Trump says first releases from Pentagon UFO study will come out ‘very, very soon’ after Phoenix rally tease

April 17, 2026 9:12pm EDT / Fox News

The president first directed the release of government files related to alien life and UAPs in February

By Brittany Miller Fox News

President Donald Trump said the first releases from a Pentagon study on UFOs will come out “very, very soon.”

Speaking at a rally at Dream City Church in north Phoenix on Friday night hosted by Turning Point USA and Turning Action, Trump told the audience it seemed like the right crowd to hear about the study because Arizonans are “really into that.”

The comments come as interest in unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, continues to grow in Washington, with lawmakers pushing for greater transparency and the Department of Defense expanding efforts to investigate unexplained incidents.

“I figured this was a good crowd because I know you people. You’re really into that. I don’t know if I am,” the president told them.

UFO TASK FORCE EYED AS LAWMAKER WARNS OF STRANGE OBJECTS IN SKIES AND WATERS DEFYING KNOWN TECHNOLOGY

President Donald Trump spoke to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House April 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

He said he recently spoke with War Secretary Pete Hegseth about releasing the study’s findings to the public before giving the crowd a brief tease of what he saw.

“We found many very interesting documents, I must say,” Trump said. “And the first releases will begin very, very soon. So, you can go out and see if that phenomenon is correct.

“You’ll figure it out. Let me know,” he added. “But we’ve had a lot of questions. It’s something that — it really captivates the mind, there’s no question about it.”

EXPLOSIVE NEW DOCUMENTARY PROBES ’80-YEAR GLOBAL COVERUP’ OF UFO SECRETS

UFO sightings surged in 2025 as new reports, archival discoveries and government documents fueled renewed national interest. (iStock photo illustration)

Trump said in February he would direct the release of government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena.

The president said at the time there was “tremendous interest” in the topic following remarks from former President Barack Obama, whom Trump said shared classified information suggesting aliens are real.

“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

The report found that there are “small but statistically-significant associations” between transient sightings and nuclear testing events.(iStock photo illustration)

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Interest in UAPs has grown significantly in recent years, attracting increased scrutiny from federal lawmakers and defense officials.

In 2023, Congress enacted the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act, while the Department of Defense created the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office to investigate these incidents more thoroughly.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

Brittany Miller is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital. Tips can be sent to brittany.miller@fox.com and @BrittMillerFox on X.

悬挂俄罗斯国旗的油轮“阿纳托利·科洛德金”号，3月31日出现在古巴马坦萨斯湾。 （路透社）

美国政府延长一项豁免，允许各国从海上购买受制裁的俄罗斯石油和石油产品，有效期约一个月。两天前，特朗普政府曾表明无意延长这项临时豁免。

路透社报道，美国财政部网站星期五（4月17日）晚发布这项临时许可，允许各国在4月17日至5月16日购买装载在船上的俄罗斯石油。

美国和以色列对伊朗的战争导致全球能源价格飙升，这项豁免是美国政府为控制全球能源价格而采取的措施之一。

新宣布的豁免取代了4月11日到期的30天临时制裁豁免，允许各国购买目前滞留海上的俄罗斯原油及石油产品。伊朗、古巴、朝鲜被排除在豁免之外。

美国财政部3月20日宣布暂免伊朗石油制裁，美国财长贝森特说，允许约1亿4000万桶石油进入全球市场，有助于缓解美以伊战争造成的能源供应压力。4月15日，他称不会延长对俄罗斯石油和伊朗石油的临时制裁豁免。

