Pakistan opens new transit routes to facilitate Iran trade Pakistan has authorised new transit routes allowing Iran to import goods from third countries through its territory. The routes connect major ports including Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar with border crossings in Balochistan. The move took effect immediately and came during a visit by Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people in connection with Iran war Submitted by Rayhan Uddin on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 16:17 Dozens of nationals, and their families, stripped of citizenship over allegations of glorifying Iranian acts and aiding foreign entities Vehicles move on a road in Bahrain's capital Manama on 11 March 2026 (AFP) Off Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of dozens of people it accused of sympathising with Iran and “aiding foreign entities”. At least 69 people had their citizenship stripped, according to a directive issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The decision was based on an article in Bahraini nationality law which allows for revocation on the grounds of “causing harm to the interests of the kingdom or acting in a manner contrary to the duty of loyalty to it”.
White House says US will not negotiate with Iran through the media The White House said it will not conduct negotiations with Iran through the press “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press,” Assistant White House Press Secretary Olivia Wales said in a statement carried by CBS News. “As the President has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the statement continued. The US and Israel continue to press Iran to halt uranium enrichment, a claim Tehran denies.
Rubio rejects Iran proposal to reopen Hormuz Strait under conditions US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a reported Iranian offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions is unacceptable. Speaking to Fox News, he said Tehran’s approach would amount to controlling access to an international waterway. “What they mean by opening the straits is, yes, the straits are open, as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission, or we’ll blow you up and you pay us,” Rubio said.
Israeli press review: Teens murder of pizzeria worker sparks lawlessness fears Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 15:10 Meanwhile, a sharp rise in suicide among soldiers and police officers is recorded and Israel found to have been buying stolen Ukrainian wheat from Russia A member of the Israeli police speaks to a man during a protest against pressure to conscript the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community into Israel's military, in Bnei Brak, Israel, 15 February 2026 (Reuters/Nir Elias) Off Crime wave on Israel's streets Since last week, Israel has been shocked by the murder of a 21-year-old man in Petah Tikva by a group of teenagers, with many Israelis fearing the spread of violence on their streets. The incident, which took place in central Israel on Tuesday night during Independence Day celebrations, saw pizzeria worker Yemanu Binyamin Zelka murdered by several teenagers, who stabbed him to death after he asked them to stop using party foam spray inside the premises. Days later, the police opened an investigation, and eight minors were arrested and taken into questioning.
Egyptian foreign minister holds talks with US’ Witkoff Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty discussed US-Iran negotiations and regional tensions in a phone call with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, according to a statement by his office. He stressed the need to continue negotiations to reinforce the ceasefire and work towards ending the war. “Egypt will continue its tireless efforts in coordination with regional and international partners to push for political solutions that support security and stability,” the statement said.
Redbridge Independents defy Labour minister Wes Streeting's 'sectarian' accusation Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 14:29 Leader of Corbyn-endorsed bloc, Vaseem Ahmed, criticises health secretary for branding the party 'sectarian' Jeremy Corbyn campaigns with Vaseem Ahmed and the Redbridge Independents in April ahead of the local elections on 7 May. (Redbridge Independents) Off The British health secretary has raised the alarm on what he calls “sectarian politics” in the east London borough of Redbridge. Wes Streeting’s seat is in Redbridge, the Labour stronghold where the governing party faces a major challenge in the 7 May local elections from the Redbridge Independents, a local party backed by the Jeremy Corbyn-led Your Party.
Iran FM says Islamic Republic is 'stable, solid' in meeting with Putin Iran's foreign minister on Monday said the Islamic Republic was "stable, solid" during a meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, according to Russian state TV. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said due to the war with the United States and Israel, "the world has now realised Iran's true power" and "it has become clear that the Islamic republic of Iran is a stable, solid and powerful system", he said in the meeting in Saint Petersburg. He added that Russia had stood by Iran and the two countries would continue their "strategic partnership".
The oil, gas and arms companies profiting from the war on Iran Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 14:00 As bills rise across the world, campaigners call out the fossil fuel and weapons firms raking in mega profits A drop of petrol falls from the nozzle of a petrol pump at a petrol station in Vélizy-Villacoublay, near Paris, on 9 March 2026 (Alain Jocard/AFP) Off As the death toll in Iran moves above 3,500 and energy bills rise for UK households, fossil fuel and weapons companies have seen their profits rise dramatically since the war by the US and Israel began two months ago. The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has left 1,600 vessels and 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf amid a standoff between the US and Iran, as Brent crude tops $107 a barrel. While hitting the pockets of millions in Europe, Asia and worldwide, the war has created big winners.
