US Iran Tensions and Diplomacyactive

The US military said Saturday that two Navy warships transited through the strait to begin clearing it of mines. The Iranian military denied that any American warships had entered the waterway and threatened to respond if they do so.

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Yonhap) -- U. S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that ...

Meanwhile, Tehran remains firm on its position regarding the Strait of Hormuz: "Anyone who crosses the Strait will encounter a firm response."

The proposed 250-feet-tall, white-and-gilded monument would stand on the National Mall in Washington, D. C., by the Potomac River. (Image credit: Jon Elswick)

Authorities put Islamabad on lockdown over security concerns.

Senior delegations from the U. S. and Iran arrived in Islamabad this week, where Pakistan hosted a high-stakes meeting between the countries just days after announcing a temporary ceasefire had been reached in the Middle East conflict. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, landed in Pakistan on Saturday…

Ahead of a group of young Chinese people who work on international exchange and other activities in local governments in Japan, and who are about to depart for Japan, a farewell ceremony was held on the evening of November 11th. Participants have previously been selected through public applications and recommendations from local governments in China. However, this year, no recommendations were received, and it is believed that this is due to the deterioration of Japan-China relations.

As concerns over energy security converge with the push for low-carbon transition, energy storage has emerged as a central arena in the global energy shift—and China's companies are moving quickly to claim a larger role.

On April 9 in Qamatiyé, near Beirut, the family of Fatima Imtaz buried the 33-year-old pharmacist who was killed by an Israeli airstrike the previous day. That same day, at least 357 people lost their lives in Lebanon, marking the deadliest day recorded since the war between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2.

Former diplomat Richard Haass said on Saturday that tensions between the U.S. and the Vatican have reached a level of 23 on a scale of 1 to 10. "Morning Joe Weekend" co-host Willie Geist asked Haass how unusual a reported threat from the Pentagon to the Vatican's former diplomat was during a meeting in January. "On a scale of..."

The Manhattan ⁠district attorney’s office confirmed ⁠on Saturday that it ⁠is investigating sexual assault allegations against US congressman Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat and a leading candidate for governor of the state. The San Francisco Chronicle on Friday reported ‌that a woman who previously worked in Swalwell’s district office accused him of two nonconsensual sexual encounters, one while she was employed by him in 2019 and another in 2024 after she had left his staff. She told CNN...

Democrats’ push to redistrict in Virginia is entering the home stretch as the party seeks to solidify an advantage in four more House districts ahead of the November midterms.    Heavyweight donors have poured millions of dollars into the April 21 contest, which asks Virginians to consider a constitutional amendment that would redraw the Old Dominion’s…

Lawmaker Eric Swalwell has been accused of sexual assault and his past relationship with Fang Fang, suspected of being a Chinese spy, has resurfaced.

Trump's H-1B visa program changes have created challenges for small employers, with a $100,000 fee hindering hiring in critical sectors.

Delegations from the United States and Iran held direct negotiations on Saturday for the first time since 1979 in Islamabad,Pakistan, to end a six-week conflict, while US President Donald Trump said that the US military had begun clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, Kirill Dmitriev wrote that European farmers facing a shortage of fertilizers may not have enough patience, and will be the first to remind Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen of their strategic miscalculation

Opinion polls indicate opposition to ending war against Iran.

Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine falters

Work of the air defense system was visible in the sky accompanied by the sound of an explosion

Animals were used legally as fishing bait, sheriff’s office confirms after incident shook locals in Guemes Island A Washington state sheriff’s office says it has solved the mystery of nearly two dozen dead canines who washed ashore recently. The animals were foxes being used legally as bait for fishing operations, the Skagit county sheriff’s office said on Friday. Continue reading...

The U. S. sent two destroyers through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in the war, triggering a tense confrontation while high-level American negotiators were preparing to meet with Iranian counterparts in Pakistan.

