Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Tornadoes cause damage in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois; no injuries

 

at 4/18/26 1:35pm

Tornadoes swept through several midwestern cities Friday leaving destruction and devastation in their wakes as a massive system tore through the area.

— Three sentenced for fake bear attack insurance scam

 

at 4/18/26 1:21pm

Three people were sentenced this week in an insurance fraud scam that saw them wear a bear costume while damaging luxury cars in California.

— Look: Madonna to release new album this summer

 

at 4/18/26 12:39pm

Pop music legend Madonna has announced plans to release a new album this summer. "Confessions On A Dance Floor: Part II" is due out on July 3.

— Pope Leo XIV flies to Angola, says he is not debating Trump

 

at 4/18/26 11:47am

Pope Leo XIV said he has no interest in debating President Donald Trump as he flew to Angola for the third leg of his 11-day trip to Africa.

— Look: Weird Al Yankovic to introduce Disney World's revamped Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

 

at 4/18/26 10:19am

Weird Al has announced he will be part of the revamped Rock 'n' Roller Coaster when it re-opens at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida next month.

— Trump signs order to speed research on psychedelics for mental health

 

at 4/18/26 10:09am

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday to accelerate research for some psychedelic drugs to treat mental health disorders.

— BTS' 'Arirang' tops U.S. album chart for 3rd week

 

at 4/18/26 9:30am

KPop boy band BTS' "Arirang" is the No. 1 album in the United States for a third week. Coming in at No. 2 is Morgan Wallen's "I Am the Problem."

— Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz, fires on commercial ships

 

at 4/18/26 8:32am

A day after the Strait of Hormuz was declared open, Iran has blocked it again, citing a U.S. "breach of promise," and has fired on ships.

— Jennifer Stone returning as Harper on 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'

 

at 4/18/26 7:23am

Jennifer Stone is returning as Harper Finkle for a guest appearance in Disney Channel's "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" third and final season.

— Judge blocks Trump administration's pre-emptive lawsuit against Hawaii

 

at 4/18/26 7:09am

A federal judge on Friday blocked a suit against the state of Hawaii that was filed by the federal government to prevent it from suing oil companies.

— Famous birthdays for April 18: Hayley Mills, Vanessa Kirby

 

at 4/18/26 1:00am

Actor Hayley Mills turns 80 and actor Vanessa Kirby turns 38, among the famous birthdays for April 18.

— On This Day, April 18: Patriot Paul Revere begins midnight ride

 

at 4/18/26 1:00am

On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The British are coming!" to rally the minutemen.

— Supreme Court rules for Chevron in Louisiana wetlands damage case

 

at 4/17/26 6:51pm

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Chevron in a case related to damage to wetlands in Louisiana that dates to World War II.

— Dubai police arrest alleged Irish organized crime boss

 

at 4/17/26 5:50pm

An Irish man accused of laundering money and trafficking drugs and firearms was caught in Dubai after police tracked him around the world.

— Kang Chang-il calls for efforts to improve inter-Korean ties

 

at 4/17/26 5:06pm

Kang Chang-il, new senior vice chairman of S. Korea's Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, called for joint efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.

— South Korea to aid war-hit businesses with emergency funds

 

at 4/17/26 5:00pm

S. Korea will provide 462.2 billion won ($308 million) in emergency support for small businesses and exporters affected by the Middle East war.

— Corporate loan delinquencies rise faster than household debt

 

at 4/17/26 4:53pm

Corporate loan delinquency rates in S. Korea are rising three times faster than household debt, increasing pressure on banks as lending expands.

— Japan to create control system for defense exports

 

at 4/17/26 4:45pm

Japan is moving to strengthen a government-wide system to boost defense exports, including creating a centralized control structure.

— Parent company of shopping channel QVC files for chapter 11 protection

 

at 4/17/26 4:31pm

The parent company of QVC, which owns the QVC and Home Shopping Network group of channels, plans to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

— South Korea opposition leader delays return from U.S.

 

at 4/17/26 4:27pm

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of S. Korea's main opposition People Power Party, has delayed his return from a U.S. visit at the request of U.S. officials.

— OP-ED: South Korea’s rising debt draws IMF warning

 

at 4/17/26 4:19pm

IMF has singled out S. Korea in warning of a rapid rise in government debt, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability as global borrowing climbs.

As of 4/18/26 2:49pm. Last new 4/18/26 1:39pm.