Senior British official resigns over Mandelson appointment, but Starmer insists he won’t go - AP News

Senior British official resigns over Mandelson appointment, but Starmer insists he won’t go  AP News

UK's Starmer again under pressure to resign as Mandelson row reignites - Reuters

UK's Starmer again under pressure to resign as Mandelson row reignites  Reuters

Oil prices plunge as Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'open' during ceasefire

Brent crude sinks 10% after Iran says the key waterway is completely open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.

Trump Pivots Back to Affordability With Eye on Midterms - Bloomberg.com

Trump Pivots Back to Affordability With Eye on Midterms  Bloomberg.com

Starmer Fires Senior U.K. Civil Servant Over Mandelson Revelations

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed that Peter Mandelson, the former envoy to the United States, had been appointed despite failing to pass security vetting checks.

By Michael D. Shear

No scenario in latest Mandelson drama makes Starmer look good

Something has gone badly wrong in communication between Downing Street and government departments

Oil and gas prices fall nearly 10% after Iran says strait of Hormuz is open

Brent crude drops and gas prices slide amid hopes Donald Trump will succeed in reaching deal with Tehran Oil and gas prices tumbled by almost 10% on Friday after Iran said the strait of Hormuz would open to commercial shipping, potentially clearing the way for tankers holding millions of barrels of oil and gas to reach the global market. Iran’s foreign minister said that vessels would be free to transit the strait of Hormuz for the duration of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon s...

By Jillian Ambrose

Jen Psaki shuts down 25th amendment talk about Trump, declares it's 'not going to happen'

Jen Psaki told Stephen A. Smith that Democrats focusing on the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump is not constructive and said it wasn't going to happen.

The three clocks of the Iran war

Trump is racing against the midterms, Iran is betting on endurance, and Netanyahu needs a war with no end.

North American stocks rally and oil tumbles 10% after Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open

S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq all climbed shortly after open, as stocks run toward the finish of a third straight week of big gains. Brent crude oil, the international standard, dropped to $89.13 US a barrel — still higher than the $70 before the Iran war, but lower than it has been in recent weeks.

Ukraine's foreign minister responds to Trump's claim that Ukraine has no cards

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has insisted in response to Trump that Ukraine does have leverage in the negotiations with Russia.

By Yevhen Kizilov

UK: 'Furious' PM Starmer refuses to step down over Mandelson

Pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer is growing over his naming of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite red flags. The PM says he was not told that Mandelson failed a background check before the appointment.

UK’s Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson scandal reignites

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. Mandelson, a long-time insider with Starmer’s ruling Labour Party, has held multiple ministerial posts sin...

By Agence France-Presse

Europe welcomes Hormuz Strait reopening

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday hosted a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. Macron welcomed Iran's announcement that the waterway would be reopened to commercial shipping for the rest of the ceasefire, but called for the strait's "unconditional" reopening. France24 International Affairs Editor Rochelle Ferguson shares fur...

By FRANCE24

Trump weighing his successor and quizzes aides on whether Rubio or Vance should be the 2028 pick: report

While JD Vance has taken a more hesitant stance on the Iran war, Marco Rubio has advocated for interventionism

By Ariana Baio

Stocks Rally In Fastest Comeback In Decades—These Are The Biggest Winners As Hormuz Reopens - Forbes

Stocks Rally In Fastest Comeback In Decades—These Are The Biggest Winners As Hormuz Reopens  Forbes

'NYC is cooked': Business leaders and Wall Streeters erupt over NYC's proposed luxury second-home tax

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has backed a proposal by Gov. Kathy Hochul to tax second homes in New York City valued at over $5 million. Caean Couto/Getty Images Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani proposed a tax on New York City second homes worth over $5 million. Critics were quick to attack the proposal, arguing that it would drive wealth out of the city. NY hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb hinted at relocating; others called the proposal "class warfare." A New York City tax proposal targeting ultrawea...

Trump: Iran has agreed to hand over its uranium

From Hormuz to household finance: How global oil shocks can filter into Indian homes

Global oil markets face turmoil due to the Iran-US conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. India, heavily reliant on oil imports, feels the pinch through rising inflation and borrowing costs. The Reserve Bank of India monitors the situation, opting for stability over aggressive action. Households may experience a gradual tightening of budgets as costs rise and monetary easing is delayed.

