Fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon has been one of a number of sticking points to resolving the wider eight-week regional conflict

International News via Reuters:

Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire for three weeks at a meeting at the White House brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he was prepared to wait for “the best deal” to end his conflict with Iran.

Fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah in Lebanon has been one of a number of sticking points to resolving the wider eight-week regional conflict, along with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and control of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said he was in no rush to reach a peace agreement and wanted it to be “everlasting,” while continuing to assert that the U.S. had a clear upper hand in the naval standoff in the strait.

CHOKEHOLD ON STRAIT OF HORMUZ

A day after Iran flaunted its tight grip over the strait, a key shipping corridor through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas usually transits, Trump dismissed the threat posed by Iran’s “little wise-guy ships”.

He said he believed Tehran was hamstrung from making a deal because its leadership was in turmoil, after several senior political and military figures were killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes that began on February 28.

On Thursday, he said the U.S. could knock out in a day any refurbishing of weapons that Iran may have made during a ceasefire in place since April 8.

But navigation in the passage remained effectively blocked, and the Iranian capture of two huge cargo ships was a reminder that Tehran can still cause trouble for oil markets and pose major strains to the global economy. 

The Philippine government said 15 Filipinos were on the two vessels and believed to be safe and that it expected the ships to be cleared soon.

Container shipping group Hapag-Lloyd said on Friday that one of its ships had made it through the strait, but did not have any information on the circumstances or timing. Before the war, around 130 vessels crossed the strait each day.

Oil prices resumed their rise on Friday with the blockade of the strait unresolved and the fate of a lapsed ceasefire unclear since Trump announced a unilateral extension at the 11th hour. [O/R]

IRANIAN ‘UNITY’, NATO DISCORD

Though Trump has said that U.S. forces have destroyed Iran’s naval threat, the use of a swarm of small, fast boats to seize the container ships underscored Tehran’s evolving tactics in the strait as it countered U.S. interception of Iran-linked oil tankers and other vessels.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday rejected Trump’s claim of disarray in the leadership, describing it as “the enemy’s media operations” to maliciously undermine Iranian unity and security.

“Unity will become stronger and more solid, and enemies will become weaker and more humiliated,” he said in a post on X, as he remained out of the public eye since taking over from his father who was killed in an airstrike on the war’s first day.

The prolonged conflict has deepened the fissure between the U.S. and the rest of NATO, with Trump repeatedly criticising allies for failing to support U.S. operations.

Washington was now weighing punishing countries it saw as unhelpful, with an internal Pentagon email outlining options including suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing the U.S. position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands, a U.S. official told Reuters.

The options are detailed in a note expressing frustration at some allies’ perceived reluctance or refusal to grant the U.S. access, basing and overflight rights for operations against Iran.

Trump said this week he would indefinitely extend what had been a two-week ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, which have yet to be scheduled.

“Don’t rush me,” he said when asked how long he was willing to wait for a long-term peace deal. “I want to make the best deal … I want to have it everlasting.”

He ruled out the use of nuclear weapons, telling reporters they were unnecessary because the U.S. had “decimated” Iran with conventional arms.

“No, I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody,” Trump said when asked by a reporter at the White House.  

Peace talks that had been tentatively scheduled for Pakistan collapsed earlier this week, with neither side showing up. The Pakistani capital remained in lockdown on Friday, but there were no indications the talks would be revived soon.

DEADLY WEEK IN LEBANON

The war in Lebanon, which Israel invaded last month to root out Iran’s Hezbollah allies after the militant group fired across the border, has run in parallel with the wider Iran war, and Tehran says a ceasefire there is a precondition for talks.

The extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon followed some of the deadliest days there since an earlier deal on April 16 to halt fighting. Israeli forces pounded Hezbollah targets on Thursday in southern Lebanon, after they said militants had attacked troops with rockets and a drone and fired rockets towards northern Israel.

Israel has sought to make common cause with Lebanon’s government over Hezbollah, which was founded by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and which Beirut has been seeking to disarm peacefully for the past year.

The group was not present at the ceasefire talks in Washington.

Reporting by Reuters bureaus, Writing by Jack Kim and Alex Richardson; Editing by Lincoln Feast

The NTSB also said in its preliminary report that red runway entrance lights that indicate when it not safe to cross a runway were on until about three seconds before the time of the collision

International News via Reuters:

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday a key runway safety system failed to activate before a March 22 fatal collision between an Air Canada Express jet and a fire truck that killed two pilots.

The NTSB also said in its preliminary report that red runway entrance lights that indicate when it not safe to cross a runway were on until about three seconds before the time of the collision. The NTSB said the system is designed to turn the lights off about 2 to 3 seconds before the airplane reaches each intersection.

Reporting by David Shepardson

The first U.S. pope praised Francis’ landmark 2023 decision but said in comments aboard his flight back to Rome after a four-nation African tour that the Vatican does not want those blessings to be formalized further

International News via Reuters:

Pope Leo signaled on Thursday that he does not plan to go beyond efforts made by his predecessor Francis to offer Church blessings for same-sex couples, saying taking new steps could cause disunity in Catholicism.

