White House Wants a Nuclear Reactor Orbiting the Moon by 2028
The Trump administration has grand plans for "ENSURING AMERICAN SPACE SUPERIORITY." When NASA sent humans to the moon for the first time this century earlier this month, the organization made it clear that this is just the "opening act" for a new and revitalized era of space exploration. Under the ...
Haley Zaremba / Oil Price | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:00:00
Trump seeks 'resolution' of his $10bn lawsuit against IRS, spurring concern
Critics warn that Trump could arrange his own settlement by negotiating with a US Justice Department under his control.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:56:47
Iran says Strait of Hormuz is 'open' but tracking shows few ships moving
US President Donald Trump welcomed Tehran's announcement but said the US naval blockade would continue until a peace deal was reached.
BBC | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:54:20
Strait of Hormuz open, Iran says
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz is open, a declaration backed by US President Donald Trump.
Sydney Morning Herald | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:46:03
Iran rejects Trump claim on deal to surrender nuclear material stockpiles
Iran has rejected suggestions by Donald Trump that it has agreed to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:25:26
The Blockade Bluff
Radhika Desai and Michael Hudson, 'The Blockade Stage of Trump's absurdities," Geopolitical Hour, April 14, 2026. Radhika: Hello and welcome to the 59th Geopolitical Economy Hour, the conversation that illuminates the fast-changing political economy and geopolitical economy of our times. I'm Radhika Desai, and you are watching Radhika Desai: Geopolitical ...
Michael / Michael Hudson | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:06:02
Spain signs deals with Brazil as Sanchez builds anti-Trump bloc
Spain and Brazil signed a flurry of agreements at Pedro Sanchez and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's first bilateral summit, as the Spanish leader seeks to build an alliance to counter US President Donald Trump. "The relationship between Spain and Brazil goes far beyond the strictly bilateral," Sanchez told reporters ...
Bloomberg / South China Morning Post | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:05:18
Breaking the US imperial self-delusion and pathological addiction to war
by Amal Saad @amalsaad_lb on April 13 2026 Trump's counter-blockade gambit coupled with his threat to Iran, reveals that the real obstacle in these negotiations isn't that Iran and the US have different demands, nor even that Washington still believes it can impose its own terms, and certainly not that ...
Author / Bill Totten | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:00:48
Victor Davis Hanson: They Said 'Forever War'-Reality Says Trump Just Crushed Iran in 5 Weeks
Editor's note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today's edition of "Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words" from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor... Read More The post Victor Davis Hanson: They Said 'Forever War'-Reality Says Trump Just Crushed Iran in 5 Weeks appeared first on The Daily Signal ...
Victor Davis Hanson / The Foundry | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:52:16
Will Trump's Next Tariffs Be a "Sham," Too?
Section 122 tariffs when their 150-day statutory time limit expires this summer. This has led some observers and interested parties-including our friend Rick Woldenburg, CEO of Learning Resources, Inc., and lead plaintiff in one of the Supreme Court IEEPA cases-to suggest that the Section 301 investigations are a "sham" because ...
Chad Smitson / Cato | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:50:37
The Donald J. Trump Guide to Classic Fairy Tales
This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Donald Trump, as even some of his fiercest admirers will admit, is not always ...
David A. Graham / The Atlantic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:12:00
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Is 'Completely Open'
But it's unclear whether the strategic waterway is really open without conditions.
Alexandra Sharp / Foreign Policy | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:08:57
Trump admin ends lease for CFPB's headquarters
The Treasury Department terminated the lease for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Washington, D.C., headquarters; HSBC's Gerry Keefe, head of banking in Europe and the Americas, quit to take a role outside of the financial services industry; Deutsche Bank has reported potential sanctions breaches involving Russian clients to German financial ...
Traci Parks / American Banker | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:00:00
This Senator Penned First Draft of Trump's Federal AI Guidebook
Sen. Marsha Blackburn wants her vision for the future of American artificial intelligence, with strict child safeguards, to prevail over a tech accelerationist push that... Read More The post This Senator Penned First Draft of Trump's Federal AI Guidebook appeared first on The Daily Signal .
Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell / The Foundry | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:51:00
Top Fed official warns Iran war could spark 'lasting' price shock
Christopher Waller says higher oil prices coupled with Donald Trump's tariffs raise prospect of prolonged inflation
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:49:33
Caitlyn Jenner Begs Trump for Help Changing Passport Gender
Caitlyn Jenner, perhaps the most prominent transgender Trump supporter , made a public appeal to President Trump, begging him to reconsider his executive order requiring passports to only offer options for male and female-and match the gender the passport holder was assigned at birth. Jenner lamented her status earlier this ...
Malcolm Ferguson / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:33:57
Trump Says Iran Has Agreed to 'Everything'
President Trump told CBS News that Iran has "agreed to everything," and will work with the U.S. to remove its enriched uranium. He insisted that doing so will not involve U.S. ground troops. But when asked who would retrieve it, he would only say "our people." Said Trump: "No. No ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:30:21
US will not pay for transfer of Iranian uranium - Trump
This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, Trump added
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:25:35
Donald Trump's war on the Pope
Donald Trump has now started a second war - a war on the pope. Trump is launching political broadsides at Pope Leo XIV - a pope - for saying that he's against war, bombs and death. Trump has accused him of being "weak on crime," claims Pope Leo "wasn't on ...
JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief / Moderate Voice | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:21:30
Iran Dumps Cold Water on Trump's Central Claim on Nuclear Deal
President Donald Trump claimed Friday that Iran had finally agreed to hand over its nuclear stockpile-but Tehran said otherwise. Speaking with CBS News , Trump claimed that Iran had "agreed to everything," including working with the U.S. to remove the roughly 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium that remains buried in ...
Edith Olmsted / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:17:34
Stonks Go Down, Stonks Go Up
On one hand, it seems a bit nuts that THE MARKET is putting its faith in Donald Trump to unshit the bed. On the other, it is probably a reasonable bet that Trump will do anything (that he can comprehend) to keep those numbers, which are like his own personal ...
Atrios / Eschaton | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:14:00
Trump Says the Strait of Hormuz Is Open Again. About That ...
I regret to inform you that the president of the United States may not be totally on the level this time.
Nitish Pahwa / Moneybox | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:57:06
Scholar Rumeysa Ozturk returns to Turkiye following Trump deportation push
Ozturk says she made the decision to avoid 'losing more time to the state-imposed violence and hostility' under Trump.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:50:36
What in the World?
Test yourself on the week of April 11: Hungary votes, Trump insults the pope, and the war in Sudan enters its fourth year.
Drew Gorman / Foreign Policy | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:45:25
What We Know About the 'Massive' Military Complex Being Built Beneath the White House
As the court battle over Trump's ballroom drags on, his planned reconstruction of an underground bunker is being pulled into the spotlight.
Chantelle Lee / Time | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:40:26
Iran will receive no frozen assets for suspending nuclear program, Trump says
According to the US leader, an agreement to end the war that was unleashed by the United States and Israel in late February, is largely complete
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:34:20
Trump Prepares to Settle With IRS in Huge Lawsuit Over Tax Records
Donald Trump is in to settle a $10 billion lawsuit with the Internal Revenue Service over the release of his tax returns. The president's lawyers asked a judge Friday to extend key deadlines on the multibillion lawsuit against his presidential administration, but hidden within the pages of the legal filing ...
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:34:17
America's Orange Jesus
Susan Glasser: "The point is simply this: in Trump 1.0, Orange Jesus was a snarky shorthand for the hypocrisy of Republicans who knew better but joined up with the cult of Trump anyway." "In Trump 2.0, Trump. thinks he has actually become Orange Jesus." "How else to explain the President's ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:31:15
Trump's Iran Deal Looks a Lot Like the Previous Ones He Hated
What exactly was the point of killing thousands of people and destroying the world economy?
Matthew Petti / Hit & Run | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:29:53
US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days
Congress passed a short extension to a high-profile surveillance law on Friday after failing to secure the long-term reauthorisation pushed by US President Donald Trump. The brief pause comes after a late-night attempt to reauthorise the law for five years failed in the House. It sets up another round of ...
Reuters / South China Morning Post | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:27:55
Iran Had a Doomsday Weapon All Along
President Trump has said that he went to war to stop Iran from ever having a nuclear bomb. Unfortunately, the war he launched led Iran to discover that it already had an extremely effective doomsday weapon-one that promised the economic equivalent of mutual assured destruction. The Strait of Hormuz has ...
