THE GUARDIAN: Tehran has shown that its grip over the strait of Hormuz is its most potent deterrent – arguably more consequential than its now defunct nuclear programme
Donald Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran will be remembered as a grave strategic miscalculation – one that has reshaped the region in unintended and destabilising ways. With the ceasefire now extended indefinitely, we can see more clearly how the war has undermined the US’s standing in the world and failed to achieve its core objectives: it has neither brought about regime change in Tehran, nor forced Iran to submit to American demands. Far from it.
By inflicting economic pain far beyond the region and slowing the global economy, Iran has demonstrated that its grip over the strait of Hormuz constitutes its most potent deterrent – arguably more consequential than its now defunct nuclear programme. Control of the strait will be Tehran’s most powerful source of leverage in the years ahead.
And this strategy is not confined to Hormuz. Relying on its Houthi allies in Yemen, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also signalled its ability to threaten the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea – a choke point through which roughly 8% of global trade and a significant share of the world’s energy and chemical shipments pass. The prospect of disruption at both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab would amount to a double shock to the global economy. » | Fawaz Gerges * | Thursday, April 23, 2026
* Fawaz Gerges is professor of international relations at the London School of Economics
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Steve Schmidt: Donald Trump Has Made America Sick Again
« Gravement blesse », le nouveau guide suprême iranien serait notamment soigné par le président iranien en personne, selon le New York Times
LE FIGARO : Selon le quotidien américain, Mojtaba Khamenei serait entouré d’une cellule médicale d’élite à laquelle participe directement le président iranien Masoud Pezeshkian. En retrait, le guide suprême gouvernerait pour l’heure à distance, via des communications écrites.
Le nouveau guide suprême iranien Mojtaba Khamenei, grièvement blessé lors d’une frappe israélienne ayant coûté la vie à son père Ali Khamenei au premier jour de la guerre, est aujourd’hui pris en charge dans des conditions particulièrement encadrées, mais est « vif d’esprit et actif », rapporte jeudi le New York Times. Selon le quotidien américain, qui cite plusieurs responsables iraniens sous couvert d’anonymat, le dirigeant vit reclus dans un lieu tenu secret, entouré d’une équipe médicale de haut niveau incluant le président iranien Masoud Pezeshkian lui-même, chirurgien du cœur, ainsi que le ministre de la Santé.
Mojtaba Khamenei n’a pas été vu en public depuis sa nomination et ne communique que par déclarations écrites, transmises selon un protocole strict. Le dirigeant ne reçoit pas de visites pour des raisons de sécurité et reçoit des messages écrits à la main, « glissés dans des enveloppes scellées puis transmis par voie de coursiers qui empruntent autoroutes et routes secondaires, en voiture ou à moto, jusqu’à ce qu’ils atteignent sa cachette », ajoute le quotidien. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 23 avril 2026
Le nouveau guide suprême iranien Mojtaba Khamenei, grièvement blessé lors d’une frappe israélienne ayant coûté la vie à son père Ali Khamenei au premier jour de la guerre, est aujourd’hui pris en charge dans des conditions particulièrement encadrées, mais est « vif d’esprit et actif », rapporte jeudi le New York Times. Selon le quotidien américain, qui cite plusieurs responsables iraniens sous couvert d’anonymat, le dirigeant vit reclus dans un lieu tenu secret, entouré d’une équipe médicale de haut niveau incluant le président iranien Masoud Pezeshkian lui-même, chirurgien du cœur, ainsi que le ministre de la Santé.
Mojtaba Khamenei n’a pas été vu en public depuis sa nomination et ne communique que par déclarations écrites, transmises selon un protocole strict. Le dirigeant ne reçoit pas de visites pour des raisons de sécurité et reçoit des messages écrits à la main, « glissés dans des enveloppes scellées puis transmis par voie de coursiers qui empruntent autoroutes et routes secondaires, en voiture ou à moto, jusqu’à ce qu’ils atteignent sa cachette », ajoute le quotidien. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 23 avril 2026
Trump Threatens Iranian Boats He Says Are Mining the Strait of Hormuz
THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Trump’s latest threats came after the Pentagon said the U.S. military had boarded a second tanker carrying oil from Iran. Both sides are trying to exert authority over shipping amid uncertainty over the status of peace talks.
President Trump said on Thursday that he had ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” that is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as the Pentagon announced that U.S. forces had boarded another sanctioned tanker that was carrying oil from Iran.
A day earlier, Iranian forces claimed to have seized two cargo ships near the strait, a vital conduit for oil and gas. The United States and Iran are each trying to exert authority over shipping during a cease-fire, with little public indication that either is intent on restarting peace talks.
“There is to be no hesitation,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that U.S. minesweepers were “clearing the Strait right now.” It has not been confirmed whether Iranian boats are mining the strait.
The post took a more aggressive tone than previous comments from the White House, which said on Wednesday that the president did not view Iran’s reported ship seizures as a violation of the U.S.-Iran cease-fire that he extended this week.
The tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have injected fresh fear into energy markets, with oil trading above $100 a barrel again on Thursday.
Energy prices have risen sharply since the United States and Israel began the war on Iran in late February and Iran responded by effectively blocking shipping through the strait. The United States has countered with a naval blockade that has prevented dozens of ships from leaving or accessing Iranian ports.
The U.S. Navy has also targeted Iran-linked ships elsewhere in the world. On Thursday, the Pentagon said that American forces had stopped and boarded the M/T Majestic X, a sanctioned tanker carrying oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean, in an effort to squeeze Iran’s oil economy. Earlier this week, Navy SEALS boarded another ship in the Indian Ocean, the M/T Tifani, the Pentagon said. Iran War Live Updates » | Luke Broadwater and Eric Schmitt | Thursday, April 23, 2026
President Trump said on Thursday that he had ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” that is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as the Pentagon announced that U.S. forces had boarded another sanctioned tanker that was carrying oil from Iran.
A day earlier, Iranian forces claimed to have seized two cargo ships near the strait, a vital conduit for oil and gas. The United States and Iran are each trying to exert authority over shipping during a cease-fire, with little public indication that either is intent on restarting peace talks.
“There is to be no hesitation,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that U.S. minesweepers were “clearing the Strait right now.” It has not been confirmed whether Iranian boats are mining the strait.
The post took a more aggressive tone than previous comments from the White House, which said on Wednesday that the president did not view Iran’s reported ship seizures as a violation of the U.S.-Iran cease-fire that he extended this week.
The tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have injected fresh fear into energy markets, with oil trading above $100 a barrel again on Thursday.
Energy prices have risen sharply since the United States and Israel began the war on Iran in late February and Iran responded by effectively blocking shipping through the strait. The United States has countered with a naval blockade that has prevented dozens of ships from leaving or accessing Iranian ports.
The U.S. Navy has also targeted Iran-linked ships elsewhere in the world. On Thursday, the Pentagon said that American forces had stopped and boarded the M/T Majestic X, a sanctioned tanker carrying oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean, in an effort to squeeze Iran’s oil economy. Earlier this week, Navy SEALS boarded another ship in the Indian Ocean, the M/T Tifani, the Pentagon said. Iran War Live Updates » | Luke Broadwater and Eric Schmitt | Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump Is in Cognitive Decline and Must Be Removed | Matthew Parris
Apr 23, 2026 | “I think the way cognitive decline is affecting him is that the underlying narcissism… is bubbling up to the surface.”
Trump’s behaviour is getting “wilder and stranger”, and the White House needs to start figuring out “how to get him removed”, says The Times’s Matthew Parris.
Trump’s behaviour is getting “wilder and stranger”, and the White House needs to start figuring out “how to get him removed”, says The Times’s Matthew Parris.