Leaders have used religion to defend their actions in the war. US officials, especially Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have spoken about their Christian faith and described the US as a Christian nation fighting its enemies.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office on Saturday said it is investigating Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), the front-runner in the crowded California gubernatorial race, in connection with a sexual assault allegation from a former staffer, multiple outlets reported. The former staffer alleged that after a night of drinking with Swalwell in New York City in…

"UK/EU people are tired of migration, warmongering, lack of fuel, and are rising up," Russian President’s special representative and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev said

Direct negotiations between the United States and Iran have entered a "technical phase" and are expected to continue throughout the night in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to the Lusa news agency. At this time, officials from both countries are discussing the final details of a possible agreement. Related news: Pope calls for an end to the war, while the US and Iran negotiate peace. Leaders of Iran and the US meet in Pakistan in search of a peace agreement. An Iranian delegation arrives in Pakistan for peace negotiations. According to the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the issues related to the Strait of Hormuz remain the biggest point of contention between the two sides. The strait is a passage through which 20% of the world's oil production flows, and it is currently blocked by the Iranians. Trump is demanding that the region be reopened. Iran is also demanding the release of its assets and compensation for attacks carried out by the United States and Israel. According to Tasnim, the US envoys are making demands that are considered excessive by the Iranian representatives. Washington has not yet commented on the progress of the negotiations. The delegations from the US and Iran have been meeting at a hotel in Pakistan since this Saturday morning (11th) for peace talks. On Tuesday (7th), President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire so that Americans and Iranians could attempt to reach an agreement. *With information from…

Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane urged President Trump to take action to break Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.  In a Friday interview on the “Cats & Cosby” radio show, Keane told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby that the U. S. should stop Iran’s oil-carrying ships from reaching their destinations in places like China,…

Ukraine reports 469 violations of Putin’s 32-hour ceasefire, hours after deadly drone attacks on Odesa and Kherson Russia continued to strike Ukrainian positions with drones after a Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire took effect on Saturday, a Ukrainian military officer said. “The ceasefire is not being observed by the Russian side,” said Serhii Kolesnychenko, a communications officer for the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade. Continue reading...

Pope Leo XIV called on world leaders to end what he described as the "madness of war" this Saturday, the same day that top officials from the United States and Iran are meeting in Pakistan to discuss an end to the conflict, which has been ongoing for six weeks. During a special prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, the first American pope condemned the use of religious language to justify war and said that the "illusion of omnipotence that surrounds the world is becoming increasingly unpredictable." Related news: Leaders from Iran and the United States meet in Pakistan to seek a peace agreement. "We are becoming indifferent to violence," warns Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo 14 says that God rejects the prayers of leaders who wage war. In a direct appeal to world leaders, he said: "Stop! It is time for peace! Sit down at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned." Known for carefully choosing his words, Leo has emerged as a vocal critic of the war in Iran. This Saturday, he used strong language to denounce the conflict, citing letters from children in war zones that, according to him, described "horror and inhumanity." The Pope also referred to the Church's opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, quoting an appeal from the late Pope John Paul II made four days before the start of the conflict. "Enough of the idolatry of the self and money! Enough of the display..."

Negotiations are ongoing between US-Iranian delegations in Islamabad, with control of the strait a key sticking point.

The United Kingdom on Saturday paused its transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after President Trump recently withdrew his cooperation for the 2024 agreement. The U. K. and the U. S. have shared a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos, since the 1970s. The agreement to transfer the islands to Mauritius,…

Campaign against Iran not over, existential threats removed: Netanyahu

The Russian foreign minister said that the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, "has been actively involved in the preparation of all editions and concepts of the Russian Federation's foreign policy since 2000

Armenian and Azerbaijani representatives met for the fourth round of talks as part of the so-called Peace Bridge Initiative to advance the historic peace process between the two South Caucasus neighbours.

