Iran's internet shutdown continues into its 48th day Iran's internet blockout has entered its 48th day, according to internet monitor NetBlocks. The monitor says the outage is the longest continuous internet stoppage in history and has had an economic impact of around $1. 8bn.
Pakistan: Second round of US-Iranian talks to take place soon The US and Iran are willing to hold talks again soon, but so far no date has been set, according to Pakistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also reiterated that Lebanon remained part of the two-week ceasefire currently in effect in the region. “Peace in Lebanon is essential for peace talks,” it said.
War on Iran: How the West is shaping a dystopian era Submitted by Marco Carnelos on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 16:11 Rubio speaks openly of revitalising colonialism, as allied states acknowledge the demise of the rules-based world order US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as President Donald Trump meets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House in Washington, DC, on 7 October 2025 (Jim Watson/AFP) On Until recently, the EU high representative for foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, owned the record as the western official with the poorest knowledge of the history of World War Two, having had the brazen audacity - or the unforgivable lack of awareness - to claim last year that it was news to her that Russia and China had played a crucial role in its outcome. But even those comments paled in comparison to the February speech by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He audaciously told the Munich Security Conference: “For five centuries, before the end of the Second World War, the West had been expanding - its missionaries, its pilgrims, its soldiers, its explorers pouring out from its shores to cross oceans, settle new continents, build vast empires extending out across the globe.
How Jewish heritage projects in Morocco are being used to push pro-Israel politics Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 04/16/2026 - 09:14 Amidst worthy projects to preserve and promote Morocco’s Jewish identity, organisations linked to Israel seek to dilute the pro-Palestine sympathies of Moroccan youth Moroccans stand under the main gate at the memorial site of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, in a trip organised by Israeli NGO Sharaka (Sharaka) Off Morocco is home to around 2,500 Jews - the largest remaining Jewish community in North Africa - and has long recognised and promoted its Jewish identity. The kingdom officially enshrined its “Hebraic tributary” in its 2011 constitution to legally protect and preserve Jewish presence in Moroccan society. Meanwhile, a wide variety of projects aimed at safeguarding Jewish history and culture are being implemented in the country.
Netanyahu to speak to Lebanon's Aoun, Israeli minister claims Gila Gamliel, Israel's science and technology minister, has claimed Benjamin Netanyahu will speak to Lebanese President Josph Aoun. Gamliel, who belongs to Netanyahu's Likud party, told Army Radio the contacts would take place "after so many years of disconnect between the countries". "Lebanon needs assistance at this time because it lacks the necessary capabilities, and with the involvement of the United States and Israel, it will ultimately be possible to meet the need to disarm Hezbollah," she said.
Israel continues to pummel Lebanon Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon continue, including reports of artillery shelling and air strikes. Earlier, the Israeli army threatened residents south of the Zahrani River, located south of the country, to head north. Meanwhile, the Israeli Home Front Command announced that sirens were sounded in northern areas following the detection of rocket fire from Lebanon.
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.