Jeffrey Sachs: Iran Exposed the Limits of American Power
High Street Mini-Marts Selling Cocaine and Cannabis, BBC Secret Filming Reveals | BBC News
Apr 23, 2026 | Cocaine, cannabis, laughing gas and prescription pills are being offered for sale in mini-marts on UK High Streets, a BBC investigation has revealed. They were readily offered to our undercover researchers who secretly filmed in shops across four neighbouring West Midlands towns.
Across the country, shopfronts are being exploited by organised criminal gangs that have gained a foothold pushing illegal drugs, say both the National Crime Agency and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Responding to the BBC’s findings in the West Midlands and more widely, a senior Labour MP is now calling on the government to act urgently.
And our STUPID POLITICIANS are going ahead with that RIDICULOUS generational smoking ban! These dorks are living in La-La Land! Young people enjoying conventional cigarettes are the least of our concerns.
This is precisely why I am so dead against this generational smoking ban. It will not stop young people taking up the smoking habit; on the contrary, it will make it more attractive to them. Forbidden fruits always taste the sweetest!
Moreover, young people these days engage in far more dangerous pleasures than smoking a humble cigarette.
They tried banning pleasure in the form of alcohol in the USA during the Prohibition (1920 – 1933). It failed! And this generational smoking ban will fail, too. The Prohibition led to a great deal of lost revenue, and a rise in organised crime. Also, because people were consuming unregulated alcohol, such as “moonshine”, the government lost control of the quality of the alcohol people were consuming. And they were consuming illegal alcohol in vast quantities; so, it became the cause of seriously poorer public health. Furthermore, prohibition was also unenforceable. Legal bars and saloons were replaced with speakeasies. There were between 30,000 and a 100,000 of them in New York alone! And this stupid generational smoking ban will also be shown to be just as unenforceable, too.
Won’t stupid politicians EVER learn? — © Mark Alexander
Across the country, shopfronts are being exploited by organised criminal gangs that have gained a foothold pushing illegal drugs, say both the National Crime Agency and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Responding to the BBC’s findings in the West Midlands and more widely, a senior Labour MP is now calling on the government to act urgently.
And our STUPID POLITICIANS are going ahead with that RIDICULOUS generational smoking ban! These dorks are living in La-La Land! Young people enjoying conventional cigarettes are the least of our concerns.
This is precisely why I am so dead against this generational smoking ban. It will not stop young people taking up the smoking habit; on the contrary, it will make it more attractive to them. Forbidden fruits always taste the sweetest!
Moreover, young people these days engage in far more dangerous pleasures than smoking a humble cigarette.
They tried banning pleasure in the form of alcohol in the USA during the Prohibition (1920 – 1933). It failed! And this generational smoking ban will fail, too. The Prohibition led to a great deal of lost revenue, and a rise in organised crime. Also, because people were consuming unregulated alcohol, such as “moonshine”, the government lost control of the quality of the alcohol people were consuming. And they were consuming illegal alcohol in vast quantities; so, it became the cause of seriously poorer public health. Furthermore, prohibition was also unenforceable. Legal bars and saloons were replaced with speakeasies. There were between 30,000 and a 100,000 of them in New York alone! And this stupid generational smoking ban will also be shown to be just as unenforceable, too.
Won’t stupid politicians EVER learn? — © Mark Alexander
Deutschland bereitet sich auf Krieg vor: Der Feind ist Russland
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Die neue Militärstrategie ändert das Verhältnis zwischen Moskau und Berlin dauerhaft. Das hat Folgen für alle Deutschen.
Deutschland bereitet sich auf einen Krieg vor. Das von Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius am Mittwoch vorgestellte Paket soll die Bundeswehr zur „stärksten konventionellen Armee Europas“ machen. Pistorius präsentierte eine neue Militärstrategie, ein „Fähigkeitsprofil“ der Bundeswehr und einen „Plan zum personellen Aufwuchs“.
In der Strategie wird klar: Deutschlands erster Feind ist Russland. Laut dem Papier hat sich das Ministerium „detailliert“ mit dem „internationalen Handlungs- und Bedrohungsumfeld“ beschäftigt und „daraus Folgerungen für die Bundeswehr“ gezogen. Die Bundeswehr kommt ohne Wenn und Aber auf den Punkt: „Ihr Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf Russland als für die deutsche, europäische und transatlantische Sicherheit auf absehbare Zeit größte und unmittelbare Bedrohung.“ Russland stelle „eine gesamtstaatliche und umfassende militärstrategische Bedrohung dar“: Russland agiere „bereits heute unterhalb der Schwelle des Krieges“. Daher seien „alle Elemente des Staates gefordert“. » | Michael Maier | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Deutschland bereitet sich auf einen Krieg vor. Das von Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius am Mittwoch vorgestellte Paket soll die Bundeswehr zur „stärksten konventionellen Armee Europas“ machen. Pistorius präsentierte eine neue Militärstrategie, ein „Fähigkeitsprofil“ der Bundeswehr und einen „Plan zum personellen Aufwuchs“.
In der Strategie wird klar: Deutschlands erster Feind ist Russland. Laut dem Papier hat sich das Ministerium „detailliert“ mit dem „internationalen Handlungs- und Bedrohungsumfeld“ beschäftigt und „daraus Folgerungen für die Bundeswehr“ gezogen. Die Bundeswehr kommt ohne Wenn und Aber auf den Punkt: „Ihr Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf Russland als für die deutsche, europäische und transatlantische Sicherheit auf absehbare Zeit größte und unmittelbare Bedrohung.“ Russland stelle „eine gesamtstaatliche und umfassende militärstrategische Bedrohung dar“: Russland agiere „bereits heute unterhalb der Schwelle des Krieges“. Daher seien „alle Elemente des Staates gefordert“. » | Michael Maier | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Schah-Sohn Pahlavi in Berlin: Bundesregierung verweigert Empfang
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Der Sohn des 1979 gestürzten Schahs trifft in der Hauptstadt nur Bundestagsabgeordnete. Regierungssprecher Kornelius verweist auf die fortbestehenden Kontakte zu Teheran.
Reza Pahlavi, Sohn des 1979 gestürzten letzten Schahs von Iran, ist zu einem Besuch in Berlin eingetroffen. Vertreter der Bundesregierung werden ihn dort nicht empfangen.
Die Bundesregierung sehe „keinen Anlass, mit ihm das Gespräch zu suchen“, sagte Regierungssprecher Stefan Kornelius am Mittwoch in Berlin. Pahlavi sei „ein Privatmann, der natürlich für eine Bewegung steht oder von einer Bewegung getragen wird“. Die Erwartung der Bundesregierung sei, „dass das iranische Volk die freie Entscheidung hat, über seine Führung zu bestimmen“. » | Stephanie Lehner | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
LESEN SIE AUCH:
Schah-Sohn Pahlavi besucht Berlin: Hier sind Demonstrationen geplant: Der umstrittene iranische Oppositionspolitiker Reza Pahlavi kommt am Donnerstag nach Berlin. Dabei gibt es in der Stadt Proteste, aber auch unterstützende Kundgebungen. »
UND:
Bei Berlin-Besuch: Schah-Sohn Pahlavi wird mit Tomatensauce beworfen: Der Sohn des gestürzten Schahs wird nicht von der Bundesregierung empfangen. Mit anderen Politikern will er sich trotzdem treffen. »
Reza Pahlavi, Sohn des 1979 gestürzten letzten Schahs von Iran, ist zu einem Besuch in Berlin eingetroffen. Vertreter der Bundesregierung werden ihn dort nicht empfangen.
