Top U.S. & World Headlines — April 17, 2026
Explore the podcast
324 episodes
Latest Shows
Democracy Now!
Transcript
Follow along using the transcript.
Welcome to Democracy Now, democracynow.org.
4 seconds
The War and Peace Report. I'm Amy Goodman. Celebrations broke out across Lebanon overnight after Israel agreed to11 seconds
a 10-day ceasefire following US broker talks to end 7 weeks of attacks that have killed nearly 2,200 people in19 seconds
Lebanon, including 172 children. Israel continued air strikes right up until the ceasefire27 seconds
took effect Thursday evening, including attacks on the city of Ty that killed at least 13 people. Elsewhere, Israel35 seconds
bombed
a school in southern Lebanon and blew up the last bridge over the
Latani River, further isolating southern Lebanon from the rest of the
country.46 seconds
Israeli forces now occupy about 10% of Lebanon's territory with an estimated 1.2 2 million people displaced from55 seconds
their
homes. This is Ibrahim Saidi, a 30-year-old living in a tent in Beirut
after he fled Israeli strikes in the suburb of Gaha.1 minute, 9 seconds
They
gave a 10-day ceasefire, but we don't accept that 10 days. If we want
to go back to our homes, 10 days and the war returns, we don't want
that. Either1 minute, 17 seconds
our
land is fully returned or we don't want the ceasefire. We'll continue
with the war. My home in Da in Beirut's southern suburbs has been
destroyed. Who will compensate me?1 minute, 27 seconds
After headlines, we'll go to Beirut for the latest. In Israel, hundreds of people rallied in Tel Aviv Thursday to1 minute, 35 seconds
denounce
escalating attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied
West Bank. Human rights groups say it was the largest protest of its1 minute, 44 seconds
kind yet in Israel. It came after Israel's high court lifted a week'sl long wartime ban on public gatherings.1 minute, 53 seconds
The US House of Representatives rejected a war powers resolution seeking to reign in President Trump's ability to wage war2 minutes, 2 seconds
on Iran. On Thursday, every House Republican voted against the resolution except for Kentucky Congress member2 minutes, 11 seconds
Thomas Massie. It failed on a vote of 213 to 214 after Democrat Jared Golden2 minutes, 18 seconds
of Maine crossed the aisle to vote with the Republicans. The Senate narrowly rejected an Iran war powers resolution2 minutes, 26 seconds
one day earlier. On Thursday, President Trump repeated his claim that a deal to end the war in Iran is quote very close2 minutes, 35 seconds
and that direct talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan as soon as this weekend. Despite the claims the Pentagon2 minutes, 44 seconds
is surging thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, including an additional 6,000 sailors and aviators2 minutes, 53 seconds
joining the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier battle group. The ships were recently spotted steaming around the3 minutes, 2 seconds
southern tip of Africa, avoiding a much shorter passage through the Red Sea,3 minutes, 7 seconds
where they would be in range of missiles and drones of Yemen's Iranbacked Houthi movement.3 minutes, 14 seconds
In Ukraine, at least 17 people were killed as Russia launched its deadliest drone and missile attacks of the year on3 minutes, 22 seconds
Kev and other cities. Among the dead was a 12-year-old child. Dozens more were3 minutes, 28 seconds
wounded. This is Valerie Shashkov, an 84 year old who had to have glass shards3 minutes, 35 seconds
removed from his face after Russian strikes shattered the windows of his home.3 minutes, 44 seconds
It
hit me like a smash. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't figure out what
had happened. That blood was flowing all around me. You see, I looked
up and then there was another strike.3 minutes, 56 seconds
The violence came at the end of a 32-hour Orthodox Easter truce that each side accused the other of violating. On4 minutes, 5 seconds
Thursday, Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Tuapsa killed two people,4 minutes, 12 seconds
including a teenage girl. The strikes also triggered a massive fire at one of Russia's largest oil refineries.4 minutes, 22 seconds
In
New Jersey, progressive Democrat Analia Mahia has won a special
election to fill the House seat left vacant by New Jersey Governor Mikey
Cheryl.4 minutes, 32 seconds
Mahia's
victory further narrows Republicans razor thin majority. Once she's
sworn in, House Speaker Mike Johnson will only be able to afford a4 minutes, 41 seconds
defection by a single Republican in order to pass legislation on a partyline vote. Mahia is the daughter of a4 minutes, 49 seconds