一些美国两党议员猛烈抨击政府，指这些制裁豁免将帮助伊朗和俄罗斯经济。

美国延长俄油制裁豁免一个月

2026年4月18日 10:54 / 联合早报

美国延长俄油制裁豁免一个月

悬挂俄罗斯国旗的油轮“阿纳托利·科洛德金”号，3月31日出现在古巴马坦萨斯湾。 （路透社）

美国政府延长一项豁免，允许各国从海上购买受制裁的俄罗斯石油和石油产品，有效期约一个月。两天前，特朗普政府曾表明无意延长这项临时豁免。

路透社报道，美国财政部网站星期五（4月17日）晚发布这项临时许可，允许各国在4月17日至5月16日购买装载在船上的俄罗斯石油。

美国和以色列对伊朗的战争导致全球能源价格飙升，这项豁免是美国政府为控制全球能源价格而采取的措施之一。

新宣布的豁免取代了4月11日到期的30天临时制裁豁免，允许各国购买目前滞留海上的俄罗斯原油及石油产品。伊朗、古巴、朝鲜被排除在豁免之外。

美国财政部3月20日宣布暂免伊朗石油制裁，美国财长贝森特说，允许约1亿4000万桶石油进入全球市场，有助于缓解美以伊战争造成的能源供应压力。4月15日，他称不会延长对俄罗斯石油和伊朗石油的临时制裁豁免。

一些美国两党议员猛烈抨击政府，指这些制裁豁免将帮助伊朗和俄罗斯经济。

美发香港政策法报告 驻港公署批“以港遏华”注定失败

2026年4月18日 10:43 / 联合早报

中国大陆外交部驻港公署批评美国所发的香港政策法报告，称其中充斥着谎言谬论和政治偏见。 （法新社）

美国发布2026年香港政策法报告，称香港政治自主和公民权利被持续性破坏，但也正面形容香港在区域及全球经济仍然重要。驻港公署批评报告，称充斥着谎言谬论和政治偏见。

美国国务院在星期四（4月16日）发布的2026香港政策法报告中称，北京及香港当局持续采取行动，“削弱香港的高度自治”，侵蚀香港居民的权利与自由，并重申香港“不再享有差别待遇”。

但报告也加入正面描述，指出香港仍然是一个重要的国际金融中心，拥有深厚的资本市场和高度开放的经济体系，经济与中国大陆保持紧密联系；报告也肯定香港警方向美方或在具体场合提供了安保支援。

中国外交部驻港公署发言人星期五（17日）表示对美方发表报告予以强烈谴责和坚决反对，称美方“以港遏华”注定失败，香港由治及兴势不可挡，并敦促美方立即停止以任何方式干预香港事务和中国内政。

发言人说，香港国安法律制定和实施完善，司法机构依法惩治国安违法犯罪行为，合法合理，不容指责。

发言人也称，香港在高水平安全护航下加快迈向由治及兴，营商环境越来越好，各国投资者纷至沓来，经济自由度蝉联全球第一，国际金融中心地位稳固，国际竞争力持续增强，“一国两制”强大生命力和优越性得到充分彰显。

2025年10月30日，特朗普和习近平在韩国釜山亚太峰会期间，举行了双边会晤。 （路透社）

美国总统特朗普在社媒平台贴文说，中国国家主席习近平对霍尔木兹海峡开放“非常高兴”，还说期待与习近平会面。

特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚在社媒平台Truth Social写道：“习近平主席对霍尔木兹海峡开放或快速开放感到非常高兴。我们在中国的会晤将是特别的，甚至可以说是历史性的。我期待与习近平主席会面——我们必将取得丰硕成果！”

特朗普上月说，他将在5月14日至15日访问中国。白宫之前说，特朗普将在3月31日至4月2日访问中国。美以伊战争爆发后，特朗普向媒体透露，他已要求中方把美中元首会晤推迟约一个月，让他集中精力处理中东战事。

特朗普17日称美国和伊朗已接近达成协议。伊朗外长阿拉格齐同日宣布，在以色列和黎巴嫩停火期间，完全开放霍尔木兹海峡让商船通行。特朗普接着宣称，伊朗已同意永不再关闭霍尔木兹海峡，并将继续对伊朗实施海上封锁，“直至我们与伊朗的交易百分之百完成”。

伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫18日凌晨警告，如果美国继续封锁伊朗港口，伊朗将再次关闭这条具有战略意义的海峡。

特朗普：习近平对霍尔木兹海峡重新开放“非常高兴”