Die Bundesregierung sehe „keinen Anlass, mit ihm das Gespräch zu suchen“, sagte Regierungssprecher Stefan Kornelius am Mittwoch in Berlin. Pahlavi sei „ein Privatmann, der natürlich für eine Bewegung steht oder von einer Bewegung getragen wird“. Die Erwartung der Bundesregierung sei, „dass das iranische Volk die freie Entscheidung hat, über seine Führung zu bestimmen“. » | Stephanie Lehner | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
LESEN SIE AUCH:
Schah-Sohn Pahlavi besucht Berlin: Hier sind Demonstrationen geplant: Der umstrittene iranische Oppositionspolitiker Reza Pahlavi kommt am Donnerstag nach Berlin. Dabei gibt es in der Stadt Proteste, aber auch unterstützende Kundgebungen. »
UND:
Bei Berlin-Besuch: Schah-Sohn Pahlavi wird mit Tomatensauce beworfen: Der Sohn des gestürzten Schahs wird nicht von der Bundesregierung empfangen. Mit anderen Politikern will er sich trotzdem treffen. »
« C’est une humiliation » : en Israël, Benyamin Netanyahou forcé à la trêve par Donald Trump
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Imposée par Washington pour relancer les négociations avec Téhéran, la trêve de dix jours avec le Hezbollah est massivement rejetée par l’opinion israélienne. Dans le nord du pays, exposé aux tirs, elle ravive un sentiment d’abandon.
Benyamin Netanyahou n’en voulait pas, Donald Trump le lui a imposé. Neuf jours après le cessez-le-feu en Iran, c’est au tour du Liban de voir les canons se taire. Jeudi, le président américain a annoncé unilatéralement une pause dans les affrontements commencés le 2 mars. La décision s’est immédiatement imposée en Israël. La trêve a pris effet jeudi à minuit, heure israélienne, elle doit durer 10 jours.
Déjà, les Israéliens fustigent une trêve dont ils ne veulent pas. « Ce n’est pas une victoire – c’est une humiliation, une capitulation totale à l’Iran et aux États-Unis », réagit Eitan Davidi, le président du mochav Margaliot, village situé à la frontière libanaise. Vendredi, dans un message posté sur son réseau social Truth, le président américain a rappelé de façon très humiliante qui était décideur : « Israël ne bombardera plus le Liban. Ils ont INTERDICTION de le faire de la part des États-Unis. Ça suffit!!! »
Depuis l’annonce du cessez-le-feu en Iran, et alors que la République islamique exigeait l’arrêt des combats au Liban, Benyamin Netanyahou promettait aux Israéliens que la guerre continuerait coûte que coûte pour éradiquer le Hezbollah, le très puissant groupe armé chiite libanais inféodé à l’Iran. Quelques heures auront suffi pour balayer cette ligne. » | Par Stanislas Poyet, correspondant à Jérusalem | jeudi 23 avril 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Benyamin Netanyahou n’en voulait pas, Donald Trump le lui a imposé. Neuf jours après le cessez-le-feu en Iran, c’est au tour du Liban de voir les canons se taire. Jeudi, le président américain a annoncé unilatéralement une pause dans les affrontements commencés le 2 mars. La décision s’est immédiatement imposée en Israël. La trêve a pris effet jeudi à minuit, heure israélienne, elle doit durer 10 jours.
Déjà, les Israéliens fustigent une trêve dont ils ne veulent pas. « Ce n’est pas une victoire – c’est une humiliation, une capitulation totale à l’Iran et aux États-Unis », réagit Eitan Davidi, le président du mochav Margaliot, village situé à la frontière libanaise. Vendredi, dans un message posté sur son réseau social Truth, le président américain a rappelé de façon très humiliante qui était décideur : « Israël ne bombardera plus le Liban. Ils ont INTERDICTION de le faire de la part des États-Unis. Ça suffit!!! »
Depuis l’annonce du cessez-le-feu en Iran, et alors que la République islamique exigeait l’arrêt des combats au Liban, Benyamin Netanyahou promettait aux Israéliens que la guerre continuerait coûte que coûte pour éradiquer le Hezbollah, le très puissant groupe armé chiite libanais inféodé à l’Iran. Quelques heures auront suffi pour balayer cette ligne. » | Par Stanislas Poyet, correspondant à Jérusalem | jeudi 23 avril 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
A New Era and New Leadership: The Generals Who Are Running Iran
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ushered in a new form of collective leadership in the country, with more power for the Revolutionary Guards.
When Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled Iran as the supreme leader, he exerted absolute power over all decisions about war, peace and negotiations with the United States. His son and successor does not play the same role.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son, is an elusive figure who has not been seen and whose voice has not been heard since he was appointed in March. Instead, a battle-hardened collective of commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and those aligned with them are the key decision makers on matters of security, war and diplomacy.
“Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board,” said Abdolreza Davari, a politician who served as senior adviser to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he was president and knows Mr. Khamenei.
“He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions,” Mr. Davari said in a phone interview from Tehran. “The generals are the board members.”
This account of Iran’s new power structure is based on interviews with six senior Iranian officials, two former officials, two members of the Revolutionary Guards, a senior cleric familiar with the inner workings of the system and three individuals who know Mr. Khamenei well. Nine other individuals with ties to the Guards and the government also described the command structure. They all spoke on the condition they not be identified because they were discussing sensitive matters of state. » | Farnaz Fassihi | Farnaz Fassihi has covered Iran for three decades. For this article, she interviewed 23 people in Iran, including senior officials, members of the Revolutionary Guards and individuals with ties to Ali and Mojtaba Khamenei. | Thursday, April 23, 2026
When Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled Iran as the supreme leader, he exerted absolute power over all decisions about war, peace and negotiations with the United States. His son and successor does not play the same role.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son, is an elusive figure who has not been seen and whose voice has not been heard since he was appointed in March. Instead, a battle-hardened collective of commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and those aligned with them are the key decision makers on matters of security, war and diplomacy.
“Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board,” said Abdolreza Davari, a politician who served as senior adviser to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he was president and knows Mr. Khamenei.
“He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions,” Mr. Davari said in a phone interview from Tehran. “The generals are the board members.”
This account of Iran’s new power structure is based on interviews with six senior Iranian officials, two former officials, two members of the Revolutionary Guards, a senior cleric familiar with the inner workings of the system and three individuals who know Mr. Khamenei well. Nine other individuals with ties to the Guards and the government also described the command structure. They all spoke on the condition they not be identified because they were discussing sensitive matters of state. » | Farnaz Fassihi | Farnaz Fassihi has covered Iran for three decades. For this article, she interviewed 23 people in Iran, including senior officials, members of the Revolutionary Guards and individuals with ties to Ali and Mojtaba Khamenei. | Thursday, April 23, 2026
King Charles Will Not Meet Epstein Victims During U.S. State Visit
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Representative Ro Khanna had asked Buckingham Palace for a private meeting between the victims and King Charles during his planned visit to the U.S. next week.
Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Lawyers representing King Charles said he will not meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse when the monarch visits the U.S. next week.Credit...Ben Stansall/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
During his state visit to the United States next week, King Charles III will not meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a letter from lawyers representing King Charles and Queen Camilla in response to a request from Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California.
Mr. Khanna had asked Buckingham Palace to arrange a private audience between the monarch and victims of Mr. Epstein who are seeking accountability.
“The king and queen have consistently made clear their support for all victims of abuse, wherever and however perpetrated,” the letter said. It added that because of “ongoing police inquiries” in the United Kingdom, King Charles was “unable to meet survivors or comment directly on the matters under inquiry.”
In Britain, the Epstein scandal has centered on the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his relationship with Mr. Epstein; he was arrested in February over accusations of misconduct in public office and has denied wrongdoing.
