Lebanon 'not aware' of upcoming contact with Israel, source tells AFP Lebanon is "not aware" of any upcoming contact with Israel, an official source told AFP. "We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels," the source said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said in in a post on Truth Social that talks between Israel and Lebanon will happen for the first time on Thursday.
Iranian President slams US and Israel as 'real terrorists' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian slammed US-Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure as unjustifiable under international law and humanitarian principles. "They claim we are the real terrorists, but they are the real terrorists," Pezeshkian tells reporters. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday condemned US-Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, as unjustifiable under international law and humanitarian principles pic.
No instructions for ceasefire in Lebanon, Israeli Broadcasting Authority says The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the army command confirmed it had not received any instructions from the political leadership to prepare for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Israel Hayom newspaper indicated that despite statements from the US about a possible truce deal, a ceasefire in Lebanon will not happen soon.
Australia, Malaysia share 'deep concern' over situation in the Middle East Australia and Malaysia said in a joint statement on Thursday that the two countries are committed to working together to strengthen their energy supply chain resilience. The statement added that the two express "deep concern" over the conflict in the Middle East and the consequences it has for their region, including the impact on energy supply and prices.
Trump says first Israel-Lebanon talks in decades will happen Thursday In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump says that talks between Israel and Lebanon will happen for the first time on Thursday. "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years.
War on Iran 'can be over very soon', Trump says US President Donald Trump now says his joint war with Israel on Iran may be ending soon, as the US weighs extending the ceasefire window beyond two weeks to make room for further negotiations. Pakistan's army chief of staff and its interior minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, following the collapse on Saturday morning of direct US-Iran talks that they had mediated in Islamabad. "I think it can be over very soon," Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in an interview taped at the White House on Tuesday, as she asked him about the American public's concerns about petrol prices.
US pushes for global signatories for ‘trade over aid’ initiative US President Donald Trump's administration is urging countries across the globe to sign a new global trade initiative that calls for the dismantling of the global aid system in favour of trade and investments. According to a cable reviewed by Washington Post sent on Wednesday to all US embassies and consular posts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered American diplomats to issue an official call to action to foreign nations that asks for their support before the US initiative is set to be unveiled at the United Nations at the end of April. Titled the “trade over aid” initiative, the move aims to pull back from humanitarian assistance and pushes to promote "America First values and create business opportunities for U.
Pentagon holds talks with US automakers to boost weapons production Senior US defence officials have held discussion about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of American manufacturers, the Wall Street Journal reported The talks come as the Trump administration sets sights on automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production.
Hezbollah claims 39 attacks on Israeli targets over past 24 hours Hezbollah said it launched 39 strikes against Israeli target over the past 24 hours. This includes attacks on Israeli settlements as well as troops along the boundary between Lebanon and Israel.
US says destroyer turned back Iranian cargo vessel under Hormuz blockade US Central Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance forced an Iranian-flagged cargo ship to turn back under the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had left Bandar Abbas and attempted to exit the strait before being redirected along the Iranian coastline, the statement said. CENTCOM added that this marks the 10th ship turned around since the blockade began three days ago, with no vessels managing to pass through.
Israeli security cabinet weighs Lebanon ceasefire Israel’s security cabinet has discussed a possible ceasefire with Lebanon, according to senior officials cited by Reuters, as pressure mounts from Washington to reach an agreement. Israeli and Lebanese envoys held rare talks in Washington on Tuesday, the first such discussions in decades. While the meeting was underway, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces were continuing strikes and were close to “overcoming” the southern town of Bint Jbeil.
Sri Lankan buyer paid $286 for barrel of oil, as actual prices diverge from markets Submitted by Sean Mathews on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 22:15 HSBC chief says price of Brent crude does not reflect real-world prices in Asia, when insurance, shipping and scarcity are taken into account An employee fills an auto-rickshaw with petrol at a filling station in Wellawatte on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 16 March 2026 (Ishara S Kodikara/AFP) Off The price paid for a barrel of oil in Asia has reached as high as $286 in at least one case, as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Georges Elhedery, the CEO of HSBC Bank, said at an investment forum in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Elhedery made the remarks to underscore how the benchmark price of oil in the West does not reflect the actual price buyers in certain parts of the world are paying. “What worries me is not the headlines.
US imposes new sanctions on Iran’s oil shipping network The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced new sanctions targeting what it described as Iran’s illicit oil transportation infrastructure. The measures cover two dozen individuals, companies and vessels linked to a network run by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would continue efforts to disrupt Iran’s oil smuggling operations and proxy networks.
Qatar emir, Trump discuss Hormuz tensions and regional escalation Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received a phone call from US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest regional and international developments, the emir's office said, as reported by Al Jazeera. The talks focused on maritime security and the stability of energy markets and global supply chains amid competing blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. The emir stressed the need to intensify international efforts to prevent further escalation.
US Senate rejects bid to halt war on Iran without congressional approval US senators voted 52 to 47 against a Democratic-led resolution seeking to halt the US-Israeli war on Iran unless authorised by Congress. Republican Senator Rand Paul was the only member of his party to back the measure, while Senator Jim Justice did not vote. The vote marks the fourth failed attempt by Democrats to pass similar resolutions since the war began, with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman the only Democrat to oppose it.
Israeli military chief says plans approved for continued strikes in Iran, Lebanon Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the army has approved plans to continue operations in both Iran and Lebanon. He said Israel, alongside the US, has struck Iran “hard”, weakening its defensive capabilities. “Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in other matters,” he added, warning of further strikes if needed.
Saudi Arabia on cusp of severing ties with LIV Golf: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 20:03 Decision to walk away from $5bn investment comes as PIF governor says war on Iran accelerates pressure to 'reposition' investments Supporters gather ahead of the start on the first day of the LIV Golf South Africa tournament at The Club in Johannesburg's Steyn City, on 19 March 2026 (Phill Magakoe/AFP) Off Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is on the cusp of cutting its backing for LIV Golf, as it tightens its belt amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and delayed megaprojects at home. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund could announce it was stepping away from LIV Golf as early as Thursday, taking a hit on its $5bn investment in the entity. The report said PIF had been weighing an exit before the US-Israeli war on Iran began, but any decision would likely send a chill through the sports world and other entities seeking cash from Gulf sovereign wealth funds.
Iran sought Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire, Hezbollah official says A senior source within Hezbollah told Al Jazeera that Iran and other parties involved in talks in Islamabad had pushed to include Lebanon in the current ceasefire agreement. The source added that Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz could give it leverage to pressure the United States and Israel into agreeing to a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Low turnout and heckling dominate JD Vance's Turning Point USA appearance Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 18:17 The vice president sparred with a heckler and defended Erika Kirk, who skipped the event, citing threats US Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet during an event at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, on 14 April 2026 (Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP) Off US Vice President JD Vance's address at an event on Tuesday drew widespread ridicule after images of sparsely filled seating circulated, with critics saying voters were increasingly unwilling to support politicians they see as backers of Israel’s wars on Iran and Palestine . Vance was also heckled at the event by what should have been a supportive and friendly crowd. Posts shared across multiple platforms showed wide sections of empty seats at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event inside the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, fuelling commentary that attendance was far lower than expected.
Lebanon says over 2,100 killed since Israeli attacks resumed At least 2,167 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel resumed attacks across the country on 2 March, according to the health ministry. It added that 7,061 others have been wounded.