Alan Eyre / The Atlantic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:26:31
What has Trump said before possible US-Iran talks and what could it mean?
In rapid-fire posts, Trump says Iran will give up nuclear material and 'never close' Hormuz, but questions remain.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:24:13
Senate Bails Out Mike Johnson
"The Senate passed a 10-day FISA extension on Friday, sending it to President Donald Trump's desk ahead of Monday's deadline and averting a lapse in authority," Punchbowl News reports. "But Senate Republicans have their work cut out for them as they attempt to clean up the House GOP mess. Speaker ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:21:20
Trump says deal with Iran may be reached in day or two
The US leader emphasized that the Irainian side wanted to make a deal
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:11:26
Iran, not US, cancels Hormuz blockade after Israel-Lebanon truce
Iran said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened to international shipping following an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement, prompting thanks from President Donald Trump - who then said the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will continue. "In line with the ceasefire inLebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels ...
Brett Wilkins / Asia Times | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:11:17
Trump Adviser Compares Him to God in Resurfaced Quote
Amongst the upper echelons of the MAGA movement, Donald Trump's word is God's. Paula White-Cain, a Pentecostal televangelist who has offered Trump spiritual guidance since 2002 and was appointed to run the new White House Faith Office last year, once said that "saying no to Trump would be saying no ...
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:08:06
Trump says may travel to Pakistan for signing agreement with Iran - agency
The US delegation to the last weekend's round of negotiations with Iran was led by Vice President JD Vance
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:06:04
Trump Urged to Act on Iranian Site Feared Impervious
New York Times: "Over the past year, U.S. airstrikes have crippled Iran's nuclear program. Several Iranian nuclear facilities lie in ruins. And Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium - "nuclear dust," as President Trump calls it - is thought to be deeply buried under rubble." "But even after a U.S. ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:04:28
LOLOCRACY
A government with a sense of humour gets our vote Free speech is a good thing. You can see that in Iran, where many people are joking about Trump, using memes and funny posts online....
GenZeditor / Times of India | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:01:52
The Overlooked War China Is Desperate to Contain
As US President Donald Trump says the war in Iran could be over "very soon" and Pakistani mediators in Tehran prepare to meet with officials, another nearby conflict has been drawing Beijing's attention. Since late February, fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has intensified, with Islamabad declaring an "open war" with ...
RFE/RL staff / Oil Price | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:00:00
One of These Trump Threats Is Not Like the Others
Twelve hours after Donald Trump warned that a "whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again"-after he'd previously threatened to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages"-the president agreed to a temporary cease-fire. Since then, initial peace negotiations failed and Trump responded with a naval blockade of ...
Isabel Ruehl / The Atlantic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:59:46
GOP Lawmaker Likens Trump to 'Second Coming' of Christ
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) likened President Trump to a "second coming" amid backlash over the president's feud with Pope Leo XIV and his administration's use of religious language when discussing the Iran conflict, NewsNation reports. Said Nehls: "I believe that Donald Trump is better than sliced bread. I think he's ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:52:31
Trump Seeks More Time in Lawsuit Against IRS Over His Tax Returns
The Justice Department has not responded to the president's suit, which has created a conflict of interest for the government's lawyers.
Andrew Duehren / NY Times | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:47:03
The U.S. Military Has Finally Left Syria
After considering a permanent U.S. presence, the Trump administration instead evacuated American troops once and for all.
Matthew Petti / Hit & Run | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:40:50
Hundreds of Fake Pro-Trump Avatars Emerge on Social Media
The fake influencers have surged on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube in an apparent bid to hook conservative voters.
Tiffany Hsu / NY Times | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:37:10
MAGA Increasingly Believes Trump Assassination Attempt Was Fake
As Donald Trump's MAGA base sours on him, some of them now think the 2024 assassination attempt on him in Butler, Pennsylvania, was staged. Wired reports that this conspiracy theory started to take hold after Joe Kent, who resigned from the Trump administration over the Iran war, went on conservative ...