Mr. Khanna, who has been among the most vocal advocates in Washington for broader disclosure of records tied to Mr. Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, initially framed the request as a chance for survivors to speak directly to one of the world’s most visible heads of state about the abuse they suffered. » | Robert Jimison | Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
During his state visit to the United States next week, King Charles III will not meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a letter from lawyers representing King Charles and Queen Camilla in response to a request from Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California.
Mr. Khanna had asked Buckingham Palace to arrange a private audience between the monarch and victims of Mr. Epstein who are seeking accountability.
“The king and queen have consistently made clear their support for all victims of abuse, wherever and however perpetrated,” the letter said. It added that because of “ongoing police inquiries” in the United Kingdom, King Charles was “unable to meet survivors or comment directly on the matters under inquiry.”
In Britain, the Epstein scandal has centered on the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his relationship with Mr. Epstein; he was arrested in February over accusations of misconduct in public office and has denied wrongdoing.
Mr. Khanna, who has been among the most vocal advocates in Washington for broader disclosure of records tied to Mr. Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, initially framed the request as a chance for survivors to speak directly to one of the world’s most visible heads of state about the abuse they suffered. » | Robert Jimison | Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
EU Risks Fallout with US over Trump-linked Balkans Pipeline Plan
THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: Brussels seeks to stall awarding of contract to firm fronted by US president’s lawyer in letter seen by Guardian
The EU risks a confrontation with Donald Trump after it sought to stall the awarding of a lucrative Balkans pipeline contract to a company fronted by his personal lawyer, documents seen by the Guardian show.
Brussels has clashed with Trump over trade, Ukraine and military spending, but the intervention in the Southern Interconnection pipeline project appears to mark the first time it has challenged a commercial venture by those close to the president.
The pipeline will run through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under what Bosnian sources say have been months of pressure from US officials, its leaders have been moving quickly to award the contract to a previously little-known company based in Wyoming.
AAFS Infrastructure and Energy was incorporated in November last year and has not disclosed its owners. It is fronted by two leading members of Trump’s campaign to overturn his 2020 election defeat: Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who defended him against allegations of inciting the Capitol riots after his defeat, and Joe Flynn, the brother of the president’s former national security adviser.
Despite lacking any apparent track record, AAFS is planning to invest $1.5bn in the pipeline and other Bosnian infrastructure projects, its local representative has said.
In March, lawmakers approved legislation that Transparency International said would set a “dangerous precedent” by stipulating that the contract must go to AAFS without a tender. » | Tom Burgis I Sarajevo | Thursday, April 23, 2026
The EU risks a confrontation with Donald Trump after it sought to stall the awarding of a lucrative Balkans pipeline contract to a company fronted by his personal lawyer, documents seen by the Guardian show.
Brussels has clashed with Trump over trade, Ukraine and military spending, but the intervention in the Southern Interconnection pipeline project appears to mark the first time it has challenged a commercial venture by those close to the president.
The pipeline will run through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under what Bosnian sources say have been months of pressure from US officials, its leaders have been moving quickly to award the contract to a previously little-known company based in Wyoming.
AAFS Infrastructure and Energy was incorporated in November last year and has not disclosed its owners. It is fronted by two leading members of Trump’s campaign to overturn his 2020 election defeat: Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who defended him against allegations of inciting the Capitol riots after his defeat, and Joe Flynn, the brother of the president’s former national security adviser.
Despite lacking any apparent track record, AAFS is planning to invest $1.5bn in the pipeline and other Bosnian infrastructure projects, its local representative has said.
In March, lawmakers approved legislation that Transparency International said would set a “dangerous precedent” by stipulating that the contract must go to AAFS without a tender. » | Tom Burgis I Sarajevo | Thursday, April 23, 2026
Lawrence: Tucker Carlson, Virginia Voters, and the Rest of America Are Turning on Trump
The German Officer Who Saved One of Poland's Greatest Pianists | Wilm Hosenfeld
The Messianic Maniac Pushing for Holy War in Iran
Apr 22, 2026 | Radical Muslims. Messianic mullahs. Religious nutjobs.
Sound familiar?
That’s how the Trump administration has described the rulers of Iran over the last few months in an effort to justify starting an illegal war that has now destabilized the entire Middle East.
But, as Mehdi points out, it’s not the Iranians who are pushing for a holy war in the Middle East — it’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, covered in crusader and Islamophobic tattoos, who has repeatedly called on Jesus Christ himself to help US forces unleash “overwhelming violence” on Iranians and deliver their souls to “eternal damnation.”
Mehdi takes a deep-dive into Hegseth’s open Christian nationalism and messianic militaristic agenda, and reframes the narrative of who actually wants a holy war in the Holy Land.
Sound familiar?
That’s how the Trump administration has described the rulers of Iran over the last few months in an effort to justify starting an illegal war that has now destabilized the entire Middle East.
But, as Mehdi points out, it’s not the Iranians who are pushing for a holy war in the Middle East — it’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, covered in crusader and Islamophobic tattoos, who has repeatedly called on Jesus Christ himself to help US forces unleash “overwhelming violence” on Iranians and deliver their souls to “eternal damnation.”
Mehdi takes a deep-dive into Hegseth’s open Christian nationalism and messianic militaristic agenda, and reframes the narrative of who actually wants a holy war in the Holy Land.
Entre États-Unis et Iran, les risques d’une stratégie de « ni guerre ni paix »
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Après la prolongation du cessez-le-feu, chacun des belligérants s’estime en position de force, plongeant le monde dans une incertitude pesante face à la menace d’une nouvelle escalade.
Reprise de la guerre ou pause dans les négociations ? En faisant entrer le conflit irano-américain dans une phase de « ni guerre, ni paix », la prolongation du cessez-le-feu pour une durée « indéterminée », annoncée mardi soir par Donald Trump, plonge le monde dans une incertitude pesante. Téhéran et Washington continuent de s’estimer l’un et l’autre en position de force, les États-Unis conservant leur liberté d’action militaire et l’Iran montrant sa détermination à contrôler le détroit d’Ormuz.
Quelques heures après l’annonce de Donald Trump, la force navale des gardiens de la révolution a annoncé avoir intercepté deux navires qui tentaient de franchir le détroit d’Ormuz, désormais soumis à un double blocus, américain et iranien. Ils ont été dirigés vers les eaux territoriales iraniennes. Téhéran a rappelé que les navires doivent obtenir une autorisation pour quitter ou entrer dans cette voie maritime, qui en temps de paix, voit passer un cinquième des exportations mondiales de pétrole et de gaz. » |Par Georges Malbrunot | mercredi 22 avril 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Reprise de la guerre ou pause dans les négociations ? En faisant entrer le conflit irano-américain dans une phase de « ni guerre, ni paix », la prolongation du cessez-le-feu pour une durée « indéterminée », annoncée mardi soir par Donald Trump, plonge le monde dans une incertitude pesante. Téhéran et Washington continuent de s’estimer l’un et l’autre en position de force, les États-Unis conservant leur liberté d’action militaire et l’Iran montrant sa détermination à contrôler le détroit d’Ormuz.
Quelques heures après l’annonce de Donald Trump, la force navale des gardiens de la révolution a annoncé avoir intercepté deux navires qui tentaient de franchir le détroit d’Ormuz, désormais soumis à un double blocus, américain et iranien. Ils ont été dirigés vers les eaux territoriales iraniennes. Téhéran a rappelé que les navires doivent obtenir une autorisation pour quitter ou entrer dans cette voie maritime, qui en temps de paix, voit passer un cinquième des exportations mondiales de pétrole et de gaz. » |Par Georges Malbrunot | mercredi 22 avril 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Bessent Backs Financial Support for Oil-Rich U.A.E.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Treasury secretary said that currency swap line would benefit both the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that he backed the idea of providing economic support in the form of a currency swap to the United Arab Emirates, an oil-rich ally that has been contending with economic fallout from the war in Iran.
