having an immediate impact, while others raise concerns that relationships could be in danger if the war continues much longer. Taken together, the cables paint a picture of countries where the U. S. is losing the population’s trust, and potentially that of their governments. The cables carry veiled requests for the Trump administration to free up American embassies to fight such negative narratives online and in traditional media. Embassies need to “have the freedom for flexible, quick and proactive social media to meet the challenge of making an impact in an overcrowded digital space,” argues the embassy cable from Jakarta, Indonesia. U. S. embassies have been instructed not to create original content about the Iran war to share publicly and instead are largely limited to reposting approved messaging from the White House or the State Department headquarters online, according to a U. S. diplomat and other documents obtained by POLITICO. The fact that the cables were sent at all suggests the situation in the countries is increasingly dire. That’s because many U. S. diplomats have become afraid to speak up under the Trump administration after it largely sidelined them from key foreign policy decisions, fired numerous members of the Foreign Service and emphasized “fidelity” for those left, two U. S. diplomats said. As a result, “posts are being very careful in selecting their topics and how they phrase things,” one of the diplomats said, having been granted anonymity like the other because they feared retribution. Iran’s Islamist leadership, by contrast, is using bots, memes and other tools on a vast array of platforms to undermine the U. S. in the media space. Its diplomats have also been turning to their contacts in religious, cultural and social spheres to build sympathy for Tehran. Asked for comment, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said: “President Trump’s actions are making the United States, future generations, and the entire world safer by preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That’s the reality, and the entire administration is lockstep in that effort.” Questioning U. S. loyalty in Bahrain Bahrain and the U. S. are stalwart allies, and the Middle Eastern country hosts an American military base that serves as headquarters for the U. S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. But the Iran war has led to public perceptions that the U. S. abandoned Bahrain to focus on protecting Israel instead, according to the cable from the Bahraini capital, Manama. Some pro-Iran social media accounts suggested that the U. S. military presence “had turned Bahrain into a target” and that U. S. forces should leave the country, the cable says. “One widely circulated tweet asked, ‘Why are U. S. forces being placed in hotels among civilians? Does America, which has abandoned the Gulf for Israel’s security and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s objectives, deserve for you to put the Bahraini people at risk?’” according to the cable. Part of the problem, U. S. diplomats writing the cable suggest, is that America’s messaging during the Iran war has been weak, while the pro-Iran social media and other messaging tools have moved quickly and often creatively. Bahraini officials and other contacts “tell us they worry that, in the absence of regular, local U. S. messaging, these misperceptions — amplified by Iranian propaganda and incomplete reporting in both local and international media — risk eroding public confidence in the U. S. commitment to Bahrain’s security,” the cable states. It didn’t help that traditional Bahraini media — “whose reporting is heavily controlled by the government” — focused much more on what the Bahraini military did to intercept Iranian drones and missiles “while omitting mention of U. S. support.” Official Bahraini government statements also didn’t acknowledge the equipment and training the U. S. had given the country’s armed forces, the cable states. Still, the cable also notes that such Bahraini neglect to mention the U. S. may have partly stemmed from a “desire to protect and maintain the operational security of U. S. personnel and materiel.” While the cable never directly says the embassy itself failed on messaging, it points out that the British Embassy’s highly active social media presence “created a distorted perception of the scale of British assistance and an impression that the U. K. was stepping up where the United States was retreating.” Bahrain’s ambassador in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did spokespeople for the British Embassy in Washington. Undermining gains in Azerbaijan The Iran war may be damaging progress the U. S. has made in its relationship with Azerbaijan since Trump oversaw a peace summit between Azerbaijan and Armenia last August, according to a cable from the U. S. Embassy in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital. After that summit, Azerbaijani media, which is heavily dominated by pro-government outlets, began giving more positive coverage to the United States. There also were signs of growing pro-U. S. sentiment in the majority-Muslim Azerbaijani population. In the first month after the U. S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Azerbaijani media kept a largely neutral tone, mirroring the government position. An alleged Iranian drone strike on Azerbaijan on March 5 even briefly led to furious nationalist commentary accusing Iran of terrorism. But in April, the Azerbaijani media turned more critical of the U. S. “Most local outlets blamed the United States and Israel for starting the conflict and for allegedly lacking a clear strategy or goal to end it,” the cable says. Some Azerbaijani press reprinted international news stories this month that include criticisms of Trump and his family. Such reprinting, the cable notes, is often a “test balloon” by the government before it starts directly using similar language. The recent ceasefire in the Iran war has helped cool tensions somewhat, with the Azerbaijani media coverage shifting to “technocratic but still critical analyses of the agreement, and to speculation of U. S., Israeli, and Iranian political calculations.” The truce, which expires April 22, has led many Azerbaijanis to “hope this would spell the end of the conflict, amid rising prices and regional travel disruptions.” The cable notes that although the majority of social media commenters in Azerbaijan have been deeply critical of U. S. and Israeli actions, such sentiments don’t appear to have led to more pro-Iranian feelings in Azerbaijan. Much of the Azerbaijani public is secular-minded and disdainful of the Islamist regime in Tehran, the cable states. Azerbaijan government officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Losing ground with Muslims in Indonesia Iran is mounting a major influence operation in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy, according to the cable from the U. S. Embassy in Jakarta. On traditional media and platforms such as Telegram and Facebook, Tehran is stressing Muslim solidarity while appealing to anti-colonial sentiment in Indonesia by casting Israel and the U. S. as imperialists. The Iranian efforts are often creative; some use Morse code to convey a pro-Iran message, encouraging user interaction, the cable states. The Iranian Embassy’s posts “now generate thousands more views, positive comments, and pick-ups from local media” than before, while the Iranian ambassador has upped his public engagement, including meeting with many Indonesian political and religious “elites.” The Jakarta cable argued that if the war drags on and anti-U. S. sentiment grows, it would put cooperation between the two countries at risk. For the U. S., “the most dangerous near-term risk is not that Iranian messaging will be believed wholesale, but that it will amplify existing anti-American sentiment to a degree that constrains President Prabowo’s political room to continue to maneuver on regional security cooperation,” the cable states. Indonesia has made a number of security-related moves to gain favor with President Donald Trump, including offering to send troops to help with security in Gaza and joining Trump’s Board of Peace. On Monday, the government of Prabowo Subianto signed onto a “major defense cooperation partnership” with the U. S. The cable points out that, since the start of the war, the Iranian ambassador has called on Indonesia to quit the Board of Peace. There’s no indication the Indonesian government is prepared to go that far, although it reportedly has put a pause on discussions with the U. S. related to the board. The embassy carefully argues for more freedom to fight back on the media front. “Post welcomes additional public diplomacy initiatives that promote U. S. policy in the Middle East and counter anti-American messaging to engage Muslim-majority audiences in the current environment,” the cable says. Indonesian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The London Metal Exchange’s benchmark has climbed to a fresh record as aluminium prices surge on fears of a severe and lasting shortfall in global supply following disruptions in the Middle East.

