Friday, April 17, 2026

An Israel-Lebanon cease fire?

President Trump said Israel and Lebanon agreed to a cease fire. But questions remain over tensions between the Israelis and Hezbollah. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Thu Apr 16 2026

 

Phaedra Trethan National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

πŸ‘‹πŸΌ Hi there! I'm Phaedra Trethan, and I might have to rethink my vow not to subscribe to any more streaming services. ☠️ 🎸 🎧

In Thursday's news:

President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. 🚫
U.S. service members deployed in the Middle East are coping with mail disruptions and low morale. πŸ˜•
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife were found fatally shot inside their home in what police say may have been a murder-suicide.

But first: There's still time to win a signed copy of USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page's new book “The Queen and Her Presidents," which explores Queen Elizabeth II's relationship with U.S. presidents from Truman to Trump. πŸ‘‘ πŸ“– ✍🏼

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire?

President Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire , a development that could ease a conflict that’s threatened the truce between the U.S. and Iran. Trump said he will invite Lebanese and Israeli leaders to the White House for "the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983." Still, many questions remain.

Watch: What Trump said about a cease fire.
U.S. officials issue a warning on the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the war of words between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump administration shows no sign of letting up.

The feud, explained.
At least one Catholic nonprofit is feeling the impact. How HHS cuts will impact Catholic Charities of Miami.
What Pope Leo XIV said about "tyrants" and "those who manipulate religion."
Watch: The Pope vs. the Prez.
Not pulp fiction: Secretary Hegseth cited a famous verse. But it wasn't from the Bible.
Who are American bishops backing?

Pope Leo XIV condemns 'tyrants' amid feud with Trump

Pope Leo XIV said the world is "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants" after recently criticizing the war in Iran.

REUTERS / CRTV

Families say service members are left adrift in Middle East

A mostly empty lunch tray, with a small scoop of shredded meat and a single tortilla. A small handful of boiled carrots, a dry meat patty and a gray slab of processed meat. Are these the meals military members deployed to the Middle East are stuck with?

Military families are sharing photos of what they say their deployed loved ones have to eat, while care packages lovingly filled with everything from cookies and candies to toiletries and books languish amid a postal service suspension of deliveries to military ZIP codes.

Real quick

Airlines are sounding the alarm about rising jet fuel prices and potential shortages ahead of the summer travel season. ✈️ πŸ’Έ
A record number of people have died while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency said.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a new plan to make the city's wealthiest residents pay more taxes. πŸ€‘
A Missouri woman who was on the FBI's Most Wanted list has been captured in Florida.

Tragedy in Virginia

The bodies of Virginia's former lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, and his wife were found inside their Annandale home after what detectives are saying was likely a murder-suicide. Police said they believe Justin Fairfax shot his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a dentist, in an unfinished basement in the home, then ran upstairs to the home's primary bedroom before shooting himself. The couple was in the midst of what one police official called a "domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce."

What to know about Justin Fairfax.
Watch: What police said at the scene.

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Law enforcement secure a crime scene outside the home of former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax on April 16, 2026 in Annandale, Virginia. According to police, Justin Fairfax, a former lieutenant governor of Virginia, and his wife, Cerina Fairfax, were found dead in a murder-suicide at their home.

Alex Wong, Getty Images

The 41-year-old virgin πŸ’Œ

Amanda McCracken dated throughout her 20s and 30s, with her share of situationships, one-off dates and flings. But the journalist and author, now 48, didn't engage in sexual intercourse until she was 41. Unlike most who abstain, she wasn't doing so for religious or moral reasons. Instead, she attributes her abstinence to a surprising addiction.

Amanda McCracken 1.JPG

Amanda McCracken

Tanja Melone

A break from the news

Smell ya later! What happened when this enormous flower bloomed. 🀒
Many venues double-book events. But there was some interesting counter-programming at this Georgia couple's nuptials. πŸ‘°πŸΌ πŸ₯Š
The National Zoo is celebrating its latest arrival. Welcome to the world, Linh Mai! 🐘 🩷

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your funny wedding stories. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.

A sign sits outside of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Roybal campus in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Megan Varner

President Donald Trump announced new leadership at the Centers for ​Disease Control and Prevention, saying that he was nominating former Deputy Surgeon General Erica Schwartz.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a briefing on the Iran war, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 16, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
 

Democrats seek impeachment of Hegseth over 'unauthorized' Iran war

The articles of impeachment, filed by Rep. Yassamin Ansari on April 15, accuse Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth of starting an "unauthorized" war in Iran.

A tourist takes in the view of the layered buttes and canyon walls from a rock outcrop on Mather Point at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
 

Study has a bold, new theory about the Grand Canyon's origins

The study says the Colorado River took a convoluted path as it carved the canyon — and got help from an ancient lake.

The ferry takes people back to the city from Toronto Island across from the Canadian National Tower and the Toronto skyline on Lake Ontario on Sept. 14, 2023.
 

After 3 decades, man found in Lake Ontario is identified

When the man's body was discovered in Canadian waters in July 1992, conventional investigative techniques were unsuccessful in identifying him.

Olivia Troye attends Our Voice: An AAPI White House Correspondents Brunch Celebrating Diverse Voices in Washington on April 29, 2023.
 

These former Trump allies are running as Democrats

An ex-Mike Pence aide, a former Lt. Governor and Kellyanne Conway's ex-husband all have something in common. They're running for Congress ...as Democrats.

Law enforcement agencies are pictured at Florida State University after a shooting on April 17, 2025.
 

Prosecutor says families were 'blindsided' by FSU shooting video

The State Attorney's Office said it mistakenly released body and security camera footage from a mass shooting at Florida State University.

Bryan Cranston joked about Shia LaBeouf's legal troubles during an interview with Frankie Muniz, who revealed he almost starred in "Holes."
 

Bryan Cranston tells Shia LaBeouf to 'get help'

Bryan Cranston joked about Shia LaBeouf's legal troubles during an interview with Frankie Muniz, who revealed he almost starred in "Holes."

Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley looks on looks on during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on April 5, 2026.
 

NBA playoff coaches who are on the hot seat and must avoid early exit

These NBA coaches could be on the hot seat if/when their team is eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs or play-in tournament.

Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
 

NHL playoff bracket: Scenarios for regular season finale

The NHL regular season finale is tonight. Here is the latest playoff bracket and the clinching scenarios for Thursday, April 16.

Artificially generated Val Kilmer in "As Deep as the Grave."
 

Val Kilmer back from 'the grave' via AI in new movie trailer

Val Kilmer looks authentic in the first teaser for "As Deep as the Grave," which uses an artificial intelligence-generated version of the late actor.

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