A fresh round of talks between Iranian and American negotiators is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday, Iranian officials familiar with the discussions said, CNN reported. They added that delegations are likely to arrive in the Pakistani capital on Sunday, as reported by CNN. The development comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to ease West Asia tensions. Separately, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed "international efforts aimed at de-escalation and advancing diplomatic solutions", Al Jazeera reported. "The Emir and the Turkish President commended the efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in this regard, and expressed their support for the efforts of the prime minister," Qatar's Amiri Diwan said, according to Al Jazeera. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, as per Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Thursday as diplomatic efforts intensified to revive stalled US-Iran negotiations. The visit comes amid heightened back-channel engagement between the United States and Iran, with Pakistani officials expressing hope for a breakthrough, particularly on Tehran's nuclear programme, Al Jazeera reported. Munir, who arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The visit aims to prepare the ground for a possible second round of talks after earlier discussions ended without progress. The Islamabad Peace Talks, held on 11-12 April, marked a historic but inconclusive diplomatic attempt to end the 39-day Gulf War between the United States and Iran. Mediated by Pakistan, the talks were the first high-level, face-to-face negotiations between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is seen as a potential step toward broader de-escalation. The ceasefire comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with exchanges involving Israeli armed forces and Hezbollah, which saw a major escalation following the US-Iran war in the region. Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had reached an agreement to initiate a 10-day ceasefire, following intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities in the region. The US President shared that he held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary truce as a step towards a broader resolution. The ceasefire comes at a critical juncture for West Asia, following a period of significant volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border. 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
18 April,2026 10:07 AM IST | Islamabad | ANIIran has rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that it has agreed to transfer its enriched uranium to the United States, with its Foreign Ministry strongly dismissing the assertion, Al Jazeera reported. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would not allow such a move under any circumstances, according to Al Jazeera. "Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as Iranian soil and will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances," Baghaei was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency, as per Al Jazeera. His remarks come after US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has "agreed to everything" in ongoing talks with the United States, including a plan to jointly remove enriched uranium from Iran and transport it to the US, CNN reported. Speaking to CBS, Trump ruled out deploying American troops, saying, "No. No troops." He added, "We'll go down and get it with them, and then we'll take it. We'll be getting it together because by that time, we'll have an agreement, and there's no need for fighting when there's an agreement. Nice right? That's better." Trump said the US would continue its blockade of Iranian ports "until we get it done" and expressed confidence that a deal could be reached "in the next day or two," with talks likely over the weekend, CNN reported. He also claimed Iran had agreed to stop backing groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. In remarks to AFP, Trump said there are no "sticking points" left, adding, "We're very close. Looks like it's going to be very good for everybody. And we're very close to having a deal," Al Jazeera reported. In a separate statement, Baghaei also criticised comments by US officials regarding the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as contradictory, in a sign of "desperation and helplessness", Al Jazeera reported. "We should not be influenced by the other side's tweets," the spokesperson said. "The statements by American officials are filled with contradictions and lies, and this is nothing new", as reported by Al Jazeera. He further stressed that decisions regarding the Strait are based on ground realities rather than public messaging. He added, "The opening or closing of the Strait of Hormuz does not happen on social media, but on the ground," according to Al Jazeera. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over maritime security and ongoing negotiations. 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