Two guided-missile destroyers of the United States Navy have begun mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

This Saturday morning, the New York City Police Department responded to reports of a man armed with a machete who attacked three people randomly in the city's subway system. The incident occurred on one of the platforms at Grand Central Station – one of the busiest areas of the subway system – around 9:40 AM. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, in a press conference, stated that officers repeatedly asked the man to drop the weapon, a total of 20 times, but the individual refused to comply with the officers' commands. Subsequently, one of the officers fired two shots. This was the weapon recovered at the scene. pic.twitter.com/J1gxyECKm3 — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 11, 2026 The police identified the attacker as Anthony Griffin, 44 years old. He reportedly had three prior arrests, and at the time of the incident, witnesses said he was behaving erratically and referred to himself as "Lucifer." Tisch stated that the injured individuals are an 84-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman, but that their injuries are not life-threatening. The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, thanked the police for their actions and for "preventing further violence." The three victims were taken to the hospital and are, fortunately, in stable condition. The New York City Police Department is conducting an internal investigation and will release body camera footage, as is standard procedure in all incidents involving…

In the first weeks of the war, Pope Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and limited his comments to muted appeals for peace.

US and Iranian media report peace talks have begun in Islamabad, while Netanyahu says Israel remains committed to fighting Iran US and Iran hold talks in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks to broker peace deal US officials claim Iran unable to find mines it laid in strait of Hormuz The UK will host a strait of Hormuz meeting next week, bringing together multiple countries aiming to restore free movement of ships through the strait, which has been blockaded by Iran since the beginning of the war and inflicted heavy damage on the global economy. A British official told AP that the meeting will oppose the idea of tolls being charged for passage through the waterway, as proposed by Iran as part of ceasefire negotiations. Continue reading...

Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is maintaining constant contact with the American side and preparing for intensified cooperation with European partners to advance negotiations and strengthen security guarantees.

The California Democratic gubernatorial candidate is facing growing pressure to withdraw from the race after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.

Consultations began around 17:00 local time

Nicolás Jarry (ranked 156th in the ATP) concluded his best week in the past two years. He hadn't experienced that feeling since the Rome Masters 1000 in 2024, when he lost to Alexander Zverev, a week that significantly impacted his life. This time, at the modest Madrid Challenger 75 tournament, the Chilean not only earned valuable points for reaching the semifinals, but also left with renewed confidence and positive feelings after two very difficult seasons, marked by illnesses and injuries. In the semifinals of the Spanish tournament, Nico faced Jurij Rodionov (ranked 176th), a former top 100 Austrian player, a left-handed player who is fighting to return to his best level. The challenge represented a greater demand, and he had to rely on a wide range of his skills. However, it wasn't enough, mainly due to his numerous unforced errors, and he lost in three sets: 6-7(6), 7-6(4), and 7-6(4), in a match that lasted three hours and 16 minutes. The beginning was not easy. In fact, his serve was broken for the first time that week in the third game. However, the grandson of Jaime Fillol reacted quickly and broke back in the following game. Although he later had opportunities to break again, everything ultimately came down to the tiebreak. In the tiebreak, both players held their serve until the end. The Austrian even had a set point, but Nico played brilliantly to save it. Then, with the European's serve, he managed to break and close out the first set, unleashing the joy of the large crowd…

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating a sexual assault claim against Rep. Eric Swalwell.

China consistently fulfills its international obligations, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese diplomatic mission in the United States, said

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Saturday criticized the involvement of special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Middle East diplomacy, as the two are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials for trilateral talks aimed at ending the six-week conflict with Iran. "You can't send the two real estate developers to negotiate…

The US launched a large-scale, multi-level, and expensive operation to rescue two airmen stranded in Iran, which was followed closely by Russian citizens, and highlighted the stark contrast between the US and Russian military attitudes towards their subordinates.

The city has flourished as China’s hub for helping Iran survive punishing sanctions, much to the frustration of U. S. officials.

The U. S. military has launched operations to begin de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, U. S. Central Command (Centcom) said on Saturday.  Centcom said in a social media post highlighted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that two Navy guided-missile destroyers began “setting conditions” for this mission on Saturday morning.  The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael…

"And the empty ships are rushing to the United States to "load up", the US president said

Federal agents arrested a man whose mother served as a spokeswoman for the Islamist embassy captors during the hostage crisis that began in 1979.