By TRISHA MAHAJAN

Watermelon to Stream Paul Elia Stand-Up Special ‘Good Son’ After Donald Trump Joke Sees Comedian Hit With Promotional Restrictions (EXCLUSIVE)

Comedian and actor Paul Elia’s stand-up special “Good Son” is set be released on Watermelon+ in the wake of promotional restrictions he faced due to a brief mention of Donald Trump. Originally only planned as a YouTube special that premiered on April 8th, the self-financed hour-long special features a Trump impression followed by a joke […]

By Alex Ritman

UK PM Keir Starmer says he ‘was unaware’ Peter Mandelson's vetting failure was overruled

Starmer, however, sought to contain the fallout by expressing anger on Friday at not having been informed about Mandelson’s vetting status.

Keir Starmer is angry again

The PM is leading the chorus of fury against his own government

By Ethan Croft

UK’s Starmer pleads ignorance over Mandelson, resists pressure to resign - The Straits Times

UK’s Starmer pleads ignorance over Mandelson, resists pressure to resign  The Straits Times

Israel prohibited from 'bombing Lebanon any longer,' warns Trump

US President Donald Trump also confirmed that the US plans to work with Lebanon separately.

‘Pope Leo’ Disses Trump With ‘They Not Pious’ Kendrick Lamar Parody on ‘Late Show’

"How many mentions of you in the Epstein files?" the faux-pe raps. "Certified bestie with that certified pedophile"

By Kory Grow

Keir Starmer says it is ‘unforgivable’ he was not told Mandelson failed security vetting for US ambassador role; Calls for him to resign over scandal

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it is “unforgivable” that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed to pass security vetting for the role of ambassador to the US.

France's Macron says fragile Lebanon ceasefire 'may already be undermined'

A 10-day ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon came into effect at midnight on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the news, but expressed concern after Beirut reported violations in the south of the country.

By RFI

Opinion: Analysis | Can Donald Trump Face An 'Arrest Warrant' - Like Netanyahu And Putin?

No one in living memory imagined a moment when the world would seriously debate the possibility of an American president being dragged before a court. Can it happen?

UK’s Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson row reignites

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday faced renewed calls from his political opponents ​to resign after it was revealed that his former ambassador to ‌the United States failed security vetting and was still allowed to take up the job. The government on Thursday confirmed Mandelson — who was subsequently fired after Starmer said he had lied ​about the strength of his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — had ​failed his security vetting before taking up the role. The governm...

By none@none.com (Reuters)

Starmer faces calls to resign after Mandelson vetting fiasco

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday faced renewed calls from his political opponents to resign after it was revealed that his former ambassador to the United States failed security vetting and was still allowed to take up the job. The government on Thursday confirmed Mandelson – who was subsequently fired after Starmer said he had […]

Ex-official filmed over 40 victims with hidden cameras in dorm, restroom

A former official at the Chungbuk Office of Education has been indicted on charges of secretly filming dozens of victims using hidden cameras installed in multiple locations, including a restaurant restroom, a training facility and a relative’s home, prosecutors said Friday. The suspect, a man in his 50s, is accused of illegally filming 41 people at six locations between Jan. 3 and Feb. 25. Authorities found 47 illicit recordings on four small cameras used in the crimes, according to investigato

By The Korea Herald

Top UK civil servant ousted over Mandelson vetting

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure and a top civil servant is to leave their post after it emerged the Foreign Office overruled a security vetting process to clear Peter Mandelson to become UK ambassador to the US.

Reactions of industry and leaders to Iran saying Hormuz is open

Dow rises 1,000 points to 2% as Strait of Hormuz opens

Reopening Hormuz essential to solve Mideast conflict says Meloni at Paris meet

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 17 - Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is essential to solving the Middle East conflict, Premier Giorgia Meloni said Friday in Paris after a meeting on shipping in the strategic choke hold chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer featuring a total of 50 countries, mostly in video conference. "Reopening Hormuz means addressing critical issues and building a key element for any solution to the Middle East conflict," she told the press a...

