News briefs

Tribune News Service on Apr 13, 2026

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Pope Leo hits back at Trump in Iran war feud as ‘Jesus’ pic ignites ire

Pope Leo hit back at President Donald Trump’s attack on him over the war in Iran as Trump deleted a social media post depicting himself as a Christ-like figure that many found offensive.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel,” the pope said Monday. “(That) is what I believe I am here to do.”

The first American-born pontiff told reporters his appeals for peace are based on the Bible’s message and not a political attack on Trump.

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” he said. “I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”

—New York Daily News

Minnesota lawmakers appear ready to clamp down on homeowners associations

MINNEAPOLIS — Spurred by residents’ stories of foreclosures and sky-high fines, a bipartisan group of legislators is nearing the finish line of a yearslong push to curtail the power of homeowners associations in Minnesota.

Legislation that would require more transparency from HOAs, which act as quasi-governments that collect fees, provide services and enforce rules for more than one million residents across the state, is nearing a final vote in the state House after clearing the Senate last year.

If successful, it could become a rare moment of agreement in what’s otherwise been a largely unproductive session.

“We have Republicans and Democrats standing shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm and saying it’s time that we do something to protect consumers,” Rep. Kristin Bahner, DFL-Maple Grove, said in an interview.

—The Minnesota Star Tribune

Iran war triggers supply shortage, forcing Baltimore to cut back on fluoride

BALTIMORE — Drinking water in Baltimore City will have its fluoride levels lowered by 42% this week due to supply chain issues caused by the war between the U.S., Israel and Iran, according to a news release.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced that, beginning this week, fluoride levels in the city’s drinking water will be lowered from 0.7 mg to 0.4 mg per liter at the Ashburton and Montebello filtration plants. This change will affect Baltimore County and Howard County as well. WSSC Water, which serves Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, also lowered its drinking water’s fluoride levels last week.

The change was forced by national supply chain challenges for hydrofluorosilicic acid, which is used for water fluoridations. Officials from WSSC, which is one of the largest water and wastewater facilities in the country, as well as Baltimore Public Works, point to the U.S.-Iran war as one of the drivers for the shortage.

According to studies from Market Reports World and Trend Economy, China makes up 60% of hydrofluorosilicic acid exports. The ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel and the U.S. has resulted in the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting China’s ability to shop material to North America.

—Baltimore Sun

Hungary’s new leader faces post-Orban economic hurdles

Hungary’s next leader will lay out his plans on Monday to shore up the economy and dismantle Prime Minister Viktor Orban self-styled illiberal system, a day after a landslide election win over the nationalist premier who had been backed by Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Peter Magyar campaigned on a promise to improve the living standards of ordinary Hungarians, restore the rule of law and bring down Orban’s 16-year old illiberal system. Key to that will be to unlock frozen European Union funds as well as to bring Hungary back to the European mainstream.

A 45-year-old former ruling party insider, Magyar had galvanized the country over the past two years with his message of change in the face of an increasingly authoritarian regime.

His dominant showing in Sunday’s election, where his Tisza party secured a parliamentary supermajority, was welcomed by markets, with the currency and stock market extending a months-long rally on expectations for an economic revival.

—Bloomberg News