Colombian garment worker and a Dominican laborer and a former union organizer who served as a national political director4 minutes, 56 seconds
for Bernie Sanders in 2020. On the campaign trail, she called for the abolition of ICE and was the only5 minutes, 4 seconds
candidate to say she believed Israel committed genocide in Gaza.5 minutes, 10 seconds
80%
of Gaza is in rubble. Can we agree that that is wrong? Can we agree
that cutting the electricity to water desalinization plants is not only
wrong,5 minutes, 20 seconds
but it goes against the Geneva Convention, and it is a war crime.5 minutes, 26 seconds
The House of Representatives has approved a shortterm extension of FISA,5 minutes, 32 seconds
that's
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, over the objections of
privacy advocates who warn it allows the government to conduct
warrantless5 minutes, 41 seconds
domestic surveillance on a massive scale. Without congressional action, the program was due to expire in 3 days. The5 minutes, 50 seconds
White
House and House Speaker Mike Johnson were seeking an 18-month
extension, but those plans were thwarted when a block of conservatives
revolted5 minutes, 59 seconds
against the bill. It also faces opposition from some Democrats,6 minutes, 4 seconds
including California Congress member Roana, who said in a social media post,6 minutes, 8 seconds
Republicans called lawmakers back at midnight for a quote secret vote to reauthorize FISA while America sleeps.6 minutes, 17 seconds
This would give Donald Trump the power to surveil or collect data on Americans through a back door. There really is not6 minutes, 24 seconds
a
philosophical debate here. A yes vote is a vote to give Donald Trump
more power over American citizens. A no vote is a vote to stand up to
Donald Trump.6 minutes, 36 seconds
Every
Democrat should be a no on the reauthorization of FISA. The House of
Representatives has passed a resolution to extend temporary protected
status,6 minutes, 48 seconds
that's TPS, for 330,000 Haitian immigrants in the United States after the Trump administration cancelled the6 minutes, 56 seconds
program. 10 Republicans joined House Democrats in Thursday's 224 to 204 vote.7 minutes, 4 seconds
The bill was sponsored by Massachusetts Democrat Ayanna Presley. Ahead of Thursday's vote, she told the story of7 minutes, 11 seconds
Rebecca, a Haitian immigrant who moved to Massachusetts after the devastating earthquake in 2010 resulted in the7 minutes, 20 seconds
deaths of an estimated 220,000 people in what was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.7 minutes, 29 seconds
She witnessed the rise in gangs and saw her beautiful country overtaken by political violence and instability.7 minutes, 37 seconds
After surviving multiple kidnapping attempts, out of desperation, Rebecca made the same decision that any of us7 minutes, 46 seconds
would make in her position. She immigrated to the United States. She quickly enrolled in school to learn7 minutes, 53 seconds
English. She obtained a job to support herself and her family.7 minutes, 59 seconds
Now in 2026, thanks to her legal status under TPS, Rebecca is a certified nursing assistant.8 minutes, 8 seconds
A Senate version of the bill extending TPS for Haitians faces an uphill battle8 minutes, 15 seconds
in the Senate, and the White House has promised to veto any such legislation.8 minutes, 21 seconds
President Trump's repeatedly used racist rhetoric to lash out against Haitians.8 minutes, 27 seconds
During the 2024 campaign, he amplified the unfounded lie that Haitians were8 minutes, 34 seconds
eating pets, cats, and dogs in Springfield, Ohio.8 minutes, 41 seconds
The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has announced his resignation from the agency just one8 minutes, 48 seconds
year after his appointment to oversee Trump's rapid expansion of nationwide ICE raids, immigration, detention, and8 minutes, 56 seconds
deportations. Todd Lions, who was never confirmed by the Senate, says he's stepping down in May. During his tenure,9 minutes, 5 seconds
he repeatedly defended ISIS tactics as the agency faced mounting scrutiny over its agents violent crackdown on9 minutes, 13 seconds
protesters and dehumanizing treatment of immigrants. In Minnesota, Henipin County prosecutors have charged an ICE agent9 minutes, 21 seconds
with felony assault for allegedly pointing his gun at the heads of two people who were in a car beside him.9 minutes, 29 seconds
Earlier this year, the agent, Gregory Donald Morgan Jr., reportedly had tried to pass their vehicle while illegally9 minutes, 37 seconds
driving his unmarked SUV on a Minneapolis highway. Henipin County Attorney Mary Morardi announced the charges on Thursday.9 minutes, 48 seconds