18 April,2026 10:05 AM IST | Tehran | ANIIran has warned that it will take reciprocal measures if the United States continues its maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports, even as it outlined conditions for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei offered clarification on an earlier statement by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Al Jazeera reported, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency. According to Al Jazeera, Baghaei said that "Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be allowed along a pre-determined route by Iran." He added, "If the maritime blockade of Iran's ports continues, Iran will take reciprocal measures," and asserted that "Iran is the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and will show leniency where necessary." Separately, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy detailed conditions for vessels seeking to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. As per Al Jazeera, it stated that all ships would require its permission to pass, with civilian vessels allowed only through designated Iranian routes, while military vessels remain barred from transit. "Movements will only be permitted with the permission of the IRGC Navy", it added, as per Al Jazeera. "This movement is in line with the agreement on the period of silence on the battlefield and after the implementation of the Lebanese ceasefire," the IRGC Navy Command added in a statement, according to Al Jazeera. The announcement comes after Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who had earlier said on X that passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire was "completely open". In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran. — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026 "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," Aragchi wrote on X. The strategic waterway had been obstructed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following joint US and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on February 28. As a conduit for 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas, the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has had significant global economic repercussions, impacting supply chains and energy prices worldwide. 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
18 April,2026 10:03 AM IST | Tehran | ANIThe Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed its original five-year survey and delivered the most detailed map of the universe ever made. Operating from the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, DESI has charted more than 47 million galaxies and quasars in three dimensions. The result is a high-resolution cosmic map that stretches across billions of years, offering scientists an unprecedented dataset to probe how the universe has evolved. 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
18 April,2026 09:58 AM IST | Arizona | AgenciesAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday (local time) welcomed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and cautioned that prolonged conflict in the region could have serious consequences for the global economy and energy markets. In a post on X, Albanese said he participated in a virtual Leaders' Summit on the Strait of Hormuz co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where discussions focused on stabilising the key maritime corridor. Overnight, I joined a virtual Leaders' Summit on the Strait of Hormuz co-hosted by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer.Australia has consistently called for an end to this conflict.The longer the war goes on, the more significant the impact on the global economy will… — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 17, 2026 "Overnight, I joined a virtual Leaders' Summit on the Strait of Hormuz co-hosted by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer. Australia has consistently called for an end to this conflict. The longer the war goes on, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be, and the greater the human cost." He highlighted that Australians were already feeling the effects of regional instability. "Australians are feeling the impact on fuel supply and prices and we are working to shield families from the worst of it," he said. Albanese also expressed support for diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region. "Australia stands ready to support efforts to restore stability and security in the Strait of Hormuz and I welcome the announcement overnight of the Strait's reopening. We want to see this hold." The remarks come after Iran announced that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain "completely open" during a 10-day ceasefire period. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said, "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran." US President Donald Trump also confirmed the reopening, saying the waterway was "fully open" and "ready for full passage," though he maintained that the US naval blockade on Iran would remain until a final agreement is reached. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint handling around 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas shipments, has remained central to geopolitical tensions following recent regional escalations. 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
18 April,2026 09:01 AM IST | Canberra | ANIThe crew of the first mission to fly around the Moon since the Apollo era — the Artemis II — say they’re confident a lunar landing would be doable soon. Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA), Pilot Victor Glover (NASA), Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency) were launched on April 1, spending just over nine days on a path that took them around the Moon and back to Earth. 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