The first U.S. pope praised Francis’ landmark 2023 decision but said in comments aboard his flight back to Rome after a four-nation African tour that the Vatican does not want those blessings to be formalized further.

“To go beyond that today, I think that the topic can cause more disunity than unity,” Leo said in a press conference.

Francis, who died in 2025 after 12 years leading the Church, allowed pastors to give blessings to same-sex couples informally outside of a ritual service, and on a case-by-case basis.

The decision provoked widespread debate in the Church, with bishops in some countries, particularly in Africa, refusing to let their priests implement it.

Asked about German Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s plan to formalize the blessings in his diocese, Leo did not specifically criticize it but referred to previous Vatican instructions to the German bishops’ conference not to develop formalized rituals for same-sex blessings.

“The Holy See has made it clear that we do not agree with the formalized blessing of couples,” said the pope.

Leo also said that unity in the 1.4-billion-member Church should not revolve only around sexual ethics.

“We tend to think that when the Church is talking about morality, that the only issue of morality is sexual,” he said. “In reality, I believe there are much greater and more important issues such as justice, equality, (and) freedom of men and women.”

The Catholic Church teaches that sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are sinful. It says people with same-sex attractions should try to be chaste.

Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Deepa Babington

The clause, contained in the treaty that underpins the EU, obliges countries to come to the aid of a fellow member if it comes under attack

International News via Reuters:

European Union leaders will discuss the bloc’s mutual assistance clause at a summit in Cyprus on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of traditional allies raises concerns over his commitment to NATO at a time of growing insecurity.

The clause, contained in the treaty that underpins the EU, obliges countries to come to the aid of a fellow member if it comes under attack. But officials say there are currently no clear rules about how it should work in practice.

Worries about Trump’s criticism of NATO for failing to back the United States’ war with Iran along with his threats earlier this year to seize Greenland from ally Denmark have created greater urgency to more clearly define the EU’s mutual assistance provisions.

“I think Greenland has shown it’s necessary to have that discussion,” said one EU diplomat.

Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency, is pushing for the bloc to take the pact more seriously after a drone struck a British air base on the island last month during the Iran war.

At the gathering in Cyprus, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to brief leaders on what kind of assistance can be provided under the clause, an EU official said. 

Senior diplomats, meanwhile, are planning to hold scenario-based, table-top exercises in the coming weeks to get a better understanding of how it could work, the EU diplomat said.

“What was missing was having some specific scenarios and options already prepared in case a situation comes when some countries will request assistance,” said Juraj Majcin, policy analyst at the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think tank.

“There will be some thought put into what our union can facilitate, and how can this be streamlined,” he said.

DIVERGING VIEWS ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE 

Article 42.7 of the Treaty on the European Union says that “if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all means in their power.”

The treaty adds that “this shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States” and that action shall be consistent with commitments to NATO.

The clause has been activated only once, by France after terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 when member states stepped in with contributions to EU and international military missions and operations, freeing up France to redeploy its troops.

Cyprus is particularly keen to flesh out Article 42.7 as it is not a member of NATO and so does not benefit from the alliance’s protection.

Some countries, however, are anxious to steer clear of any action that might suggest they are turning away from NATO and its Article 5 mutual defence pact.

“We should avoid any interpretations saying this is a contingency if NATO explodes and (the) U.S. leaves,” said a second EU diplomat.

NATO STILL SEEN AS EUROPE’S DEFENCE ‘CORNERSTONE’

NATO’s Article 5 specifies that an attack on one ​of its members is an attack on all, obliging allies to take action they deem necessary to assist the country under attack, including potentially the use of military force.

It has come to be seen as Europe’s ultimate security guarantee, with detailed military structures and plans to defend the continent backed by the might of the United States, a nuclear-armed superpower.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braze of Latvia, which borders Russia – arguably the EU’s main security threat – said in a statement to Reuters that her country “sees NATO as the cornerstone of collective defence.”

“The possible activation and further development of Article 42.7 should go hand in hand with NATO, seeking synergies, and would in no way be regarded as a sign of distrust in NATO or as weakening the Alliance,” she said.

Latvia “believes that maximum flexibility must be preserved” when applying the article, she added, allowing the threatened EU member to “determine the type of assistance required in the event of armed aggression or hybrid threats.”

Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Andrew Gray and Joe Bavier

The clause, contained in the treaty that underpins the EU, obliges countries to come to the aid of a fellow member if it comes under attack

International News via Reuters:

European Union leaders will discuss the bloc’s mutual assistance clause at a summit in Cyprus on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of traditional allies raises concerns over his commitment to NATO at a time of growing insecurity.

The clause, contained in the treaty that underpins the EU, obliges countries to come to the aid of a fellow member if it comes under attack. But officials say there are currently no clear rules about how it should work in practice.