U. S. President Donald Trump commented on developments in the Ukraine peace process, saying that while progress is being made, the United States is currently focused on resolving the situation with Iran.

The last person on the list is former US Air Force retired Major General William McCasland, who went missing on February 27, 2026

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, after it was revealed that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had granted Mandelson security clearance despite objections from vetting officials. Bloomberg’s James Woolcock reports.

For journalists, access to the internet is central to reporting the news. When governments shut it down, reporters find ways around the blackout, but the work comes at a cost. Here are the experiences of journalists working in Iran, India, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Donald Trump has said that another round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place as soon as this weekend. Meanwhile, this Friday, the French and British leaders are due to chair a meeting of around 40 countries focused on securing the Strait of Hormuz. France24 International Affairs Editor Philip Turle shares his insights on this meeting.

There is a sense of both caution and hope. Although the Lebanese army had warned residents who fled the south not to return, footage shows vehicles already moving back toward the area. Six weeks of Israeli strikes displaced well over a million people—around one-fifth of Lebanon’s population. The conflict has also hit a country already struggling with a severe economic crisis, and with limited government support available, private organisations have stepped in to help fill the gap. France24 Senior Reporter Cyril Payen reports the latests from Lebanon.

The Ministry of Finance is preparing legislation allowing Finnish municipalities to levy a tax on domestic and foreign tourists.

In Rome, the ninth leg of the program designed to promote Italian entrepreneurial excellence.

Five years out of college, Samuel Samson has driven the Trump administration’s push to upend America’s postwar relationship with Europe.

By holding off America’s more powerful military, Iran showed how Taiwan can deter or defeat China.

