## Iran closes strait, challenges U.S. to rein in Israel: ‘the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments’

Authored by fortune.com

The U.S. and Iran both claimed victory after reaching the agreement, and world leaders expressed relief, even as more drones and missiles hit Iran and Gulf Arab countries.

At the same time, Israel intensified its attacks on the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, hitting commercial and residential areas in Beirut.

The Iranian parliament speaker said planned talks were “unreasonable” because Washington broke three of Tehran’s 10 conditions for an end to the fighting.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes killed 182 people on Wednesday, the highest single-day death toll in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

“The world sees the massacres in Lebanon,” Iran’s Araghchi said in a post on X.

“The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.”.

Trump said the U.S. would work with Iran to remove buried enriched uranium, though Iran did not confirm that. »

### Florida sex offender’s body found stuffed in a suitcase and now a teen has been charged with murder

Authored by the-independent.com

Daniel’s remains were discovered inside the suitcase that was abandoned in an undeveloped 2,784-acre area known locally as “The Compound.”.

Officers spotted a partially open suitcase and detected a strong odor before discovering the remains inside.

A second suitcase found nearby also contained remains, along with personal belongings and an Amazon package addressed to Jones. »

### American-born Pope Leo may not visit US while Trump is president after diplomat meeting disaster: report

Authored by the-independent.com

Pope Leo XIV may not return to the U.S. while President Donald Trump remains in office, according to a report citing a contentious meeting between a Catholic official and the Pentagon.

The Pentagon requesting a meeting with a Vatican official is "unprecedented," according to the report.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, may not visit the U.S. while President Donald Trump remains in office, according to a Vatican official who spoke to reporters. »

### Melania Trump uses White House podium to deny any connection to Epstein

Authored by independent.co.uk

First Lady Melania Trump has denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein or knowledge of his abuse in a remarkable address from the White House.

open image in gallery First Lady Melania Trump delivered an address from the White House on April 9 to deny any connections to Jeffrey Epstein while condemning what she characterized as politically motivated ‘smears’ against her ( Reuters ).

open image in gallery Melania Trump said Epstein ‘was not alone’ and called on Congress to hear testimony from survivors of his abuse ( Getty ). »

### US economy grew a sluggish 0.5% in fourth quarter, government says, downgrading previous estimate

Authored by apnews.com

The latest number was marked down from the Commerce Department’s previous estimate of 0.7% fourth-quarter growth.

Consumer spending expanded 1.9%, down a notch from the previous estimate and from 3.5% in the second quarter.

For all of 2025, the economy grew 2.1% last year, slower than 2.8% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2023. »

## In pictures

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