(2026-04-18). US-Iran conflict: Iran threatens Hormuz closure amid Trump's blockade warning, says '7 claims, all false'. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: Iran's Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf warned US President Donald Trump of closing Strait of Hormuz after if the US continues its naval blockade, shortly after the US President said the blockade will remain in "full force". | Qalibaf said that decisions about the strait and its rules will depend on what actually happens on the ground, not on statements made on social media. His comment comes as US and Iranian officials continue to exchange messages online, often making important announcements there. | He also said that media influence and public opinion are important in this conflict,…
(2026-04-18). Racine, April 18, 2026: Stand For Peace! Free Palestine! Stop the U.S. War On Iran! wibailoutpeople.org 
RALLY FOR PEACE Saturday the 18th of April, 12: 30 to 1: 30 at the MLK Plaza, corner of State St., Marquette, and Martin Luther King Drive! US and Israel continue slaughter in Iran and Lebanon, and Gaza. We have banners, signs, 2 chairs, & sidewalk chalk for the youth. Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice (RCPJ)…
(2026-04-18). Iran: Strait of Hormuz is Open; but with Conditions. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on "X" Friday morning that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open." | He "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran." | Araghchi's announcement came in the wake of an announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel…
(2026-04-18). 10-day ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon goes into effect. ecns.cn A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT), following an earlier announcement by US President Donald Trump.
(2026-04-18). Is the Lebanon Ceasefire a Strategic Defeat for Israel? juancole.com ( Washington, Tel Aviv, and their…
(2026-04-18). Trump: Iran truce ends if no deal reached by Wednesday, U.S. may dropping bombs. haaretz.com
(2026-04-18). Lebanese man removes Israeli flag from castle in southern Lebanon. aljazeera.com
(2026-04-18). Free Dr. Abu Safiya Webinar April 18, 2026. wibailoutpeople.org 
View this email in your browser Free Dr. Abu Safiya Webinar this Saturday, April 18th. RSVP today!Free all Palestinian Political Prisoners! In honor of Palestinian Political Prisoners Day, USPCN, alongside Doctors Against Genocide and Healthcare Workers for Palestine, will host an online webinar on Saturday, April 18th, at 1 PM ET. Join us to hear …
(2026-04-18). Palestinian Prisoners' Day 2026. wibailoutpeople.org 
On Palestinian Prisoners' Day, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the freedom of all Palestinian political prisoners in apartheid Israel's prisons and detention centers. Take meaningful action today by escalating all BDS campaigns to further isolate Israel's regime of apartheid and genocide. We call for escalating BDS campaigns against corporations that are deeply involved in …
(2026-04-18). The Winner at the DNC's Latest Meeting? indybay.org Israel, Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide…
commondreams.org (2026-04-18). Israel Strikes Lebanon Less Than an Hour After Trump Says It's 'PROHIBITED' From More AttacksLebanon's National News Agency reported that hours after the ceasefire went into effect, Israel struck an ambulance in the town of Khounine, near the Israeli border, which resulted in multiple casualties among the medical workers.
(2026-04-18). No Tax Funds for Israeli Genocide & US Imperialist Wars – Rally at SF Israeli Consulate. indybay.org
(2026-04-18). Trump-Vatican feud escalates? Pope Leo's brother 'threatened' with bomb scare near his US residence. hindustantimes.com
(2026-04-18). Insights | Islam-Confucianism Civilisational Dialogue sheds light on deescalating Middle East crisis: Malaysian scholar. ecns.cn The Islam-Confucianism Civilisational Dialogue can shed light on addressing the Middle East crisis ⚪ the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, a Malaysian scholar said on Thursday.
(2026-04-18). Iran reports reopening Strait of Hormuz as Paris summit plans European intervention. wsws.org The flurry of announcements, while they produced a sharp fall in oil prices, has neither produced a lasting peace nor resolved any of the fundamental conflicts underlying the war.
(2026-04-18). War on Iran: Uneasy Truce: Iranian president condemns US-Israeli strikes on schools and hospitals, thanks China for humanitarian aid. ecns.cn
(2026-04-18). U.S. turns to 'financial bombing' in war on Iran. wibailoutpeople.org
(2026-04-18). Al-Noor centre: A lifeline for blind children in Gaza. aljazeera.com Al-Noor is a UNRWA centre in Gaza providing education and support for visually impaired children.
(2026-04-18). Friday 4/24: Healing Under Fire: A Medical Mission to Gaza. indybay.org MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd, Pleasanton CA…
(2026-04-18). Saturday 4/18: Fundraiser: Mutual Aid for Gaza and support for Cancer Resource Center. indybay.org 300 Ramona Ave, corner of Curry, El Cerrito | Sale will be held in secured back yard…
(2026-04-18). Chinese embassy urges Japan to investigate threats, ensure safety of personnel. ecns.cn The Embassy of China in Japan on Thursday urged the Japanese side to promptly investigate a series of terror threats and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel in the country.
(2026-04-18). Hainan Expo 2026: CCBC: We see growing positive momentum in China-Canada economic relations. ecns.cn With Canada serving as the Guest Country of Honor at this years Hainan Expo, China-Canada economic ties are seeing new opportunities emerge across various sectors.Our reporter Xu Yi spoke with a representative from the Canada-China Business Council for more insights.
(2026-04-18). Indian woman in US for 35 years detained by ICE, alleges 24-hour custody without food, water. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old woman of Indian origin, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas, raising legal questions about whether her detention is valid. She has lived in the US for over 35 years and is the only licensed Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu court interpreter in Texas, helping many people in immigration cases. | She was detained on March 17 at Harlingen International Airport while traveling to Milwaukee for work related to an immigration case. ICE officers stopped her, handcuffed her, and took her into custody. Even though she explained that she had valid leg…
(2026-04-18). China Fruit Market: Durian shipments from Southeast Asia hit peak season as border clearance cut to 5-day delivery. ecns.cn As the tropical fruit season gets into full swing, markets for imported ASEAN fruit in southern Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are bustling with activity.One day to harvest, fumigate and pack, then it leaves for China the next day.Five days, flat, and its ready here to sell.".
(2026-04-18). From green to digital intelligence: China—ASEAN's integrated upgrade. ecns.cn As the digital wave converges with green development, China and ASEAN are forging a new model of high-quality cooperation. New energy vehicles are crossing borders, clean energy grids are increasingly interconnected, digital infrastructure is linking entire regions, and smart agriculture is transforming rural landscapes. At the same time, precision meteorology is enhancing public well-being, while joint ecological governance is protecting the shared environment. Driven by digital innovation and anchored in sustainability, China and ASEAN are deepening practical, multi-sector collaboration to shape a mutually bene…
(2026-04-18). 2 US soldiers injured in brown bear attack during training exercise in Alaska. scmp.com Two US Army soldiers have been injured after encountering a brown bear in a mountainous training area in Anchorage, according to the military. | The incident happened on Thursday as the soldiers were taking part in a "land navigation training event" in Arctic Valley, part of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's training area. | The soldiers were receiving medical care as of Friday, a military official told the Anchorage Daily News. Queries sent to base were not immediately returned on Friday.
(2026-04-18). Want to Know Climate Truth? Believe the Opposite When the Media Says Something Is False. wattsupwiththat.com In other words, Dr. Clauser was right as rain — the kind of moisture most likely to come from a Nimbostratus or Cumulonimbus cloud, although others can also produce rain (in case the New York Times is fact checking).
(2026-04-18). Trump's foe starts new war? While world watches Iran, China quietly repositions for Taiwan conflict. hindustantimes.com China is quietly changing the game while the world is distracted. As Donald Trump doubles down on Iran, a different story is unfolding thousands of miles away, one that could reshape the balance of power in Asia. Is Beijing using this moment to redraw its Taiwan strategy? And more importantly, is this about war… or something far more calculated? For years, the assumption was simple: China would move on Taiwan when it was militarily ready. But what if that timeline is no longer the point? What if Beijing is now betting on politics, pressure, and patience instead of pure force? As tensions rise with Japan, warnin…
(2026-04-18). UN chief urges future guided by rule of law, not raw power. ecns.cn UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on the international community to choose a future governed by the rule of law rather than one driven by raw power in The Hague, the Netherlands.
(2026-04-18). Curry, Warriors knocked out of NBA play-in tournament by Suns. aljazeera.com Stephen Curry struggled with just 17 points as the 2026 NBA champions season was ended by the Phoenix Suns in play-in.
(2026-04-18). Trump lied? Oil shortage hits US amid Iran war: This state's gasoline stock falls to lowest ever… hindustantimes.com California fuel stocks have plunged to record lows as the Iran war triggers an oil shock across the U.S. With gas prices soaring, a Hormuz blockade causing disruption, and Trump claiming victory, Americans are facing rising costs and new uncertainty. Could this become a full-blown energy crisis?
(2026-04-18). Saturday 4/18: Free virtual screening of the documentary film "The Great Book Robbery" indybay.org Zoom | us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yLx0……
(2026-04-18). This Rock n Roll – Interview w/ author Daniel Rachel on Pop Music & The Third Reich. indybay.org Audio interview with author Daniel Rachel, author of the new book This Ain't Rock n Roll – Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich. (October 30, 2025 – Akashic Books)…
(2026-04-18). Thursday 4/23: Tell Target to Stand Up To ICE! indybay.org Metreon Target: 789 Mission Street. Meet on the sidewalk by the Mission Street entrance.
(2026-04-18). Thursday 4/23: People's Park 57th Anniversary – Cafe Night & film. indybay.org Long Haul Infoshop – 3124 Shattuck Ave Berkeley…
(2026-04-18). Thursday 4/30: International Hotel: The Struggle for Housing Justice. indybay.org St. James Church ~ 4620 California St (between 8th & 9th Ave)…
(2026-04-18). Beyond Einstein: From "Why Socialism?" to Why not Egalitarianism? indybay.org Humanity is capable of going beyond the predatory phase of society and obtaining true equality…
(2026-04-18). Friday 5/1: Santa Cruz: May Day Rally & March. indybay.org Corner of Mission, Front, and Pacific Ave. (outside Jamba Juice), Santa Cruz…
(2026-04-18). Saturday 4/25: Dog$piracy Screening at the Roxie Theater. indybay.org Roxie Theater, 3125 16th Street, San Francisco CA 94103…
(2026-04-18). Australian state Labor government defends unconstitutional anti-protest law. wsws.org The NSW Labor government is defiantly proceeding with arrests and charges under its invalid anti-protest legislation.
(2026-04-18). 6 films from Iran that should be seen by workers in the US and around the world. wsws.org These films provide some insight into the problems of Iranian society and help transform the Iranian "devils" into humans very much like ourselves.
(2026-04-18). New IMF agreement requires Sri Lankan government to complete austerity program. wsws.org The government has announced a package of paltry relief measures in a desperate attempt to contain rising social tensions, while meeting all of the IMF's demands.
(2026-04-18). Thursday 5/14: AFSCME 3299 UCSF Strike at St. Francis & St. indybay.org St. Francis & St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco…
(2026-04-18). Tax Day Protest at the Zionist Consulate. indybay.org Our tax money for Israel's bombs are big problem for many…
(2026-04-18). Insights | China a key partner as Hainan consumer expo unlocks new opportunities for investors. ecns.cn The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened Monday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. This year's event marks the first edition since the Hainan Free Trade Port fully launched island-wide special customs operations in December last year.