18 April,2026 08:41 AM IST | Texas | AgenciesTehran has dismissed the possibility of any short-term pauses in hostilities, asserting that it is pushing for a total conclusion to warfare throughout the West Asian region, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking to journalists during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, emphasised that any potential truce must encompass every active battleground "from Lebanon to the Red Sea". He further categorised this broad scope as a "red line" for the Iranian government. Elaborating on Tehran's rigid stance against incremental deals, Khatibzadeh told the press, "We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire." He maintained that the current wave of violence "should end here once and for all" rather than being merely paused. The senior diplomat also addressed maritime security, specifically regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reported his observations that while the vital shipping lane is located inside Iran's sovereign territory, it has historically been kept accessible for international passage. Shifting the blame for regional volatility, Khatibzadeh pointed towards the United States and Israel. He claimed that they have been the catalysts for local unrest, which has subsequently damaged international commerce and the broader global financial system. According to Al Jazeera, the Deputy Minister's remarks underscore Iran's refusal to engage in piecemeal diplomacy, instead demanding a comprehensive resolution to the multiple overlapping crises currently affecting the region. This demand for a regional resolution comes as tensions peak at the United Nations, where Iran's Permanent Representative, Amir-Saeid Iravani, argued that stability in the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon "full respect for Iran's sovereignty and rights." According to Iranian state media Press TV, Iravani's remarks were a direct response to a recently announced US "naval blockade" intended to pressure Tehran into ensuring the waterway remains open. Addressing the legalities of the strategic corridor, Iravani asserted that freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is only achievable if the rights of coastal states are upheld. Per Press TV, he warned that Washington's measures constitute an "unlawful" act of aggression and a "flagrant breach" of the UN Charter, specifically Article 2(4), which prohibits the threat or use of force. The diplomatic friction has been further compounded by military escalation on the ground. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces are actively enforcing a large-scale maritime blockade. This operation involves over 10,000 personnel, a dozen naval vessels, and more than 100 aircraft, aimed specifically at Iranian ports and the coastline. Highlighting the effectiveness of these measures, US President Donald Trump stated that the Navy's performance has been "incredible," noting that the blockade is proceeding routinely with no ships attempting to bypass the American fleet. However, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, clarified to the media that the mission is a blockade of Iranian territory rather than the Strait of Hormuz itself, applying to all vessels regardless of nationality. Amid these military manoeuvres, Iravani maintained that Iran has consistently upheld maritime security while accusing the US and Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure during a "40-day military assault." Despite the rhetoric, the envoy noted that Tehran remains open to diplomatic initiatives involving regional partners like Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, as well as China and Russia, to find a sustainable end to the crisis. 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
17 April,2026 04:37 PM IST | Antalya | ANIAam Aadmi Party National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, on Friday said that this was the second Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on an AAP leader’s premises within just three days, raising questions over the intent behind such actions. He also asked how much 'black money' had been recovered in the raids by the central agency. Former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, took to social media 'X' and said, "This is the second ED raid on an Aam Aadmi Party leader's premises within just three days. Will the Prime Minister explain how much 'black money' has been recovered from the countless raids conducted on AAP leaders so far? Was even a single rupee found?" He criticised the Centre, stating, “The entire nation is watching the petty politics you are engaging in — solely for the sake of power.” Meanwhile, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora also confirmed that an ED raid had taken place at his premises. "Good Morning! An action by the Enforcement Directorate took place at my premises. As a responsible citizen, I will fully cooperate with the agencies and I am confident that the truth will prevail," he said. Meanwhile, the ED conducted raids at 13 places on the premises of Sanjeev Arora under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in Gurugram, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. The raids also covered residences and offices of Sanjeev Arora, Hemanth Sood and Chandrasekhar Aggarwal. According to officials and sources, ED teams reached the minister’s residence early in the day, while Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were deployed outside the premises to secure the area. Searches were also carried out at other locations linked to the minister. The action is reportedly connected to an old money laundering case and alleged irregularities in land deals. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj reacted to the development, alleging that the BJP follows this pattern to start its preparation for a state election. In a post on X, he said, “ED has now raided Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora. This is a clear pattern. This is how BJP starts its preparation for a state election.” Earlier on April 15, the ED conducted searches on the premises of AAP Rajya Sabha MP, Ashok Kumar Mittal and the educational institutions promoted by him and his family in Haryana and Punjab, under the FEMA. The raids come amid heightened political tensions between the ruling AAP in Punjab and the Central government, with Opposition leaders alleging selective targeting by central investigative agencies. 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.