Hafiz Rashid / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:35:35
Trump says Iran agrees to indefinite moratorium on nuclear program - media
Iran has not yet commented on the statement by the US leader
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:26:14
Trump Ended Free Trade for Mexican Tomatoes. Prices Are Up 23 Percent in the Last Year.
America gets 90 percent of its fresh tomatoes from Mexico, and those imports were tariff-free until last year.
Eric Boehm / Hit & Run | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:25:21
Trump Judge Shuts Down DOJ's "Fishing Expedition" for Voter Data
A Trump-appointed federal judge handed yet another loss to the Justice Department on Friday, striking down the department's demand for personal voter information in Rhode Island. U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy said the DOJ lacked the authority "to conduct the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here." "In its ...
Malcolm Ferguson / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:24:13
Episode #18 of The Wake-Up Call: Strait of Confusion: Has Anything Changed?
What a day! Peace has broken out. Trump has pulled off the 5D chess and the United States has won. That is the story. Or is it?
Chris Martenson / Peak Prosperity | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:23:12
Europe to accelerate effort to secure Hormuz despite Trump's order to 'STAY AWAY'
More than 30 leaders joined a video conference call on Friday to map out an international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Clea Caulcutt / Politico | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:20:58
The 25th Amendment can't save us from Trump
On Easter Sunday, writing on Truth Social, President Trump threatened to destroy Iran if its leaders did not open the Strait of Hormuz. Two days later, he threatened to annihilate Iran and its 93 million people. Five days later, another Sunday, at 9:49 pm Eastern, he posted an AI-generated image ...
KATHY GILL, Associate Editor / Moderate Voice | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:06:16
From inspirational quotes to depicting himself as Jesus, see how Trump's social media posts have evolved since 2009
President Trump's image has long been synonymous with his outspoken social media presence. Here's how his posts have evolved over the years.
James LaForge / Business Insider | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:00:42
Strait Jacket
Richard Haass: "The principal reality now is that neither the United States nor Iran would benefit from a resumption of fighting. We have all but run out of targets, and the Trump administration should have learned by now that bombing will not lead Iran to capitulate. Nor will it produce ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:00:01
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire no tidy end to fighting, Hormuz shutdown
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, prompting Iran to declare the Strait of Hormuz "completely open" - although US President Donald Trump said the US blockade "will ...
Marika Sosnowski / Asia Times | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:49:05
Price of oil tumbles as Iran, Trump declare Strait of Hormuz 'fully open'
In a series of social media posts, Trump foreshadowed a deal with Iran to end the war, including the US taking Iran's highly enriched uranium, and said he had banned Israel from bombing Lebanon any further.
Michael Koziol / Sydney Morning Herald | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:40:09
Trump's high-stakes trip to China next month
The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14-15, 2026 for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This will be Trump's first visit...
Prabhu Dayal / Times of India | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:30:13
Oil slumps as US and Iran declare Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping
Trump suggests warring sides are closer to a permanent ceasefire
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:21:37
US bans Israel from bombing Lebanon further - Trump
The US President said on April 16 that Israel and Lebanon had introduced a 10-day ceasefire
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:19:27
Lead Prosecutor Removed in Brennan Case
CNN: "The Justice Department has removed the career Miami federal prosecutor leading the investigation into John Brennan, after she resisted pressure to quickly bring charges against the former CIA director and prominent critic of President Donald Trump."
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:13:31
Trump's support hurt rather than helped Orban in elections - Politico
According to the newspaper, head of the parliamentary faction of the National Rally Marine Le Pen called on the deputies to keep their distance from the United States in the wake of the Hungarian elections
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:13:29
Beaten-down digital asset treasury names lead crypto stock surge as bitcoin hits $78,000
Oil prices slumped as Trump said Iran committed to open the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. plans to acquire that country's enriched uranium as part of a deal.
Krisztian Sandor / CoinDesk | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:01:15
Anthropic's Dario Amodei to meet with White House about Mythos
CNBC | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:48
Trump's Strait Play: Iran Cornered, China Cut Off, and the Left Panicking | Victor Davis Hanson
Editor's note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today's edition of "Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words" from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor... Read More The post Trump's Strait Play: Iran Cornered, China Cut Off, and the Left Panicking | Victor Davis Hanson appeared first on The Daily ...