(2026-04-18). First-quarter growth robust at 5%. ecns.cn China's economic growth accelerated to 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 despite mounting external uncertainties, underscoring that the resilience of the world's second-largest economy is underpinned by its vast domestic market, officials and experts said on Thursday.
(2026-04-18). Monday 5/11: Barrio Book Club. indybay.org Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos, 1807 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz…
(2026-04-18). Digital, smart tech helps bring forward delivery of China's second home-built large cruise ship. ecns.cn China's second domestically built large cruise ship, Adora Flora City, will be delivered in Shanghai on Nov. 6, nearly two months ahead of schedule thanks to digital and intelligent technologies that have helped accelerate construction, its builder said on Thursday.
(2026-04-18). Chris Krohn on Santa Cruz Mayoral Race. indybay.org Yes, we have a housing crisis, but it is an affordable housing crisis. Our mayor and city council are making deals with people building these high-priced units, like River Row, and allowing developers to set public policy.
(2026-04-18). The 6th China International Consumer Products Expo opens to public. ecns.cn Visitors tour the exhibition halls at the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo, which opened its doors to the public in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province on April 16, 2026.
(2026-04-18). Wall Street Journal announces the era of the "mega layoff" wsws.org The cost of their attempts to sustain massive debt, while also financing the massive cost to society of the corporate oligarchy itself, can only be carved out of the backs of the working class under capitalism.
(2026-04-18). China-Spain Ties: Chinese Ministry of Commerce: Trade, investment cooperation gains momentum after Sánchez visit. ecns.cn China has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic ties with Spain following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchezs fourth visit to China in four years.Chinas Ministry of Commerce highlighted steady progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
(2026-04-18). New Jersey announces $150 transit tickets to reach the World Cup. aljazeera.com Transit fares from New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for World Cup matches will rise to $150.
(2026-04-18). Palestinian Students are fighting for their Right to Education. juancole.com ( The familiar campus bustle of classes, friends and events was violently interrupted on Jan. 6, 2026, when Israeli f…
(2026-04-18). China-Vietnam Ties: From student to scholar: A Vietnamese teacher's China journey reflects closer educational cooperation. ecns.cn During their talks on Wednesday, top leaders from China and Vietnam agreed to strengthen collaboration across various fields, including youth exchange. A Vietnamese student who came to China nearly two decades ago is now shaping the next generation of engineers here. Her story offers a vivid example of how education cooperation between the two neighbors is turning into lasting people-to-people connections. Yang Jinghao has the story.
(2026-04-18). Green and Smart: New consumption trends in China at Hainan expo. ecns.cn Jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) is the first edition held since the Hainan Free Trade Port began island-wide special customs operations.
(2026-04-18). NDRC plans to unlock China's untapped market potential. ecns.cn With the boosting of domestic demand a key priority during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, China will formulate and release an implementation plan to aid in accomplishing that goal, Wang Changlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said on Friday.
(2026-04-18). Schadenfreude Of the Week: Majority of New York's Pending Wind and Solar Projects Getting Canceled. wattsupwiththat.com It's the feel-good story of the week, if you don't mind taking joy from others' misfortunes. When it comes to the wind and solar energy grifters, I don't mind a bit taking joy from their misfortunes.
(2026-04-18). SEIU1021/IFPTE21 City Workers Rally at SF General Against Mayor Union Busting Layoffs. indybay.org Hundreds of San Francisco SEIU 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 rallied at San Francisco General Hospital to demand an end to lay-offs by Mayor Daniel Lurie and support Prop D which raising taxes on high paid CEOs…
(2026-04-18). CICPE 2026 in south China's Hainan FTP sees record int'l participation. ecns.cn The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), the first major international event since the start of island-wide special customs operations in Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), drew record-breaking international participation this week.
(2026-04-18). 'Red flag' recruits: how record US$75 billion ICE expansion led to questionable hiring. scmp.com Their backgrounds stand out. And not in a good way. | Two bankruptcies and six law enforcement jobs in three years. An allegation of lying in a police report to justify a felony charge against an innocent woman — an incident that led to a US$75,000 settlement and criticism of his integrity. | A third job candidate once failed to graduate from a police academy, then lasted only three weeks in his only job as a police officer.
(2026-04-18). Zhang Shuai and Ostapenko advance to Stuttgart Open women's doubles semifinals. ecns.cn China's Zhang Shuai and Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko advanced to the women's doubles semifinals at the Stuttgart Open on Thursday, defeating Germany's Laura Siegemund and Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 6-3.
(2026-04-18). IMF spells it out: Workers must pay for the cost of war. wsws.org The Fiscal Monitor report insisted that governments must not undertake measures to alleviate the intensifying cost-of-living pressures on workers around the world.
(2026-04-18). Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete third series of extravehicular activities. ecns.cn The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
(2026-04-18). Tuesday 5/5: Stop the Layoffs, Save Our Public Healthcare. indybay.org 55 Harrison Street, Oakland(Jack London Square)…
(2026-04-18). Lawsuit alleges quarry operator Granite Rock Company illegally polluted Pajaro River. indybay.org SAN JOSE, Calif., April 15. 2026 — The nonprofit groups Environment California and California Sportfishing Protection Alliance ("CSPA") filed a lawsuit in federal court on Wednesday against Granite Rock Company (commonly known as "Graniterock"), alleging the company violated the federal Clean Water Act for more than 1,000 days. The nonprofits charge that, for years, the company has routinely discharged illegal levels of harmful pollutants — including dissolved solids, aluminum, iron and molybdenum — into the Pajaro River at its A.R. Wilson Quarry, a granite mining and processing facility in…
(2026-04-18). Tech firm tops A-share rankings as China's market shifts toward innovation-led growth. ecns.cn A high-tech company overtook a traditional blue-chip on Friday to become the most expensive stock in Chinas A-share market, underscoring a broader market shift toward innovation-driven growth.
(2026-04-18). A world in a cup: Cultural event celebrates Yunnan's coffee heritage>. ecns.cn China Daily hosted a premier international cultural exchange event on Tuesday at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
(2026-04-18). US court lets Trump resume work on US$400 million White House ballroom — for now. scmp.com A US appeals court allowed President Donald ‚Å Trump's administration on ‚Å Friday night to continue construction ‚Å of a US$400 million ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing, setting a June hearing to review a Washington judge's order halting the project. | An order by a three-judge ‚Äåpanel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit put the lower court's preliminary injunction on hold for now, giving the panel time to consider the US Justice Department's…
(2026-04-18). Thursday 5/7: Apple Whistleblower Ashley Gjovik and the Fight for Worker Rights & Environmental Justice. indybay.org San Jose Peace | Justice Center | 48 S. 7th St. | San Jose, 95112…
(2026-04-18). Japan's presence in overseas drill raises concern. ecns.cn Japan has deployed combat-capable units to take part in military exercises in the Philippines, marking the first time since World War II that its combat troops have set foot on Philippine soil.
(2026-04-18). UN aid chief warns of possible 'full-scale famine' in South Sudan. aljazeera.com UN aid chief Tom Fletcher says that South Sudan is at risk of slipping into 'full-scale famine and collapse'.
(2026-04-18). Saying No to the Empire Is Not Enough. portside.org Saying No to the Empire Is Not Enough |
(2026-04-18). Wednesday 5/13: Oakland Privacy: Fighting Against the Surveillance State. indybay.org Please email contact@oaklandprivacy.org a few days before the meeting to get up-to-date location information or obtain Zoom meeting access info.
(2026-04-18). Iran says transferring enriched uranium to U.S. never an option. ecns.cn Iran will not transfer its enriched uranium to a foreign country, and sending it to the United States has never been under consideration, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Friday.
(2026-04-18). World's largest intelligent container ship sets sail. ecns.cn The delivery of the nation's first and the world's largest intelligent container ship powered entirely by electricity marks the transition toward a greener and more intelligent future by China's shipping industry, experts said.
(2026-04-18). French Assembly Withdraws Attack on Free Speech, For Now. indybay.org As part of a week of protests across France to show solidarity and resistance with Palestinians, a large protest in Paris on April 16 took place near the National Assembly ahead of a scheduled vote on the controversial anti-semitism bill "The Yadan law." But at the last minute, the Assembly withdrew the draft bill deciding instead to incorporate its full text into a new draft that it will consider in late June.
(2026-04-18). Chris Hedges LIVE The Iran War the Fall of the American Empire. scheerpost.com By Chris Hedges / The Chris Hedges Report ; ⚪ Chris Hedges: | Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize—winning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for The New York Times, where he served as the Middle East Bureau Chief and Balkan Bureau Chief for the paper. He previously worked overseas for The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Science Monitor, and NPR. He is the host of show The Chris Hedges Report. | He was a member of the team that won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for The New York Times co…
(2026-04-18). Milei opens up Argentina's glaciers to destruction by mining companies. wsws.org The fascistic administration of President Javier Milei rammed through a bill modifying legal protections to glaciers to increase mining activity in the Andes.
(2026-04-18). Justice 4 For All! CFA & The Acquittal Of CSU Channel Island CFA Professor John Caravell. indybay.org CSU Channel Island professor John Caravello was framed up by ICE and the US "Justice" Department after he went to the Glass House to defend immigrants there. He was charged with throwing tear gas projectiles at the ICE agents. He talks about the defense campaign and the active support of the CFA, students and community.
(2026-04-18). DOG-EAT-DOG Selfishness Is the Root of All Evil. indybay.org Selfishness is the root of all evil, driving environmental destruction, social inequality, and political corruption. Ayn Rand's "Objectivism," libertarians, right-wing ideologues, and corporate elites, has brainwashed society to embrace individualism over collective responsibility, leading to corporate fascism and pathocracy (rule by sociopaths & psychopaths) destroying humanity and the world.
(2026-04-18). Interview given by Díaz-Canel to Kristen Welker for 'Meet the Press'. wibailoutpeople.org
(2026-04-18). Mexican authorities report possible oil spill detected near Pemex offshore Abkatun-Cantarell site. ecns.cn
(2026-04-18). Mojtaba's hidden revenge? Iran war triggers global food crisis; fertilizer shock raises famine fears. hindustantimes.com
(2026-04-18). Italians reaffirm unwavering support for Cuba at ANAIC Congress. radiohc.cu During the XIV Congress of the National Association of Friendship between Italy and Cuba (ANACI), which began on Friday in Montesilvano, near Pescara, solidarity with the island in the fight against the blockade and threats from the United States was reaffirmed. | On the first day, speaking on behalf of local authorities were the mayor of Montesilvano, Ottavio de Martinis, and the vice president of the Abruzzo region, Antonio Biasioli. They highlighted the importance of ANACI, which will celebrate its 65th anniversary on April 19, when this meeting concludes. | Also participating were the regional secretary of th…
(2026-04-18). CA State Capitol Juneteenth – Dia de Los Negroes – Slavery Era Banking Disclosure Featured. indybay.org California State Legislature joins growing notion of considering "Corporate Slavery Era Disclosure" proposals that adds weight to the UN-designated "gravest crime against humanity" as a matured financial debt, calling for restorative justice modalities that include direct compensatory payouts to a verified global class of descendants to trigger a new era of worldwide growth.