By ANSA

Mandelson vetting revelations could finish off Starmer - The Observer

Mandelson vetting revelations could finish off Starmer  The Observer

Iran war exposes weakened state of Britain’s armed forces

The Iran war has left Britain’s armed forces exposed, heaping pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act on his promises to invest in defence, after years of warnings from military bosses about the UK’s shrinking capabilities. When a British military base in Cyprus was hit by a drone early on in the Iran conflict […]

By newsroom

Keir Starmer facing mounting pressure over Peter Mandelson vetting decision

A top civil servant is to leave their post over the controversy.

Russian Stocks Slip After Iran Says Strait of Hormuz ‘Completely Open’ for Duration of Ceasefire

Rosneft shares fell by more than 4%, while Gazprom Neft dropped nearly 3%. Lukoil and Tatneft both saw declines of more than 2%.

‘Late Show’ Spoofs Trump Vs. Pope Leo Feud In Kendrick Lamar-Inspired ‘They Not Pious’ Video: ‘Called Jesus a Doctor/ And It’s Probably Alzheimer’s’

"I'm the Holy See/ You're the Holy Senile," the fake pontiff raps about the leader of the free world.

By Gil Kaufman

A turning point for Donald Trump? - eKathimerini.com

A turning point for Donald Trump?  eKathimerini.com

Oil falls by over 11% after Iran FM declares Strait of Hormuz open

Brent fell $11.12 to $88.27; WTI dropped $11.40 to $83.29 amid sharp declines in oil prices

By Reuters

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open as Trump confirms full passage

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping following a cease-fire in Lebanon, with President Donald Trump confirming the vital waterway is ready for unrest...

Stocks Rally as Oil Plunges on Reopening of Hormuz Strait

US stocks rallied Friday after Iran said it would open the Strait of Hormuz following the truce between Israel and Lebanon, promising to ease an oil shock that has shadowed the global economic outlook ever since President Donald Trump started the war seven weeks ago.

By Geoffrey Morgan

Trump Says Admin Investigating Deaths, Disappearances Of US Scientists

Trump Says Admin Investigating Deaths, Disappearances Of US Scientists Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times, President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed to look into reports of multiple U.S. scientists who have either died or gone missing in recent months. “I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half,” he told reporters, adding that “I just left a meeting on that subject.” The reports, he added, are serious, because “some of them were very im...

By Tyler Durden

Malaysia to join Macron, Starmer meeting on Hormuz Strait energy crisis today, says Anwar

CYBERJAYA, April 17 — Malaysia will be attending a high-level meeting organised by France and the UK to discuss th...

Zelensky to take part in leaders’ meeting on Strait of Hormuz

President Volodymyr Zelensky will join today’s summit of leaders who will discuss ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz.

JUST IN: Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz route for oil tankers

Iran has reopened the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships during a regional ceasefire, causing a sharp drop in global oil prices. Read More: https://punchng.com/just-in-iran-reopens-strait-of-hormuz-route-for-oil-tankers/

By Punch Newspapers

British PM under pressure to resign over ex-envoy to US appointment

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. The post British PM under pressure to resign over ex-envoy to US appointment appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Henry Oduah

Strait of Hormuz under threat: Global energy security & economic vulnerabilities - Tehran Times

Strait of Hormuz under threat: Global energy security & economic vulnerabilities  Tehran Times

Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping for the duration of a ceasefire, easing pressure on global energy markets and prompting a drop in oil prices. The announcement came as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon entered into force, with Israeli forces maintaining their illegal occupation in southern Lebanon. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the passage for all commercial vessels was “completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire”, in ...

Trump hopes Hezbollah 'acts nicely' during truce, says 'great' for them if they do - Naharnet

Trump hopes Hezbollah 'acts nicely' during truce, says 'great' for them if they do  Naharnet

Starmer sacks top Foreign Office official after Mandelson vetting revelations

The Foreign Office's top civil servant is leaving his post after his department did not inform the prime minister that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador.

By Emmanuel Tetteh

Romanian Social Democrats reportedly prepare coalition boycott to force PM's resignation

By iuliane

Starmer rejects calls to quit as vetting failure sparks political storm - thecitizen.co.tz

Starmer rejects calls to quit as vetting failure sparks political storm  thecitizen.co.tz