IMF cuts 2026 global growth forecast on Iran war The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection Tuesday, warning that the world economy could be "thrown off course" by the war in the Middle East - as the conflict roils commodity markets and sparks higher prices. The global economy is set to grow by 3. 1 percent this year, down from 3.
In Algeria, Pope calls on authorities ‘not to dominate, but serve the people’ Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 12:04 Leo XIV seized opportunity of first papal trip to the North African state to address civil liberties but also condemn ‘ongoing violations of international law’ Pope Leo XIV during a visit to the Martyrs’ Monument in El Madania, near Algiers, 13 April 2026 (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP) Off On the first day of his historic visit to Algeria on Monday, Pope Leo XIV mixed the spiritual with the political, urging local authorities to liberalise the country's political life and world leaders to abandon “neo-colonial” practices and work for peace. The American has become the first pontiff to make a papal visit to the North African country, which is the birthplace of Saint Augustine, the ancient Christian thinker who gave his name to the religious order from which the current head of the Catholic Church originates. The visit to Algeria was somewhat overshadowed by a high-profile feud with US President Donald Trump over the pontiff's opposition to the war on Iran and a failed suicide bombing near Algiers.
Palestine Action ban: Peaceful protesters are not terrorists Submitted by Lord Strasburger on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 16:07 Britain must now decide whether it will defend this core democratic freedom, or be remembered as the generation that let it slip away Police carry away a protester as people gather to call for the lifting of a ban on Palestine Action, in London’s Trafalgar Square on 11 April 2026 (Carlos Jasso/AFP) On Our right to peaceful protest is under relentless attack. The freedom to come together and express our opinions has been gradually strangled by a succession of new laws and regulations introduced by this government and the last one. Police in Britain now have huge discretion to restrict demonstrations or even ban them altogether.
From Palestine Action to policing bill, the UK government is killing free speech Submitted by Lord Strasburger on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 16:07 Britain must now decide whether it will defend this core democratic freedom, or be remembered as the generation that let it slip away Police carry away a protester as people gather to call for the lifting of a ban on Palestine Action, in London’s Trafalgar Square on 11 April 2026 (Carlos Jasso/AFP) On Our right to peaceful protest is under relentless attack. The freedom to come together and express our opinions has been gradually strangled by a succession of new laws and regulations introduced by this government and the last one. Police in Britain now have huge discretion to restrict demonstrations or even ban them altogether.
New Mossad chief backs Gaza occupation and once 'used' a teenager in operation Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:53 MEE charts the rise of Netanyahu loyalist Roman Gofman to intelligence chief, as questions swirl over his integrity and colourful past Israel's new Mossad chief Roman Gofman, pictured in previous role at the White House, in Washington, DC, 29 September 2025 (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) Off Mossad has a new chief who was once shot and wounded by Hamas fighters, has called for the occupation of Gaza, and has been accused of “abandoning” a teenager he "used" in an intelligence operation. Roman Gofman was approved on Sunday by Israel’s advisory committee on senior appointments and is set to begin his five-year term in June, replacing David Barnea. An ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gofman has been serving as his military secretary.
ICRC delivers the first batch of emergency relief to Iran The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it dispatched 171 metric tonnes of essential relief items to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS). The organisation said it marked one of the first cross-border humanitarian deliveries to the country in six weeks, bringing essential household items to more than 25,000 people. “At a time when humanitarian needs remain high across the country, we hope this shipment will bring some relief to communities enduring the devastating impact of the conflict,” said Vincent Cassard, head of the ICRC delegation in Iran.
Italy suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 12:30 Giorgia Meloni announces suspension of automatic renewal of agreement, which includes military training and research, 'in light of the current situation' Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks in Italy's parliament in Rome on 9 April 2026 (Andreas Solaro/AFP) Off Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of a defence cooperational agreement with Israel , Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday. Meloni announced the decision while speaking to reporters during a visit to a wine fair in Verona. "In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," the premier said, as quoted by Italian news agencies.
Qatar says focus should be on ending fighting, not Strait of Hormuz Qatar has urged efforts to prioritise ending the fighting rather than rushing to resolve tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Majed al Ansari said it is “still too early” to focus on a solution for the waterway, stressing the need to halt the conflict first. He said the strait has historically remained stable and argued the focus should shift to “sustainable security” and the “safety of navigation”.