(2026-04-18). Trump administration continues torment of El Gamal family as detained mother remains in severe pain. wsws.org Hayam El Gamal, mother of five children, was taken to the emergency room earlier this month after repeated medical complaints were ignored at the Dilley detention camp.
(2026-04-17). Headlines for April 17, 2026. democracynow.org Israel Agrees to 10-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon After U.S.-Brokered Talks, Israelis in Tel Aviv Protest Settler Violence After High Court Lifts Wartime Ban on Gatherings, House Votes 213-214 to Reject War Powers Resolution as Trump Claims Deal with Iran Is "Very Close", Ukraine Strikes Black Sea Oil Refinery as Russian Attacks Kill 17, Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejía Wins Special Election for New Jersey House Seat, House Temporarily Extends FISA's Mass Surveillance Powers in Late-Night Vote , House Votes to Extend Deportation Protections for 330,000 Haitian Immigrants, Acting ICE Director Todd…
(2026-04-17). Last route to Southern Lebanon destroyed: Israeli airstrike destroys key bridge over Litani River. hindustantimes.com Donald Trump's push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is unravelling as fighting intensifies on the ground. The Israel Defense Forces has carried out massive strikes across southern Lebanon—including a key bridge over the Litani River—further isolating the region. Hezbollah has responded with rockets and drones targeting northern Israel, while Beirut has distanced itself from any ceasefire talks despite Washington's efforts to broker a three-way dialogue. With Benjamin Netanyahu showing no signs of backing down, diplomacy appears to be collapsing even before it begins.
(2026-04-17). Trump dictates the terms in Lebanon and Iran, leaving Netanyahu boxed in. haaretz.com The Israeli prime minister told the security cabinet that the U.S.-facilitated cease-fire is an effort to align on the major issue — Iran. But Netanyahu can't convince the Israeli public that the war's goals were achieved, with Hezbollah not disarmed and the Iranian regime still largely intact…
(2026-04-17). Rami Khouri: U.S. & Israel Were "Forced into Two Ceasefires" as Regional Balance of Power Shifts. democracynow.org 
"We've seen now, in the last six weeks, Iran and Hezbollah almost single-handedly checking — not defeating, but checking — the two biggest military powers in the region, which is the U.S. and Israel," says Rami Khouri. Khouri says the U.S. and Israel have been "forced into" ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon. This is all a sign "of the evolving balance of power across the region" and demonstrates that Iran's Axis of Resistance "is still effective." Khouri is a Palestinian American journalist and public policy fellow at the American University of…
(2026-04-17). Report from Beirut: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Met with "Cautious Optimism" democracynow.org 
A 10-day ceasefire has begun in Lebanon. The news is being celebrated across the country, but major questions remain over what happens next. President Trump announced the deal between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday. Hezbollah, which is not a party to the agreement, says it will observe the ceasefire. The Israeli military is occupying a large swath of southern Lebanon, about 10% of the country. Early on in the current war, the Israeli military announced the intention to create a "security zone" from the Lebanese-Israeli border all the way to the Litani River, 20 miles north of the border. | Many in the…
(2026-04-17). TRUMP SAYS "ENOUGH" —BUT ISRAEL PUSHES ON IN LEBANON WAR LATEST. scheerpost.com Staff A fragile pause in the widening Middle East war is colliding with escalating rhetoric, conflicting claims, and continued violence on the ground. In a flurry of social media posts, President Donald Trump declared that the United States had directly intervened to halt further Israeli strikes on Lebanon. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any …
(2026-04-17). 'Trump forced Israel into a ceasefire' with Lebanon. aljazeera.com Abed Abou Shhadeh, a political commentator in Israel, says the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is 'problematic'.
(2026-04-17). Will the ceasefire in Lebanon hold? aljazeera.com Lebanon and Israel are holding first direct talks in decades.
(2026-04-17). Lebanon president says future deal will not cede territory. al-monitor.com BEIRUT, April 17 (Reuters) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that any future deal reached by the government would not cede any territory or undermine Lebanon's national rights, without saying whether he was referring to prospective talks with Israel. The televised address was his first speech since the U.S. brokered a ceasefire to end fighting between Israel and armed group Hezbollah on Thursday. The text of the deal says Israel and Lebanon would hold direct talks to produce a "peace between the two countries".
(2026-04-17). 'Enough Is Enough': Trump Tells Israel to Halt Attacks on Lebanon. news.antiwar.com President Donald Trump instructed Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon. Iran said the truce with Lebanon was the reason it elected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. …
(2026-04-17). Israeli opposition angry over Lebanon truce, label it 'betrayal'. newarab.com 
The US-brokered ceasefire between The truce, which will see a 10-day cessation in fighting between the Israeli army and
(2026-04-17). Lebanese joy at returning to homes in the south mixed with horror at ruins of war. al-monitor.com By Thomas Suen , Aziz Taher , Emilie Madi and Jihed AbidellaouiQASMIYEH, Lebanon, April 17 – Lebanese children leaned out of cars flashing victory signs on Friday as they bumped across a makeshift bridge erected overnight across the Litani River after a truce with Israel – but bombed-out ruins and hard times await.Nearly a quarter of Lebanese have been forced from their homes, both in the south and other Shi'ite Muslim-majority areas, ordered by Israel to leave as it levelled villages and city districts and sent in troops over six weeks of war.
(2026-04-17). Lebanon, Israel reach ceasefire deal. ummid.com In a major development to contain the raging war in the Middle East, Lebanon and Israel have reached a ceasefire deal.
(2026-04-17). Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel's 'hegemony'. scmp.com 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 in Lebanon was a key Iranian condition for a second and potentially conclusive round of talks in Islamabad on a date yet to be set.
(2026-04-17). Democracy Now! 2026-04-17 Friday. democracynow.org Headlines for April 17, 2026; As Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, Are U.S. & Iran Near Deal or Renewed Fighting?; Report from Beirut: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Met with "Cautious Optimism"; Rami Khouri: U.S. & Israel Were "Forced into Two Ceasefires" as Regional Balance of Power Shifts; Aliya Rahman v. DHS: Disabled Woman Dragged from Car Files Claim over Violent Arrest in Minneapolis | Headlines for April 17, 2026; As Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, Are U.S. & Iran Near Deal or Renewed Fighting?; Report from Beirut: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Met with "Cautious Optimism"; Rami Khouri:…
(2026-04-17). Trump says he Israel from bombing Lebanon; Netanyahu: Hezbollah a threat. haaretz.com Netanyahu says Israel pursuing 'political and military' path with Lebanon after Trump request; minutes later, Israeli drone strike kills one in southern Lebanon…
(2026-04-17). Lebanon has become a strategic front for proxy policy and Israeli ambitions. haaretz.com The cease-fire could bolster the authority of the Lebanese government, jumpstart diplomacy with Israel and strip Iran of a significant bargaining chip in negotiations with the U.S. But it's vital that Israeli recognize the limitations on Beirut's ability to disarm Hezbollah…
(2026-04-17). How Israel's war upended daily life in Lebanon. aljazeera.com People in Beirut describe how the Israel war has turned their lives upside down.
(2026-04-17). Trump, Jesus, And White Supremacy. popularresistance.org Donald Trump's downward spiral has become more evident in recent weeks. His behavior substantiates the evidence provided by medical experts that he suffers from both dementia and a serious personality disorder. Beginning on the evening of April 12, he posted all night on his Truth Social platform on various obsessions including his ballroom, Joe Biden, and the Strait of Hormuz. Those comments have since been forgotten because of his 334-word tirade directed at Pope Leo XIV for being "weak on crime", "weak on nuclear weapons," an associate of Obama "sympathizers," who is also "catering to the radical left."
(2026-04-17). Like Netanyahu, opposition must remember that an Iron Wall enough. haaretz.com There is another expression of the success of the Iron Wall: the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which the founders of Zionism would have seen as the realization of a dream. Such containment can also work against Iran…
(2026-04-17). Declaration of the Revolutionary Government: Girón is today and forever! radiohc.cu Cuba is living under the constant siege of the United States government, whose escalating threats have intensified in recent months. In addition to the brutal energy embargo, which exacerbates the genocidal blockade policy of the last six decades, there are declarations by representatives of the US government elite regarding intentions of military aggression.
(2026-04-17). Palestinian Prisoners' Day 2026: Organize and act to end the genocide behind bars and free them all! samidoun.net Each year, on 17 April, we mark Palestinian Prisoners' Day — the international day of action and struggle for the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, commemorated since 1974 as a day to demand the liberation of imprisoned Palestinians and salute their leading role in the resistance and revolutionary struggle for the liberation of Palestine, from the …
(2026-04-17). Mary Metlay Kaufman: Anti-fascist hero. peoplesworld.org 
A few nights ago, I watched the Netflix film, Nuremberg, featuring actor Russell Crowe in the role of Nazi Reichsmarshall, Herman Goering, on trial for genocide at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal in 1947-48. This was the first-ever war crimes tribunal and established the basic principles of international law that outlaw war crimes and crimes …
(2026-04-17). Friday 4/17: Demo at israeli consulate. indybay.org 456 MomtgomernSt, SF…
(2026-04-17). US to recover uranium from Iran, Trump tells Reuters. al-monitor.com WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that the U.S. will work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium and bring it back to the United States."We're going to get it together. We're going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery… We'll bring it back to the United States," Trump said during a phone interview. He referred to "nuclear dust" and addedthat it would be retrieved "very soon."
(2026-04-17). Amid Hormuz blockade, US Treasury threatens to sanction Chinese banks trading with Iran. wsws.org Trump's self-declared "cease-fire" in his war of aggression against Iran is rapidly proving to be the prelude to another vast escalation of what is in reality a global conflict, now involving China.
(2026-04-17). (W.E. Talk) Osman Bakar: Dialogue between Confucian and Islamic civilisations offers answers for addressing conflict and restoring regional peace. ecns.cn The Islam-Confucianism Civilisational Dialogue 2026 was held in Beijing on Thursday. This year's dialogue, themed "The Idea of Global Civilisation: Islamic and Confucian Perspectives", was jointly hosted by the International Confucian Association (ICA) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
(2026-04-17). Starmer says more than a dozen countries ready to join Hormuz defensive mission. al-monitor.com PARIS, April 17 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that more than a dozen countries were ready to contribute assets to a defensive mission aimed at restoring the freedom of navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.France and Britain chaired a meeting in Paris of 49 countries to discuss preparations for a possible multinational defensive mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.
(2026-04-17). France, UK to cohost talks on Hormuz. ecns.cn French President Emmanuel Macron and the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer will cohost a video-conference with international leaders on Friday, aiming to chart a plan to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
(2026-04-17). Shippers eye Iran Hormuz reopening with wariness. al-monitor.com Shipping industry figures gave a cautious welcome Friday to Iran's announcement that it was reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route to commercial freight after nearly seven weeks closed.Iranian forces' closure of the strait has trapped hundreds of ships in the Gulf and driven up the costs of shipping goods, with captains avoiding the region for fear of attacks or mines.A spokesman for German transportation giant Hapag-Lloyd, which has ships stuck in the Gulf, told AFP by phone that the reopening was "in general… good news".
(2026-04-17). Strait of Hormuz 'open' following start of Lebanon ceasefire. newarab.com 
(2026-04-17). Mine threat in parts of Hormuz not fully understood, US navy advisory says. al-monitor.com LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) – The threat posed by mines in parts of the Strait of Hormuz is not fully understood and avoidance of the area by ships should be considered, a U.S. navy advisory said on Friday. "Status of TSS mine threat is not fully understood. Consider avoidance of that area," said the advisory sent by the US navy's US NCAGS agency to mariners and seen by Reuters.
