China rejects Trump accusation that intercepted Iran ship was 'gift from China' - Reuters

China rejects Trump accusation that intercepted Iran ship was 'gift from China'  Reuters

'A dangerous standoff' as Strait of Hormuz blockade continues

The US and Iran's rival blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have become a "test of wills", says Lyse Doucet.

Both Iran and U.S. Blockade Strait of Hormuz

The foes are trying to exert control over the narrow passageway. Most ships aren’t moving. Here’s what to know.

By Pranav Baskar

Hegseth Blasts Europe, Asia for ‘Freeriding’ on US Hormuz Action - Bloomberg.com

Hegseth Blasts Europe, Asia for ‘Freeriding’ on US Hormuz Action  Bloomberg.com

Exclusive | Inside the Navy Secretary’s Last-Ditch Bid to Save His Job - WSJ

Exclusive | Inside the Navy Secretary’s Last-Ditch Bid to Save His Job  WSJ

Trump cannot bear the judgments of Pope Leo | Sidney Blumenthal

The political gap between US evangelicals and Catholics is widening. And Trump won’t tolerate authority outside his own “Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?” Henry II was reputed to have muttered. His knights heard his pointed remark as an order. They rode to confront Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, who spoke too freely and critically about the king. When they failed to intimidate him into silence, they murdered him. Absolute rule demanded absolute fealty. The representati...

By Sidney Blumenthal

Morning news brief

Ongoing U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz strands thousands of seafarers, Trump administration eases rules on medical marijuana, Wildfires fueled by drought continue to spread in parts of Georgia.

By Michel Martin

Iran-Iraq Tanker War redux? Why the Strait of Hormuz crisis is different

The Tanker War between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s also disrupted global shipping. But the situation today is different.

"He is not speaking for the UK": Trump responds to Prince Harry's appeal regarding Ukraine

US President Donald Trump, commenting on Prince Harry's remarks about the need for a greater US role in ending the war in Ukraine, stated that the Prince does not speak on behalf of the UK.

By Khrystyna Bondarieva,Anastasia Protz

Why Trump's appearance at White House correspondents dinner is triggering controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump, who regularly attacks news coverage and journalists he dislikes with lawsuits and verbal tirades, will be the featured guest at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association dinner, and annual gala celebrating freedom of the press.

Dow CEO says clearing the Strait of Hormuz logjam will take almost a year

Dow CEO Jim Fitterling said that clearing the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz will take significantly longer than investors expect.

Iranian FM heads to Islamabad but does not confirm US talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was headed to Islamabad but did not confirm peace talks with the US. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said US blockade of Strait of Hormuz will continue 'as long as necessary.'

Trump ally visits China, DeepSeek releases V4, EV earnings

Senator Steve Daines will lead a bipartisan US Congressional delegation to China next week, just ahead of a visit by President Donald Trump. The five-member group will arrive on May 1 and visit Beijing and Shanghai, the South China Morning Post reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. The delegation will include first-time visitors to China, the report said, without elaboration. Daines, a Trump ally, said last month that he planned to take a group to China to explore the...

By Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow

US Defense Secretary Hegseth: 'US blockade has gone global'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Operation Epic Fury has achieved a decisive result in just weeks, focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He noted the mission is entering a new phase, giving Iran the chance to pursue a “good and wise” peace deal, while emphasising the strength of the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, soon to be reinforced by a second aircraft carrier. France24 journalist Shirli Sitbon shares further details on the press conference.

By FRANCE24

Pete Hegseth shrugs off Pope’s criticism of Trump and Iran war: ‘We know what authority we have’

‘Pope’s gonna do his thing, that’s fine,’ Hegseth said at Friday morning Pentagon briefing

By Ariana Baio

Hegseth Responds To Pope Leo’s Iran War Criticism: US Has ‘Authority’ To Fight - Forbes

Hegseth Responds To Pope Leo’s Iran War Criticism: US Has ‘Authority’ To Fight  Forbes

Why Donald Trump’s '600% saving' claim on drug prices doesn’t add up

President Trump asserted drug prices dropped over 100%, a mathematically impossible claim, defending a "different way" of calculating reductions. He cited hypothetical scenarios of massive price hikes and subsequent drops to justify his administration's claims, drawing criticism for flawed math. Other disputed statements on Iran and inauguration crowds were also made.