Trump administration has riled head of Catholic church over use of theology to justify conflict in Iran The contrast in experience between the two men disagreeing over war and theology was striking. On the one side was Pope Leo XIV, the first North American to head the Catholic church and the first cleric from the Augustinian order, who this week visited the modern Algerian city where Saint Augustine once lived. For Leo, who wrote his doctoral thesis on Augustine’s ideas, it was the culmination of a lifelong intellectual interest. Continue reading...

Property tycoon Pan Shiyi issued a rare critique of China’s real estate sector, describing its development model as a “Ponzi scheme” and urging the industry to restore integrity and better protect homebuyers, just days after a fraud trial saw a guilty plea from the founder of China Evergrande – the US$300 billion debt juggernaut whose 2021 collapse triggered a systemic property meltdown. Writing from the United States on Thursday via his personal WeChat account, Pan reflected on the trajectory...

The China-US trade war bubbled away this week, even as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown dominated global headlines. The US is finalising a multinational agreement on trade and critical minerals to break China’s grip on vital resources, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers on Thursday. He also sought a higher budget to support more trade investigations, and suggested potential action to pare US farmers’ reliance on Chinese orders. “We’re not just going to lay down and let the...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced mounting pressure to quit on Friday over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as envoy to Washington, after it emerged the veteran politician had failed security vetting. The affair has haunted Starmer for months amid growing anger over Mandelson’s 2024 nomination to the top diplomatic post despite his close ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, a long-time insider with Starmer’s ruling Labour Party, has held multiple ministerial posts since...

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed that Peter Mandelson, the former envoy to the United States, had been appointed despite failing to pass security vetting checks.

Helsinki's new Crown Bridges will fully open to pedestrians at 2pm on Saturday and to cyclists at 5pm.

On July 17th, the ambassadors from the 30 member states of NATO, who are stationed at the organization's headquarters in Brussels, visited the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Japan to inspect a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This visit aimed to deepen their understanding of the role that the U.S.-Japan alliance plays in strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Lebanese army accused Israel of repeated truce violations, while Hezbollah said it retaliated against Israeli troops. Talks between the two sides mark a shift, but core disputes remain, including the withdrawal of the Israeli army and Hezbollah's disarmament.

Tomorrow morning, the Prime Minister will be attending the Federalberghi assembly in Rome.

The federal judge's decision continues to block above-ground construction on the $400 million White House ballroom, allowing only below-ground work on a bunker and other "national security facilities" at the site. (Image credit: Rod Lamkey)

For the first time, Libya is taking part in an international military exercise in the country. The US and partners have included Libya, because of security concerns, economic interests and competition with Russia.

American officials have informed their European counterparts that part of previously signed arms supply contracts will be delayed amid the war with Iran.

Earlier in the morning GOP leaders had pushed for either a five-year renewal or the 18-month renewal President Trump had demanded, but both votes tanked. (Image credit: J. Scott Applewhite)

Far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was once considered one of Donald Trump’s closest allies in Europe, but their relationship has recently deteriorated. As Caitlin Brown reports, Meloni has fallen out of favor with the US president, in part due to her criticism of the war in Iran and her opposition to his public feud with the Pope.

Days after being criticised on social media by US President Donald Trump, Pope Leo continues his four-nation tour of Africa. He is traveling to Douala, the country’s main port city, where he is set to celebrate Mass and visit a hospital. The Vatican expects around 600,000 people to attend the liturgy. On Thursday, the Pope spoke out against war during a visit to the largest city in Cameroon’s anglophone regions, where a nearly decade-long conflict has claimed thousands of lives. Emerald Maxwell reports.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are chairing a meeting of around 40 so-called “non-belligerent” countries this Friday to discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this vital route—now subject to both an Iranian blockade and a retaliatory US one—has triggered what is being described as the worst oil price shock in history. The Paris meeting, with many participants joining via video conference, marks the latest effort by sidelined nations to mitigate the impact of a conflict they neither initiated nor joined. France and the UK say they intend to focus on strictly defensive and diplomatic measures, as Eliza Herbert examines how significant the talks are expected to be.

A 10-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel came into effect this Friday, though the Lebanese army has already reported several alleged violations in the southern border region, where these images were taken. US President Donald Trump announced the deal and said he has invited both countries’ leaders to the White House for further talks. A direct, high-level meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leadership would mark a significant turning point for the region, while the truce also signals progress in Washington’s broader efforts to secure an agreement to end its conflict with Iran. Morgan Ayre reports.