(2026-04-17). Nordic leaders welcome statement on Strait of Hormuz. al-monitor.com STOCKHOLM, April 17 (Reuters) – Leaders of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement on opening the Strait of Hormuz, and said they supported diplomatic efforts to find lasting solutions to the conflict.Iran said earlier on Friday the strait was open following a ceasefire accord agreed in Lebanon.Statements by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson were made following a meeting led by Britain and France.
(2026-04-17). US blockade of Strait of Hormuz deepens conflicts between major powers. wsws.org US Vice President Vance's remarks Tuesday that Washington is seeking a "grand bargain" with Tehran underscores that US imperialism wants nothing less than the complete reorganisation of the Middle East in its interests, at the expense of all its rivals.
(2026-04-17). US army 'defeat' in Iran confirmed as Trump drops military, reveals new plan amid Hormuz failure. hindustantimes.com The U.S. intensifies its economic war against Iran as President Donald Trump pivots from military pressure to sweeping new sanctions amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned countries and financial institutions against purchasing Iranian oil, with China emerging as a key focus due to its dominant role in Tehran's export market. As the naval blockade faces scrutiny and mixed enforcement reports, Washington is now targeting Iran's "shadow fleet," banks, and global trade networks to choke off revenue streams. With tensions rising and diplomacy uncertain, the latest sancti…
(2026-04-17). Mojtaba's reply to Trump's blockade: Shock for entire world; US war on Iran causing new crisis. hindustantimes.com Global markets are bracing for shockwaves as Iran halts petrochemical exports in retaliation to Donald Trump's naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The move—combined with strikes on key Iranian energy hubs—threatens to disrupt supply chains and push already fragile economies toward instability. With the Gulf accounting for a significant share of global petrochemical output, the suspension risks ripple effects across industries worldwide.
(2026-04-17). Pakistan oil tanker becomes first to exit through Hormuz since US blockade began. scmp.com 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…
(2026-04-17). The Strait Of Hormuz Is Kinda Sorta Open: Let Me Explain. newsone.com 
Source: TOM NICHOLSON / Getty | The ongoing war in Iran can only be described as an absolute s—tshow. The conflict was started under dubious pretenses, and President Donald Trump seemingly keeps saying the war will end within two-to-three weeks every two to three weeks. There is some slight hope on the horizon as Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open. |
(2026-04-17). Ships crossing Hormuz need IRGC OK, unfreezing of assets part of deal, Iran official says. al-monitor.com By Parisa Hafezi and Jonathan SaulDUBAI, April 17 (Reuters) – All ships can sail through the Strait of Hormuz but this needs to be coordinated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that unfreezing Iranian funds was part of the deal.Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that the strait was open after a ceasefire accord was agreed in Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed a deal to end the Iran war would come "soon", although the timing remains unclear.
(2026-04-17). Iran Announces Full Reopening Of Strait Of Hormuz. popularresistance.org The Islamic Republic of Iran announced on 17 April the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following the fulfillment of its condition for a complete cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. | "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on Friday afternoon. | US President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social plat…
(2026-04-17). Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels. scmp.com In an apparent sign that Tehran blinked first in the blockade showdown between Iran and the US, the two sides announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was open and operational after nearly seven weeks that have seen hundreds of ships blocked and sent energy prices soaring worldwide. | "IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!" US President Donald Trump said on social media, using an unofficial name for the strategic waterway.
(2026-04-17). Across Africa, Farmers Are Adopting Regenerative Agricultural Practices. popularresistance.org The US and Israel's attack on Iran has led to significant price increases on fuel. Oil and gas capture the headlines. But fertilizer prices could also skyrocket, especially in low-income countries. This is what happened when Russia invaded Ukraine. | In African countries, dependency on imported fertilizers underlines the need for a new approach to food production and distribution. That new approach is often called food sovereignty. In the past, civil society groups and international development organizations have focused on food security, ensuring people have enough to eat.
(2026-04-17). Turkey's Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace. scmp.com Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday urged the United States and Iran to guard against any provocations by Israel and use their current ceasefire to push for lasting peace. | "We must not allow weapons to again replace words," he told the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. | "Let it not be forgotten, the shortest path to peace is dialogue and diplomacy. Peace is not a one-winged bird."
(2026-04-17). Neoliberalism caused two fractures in the world why Iran's resistance is so vital. asiapacificreport.nz ANALYSIS: By Prabhat Patnaik It is the people of the Global South, not governments, who must resist this subversion of the concepts of the "nation' and of non-alignment. The Indian government's position on the US-Israeli war against Iran shows an unbelievable degree of pusillanimity. India attended the recent meeting of about 50 countries called by…
(2026-04-17). Not Neutral: Inside The UAE's Shadow Role In The US-Israeli War On Iran. popularresistance.org While presenting itself as a victim on the international stage, the United Arab Emirates silently entered the war against Iran on the side of Washington and Tel Aviv. From sharing data from AI-powered radar systems, to bombing Iranian civilian targets, Abu Dhabi has been by far the most hostile Gulf nation to Tehran. | As the second largest recipient of Iranian missile and drone strikes on its territory, behind only Israel, the UAE has attempted to present itself as following a path of "cautious de-escalation"; in alignment with the position of its fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) allies.
(2026-04-17). Responses to Questions from Asgar Ghahremanpour, Iran Daily, 4/26; Israel/Iran/IL. richardfalk.org 
It is a fundamental norm of international law that the targeting of civilian infrastructure is not only unlawful, it is a war crime, if sustained it is a crime against humanity. Israel has repeatedly targeted schools, hospitals, and heritage sites resulting to severe physical damage but also in many deaths and injuries. This unacceptable pattern …
(2026-04-17). Hezbollah Confirms Ceasefire in War With Israel To Take Effect at Midnight. orinocotribune.com A Lebanese parliamentarian from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc says Iran's ambassador in Beirut has informed Lebanese officials that a ceasefire will begin Thursday night, describing the agreement as the result of Iranian diplomatic efforts. | Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the Lebanese parliament, said Iranian authorities will monitor US compliance with its commitments under the agreement. He added that the resumption of Iran-US negotiations is contingent upon the implementation of these commitments. | Fadlallah also stressed that Hezbollah's adherence to the ceasefire depends on a complete halt to all hostil…
(2026-04-17). Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia's supply chains. A win for China? scmp.com Some exporters at the Canton Fair in Guangzhou report a modest return of orders to China from Southeast Asia, as energy-market volatility linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran prompts some Western buyers to prioritise supply chain stability. | The shift is visible in buyer patterns on the exhibition floor, where the number from Europe and the United States appears to have recovered from last year's levels, according to Chinese exporters, with more inquiries for home appliances, new energy products…
(2026-04-17). Loss of energy output in MidEast will take about two years to recover: IEA. geo.tv 
Smoke billows from Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery after a reported Iranian drone strike, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, March 2, 2026. — Reuters
(2026-04-17). Hosting US-Iran talks, Pakistan angles to become the new Oslo. responsiblestatecraft.org Pakistan has found itself in the spotlight recently for less
(2026-04-17). Iran declares Hormuz open for commercial vessels as Trump expects deal 'soon'. geo.tv 
This collage of pictures shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump. — Reuters/File Trump says Iran wants deal, war 'should be ending soon'.Timing of next round of US-Iran talks remains uncertain.Britain, France to chair meeting on Strait of…
(2026-04-17). Gaza: Israeli sniper kills Palestinian schoolgirl in front of classmates. ummid.com Israeli occupation forces shot and killed a Palestinian schoolgirl Thursday April 09, 2026 in front of her classmates while she was studying in a tent classroom in northern Gaza.
(2026-04-17). Gaza civil defence says Israeli fire kills four, including child. newarab.com 
Gaza's civil defence agency said Thursday that Israeli fire killed four people, including one child, in different locations across the Palestinian territory. | Israeli violence continues despite Saleh Badawi, 9, "was killed and taken to Al-Maamadani Hospital after being hit by Israeli fire in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, southeast of Gaza City", in northern Gaza, Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, told AFP. | He added that "two br…
(2026-04-17). Israeli strikes on desalination plant in Gaza kill two. newarab.com 
The two civilians were killed after the Israeli army targeted a water desalination plant in Shujaeyya, east of The…
(2026-04-17). Gaza's young, untrained journalists step up to document Israel's war crimes. asiapacificreport.nz Pacific Media Watch At least 262 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war against the besieged enclave, marking one of the deadliest periods for media workers in recent global history, reports Al Jazeera. Despite newsrooms being destroyed and reporters losing their lives, coverage continues through a new generation of…
(2026-04-17). Israel kills toddler in Gaza. electronicintifada.net Israelis subjecting Gaza to systematic, escalating process of engineered starvation.
(2026-04-17). Kosovo approves troop contribution for Gaza force. newarab.com 
(2026-04-17). Rabbi honored by Israel lives in illegal West Bank home on private Palestinian land. haaretz.com An NGO monitoring West Bank construction said Avraham Zarbiv's home sits on Palestinian land and has been under a demolition order since 2000; the rabbi also boasted of destroying homes in Gaza and called to 'flatten' it during his IDF service…
(2026-04-17). UK's Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson scandal reignites. scmp.com 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.
(2026-04-17). Starmer's resignation demanded as investigation confirms he knew Mandelson failed vetting. thecanary.co 
In a functioning democracy, Keir Starmer's position would today be untenable over his "weirdly rushed" appointments of disgraced friend-of-Epstein Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US and as his top adviser. An investigation has uncovered the fact that Mandelson failed the vetting procedure for his short-lived ambassadorial role from which he was removed for […] | By
(2026-04-17). Venezuela and Cuba Celebrate 23 Years of the Barrio Adentro Medical Mission. orinocotribune.com The authorities of Venezuela and Cuba paid tribute to the 23rd anniversary of the launch of the Barrio Adentro Medical Mission on Thursday, April 16, with a floral offering at the shrine of Liberator Simón Bolívar in Caracas, Venezuela. Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela Jorge Mayo and Venezuelan Deputy Minister for Health Mauricio Vega led the ceremony commemorating the creation of this social program, born from the vision of Presidents Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro. | The Barrio Adentro Mission is the Bolivarian Revolution's structural response to the dehumanization of the neoliberal model, which treats health as a c…
(2026-04-17). IMF, World Bank say they are restoring ties with Venezuela. aljazeera.com Acting President Delcy Rodriguez calls resumption of ties 'great achievement' of Venezuelan diplomacy.
