# NuseReal
Your second place to come to for international news
Curated by Peter Hulm
Breaking news
Pope criticises 'tyrants' who spend billions on wars after Trump spat — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
— BBC: Speaking in Cameroon, the Pope criticised leaders who "turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to ?be found". He said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants".
— The remarks come just days after a high-profile spat with US President Donald Trump, who posted a lengthy attack on the Pope, a vocal critic of the US-Israeli military operation in Iran. The Pope had voiced his concern about Trump's threat that "a whole civilisation will die" if Iran did not agree to US demands to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. Leo, who last year became the first US-born Pope, has previously also questioned the Trump administration's approach to immigration.
Europe has six weeks of jet fuel left caused by 'dire strait' crisis, IEA chief warns — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
UNCTAD: Developing countries launch first-ever Borrowers' Platform, "a breakthrough in global finance" — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
— "Today, 54 countries — home to 3.4 billion people — spend more on debt servicing than on health or education. [...] First outlined in the Sevilla Commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in July 2025, the initiative creates a permanent space for collaboration among developing countries. Through peer learning, technical support and knowledge sharing, the platform aims to strengthen debt management practices and improve coordination on sovereign debt issues."
On Wednesday, at an event in Washington DC to launch the group, UN Secretary-General António Guterres – whose Expert Group on Debt proposed the idea for the Platform in 2025 — described the initiative as a "breakthrough in global financing," comparable to long-established groups for creditor countries, such as the Paris Club, the London Club and the Institute of International Finance. — (LINK)
Global economy at risk of recession if Iran war persists, warns IMF — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— In its World Economic Outlook report, the IMF said in a worst case scenario — where oil, gas and food prices spike and remain high this year and next — global growth could fall below 2% in 2026.
— "This would mean a close call for a global recession which has happened only four times since 1980," it said, the most recent being during the Covid pandemic.
Zelenskyy says robots captured Russian battlefield positions in a military first — (LINK) ground.news: 82 media reports — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— "For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned platforms — ground systems and drones," Zelenskyy said in a statement, adding that "the occupiers surrendered, and this operation was carried out without the participation of infantry and without losses on our side."
JD Vance defends Trump amid spat with Pope Leo: 'Stick to matters of morality' — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
President vs. Pope: Trump posts pic of self as Jesus, Pope says warmakers have "hands full of blood" — (LINK)
Trump claims the Jesus-like image he posted was meant to depict him as a doctor — (LINK)
Fresh Iran talks could begin this week as US continues blockade on ports — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
No ships 'make it past US blockade' in Hormuz strait in its first 24 hours and six merchant ships followed orders to turn around: Pentagon — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— CENTCOM said the blockade applies only to vessels "entering and exiting Iranian ports" and other vessels remain free to transit the waterway. It added: "US forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports." The Reuters news agency reported at least three vessels transited the strait during the first 24 hours of the blockade, citing shipping data. They included two tankers sanctioned by the US. The three ships were not heading to Iranian ports, according to Reuters.
Dow futures drop 500 points (1.1%) after Trump announces Strait of Hormuz blockade as talks fail — 13 April 2026 (LINK)
— "Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said in a post to his social media platform Truth Social . "The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION."
Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war — 13 April 2026 (LINK)
— History's first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the "delusion of omnipotence" that is fueling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.
Joint Statement by the Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group: "it will take time for global supplies of key commodities to move back towards their pre-conflict levels — and fuel and fertilizer prices may remain high for a prolonged period given the damage to infrastructure" — 13 April 2026 (LINK)
Chinese tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz, testing Trump's blockade — 13 April 2026 (LINK)
— Rich Starry, a medium-range tanker, traveled through the strait on Monday afternoon, making it through the waterway on a second attempt, according to shipping data from Kpler. The ship is carrying around 250,000 barrels of methanol, Reuters reported. The ship flies under the Malawi flag, but the African country has stated that it has no official registration for ships. The vessel has a Chinese crew on board, according to Reuters. In 2023, the U.S sanctioned the tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Company Limited, for its dealings with Iran. It is unclear whether the vessel stopped at Iranian ports during its recent journey through the waterway.
— Another U.S.-sanctioned Chinese tanker, Murlikishan, passed through the strait from the opposite direction and is currently located in the Persian Gulf. The second tanker flies under Madagascar's flag and is heading to Iraq to load fuel on April 16, according to Kpler.
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South African opposition figure Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison for firing a gun — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
— The charges related to an incident in 2018 when a video emerged showing Malema using a semi-automatic rifle to fire several shots in the air during his party's fifth anniversary celebrations held in the country's Eastern Cape province. During the trial in KuGompo City, which is the new name for East London, Malema told the court that the firearm was not his and that he had fired the shots to rouse the crowd, South African news site SowetanLIVE reported at the time.
NPR roundup: Jet fuel prices double, leading airlines to increase baggage fees, raise fares — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
— The top three global exporters of jet fuel are China, South Korea and Kuwait. China has banned exports of jet fuel and South Korea has had to cut back on production, in both cases because they can't get enough crude to make it. And Kuwait can make jet fuel just fine — but can't send it anywhere.
