US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Iran just ahead of high-stakes negotiations, signalling that the strategic Strait of Hormuz could reopen soon. Trump claimed the vital global shipping route would resume automatically and warned Tehran has limited leverage beyond the temporary disruption of international waterways. As US negotiators prepare to meet Iranian officials, Washington has also reloaded warships, raising the possibility of renewed strikes if talks collapse. Iran, meanwhile, is demanding sanctions relief, an end to Israeli operations in Lebanon, and the unfreezing of assets before negotiations proceed.
11 April,2026 01:05 PM ISTUS Vice President JD Vance is on his way to Pakistan to lead high-stakes negotiations with Iran following a temporary two-week ceasefire. The talks in Islamabad are aimed at securing a long-term agreement and preventing further escalation in the region. Before departing, Vance said the United States is willing to extend an “open hand” if Iran negotiates in good faith, but warned Washington would not be receptive if Tehran tries to “play” the US. President Donald Trump has reportedly provided clear guidelines for the American delegation.
10 April,2026 10:15 PM ISTRussia’s Vladimir Putin has announced a 32-hour Easter ceasefire in the Ukraine war, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signalling support for the temporary pause. The truce is expected to begin Saturday evening and last until Sunday midnight during Orthodox Easter. The ceasefire comes even as intense fighting continues across the front lines. Ukraine claims Russian forces lost more than 1,100 troops in just 24 hours, while Moscow says it captured two villages in eastern Ukraine. Both sides previously accused each other of violating a similar Easter truce last year, raising doubts about whether this pause will hold.
10 April,2026 09:07 PM ISTIsrael and Hezbollah are trading cross-border strikes despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, raising fears of a wider regional escalation. The Israeli military launched fresh airstrikes and artillery shelling in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah responded with rocket fire targeting Israeli troops near the border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon and vowed to continue operations against Hezbollah. Israel is pushing for direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, but Lebanese officials insist there will be no talks under fire.
10 April,2026 06:50 PM ISTPakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif triggered a major diplomatic storm after calling Israel "evil", a "curse for humanity", and a "cancerous state" in a now-deleted social media post. The remarks came during fragile US-Iran ceasefire talks and while Pakistan projected itself as a mediator in West Asia. Israel reacted sharply, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the statement outrageous and unacceptable. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Pakistan of using antisemitic rhetoric and questioned Islamabad’s credibility as a neutral peace broker.
10 April,2026 06:49 PM ISTIran has confirmed the death of veteran diplomat and former foreign minister Kamal Kharazi, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the April 1 strikes reportedly linked to US-Israel operations. His wife was also killed in the same attack, marking a significant moment in the rapidly escalating tensions across West Asia. Kharazi, who served as Iran’s top diplomat and later headed the Strategic Council for International Relations, was considered one of Tehran’s most influential foreign policy voices. Iranian state-linked outlets Mehr and ISNA have described the strike as a “terror operation” carried out by what they termed an “American-Zionist”, front language that signals a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Tehran.
10 April,2026 06:46 PM ISTUS-Iran negotiations have hit a sudden roadblock after Tehran pulled back from talks, linking any further engagement with Washington to an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon. The move comes in the aftermath of devastating Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that have reportedly left hundreds dead, shaking an already fragile diplomatic landscape. Iran has made its position clear, no ceasefire, no talks. At the same time, the situation is being further inflamed on the political front. Israeli envoy Yechiel Leiter and US politician Mike Huckabee have publicly slammed Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over controversial remarks on X, adding another layer of friction to an already volatile geopolitical moment.
10 April,2026 06:42 PM ISTMelania Trump has strongly denied allegations linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the claims “false, defamatory, and deeply damaging.” The First Lady addressed the controversy head-on, stating she never had any relationship or association with Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Her statement comes at a time when renewed attention around Epstein-related disclosures has reignited scrutiny across political circles. Notably, early reports suggest that President Donald Trump was not briefed in advance about Melania’s decision to release the statement, raising further questions about internal coordination. WATCH
10 April,2026 06:36 PM ISTTensions in West Asia are back in sharp focus as US President Donald Trump delivers a strong warning to Iran amid rising uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil routes. Calling Iran’s approach “dishonourable” and ineffective, Trump accused Tehran of failing to uphold ceasefire commitments and hinted at serious consequences if maritime restrictions continue. His message was blunt: global oil supply will not be held hostage. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital passage for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil shipments, has seen limited movement since the fragile ceasefire came into effect. With only a handful of vessels reportedly passing through, concerns over supply disruptions and energy market instability are growing rapidly.
10 April,2026 06:34 PM ISTJust after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week window of calm, tensions between Iran and Israel are flaring up again, this time with sharper warnings, higher stakes and signals of a broader regional escalation. Iran has gone on high alert, preparing what officials describe as a “heavy response” to continued Israeli strikes across Lebanon. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a blunt warning: any attack on Hezbollah will now be treated as a direct act of aggression against Iran itself. On the ground, the situation is shifting fast. Reports indicate that Tehran may be reconsidering its commitment to the ceasefire altogether, especially as Israeli operations continue. Iranian state media has amplified the message, hinting at consequences that could extend beyond Lebanon.
10 April,2026 06:31 PM ISTAn early morning fire broke out at the iconic Rio Olympic Velodrome, sending flames racing across the arena’s fabric roof and triggering a massive emergency response. Fire crews rushed to the scene at approximately 4:17 AM, deploying over 80 firefighters and multiple vehicles to contain the blaze before it could spread further. The fire, which originated within the roof structure, was swiftly brought under control by the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department, preventing what could have escalated into a major disaster. WATCH
10 April,2026 06:25 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