(2026-04-17). Venezuela's Jorge Arreaza: 96.1% of Those Granted Amnesty Were Not Behind Bars. orinocotribune.com The president of Venezuela's Monitoring Commission of the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, Deputy Jorge Arreaza, has reported that most of the applications received under this legal tool correspond to people who were in a judicial process, but not behind bars or detained. | "It's not that we released 8,000 people from prison; that number of people detained for political reasons has never existed during the Bolivarian Revolution," he explained this Wednesday, April 15. "The vast majority, 96.1%, were in legal proceedings and appeared regularly before the courts, and only 314 people were detained for politic…
(2026-04-17). In New Orleans, Black Cowboy Tradition Collides With Prison Rodeo Spectacle. capitalbnews.org 
NEW ORLEANS — Outside, along Claiborne Avenue in the Algiers section of New Orleans, Sunday looked familiar. Black children slurped snowballs in the street, adults danced around them, and Black riders eased their horses through the crowds, past corner stores and shotgun houses, hooves clapping against the asphalt. For Black riders like Robert Pollar, who …
(2026-04-17). terrorism exists, debate over. The only question is: are you for it or against. haaretz.com Roy Sharon, who grew up in a religious Zionist settlement in the West Bank, is perhaps the most vigilant Israeli reporter when it comes to exposing burgeoning settler violence. The farthest fringes of the hilltop youth now set the right's agenda, he says…
(2026-04-17). Elmo and Ramy Youssef celebrate Arab heritage on Sesame Street. newarab.com 
Sesame Street marked Arab American Heritage Month on Thursday with a special appearance by In a playful exchange that has since gone viral, Youssef taught Elmo a series of Arabic words, including "salam" and "habibi", highlighting Arabic language and culture as heritage month celebrations continue throughout April. | In the clip, he explains that "assalamu alaykum" is a g…
(2026-04-17). use human noses to test odors. no instrument for. haaretz.com This week at Ben-Gurion Airport: A production quality specialist offers a glimpse into the secret world of car manufacturing, and a psychology student explains how Israelis devise ways to live with recurring war…
(2026-04-17). Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people. scmp.com Pope Leo called on Cameroonians on Friday to reject violence and be generous with their neighbours during an event billed as the biggest of his four-nation Africa tour, with roughly 120,000 people flocking to a mass he led in the port city of Douala. | Amid heavy security, some believers had made their way on Thursday to the city's Japoma ‚ÄåStadium, venue of the mass, and slept overnight outside on mats to hear Friday's address from the pontiff, who has become outspoken on war and inequality and…
(2026-04-17). YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding. twz.com 
"An 85 percent solution in the hands of a warfighter today is infinitely better than a 100 percent solution that never arrives."
(2026-04-17). Vitriol and vendetta: Israel is doing everything it can to drive its closest allies away | Analysis. haaretz.com From social media attacks to real-life diplomatic snafus, from Berlin and Paris to Seoul, Gideon Sa'ar's Foreign Ministry has increasingly jeopardized relations with all but U.S. President Trump…
(2026-04-17). WHYY Newscast for Friday 4:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-04-17). Adam Bakri: Actor, artist and advocate telling Palestine's story. newarab.com 
For Palestinian actor His passing came while Adam, his brother, actor
(2026-04-17). WHYY Newscast for Friday 7:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-04-17). Take The 'M,' Caitlyn. You Earned It. newsone.com 
Source: Noam Galai / Getty | The cover that sparked this piece was almost too perfect: Caitlyn Jenner says her passport has the wrong gender, but she is still MAGA. | That is not just a contradiction. That is the whole lesson. | In a recent
(2026-04-17). China's 3-satellite surveillance network, Hong Kong's inflation surge: SCMP's 7 highlights. scmp.com We have selected seven stories from this week's news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. | 1. 3 satellites to track all? Chinese radar images confirm US military fears…
(2026-04-17). Minneapolis Woman Violently Dragged From Car by ICE Files Claim Against DHS. truthout.org Aliya Rahman, a Minneapolis resident who was violently detained by ICE officers in January during "Operation Metro Surge," filed a federal tort claim against the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, claiming the agency used excessive force and violated her rights. Rahman was never charged with any crime. "They battered Aliya. They assaulted Aliya. They were negligent in their medical care… |
(2026-04-17). AP IPE Inter 2026 1st, 2nd Results Out: Pass Percentage, Toppers Details. ummid.com The Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) has announced the results of 1st and 2nd year (Class 11th and 12th) Intermediate Public Examination (IPE) 2026 on its official website resultsbie.ap.gov.in.
(2026-04-17). Transnet Rail Infrastructure invites bids for sidings lease RFPs. sanews.gov.za Transnet Rail Infrastructure invites bids for sidings lease RFPs | Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has issued Sidings Lease Requests for Proposals (RFPs) covering nine rail siding facilities located across the Eastern and Central Regions. | Successful bidders will be awarded leases for a minimum period of 10 years, with clear performance and investment commitments tied to the lease term. | Proposals are expected to include comprehensive infrastructure upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and enable seamless road-to-rail integration. | These may include rail line refurbishment; loading and hand…
(2026-04-17). 'They will be exposed': Delaware must surrender wage records for 15 businesses targeted by ICE investigation, federal judge rules. whyy.org 
Delaware must surrender employee records for 15 businesses to immigration enforcement investigators, a federal judge ruled this week in a
(2026-04-17). Xinjiang seen attracting steady stream of tourists. ecns.cn Efforts by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to build itself into a global tourist destination have borne fruit, evidenced by a steady growth in its inbound tourism market.
(2026-04-17). Democrat Analilia Mejia defeats Republican Joe Hathaway in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District special election. Here's why it matters. whyy.org What questions do you have about the 2026 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? Progressive Democrat
(2026-04-17). Scottish Greens candidate Q Manivannan says 'we are an island of friends'. thecanary.co 
Q Manivannan is a Scottish Greens candidate for Edinburgh and Lothians East. They're standing in the Scottish Parliamentary election on 7 May 2026. On the Edinburgh Greens website, Q describes themself as a "queer, Tamil immigrant" aiming to bring a "politics of care and compassion" to Holyrood. And, what really caught our eye was this […] | By
(2026-04-17). RFK Jr. Confronted Over Statement That Black Children Should Be 'Re-Parented' Because They're All On ADHD Meds. newsone.com 
I don't know who needs to hear this, but a federal administration full of proud white nationalists has no business taking it upon itself to assess Black health, the needs of Black children or that of the Black community in general. Actually, I know exactly who needs to hear this: Health and Human Services Secretary …
(2026-04-17). Spain signs deals with Brazil as Sanchez builds anti-Trump bloc. scmp.com 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 after signing 15 deals covering areas including critical minerals, telecommunications and artificial intelligence.
(2026-04-17). Spanish academic denounces disinformation campaign against Cuba. radiohc.cu Labeling Cuba as a "failed state" is part of a disinformation campaign, Spanish academic Carlos González Penalva told the Cuban News Agency in an exclusive interview. He was present at the 5th International Colloquium "Patria," held at the Cultural Center on Línea and 18th Streets in Vedado. | "Cuba experiences blackouts, but life goes on; they can turn off the lights, but not the hopes," stated González Penalva, who is also responsible for Communication, Social Media, and Messaging for the United Left of Asturias. He also advocated for establishing normalcy as a strategy for defending the Cuban social project.
(2026-04-17). Emilie Bickerton: Subterranean Godard. newleftreview.org Emilie Bickerton on Michael Witt, Jean-Luc Godard's Unmade and Abandoned Projects. A 'negative' history that sheds new light on the master filmmaker.
(2026-04-17). Research demonstrates that enhanced instruction in genetics can reduce racist conceptions among students. wsws.org A groundbreaking study in genetics education examines the relationship between the quality of genetics education and the development of racist ideas among young people and the dire consequences for a researcher's career.
(2026-04-17). AP Inter 1st, 2nd Result 2026: When, Where and How to Check. ummid.com The Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) is set to declare soon on its official website bie.ap.gov.in the result of the students who had appeared for AP Intermediate 1st (Class 11) and 2nd year (Class 12) 2026 examinations.
(2026-04-17). Why Marie-Louise Eta's appointment should be the norm, not the exception. aljazeera.com As the German coach makes history, experts believe her appointment should not be an exception in men's football.
(2026-04-17). "Loud and proud" : Strikes against Lufthansa continue. wsws.org For days, pilots and flight attendants have been striking against Lufthansa's brutal restructuring course. On Wednesday, 15 April, a strike by over 19,000 stewards and stewardesses from Lufthansa and LH-CityLine began again.
(2026-04-17). Paper-cutting pioneer fuses scissors with software. ecns.cn By utilizing computer-aided layer decomposition to create 18-layer, three-dimensional paper-cuttings, Hao is elevating Yangliuqing paper-cutting to a recurring national gift on the world stage.
(2026-04-17). Justin Fairfax Killed His Wife, So Why Did Roland Martin Turn It Into A Mental Health Panel? newsone.com 
Source: | When news broke that former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself, the facts were immediate and devastating. A woman was murdered in her home, and two children were left to live with the aftermath. | But within hours, something else began to take shape. | On social media, Black men, including Roland Martin, posted photos of Fairfax smiling in fraternity gear, at events, in rooms full of promise and prestige. They remembered him as a "brother," a "good man," and someone full of potential. The images were soft, nostalgic, and intimate. It…
(2026-04-17). A New Phase After the AZAL Plane Crisis: How Will the Compensation Decision Affect Relations? unitedworldint.com Azerbaijani Member of Parliament Hikmet Babaoglu commented to UWI. By Tahran Oruàßoƒülu, from Baku / Azerbaijan In line with the agreement reached during the meeting between the Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation in Dushanbe on October 9, 2025, the parties agreed to properly resolve the issues arising from the crash …
(2026-04-17). Starmer rejects calls to quit as pressure mounts over Mandelson vetting. aljazeera.com Top Foreign Office official takes fall for fiasco and resigns; Starmer promises to deliver 'relevant facts' on Monday.