Speaking at a Senate hearing, Mr. Bessent said that the Emirates, along with several other countries in the Persian Gulf and Asia, had inquired about the possibility of a swap. He said such a maneuver would prevent the disorderly sale of U.S. assets as nations look to secure access to dollars. The war in Iran has damaged oil and gas infrastructure throughout the Middle East, dealing a blow to economies such as the Emirates that rely on the Strait of Hormuz to transport crude around the world.
The Treasury secretary said that providing a currency swap to the Emirates could benefit the United States by stabilizing foreign exchange markets and protecting American assets around the world. He added that it could be provided by the Federal Reserve or by the Treasury Department, which can deploy its Exchange Stabilization Fund to buy another nation’s currency.
“Swap lines, whether it’s from the Federal Reserve or the Treasury, are to maintain order in the dollar funding markets and to prevent the sale of the U.S. assets in a disorderly way,” Mr. Bessent said. “The swap line would both benefit the U.A.E. and the U.S.” » | Alan Rappeport | Reporting from Washington | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
This is astonishing indeed! No money can be found to help hard-pressed Americans, but billions can be found to help an oil-rich nation. It is more especially astonishing given the fact that the USA is on its uppers and this illegal war, in addition, is costing billions per week. Trump and his chums in the regime appear to have very queer priorities. Of course, if this illegal war had not been started, the UAE’s economy wouldn’t be suffering today. That the country now needs help is only because of Trump’s illegal and unnecessary war on Iran. It’s a war that should never have been started and waged. — © Mark Alexander
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that he backed the idea of providing economic support in the form of a currency swap to the United Arab Emirates, an oil-rich ally that has been contending with economic fallout from the war in Iran.
Speaking at a Senate hearing, Mr. Bessent said that the Emirates, along with several other countries in the Persian Gulf and Asia, had inquired about the possibility of a swap. He said such a maneuver would prevent the disorderly sale of U.S. assets as nations look to secure access to dollars. The war in Iran has damaged oil and gas infrastructure throughout the Middle East, dealing a blow to economies such as the Emirates that rely on the Strait of Hormuz to transport crude around the world.
The Treasury secretary said that providing a currency swap to the Emirates could benefit the United States by stabilizing foreign exchange markets and protecting American assets around the world. He added that it could be provided by the Federal Reserve or by the Treasury Department, which can deploy its Exchange Stabilization Fund to buy another nation’s currency.
“Swap lines, whether it’s from the Federal Reserve or the Treasury, are to maintain order in the dollar funding markets and to prevent the sale of the U.S. assets in a disorderly way,” Mr. Bessent said. “The swap line would both benefit the U.A.E. and the U.S.” » | Alan Rappeport | Reporting from Washington | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
This is astonishing indeed! No money can be found to help hard-pressed Americans, but billions can be found to help an oil-rich nation. It is more especially astonishing given the fact that the USA is on its uppers and this illegal war, in addition, is costing billions per week. Trump and his chums in the regime appear to have very queer priorities. Of course, if this illegal war had not been started, the UAE’s economy wouldn’t be suffering today. That the country now needs help is only because of Trump’s illegal and unnecessary war on Iran. It’s a war that should never have been started and waged. — © Mark Alexander
Iran Again Tightens Its Grip on Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Traffic in the strait has all but halted as Iran renews its attacks, striking two vessels on Wednesday. More than 300 ships linked to Iran have passed through the strait since the war began.
The number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has become a barometer of how the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is affecting the global economy.
On Tuesday, after nearly eight weeks of war, that number was one, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Then Wednesday, more ships tried and Iran attacked two cargo vessels in the strait.
“They are reminding us that their threats to attack ships are genuine, and that’s enough to suppress traffic through the strait,” said Rosemary Kelanic, a director at Defense Priorities, a research organization focused on foreign affairs. Ships linked to Iran have passed through the strait, ship tracking data shows.
The latest attacks show that Tehran still has a stranglehold on the strait that allows it to ratchet up the pain on the global economy, even though the U.S. military has struck some 13,000 targets in Iran and set up a naval blockade against it. This strategic move gives Iran leverage in any talks with the United States to end the war. » | Peter Eavis | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has become a barometer of how the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is affecting the global economy.
On Tuesday, after nearly eight weeks of war, that number was one, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Then Wednesday, more ships tried and Iran attacked two cargo vessels in the strait.
“They are reminding us that their threats to attack ships are genuine, and that’s enough to suppress traffic through the strait,” said Rosemary Kelanic, a director at Defense Priorities, a research organization focused on foreign affairs. Ships linked to Iran have passed through the strait, ship tracking data shows.
The latest attacks show that Tehran still has a stranglehold on the strait that allows it to ratchet up the pain on the global economy, even though the U.S. military has struck some 13,000 targets in Iran and set up a naval blockade against it. This strategic move gives Iran leverage in any talks with the United States to end the war. » | Peter Eavis | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Muslim World, Humiliation & Revolts of Dignity | Soumaya Ghannoushi | MEE Opinion
Apr 22, 2026 | Soumaya Ghannoushi, a writer and expert in Middle East politics, says that the modern history of the Middle East follows a recurring pattern in which humiliation by external powers generates resistance rather than submission.
She says that empires repeatedly assume domination will enforce compliance, but instead provoke defiance rooted in wounded dignity. She says this dynamic is visible in modern Iran, where foreign interference and imposed control triggered collective responses shaped by both national and religious identity.
Ghannoushi points to key historical moments, including the 1892 tobacco protest, the 1906 Constitutional Revolution, and the 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh, to show how resistance evolved from social refusal into organised political movements. She writes that the 1979 Islamic Revolution was not sudden, but the result of accumulated grievances and repeated external intervention.
She adds that similar patterns have appeared across the region, where religious and social movements transformed into anti-colonial resistance in countries such as Algeria, Libya, Sudan and Morocco. In her view, pressure and violence tend to unify societies rather than weaken them.
Ghannoushi concludes that current Western approaches, including those associated with Donald Trump, fail to account for this history. She says that force and intimidation do not produce surrender in the region, but instead reinforce a deeply rooted refusal to accept domination.
She says that empires repeatedly assume domination will enforce compliance, but instead provoke defiance rooted in wounded dignity. She says this dynamic is visible in modern Iran, where foreign interference and imposed control triggered collective responses shaped by both national and religious identity.
Ghannoushi points to key historical moments, including the 1892 tobacco protest, the 1906 Constitutional Revolution, and the 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh, to show how resistance evolved from social refusal into organised political movements. She writes that the 1979 Islamic Revolution was not sudden, but the result of accumulated grievances and repeated external intervention.
She adds that similar patterns have appeared across the region, where religious and social movements transformed into anti-colonial resistance in countries such as Algeria, Libya, Sudan and Morocco. In her view, pressure and violence tend to unify societies rather than weaken them.
Ghannoushi concludes that current Western approaches, including those associated with Donald Trump, fail to account for this history. She says that force and intimidation do not produce surrender in the region, but instead reinforce a deeply rooted refusal to accept domination.
Steve Schmidt: The Trump Regime's Criminal Enterprise
Inside Israel’s ‘Security Zone’ in Southern Lebanon
Apr 22, 2026 | In southern Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike is reported to have killed two people in a vehicle and injured two journalists.
Iran's ally Hezbollah also said it attacked Israeli forces with a drone - all of this straining the 10-day ceasefire. Israel has established a 'security zone' which, at its deepest point, extends some seven miles into southern Lebanon.
