Ten Maute Group militants, including a leader, are killed in a shootout with soldiers during a raid in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, Phillippines.
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April 17, 2026 (Friday)
2 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announces that the Strait of Hormuz will be open for commercial traffic via a "coordinated route" with Iranian authorities while the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon is in effect.
An Iranian military official says that vessels must receive permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to pass.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz says that the military will hold all of its positions in southern Lebanon, and that disarming Hezbollah remains its main objective.
United States president Donald Trump says that the U.S. naval blockade will remain in effect until a peace agreement is reached with Iran.
Fars News Agency reports that the Iranian government considers the continuation of the blockade a violation of the ceasefire and would close the strait again if it is not lifted.
The Israeli military issues a statement telling residents from southern Lebanon to remain north of the Litani River during the ceasefire.
The Lebanese military says that there have been several Israeli attacks and artillery shelling incidents in violation of the ceasefire.
Maritime tracking data shows that only a few ships moved through the strait after the announcement.
Business and economy
A South Korean tanker transports crude oil to the country via the Red Sea for the first time since disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, as the government implements alternative supply routes to secure energy imports.
China and Turkmenistan begin expansion works at the GalkynyĹź Gas Field, the world's second-largest gas field, to increase production amid the fuel crisis.
Oil prices, including Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate, drop to less than US$90 per barrel, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increases by over 1,000 points, following Iran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Disasters and accidents
Health and environment
France announces that its social security system will reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual products for individuals under 26 and those with low income.
Law and crime
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell announces that the U.S. Department of Defense has completed a key phase of its investigation into the withdrawal from Afghanistan by conducting a series of interviews with generals who executed the operation including former Marine Corps Commandmant David Berger, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley, and U.S. Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie.
Australian Army veteran and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is granted bail with travel restrictions after his previous arrest for alleged war crimes while deployed to Afghanistan during the war.
April 16, 2026 (Thursday)
2.9 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including on Kyiv and Odesa, kill at least 22 people and wound more than 131 others.
U.S. president Donald Trump announces that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, after his conversations with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun.
U.S. troops complete their withdrawal from the Qasrak air base in Hasakah province, ending U.S. involvement in Syria after troops first arrived in 2015 to fight against the Islamic State.
United States defense secretary Pete Hegseth says that the U.S. is prepared to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a permanent deal.
The Russian defence ministry publishes a list of locations in Europe that are reportedly supporting drone production for Ukraine, including in Germany and Italy, saying the locations are "potential targets for the Russian Armed Forces”.
Five gunmen are killed and a state trooper is wounded during a security operation in Los Herreras, Nuevo LeĂłn, Mexico. Authorities implement coordinated surveillance in the area for more suspects.
Arts and culture
A previously unknown poem by Federico GarcĂa Lorca is found handwritten on the back of a manuscript. It was discovered by Spanish singer and collector Miguel Poveda.
Business and economy
Disasters and accidents
A helicopter crashes in Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, killing all eight people on board.
International relations
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank restore official relations with Venezuela and recognize the administration of acting president Delcy RodrĂguez, enabling engagement on economic policy and potential financial assistance.
Argentine president Javier Milei announces a trip to Israel where he is expected to receive the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor and meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite the transfer of the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Law and crime
In the United States, Fairfax County officials say that former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax murdered his wife, then killed himself, after police find them dead at their home.
Sri Lankan customs officials arrest nine Chinese nationals at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo for attempting to smuggle communication equipment concealed on their bodies, which officials say is intended for use in internet fraud operations.
Philippine president Bongbong Marcos says that Czech authorities have arrested former legislator Zaldy Co in Prague after he entered the country without proper documentation, following his designation as a fugitive in connection with graft and malversation charges linked to a flood control project.
In South Africa, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema is sentenced to five years imprisonment for the unlawful discharge of a firearm at a 2018 rally.
The death toll in yesterday's school shooting in OnikiĹźubat, KahramanmaraĹź Province, Turkey, rises to 11, including the perpetrator, after a critically injured victim succumbs to his injuries.
Surrey Police issue a disorder warning in Epsom, England, after protesters clash with riot police in the town. The protesters are demanding the description of men who gang raped a woman outside a Methodist Church the previous weekend.
Police arrest singer d4vd in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on suspicion of killing a 14-year-old girl whose remains were previously found in a vehicle registered to him.
Politics and elections
The Balen Shah cabinet establishes a five-member commission, led by a former Supreme Court judge, to investigate the assets of current and former Nepali public officials.
The U.S. House of Representatives rejects the War Powers Resolution to stop military operations by a 214–213 vote.
Hungarian prime minister-designate Péter Magyar says his election victory over Viktor Orbán will not lead to a policy shift on migration, saying his government will strengthen borders and "protect our country and Europe" from illegal immigration.
Sports
In chess, Javokhir Sindarov wins the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. The Women's Tournament is won by Vaishali Rameshbabu.
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