A Pakistan-flagged tanker that entered the Persian Gulf over the weekend has become the first carrier to exit through the Strait of Hormuz with a crude cargo since a US blockade began on Monday, underscoring just how limited traffic through the vital chokepoint remains. The Shalamar sailed just south of Iran’s Larak Island and out into the Gulf of Oman late Thursday with around 450,000 barrels of crude loaded at Das Island in the United Arab Emirates, according to ship-tracking data. The Aframax...

The head of the UN Development Programme told Euronews that the impact of the Middle East conflict is being felt "way beyond the region", and that, in the absence of a resolution, the groundwork for further conflicts is being laid.

President Donald Trump claimed Iran has made key concessions in negotiations with the US and that a deal to end the war — which has left thousands dead and rattled energy markets — could be announced “fairly soon.”

"It is reckless to block the increase in prices or to cut taxes on fuel."

Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet Air has agreed to lease as many as 10 Chinese-made C909 regional passenger jets, giving a lift to their manufacturer’s goal of vying with Airbus and Boeing in overseas civil aviation. VietJet said in a statement on Thursday night it had agreed with SPDB Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in China, to finance the aircraft through operating leases. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) makes the jets that are the subject...

Though welcomed by chefs and campaigners, many schools say the government’s plan to remove ‘grab and go’ options from the menu is a step too far. It is lunchtime at Richard Challoner school, a Catholic comprehensive school for boys in New Malden, southwest London. The familiar smell of school lunch is beginning to waft around the corridors. In the canteen, there is a moment of calm as the kitchen team make final preparations before year 7 descend – a mass of chatting, laughing boys, with backpacks swinging and empty tummies grumbling. Continue reading...

The Trump administration expects Iran’s soccer team to travel to the United States for the upcoming World Cup, a senior administration official told POLITICO on Thursday. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup task force, said in an interview at the White House that U. S. officials are planning for Iran to participate despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and the absence of a broader diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. “I’m not going to speak for the Iranian team, but I will say that the president, when I’ve talked to him, has invited the Iranian team here,” Giuliani said. “The president of FIFA made a statement, I think, yesterday, that they’re going to be coming. So we expect them here.” Giuliani’s remarks offer a note of optimism after weeks of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament, hosted by the U. S., Mexico and Canada, fueled by the ongoing war between the U. S. and Iran. Iran has sought to move its matches to Mexico, a request FIFA denied. The prospect of Iran’s participation carries symbolic weight for a tournament years in the making, and one that FIFA and U. S. organizers have billed as a global event with potential to bring people together. Giuliani added that the administration anticipates Iran will arrive in the U. S. by June 10 for its training camp in Tuscon, Arizona and then travel to Los Angeles for matches against New Zealand and Belgium, and then to Seattle, where they will face Egypt. “We expect them to be in Tucson at the beginning of June, and then playing in L. A. and Seattle,” he said. President Donald Trump has veered among positions, initially telling POLITICO that “I really don’t care” whether Iran participated in the tournament. He then said it would be better for their safety if they didn’t. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a Trump ally, has engaged in quiet shuttle diplomacy to try to ensure that the tournament continues as planned. While Giuliani’s remarks are a positive sign, significant hurdles remain. The United States and Iran have not reached a lasting peace deal, and the situation could deteriorate in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Giuliani told POLITICO that the task force is also tracking a planned “friendly” match, which would not count toward league standings or tournament results, between Iran and Puerto Rico before the World Cup begins. “I had heard that as well. So, you know, they’re still on,” Giuliani said when asked about the friendly. “From my understanding, no plans have changed with the friendly.” He noted that while friendlies fall outside the World Cup itself, the administration is closely focused on ensuring entry logistics proceed smoothly. “It’s a little bit different in terms of the World Cup specifically, but it’s one of the things that we are focused on, at least from a visa perspective,” Giuliani said.