2026年4月18日 11:22 / 联合早报

2025年10月30日，特朗普和习近平在韩国釜山亚太峰会期间，举行了双边会晤。 （路透社）

美国总统特朗普在社媒平台贴文说，中国国家主席习近平对霍尔木兹海峡开放“非常高兴”，还说期待与习近平会面。

特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚在社媒平台Truth Social写道：“习近平主席对霍尔木兹海峡开放或快速开放感到非常高兴。我们在中国的会晤将是特别的，甚至可以说是历史性的。我期待与习近平主席会面——我们必将取得丰硕成果！”

特朗普上月说，他将在5月14日至15日访问中国。白宫之前说，特朗普将在3月31日至4月2日访问中国。美以伊战争爆发后，特朗普向媒体透露，他已要求中方把美中元首会晤推迟约一个月，让他集中精力处理中东战事。

特朗普17日称美国和伊朗已接近达成协议。伊朗外长阿拉格齐同日宣布，在以色列和黎巴嫩停火期间，完全开放霍尔木兹海峡让商船通行。特朗普接着宣称，伊朗已同意永不再关闭霍尔木兹海峡，并将继续对伊朗实施海上封锁，“直至我们与伊朗的交易百分之百完成”。

伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫18日凌晨警告，如果美国继续封锁伊朗港口，伊朗将再次关闭这条具有战略意义的海峡。

U.S. delegation visited Cuba last week as Trump heaped pressure on island, official says

April 17, 2026 / 9:54 PM EDT / CBS News

By Olivia Gazis, Olivia Gazis

Olivia Gazis covers intelligence and international security matters for CBS News. Twice Emmy-nominated, she has traveled worldwide with the secretary of state and contributes reporting on intelligence, foreign policy and other security topics across CBS News broadcast, radio, online and streaming platforms.

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Joe Walsh Senior Editor, Politics

Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston.

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Joe Walsh

A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba via a U.S. government plane last week, a department official and two U.S. officials told CBS News, a diplomatic opening as the island nation struggles with months of intense pressure from the Trump administration.

While in Cuba, one U.S. diplomat met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former President Raúl Castro, who is widely seen as a key power center within the Cuban government, the State Department official said.

It is unclear who else participated in the talks on the U.S. or Cuban side.

Axios was first to report on the visit, which marks the first time a U.S. government plane has landed in Cuba since former President Barack Obama traveled to the island in 2016.

During the meetings, the U.S. delegation discussed the Trump administration’s push for political and economic reforms, as well as the U.S.’s demands for the release of political prisoners, the State Department official said. The Americans also floated offering Cuba access to Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

“The delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is in free fall and that the island’s ruling elites have a small window to make key U.S. backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly worsen,” the official told CBS News.

The official added that President Trump is open to resolving the U.S.’s concerns through diplomacy, but he “will not let the island collapse into a major national security threat if Cuba’s leaders are unwilling or unable to act.”

Cuba is in the throes of a months-long energy crisis following Mr. Trump’s threat to impose heavy tariffs on any country that exports oil to Cuba. Oil shipments to the island have effectively stopped, though the U.S. allowed a Russian-flagged tanker to dock in Havana last month for what the administration described as a humanitarian reprieve.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of intervening in Cuba. Last month, he called Cuba a “failing country” and suggested it could “be next,” following the U.S.’s removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and war with Iran.

Earlier this week, the president told reporters, without elaborating, that “we may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this.” And on Friday, he said he is seeking to “bring about a day 70 years in waiting — it’s called a new dawn for Cuba,” likely referring to the revolution that brought Fidel Castro and the country’s communist movement to power some 67 years ago.

Both Cuba and the U.S. have acknowledged that talks are underway, but it’s unclear how close the two sides are to a resolution. Cuba said earlier this year it will loosen some restrictions on foreign investments, a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio called insufficient.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rebuffed Mr. Trump’s rhetoric during a rally Thursday, and vowed that the country will “be ready” for a possible U.S. military offensive.

“We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel said.

Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.

