Date: April 17, 2026
Host: Jim Schneider
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Here’s your opportunity to get caught up on what’s happening in the news. Hear it all, including any pertinent audio clips as well, on this edition of Crosstalk.
–President Trump announced today that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open although the naval blockade against Iran remains in full force.
–A major diplomatic push is underway to ease tensions in the Middle East, as President Trump announced a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon while simultaneously trying to hold a fragile truce with Iran.
–Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced the suspension of Italy’s defense treaty with Israel on the same day that she was harshly criticized by President Trump for not assisting the U.S. in its military campaign against Iran.
–President Trump continued his criticism of NATO with a social media post late Tuesday evening simply stating, “NATO wasn’t there for us and they won’t be there for us in the future!”
–A group of House Democrats filed articles of impeachment Wednesday against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran, obstruction of congressional oversight and other claims of wrongdoing.
–Anti-Semitic attacks killed 20 Jews in four separate incidents in 2025, marking the deadliest year of anti-Semitism since 1994, according to an annual anti-Semitism report.
–The Jewish population is estimated to be about 15.8 million, still below pre-holocaust levels when between 16.5 and 16.7 million Jews lived worldwide.
–The U.S. Air Force will purchase up to 270 million dollars worth of lightweight solar powered drones that can be launched by a two-person crew and fly extended loitering scout missions, according to the manufacturer.
–House Democrats unveiled a new bill laying the groundwork for removing President Trump through the 25th Amendment, opening another front in their escalated effort to challenge his fitness for office.
–Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman called for President Trump to be eliminated from office on Wednesday.
–President Trump said Thursday that he called a meeting to address alarming, unconfirmed reports of missing and deceased nuclear scientists, describing the situation as, “pretty serious stuff.”
