At an economic event, the president sought to downplay the financial hardship that has followed his war with Iran, saying that “we’re having some fake inflation because of the fuel, the energy prices.
Las Vegas (Nevada) [US], April 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said that the United States is heading towards 'victory very shortly' against Iran while making strong remarks on military developments involving Iran and past US operations in the region.
Pope Leo slams 'those who manipulate religion' for war Pope Leo XIV on Thursday issued what may be his most explicit condemnation yet of the Trump administration's use of biblical invocations to justify the US-Israeli war on Iran, as tensions between the Vatican and the White House ramp up. "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Pope Leo wrote on X, citing his own remarks on a visit to Cameroon. "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants," he said in his speech.
Turkey, Pakistan could become Israel's new enemy, analyst says Submitted by Mera Aladam on Fri, 04/17/2026 - 00:27 In an opinion piece in Maariv, Israeli analyst Boaz Golani claims war on Iran has 'wiped out' its military capabilities Handout photo taken shows Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf shaking hands with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir before their meeting in Tehran, on 16 April, 2026 (AFP/Office of Iranian Parliament Speaker) Off Predictions on who is set to be next in line to become Israel 's arch nemesis have start rolling in, with whispers lulling in Pakistan or Turkey as Iran 's successors for that role. In an opinion piece by Israeli analyst Boaz Golani published in the daily Maariv, he indicates "shifting sands" in the Middle East, as discussions on the end of the war on Iran swirl. As Tehran "will be forced to vacate the role of Israel's great enemy", Golani says that there will be a new country to fulfill that role.
Israeli envoy to UN: ‘If we feel threatened, we will react' Speaking to reporters, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations said that Israel "will have to follow very carefully what is happening on the ground, and if we feel threatened, we will react". Danny Danon said it was "too early" to determine whether a meeting between Israel and Lebanon will take place. The statement comes hours after Lebanon and Israel reached a 10-day ceasefire.
Trump says 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon will be followed by a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese leaders next week – key US politics stories from 16 April at a glance Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon to be followed by a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese leaders next week, in a deal that it is hoped will bring progress toward a parallel peace agreement between the US and Iran. The ceasefire took effect at midnight on Thursday in Lebanon, where Israel has been conducting devastating airstrikes aimed at wiping out the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. Continue reading...
Trump says war on Iran 'should be ending pretty soon' US President Donald Trump said that the war in Iran is going "swimmingly" and that it "should be ending pretty soon. " “It should be ending pretty soon,” Trump said at an event in Las Vegas. "It was perfect.
New York [US], April 17 (ANI): India's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Harish P, on Thursday raised serious concerns over threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, urging immediate restoration of safe navigation while calling for restraint and de-escalation amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Lebanon says Israel commits violations hours after ceasefire took effect Israel has committed several violations of a ceasefire in Lebanon that took effect at midnight, the Lebanese army said early on Friday. It also warned citizens from returning to southern villages and towns due to the attacks. The latest violations include intermittent shelling of several southern Lebanese villages.
BEIRUT, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday, following an announcement earlier by U. S. President Donald Trump.
Beirut [Lebanon], April 17 (ANI): Celebrations broke out across Beirut as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force, with fireworks and celebratory gunfire lighting up the night sky, CNN reported. Local media reported heavy gunfire in Beirut's southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, as visuals showed red flares illuminating the skyline shortly after midnight, as per CNN.
Few Israelis see this truce as a way out of the conflict with Hezbollah, the BBC's Lucy Williamson writes.
UN chief urges full respect for Israel-Lebanon ceasefire UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, calling on all sides to respect the agreement. “The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and commends the role of the United States in facilitating” it, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. He added that Guterres hopes the pause in fighting will “pave the way for negotiations”.
The pause in the fighting between Israeli forces and Iranian-allied Hezbollah militants may help smooth the way to a peace deal between the U. S. and Iran.
Israeli shelling continues in Lebanon after ceasefire takes effect Lebanon’s National News Agency reports that Israeli artillery has continued to strike southern areas despite the ceasefire coming into force less than an hour ago. Shelling has hit the towns of Khiam and Dibbine, accompanied by sweeping operations involving machine-gun fire, according to the report. In the western Bekaa Valley, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft have also been active over the Rashaya region and the western slopes of Jabal al-Sheikh.
Lebanon death toll rises to 2,196 Lebanon’s National News Agency reports that the number of people killed in Israeli attacks has climbed to 2,196, with 7,185 others wounded.
G7 warns prolonged Middle East war risks global economic damage Finance leaders from the G7 have warned of the urgent need to contain the economic fallout of a prolonged war in the Middle East, stressing the importance of moving towards a lasting peace. Meeting on the sidelines of IMF and World Bank spring gatherings in Washington, ministers and central bank governors discussed the conflict as a key concern. They said limiting disruption to the global economy remains a priority, alongside stabilising markets and energy flows.
IRGC commander says Hezbollah ‘winner’ as Lebanon ceasefire holds Iran’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has said Hezbollah emerged victorious, as he commented on the ceasefire in Lebanon. In a message reported by Tasnim News Agency, Qaani credited the truce to what he described as the resilience of the Lebanese resistance and backing from Iran. "The dear people of Lebanon and the region know that the winner of the decisive battle is Hezbollah, the hero.
Pope Leo slams 'those who manipulate religion' for war, as White House invokes divine calling Pope Leo XIV on Thursday issued what may be his most explicit condemnation yet of the Trump administration's use of biblical invocations to justify the US-Israeli war on Iran , as tensions between the Vatican and the White House ramp up. "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Pope Leo wrote on X, citing his own remarks on a visit to Cameroon. "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants," he said in his speech.
Pope Leo slams 'those who manipulate religion' for war, as White House invokes divine calling Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 20:06 The first American pope's criticism of US policies has not gone down well with President Donald Trump Pope Leo XIV holds a holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, on 14 April 2026 (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane) Off Pope Leo XIV on Thursday issued what may be his most explicit condemnation yet of the Trump administration's use of biblical invocations to justify the US-Israeli war on Iran , as tensions between the Vatican and the White House ramp up. "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," Pope Leo wrote on X, citing his own remarks on a visit to Cameroon. "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants," he said in his speech.