Smotrich refers to Nazis as he brands Germany 'hypocrites' over Israeli settler criticism Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:26 Far-right Israeli minister responds to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's 'concern' over 'de facto annexation' in the West Bank Bezalel Smotrich holds a map of an area near the settlement of Maale Adumim, a land corridor known as E1, outside Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, on 14 August 2025 (Menahem Kahana / AFP) Off Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich has invoked the history of the Nazi Holocaust as he branded Germany "hypocrites" after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "deeply concerned" about settler attacks in the occupied West Bank . Writing before Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, Smotrich said the German chancellor "should bow his head and apologise a thousand times on behalf of Germany" for the death of six million Jews in the Holocaust rather than "preach morality" to Israel. "We will not accept instructions from hypocritical leaders in Europe, a continent that is once again losing its conscience and its ability to distinguish between good and evil," Smotrich posted on X.
Iran says a 'lack of goodwill' from the US blocked deal Iran’s president has told France that Washington’s approach derailed efforts to reach an agreement during talks in Islamabad last week. Masoud Pezeshkian said “lack of goodwill” and “maximalist positions” from the United States prevented a deal, according to IRNA. He warned that continued pressure and military action would deepen instability.
Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel Italy has suspended its defence cooperation agreement with Israel, pausing a deal covering military equipment and joint research. Giorgia Meloni announced the move on Tuesday, saying the government will not proceed with the agreement’s automatic renewal under current conditions. “The government, considering the situation we are experiencing, has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel,” Meloni said during a press briefing.
Russia and UAE minister call for immediate ceasefire in Gulf Russia’s foreign minister has held talks with his UAE counterpart over the Israeli-US war on Iran and ensuing regional fallout. Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone on Tuesday with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Moscow. The two discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf following recent US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, which failed to produce a breakthrough.
'Pipe dream': Turkey's plan to redraw Middle East energy routes after Iran Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:01 From Qatar to Saudi Arabia to Turkmenistan, Turkey dreams of overcoming the Hormuz block and becoming an energy hub A map showing current and possible energy lines from Turkey (MEE) Off Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz has shunted energy markets onto a roller coaster since the US and Israel war began almost a month ago. Several measures have already been deployed to address soaring oil and gas prices. Saudi Arabia has been using its East-West Pipeline to bypass the strait, pumping oil through the Red Sea.
France and UK to host virtual meeting regarding Strait of Hormuz on Friday France and the United Kingdom will co-host a virtual meeting on Friday with countries willing to support a naval effort in the Strait of Hormuz. The talks will focus on a proposed “purely defensive mission” aimed at protecting maritime traffic through the vital shipping corridor, according to the French presidency. Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are set to co-chair the discussions, which will explore plans to restore freedom of navigation once conditions on the ground allow.
UK’s finance minister criticises Washington as Hormuz disruption fuels economic worries The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has criticised Washington over its handling of the war with Iran, warning the lack of clear objectives is worsening the fallout. Reeves said she is "very frustrated and angry" at what she described as the United States’ failure to set out an exit strategy. "This is a war that we did not start.
South Korea warns Hormuz tensions to prolong energy and supply shocks South Korea’s president has warned that escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz will continue to disrupt global energy flows and supply chains. Lee Jae Myung told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that prolonged instability in oil and raw materials markets should be treated as inevitable. "For the time being, difficulties in global energy and raw materials supply chains and high oil prices will continue," Lee said.
Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa mosque under Israeli forces’ protection Israeli settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, entering the site under the protection of Israeli forces. The Jerusalem Governorate said around 120 settlers carried out the incursion on Tuesday morning.
US and Iran keep talking as Trump's blockade takes effect US President Donald Trump said Iran “badly” wants to make a deal with his administration as his blockade against the Islamic Republic took effect on Monday and a fragile ceasefire held. "I can tell you that we've been called by the other side. They'd like to make a deal.
War on Iran: Why the Islamabad talks failed Submitted by Sami Al-Arian on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 19:50 This was not a genuine negotiation, but an attempt by the Trump administration to impose its demands A Pakistani Ranger walks past a billboard for the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on 12 April 2026 (Farooq Naeem/AFP) On The Islamabad meeting between the United States and Iran did not collapse because diplomacy failed. It collapsed because the US came with an ultimatum, not an intention to negotiate. In the days leading up to the meeting, there were indications that the US had initially agreed to a broader ceasefire framework across the region, including Lebanon .
China calls US blockade of Iranian ports ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ China has condemned the United States’ blockade of Iranian ports, warning the move risks deepening instability in the region. Speaking on Tuesday, Guo Jiakun said the action threatens to derail efforts to de-escalate tensions despite a temporary ceasefire. A US blockade of Iranian ports is "dangerous and irresponsible", he said, adding it would heighten tensions and put maritime security at risk.