It's marked out by what Israel is calling a Forward Defence, or Yellow Line, similar to that in Gaza. Israeli troops are still deployed there, demolishing buildings in villages near the line, like Mansouri and Majdal Zoun.
Iran's ally Hezbollah also said it attacked Israeli forces with a drone - all of this straining the 10-day ceasefire. Israel has established a 'security zone' which, at its deepest point, extends some seven miles into southern Lebanon.
It's marked out by what Israel is calling a Forward Defence, or Yellow Line, similar to that in Gaza. Israeli troops are still deployed there, demolishing buildings in villages near the line, like Mansouri and Majdal Zoun.
I Asked Germans about Trump. They All Said the Same Thing
Strong language alert!
Rauchverbot für Generation Alpha! Droht uns jetzt auch eine Kippen-Krise?
BERLINER KURIER: Ein neues Gesetz könnte dafür sorgen, dass junge Menschen ein Leben lang keine Kippen mehr kaufen dürfen.
Rauchverbot – für immer? Die Antwort lautet: Ja. Zumindest dann, wenn du in Großbritannien lebst. Und wenn du nach 2008 geboren bist. Und auch nur dann, wenn der König zustimmt. Aber immerhin. Der KURIER fragt: Droht uns das Gleiche bald auch?
Wer zur sogenannten Generation Alpha gehört, hat schlechte Karten: In Großbritannien ist das Rauchverbot auf dem Vormarsch – in Form eines neuen Tabak- und E Zigarettengesetzes, das nur noch die königliche Zustimmung von Charles III. braucht. Das Gesetz sieht nämlich einen radikalen Schritt vor: Wer nach dem 1. Januar 2009 geboren ist, wird nie die Möglichkeit haben, Zigaretten und ähnliche Produkte legal zu kaufen. Das Rauchen selbst wird aber nicht verboten.
...
Deutschland sieht’s entspannter
In Deutschland ist die Lage anders: Es gibt Verbote, aber nicht besonders viele. An öffentlichen Orten darf ohne Einschränkung geraucht werden. In Parks wird geraucht, an Bahnsteigen, vielerorts sogar in Kneipen und Cafés. Auch ein flächendeckendes Verbot an Stränden gibt es nicht. Aber immerhin ist Rauchen in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln und Einrichtungen bereits verboten. Eine Änderung erweiterte das Gesetz von 2007 auch um Cannabis und E-Zigaretten. » | Paula Hitzemann | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Rauchverbot – für immer? Die Antwort lautet: Ja. Zumindest dann, wenn du in Großbritannien lebst. Und wenn du nach 2008 geboren bist. Und auch nur dann, wenn der König zustimmt. Aber immerhin. Der KURIER fragt: Droht uns das Gleiche bald auch?
Wer zur sogenannten Generation Alpha gehört, hat schlechte Karten: In Großbritannien ist das Rauchverbot auf dem Vormarsch – in Form eines neuen Tabak- und E Zigarettengesetzes, das nur noch die königliche Zustimmung von Charles III. braucht. Das Gesetz sieht nämlich einen radikalen Schritt vor: Wer nach dem 1. Januar 2009 geboren ist, wird nie die Möglichkeit haben, Zigaretten und ähnliche Produkte legal zu kaufen. Das Rauchen selbst wird aber nicht verboten.
...
Deutschland sieht’s entspannter
In Deutschland ist die Lage anders: Es gibt Verbote, aber nicht besonders viele. An öffentlichen Orten darf ohne Einschränkung geraucht werden. In Parks wird geraucht, an Bahnsteigen, vielerorts sogar in Kneipen und Cafés. Auch ein flächendeckendes Verbot an Stränden gibt es nicht. Aber immerhin ist Rauchen in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln und Einrichtungen bereits verboten. Eine Änderung erweiterte das Gesetz von 2007 auch um Cannabis und E-Zigaretten. » | Paula Hitzemann | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Trump Holds the American People in Total Contempt
THE NEW YORK TIMES — OPINION: To say that President Trump is corrupt is to somehow understate the size, scope and magnitude of his corruption.
It is as if you were to describe a modern thermonuclear device as a “bomb.” That is true enough, but it is not quite the truth. It does not capture the nature of the thing in full.
So it goes for Trump’s corruption, which is so vast as to be a new phenomenon in American politics. The president and his family have leveraged his office to the tune of nearly $4 billion. They have received hundreds of millions of dollars from a network of branded cryptocurrency assets. Investors include large corporations, foreign nationals and state actors hoping to curry favor with the administration.
One such actor, according to The Wall Street Journal, was Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brother and national security adviser to the president the United Arab Emirates. Tahnoon’s investment fund purchased a half-billion-dollar stake in the Trump family’s crypto fund, World Liberty Financial, just days before Trump’s second inauguration. Tahnoon has since successfully lobbied the White House for U.A.E. access to America’s most advanced A.I. chips, with a large portion going to Tahnoon’s A.I. company. » | Jamelle Bouie | Opinion Columnist | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
It is as if you were to describe a modern thermonuclear device as a “bomb.” That is true enough, but it is not quite the truth. It does not capture the nature of the thing in full.
So it goes for Trump’s corruption, which is so vast as to be a new phenomenon in American politics. The president and his family have leveraged his office to the tune of nearly $4 billion. They have received hundreds of millions of dollars from a network of branded cryptocurrency assets. Investors include large corporations, foreign nationals and state actors hoping to curry favor with the administration.
One such actor, according to The Wall Street Journal, was Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brother and national security adviser to the president the United Arab Emirates. Tahnoon’s investment fund purchased a half-billion-dollar stake in the Trump family’s crypto fund, World Liberty Financial, just days before Trump’s second inauguration. Tahnoon has since successfully lobbied the White House for U.A.E. access to America’s most advanced A.I. chips, with a large portion going to Tahnoon’s A.I. company. » | Jamelle Bouie | Opinion Columnist | Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Trump Threatens Companies Not to Seek Tariff Refunds, after Supreme Court Ruled Them Illegal
Apr 22, 2026 | Donald Trump said he’d remember companies that decline to seek refunds on duties paid after the Supreme Court struck down a large swath of his tariffs. In February, the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on imports from nearly every country. That ruling set the stage for a complicated task that could become the largest repayment by the US government in its history.
Trump’s comments come a day after US Customs and Border Protection launched a web portal for importers to file requests for refunds that could total more than $160 billion. Yet, the process is still fraught with uncertainty.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Trump’s comments come a day after US Customs and Border Protection launched a web portal for importers to file requests for refunds that could total more than $160 billion. Yet, the process is still fraught with uncertainty.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.
Tucker Carlson entschuldigt sich für Trump-Unterstützung: „Menschen in die Irre geführt“
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Auslöser ist der Krieg gegen den Iran, den die USA und Israel Ende Februar begonnen haben. Der frühere Fox-Moderator räumt Mitverantwortung für Trumps Rückkehr ein.
Screenshot aus diesem Artikel. | Tucker Carlson unterstützte Donald Trump im Wahlkampf und galt lange als einflussreiche Stimme im konservativen Lager der USA. | © Brian Cahn/imago
Der frühere Fox-News-Moderator Tucker Carlson hat sich am Montag in einer Folge seines Podcasts „The Tucker Carlson Show“ für seine Unterstützung von US-Präsident Donald Trump entschuldigt. Er werde von seiner Rolle bei Trumps Rückkehr ins Weiße Haus „lange gequält“ werden, sagte Carlson im Gespräch mit seinem Bruder Buckley Carlson, einem ehemaligen Redenschreiber Trumps.
