The American Express Times
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Trump extends ceasefire as strait closure goes on
President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran, citing Pakistan’s request and delaying planned U.S.-Iran negotiations amid ongoing regional tensions. The truce helps avert immediate military conflict but leaves diplomatic efforts uncertain as Iran canceled talks and the U.S. postponed a key delegation visit.
★ Featured Stories
Why Virginia went back on its word
Virginia voters narrowly approved a referendum that suspends the bipartisan redistricting commission established to prevent partisan gerrymandering. This marks a reversal of the state's previous…
Rohit, Dhoni bat amid fitness concerns
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings face uncertainty over the availability of key players Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni ahead of their IPL encounter due…
Kevin Warsh is good news for the Federal Reserve
Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair, pledged to uphold the Fed’s independence and adopt a cautious stance on monetary policy during his…
Lamp post challenge descends into farce
A woman in Jiangsu province became trapped during a viral lamp post climbing challenge and required police assistance to be safely freed. Authorities warn that…
★ All Stories
Moderna launches mRNA bird flu vaccine trial after HHS cancels funding
Moderna has begun a Phase 3 clinical trial for an mRNA-based avian influenza vaccine after federal funding from HHS was withdrawn last year. This trial,…
Pittsburgh Mortician Helped Pioneer NFL Mock Drafts
Ray Byrne, a Pittsburgh mortician, played a key role in helping the Steelers with their NFL draft strategy during the 1940s and 1950s, pioneering one…
US Federal Reserve Nominee Kevin Warsh Affirms Commitment to Central Bank Independence
Kevin Warsh, nominated by President Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, defended his independence and commitment to controlling inflation during his Senate confirmation hearing amid…
Rivian starts smaller R2 SUV production
Rivian has started production of its smaller, more affordable R2 SUV, with customer deliveries set to begin later this spring. This model aims to compete…
Dave Mason, Founder of Traffic and Rock Icon, Dies at 79
Dave Mason, the British guitarist and songwriter known for co-founding the band Traffic and writing classics like “Feelin’ Alright?,” has died at 79. His passing…
Washington Nationals Struggle With Pitching Despite Strong Offense
The Washington Nationals scored six runs but lost 8-6 to the Atlanta Braves due to continued struggles on the mound, with pitcher Zack Littell giving…
Alabama Rewards Coaches DeBoer and Oats with Raises and Extensions
The University of Alabama extended the contracts and increased the salaries of football coach Kalen DeBoer, now earning $12.5 million annually, and men’s basketball coach…
Pain of the Game: Lamine Yamal’s Injury and Barcelona’s Victory
Barcelona defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 in a La Liga match thanks to a penalty converted by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who was later substituted due to…
Major League Baseball Scores and Highlights
Max Fried pitched eight scoreless innings and Amed Rosario hit a three-run homer as the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1, extending…
TSMC to open plant in Arizona in 2029
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has begun construction on a new chip packaging facility in Arizona, set to open by 2029, to expand its U.S.…
Nowitzki, Bird Among Eight Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame
Dirk Nowitzki, Sue Bird, and six others were inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Berlin, which also hosted the draw…
Profit reports lift U.S. stocks to record highs but uncertainty over war in Iran propels oil over $100 a barrel again
U.S. stock markets hit new record highs driven by strong first-quarter earnings from major companies like General Electric’s energy unit, which surpassed profit expectations and…
Novel About Sex Trafficking Tops List of Challenged Books in 2025
Book challenges and removals in libraries and schools reached record highs in 2025, with politically organized campaigns targeting over 4,200 titles, chiefly focusing on LGBTQ+…
Marlin Klein Overcomes Odds to Pursue NFL Dream
German teenager Marlin Klein moved to the United States as a high school student to learn American football and has earned a scholarship to the…
Guerrilla Art Flourishes in Donald Trump’s Washington
Artists Krzysztof Wodiczko and Robin Bell projected anti-war images onto the National Gallery of Art while the anonymous collective Secret Handshake installed satirical sculptures near…
Liam Rosenior Sacked as Chelsea Manager After Run of Defeats
Chelsea Football Club has fired head coach Liam Rosenior after a series of poor performances, including five consecutive league losses and a 3-0 defeat to…