(2026-04-17). China's 15th Five-Year Plan charts path for sustainable development. peoplesworld.org 
Legislators, teachers, civic leaders, workers, trade unionists, scientists, economists, and experts in many fields from across China met in Beijing in March for the "Two Sessions"—the annual meetings of the country's two top political bodies. The National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese Peoples' Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convened to review the progress made during …
(2026-04-17). After 3 years of fighting, Sudan's civil war is only getting worse. responsiblestatecraft.org This month marks the third anniversary of the war in Sudan. Estimates of the death toll range from 150,000 to 400,000 or more; 2025 was, according to the United Nations' internal estimates, a particularly
(2026-04-17). Ashlee Jenae Is Dead, And The Internet Said, 'That's What You Get For Dating A White Man'. newsone.com 
Source: Ashlee Jenae / Instagram | The details are still coming into focus, but here's what we know so far. | Ashly Robinson, a 31-year-old influencer who went by Ashlee Jenae, died while on vacation in Zanzibar, Tanzania. She had been traveling with her fiancé Joe McCann, and in the days leading up to her death, her social media showed what looked like a celebration: a birthday, an engagement, a trip that, at least publicly, appeared joyful. | Then something shifted. | Reports indicate that the couple had a serious argument, were placed in separate rooms by the hotel staff, and hours later, she was found unre…
(2026-04-17). The GOP Just Passed a Resolution to Open Minnesota Wilderness Up for Mining. truthout.org Minnesota's Boundary Waters comprise a vast stretch of wilderness bordering Canada, with over a million acres of untouched forest and thousands of lakes and streams. Accessible largely by canoe, it is an ecological gem and one of the most popular spots in the country for outdoor recreation. On Thursday, Senate Republicans voted 50-49 to open the area up to mining — passing a resolution that… |
(2026-04-17). How did the ceasefire in Lebanon happen, and what's next. newarab.com 
Lebanon on Friday, 17 April, entered a A parallel
(2026-04-17). Deep-diving robots help crack the mystery of Antarctica's vanishing sea ice. grist.org 
(2026-04-17). Have your say on draft procurement regulations. sanews.gov.za Have your say on draft procurement regulations | National Treasury has published the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026 and draft Public Procurement Tribunal Regulations, 2026, for public comment in the Government Gazette. | The draft regulations and the notices can be accessed on the National Treasury website They were published in terms of section 63(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2024 (Act No. 28 of 2024), as communicated through notices in Govern…
(2026-04-17). The Most Dangerous Climate Argument Today Isn't Denial, It's Delay. scheerpost.com By Dr. Joakim Kulin and Dr. Ekaterina Rhodes , DeSmog. Belief in climate change is rising, but action stalls. New research reveals how subtle narratives are slowing policy — and how to fight back. Under Donald Trump's renewed push to expand fossil fuel production — including plans to ramp up oil and gas drilling and roll …
(2026-04-17). Monday 4/20: No War, No ICE, Free Palestine: May Day Mass Call. indybay.org Zoom | bit.ly/nowarmayday…
(2026-04-17). DWP Access to Work providers are pushing controversial psychotherapies to people with ME. thecanary.co 
Organisations specialising in support for neurodivergent employees are advertising their services to people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) through the Department of Work and Pension's (DWP) Access to Work scheme. An investigation by the Canary has revealed how they have been treating ME as an 'acquired' neurodivergent condition. Now, the Canary has also uncovered how […] | By
(2026-04-17). Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: 'Russia and Cuba are More Than Partners'. orinocotribune.com During a video message to the participants of the Fifth International Patria Colloquium, currently being held in Cuba, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova highlighted that Moscow and Havana share a number of values that they jointly defend in the international arena. | "Russia and Cuba are more than partners," the Russian diplomat emphasized this Thursday, April 16. "We share truly warm and fraternal relations that have stood the test of time." | "[Our relationship] is about sovereignty," she continued, "including digital sovereignty, multipolarity, trust in international law, and the central ro…
(2026-04-17). After 2 votes in favor, UAW bureaucracy denies strike approval to student workers at Columbia University. wsws.org The UAW bureaucracy has twice now rejected their democratic vote; student must organize to impose this decision, with or without the approval of corrupt and unaccountable bureaucrats.
(2026-04-17). The Mossad Planned 1965 Assassination of Mehdi Ben Barka in France: Why It Matters Today. covertactionmagazine.com On November 22, 1963, the same day as the JFK assassination, Mehdi Ben Barka, an anti-colonial politician and head of the left-wing Union of Popular Forces (UNFP) of Morocco, was sentenced to death in absentia for conspiracy to overthrow King Hassan II. The sentence was carried out two years later in Paris, France, with the …
(2026-04-17). Bucks County police chiefs say Quakertown officers' actions during anti-ICE student protest were 'justified and within police policy'. whyy.org From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly's suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? A panel of four Bucks County police chiefs found that the Quakertown Police Department's response during a student protest Feb. 20 was "justified and within police policy." | "The Department's actions were consistent with established training, best practices, and professional standards," said Quakertown Borough Solicitor Peter Nelson in a press release. "The Borough's officers acted within the scope of Department policy during a challenging and volatile situation."
(2026-04-17). Khabarovsk Highway to Be Extended to Border With China at Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island. infobrics.org The Khabarovsk bypass will be extended to the exit on Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, where a new road checkpoint between Russia and China is currently being built…
(2026-04-17). Cold weather to dominate SA. sanews.gov.za Cold weather to dominate SA | The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says a period of cold, wet and windy weather conditions is expected to affect large parts of the country from Friday through to Monday, 20 April. | "This change in weather is associated with the passage of two consecutive cold fronts making landfall over the western parts of South Africa. Initially, these systems are expected to impact the Western Cape and Northern Cape before spreading eastwards across the central and eastern interior over the weekend," the weather service said. | Daytime maximum temperatures are expected to drop significantl…
(2026-04-17). MV-75 Will Be Reconfigurable For Medevac Mission Via Kit, Not Purpose-Built Like HH-60. twz.com 
Key Takeaways: | MV-75A Cheyenne II offers modular flexibility. The tiltrotor can be reconfigured for MEDEVAC missions using kits, unlike the purpose-built HH-60 Black Hawk. | Enhanced speed and range for MEDEVAC missions. The MV-75's increased speed and range improve casualty evacuation, crucial during the 'golden hour' after injuries. | Streamlined acquisition and fielding process. The modular design aids in simplifying production and reduces the need for single-purpose aircraft. | Operational flexibility for commanders. Commanders can adjust aircraft configurations between MEDEVAC and assault roles…
(2026-04-17). Turkey hosts latest diplomatic push on Middle East war. newarab.com 
(2026-04-17). Saturday 4/18: Billionaires Ruin EVERYTHING San Jose. indybay.org Winchester Shopping Center Sign | 3137 Stevens Creek Blvd, San José…
(2026-04-17). White House and Anthropic CEO discuss working together amid Mythos AI fears. scmp.com The Trump administration and Anthropic's CEO on Friday discussed working together for the first time since a dispute earlier this year between the Pentagon and the artificial intelligence firm over how that company's models should be used. | The meeting between CEO Dario Amodei and White House staff, which took place amid growing ‚Äåfears the AI start-up's latest model will supercharge cyberattacks, suggests the two sides might be on a path to rebuilding trust.
(2026-04-17). US judge blocks Justice Department bid to seize voter data in Rhode Island. aljazeera.com Ruling is latest loss for Trump administration, which has sought access to state voter data ahead of the US midterms.
(2026-04-17). Books on the Bay of Pigs and the Roa-Stevenson Debate presented at the Patria Colloquium. radiohc.cu The Ocean Sur publishing house presented new books about the Bay of Pigs invasion, the first major defeat of imperialism in Latin America, and the famous debate between diplomats Raúl Roa and Adlai Stevenson at the United Nations. | The event took place at the 5th edition of the Patria International Colloquium and was attended by the president of Ocean Press and Ocean Sur, David Deutschmann, and the president of the Latin American news agency Prensa Latina, Jorge Legañoa. | "For almost 40 years, publishing hundreds of books on the Cuban Revolution, we have tried to prioritize the words of the Revolution, because…
(2026-04-17). Six Takeaways From Sunday's Hungarian Election. portside.org Six Takeaways From Sunday's Hungarian Election |
(2026-04-17). Forget Climate Activism, the Guardian is Now Pushing AI Activism. wattsupwiththat.com But history has a hard lesson for those who ban or restrict economically important technologies.
(2026-04-17). Australian ex-soldier Roberts-Smith granted bail in Afghan war crimes case. aljazeera.com Former soldier is accused of murdering five people in Afghanistan.
(2026-04-17). Lebanese officials had 'good' meeting with IMF: finance minister. newarab.com 
Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Thursday said his government had good meetings this week with the International Monetary Fund and remained committed to working toward a lending programme. | Current events, including the "Our aim as a government is to reach an agreement with the IMF on a programme," J…
(2026-04-17). Retirement among Philadelphians not a 'one-size-fits-all' experience, new Pew report shows. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Most Philadelphians aged 65 and older are no longer working, but data show that the number of seniors who are Residents across the city said financial savings, concerns about health insurance and costs, physical limitations and caregiving responsibilities are all factors in…
(2026-04-17). Labor Rights Activists Navigate What César Chávez Sexual Abuse Allegations Mean For Their Movement. scheerpost.com Michelle Zacarias for Prism A month after the explosive New York Times investigation into the rape and sexual misconduct allegations against Latino labor rights organizer César Chávez, immigrant and labor rights organizations throughout Southern California are still grappling with the aftermath. The multiyear investigation by journalists Manny Fernandez and Sarah Hurtes named survivors, including prominent activists Ana Murguia, …
(2026-04-17). Cuba: Cultural battle and technological sovereignty at the Patria Colloquium. radiohc.cu Mexican journalist Alina Duarte reflected on the challenges of cultural hegemony in times of rising fascism and the urgent need to build revolutionary communication today that transforms realities. | In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, from the Patria International Colloquium, Duarte placed the debate within the stark context of the present day, in connection with the panel "Cultural Hegemony and Digital Power," which she participated in the previous day along with María Fernanda Ruiz (Argentina), Pedro Santander (Chile), and Renato Rovai (Brazil). | "Today we clearly see the rise of fascism, and it is…
(2026-04-17). Open Letter to A-G Michelle Rowland: Mercy for David McBride. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-04-17). Harvard clerical, technical union leaders push through sellout deal as grad workers prepare to strike. wsws.org The contract is only one year long and is designed to prevent a fight over central issues: healthcare costs, job security and wage adequacy.
(2026-04-17). Inside The Lives Of West Bank Workers Crushed By Israel's Labor Ban. popularresistance.org Bir Nabala, a ghost town of abandoned houses and empty streets, is surrounded by the Israeli separation wall and was once a vibrant middle-class community. Its diverse businesses benefited from the town's strategic location north of Jerusalem, which made it one of the city's important gateways. Then the wall cut Bir Nabala off, killing its commercial life overnight and turning it into a remote village on the far edges of Ramallah. Residents have since been gradually leaving the town. | The Israeli wall stretches across the horizon in the village from edge to edge. Lining the streets are a few scattered workshops…
(2026-04-17). Haaretz during the Arab Revolt: Blood is the glue that binds a nation and its land. haaretz.com At the start of the Arab Revolt, which began 90 years ago this week, the newspaper told its readers that 'the God of Israel wanted our sacrifices,' and promised that the Jewish community was here to stay…
(2026-04-17). OFSS Bihar 11th Admission 2026 Starts, Check Steps. ummid.com Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has started receiving Online Application forms for Class 11 (Intermediate) Amission 2026 through Online Facilitation System For Students (OFSS) website (www.ofssbihar.info).
(2026-04-17). Climate adaptation funding is scarce. Private investors could help. grist.org 
The Afsluitdijk is a 32 kilometer causeway in the Netherlands that, since 1932, has been one of the country's primary barriers against sea level rise. But after nearly a century of use it needed
(2026-04-17). Germany's Return to Conscription Is Not a Mistake; It's an Obligation. fairobserver.com Germany is finally waking up to a harsh reality: In a world of revisionist powers and wavering alliances, a rich democracy at the heart of Europe cannot afford to be militarily weak. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, too many Germans have lived in denial and behaved as if history had ended. Defense spending…
(2026-04-17). Last-Minute Tentative Agreements Avert Big L.A. School Strike. popularresistance.org Los Angeles — Last-minute tentative agreements, reached at 3 a.m. on April 13—two days before a scheduled strike was to start—averted the walkout by the three unions representing 37,000 teachers and support staffers of the Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD), one of the largest districts in the U.S. | One key to the agreements, covering the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), a Teachers/AFT local, Teamsters Local 2010, and Service Employees Local 99, was widespread labor, community, and political support for the workers, who sought substantial raises that would enable them to continue…
(2026-04-17). Madison, April 18, 2026: Potluck for People, Peace Planet! wibailoutpeople.org 
Building Unity Building Unity Gatherings are mostly monthly potlucks. They are great opportunities to enjoy fellowship with others who believe it is time to unite for people, peace, and planet. If you can, bring cake and frosting to help us create some fantastic Earth Day Cakes! For information about other Building Unity Gatherings around Wisconsin …
(2026-04-17). New York home care workers wage second hunger strike in 2 years. wsws.org These highly exploited workers are risking their health to end torturous 24-hour shifts, but previous experience shows that protests and moral appeals must give way to class struggle.
