**What is Palestinian Prisoners’ Day?**
Marked every year on April 17, the event is dedicated to the centrality of prisoners to the Palestinian cause.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/what-is-palestinian-prisoners-day
**McCarthy calls for spending caps to raise US debt ceiling**
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denounces US debt as a 'time bomb' in a major New York City speech.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/republican-leader-mccarthy-gives-speech-on-us-debt-ceiling
**There is much danger in the Sudan crisis but also an opportunity**
The proliferation of militias has long undermined the Sudanese state. The ongoing fighting could put an end to it.
**Alphabet shares fall on report Samsung may switch search to Bing**
Bing, a minor player, has risen to prominence with AI tech behind ChatGPT, posing a real challenge to Google.
**French court acquits Air France, Airbus over 2009 Rio-Paris crash**
The ruling is a huge blow to families of victims who have waged a 14-year campaign for justice.
**Russian mercenaries in Sudan: What is the Wagner Group’s role?**
The Russian mercenary group has been accused of plundering Sudan's gold resources to bankroll operations in Ukraine.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/what-is-the-wagner-groups-role-in-sudan
**Sunak investigated over wife’s interest in UK childcare firm**
Probe launched into shares Akshata Murty holds in a childcare agency, according to update given to Parliament members.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/sunak-investigated-in-uk-over-possible-undeclared-interes
**UN chief appeals to rival Sudan leaders to end violence**
As fighting escalates, Antonio Guterres calls on army and paramilitary chiefs to restore calm and engage in dialogue.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/un-chief-appeals-to-rival-sudan-leaders-to-end-violence
**Chinese engineer charged with blasphemy in Pakistan**
The engineer allegedly became upset and reprimanded two local drivers for taking too much time from work to pray.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/chinese-engineer-charged-with-blasphemy-in-pakistan
**SpaceX scrubs first test launch of behemoth Starship**
SpaceX says the vessel, which would be most powerful space rocket ever launched, will be key to one day reaching Mars.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/spacex-scrubs-first-test-launch-of-behemoth-starship
**Sudan army declares RSF a rebel group, orders dissolution**
The Sudanese army also declares it has control of the national radio and television headquarters, despite RSF claims.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/sudan-army-declares-rsf-a-rebel-group-orders-dissolution
**In Poland, a Syrian fights for life after falling off border wall**
Like many refugees before him, Mohammad fled Belarus on April 7, but a tragic accident has left him in a coma.
**Nigerian aviation workers block roads as strike over pay begins**
Chanting Nigerian aviation workers block roads to the domestic terminal to protest working conditions and wages.
**Kenya: The making of a political crisis that never was**
In their competition for power, Kenyan politicians purposely instigate upheaval yet again.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/4/17/kenya-the-making-of-a-political-crisis-that-never-was
**Taiwan in the hot seat during Paraguay presidential elections**
Paraguay’s presidential election features opposing views over whether to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
**Papua rebels ambush Indonesian troops looking for kidnapped pilot**
Armed separatists say they attacked soldiers as army was searching for a captured New Zealand pilot.
**Barcelona President Laporta denies crimes in refereeing scandal**
Barcelona and former club presidents face corruption charges related to allegations of improper payments.
**South Africa’s gold mining legacy**
In Johannesburg’s impoverished townships, poor communities are paying the price for the country’s rich gold mining past.
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2023/4/17/photos-south-africas-gold-mining-legacy
**Slovakia joins countries banning Ukrainian grain imports**
Meanwhile, Hungary says it may extend a ban if the EU fails to act and protect Hungarian farmers against price falls.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/hungary-threatens-to-extend-ban-on-ukrainian-grain
**Slovakia joins countries banning Ukrainian agriculture imports**
Meanwhile, Hungary says it may extend a ban on grain if the EU fails to protect Hungarian farmers against price falls.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/hungary-threatens-to-extend-ban-on-ukrainian-grain