17 April,2026 01:19 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSPakistan has started preparing to host the second round of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran during the next week for a landmark peacedeal to end the war in West Asia that has crippled global energy supplies, officials said on Friday. The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended early Sunday without any agreement. Official sources in Pakistan on Friday said that a feverish diplomatic activity followed to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. It was met with success as both continue to observe the temporary two-week ceasefire, allowing Pakistan to relaunch its mediatory push. After working behind the scenes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a tri-nation tour on Wednesday, while Field Marshal Asim Munir landed in Tehran on the same day. The Prime Minister, after discussion with the Saudi and Qatari leaders, reached Turkiye on Thursday night as the Field Marshal spent more than 24 hours in Iran meeting its political and military leaders. Though nothing has been officially said about the outcome of talks between the Pakistani civil and military leaders, security officials back home suddenly became active on Thursday evening, authorities said. According to officials in Islamabad, "preparations have started in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi as thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have started coming from other provinces." Traditionally, the Islamabad administration seeks support from provinces to help in the work of law enforcement in case mega security arrangements are needed. During the first round of talks, more than 10,000 security personnel were deployed. There are also reports that transport companies have been approached by the Islamabad and Rawalpindi districts officials to inform them that traffic coming from other cities or leaving the twin cities may face drastic restrictions. According to a message shared on social media, such restrictions, once imposed, may continue until the end of next week. It urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during the next week or plan well in advance. Similarly, educational institutions may be closed in the two cities along with markets in areas close to the airport to reduce traffic on roads, officials said. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the talks failed to reach a deal, citing Tehran not forgoing its nuclear programme as one of the key sticking points. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation in marathon peace talks, said that his team raised "forward-looking initiatives, but the opposite side ultimately failed to win the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations." The conflict began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, paralysing global energy markets and disrupting trade. The ceasefire between the US and Iran would expire on April 22. The chances of a peace deal got further support when President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that he may travel to Islamabad if a final agreement with Iran is signed there, while claiming that Tehran has accepted "almost everything" currently under negotiation. "If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I may go...They want me," he told the reporters on the White House lawn before departing for Nevada and Arizona. Trump expressed optimism about Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to end hostilities and secure a settlement before the current ceasefire expires, indicating that he would extend it, although he suggested such a move might not be necessary if a deal is reached in time. The US leader has repeatedly praised Pakistan and its leaders, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir, as "extraordinary, kind and very competent", has once again shown his ability to swing the global conversation with a single statement. 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.
17 April,2026 01:05 PM IST | Islamabad | PTIAt least eight people including a woman and a young girl died in a gas pipeline explosion at an industrial estate in Pakistan's northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, a Rescue 1122 official said. The incident occurred in Hattar Industrial Estate area of Haripur district. According to Rescue 1122 sources, the explosion happened near a grinding mill along the Grand Trunk Road, where a powerful blast in the gas pipeline triggered a massive fire. It also set a nearby house ablaze, intensifying the damage and complicating rescue efforts. The district police officer of Haripur said at least four women and six children have been saved so far, while the fire continued to spread rapidly. Several women and children sustained severe burn injuries, and emergency teams are continuing rescue operations as they work to bring the blaze under control. Haripur Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed said the deaths appeared to have been caused mainly by suffocation. 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.
17 April,2026 12:15 PM IST | Peshawar | PTIThe South Korean Government will implement a KRW 6.1 trillion (USD 4.12 billion) cash assistance programme to support the bottom 70 per cent of income earners in the country in coping with rising oil prices as part of broader measures to tackle the economic impact of the crisis in West Asia, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to the Yonhap News Agency, citing Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, authorities are preparing to release public reserves of urea and urea solution later this month to address anticipated supply shortages triggered by the ongoing regional tensions. The minister outlined the measures during an emergency virtual economic meeting with officials from ministries involved in the West Asia crisis response. Highlighting the broader economic risks, Koo said the government would continue to respond actively to supply chain disruptions until the conflict between the United States and Iran comes to an end, describing the crisis as the most significant threat to the global economy at present. "Until the end of the war becomes clear, we will firmly maintain an emergency economic response system and actively address supply chain issues and difficulties in people's livelihoods," he said, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency. He further directed relevant ministries to swiftly execute the supplementary budget recently approved by the National Assembly to ensure timely support measures and stabilisation efforts. Earlier, the South Korean National Assembly passed the additional budget of KRW 26.2 trillion (approximately USD 17.1 billion) supplementary spending package aimed at mitigating the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia prior to the ceasefire announcement made by US President Donald Trump in order to halt the hostilities in the region with Iran for two weeks. The additional budget was approved on April 10 after lawmakers from both the ruling party and the main opposition had reached an agreement, reflecting a rare bipartisan consensus over the need to respond to the economic fallout due to the continuing West Asia conflict. 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.
17 April,2026 11:20 AM IST | Seoul (South Korea) | ANIADVERTISEMENT
-1776408173131_d.png "Haripur blast sparks major fire, rescue teams battle spreading flames. Representational Image")
-1776404837992_d.png "South Korea Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol. PIC/X")