Morning Briefing: April 24, 2026

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including US President Donald Trump announcing an extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire following White House talks, the EU’s new sanctions package against Russia, and the European Union agreeing to a $105 billion loan for Ukraine after months of deadlock.

TOP STORIES

• Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by 3 weeks says Trump after direct talks at White House

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks following ambassador-level direct talks at the White House.

“The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS,” Trump said in a statement after hosting ambassadors from both countries in the Oval Office alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump described the meeting as “very successful,” adding that Washington would work with Lebanon to help “protect itself” from Hezbollah.

• EU adopts new sanctions package against Russia, targets energy, finance, defense sectors

The European Union on Thursday adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, introducing new measures targeting energy, finance, trade, defense and anti-circumvention efforts, the European Commission announced.

The package includes 36 new listings in Russia's energy sector, covering upstream and downstream activities such as oil exploration, extraction, refining and transport.

The EU also expanded measures against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” adding 46 vessels and bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to 632, subject to port access bans and service restrictions.

• EU agrees on $105B loan for Ukraine after months of deadlock

The European Union finalized a long-delayed €90 billion (about $105 billion) financial support package for Ukraine, ending months of political deadlock and paving the way for disbursements to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

The agreement, adopted by the EU Council, aims to address Ukraine's urgent budgetary needs and strengthen its defense industrial capacity through 2026 and 2027.

Of the total amount, €30 billion will be allocated for macroeconomic support, while €60 billion will be directed toward defense-related investments, including the procurement of military equipment.

The financing will be raised through EU borrowing on capital markets and backed by the bloc’s budget, with repayment expected from future reparations due by Russia to Ukraine.

European Council President Antonio Costa described the move as part of a broader strategy to secure a “just and lasting peace,” combining stronger support for Ukraine with increased pressure on Moscow.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A Hezbollah drone attack wounded an Israeli reservist while rockets struck Upper Galilee. The Israeli army launched airstrikes in Lebanon as cross-border clashes intensified.
• US President Donald Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran, saying such weapons “should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”
• The USS George H.W. Bush arrived in the US Central Command area, bringing the total number of American aircraft carriers in the Mideast region to three.
• Air defenses were activated in Tehran, Iranian media reported, with authorities saying the activity was part of a test.
• Lebanon urged the UN human rights chief to act on Israel’s killing of 28 journalists since 2023, calling it a pattern of “war crimes.”
• US forces boarded a “sanctioned stateless vessel” in the Indian Ocean allegedly carrying Iranian oil, the Pentagon said.
• Italy expressed support for restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, calling for an end to settlement expansion and settler violence.
• The US Central Command said 33 vessels have been turned back since the start of Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports.
• Marking National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said children continue to bear the heaviest cost of wars and conflicts.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is not “taking instructions” from the US in ongoing trade talks, insisting on equal partnership.
• Türkiye and the UK signed a “Strategic Partnership Framework Document” in London following a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and dialogue as NATO allies, according to official statements from both sides.
• Trump ordered the Navy to “shoot and kill” any boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
• Germany welcomed Trump’s ceasefire extension and urged Iran to return to diplomatic negotiations.
• Iran said it had collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
• Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained limited amid uncertainty over the US-Iran ceasefire.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• IEA warns of “biggest energy security threat in history” amid Hormuz blockade

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned Thursday that the world is facing the “biggest energy security threat in history” due to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the loss of up to 13 million barrels per day could severely affect global supply, inflation, and growth.

• Oil prices rise 2% as Hormuz disruption and ceasefire uncertainty weigh on markets

Oil prices rose about 2% Thursday as uncertainty over the US-Iran ceasefire and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz kept markets volatile.

Brent crude traded around $104 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to about $95, both gaining more than 2% during the session.