WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would not use a nuclear weapon in the war against Iran.

"Why would I use a nuclear weapon? We've totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked whether he would use such a weapon.

"No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody," he added.

Asked how long he was willing to wait for a long-term peace deal with Iran, Trump said, "Don't rush me."

By Angelo Amante

ROME, April 23 (Reuters) - Jurors at the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition said on Thursday they would not consider artists from countries whose leaders are facing charges at the International Criminal Court, an apparent reference to Russia and Israel.

The five jury members, who will select the winners of the Golden and Silver Lion awards among the 110 participants, said they felt compelled to commit "to the defense of human rights" as part of their role at the event, which opens on May 9.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out striking Iran with a nuclear weapon, after his previous threats to completely destroy Iranian civilization.

"No, I wouldn't use it," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we've, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?" he asked.

"A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody."

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran may have loaded up their weaponry "a little bit" during the two-week ceasefire, but added that the U.S. military can knock that out in about one day.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; writing by Ismail Shakil; editing by Michelle Nichols)

April 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine has developed interceptor drones that can be directed from a distance and are capable of hitting targets hundreds or thousands of kilometres away, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Thursday.

Ukraine was virtually without any capacity to build drones when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, but now has a thriving industry. Emphasis has been placed on interceptor drones as a more effective - and more economical - means to defend against drone attacks.

By Joshua McElwee

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT, April 23 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Thursday firmly condemned the killing of protesters in Iran, after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Catholic leader last week for not doing so while speaking out against the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

Leo, the first U.S. pope, also decried the deaths of "so many" civilians in the war and lamented the collapse of U.S.-Iran peace talks in comments aboard his return flight to Rome after a four-nation Africa tour.

(.)

By Jonathan Saul

LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) - Iran's use of a swarm of small, fast boats to seize two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz could undermine suggestions U.S. forces have disabled its naval threat and reveals the challenges facing reopening one of the world's most important oil export routes.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday acknowledged that while Iran’s conventional navy had been largely destroyed, its "fast-attack ships" had not been considered much of a threat.

LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was "increasingly concerned" about a growing use of proxies by foreign states to carry out attacks in Britain, pledging to bring forward new legislation following recent attacks.

London has seen a string of attacks - mostly arson - on Jewish-linked sites in recent weeks. Some of these are being investigated by counter-terrorism officers, although police say they are not currently being treated as terrorist incidents.

Iran's Hossein Vafaei won nine frames in a row to become the first qualifier to reach the second round at this year's World Snooker Championship, beating China's Si Jiahui 10-3.

World number 32 Vafaei made a century and seven more breaks over 50 to set up a meeting with world number one and 2019 world champion Judd Trump on Saturday.

Vafaei, 31, came from 3-1 down in the first session at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on Wednesday to lead 6-3 with a top break of 105.

By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO, April 23 (Reuters) - The Iran war is having a devastating humanitarian impact globally with higher energy prices making everything from filling the tank of an aid lorry to paying employees and buying food for displaced people costlier, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council said on Thursday.

The NRC is one of the world's leading non-governmental aid organisations focused on displacement. Its boss, Jan Egeland, was the United Nations' top humanitarian official between 2003 and 2006.