Victor Davis Hanson / The Foundry | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:00
The white-collar defence lawyers with nothing to do
The Trump administration's approach to justice has made life quieter for those who defend alleged financial criminals
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:59:51
Trump Begs Everyone to Praise Him on Iran in Massive Crashout
Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, marking the end of a multi-week trade embargo that massively exacerbated oil and gas costs around the globe. Donald Trump, however, was not happy. The president went on a social media bender as the news came in, complaining that he felt he ...
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:59:13
Trump Fumes Over Report He's Considering Giving Iran $20 Billion
Donald Trump doesn't want anyone to think that he's giving Iran money. The president posted on his Truth Social account Friday about a plan to end the war between the U.S. and Iran, and stressed that "no money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form." That's despite a ...
Hafiz Rashid / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:48:50
Trump's Sycophants Just Approved the Tackiest Monument to Him Yet
The Great Sphinx of Giza stands 66 feet tall. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is around 180 feet. Paris's Arc de Triomphe, 164 feet. The Sydney Opera House soars to 220 feet. But all would be dwarfed by the Arc de Trump, whose golden (of course) statues would rise to ...
Michael Tomasky / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:46:36
Trump Nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director
Trump's candidate to lead the public-health agency was Deputy Surgeon General during his first term.
Alice Park / Time | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:41:15
Oil and gas prices fall sharply after Iran says strait of Hormuz is open
Brent crude drops and markets rise amid hopes Donald Trump will succeed in reaching deal with Tehran Business live - latest updates Oil and gas prices fell sharply on Friday after Iran said the strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping, potentially clearing the way for tankers holding millions ...
Jillian Ambrose / Guardian | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:28:29
Trump tells 'useless' Nato to stay away after UK and France vow to protect Strait of Hormuz shipping
The US president lashed out at UK offers to help after the Strait of Hormuz was declared 'completely open' by Iran on Friday
Athena Stavrou / The Independent | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:04:13
Watch Trump Genuinely Forget Who Was President Last Year
Donald Trump had several gripes while speaking at his "no tax on tips" event in Las Vegas Thursday evening. Yet in an incredible mental lapse, one of Trump's points of frustration was about who the president was in 2025. "A year ago, our country was an Trump said . "All ...
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:03:04
Weekly News Quiz
This week's news cycle has been unusually volatile, from fresh turmoil in Washington - including the resignation of Eric Swalwell - to escalating tensions between Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve. Abroad, political shocks continue to ripple, with Hungary's long-time leader Viktor Orbán losing power while global attention remains fixed ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:00:39
Controversy as Lebanese banker Sehnaoui is praised for supporting Israel
Trump envoy Morgan Ortagus says Antoun Sehnaoui is a committed Zionist, even as Israel attacked Lebanon.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:55:10
Can Pakistan secure Iran-US nuclear compromise, as Trump says deal 'close'?
Pakistan's civilian and army leaders shuttle between key capitals as Trump says he may visit Islamabad to sign a deal.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:54:34
The Continuing Mystery of Feel-Bad Economics
Paul Krugman: "According to Donald Trump, the U.S. economy is doing great. We're enjoying a huge boom, there's no inflation, and we're all getting tax cuts. We have prosperity like nobody has ever seen before." "But it's probably not news to you that reality doesn't agree. Inflation was stubbornly elevated ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:50:43
US to continue naval blockade of Iran until agreement is reached - Trump
The US president said this process should go very quickly
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:20:21
The Real Reason Trump Hates Pope Leo: He Wants to Take His Place
Jeet Heer Forget being a regular king. Trump is clearly expressing a not-so-secret desire to be a spiritual monarch. The post The Real Reason Trump Hates Pope Leo: He Wants to Take His Place appeared first on The Nation .
Jeet Heer / The Nation | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:19:44
House Judiciary Investigates Kushner: "Pawn of the Saudi Monarchy"
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are investigating Jared Kushner over conflicts of interest between his business activities and his work as a peace negotiator for the Trump administration. Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the committee, sent a letter to Kushner arguing his job managing the private equity ...
Hafiz Rashid / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:16:05
Trump professes 'diktat of crude force' in Iran case - senior legislator
Alexey Pushkov said this aggressive stance is justified in a cynically superficial manner
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:08:34
Late-Night Republican Revolt Derails Trump's FISA Surveillance Plan
GOP leadership tried and failed to force President Trump's long-term Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) extension through the House in the dead of night on Friday, as 20 Republicans joined Democrats to derail both the five-year and 18-month renewal plans for the contentious spying program. Instead, after back-to-back failed votes, ...