The French president added that Iran needs to "take advantage of the opportunity offered by the negotiations initiated in Islamabad to pave the way for sustainable de-escalation"

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly stalled the ceasefire talks between the US and Iran.

Trilateral talks involving United States and Iran have entered the expert level stage, with negotiations taking place in Islamabad.

Young people as key players in inclusive solidarity: the reasons why they were awarded.

President Donald Trump has claimed that a building pause poses a risk to national security.

Dozens gathered in Madrid for a vigil honouring the victims of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.

Russian forces carried out more than 60 attacks with drones and artillery on two districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving one person injured.

Aïda Asgharzadeh was widely praised for her powerful exploration of dissidence and exile in Persian Dolls, weaving her own family’s story into a drama spanning Iran and France. Her deft use of history as a backdrop to intimate, personal narratives is once again in focus with her latest play, The Last Cedar of Lebanon, which examines how individuals respond to the pressures of war and violence – and how geopolitical upheaval can echo across generations. Speaking to FRANCE 24, she explains how creating an emotional landscape lies at the heart of her work, and why, as an Iranian, she struggles to see a hopeful outcome amid the current turmoil of war.

"The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission," according to US Central Command.

A fallout with President Trump has seen the planned handing over of the islands put on ice. At the center of the debate is the use of a joint UK-US military base.

JD Vance leads American delegation while Iran’s negotiators headed up by Iran’s parliamentary speaker Peace talks between Iran and the US began in Islamabad this afternoon, with senior negotiators from both countries meeting face to face at the highest level for the first time since 1979, in the presence of mediators from Pakistan. Pakistani state TV said US and Iranian officials were “sitting directly at the same table” – which was later confirmed by the White House – and discussions were beginning in a positive atmosphere, despite fighting ongoing in Lebanon. Continue reading...

If Democrat Analilia Mejia wins next week’s election to fill New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s (D) former House seat, it will offer just the latest boost for progressives, who have notched a number of wins as the party debates its direction heading into the midterms.  Mejia, a top aide to Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2020…

Iran defied predictions that its leadership would cede to U. S. and Israeli pressure, illustrating the staying power of hard-line regimes.

The remnants of Bluie East Two stand as a reminder of the last time the U. S. tried to own the island.

While direct contacts are underway between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan, seeking a solution to the war in the Middle East, tankers and military vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which had previously been blocked by Iran. This maneuver represents a gesture of de-escalation in the conflict, as the reopening of the strait is one of the main demands of the United States. Three supertankers and two U.S. warships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the first such passage since the war with Iran began, according to local media. This move, according to Donald Trump on Saturday, marks the beginning of Washington's efforts to "unblock" this vital route for global hydrocarbon trade. This information comes at a time when Iran and the United States are engaged in peace negotiations in Islamabad. Two U.S. Navy destroyers, equipped with guided missiles, transited the strait without incident, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing three U.S. officials. Meanwhile, the supertanker Serifos, flying the Liberian flag, and the VLCC tankers Cospearl Lake and He Rong Hai, flying the Chinese flag, also entered and exited the "test anchorage of the Strait of Hormuz," near the Iranian island of Larak, according to data from LSEG. Each vessel has a capacity to transport 2 million barrels of…

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, posted a message stating that the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz is beginning. On his social media platform, Truth, he stated that this was "a favor to countries all over the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others." However, he commented on these same countries, saying that "they lack the courage or will to do this work themselves. It is very interesting, however, that empty oil tankers from many nations are heading to the United States of America to be loaded with oil." Furthermore, in the post, he claimed that the Iranian Navy, like its Air Force, has disappeared. "Their air defense system is non-existent, the radar is dead, their missile and drone factories have been practically annihilated along with the missiles and drones themselves, and, most importantly, their 'leaders' are no longer with us," he wrote. He added that "all that remains is the threat that a ship could 'run aground' on one of their naval mines, which, by the way, their 28 mine-laying vessels also lie at the bottom of the sea." These statements come as peace talks are underway between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. This Wednesday, Iran announced a ceasefire regarding attacks against the United States, for the duration of the negotiations. According to the Tasnim news agency, the Iranian Security Council...