Worries about Trump’s criticism of NATO for failing to back the United States’ war with Iran along with his threats earlier this year to seize Greenland from ally Denmark have created greater urgency to more clearly define the EU’s mutual assistance provisions.

“I think Greenland has shown it’s necessary to have that discussion,” said one EU diplomat.

Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency, is pushing for the bloc to take the pact more seriously after a drone struck a British air base on the island last month during the Iran war.

At the gathering in Cyprus, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to brief leaders on what kind of assistance can be provided under the clause, an EU official said. 

Senior diplomats, meanwhile, are planning to hold scenario-based, table-top exercises in the coming weeks to get a better understanding of how it could work, the EU diplomat said.

“What was missing was having some specific scenarios and options already prepared in case a situation comes when some countries will request assistance,” said Juraj Majcin, policy analyst at the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think tank.

“There will be some thought put into what our union can facilitate, and how can this be streamlined,” he said.

DIVERGING VIEWS ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE 

Article 42.7 of the Treaty on the European Union says that “if a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all means in their power.”

The treaty adds that “this shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States” and that action shall be consistent with commitments to NATO.

The clause has been activated only once, by France after terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 when member states stepped in with contributions to EU and international military missions and operations, freeing up France to redeploy its troops.

Cyprus is particularly keen to flesh out Article 42.7 as it is not a member of NATO and so does not benefit from the alliance’s protection.

Some countries, however, are anxious to steer clear of any action that might suggest they are turning away from NATO and its Article 5 mutual defence pact.

“We should avoid any interpretations saying this is a contingency if NATO explodes and (the) U.S. leaves,” said a second EU diplomat.

NATO STILL SEEN AS EUROPE’S DEFENCE ‘CORNERSTONE’

NATO’s Article 5 specifies that an attack on one ​of its members is an attack on all, obliging allies to take action they deem necessary to assist the country under attack, including potentially the use of military force.

It has come to be seen as Europe’s ultimate security guarantee, with detailed military structures and plans to defend the continent backed by the might of the United States, a nuclear-armed superpower.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braze of Latvia, which borders Russia – arguably the EU’s main security threat – said in a statement to Reuters that her country “sees NATO as the cornerstone of collective defence.”

“The possible activation and further development of Article 42.7 should go hand in hand with NATO, seeking synergies, and would in no way be regarded as a sign of distrust in NATO or as weakening the Alliance,” she said.

Latvia “believes that maximum flexibility must be preserved” when applying the article, she added, allowing the threatened EU member to “determine the type of assistance required in the event of armed aggression or hybrid threats.”

Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Andrew Gray and Joe Bavier

The NRC is one of the world’s leading non-governmental aid organisations focused on displacement. Its boss, Jan Egeland, was the United Nations’ top humanitarian official between 2003 and 2006

International News via Reuters:

The Iran war is having a devastating humanitarian impact globally with higher energy prices making everything from filling the tank of an aid lorry to paying employees and buying food for displaced people costlier, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council said on Thursday.

The NRC is one of the world’s leading non-governmental aid organisations focused on displacement. Its boss, Jan Egeland, was the United Nations’ top humanitarian official between 2003 and 2006.

“We have 1,500 vehicles in our operations; they run on diesel. In some countries, it’s twice the cost now to run those,” Egeland told foreign reporters at NRC headquarters in Oslo.

“The generators needed in the places we haven’t solarized yet are much more expensive, so running a school or a hospital (is more expensive),” he said.

“The food that we have to purchase on the market – local markets, regional markets – has become much more expensive per family in need. And our staff find it very hard to live on the salary that we can give them compared to before.”

The result is the NRC will help fewer people than before, at a time when needs are “exploding,” and funding from the vast majority of donor countries has been redirected to defence budgets, Egeland said.

“Through this year, fewer people will get assistance because of the cost increase,” he said. 

GAZA RESTRICTIONS

The NRC has been active in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2009, including during the Gaza war. 

In February, the Israeli Supreme Court temporarily blocked Israel’s government from shuttering the Gaza operations of dozens of aid organizations, which petitioned the court in a dispute over new Israeli rules requiring them to name Palestinian staff.

But the NRC still lost its registration with Israeli authorities, Egeland said. While it still has local staff in the Gaza Strip, it cannot send international staff to support them.

“We have already had to relocate our headquarters to Amman,” he said. “We do remote leadership management from Amman.” 

He praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza as “wonderful” because “it stopped the massacres and the full-scale war.” 

“But we are now frozen in some halfway house where Israel is still militarily there,” he said. “They’re still destroying homes. Hamas is not disarmed and the aid groups are denied access. This is no peace. This is no implementation. The Trump peace plan is in grave danger.”

Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for its more than 2 million residents.

Yet Palestinians and international aid bodies say supplies reaching the territory are still insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached in January that included guarantees of increased aid.

Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in OsloEditing by Rod Nickel