The conflict in the Middle East entered its 49th day of war this Friday, April 17th, amidst heightened tensions. Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, while Kristalina Georgieva, head of the IMF, stated that "difficult times" could be ahead for the global economy if the siege on Tehran continues. Here are the key points to understand what is happening and why it is concerning the world. Key news headlines from the conflict today: Donald Trump announces a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Kristalina Georgieva stated that "difficult times" could lie ahead if the conflict in the Middle East continues. The United States activates a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump claims that Iran wants to continue dialogue. Officials from Russia and China meet to discuss the conflict in the Middle East. Trump suggested that a deal with Iran is close. Other important developments: Trump: "The war in Iran is going wonderfully." Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Lebanon and demanded a ceasefire. In response to the Pope's statements, the U.S. President replied: "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon." Why the United States and Israel attacked Iran: Eight months after the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Saturday, February 28th, against…

Athletes from Kenya, Nigeria and Jamaica have applications rejected for 'recruitment drive' by Turkiye government.

An oil tanker sailing under the flag of Hong Kong has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Gulf of Oman in what appears to be a test of the US blockade targeting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, according to a maritime data firm. The tanker, AVA 6, departed from a port in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, Beijing time. It passed through the Strait of Hormuz sometime between 4am and 2pm on Thursday, according to data from Mingkun Technology, a Chinese maritime...

Netflix, a leading American video streaming company, announced its financial results for the three months ending in March, which showed an 80% increase in profits, driven by factors such as an increase in the number of subscribers. In Japan, the exclusive streaming of the WBC (World Baseball Classic) in March resulted in a significant contribution to the increase in the number of subscribers during that period, as the company stated.

Pressure on the Catholic Church is no longer just external, and is being brought to bear not only on the individual perpetrators, but also now on those who protected them.

Luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet enters a new but very familiar world on its first appearance at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. The Swiss firm's CEO Ilaria Resta is hoping to make an impression with an ambitious project that revives the firm's tried and tested method for creating masterpieces.

French and British leaders will chair a meeting in Paris on Friday of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that some of its closest allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.

Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have propelled drones into the headlines. The word “drone” now stretches to cover everything from hobbyist camera rigs available on Amazon to the Predator and Reaper systems the United States has relied on to fight terrorist organizations over the past 20 years. A common ancestor in the animal […] The post Iran’s low-cost drones democratizing precision warfare appeared first on Asia Times.

Hong Kong customs has arrested seven people in a citywide crackdown on party rooms offering suspected illegal karaoke sets with songs that infringed copyright. The operation, code-named Magpie, took place between March 16 and April 15 and involved more than 100 officers, who raided 14 party rooms, a bar and the residences of two online sellers. Ng Ka-chun, divisional commander of customs’ intellectual property technology crime investigation, said on Friday that authorities seized 28 suspected...

The two Iran footballers who stayed in Australia following the Asian Cup say they want to rebuild lives in 'safety'.

The Lebanese Army issued a warning early Friday morning about several violations of the ceasefire agreement negotiated between Lebanese and Israeli authorities, approximately three hours after it came into effect. "The Army command reiterates its call to citizens to refrain from returning to the villages and towns in the south," the Lebanese security force stated in a message posted on social media. The military spokesperson warned of "several violations of the agreement" following the registration of "several Israeli attacks, in addition to intermittent shelling affecting several villages." The security force then emphasized the "need" to "comply with the guidelines of the military units deployed to preserve security, especially during nighttime hours, and to avoid approaching dangerous areas," while also stating that its command "continues to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens." Following the previous statement urging citizens to follow the guidelines of the deployed military units, the Army command renewed its call for citizens to delay their return to the southern villages and towns, given the number of violations of the agreement. Several Israeli attacks have been recorded, in addition to...

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry has explained to the United...

Analysts say that the viral videos created by Iranians are of high quality despite being inexpensive, and they are exploiting vulnerabilities in US politics.

After weeks of bombardments in southern Lebanon that have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million residents, Israel has announced a ten-day ceasefire with Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, vowed to keep Israeli troops in southern Lebanon to create a ten-kilometer “security zone”, raising immediate questions about whether the […] The post Israel-Lebanon ceasefire won’t end the death and suffering appeared first on Asia Times.

A 10-day truce between the two countries now in effect, with Iran-backed Hezbollah voicing support, as negotiations continue between the US and Iran.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is managing the repercussions of a public rebuke from US President Donald Trump this week over the pope, Iran and a defence deal with Israel. It's a rupture that had been building since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran and may ultimately serve her political interests ahead of the 2027 legislative elections.

Leaders of France and the United Kingdom will co-chair an international virtual summit on restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz later today.