„Ich möchte mich dafür entschuldigen, Menschen in die Irre geführt zu haben. Es war nicht beabsichtigt, mehr sage ich dazu nicht“, zitiert die New York Times Carlson. Es reiche nicht zu sagen, man habe seine Meinung geändert, so Carlson weiter; es sei „ein Moment, mit dem eigenen Gewissen zu ringen“. » | Peter Steiniger | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Der frühere Fox-News-Moderator Tucker Carlson hat sich am Montag in einer Folge seines Podcasts „The Tucker Carlson Show“ für seine Unterstützung von US-Präsident Donald Trump entschuldigt. Er werde von seiner Rolle bei Trumps Rückkehr ins Weiße Haus „lange gequält“ werden, sagte Carlson im Gespräch mit seinem Bruder Buckley Carlson, einem ehemaligen Redenschreiber Trumps.
„Ich möchte mich dafür entschuldigen, Menschen in die Irre geführt zu haben. Es war nicht beabsichtigt, mehr sage ich dazu nicht“, zitiert die New York Times Carlson. Es reiche nicht zu sagen, man habe seine Meinung geändert, so Carlson weiter; es sei „ein Moment, mit dem eigenen Gewissen zu ringen“. » | Peter Steiniger | Mittwoch, 22. April 2026
Tucker on Trump’s Desecration of Easter and a Warning to Christians Everywhere
Apr 6, 2026 | Desecrating Easter was the first step toward nuclear war. Christians need to understand where Trump is taking us.
Nathan Apffel is a documentary filmmaker known for his investigative work exploring faith, accountability, and institutional transparency. Raised in a religious environment, his experiences inspired The Religion Business, a long-running project examining both the power of spiritual devotion and the failures within religious and non-profit organizations. Through his storytelling, Apffel aims to amplify unheard voices and challenge systems that lack oversight. His work combines journalism and filmmaking to push for greater transparency, ethical reform, and meaningful change.
Nathan Apffel is a documentary filmmaker known for his investigative work exploring faith, accountability, and institutional transparency. Raised in a religious environment, his experiences inspired The Religion Business, a long-running project examining both the power of spiritual devotion and the failures within religious and non-profit organizations. Through his storytelling, Apffel aims to amplify unheard voices and challenge systems that lack oversight. His work combines journalism and filmmaking to push for greater transparency, ethical reform, and meaningful change.
Tucker Carlson Says He Is ‘Tormented’ by His Past Support for Trump
THE NEW YORK TIMES: “I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people,” said the conservative commentator, who has broken sharply with the president over the war with Iran.
Tucker Carlson, who was often at Donald J. Trump’s side during the 2024 presidential campaign, is now expressing remorse for that support, saying he will long be “tormented” by his role helping Mr. Trump return to the White House.
Mr. Carlson, a titan of conservative media who has broken sharply with Mr. Trump over the war with Iran, acknowledged that he was part of the “reason this is happening right now,” referring to the conflict.
“It’s not enough to say, well, I changed my mind — or like, oh, this is bad, I’m out,” Mr. Carlson said in an episode of his podcast released Monday.
“It’s a moment to wrestle with our own consciences,” Mr. Carlson said on the podcast, speaking with his brother, Buckley, a former speechwriter for Mr. Trump. “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people.”
Mr. Carlson, a former Fox News host and a longtime opponent of American foreign interventions, has feuded with Mr. Trump and his allies for weeks over the war, which most Americans oppose, according to opinion polls.
He appeared particularly appalled by a threat Mr. Trump made to Iran on social media on Easter Sunday that the country would be “living in hell” if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route that has been clogged during the war. After the post, Mr. Carlson urged White House officials to stand up to the president, saying that Mr. Trump’s behavior was “evil.” » | Tim Balk | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Tucker Carlson, who was often at Donald J. Trump’s side during the 2024 presidential campaign, is now expressing remorse for that support, saying he will long be “tormented” by his role helping Mr. Trump return to the White House.
Mr. Carlson, a titan of conservative media who has broken sharply with Mr. Trump over the war with Iran, acknowledged that he was part of the “reason this is happening right now,” referring to the conflict.
“It’s not enough to say, well, I changed my mind — or like, oh, this is bad, I’m out,” Mr. Carlson said in an episode of his podcast released Monday.
“It’s a moment to wrestle with our own consciences,” Mr. Carlson said on the podcast, speaking with his brother, Buckley, a former speechwriter for Mr. Trump. “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people.”
Mr. Carlson, a former Fox News host and a longtime opponent of American foreign interventions, has feuded with Mr. Trump and his allies for weeks over the war, which most Americans oppose, according to opinion polls.
He appeared particularly appalled by a threat Mr. Trump made to Iran on social media on Easter Sunday that the country would be “living in hell” if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping route that has been clogged during the war. After the post, Mr. Carlson urged White House officials to stand up to the president, saying that Mr. Trump’s behavior was “evil.” » | Tim Balk | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
MAGA Pastor Completely Humiliated by Laughing Panel as He's Totally Out of His Depth
Apr 20, 2026 | Donald Trump’s disastrous and unwinnable war with Iran is finally fracturing his own base, and the entire meltdown just spilled onto live television.
In this massive, unedited 21-minute masterclass, commentators Wajahat Ali and Tim Miller systematically dismantle a pro-Trump MAGA pastor, exposing how Trump’s broken promises and unhinged feud with the Pope are destroying his coalition from the inside out.
When the pastor attempts to defend the administration’s chaotic foreign policy and Pete Hegseth’s bizarre biblical justifications, Wajahat Ali delivers one of the most brutal live takedowns in recent memory.
As gas prices soar and the "America First" coalition splinters—with figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens defecting—Trump is left isolated in a forever war he promised never to start.
This video breaks down the explosive panel exchange, the devastating reality of Trump’s catastrophic Middle East blunders, and why the MAGA coalition is experiencing a total meltdown in real-time.
Trump is a DISGRACE. He should be REMOVED from office WITHOUT DELAY. — © Mark Alexander
In this massive, unedited 21-minute masterclass, commentators Wajahat Ali and Tim Miller systematically dismantle a pro-Trump MAGA pastor, exposing how Trump’s broken promises and unhinged feud with the Pope are destroying his coalition from the inside out.
When the pastor attempts to defend the administration’s chaotic foreign policy and Pete Hegseth’s bizarre biblical justifications, Wajahat Ali delivers one of the most brutal live takedowns in recent memory.
As gas prices soar and the "America First" coalition splinters—with figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens defecting—Trump is left isolated in a forever war he promised never to start.
This video breaks down the explosive panel exchange, the devastating reality of Trump’s catastrophic Middle East blunders, and why the MAGA coalition is experiencing a total meltdown in real-time.
Trump is a DISGRACE. He should be REMOVED from office WITHOUT DELAY. — © Mark Alexander
America Needs a New Name — I Got Some Ideas...
Steve Rosenberg: Russian Press Slams Internet Restrictions and Decision to Ban a Street Protest
Condom Prices Could Rise 30% due to Iran War, Says World’s Top Producer Karex
THE GUARDIAN: Karex produces more than 5 billion condoms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as the NHS
The world’s top condom producer, Malaysia’s Karex Bhd, plans to raise prices by 20% to 30% and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war, its chief executive has said.
Karex is also seeing a surge in condom demand as rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual, CEO Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive … We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers,” Goh said.
Karex produces more than 5 billion condoms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as national health systems such as the UK’s NHS and global aid programmes run by the United Nations. » | Reuters | Wednesday. April 22, 2026
Karex produces 5 billion condoms per annum. Good God! There must be a hell of a lot of bonking going on! Perhaps I should turn my attention to bonking rather than blogging! 😊 From an economic standpoint, it will be interesting to find out just how elastic the demand for rubbers truly is! 😊 My best guess is that demand is highly inelastic. 😊 Bonking will go on unabated. — © Mark Alexander
The world’s top condom producer, Malaysia’s Karex Bhd, plans to raise prices by 20% to 30% and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war, its chief executive has said.