RFK Jr clashes with Dem lawmaker over Trump’s mental fitness in heated exchange

The exchange came a day after Kennedy had a shouting match with another lawmaker over comments about Black children

April 17, 2026 9:54pm EDT / Fox News

By Brittany Miller

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., got into a heated exchange over past comments Kennedy made on a podcast.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended comments about President Donald Trump’s mental health following a tense exchange during a congressional hearing.

During Friday’s hearing, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) addressed Trump’s recent social media posts, pointing to an AI-generated image that critics said depicted him as Jesus Christ and his criticism of Pope Leo as evidence he is mentally unwell.

“Millions of Americans are questioning this president’s mental fitness, his emotional stability, and whether he can carry out the duties of his office. Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano asked Kennedy.

Kennedy began to answer, saying, “I call your attention to…” before the representative cut him off and demanded a more direct response.

SEN BERNIE SANDERS CALLS ON RFK JR TO RESIGN FOLLOWING DEPARTURE OF CDC OFFICIALS

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)(Evan Vucci/AP)

“Mr. Secretary, my question was: Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano reiterated. “We need a leader that we know has full command of his mental faculties and is emotionally stable as he sends uniformed American men and women into harm’s way.”

“Millions of Americans are now wondering if this president is delusional and thinks he is Jesus Christ,” he continued. “Mr. Secretary, given everything that I’ve shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?”

“Absolutely not,” Kennedy quickly interjected.

RFK JR AND TOP DEM CLASH DURING HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘THIS IS ABOUT KIDS’

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. During the event, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals by 30% to 80%.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Takano followed up by asking whether Kennedy would support invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows for a transfer of power if the president dies, resigns, or is incapacitated.

“There hasn’t been a president who is more sane or stable …” Kennedy began to answer before the congressman interrupted him again.

“Mr. Secretary, my question is would you vote to invoke the 25th Amendment,” Takano said.

TRUMP STANDS BY RFK JR. AFTER HEATED SENATE HEARING: ‘I LIKE THE FACT THAT HE’S DIFFERENT’

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala, engaged in a heated debate during a budget hearing over Kennedy’s past remarks on black children(Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The heated exchange came one day after Kennedy engaged in a shouting match with Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., over previous comments he made about Black children.

“Mr. Secretary, you’ve already admitted that you are not a board-certified physician, and you’ve already admitted you did not go to medical school. Have you ever reparented or parented, I should say, a Black child?” Sewell said, referencing his appearance on a 2024 podcast.

As the two argued back and forth, Kennedy claimed he never made those remarks and refused to answer her question.

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The exchanges mark a pattern of escalating confrontations as Kennedy faces continued scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers.

Fox News Digital’s Elaine Mallon contributed to this report.

Brittany Miller is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital. Tips can be sent to brittany.miller@fox.com and @BrittMillerFox on X.

特朗普称接到关于伊朗“相当好”的消息

2026年4月18日 11:25 / 联合早报

特朗普4月17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州行程，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。 （法新社）

美国总统特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚说，他刚得到关于伊朗的“一些相当好的消息”，但他拒绝说明更多。

路透社报道，特朗普17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州的行程后，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。

特朗普说：“20分钟前我们接到一些相当好的消息，中东和伊朗的情况好像进展非常顺利。”

记者问是什么好消息，特朗普说：“你们会接到消息。我认为这是应有的结果。这是理所当然的结果。我有信心。让我们拭目以待。”

特朗普4月17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州行程，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。 （法新社）

美国总统特朗普星期五（4月17日）晚说，他刚得到关于伊朗的“一些相当好的消息”，但他拒绝说明更多。

路透社报道，特朗普17日晚结束内华达州和亚利桑那州的行程后，在空军一号上向媒体发表讲话。

特朗普说：“20分钟前我们接到一些相当好的消息，中东和伊朗的情况好像进展非常顺利。”

记者问是什么好消息，特朗普说：“你们会接到消息。我认为这是应有的结果。这是理所当然的结果。我有信心。让我们拭目以待。”