Malcolm Ferguson / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:07:00
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open to shipping; Trump says U.S. blockade still active
The Strait of Hormuz has remained almost completely closed as the U.S. and Iran have disputed the terms of their ceasefire agreement.
CNBC | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:04:31
Belarusian president talks with RT about future of country, potential meeting with Trump
The discussion touched on the geopolitical situation in the world, the situation in individual countries, including the conflict in the Middle East
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:01:39
Weekend reading & MB media appearances
International Reading: If you bought a home recently, you had some of the worst timing in decades - Business Insider Regulators are reportedly zeroing in on suspicious trades ahead of market-moving Trump post - CNBC Trump Yanks Millions From Catholic Charities Amid Pope Feud - Daily Beast Newly unsealed records ...
Unconventional Economist / MacroBusiness | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:01:25
What Warsh should do at the Fed
If he is finally confirmed, Trump's nominee for chair must undertake a re-evaluation of the central bank's structure and purpose
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:05
Trump Turns Totally Toxic for Europe's Far Right
Politico: "Donald Trump has become so politically toxic in Europe that even his closest ideological allies increasingly view him as a liability."
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:59:12
Trump thanks Iran for opening Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels
The US president called it the "Strait of Iran"
Tass | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:58:00
How Trump Keeps Getting Away With Blasphemy
Chris Lehmann Liberals struggle to understand why the president's evangelical supporters never seem to mind his sacrilegious tendencies. They're missing the point. The post How Trump Keeps Getting Away With Blasphemy appeared first on The Nation .
Chris Lehmann / The Nation | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:55:46
America Wakes Up to AI's Dangerous Power
The Economist: "America's free-wheeling treatment of AI looks as if it is coming to an end. The reason is that the models' dizzying progress also poses a threat to America's own national security, unnerving members of the Trump administration previously more inclined to worry about "At the same time, growing ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:51:13
US's status as lowest-cost dollar borrower challenged as investors shun Trump risk
Concerns over erratic White House policymaking have driven investors to 'very stable' development bank issuers
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:46:26
U.S. Blockade Remains Despite Iran Saying Strait Is Open
"President Trump announced that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force, casting uncertainty on whether the Strait of Hormuz would be fully open to commercial shipping in the near future," the Wall Street Journal reports.
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:45:09
Trump Declares Strait Of Hormuz Open Almost 2 Months After His War Started
Kate Nicholson / Huffington Post | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:42:50
BREAKING: Trump Gives Major Update on Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump announced Friday morning that the Strait of Hormuz is open. "IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN... Read More The post BREAKING: Trump Gives Major Update on Strait of Hormuz appeared first on The Daily Signal .
Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell / The Foundry | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:41:43
Strait of Hormuz reopening for commercial traffic, Trump and Iran say
The waterway is critical for the global energy trade.
Finya Swai / Politico | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:40:17
Trump and Iranian foreign minister say Strait of Hormuz is fully open
U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister said Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, as a 10-day truce in Lebanon appeared to hold. The truce offered a pause in fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and could clear one major ...
Malta Independent | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:40:00
Trump says naval blockade on Iranian ports to remain in effect
Seeking Alpha | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:38:51
Oil Prices Sink 10% as Trump Announces Strait of Hormuz is Fully Open
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial shipping for the remainder of the US-Iran ceasefire, a declaration that drew an immediate public thank-you from President Trump. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through ...
Michael Kern / Oil Price | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:25:00
Iran COMPLETELY opens Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announces key waterway is now 'ready for full passage'
Iran has confirmed the Strait of Hormuz is open for all commercial vessels for the remaining period of ceasefire with the US and Israel. President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social page to say the passage is "fully open and ready for full passage". Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi ...
George Bunn / GB News | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:21:44
The three clocks of the Iran war
Trump is racing against the midterms, Iran is betting on endurance, and Netanyahu needs a war with no end.
