Vice President J D Vance on Friday warned Iran not to "play" the US as he headed overseas for negotiations aimed at ending the war. President Donald Trump has tasked the member of his inner circle who has seemed to be the most reluctant defender of the six-week-old conflict with Iran to now find a resolution and stave off the US president's astonishing threat to wipe out its "whole civilisation". Vance, who has long been skeptical of foreign military interventions and outspoken about the prospect of sending troops into open-ended conflicts, set off Friday to lead mediated talks with Iran in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. "If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," Vance told reporters before boarding Air Force Two to make his way to the talks in Pakistan. But he added, "If they're gonna try and play us, then they're gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive." Vance's trip comes as a tenuous, temporary ceasefire appears to be on the precipice of collapsing. The chasm between Iran's public demands and those from the US and its partner Israel seems irreconcilable. And in the US, where Vance might ask voters in two years' time to make him the next president, there is growing political and economic pressure to wrap it up. As Vance made his way to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said in a social media post that a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel is targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, and the release of blocked Iranian assets "must be fulfilled before negotiations begin." He did not elaborate further. Qalibaf and other senior Iranian officials arrived in Islamabad later on Friday ahead of Vance. The Iranian delegation for the talks, which is slated to begin Saturday, also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of the Supreme National Defence Council, Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati, and several lawmakers. It was received at the airport by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior Pakistani government officials. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a televised address to his nation on Friday, described the talks as a "make-or-break moment" for the two sides. Vance is joined by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who took part in three rounds of indirect talks with Iranian negotiators aimed at settling US concerns about Tehran's nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes and its support for armed proxy groups in the Middle East before Trump and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28. The White House has provided scant detail about the format of the talks ' whether they will be direct or indirect ' and has not provided specific expectations for the meeting. But the arrival of Vance for negotiations marks a rare moment of high-level US government engagement with the Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the most direct contact had been when President Barack Obama, a Democrat, in September 2013 called newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. Two sides face steep climb in making headway Almost immediately after the White House and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire Tuesday evening, the sides found themselves at odds over the terms of the truce. Iran insisted that an end to the Israeli war in Lebanon was part of the ceasefire. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump said the truce did not cover Lebanon, and the Israeli operations there continued. The US, meanwhile, demanded that Iran make good on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Republic had closed the critical shipping waterway in response to Israel's intensifying attacks against the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. "The Iranians don't seem to realise they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using International Waterways," Trump posted on social media on Friday. "The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!" Iran's effective shuttering of the waterway has had a major impact on the US and global economies. In the United States, consumer prices rose 3.3 per cent in March from a year earlier, the Labour Department reported Friday. The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades spurred the sharp spike in inflation. Still, Trump expressed confidence in an exchange with reporters on Friday evening about the US position going into the talks. He predicted that the strait will soon be reopened "with or without" Tehran's cooperation. It's the highest-stakes moment thus far for Vance, who spent much of last year as more of a background player in the Trump White House, especially as others like Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio took turns as ever-present advisers for the president. "I wished him luck. He's got a big thing," Trump said of his parting message to Vance before he began his journey to Islamabad. Vance's portfolio is fattening fast, first with a mission to root out fraud in government programs at home and now to help solve a US war in the Middle East, where complicated doesn't even begin to describe things. Vance, who served in the Iraq War while in the Marines and spent two years as a US senator for Ohio and a little more than one as vice president, has little diplomatic experience. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. 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11 April,2026 11:24 AM IST | Washington | APThe Iranian delegation, led by Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has arrived in Pakistan's Islamabad late on Friday to attend peace talks with the United States, as reported by Iranian State Media Press TV, aimed at achieving a comprehensive end to hostilities in West Asia. As reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the Iranian delegation comprises representatives from multiple key sectors, including security, political, military, economic, and legal domains, reflecting the broad scope and significance of the proposed discussions. The high-level delegation includes Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, along with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran's Defence Council, and Abdolnaser Hemmati, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran. Several members of the Iranian parliament are also part of the visiting team. However, Tehran still stresses the acceptance of preconditions issued earlier by Galibaf, noting that if the conditions aren't met, then it may lead to the failure of the negotiations, as reported by Press TV Meanwhile, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, in a post on X, said that two measures agreed upon between the parties remain unfulfilled, stressing that progress on these issues is essential before any dialogue can take place. According to Ghalibaf, the ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets are set as the preconditions before negotiations can take place in Islamabad. "Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin," Ghalibaf said in his post. The developments come as the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran hangs in the balance, with Tehran stating that the truce also includes the halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. However, both Washington and Israel have maintained that the ceasefire does not extend to Hezbollah targets, a disagreement that has further complicated diplomatic efforts and heightened the risk of the truce collapsing. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance, earlier in the day, departed for Pakistan's capital of Islamabad to take part in talks with Iran, expressing optimism about the negotiations while warning against any lack of sincerity from Tehran. Addressing reporters before departure, Vance said the United States is open to constructive engagement if Iran approaches the discussions in good faith. "We're looking forward to the negotiation. I think it's going to be positive. As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," he said. However, he cautioned that Washington would not respond favourably if Iran attempts to act in bad faith during the talks. "If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive," Vance added. Vance will be leading the US delegation to Islamabad for talks this weekend. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, along with Vance, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, will be part of the delegation. The first round of those talks will take place on Saturday morning, local time. The meeting between the two sides is set to take place to end the over-month-long conflict in West Asia and follows an immediate ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran for two weeks. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 10:06 AM IST | Islamabad | ANIThe UK government has approved the country’s largest power-producing solar farm. The 800MW Springwell Solar Farm, located between Lincoln and Sleaford, is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 180,000 homes. In February, the UK took steps toward space-based solar power after a study found it could supply clean electricity. Recent measures include rolling out plug-in solar systems in retail stores and mandating solar installations as standard for all new homes in England. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 10:03 AM IST | London | AgenciesAttacks intensified Friday between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah ahead of direct talks between the Lebanese government and Israel that are set to begin next week. At least 13 members of Lebanon's State Security forces were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon Friday, while Hezbollah claimed an attack targeting a naval base in the Israeli port city of Ashdod some 90 miles away from the border. Israel launched strikes across several towns in southern Lebanon, including one on a government building in the southern city of Nabatieh that killed the government security personnel. Hezbollah claimed 31 other attacks on northern Israel and on Israeli ground troops that have invaded southern Lebanon. Israel launched its latest aerial campaign and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel in solidarity with Iran, its key ally and patron, on March 2. At least 1,888 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to the Health Ministry. At least 303 were killed in a rapid series of 100 strikes that hit the country - including multiple areas in dense residential and commercial areas in central Beirut - in 10 minutes on Wednesday, the bloodiest day in the latest war between the two sides. Civil Defense first responders are still searching for bodies trapped under the rubble in the Lebanese capital. Meanwhile, officials at Beirut's main government-run hospital on the southern edge of the capital fear it could be in the line of fire after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the surrounding suburbs, including the busy neighbourhood of Jnah where the hospital is located. Israel has launched attacks in Jnah, both with and without warning. The World Health Organization has since called for the Rafik Hariri University Hospital to be spared from attacks and not to evacuate, and WHO officials said Friday that they received assurances that it would not be struck. The hospital has not evacuated, though staff are fearful, as getting to work now requires them to drive on roads that can be struck at any time says Dr. Mohammad Cheaito, who heads the emergency department. "The entire zone around the hospital was threatened and deemed dangerous," he told the AP. "But at the end of the day, we have a humanitarian duty." Lebanon hopes for truce while Hezbollah supporters reject talks Lebanon's authorities have not yet commented on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement on Thursday of the decision to go ahead with talks. Netanyahu said the talks would revolve around disarming Hezbollah and establishing "peaceful relations" between the two countries. A Lebanese official in government familiar with the developments said that a halt in the fighting is a critical condition for the country to engage in direct talks with Israel, similar to the one between the US and Iran. It has yet to appoint a representative for negotiations. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had initially proposed the direct talks early on in the war on similar terms, at the time hoping for Israel to stop an escalation in airstrikes and to not invade the country. At the time, with only the backing of France, that failed. On Wednesday, the US and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire in the war that began on Feb. 28. It included Lebanon and other countries impacted in the wider regional conflict, mediator Pakistan announced. However, Israel - and later the United States - denied this. They want to separate the diplomatic tracks of the two wars. Hezbollah considers Israel's attacks on Lebanon to be a violation of the ceasefire, while Beirut, in a bid to disarm Hezbollah and assert its full sovereignty over the country, says it wants to be included in talks related to Lebanon. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Kassem in a statement broadcast Thursday did not directly mention the prospect of Israel-Lebanon talks, but called on the Lebanese government to "stop giving free concessions" to Israel. Dozens of supporters of the Iran-backed group protested outside of the Lebanese prime minister's office in central Beirut. They see the scheduled direct talks as a surrender to Israel, which says its troops will stay in the country indefinitely. "Our blood has been spilled on this land, and our state is conspiring against us," said protester Hassan Shuaib. "Our state wants to kill us; our state wants to strip us of our weapons." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 09:59 AM IST | Beirut | APNASA’s Artemis II astronauts splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, completing a historic 10-day mission around the Moon and marking humanity’s return to deep space after more than 50 years. The Orion spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, made a parachute-assisted landing as recovery teams moved in to retrieve the crew, NASA said in official updates. “SPLASHDOWN!” NASA said, confirming the crew was “back on Earth” after completing the mission, reported IANS. “What a journey,” Wiseman said moments after landing during a livestream. “We are stable one. Four green crewmembers.” The mission marked the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, around the Moon and back. Artemis crew completes historic lunar flyby, sets records and milestones According to reporting by Smithsonian Magazine, the crew completed a nearly 10-day journey and splashed down off the California coast, marking the first time humans have travelled near the Moon in more than half a century and setting the stage for future lunar missions. During the mission, the astronauts travelled as far as 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking the previous distance record set during the Apollo 13 mission, and observed the Moon’s far side and multiple lunar surface targets, including ancient basins and crater, reported IANS. The flight also marked several milestones: Glover became the first Black astronaut to reach the Moon’s vicinity, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first Canadian. The journey was not without technical challenges. Minor issues, including problems with the spacecraft’s toilet system and unusual odours inside the cabin, were reported during the mission, though they did not affect its outcome, Smithsonian Magazine noted. Artemis crew returns safely after fiery re-entry, draws widespread praise According to IANS, re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere was one of the most demanding phases. The spacecraft travelled at about 25,000 miles per hour and endured temperatures approaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit as superheated plasma built up around the capsule. NASA said the capsule deployed drogue and main parachutes in sequence before splashing down in the Pacific, where recovery teams approached in boats and later transported the astronauts by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the mission. “I just couldn’t be more proud of the entire workforce, the years, the effort, the late nights, all the hard work from across the country that contributed to this incredible moment,” he said. The successful return drew praise from across the US government. The State Department said the mission “has shown the world what is possible,” while President Donald Trump called the trip “spectacular” and the landing “perfect,” adding that he looked forward to welcoming the crew to the White House, reported IANS. Artemis II is a key step in NASA’s broader lunar programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence there. The next mission, Artemis III, is expected to test docking capabilities and pave the way for a crewed landing on the lunar surface later this decade, reported IANS. (Inputs from IANS)
11 April,2026 09:37 AM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentChinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said peace is the wish of people of both sides as he met Taiwan’s Opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China next month. “Compatriots on both sides are Chinese, and we need peace, we need development, we need communication, and we need cooperation. This is a common wish,” Xi said. Their meeting marked the first time a sitting KMT chairperson had met with the Communist Party leadership since November 2016. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 07:53 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesAvalanche Energy, a fusion energy startup, has won a $5.2 million contract to build radioactive batteries that can power a laptop-class system for months. The contract is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Rads to Watts Program, which aims to build next-generation, compact, resilient nuclear batteries with higher densities. Radioactive batteries aren’t an entirely new concept. They have been around for years and have made their way even to Mars on NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers. Another type of radioactive battery is used in medical implant devices and sensors, but all these devices face the same issue: low energy density. The project aims to resolve that issue. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 07:51 AM IST | New York | AgenciesThe late Queen Elizabeth II believed the monarch had to be seen to be believed. And she made sure that was true even when Britain’s famously changeable weather intervened, pioneering the use of a clear plastic raincoat so that a stodgy black umbrella didn’t obscure her from public view. Exhibition at King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace. PIC/AFP That raincoat is one of some 300 garments and other fashion artifacts that go on display Friday at the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in an exhibit that celebrates the late queen’s life and reign. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 07:47 AM IST | London | AgenciesMin Aung Hlaing, who as Myanmar’s military commander had led the Southeast Asian nation with an iron fist since seizing power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in 2021, was sworn in as an elected president on Friday. His inauguration came after a general election judged by UN experts and rights groups to be neither free nor fair, with Suu Kyi’s popular National League for Democracy party among many not taking part. He faces the major challenge of ending the civil war that began when Suu Kyi’s ouster from power met with armed resistance. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 April,2026 07:46 AM IST | Bangkok | AgenciesThe United Kingdom has renewed its call for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that global trade routes must remain free and unrestricted. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the waterway should be reopened without any conditions such as tolls or restrictions. In a statement, she emphasised, “The Strait of Hormuz must be fully reopened, without restrictions or tolls… Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free,” reported IANS. Her remarks highlight growing global concerns over disruptions in one of the world’s most important shipping routes, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies passes. Impact on global trade and domestic costs Cooper pointed out that any blockage or disruption in the Strait is not just a regional issue but has worldwide consequences. She said the situation is already affecting trade and pushing up prices. “The blocking of this vital waterway is hitting trade around the world and prices here at home,” she noted, underlining the direct impact on the UK economy and cost of living. The UK government has been actively engaging with international partners to address the issue. Cooper said Britain is working with allies worldwide to support the reopening of the Strait and reduce tensions. Last week, she led discussions with representatives from more than 40 countries, focusing on the urgent need to restore safe and free navigation for international shipping. She also stressed the importance of finding a quick diplomatic solution, saying a “swift resolution to this conflict is the best way to protect security” both in the region and at home. Call for de-escalation and end to disruptions Following the recent ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran, the UK has continued to push for de-escalation. Cooper called on Iran to immediately stop actions that threaten shipping in the Strait, including mining and drone attacks. She said these activities must end to restore confidence among shipping, insurance and energy sectors. At the same time, she urged progress in negotiations to ensure long-term stability in the region. Concerns over Lebanon and wider conflict The UK has also raised concerns about ongoing tensions in Lebanon. Cooper said it is important that upcoming talks lead to a full end to hostilities and prevent further regional escalation. She emphasised that stability in the broader Middle East is closely linked to the safety of global trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister’s Gulf visit Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on a tour of Gulf countries, where he is holding talks with regional leaders. According to a statement from Downing Street, the visit aims to reinforce the UK’s commitment to de-escalation and to explore practical steps to restore normal shipping operations. The UK government said it is continuing to lead international efforts by working with allies to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and remains secure. With global markets and energy supplies closely tied to the Strait of Hormuz, the UK’s push reflects broader international urgency. Ensuring free navigation in the region is seen as essential not only for economic stability but also for maintaining peace and security across the Middle East and beyond. (With IANS Inputs)
10 April,2026 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUS Vice President JD Vance departed for Pakistan on Friday to take part in crucial talks with Iran, expressing hope for a positive outcome while warning Tehran against insincere engagement, as per IANS. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force Two, Vance said, “We’re looking forward to negotiation. I think it's going to be positive.” He reiterated that the United States is willing to engage diplomatically if Iran shows genuine intent. “If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand,” he said. However, he also issued a clear warning, adding, “If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.” Talks under a fragile ceasefire The negotiations are taking place during a temporary two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the United States and Iran after more than five weeks of conflict. Vance emphasised that the US is entering the talks with a structured approach based on clear guidance from President Donald Trump. “The President gave us some pretty clear guidelines, and we're going to see,” he said, reported the news agency. The ceasefire has created a narrow window for diplomacy, but tensions remain high and the outcome of the talks is uncertain. Major differences unresolved with limited details on Vance's visit Despite the willingness to talk, both sides remain far apart on key issues. The United States is pushing for Iran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while also addressing concerns related to regional security. Iran, on the other hand, is focused on maintaining its influence over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and preventing further military strikes by the US and Israel. These differences highlight the complexity of the negotiations and the challenges ahead. Officials have not yet released a detailed schedule of Vance’s visit to Pakistan, leaving several aspects of the trip unclear. However, the talks are expected to be a key step in testing whether both sides can move beyond long-standing mistrust and find common ground, reported IANS. Global and regional implications The outcome of the US-Iran talks is being closely watched around the world, including by India, which has significant interests in Gulf stability and energy supplies. Any progress or breakdown in negotiations could directly impact global oil prices and regional security dynamics. Previous attempts at engagement between Washington and Tehran have often failed due to deep mistrust and conflicting priorities. This round of talks is seen as another important test of diplomacy under shifting geopolitical conditions. (With IANS Inputs)
10 April,2026 08:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1775879338949_d.png "NASA livestream shows Artemis II crewmembers (in orange suits) being extracted from their spacecraft after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Pic/AFP")
-1775831691111_d.png "UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. File Pic")
-1775830642771_d.png "JD Vance warns Iran on sincerity ahead of peace talks. File Pic")