Val Ackerman’s Impactful Career in Sports Leadership
Val Ackerman is stepping down this August after a 38-year career in sports leadership, including 13 years as commissioner of the Big East Conference and…
WNBA to Have Record Number of Broadcasts in Milestone 30th Season
The WNBA will feature a record 216 regular-season games broadcast across multiple networks and streaming platforms in its 30th season, marking the largest televised schedule…
Sports Authority Board Approves Measures To Boost Infrastructure
The Public Authority for Sports in Kuwait approved a series of measures including land allocation to the Kuwait Handball Federation, subsidies to key sports federations,…
A Virginia Win As Democrats Bare Knuckles Party Embraces Tactics It Once Opposed
Virginia Democrats passed a new congressional redistricting plan that is expected to flip up to four Republican-held seats in the state's delegation. This move reflects…
Hospice Fraud Is a Flashpoint For California
California has become a hotspot for Medicare hospice fraud involving unauthorized enrollments, identity theft, and fraudulent billing, prompting intensified investigations by federal agencies and congressional…
Hollow cover Punjab’s health scheme faces challenges
Punjab’s flagship health insurance scheme is facing implementation challenges as patients report being denied cashless treatment at private hospitals and incurring unexpected expenses. These issues,…
Shura to Host Minister of Health on Sunday for Policy Statement
Oman’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, will present the Ministry of Health’s policy statement to the Majlis Ash’shura during regular sessions…
Long Year of Struggle for Fired U.S.A.I.D. Staff
Amy Uccello, a longtime USAID employee, was abruptly fired via email while on maternity leave with minimal benefits, contributing to severe financial difficulties for her…
‘An Angel’ Waits Outside the Prison To Help Freed Inmates In El Salvador
Sugey Amaya has taken it upon herself to assist recently released prisoners at El Penalito in San Salvador, providing transportation, clothing, and support amid El…
An ‘Open Question’ Around a Critical Industry
Microsoft has announced it will no longer make future purchase commitments for carbon removal credits, a move that threatens the growth of the emerging carbon…
An Unlikely Tale of Prison, Poetry and Love
Kurdish poet Ilhan Sami Comak was released in November 2024 after nearly 30 years in prison, during which he wrote extensively and formed a close…
With Oil Pipeline Fixed, Orban Drops Opposition to Big E.U. Loan to Ukraine
Hungary has lifted its veto on a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine after the Druzhba oil pipeline was repaired, allowing the bloc to proceed…
Israel Honors Rabbi Calling For Flattening Of Gaza Strip
The Israeli government honored Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, known for his role in demolishing Gaza’s infrastructure during the conflict with Hamas, by having him light a…
Eviction Threat Darkens Rosy Russian Picture of Occupied Ukraine
Russian authorities in Mariupol have introduced new property registration laws requiring residents to obtain Russian citizenship and re-register their homes by July 2024 or face…
U.S. Turns Up Pressure on Iraq to Distance Itself From Iran
The United States has suspended funding and cooperation with Iraq’s security forces, including joint counterterrorism efforts, to pressure Baghdad into cracking down on Iran-backed militias…
Another U.S. Message to Baghdad: Holding On to Its Oil Dollars
The United States has stopped air shipments of U.S. dollars to Iraq, withholding cash from oil revenues to pressure Baghdad into limiting its ties with…
Six Charged With Plotting Military Coup In Nigeria
Nigeria has formally charged six individuals, including retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, with treason for an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu last…
To Iran, Trump Blinked First by Extending the Cease-Fire
President Trump announced an indefinite cease-fire between the United States and Iran to allow for renewed diplomatic talks after the collapse of a second negotiation…
In 2015, Obama Coaxed Iran Into a Nuclear Deal
The Obama administration reached the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran to limit its nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions.…
QHA meets Qatar Tourism chairman
The Qatari Hotels Association, led by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, met with Qatar Tourism chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji to strengthen public-private collaboration and…
Iranian Forces Say They Have Seized Two Ships Near Hormuz Strait
The United States and Iran remain at an impasse in nuclear and security negotiations due to deep mutual distrust rooted in past actions, including the…