Germany: Trial of 'Ulm Five' protesters accused of Elbit break-in postponed Submitted by Pauline Ertel on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:33 Five activists face trial for 'membership of a criminal organisation' after breaking into an Elbit Systems facility in south Germany The 'Ulm Five' from left to right: Daniel Tatlow-Devally, Zo Hailu, Crow Tricks, Vi Kovarbasic and Leandra Rollo (supplied) Off The trial of five activists accused of breaking into a facility of Elbit Systems, Israel 's largest weapons manufacturer, in Ulm, Germany , has been postponed after the defendants were placed behind a glass barrier, preventing contact with lawyers. Known by the name "Ulm Five", the activists allegedly entered the factory on the 8 September 2025 by smashing a glass facade and subsequently destroyed office equipment, including computers, screens and telephones. Shortly after, the five were arrested and have since been held in pretrial detention in different prisons across southern Germany.
UAE criticises 'weak' response to Iran from other Gulf countries The UAE has criticised its Gulf allies over its response to the Israel-US war on Iran. Presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had failed to respond collectively after Iran launched retaliatory attacks against them. "The GCC's stance was the weakest historically, considering the nature of the attack and the threat it posed to everyone," Gargash said.
Putin: I will do 'everything' possible to ensure Middle East peace Vladimir Putin assured the Iranian foreign minister that Russia would do "everything" to help bring peace to the Middle East on Monday during a meeting between the two men in St. Petersburg. "For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the peoples of the region, so that peace can be achieved as quickly as possible," the Russian president told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Russian state media.
Iran says its army should have authority over the Strait of Hormuz Iran believes its military should have authority over the Strait of Hormuz, according to a proposed law, a senior official said Monday. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the parliament's national security committee, which is reviewing the legislation, told state television that the armed forces would control the strait, notably to prevent the passage of "hostile vessels. " The draft law also stipulates that transit fees be paid in the local currency, the Iranian rial.
Smashing a figure of Jesus is part of Israel's ongoing erasure of Christians Submitted by Fares Abraham on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:40 If Christians in the West want to stand with Middle East Christians, they must do more than condemn one grotesque image. They must confront the deeper climate that made it possible A nun walks inside Saydet al Doukhoul Church in Beirut, Lebanon on 20 April, 2026 (Reuters/Emilie Madi) On An Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon recently took a hammer to a figure of Jesus. The image was startling, which is why it travelled globally.
Former Israeli PMs Bennett and Lapid merge parties ahead of elections Submitted by Mera Aladam on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 11:26 Named the Beyahad party - or ‘Together’ in Hebrew - the bloc aims to challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in the October vote Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid announce their political union ahead of this year's general election, in Herzliya, Israel, 26 April, 2026. (Reuters/ Gideon Markowicz) Off Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have merged their political parties to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in elections scheduled for October at the latest. Named the “Beyahad” party - or “Together” in Hebrew - the bloc will be led by Bennett in a bid to unseat the 76-year-old premier, who has led Israel for most of the last 17 years.
Iranian health minister: US-Israeli attacks targeted 240 medical facilities US-Israeli attacks targeted 240 medical facilities, Iran's health minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi said in comments carried by Tasnim news agency. Zafarghandi said that around 50 hospitals and another 50 emergency centres were damaged in the bombardment.
Mali's defence minister killed as armed groups launch countrywide offensive Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 04/27/2026 - 12:47 Sadio Camara and his family members killed in car bomb, as Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda affiliate launch string of attacks A column of black smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes the Africa Tower monument in Bamako, Mali, 26 April 2026 (AFP) Off Mali’s defence minister was killed in an attack on his home on Sunday, as separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group launched a major coordinated offensive across the country. Sadio Camara was killed, state television confirmed, after a suicide attacker drove a car laden with explosives into his home in the town of Kati. A firefight had broken out after the attack, and Camara sustained wounds from which he later died in hospital.
Israeli army says it launched attack on Lebanon's Beqaa Valley The Israeli army has said it has started bombarding what it claims to be Hezbollah positions in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley. Al Jazeera reported that the army simultaneously launched two separate attacks on the southern Lebanese towns of Tibnin and Yater. Earlier on Monday we reported that Israeli attacks on the country killed two people, bringing the overall death toll since the ceasefire on 16 April to 38.
Germany's Merz questions US strategy in Iran war, says nation 'humiliated' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday he does not see what exit strategy the US has in the Iran war, warning "an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership". Speaking to students in Marsberg, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz said the Iranians are "obviously negotiating very skillfully" and "clearly stronger than one thought," and urged that the conflict be ended as quickly as possible due to its direct impact on Germany's economy.
Data reveals limited shipping traffic through Hormuz Shipping data revealed on Monday that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited, with seven ships crossing in the last 24 hours amid stalled talks between Iran and the US. Ship tracking data from Kpler and separate satellite analysis from data analytics specialists SynMax, showed that the vessels included ships leaving Iraqi ports and one dry bulk vessel. The crossings represent a fraction of the average 140 daily passages before the war began on 28 February.
