World - Friday, April 17, 2026

Hezbollah politicians affirmed a “cautious commitment” to the 10-day cease-fire, which appeared to be holding on its first day. A truce could remove an obstacle in U.S.-Iran peace talks.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker also says passage through waterway will depend on authorisation from Iran Oil and gas prices fall sharply after Iran says strait of Hormuz is open In case you’re just joining us, here are the latest developments in the Middle East to bring you up to speed. It’s 9am in Beirut and Jerusalem, 9.30am in Tehran and 2am in Washington DC. A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into effect , pausing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that has killed more than 2,100 Lebanese people and displaced more than 2.1 million. The agreement was announced earlier by Donald Trump, who said he had spoken with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, and invited both leaders “for meaningful talks” at the White House. Both leaders welcomed the agreement. Israel and Hezbollah both maintained their right to defend themselves if the truce is broken – here’s our full report . Netanyahu called the ceasefire a “historic” opportunity for peace but refused to withdraw his troops from southern Lebanon during the pause in fighting. “We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone,” he said, due to the “danger of an invasion” and to prevent fire into Israel. “That is where we are, and we are not leaving.” UN chief António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire , which took effect at midnight on Thursday (2100 GMT) in Lebanon, and urged “all actors” to fully respect it. He hoped the halt in fighting would “pave the way for negotiations”. The Lebanese army warned people displaced from southern Lebanon about returning home because of intermittent shelling that was reported after the ceasefire came into effect. The Israeli military warned residents of southern Lebanon not to return south of the Litani River despite the truce. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson welcomed the ceasefire and stressed it was already part of the original Iran-US agreement brokered by Pakistan. Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire in the hours before the truce took effect. Continue reading...

Neukgu, a 2-year-old wolf, escaped a South Korean zoo nine days ago and was safely captured after an extensive search involving drones and more.

Brent crude sinks by a tenth after Iran says the key waterway is open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.

Charles Adair 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...

Open source article for the full coverage.

Bride Gemma Monk says a black paint attack by her sister-in-law just before her wedding has left her unable to work and battling depression.

Senators pass 10-day extension by voice vote after House defeated attempts for five-year and 18-month extensions on Thursday night US Congress passes 10-day extension of surveillance law amid Republican infighting What is Fisa, and why does it allow no-warrant survellance? Sign up for the Breaking News US email In more CDC news, Donald Trump has selected Erica Schwartz to lead the troubled health agency, bringing to an end a months-long search for a permanent director. Schwartz served as the deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first term . But before she can officially take over, the president’s pick will require confirmation by the Senate. IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU! Continue reading...

Growing numbers in the capital Honiara are playing the street card game Pass for a chance of a big payout, while risking big losses As the school day ends in Honiara, *Irene, a 43-year-old teacher in a floral dress with a yellow daisy in her bun, steps on to a minibus. After 10 minutes, Irene gets off the bus, walks down an alley, and enters a damp, smoky shelter. Plastic tables fill the space and playing cards are scattered on the floor. Irene has stopped by a hidden gambling table in a western suburb of Honiara to play Pass, a street card game gaining popularity in the Solomon Islands capital. Continue reading...

A month of efforts to help a stranded humpback escape the Baltic Sea have culminated in a tourist and media spectacle, with no guarantee of success.