By TOI World Desk

Pentagon chief Hegseth says US blockade on Iran ‘going global’ - The Straits Times

Pentagon chief Hegseth says US blockade on Iran ‘going global’  The Straits Times

Inside the Navy Secretary’s Last-Ditch Bid to Save His Job

John Phelan refused to accept his dismissal until he heard from President Trump.

Iran continuing to lay mines in Strait of Hormuz, US official says

In response to Iran placing mines around the Strait, which experts believe are fewer than 100, US President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill any boat" suspected of doing so.

Iranian Delegation May Arrive In Pakistan Tonight For Talks With US: Report

There is a "high likelihood of a breakthrough" in the ceasefire talks that Pakistan has been trying to restart between the United States and Iran.

New Delhi criticises ‘poor taste’ Trump post calling India a ‘hellhole’

India on Thursday criticised as inappropriate a post by US President Donald Trump that called the South Asian country a “hellhole.” The comments come ahead of a planned visit next month to India by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who would seek to turn the page on recent tensions between the normally friendly powers. Trump late Wednesday posted on social media a screed apparently written by someone else denouncing the US constitutional right to citizenship of everyone born in the country. ...

By none@none.com (AFP)

Merger Opponents Rally Outside David Ellison’s Dinner For Donald Trump’s White House

Donald Trump arrived at the Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening to attend a private dinner hosted by Paramount CEO David Ellison, who is seeking approval of his proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Across the street on the National Mall, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and about two dozen other merger opponents […]

By Ted Johnson

Pentagon chief Hegseth says Iran has chance to make a 'good deal'

EU and regional leaders call for Strait of Hormuz to reopen as Nicosia summit concludes

The informal European Council and a summit with regional leaders concluded in Nicosia on Friday, with EU leaders calling for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and expressing solidarity with Lebanon, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and President Nikos Christodoulides spoke at a joint press […]

By Ernestos Mousas

Meloni says hasn't heard from Trump, relations with US still solid

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 24 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Friday she hadn't heard from United States President Donald Trump since their falling out over her condemnation of his criticism of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war last week and that relations with the US are still solid. "I haven't heard from Trump, but relations with the US are still solid," Meloni told reporters at an informal EU summit in Cyprus. Returning to the subject of defence spending, which Italy like other NATO members is hiking i...

By ANSA

Friday's papers: Rising healthcare fees, Trump's 'naughty & nice list', and cold before the warm

Finland is likely on US President Donald Trump's 'good' list, according to a researcher.

India rebukes Trump over ‘hellhole’ remarks on birthright citizenship

New Delhi says comments ‘uninformed, inappropriate’ and not reflective of bilateral ties

By Reuters

Demand destruction tempers oil rally despite Hormuz disruption - Khaleej Times

Demand destruction tempers oil rally despite Hormuz disruption  Khaleej Times

Anwar: Two Malaysian fuel tankers stranded after Hormuz exit, Putrajaya opens talks with Iran

JOHOR BAHRU, April 24 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is in talks with its Iranian c...

By Ben Tan

Against US Dominance: Europe's Hormuz Mission And The Illusion Of Geopolitical Power

Against US Dominance: Europe's Hormuz Mission And The Illusion Of Geopolitical Power Submitted by Thomas Kolbe The loss of Europe’s geopolitical power is the defining decline narrative of our time. As Europeans, we are condemned to become unwilling witnesses of continental decay. And in no field of politics does the toxic amalgam of eco-socialism, elite arrogance, and rampant infantilism become more visible than at the level of the European Union. What we are witnessing in Bruss...

By Tyler Durden

China opposes accusations, implications lacking factual basis: FM on US claim of 'China gift' on intercepted Iranian cargo ship - Global Times

China opposes accusations, implications lacking factual basis: FM on US claim of 'China gift' on intercepted Iranian cargo ship  Global Times

Hegseth: The naval blockade of Iranian ports has taken on global dimensions; we are not relying on Europe for the Strait of Hormuz

Iran knows it still has an “open window” to make the right decisions, said the U.S. Secretary of Defense The post Hegseth: The naval blockade of Iranian ports has taken on global dimensions; we are not relying on Europe for the Strait of Hormuz appeared first on ProtoThema English.

By Newsroom

‘Uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste’: India on President Trump’s ‘hellhole’ remarks - phnompenhpost.com

‘Uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste’: India on President Trump’s ‘hellhole’ remarks  phnompenhpost.com

Beijing rejects Trump claims that seized Iran ship was ‘gift from China’ - PressTV

Beijing rejects Trump claims that seized Iran ship was ‘gift from China’  PressTV