He had been hospitalized for two days in extremely critical condition.

The former acting head of the Novaya Kakhovka city district, Vladimir Oganesov, stated that the Ukrainian army violated the Easter ceasefire by attacking Novaya Kakhovka with a drone, injuring a civilian and damaging an apartment building.

From sanctions relief to nuclear talks, here’s a look at how negotiations between Washington and Tehran have gone over the decades.

The administration of the American president unveiled new renderings of the proposed "Trump Arch" monument on Friday, with a design that still needs to be approved. The monument would be a triumphal arch located at the foot of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. According to plans by Harrison Design, the structure would be 250 feet tall, equivalent to 76.2 meters. The design envisions the arch topped with the phrase "One Nation Under God," accompanied by an 18-meter-tall Statue of Liberty and two eagles. The base of the monument would feature two golden lions. "It will be the largest and most beautiful triumphal arch, anywhere in the world. This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come," President Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social platform. The model has already been presented to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), which will review the proposal on April 16. According to the BBC, the commission's panel is composed of Trump allies. Davis Ingle, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that this arch "will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices made by so many American heroes throughout our 250 years of history..."

The army "continues to strike at the launchers to prevent attacks" on Israeli territory

Robinder Sachdev said that easing tensions between Iran and the United States could benefit the energy markets, the safety of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, as well as the balance of power in India's neighboring regions

Delegations will discuss ending a war that has spread across the Gulf and stoked a global energy crisis

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) on Saturday said she would file a motion to expel California Rep. Eric Swalwell from office, after the Democrat was hit with sexual assault allegations. “I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress,” the Republican lawmaker wrote on social platform X. A former staffer of Swalwell accused…

DUBLIN — Police pepper-sprayed protesters Saturday as soldiers deployed heavy-lifting equipment to remove trucks and tractors that had been blocking access to Ireland’s only oil refinery. Irish security forces launched the crackdown outside the Whitegate refinery in County Cork, the country’s primary hub for petrol and diesel, after several hundred fuel stations nationwide ran dry amid panic-buying. Farmers and hauliers had been blocking tankers from entering or leaving the Whitegate plant since Wednesday in protest against the surging price of motor fuel. They are demanding that the government slash its taxes on fuel, which account for more than 60 percent of the retail price. Government leaders welcomed news of the security operation in Whitegate, two days after Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan ordered army assistance for the Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police force. “If the Whitegate oil refinery isn’t reopened, this country will shut down. It’s a matter of national security,” said Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s junior minister for European affairs and defense. Fuels for Ireland, which represents distributors and filling stations, said about 600 of Ireland’s 1,500 gas stations nationwide had already run out of supplies. Protesters continue to block key roads in central Dublin and several motorway junctions nationwide as part of their demand for immediate tax cuts. The epicenter of the protest is O’Connell Street, Dublin’s central thoroughfare, where scores of parked tractors, trucks and vans have snarled public transport in the capital since Tuesday. Ireland’s center-right government — which last month cut taxes on petrol and diesel in response to oil price hikes spurred by the U. S.-Israeli attack on Iran — has refused to talk directly to the wildcat protesters because they are acting without support from the official representative bodies, the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association. The protesters also are preventing fuel tankers from entering or leaving two of the country’s other key ports for importing oil in Galway and Foynes, in County Limerick. Reflecting that gridlock, a Dutch tanker carrying 6 million liters of fuel has been kept idling in Galway Bay since Thursday because fuel tanks in the port there are already full. Fuels for Ireland Chief Executive Kevin McPartlan warned that, if tankers continued to be barred from Whitegate, Foynes and Galway, “then I don’t think we could guarantee fuel at any [filling station] forecourt by Monday morning.” Protesters also are disrupting freight services at Rosslare, Ireland’s main post-Brexit port for shipments with continental Europe. Rosslare officials warned Saturday of a mile-long tailback of trucks and a growing prospect that arriving ships wouldn’t be able to dock and unload cargo. At Whitegate, police in flak jackets pepper-sprayed and pushed back protesters and pulled one farmer from the cab of his stationary tractor amid angry scenes, but no serious injuries were reported. The protesters were kept behind newly erected steel barriers before a convoy of more than a half-dozen empty tankers arrived under police escort. When army engineers deployed their heavy-lift trucks against road obstacles, the owners of tractors and trucks handed over the ignition keys voluntarily. But protest leaders responded to the Whitegate clearance by vowing to double down on obstructions elsewhere. The grassroots movement — organized on Facebook as The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices — announced plans to organize demonstrations Sunday in towns and cities in all of the country’s 26 counties.