Al Jazeera | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:20:56
Iran Opens the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz "is completely open for commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire," NBC News reports. Shortly after Iran's announcement, President Trump responded in a social media post: "IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:13:46
Trump Officials Want Mythos Despite Anthropic Blacklist
"The White House and Anthropic are in active discussions about deploying the AI firm's powerful new model, Mythos Preview, within the federal government despite ongoing efforts to blacklist the company as a supply chain risk," Axios reports. "Anthropic is in a bitter feud with the Pentagon, but even U.S. officials ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:05:13
Oil prices tumble more than 9% as Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open
Oil prices fell after Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following talks in Washington.
CNBC | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:04:30
Trump Rewrites the History of January 6
"Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, his administration has enthusiastically - and steadily - embraced his campaign to try to rewrite the story of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol," the Washington Post reports. "Trump immediately granted a blanket pardon to nearly ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:52
Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel's 'hegemony'
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Thursday was the final turn in the diplomatic maze leading to a breakthrough in Pakistan-mediated peace talks between Washington and Tehran, analysts say. Arranged by Pakistan with help from Saudi Arabia, the 10-day cessation of hostilities ...
Tom Hussain / South China Morning Post | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:07
Auguries from Hungary
Orbán's election defeat is a blow to Trump and Maga
FT | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:04
Cognitive Decline? Trump Claims He's Never Heard of a "Corner Store"
Does President Donald Trump really not know what a corner store is? Speaking about taxes Thursday in Las Vegas, Trump's apparent contempt for even discussing affordability was on full display, as he joked he had no idea what a corner store was. "The Great Big Beautiful Bill also slashed taxes ...
Edith Olmsted / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:55:45
Congressional Dems probe envoy Jared Kushner's Arab money ties
The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning announced a probe into alleged self-enrichment byJared Kushner, the son-in-law of US PresidentDonald Trumpwho has served as a high-profileWhite Houseenvoy in the Middle East while also, according to CongressmanJamie Raskin, "soliciting billions of dollars from Gulf monarchies for [his] ...
Jon Queally / Asia Times | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:51:37
Ken Paxton Holds Solid Lead Over John Cornyn
A new Texas Public Opinion Research survey in finds Ken Paxton (R) leads Sen. John Cornyn (R) in their U.S. Senate runoff, 48% to 40% with 11% undecided. Key takeaway: A Trump endorsement isn't enough to flip the race. If Trump endorses Cornyn, Paxton still leads 45% to 42%. A ...
Taegan Goddard / Taegan Goddard | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:45:18
Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned
Even before Donald Trump returned to the White House, Vietnam's military planners were already busy preparing for a possible second invasion by the United States and its allies. In the "Second US Invasion Plan", secretly issued in August 2024, the Vietnamese military rejected playing any part in America's China containment ...
Alex Lo / South China Morning Post | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:30:07
Trump says war in Iran is going 'swimmingly' and 'should be ending pretty soon'
President Donald Trump's latest prediction on the end of the war against Iran came hours after Israel announced a ceasefire with Lebanon.
CNBC | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:16:55
A European Populist Defends an American Pope
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's response to Donald Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV may strain her relationship with the White House, but it is likely to help her domestically. Remarkably, this outcome materialized in a staunch, if unwitting, defense of European values.
Fabrizio Tassinari / Project Syndicate | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:04:23
Despite Trump's Promises and Rodríguez's Amnesty Law, Hundreds of Venezuelan Dissidents Are Still Behind Bars
Courts are blocking amnesty applications for Venezuelan dissidents with no explanation and no appeal deadline.
César Báez / Hit & Run | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:30:39
A Ceasefire, a Blockade, and a Clock Running Out for Trump
Conflict Update (as of 12:00 a.m. ET, April 18) The U.S. rushed to lock in a 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire starting on Thursday because the Lebanon front was starting to blow up the Iran talks. The Lebanon ceasefire did not get off to a smooth start, with Israeli strikes continuing right ...
Editorial Dept / Oil Price | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:30:00
Transcript: George Conway on Why Trump Will Be Removed from Office
The following is a lightly edited transcript of the April 17 episode of the Daily Blast podcast. Listen to it here . Greg Sargent: This is The Daily Blast from The New Republic , produced and presented by the DSR Network. I'm your host, Greg Sargent. Donald Trump's own allies ...
The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent / New Republic | Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:05:29