(2026-04-17). Ben Crump Representing Charles Adair's Family In Civil Lawsuit. newsone.com 
Source: Courtesy of Erica Adair / Erica Adair | Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing Charles Adair's family in a federal civil rights case against Wyandotte County, Deputy Richard Fatherley, and Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic. | Attorneys Harry Daniels, Gabrielle Higgins, and Sue-Ann Robinson are also representing the family, according to
(2026-04-17). JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result: When and Where to Check. ummid.com The National Testing Agency (NTA) is releasing on the official website 'jeemain.nta.nic.in' the result, along with the list of toppers and All India Rank (AIR) list of successful candidates, who appeared in the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 conducted in the month of April 2026.
(2026-04-17). Will Blockade of Hormuz Reshape Global Energy? juancole.com
(2026-04-17). This Prisoners' Day, WB's mothers fear children may return dead. newarab.com 
During events marking the In particular, these mothers are afraid that their children may return as corpses amid harsh conditions within Israeli prisons and the recent approval of an Israeli law allowing the Watfa Shehwan…
(2026-04-17). Financial majors step up AI-driven strategic overhaul. ecns.cn China's major banks and insurers are racing to embed artificial intelligence at the heart of their operations, ramping up intelligent computing and pushing technology from a back-office support function to a front-line engine powering financial services.
(2026-04-17). In Philly, artists are using 'Radical Americana' to challenge patriotic nostalgia. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Jennifer Zwilling of Philadelphia's Clay Studio has her own take on it. | "I like to say: Unify and amplify," she said. | Zwilling and The Clay Studio have spearheaded
(2026-04-17). Labor leaders at People's World town hall: May Day's our day. peoplesworld.org 
Video of the town hall meeting will be available and posted here shortly. CHICAGO—"May Day is our day. It belongs to all working people," declared Fred Redmond, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, at a virtual town hall of labor leaders hosted by People's World on Thursday, April 16. The event featured a panel discussion on the …
(2026-04-17). Philadelphians rewrite the Declarations of Independence in Mural Arts printmaking project. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 white male delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Most of them were wealthy landowners. Some of them owned slaves. | But what if everybody could have contributed to the Declaration of Independence? | "It doesn't really apply anymore. We need something new," Philadelphia artist Jeannine Baldomero said. "It was a new country when it was written and so many things have fallen out from the last 250 years. We really need to…
(2026-04-17). The 4/20 Guide to Underground Parties and Events in L.A. lataco.com A free music festival, a record shop pop-up, and other underground ways to celebrate 4/20 cannabis culture in 2026!
(2026-04-17). Pentagon drafts plans for military assault on Cuba. wsws.org The Trump administration has ordered preparations for a military attack on Cuba as part of its broader campaign for hemispheric dominance.
(2026-04-17). US oil floats to top as Asia looks for Middle Eastern alternatives amid Iran war. scmp.com Asian refiners have grown increasingly reliant on US crude as oil-starved fuel makers scour the globe to replace Middle Eastern supply and stave off shortages that could ripple through the broader economy. | Buyers in Japan led the charge to purchase May-loading cargoes from the US early in the month, with South Korean, Singaporean and Thai processors also among customers, said traders familiar with the matter. At least 60 million barrels of grades from the US Gulf were bought for loading next…
(2026-04-17). Lee Cronin's The Mummy: A hollow take on Egyptian horror tropes. newarab.com 
(2026-04-17). Power struggle between China and US could benefit peripheral regions and sustainability. infobrics.org China launches investigation into US trade practices affecting global supply chains.
(2026-04-17). Tennis-playing robot helps showcase Haidian district as a high-tech hub. ecns.cn A humanoid robot developed by Galbot and Tsinghua University in Beijings Haidian district has demonstrated real-time tennis rally capabilities, as the area accelerates the development and deployment of embodied artificial intelligence technologies.
(2026-04-17). Delaware lawmakers advance measure to protect state's wetlands. whyy.org This story is part of the From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover?
| Delaware lawmakers have advanced legislation that aims to protect nontidal wetlands, also referred to as freshwater wetlands, in the state. | The move, more than three decades in the making, comes after President Donald Trump's administration last year prop…
(2026-04-17). TS Inter 1st, 2nd Results 2026 Declared: Check Pass Percentage, Toppers Details. ummid.com TS Inter 11th, 12th Topper List 2026: Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (TSBIE) has declared today i.e. Sunday April 12, 2026 on its official website tsbie.cgg.gov.in the result of the students who had appeared for TS Intermediate (Class 11 and 12) 1st and 2nd year 2026 examinations.
(2026-04-17). City of Gold Coast hides new Beach Bar proposals from residents. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-04-17). South African politician Malema sentenced to 5 years for firing rifle at rally. scmp.com South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of breaking firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018. | He was released pending an appeal, which will be heard at a later date.
(2026-04-17). BREAKING: Clean FISA reauthorization fails. We have 13 days to secure vital reforms. rightsanddissent.org Early this morning, the House took a dramatic vote, preventing Speaker Johnson and President Trump from ramming through an extension and expansion of FISA section 702. Their proposal was This is a major victory for our bipartisan coalition of grassroots activists and civil society groups who have been fighting FISA for almost 20 years. | Our work isn't finished! | The…
(2026-04-17). Xi Ruochen: In Search of Good Books. newleftreview.org Where might Chinese-language readers hungry for critical histories and marginalized voices find such books? A history of Sinosphere publishing, charting the relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland within a broader media ecology from the Revolution to the present.
(2026-04-17). Tone-deaf, expensive tourism songs draw a lot of flak. ecns.cn A government-funded tourism promotion song with a price tag of 3 million yuan ($440,000) has drawn criticism across China, with authorities noting that the costly project is not grounded in practical needs.
(2026-04-17). 92 killed in 105 days: Man fatally stabbed in southern Israel. haaretz.com Akram Abu Assa, 29, died after being taken to the hospital in critical condition following the stabbing, with police linking the attack to a land dispute between neighbors. This is the fourth homicide in Israel this week…
(2026-04-17). BRICS Chair India to Work Closely with Russia to Address Shared Challenges: EAM Jaishankar. infobrics.org External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar said that, guided by its humanity first and people-centric approach during its ongoing BRICS chairship, India remains focused on deepening engagement with Russia to collectively address common challenges through a balanced and inclusive framework…
(2026-04-17). Eco-Luxury: The New Normal in Premium Housing. ummid.com Luxury townships following the eco-luxury blueprint generally do not advertise the details mentioned here, as they are expected to have them as a matter of course.
(2026-04-17). After Trump attack, Pope Leo slams 'tyrants' spending billions on wars. geo.tv 
Pope Leo XIV arrives to hold a holy Mass for peace and justice at Bamenda airport in Bamenda, Cameroon, April 16, 2026. — ReutersBAMENDA: Pope Leo blasted leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants", in unusually forceful…
(2026-04-17). FO Live: Wars Rage in Iran and Ukraine, Where is the United Nations? fairobserver.com Fair Observer's Video Producer Rohan Khattar Singh speaks with Hugh Dugan, a former UN insider and president of Multilateral Accountability Associates, and Daniel Wagner, the organization's managing director and a political risk expert, about whether multilateralism can still function in a world shaped by war, rivalry and institutional fatigue. Global problems are increasingly interconnected, yet…
(2026-04-17). Friday 5/1: Sequence to Survival: Using Genomics to Save Biodiversity. indybay.org UC Santa Cruz Merrill Cultural Center…
(2026-04-17). Fort Atkinson, May 2, 2026: Authentically Us: A Celebration of LGBTQIA + Youth Resource Fair. wibailoutpeople.org 
(2026-04-17). Inside Israel's prison system. aljazeera.com As Palestinians mark Prisoners' Day, more than 9,600 Palestinians are still being held in Israeli prisons.
(2026-04-17). World Cup 2026: FIFA chief Infantino defends pricing and tickets in US. aljazeera.com Gianni Infantino responds to criticism for pricing of 2026 edition highlighting 'very special' US market as factor.
(2026-04-17). Sunday 4/26: Film Screening: Eating Our Way to Extinction. indybay.org Santa Cruz County Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz…
(2026-04-17). Chelsea vs Manchester United: Premier League — teams, lineups, start. aljazeera.com Chelsea could blow the race for UEFA Champions League qualification wide open if they beat Man Utd in EPL on Saturday.
(2026-04-17). Milwaukee to Chicago Caravan for Rally Town Hall April 19, 2026. wibailoutpeople.org 
(2026-04-17). Tuesday 7/7: Apple Whistleblower Ashley Gjovik And the Fight for Worker Rights & Environmental Justice. indybay.org San Jose Peace | Justice Center | 48 S. 7th St. | San Jose, 95112…
(2026-04-17). Nuclear-powered rocket could be no small anomaly. nationofchange.org Pursuing use of nuclear propulsion in space has been a NASA aim for many years—indeed, going back to the 1960s.
(2026-04-17). First South Korean tanker transits alternative Red Sea route. newarab.com 
A South Korean oil tanker has transited the Import-dependent
(2026-04-17). WHYY Newscast for Friday 5:00 p.m. whyy.org The latest local headlines from WHYY…
(2026-04-17). Civil Society Demands World Bank Withdraw from the So-Called Board of Peace. worldbeyondwar.org Over 190 civil society groups and human rights advocates have signed this joint statement to express our unequivocal denunciation of the World Bank's role. #WorldBEYONDWar…
(2026-04-17). Congress' Midnight Warrantless Spying Vote And What It Means For Your Privacy. levernews.com Late last night, Republicans tried to force through the reauthorization of a Trump-backed warrantless surveillance law — and failed, in part thanks to The Lever's reporting that
(2026-04-17). NATO command center formed in Ukraine as UK pledges 120,000 drones. infobrics.org ARES will "accelerate Ukraine's alignment with NATO interoperability standards, easing future accession pathways and improving coalition compatibility". This is just a fancy way of saying that the Kiev regime will be fully integrated into NATO command structures and function as one of its members in all but name.
(2026-04-17). EconoScope | China's energy storage boom powers global demand amid energy crisis. ecns.cn China's energy storage sector is seeing explosive overseas demand amid mounting global energy uncertainty, positioning the country as a key provider of stability.
(2026-04-17). opposition suffers from with too many Magyars. haaretz.com Naftali Bennett may be encouraged by the victory of a right-wing candidate in Hungary, but he has a problem with his opposition partners. Research is showing that Netanyahu's most loyal voters are leaving Likud. And, what's the hottest name to appear on a party slate for the next Knesset election…
(2026-04-17). Sarah Anderson on Poverty Wages, Lia Holland on Wayback Machine. fair.org 
(2026-04-17). The Criminal Past of the Far-Right Anti-Migrant 'Auditors' Going Viral on YouTube. bylinetimes.com 
'Migrants from Calais to 300k apartments & aggressive security,' shouts the YouTube video's title, as the man behind the camera attempts to give viewers a tour of asylum accommodation he has entered without permission before being ejected by security. The cameraman, Scott Chesterman, is the owner of His video forms part of a growing trend of 'auditing' content on YouTube. Auditors play as citizen journalists, cashing in on views for videos they claim reveal…
(2026-04-17). What, Exactly, Is a Fair Wage? portside.org What, Exactly, Is a Fair Wage? |
(2026-04-17). Nausicaa Renner: Party and Class. newleftreview.org Nausicaa Renner on Paul Heideman, Rogue Elephant. Hollowed-out parties and capitalist sectoralization said to underlie the Trumpian capture of the GOP.