"Ukrainian air defense specialists" were expelled "after catastrophic failures," according to the Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy on Russia's accusations of war crimes committed by Ukraine.

According to Assoutenti, ticket sales have decreased by as much as 28% compared to March.

The New York Times reports, citing officials, that Iran may not have accurate records of the locations of all the mines it has laid. Reports suggest that the planting was carried out in a random and disorganised.

U. K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is setting aside a plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius because of opposition from U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to British media reports. A bill underpinning the deal will not be included in the King’s Speech next month, The Times and other outlets reported on Saturday. POLITICO reported in February that Starmer’s administration would “pause for thought” on the Chagos plan. The biggest island in the archipelago, Diego Garcia, hosts a U. S.-U. K. military base. Starmer had tried to complete a handover deal under which Britain would pay the Indian Ocean island £3.4 billion over a century to secure continued use of the crucial military base. The U. S. president has changed his mind multiple times on the issue. But in February, Trump warned Starmer that he was “making a big mistake” in giving over the island. “This land should not be taken away from the U. K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally,” Trump said. The British government earlier this week acknowledged that it’s running out of time to pass the legislation. “We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has U. S. support,” a U. K. government spokesperson said Saturday, according to the Guardian. The agreement was meant to avoid a potentially painful and expensive legal dispute with Mauritius over the former colony. Indeed, after Trump’s intervention last month, Mauritius said that it was exploring legal tools against London. Toby Noskwith, a spokesperson for campaign group Indigenous Chagossian People, told Reuters that questions needed to be asked about “the enormous sums of money which have been wasted on a collapsed negotiation.” The decision to put the agreement on hold follows increasing tensions over the military cooperation between Britain and the U. S. Starmer refused to support the American-Israeli attacks on Iran, and he allowed Washington to use U. K. military bases only for defensive strikes. During the  Middle East conflict, Iran targeted the Diego Garcia base, firing two ballistic missiles unsuccessfully at the Indian Ocean islands.

Ukraine possesses some of the world’s most advanced drone technologies and could contribute to international efforts to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said there is a danger of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz being damaged by sea mines.

BEIRUT (AFP).- Amidst ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, Israel claimed to have attacked more than 200 targets of the pro-Iranian terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon within 24 hours. Furthermore, in attacks on Saturday, 10 people, including three rescue workers, were killed in the south of the country. According to state media, a dozen towns were targeted by bombing raids. Three of the attacks struck several locations in the Nabatiye district. The Ministry stated that among the dead were a member of the Civil Defense and two rescue workers from the Islamic Health Committee, which is affiliated with Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been at war with Israel since March 2. [Tweets from Israeli Air Force and Israel Defense Forces, dated April 11 and April 10, 2026, are omitted as they are already in English and provide further details about the attacks.] News in...

