US and Iran keep talking as Trump's blockade takes effect US President Donald Trump said Iran “badly” wants to make a deal with his administration as his blockade against the Islamic Republic took effect on Monday and a fragile ceasefire held. "I can tell you that we've been called by the other side. They'd like to make a deal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urges respect for Gulf sovereignty Chinese President Xi Jinping called for respect for the “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” of Gulf countries as part of a four-point proposal aimed at promoting stability in the Middle East. Speaking during a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Xi outlined principles including peaceful coexistence, adherence to international law, and coordination between security and development, according to Chinese state media. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing ceremony of the eight-day National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 12 March 2026.
Sweden calls for reduced reliance on US military support Sweden’s defence minister Pal Jonson called for reducing military dependence on the United States following remarks by President Donald Trump about reassessing Nato commitments. Jonson said Northern Europe has begun to understand that "we have entered an era where we must look much more seriously at the issue of defence, because we cannot depend so much on the military power of the United States.
Video: Fidan says Israel seeking to declare Turkey as a ‘new enemy’ Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking to Anadolu Agency on Monday, said that Israel is seeking to declare Turkey as a “new enemy. ” Fidan emphasised that what he initially viewed as a political message aimed at influencing public opinion appears to be now evolving into a more systematic state strategy under the Netanyahu government. “After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy.
Trump may be ‘jealous’ of Pope Leo’s approval rates in US, says polling expert CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, suggested that US President Donald Trump may be “jealous” of Pope Leo XIV, noting that Trump is significantly less popular than the Catholic Church leader among the American public. Enten highlighted a sharp decline in Trump’s support among American Catholics, pointing to a nearly 25-point swing since the 2024 election. CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, suggested that US President Donald Trump may be “jealous” of Pope Leo XIV, noting that Trump is significantly less popular than the Catholic Church leader among the American public pic.
Pezeshkian: Iran will negotiate only within framework of international law Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that “unreasonable” US demands prevented a deal in recent talks in Pakistan, according to Iranian state media. Pezeshkian said Iran remains committed to the ceasefire conditions but will continue negotiations only within the framework of international law. He also warned that any threat to the Strait of Hormuz would have “widespread consequences” globally, referring to US plans to impose a blockade.
US officials say Islamabad talks created framework for future negotiations US officials said talks in Islamabad, while failing to produce a breakthrough, generated momentum and established a framework for continued negotiations with Iran, The Atlantic reported. Officials said some progress was made on issues related to Iran’s nuclear program, while intelligence assessments suggest pressure from lost oil revenues could influence Tehran’s position. The Associated Press reported that a new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran could be held as early as Thursday.
AP: Another round of US-Iran talks could be held 'as early as Thursday' A new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran could be held as early as Thursday, the Associated Press reported, citing US officials and a diplomat from a mediating country. Officials said the two sides have agreed in principle to resume talks, though the venue has not been finalised. Islamabad is being considered again, while Geneva has also emerged as a strong possible location.
Video: Netanyahu says Trump administration reports to him daily regarding Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the Trump administration reports to him daily about Iran. Netanyahu explained that US Vice President JD Vance called him on Sunday after leaving Islamabad, briefing him on the weekend talks with Iran that failed to reach a deal. “He briefed me in detail, as officials of this administration do on a daily basis.
US Christian leaders criticise Trump over Pope remarks, call for apology Prominent figures in the US Christian community have criticised President Donald Trump over his comments about Pope Leo XIV, with some calling for an apology. Archbishop Paul Coakley said he was “disheartened” by the president’s remarks, while Bishop Robert Barron described them as “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful. ” Criticism also came from Trump ally David Brody, who said a now-deleted post depicting the president as Jesus “goes too far.
Video: Trump says AI Jesus image meant to show him as doctor US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure was intended to depict him as a doctor. Hours after posting the image, Trump deleted it, drawing widespread criticism, even from some religious conservatives who typically support him. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor.