Karex is also seeing a surge in condom demand as rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual, CEO Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive … We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers,” Goh said.
Karex produces more than 5 billion condoms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as national health systems such as the UK’s NHS and global aid programmes run by the United Nations. » | Reuters | Wednesday. April 22, 2026
Karex produces 5 billion condoms per annum. Good God! There must be a hell of a lot of bonking going on! Perhaps I should turn my attention to bonking rather than blogging! 😊 From an economic standpoint, it will be interesting to find out just how elastic the demand for rubbers truly is! 😊 My best guess is that demand is highly inelastic. 😊 Bonking will go on unabated. — © Mark Alexander
Le Parlement britannique adopte une loi interdisant la vente de cigarettes aux personnes nées après 2008
LE FIGARO : Toutes les personnes nées après le 1er janvier 2009, et qui ont donc actuellement 17 ans ou moins, ne pourront jamais acheter légalement de cigarettes au Royaume-Uni.
Le gouvernement britannique a salué mardi l'adoption «historique» par le Parlement d'une loi visant à faire du Royaume-Uni un pays sans tabac en prohibant la vente de cigarettes à toutes les personnes nées après 2008. Il s'agit, selon plusieurs médias, du deuxième pays au monde à instaurer une interdiction générationnelle après les Maldives, qui ont prohibé en novembre la vente de tabac aux jeunes nés après le 1er janvier 2007.
Les députés de la Chambre des Communes et les Lords de la chambre haute, se sont entendus lundi sur une version finale du texte, qui doit désormais recevoir l'assentiment royal - une formalité. Wes Streeting, ministre travailliste de la Santé, a estimé qu'il s'agissait d'un « moment historique », avec une « première génération sans tabac protégée d'une vie entière de dépendance et de dommages ». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 22 avril 2026
Related material here, here, and here.
Le gouvernement britannique a salué mardi l'adoption «historique» par le Parlement d'une loi visant à faire du Royaume-Uni un pays sans tabac en prohibant la vente de cigarettes à toutes les personnes nées après 2008. Il s'agit, selon plusieurs médias, du deuxième pays au monde à instaurer une interdiction générationnelle après les Maldives, qui ont prohibé en novembre la vente de tabac aux jeunes nés après le 1er janvier 2007.
Les députés de la Chambre des Communes et les Lords de la chambre haute, se sont entendus lundi sur une version finale du texte, qui doit désormais recevoir l'assentiment royal - une formalité. Wes Streeting, ministre travailliste de la Santé, a estimé qu'il s'agissait d'un « moment historique », avec une « première génération sans tabac protégée d'une vie entière de dépendance et de dommages ». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 22 avril 2026
Related material here, here, and here.
The Joyless, Wooden Starmer and His Killjoy Cronies Announce the Death of Cool...
Proposed Lifetime Smoking Ban to Become Law in Britain
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The proposal, which was approved by Parliament on Tuesday, will ban the supply or sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or after, permanently.
Britain aims to raise a “smoke-free generation” by permanently banning the sale or supply of tobacco and vape products to anyone born in 2009 or after, with a bill that was approved by Parliament on Tuesday.
The bill applies to people currently 17 years old or younger and aims to keep them from ever picking up the habit in their lifetime. The proposal is expected to soon go into law after the final formality of approval by King Charles III.
Lawmakers say that in practice, the measure means the age of sale for tobacco products will rise over time as the targeted demographic group grows older and could lead to a smoke-free society. The law will apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The people covered by the law will be “part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” said Wes Streeting, the health secretary, on Tuesday. “Prevention is better than cure.” » | Ephrat Livni | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Related video and links to articles here.
Britain aims to raise a “smoke-free generation” by permanently banning the sale or supply of tobacco and vape products to anyone born in 2009 or after, with a bill that was approved by Parliament on Tuesday.
The bill applies to people currently 17 years old or younger and aims to keep them from ever picking up the habit in their lifetime. The proposal is expected to soon go into law after the final formality of approval by King Charles III.
Lawmakers say that in practice, the measure means the age of sale for tobacco products will rise over time as the targeted demographic group grows older and could lead to a smoke-free society. The law will apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The people covered by the law will be “part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” said Wes Streeting, the health secretary, on Tuesday. “Prevention is better than cure.” » | Ephrat Livni | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Related video and links to articles here.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Schumann: Piano Concerto / Daniil Trifonov, Boian Videnoff - Mannheimer Philharmoniker
Daniil Trifonov, Piano
Boian Videnoff, Conductor
Mannheimer Philharmoniker
Jeffrey Sachs Predicts the Next Steps of America Iran War & What Might Be Trump's Next Move
NYT: Trump Extends Cease-Fire With Iran: The pause in hostilities had been set to expire within hours. The president said Pakistan, which is trying to mediate an end to the war, requested he hold off any attacks. »
Steve Schmidt: Trump Will Regret Launching This War
Americans elected FOOLS to lead them. America is finished. Any so-called leader who wages an illegal war deserves to lose it. — © Mark Alexander
Smoking Ban for People Born after 2008 Agreed in the UK | BBC News
Apr 21, 2026 | Children aged 17 or younger will face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes in the UK, as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill clears Parliament.
Both the Commons and Lords have settled on a final draft of the "landmark" legislation, which aims to stop anyone born after 1 January 2009 from taking up smoking by making it illegal for shops to sell them tobacco, to create a smoke-free generation.
When it gets royal assent, ministers will also have new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including their flavours and packaging. I
t is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK's leading causes of preventable death, disability and ill health.
This is legislation thought up by undemocratic fools! No party that voted in favour of this will get my vote. This is totally undemocratic and unworkable. Furthermore, it is a gift for criminals and blackmarketeers. A person enjoying a conventional cigarette is the least of our concerns today. Young people are into far worse that tobacco these days. Moreover, this doesn't just impact children; everyone as he/she ages will be impacted by this undemocratic nonsense. It's a pity that these stupid, nanny-state-inclined politicians couldn't find more important things to do. — © Mark Alexander
NIGEL FARAGE: Reform will repeal the generational smoking ban: The puritanical spirit of Oliver Cromwell again stalks the land »
THE GUARDIAN: Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament: Ministers hope tobacco and vapes bill, which will become law next week, will create a ‘smoke-free generation’ »
Both the Commons and Lords have settled on a final draft of the "landmark" legislation, which aims to stop anyone born after 1 January 2009 from taking up smoking by making it illegal for shops to sell them tobacco, to create a smoke-free generation.
When it gets royal assent, ministers will also have new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including their flavours and packaging. I
t is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK's leading causes of preventable death, disability and ill health.
This is legislation thought up by undemocratic fools! No party that voted in favour of this will get my vote. This is totally undemocratic and unworkable. Furthermore, it is a gift for criminals and blackmarketeers. A person enjoying a conventional cigarette is the least of our concerns today. Young people are into far worse that tobacco these days. Moreover, this doesn't just impact children; everyone as he/she ages will be impacted by this undemocratic nonsense. It's a pity that these stupid, nanny-state-inclined politicians couldn't find more important things to do. — © Mark Alexander
NIGEL FARAGE: Reform will repeal the generational smoking ban: The puritanical spirit of Oliver Cromwell again stalks the land »
THE GUARDIAN: Bill banning people born after 2008 from buying tobacco clears UK parliament: Ministers hope tobacco and vapes bill, which will become law next week, will create a ‘smoke-free generation’ »
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