(2026-04-17). 'Financial Pawn of the Saudi Monarchy': House Judiciary Opens Probe Into Jared Kushner. scheerpost.com "You cannot faithfully represent the United States with billions of dollars in Saudi and Emirati cash burning a hole in every pocket of every suit you own," said Rep. Jamie Raskin. Jon Queally for Common Dreams The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning announced a "sweeping" probe into alleged self-enrichment by Jared …
(2026-04-17). TS SSC Results 2026 – Steps, Link to Check. ummid.com The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Telangana is declaring on its official website 'bse.telangana.gov.in' the results of the students who appeared in the TS SSC (Class 10) examination in 2026.
(2026-04-17). Australia's National Defence Strategy outlines military build-up for war against China. wsws.org The document is a statement of the Labor government's complete commitment to US-led wars globally, and above all to preparations for a catastrophic conflict in the Indo-Pacific targeting China.
(2026-04-17). Cuba Not To Surrender, Cuba To Prevail: Diaz-Canel. orinocotribune.com The U.S. blockade is the main cause of the suffering of the Cuban nation. | On Thursday, Cubans commemorated the 65th anniversary of the proclamation of the socialist character of the Revolution with mass events in several cities across the country. | In Havana, President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected the hostility of the U.S. government, which has maintained an economic, commercial and financial blockade for more than six decades. | He also rejected growing threats of military aggression that are accompanied by a cynical narrative according to which Cuba is a "Failed State." Such arguments, he said, have been used…
(2026-04-17). Iran war brings massive price and profit gouging. wsws.org Global oil companies are raking in additional profits at the rate of $30 million per hour as the result of the price hikes induced by the war.
(2026-04-17). These 100 former US lawmakers have become foreign lobbyists. responsiblestatecraft.org As Pete Hegseth was fighting an uphill battle to be confirmed as the secretary of defense, an experienced politico came running to whip votes: Norm Coleman, a former Republican senator from Minnesota.After
(2026-04-17). China seeks public opinion on national standard for L2 driver assistance systems. ecns.cn China is soliciting public opinion regarding a mandatory national standard concerning safety requirements for Level 2 (L2) driver assistance systems in intelligent connected vehicles.
(2026-04-17). Kremlin denies Putin's isolation from Russia's woes amid blogger's criticism. scmp.com The Kremlin on Friday denied that ‚Å President Vladimir ‚Å Putin was insulated from ‚Å bad news after a celebrity blogger accused unidentified top officials of not telling Russia's paramount leader the truth about the country's problems. | Viktoria Bonya, a social media influencer who ‚Äåis well known inside Russia for her appearances on reality TV shows, said this week that she supported Putin and listed five problems which she said officials were not briefing him on honestly.
(2026-04-17). OMB Head Russ Vought Refuses to Provide Financial Estimates on Iran War Costs. truthout.org Testifying before both houses of Congress on Wednesday, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) head Russ Vought refused to provide lawmakers with estimates of how much the war on Iran is costing the U.S. financially. Vought — one of the main proponents of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation-backed blueprint for how President Donald Trump should run the government that was published and… |
(2026-04-17). France denies entry to Palestinian human rights defender. newarab.com 
Shawan Jabarin, the general director of The decision also preve…
(2026-04-17). How about a little self-acceptance? whyy.org Harvard psychologist Ronald Siegel explains why so many of us believe we're never good enough and why being "special" is overrated,…
(2026-04-17). France: Denial of Entry to Palestinian Activist Blocks Advocacy. hrw.org (Paris, April 17, 2026) — France has refused to grant an entry visa to Shawan Jabarin, the director of Al-Haq, one of the leading and oldest Palestinian human rights organizations, based in the occupied West Bank. Jabarin was due to travel to France to appear before the European Parliament's Human Rights Committee in Strasbourg, alongside representatives from other Palestinian organizations. This is the second time Jabarin has been denied entry into France; in October 2025, French authorities rejected his application to renew his Schengen visa, reportedly citing "threats to public order or internal security…
(2026-04-17). House Judiciary Investigating Jared Kushner's Investments From Saudi Arabia. truthout.org The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning announced a "sweeping" probe into alleged self-enrichment by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump who has served as a high-profile White House envoy in the Middle East while also, according to Congressman Jamie Raskin, "soliciting billions of dollars from Gulf monarchies for [his] private business… |
(2026-04-17). Mundy Talks Motivation, Messaging, and his Music Making Proccess. mediasanctuary.org Local MC and Producer Mundy talks about his beginnings as an artist, how his music making process has evolved, and the message he leaves in his his music. He is one of the performers at Song City on May 12. Mundy spoke with Jacob Boston and Richard Sleeper.
(2026-04-17). US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days. scmp.com 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 ‚Äåfive years failed in the House.
(2026-04-17). Lebanese overcome destroyed bridges and roads to return home. newarab.com 
(2026-04-17). China launches largest AI4S computing cluster with 60,000 chips. ecns.cn A new supercomputing cluster capable of handling the most demanding scientific AI tasks has gone live in Central China's Henan province, marking a major step forward in the country's push to integrate artificial intelligence with scientific research.
(2026-04-17). Why Did It Take So Long To Arrest d4vd? newsone.com 
(2026-04-17). In Dead of Night, Johnson Tries—But Fails—to Ram Through Domestic Spying Bill for Trump. scheerpost.com The president and GOP House speaker wanted a 5-year extension of a despised domestic spying bill. Instead, they got just two weeks. "Now, they will have to fight in daylight tomorrow!" said one Democratic lawmaker Jon Queally for Common Dreams A dramatic series of votes in the US House of Representatives resulted in a dead-of-night extension of …
(2026-04-17). Eight killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia. tribune.com.pk 
All eight people on board an Airbus H130 helicopter were killed after it crashed on Thursday in Sekadau regency, West Kalimantan province of Indonesia, authorities said Friday. | The aircraft was carrying six passengers, a pilot and a co-pilot. | The helicopter departed from Melawi regency at 7.34 am local time (0034GMT) and lost contact at 8.39 am. | "All victims have been confirmed dead," Jakarta Globe quoted a Sekadau police official as saying. | Rescue teams reached the crash site later the same day, but evacuation efforts were hindered by difficult terrain and low visibility.
(2026-04-17). What Is The 'Online Rape Academy'? Everything We Know. newsone.com 
Source: Nicholas Shkoda / Getty | One of the inherent horrors of our digital age is that it is so much easier for cruel men to find like-minded people. The internet has understandably been horrified by an investigation Here's everything we know. | What Is The Online Rape Academy?: | These chat rooms first came to light in 2024 after Dominique Pelicot was arrested for drugging his wife and allowing her to be raped over 200 times by 70 m…
(2026-04-17). Newly revamped train offers travelers luxury of a star-rated hotel. ecns.cn An inaugural 12-day trip on a newly renovated five-star travel train set off from Wuhan, Hubei province, on Wednesday night, expecting to provide luxurious experiences for tourists.
(2026-04-17). In Empire We Trust — Who Gains and Who Loses in Trump's America. portside.org In Empire We Trust — Who Gains and Who Loses in Trump's America |
(2026-04-17). If a missile hits, thousands of Bedouin can only pray the wind blows the other way. haaretz.com Between high-voltage lines and underground gas pipelines, residents of Wadi al-Na'am, who live next to the Neot Hovav petrochemical industrial zone, have no way to protect themselves — not from missile attacks and not from the hazardous materials that could leak from the factories. In this war, they say, they were lucky. But what will happen next time?
(2026-04-17). Sino-Pakistan project yields satisfactory results. ecns.cn A hybrid rice variety, jointly developed by China's Wuhan University and the University of the Punjab in Pakistan, is moving toward wider commercial use in Pakistan.
(2026-04-17). China's EV Exports: The New Offensive That Worries Western Markets. orinocotribune.com 
Amid the war in the Middle East, which is causing a record increase in fuel prices, China has increased its exports of electric vehicles. According to Bloomberg, exports abroad surged by 140 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 349,000 units. | This growth is understandable. Consumers are looking for electric cars to protect themselves from sudden increases in fuel prices. | Europe, one of the regions most affected by the crisis, risks suffering a severe blow to its industry after many years of attempts to curb the entry of Chinese cars into its market. | However, the damage could affect not only Europ…
(2026-04-17). US confirms transit fare spike to $150 for World Cup fans in New Jersey. aljazeera.com Fares confirmed at nearly 12-time hike to get from Manhattan's Penn Station to the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford.
(2026-04-17). ASEAN's Pathways Toward a Net-Zero Power Sector by 2050. unitedworldint.com If ASEAN can couple its natural resource endowments with effective institutions and well-considered finance, it can become the leader in equitable and replicable decarbonization. By Mehmet Enes Be≈üer As the momentum of the world towards carbon neutrality picks up speed, ASEAN is at a turning point. Most ASEAN member countries have already submitted updated Nationally …
(2026-04-17). Troops in… Cuba? Another quagmire for Washington, besides Iran. infobrics.org As the Iran conflict drags on, an attempt at pivoting appears to be underway in US strategy. Reports suggest Cuba is re-entering Washington's regime-change calculus under a revived neo-Monroeist logic. The US may find itself instead entrapped in two quagmires at the same time.
(2026-04-17). Government calls on private sector to partner in enhancing conservation. sanews.gov.za Government calls on private sector to partner in enhancing conservation | Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called on the private sector to partner with government to slow biodiversity loss, restore critical habitats, and secure the ecological infrastructure that supports the economy. | This as the National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) paints a concerning picture of the state of the country's biodiversity, showing that nearly one-third of terrestrial ecosystems are classified as threatened. | "Pressures on biodiversity are intensifying habitat loss from agriculture, se…
(2026-04-17). Wedding guest dress ideas for Australian country weddings. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-04-17). Lebanese return south as fragile Israel ceasefire takes hold. newarab.com 
A cautious calm has settled over On Thursday, hours before the ceasefire came into effect,
(2026-04-17). Drone zone debuts at Canton Fair. ecns.cn With an advanced manufacturing theme, the fair has a total exhibition area of 520,000 square meters and more than 25,000 exhibition booths established by over 12,000 companies in its first phase.
(2026-04-17). Tony Wood: A Bolivarian Republic of Letters? newleftreview.org Tony Wood on Julio Cortázar, Carlos Fuentes, Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa, Las cartas del Boom. Correspondence between four titans of the midcentury Latin American novel.
(2026-04-17). Argentine lawmakers condemn U.S. economic war against Cuba. radiohc.cu National deputies Hilda Aguirre, Gabriela Pedrali, and Sergio Casas, representing the Argentinian province of La Rioja, condemned the economic, commercial, and financial blockade that the United States has maintained against Cuba for more than six decades. | In a statement obtained by Prensa Latina, the legislators from La Rioja also deemed it unacceptable that in the 21st century, "an attempt is being made to discipline a people through hunger, isolation, or the threat of war." | They asserted that Cuba has demonstrated throughout its history a profound commitment to peace, solidarity, and cooperation among nati…