Vance says talks with Iran made progress, defends shipping blockade US Vice President JD Vance said recent talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad marked “a lot of progress,” while defending the administration’s decision to block Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “I wouldn’t just say that things went wrong… we made a lot of progress,” Vance told Fox News, adding the talks clarified areas of flexibility and US red lines. He described the meeting as a historic milestone, saying it was among the highest-level engagements between the two sides in years.
US and Iran keep talking as Trump's blockade takes effect US President Donald Trump said Iran “badly” wants to make a deal with his administration as his blockade against the Islamic Republic took effect on Monday and a fragile ceasefire held. "I can tell you that we've been called by the other side. They'd like to make a deal.
Swift backlash from loyalists and adversaries after Trump depicts himself as Christ Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 19:21 The US president said he meant to show himself as a doctor 'making people better' A composite image shows US President Donald Trump alongside the AI-generated picture he posted on his Truth Social platform, depicting himself as Jesus Christ, after criticizing Pope Leo XIV (Mandel Ngan/AFP) Off The US president's feud with the first American pope appears to have led Donald Trump to declare himself to be Jesus Christ, in an AI-generated image on Sunday, which drew so much backlash that he deleted it by Monday. "I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with the Red Cross," Trump later told reporters at the White House. "It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better.
First US-Iran talks in decades end without deal but dialogue ‘still alive’ Iranian and US officials ended their highest-level talks in decades in Islamabad on Monday without a breakthrough; however, sources familiar with the negotiations said dialogue was still alive, Reuters reported. Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked, but the US has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear programme and international sanctions on Tehran. A US source said the Iranians did not properly understand that the core US aim was to have a deal that ensured Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.
J Street says Israel should pay out-of-pocket if it wants US weapons Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 18:09 The pro-Israel advocacy group likely changed its tune after widespread popular opposition to taxpayer-funded weapons Relatives of 23-year-old Ali Majed Hamadneh, who was shot dead by the Israeli military, gather during his funeral in the village of Deir Jarir, northeast of the city of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank, on 13 April 2026 (Zain Jaafar/AFP) Off The pro-Israel advocacy group J Street is now calling for an end to "direct" US military support to Israel, per a new policy document published on Monday. The group had previously backed Washington's continued provision of defensive weapons systems, such as the replenishment of Israel's Iron Dome, at no cost to Israelis . Now, it says the US "should continue to sell" short-range air and ballistic missile defence capabilities to Israel, but Israel should use its own money to pay for them.
There is 'continued engagement with Iran', US official says A US official said on Monday that “there was continued engagement between the United States and Iran an forward motion on trying to get to an agreement”, Reuters reported. Earlier on Monday, the US military began a blockade of ships leaving Iran's ports, President Donald Trump said, and Tehran threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbours' ports after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down.
Hezbollah chief urges Lebanese government to cancel US-Israel talks Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Monday called on the Lebanese government to cancel a Tuesday meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington DC, Reuters is reporting. In a televised speech, Qassem said Hezbollah will continue to confront Israeli attacks on Lebanon and described the talks as “pointless”. Lebanon's foreign minister said Beirut would use Tuesday's face-to-face negotiations to press for a ceasefire in the war.
How Orban's loss could damage the British right Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 14:36 The outgoing Hungarian prime minister set up a trans-national right-wing network centred on Budapest, but with his ousting the future of such institutions is unclear Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a photoshoot to publicise a slogan ahead of the local elections in May, London, 10 April 2026 (AFP) Off In recent years, Hungary has emerged as a rallying point for European and American conservatives. Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has overseen the creation of a constellation of right-wing think tanks, publications and fellowships set up to support right-wing parties and movements across Europe and the US - and increase Hungarian soft power. Orban's network has had a particularly strong impact in Britain, attracting significant support from prominent figures in Reform UK, the British right-wing party currently dominating in the polls.
Video: Trump says he isn't 'a big fan' of Pope Leo Speaking to reporters on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he wasn’t “a big fan” of Pope Leo, accusing him of being okay with Iran having a nuclear weapon. pic. twitter.