Roundup: 168 children killed in Lebanon as Israeli strikes hit homes far from front lines of war with Hezbollah — (LINK) ground.news: 20 media reports — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
Trump posts a picture of Jesus hugging him days after his AI-deity image drew widespread anger — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
— Trump posted the picture to his Truth Social social media platform Wednesday morning with the message: 'The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT'
Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized big concert venues, jury rules — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
— Live Nation reached a deal with the Department of Justice in March to pay $280 million to states that sued the company over its practices. However, a coalition of more than 30 states rejected the federal settlement and vowed to move forward with litigation, with New York Attorney General Letitia James describing the suit as an effort to "restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry."
Canada, U.K. and 8 other nations condemn killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon — (LINK) ground.news: 27 media reports — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— Preliminary UN findings attributed one peacekeeper death to an Israeli tank projectile and two deaths to an improvised explosive device most likely placed by Hezbollah, clarifying responsibility for the killings.
Joint Statement — (LINK)
Iran war triggered 'most severe oil supply shock in history', International Energy Agency says — (LINK) ground.news: 34 media reports — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
Billionaire sugar daddy kicks Swalwell out of his mansion, wants $1M back after heinous sex allegations — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills his wife and then himself, police say — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
— The shooting stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding “what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce,” police chief said.
NASA selects Voyager for seventh private mission to ISS, targeted to launch no earlier than 2028 from Florida: first selection for a private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
— The mission, named VOYG-1, is expected to spend as many as 14 days aboard the space station. A specific launch date will depend on overall spacecraft traffic at the orbital outpost and other planning considerations. Voyager will submit four proposed crew members to NASA and its international partners for review. Once approved and confirmed, they will train with NASA, international partners, and the launch provider for their flight. The company will purchase mission services from NASA, including crew consumables, cargo delivery, storage, and other in-orbit resources for daily use. NASA will purchase the capability to return scientific samples that must remain cold during transit back to Earth.
A $1 million Picasso has sold for just $117 in raffle to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation: winner Ari Hodara is an art lover from Paris who works selling software: the raffle had 120,000 tickets, suggesting total raised could be $14 million — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
Scientists revived a 24,000-year-old animal frozen in Siberia. The rotifer woke up and started reproducing — 16 April 2026 (LINK)
— Indian Defence Review: This finding pushes the known limits of cryptobiosis, a state in which organisms suspend metabolism to survive extreme environments. While similar behaviour has been observed in single-celled organisms and some simple animals, this case stands out because rotifers possess more complex internal structures, including digestive systems.
Five new Patek Philippe releases from Watches and Wonders Geneva that deserve your full attention — 50th Nautilus anniversary or not — 15 April 2026 (LINK) requires signup
Scientists now think they know how Egypt's Great Pyramid was built by moving 2.3 million stones without modern machines: internal ramps system — 15 April 2026 (LINK)
Vicious Cycle Index (VCI): this indicator has called every recession over the last 80 years: the U.S. economy could be starting a vicious cycle if this indicator is right — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— Smart moves for investors include buying recession-resistant stocks and increasing their cash positions.
AI search is changing which crypto brands get discovered: i.e. the ones whose coverage appears in the right places, in the right format, with consistent language across sources — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
— Less than 15% of crypto projects have taken meaningful steps to appear in AI-generated answers, and the gap between who AI recommends and who deserves to be recommended widens every quarter.
10 best AI crypto and stock trading bots (2026): a beginner's guide — 14 April 2026 (LINK)
Catchup: Travellers stranded at Istanbul Airport, Turkey as 192 flights are delayed and 2 cancelled — 13 April 2026 (LINK)
Complete Guide To Geneva Watch Days 14-20 April: events, releases and what to expect — 31 March 2026 (LINK)
Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026: Montreux Jazz sets the tempo in the city: the grand watchmaking salon will open its doors at Palexpo in Geneva from April 14 to 20, featuring many new developments. Eleven brands will be making their debut, including Audemars Piguet, which will be making a grand return, while in the city centre, a new venue will host the Montreux Jazz Festival for the very first time — 5 February 2026 (LINK)
— More than 6,000 retailers, 1,600 international journalists, and some 1,500 guests from around the world are expected to attend this major watchmaking event. Watches and Wonders Geneva will open its ticket office on February 10 on its website. With a brand new 600-square-metre space in the heart of the city, Quai Général-Guisan, the Montreux Jazz Festival will enliven the evenings with a music programme from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., including DJ sets and live performances.
Watches and Wonders 2026: T3 watch experts give their predictions on what we'll see at the event: from From Rolex discontinuations to square dials, here's what we want to see — 12 April 2026 (LINK)
25 to 27 October 2026: UNCTAD World Investment Forum 9: in Doha — 22 January 2026 (LINK)
Road to the First International Conference of the Global Framework on Chemicals being held in Geneva on 16 to 20 November 2026 — 11 February 2026 (LINKS)
11 to 15 July 2027: International AIDS Society announces Geneva as host city for IAS 2027:: Around 5,000 people from more than 130 countries are expected to attend. Registration for IAS 2027 will open in November 2026 — 22 January 2026 (LINK)
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