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Here is the top, trending news of Friday, April 17, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
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- 17 April 2026 6:45 AM IST
Trump-announced Israel-Lebanon truce begins, uncertainty clouds ceasefire
A 10-day truce began in Lebanon on Friday that could pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants inside the country, who were not formally part of the agreement.
Barrages of gunshots rang out across Beirut as residents fired into the air just after midnight to celebrate the beginning of the truce.
Displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, despite warnings by officials not to attempt to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire "to advance" peace efforts with Lebanon, but said Israeli troops would not withdraw.
Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area as they pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a "security zone." Netanyahu, in his video address, said it will extend 10 km into Lebanon. "That is where we are, and we are not leaving," he said.
Hezbollah said that "Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold", a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.
- 17 April 2026 6:43 AM IST
Trump claims Iran agrees to hand over enriched uranium, says US-Iran deal ‘close’
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium supply and said that both countries were "close" to a peace deal.
"They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," Trump told reporters at the White House, using his name for the enriched uranium stockpile that the United States says could be used to build nuclear weapons. "There's a very good chance we're going to make a deal," he added.
Trump said that the US and Iran are going through a "very successful negotiation". He said that if the deal happens, there will be free oil, an open Strait of Hormuz and "everything will be nice".
The Republican leader said that he might travel to Pakistan if the deal is signed in Islamabad. He said the next round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place as soon as this weekend, indicating momentum in negotiations.
At the same time, he cast doubt on the need to extend the current ceasefire. “I’m not sure it needs to be extended,” he said, adding that Tehran is now more flexible than before.
"We have a very good relationship with Iran right now, as hard as it is to believe," Trump said. "And I think it's a combination of about four weeks of bombing, and a very powerful blockade."
Iran's nuclear ambitions were a sticking point at last weekend's talks. The US proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran - an apparent concession from longstanding demands for a permanent ban. Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, Reuters reported.