Earlier correspondent for American portal Axios and Channel 12 of Israeli television Barak Ravid quoted American official sources as saying that several US Navy ships had passed through Hormuz on Saturday without coordination with Iran

Two U. S. Navy guided-missile destroyers passed through the strategic strait, according to three U. S. officials, marking the first transit of American warships through the waterway since the war began six weeks ago.

Scientists in Xinjiang have created the world's first crystal capable of producing the ultraviolet light needed for future thorium nuclear clocks, which could one day guide submarines and deep-space probes without GPS. The fluorinated borate compound can generate laser light at a record 145.2 nanometres (nm) – a wavelength short enough to meet a key requirement for these ultra-precise, portable clocks being developed in the United States, China, and elsewhere, the team reported in *Advanced Materials*.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to use new hydraulic fracturing technologies, or fracking, to reduce Mexico’s reliance on foreign energy amid the Iran war. She framed the approach as a form of sustainable extraction, but communities who say they have been harmed by fracking continue to oppose the plan. Gabrielle Nadler reports.

The UK has paused plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, throwing the future of a long-negotiated deal into uncertainty as London seeks backing from Washington.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlined a growing list of Democratic lawmakers called on Rep. Eric Swalwell Friday to withdraw his campaign for California governor amid allegations of sexual misconduct. “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi said in a statement. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.” In a joint statement with other elected House Democratic leaders, Jeffries called for a “swift investigation” as well as the end of his pending campaign. “This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” the leaders said. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a former congressional aide accused the congressman of two sexual encounters without her consent, beginning in 2019. CNN later reported that four women allege that Swalwell has committed sexual misconduct, including one former staffer who accuses Swalwell of rape. Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he said. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.” Key backers of Swalwell’s governor bid swiftly revoked their support after the Chronicle’s story was published, including Reps. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Adam Gray (D-Calif.), who served as campaign co-chairs. “Today’s reports about Eric Swalwell’s conduct while in office are deeply disturbing,” Gray said in a statement. “Harassment, abuse, and violence of any sort are unacceptable. Given these serious allegations, I am withdrawing my support and Eric Swalwell should end his campaign immediately.” But nothing underscored the peril for Swalwell’s nearly two-decade political career as vividly as Pelosi’s statement. The former speaker included Swalwell in her inner circle of favored Democratic members for years, tapping him for junior leadership roles and to serve as a manager in Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial in 2021. The situation presents a predicament for the sitting House Democratic leaders, who have insisted on letting a full Ethics Committee investigation play out before supporting formal discipline against another House Democrat accused of misconduct, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.). Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California did not speak directly to consequences in the House in a joint statement. But House Republicans were already discussing by Friday evening the likely scenario that one of their own members will bring a censure effort against Swalwell, according to three people granted anonymity to describe private conversations. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said in an interview that she was weighing a censure and other action against Swalwell based on the reports of sexual assault allegations against him. Luna said she would act “if there is evidence brought forward.” The internal consequences could start playing out as soon as the House returns to session Tuesday, but a wave of top California Democrats immediately dropped their endorsements of Swalwell, including Rep. Ted Lieu, the No. 4 Democrat in House leadership. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) likened the situation to his push for transparency around disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and called for “appropriate” House and law enforcement investigations. “No one in a position of power should be allowed to act above the law or with impunity,” he said in a statement. “It doesn’t matter what office you hold, how wealthy you are, or which political party you align with. The same rules must apply to Eric Swalwell.” Meredith Lee Hill and Hailey Fuchs contributed to this report.

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Holy Fire descended on Holy Saturday, April 11.

The U.S. Vice President, J.D. Vance, met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, this Saturday morning as part of his country's negotiations with Iran to end the war in the Middle East. Sharif has become a key figure in the ceasefire agreement between the two nations due to Pakistan's role as an intermediary between the United States and Iran in recent weeks. Previously, he was the one who announced the agreement between the countries just minutes before the deadline imposed by the U.S. President, Donald Trump, on Iran. "I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire throughout the territory, including Lebanon and other areas, effective immediately," he posted on his social media. Vance arrived in Islamabad last Friday to finalize the meeting, where he stated that they would attempt to maintain a positive negotiation. "Don't play games with us. If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly willing to extend an open hand. If they are going to try to play us, then they will see that the negotiating team is not so receptive," he said at the time. Negotiations with Iran The negotiations with Iran, however, face several obstacles. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, stated this Friday that the United States has not yet fulfilled its obligations...