Mr. Morgan's conduct was extremely dangerous.9 minutes, 52 seconds
Driving
while pointing a weapon out of your moving vehicle at the victims who
were in another moving vehicle could have led to yet another disastrous10 minutes
incident in a community that has already suffered too many. This is the first10 minutes, 7 seconds
criminal case against an ICE agent involved in Trump's so-called Operation10 minutes, 14 seconds
Metro Surge in Minnesota. During the crackdown earlier this year, federal agents deployed to the Twin Cities shot10 minutes, 21 seconds
and killed two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Prey. In related news,10 minutes, 28 seconds
Minneapolis
resident Alia Ramen has filed a personal injury claim against DHS after
ICE agents in Minneapolis smashed her car window, dragged her out,10 minutes, 41 seconds
and detained her while she was heading to a doctor's appointment in January.10 minutes, 46 seconds
Aya Ramen will join us from Minneapolis later in the broadcast.10 minutes, 52 seconds
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to cut about $200 million in public safety funding to Houston,11 minutes, 1 second
Dallas,
and Austin if their local law enforcement agencies refuse to
collaborate with ICE in the arrest and detention of immigrants over
minor11 minutes, 10 seconds
infractions such as traffic stops. This week, Abbott's office reportedly notified Houston officials the state11 minutes, 17 seconds
would
be withdrawing some $110 million in public safety grants after the city
adopted an ordinance that limits police's cooperation with ICE.11 minutes, 29 seconds
The FBI's arrested a man who was shot by ICE agents in Patterson, California last week and charge him with assaulting a11 minutes, 36 seconds
federal
officer. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Enernandez was taken into custody after
being discharged from the hospital Monday where he underwent several
surgeries from multiple gunshot wounds,11 minutes, 48 seconds
including to the jaw. Hernandez reportedly attempted to drive away when federal officers surrounded his car11 minutes, 55 seconds
during a traffic stop while he was on his way to work. He later said he feared the officers were going to shoot him.12 minutes, 5 seconds
Meanwhile, in Texas, advocates are demanding the release of a longtime court interpreter and the only licensed12 minutes, 12 seconds
Punjabi, Hindi, and Erdo interpreter in the state who is detained by ICE last month. Minuatra has lived in the United12 minutes, 21 seconds
States for over 35 years. She fled India following pgrams against six in Punjab and arrived in the United States in 1991.12 minutes, 31 seconds
Her attorneys fear Botra could be deported to a country she has no ties to under Trump's so-called third country12 minutes, 39 seconds
agreements. Botra has spoken out against the inhumane conditions of her detention at the Alva Ice Jail in Raymondville,12 minutes, 47 seconds
Texas.12 minutes, 49 seconds
In Virginia, police say former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his aranged wife, Serena12 minutes, 59 seconds
Fairfax, before taking his own life. The couple's teenage children were home at the time of the murder suicide, which13 minutes, 7 seconds
took place two weeks before Fairfax faced a court-ordered deadline to move13 minutes, 14 seconds
out of their home. In 2019, two women publicly accused Fairfax of sexual assault.13 minutes, 22 seconds
And Hampshire College, a private liberal arts college in Amoris, Massachusetts,13 minutes, 28 seconds
has announced it will close by the end of 2026 following years of financial struggles. The Heron Consulting Group13 minutes, 37 seconds
has warned over 400 of the nation's 1,700 private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities are at risk of13 minutes, 46 seconds
closing or having to merge within the next 10 years. This comes amidst growing attacks on education by the Trump13 minutes, 53 seconds
administration and decades of skyrocketing tuition costs, declining student enrollment, and a student debt14 minutes, 2 seconds
crisis. And those are some of the headlines. This is democracyow democracynow.org.14 minutes, 9 seconds
Thanks
for watching Democracy Now on YouTube. Subscribe to the channel and
turn on notifications to make sure you never miss a video. And for more
of our14 minutes, 18 seconds
audience
supported journalism, go to democracynow.org or where you can download
our news app, sign up for our newsletter, subscribe to the daily14 minutes, 26 seconds
podcast, and so much
Democracy Now!
3.3M subscribers
No comments:
Post a Comment