This is a breaking news story.

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz,” says Trump on Truth Social.

Vice President Vance arrived in Islamabad early Saturday to lead U. S.–Iran talks mediated by Pakistan as the temporary ceasefire appears to buckle under pressure. The U. S. delegation included Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and political adviser Jared Kushner — President Trump’s son in law. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the team of mediators, with…

Several media outlets in the United States and Iran reported around 9:30 PM Japan time on November 11th that negotiations between the United States and Iran had begun under the mediation of Pakistan. The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President Harris, while the Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf. Both delegations held separate meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif.

The warring sides exchanged 175 prisoners of war each, both countries said, in one of their few areas of cooperation.

The plan to give Mauritius formal control of the islands, home to a U. S.-British military base, was called “an act of great stupidity” by President Trump.

The Trump administration Friday unveiled new renderings of its proposed triumphal arch, a 250-foot structure planned to tower over a traffic circle near Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial, dubbed “Independence Arch,” is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to leave a mark on the nation’s capitol and to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year. “The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D. C., but throughout the world, ” said Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson. “It will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250-year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today. President Trump will continue to honor our veterans and give the greatest Nation on earth — America — the glory it deserves.” The main arch building would stand 166 feet tall but would also be mounted with two 24-foot-tall golden eagles on plinths as well as a 60-foot-tall, golden and winged Lady Liberty holding a torch, according to images filed Friday by the Interior Department to the Commission of Fine Arts. The commission is poised to review the plan at a meeting next week. The interior archway would be 55 feet wide — approximately equal to four lanes of traffic. At 110 feet tall, the interior of the arch would exceed the height of the Lincoln Memorial — 99 feet — that sits parallel to the proposed arch on the other side of the Potomac River. The phrase “One Nation Under God” would be inscribed in gold on the top of the structure, and four gold lions would sit on pedestals at the four corners of its base. Renderings show the arch would include two upper-level decks, including one designated for viewing. The arch is proposed for Memorial Circle, a traffic circle just inside the border of the nation’s capital, within a section of the city that adheres to strict development protocol under Commemorative Works Act. The law limits new commemorative works in the area to those with “preeminent historical and lasting significance to the United States.” New works require a recommendation from the Interior secretary or the General Services Administration, after consultation with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission. But the final decision is up to Congress. The parameters are not quite as strict as the Reserve area, which includes the National Mall and nearby memorials dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and is considered a finished public project to maintain the balanced design and spatial harmony of the landscape. A group of Vietnam veterans, represented by the progressive watchdog organization Public Citizen, sued to block the arch construction, arguing that the Trump administration failed to follow those steps. Members of Congress, including Maine independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), filed a statement in the case arguing that construction of the arch without congressional permission would violate the law. The Commission of Fine Arts did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new renderings. Trump fired six of the commission’s leaders last year, all who were appointed by former President Joe Biden, easing the administration’s path to advance the president’s construction priorities in the capitol. The commission has also approved the White House’s new East Wing, following the administration demolition of the historic structure last year. The demolition of the East Wing to make room for a proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom and the proposed arch have been some of the most visible of the president’s efforts to leave his mark on the city. As part of the White House’s proposed budget for the National Park Service, released last week, the president called for a $10 billion fund to support D. C. projects — roughly four times the size of the proposed budget for the National Park Service, which the White House wants to reduce by $1 billion. Trump has said the arch would be paid for by leftover donations from his ballroom project. A recent spending plan, released by the administration for the National Endowment for the Humanities suggests it will provide $15 million for the project. NOTUS first reported on the plan.