Trump ‘trapped in deadlock’, Houthi official says A senior member of Yemen’s Houthi movement said US President Donald Trump is “trapped in a deadlock” over Iran, citing Tehran’s refusal to resume negotiations unless a US blockade is lifted. Nasr al-Din Amer said Iran’s stance shows it has the upper hand. He said US efforts to pursue talks, including reported plans to send officials to Islamabad, reflect urgency on Washington’s part.
Macron says stability requires Israel withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament French President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for Nawaf Salam and the people of Lebanon, calling for Israel to withdraw its forces and for Hezbollah to stop attacking Israel. Writing after talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Macron said France supports Lebanon in addressing humanitarian needs and aiding displaced populations. He said lasting stability would require a political agreement ensuring security for both countries, respect for Lebanese territorial unity and steps towards normalising relations.
Pakistan’s Sharif thanks Trump for ceasefire extension Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire to allow diplomatic efforts to continue. “I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” Sharif wrote in a social media post. He added that Pakistan would continue working towards a negotiated settlement and voiced hope that both sides would uphold the truce and reach a comprehensive “peace deal” in upcoming talks in Islamabad.
Iran reportedly rejects Pakistan talks, citing US ‘excessive demands’ Iran has decided not to attend planned talks in Pakistan, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The report said Tehran withdrew after the US refused to ease what it described as “excessive demands”, with officials concluding negotiations would be a “waste of time”. Tasnim said Iran has informed Pakistan and other mediators that it will not take part in the talks.
Macron says Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon key to stability French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are holding a joint news conference in Paris ahead of talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington on Thursday. Macron reiterated France’s support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity, saying regional stability requires an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, the disarmament of Hezbollah with international backing, and the reconstruction of the south to allow displaced people to return.
Trump turning negotiations into ‘table of surrender’, Iran's top negotiator says Iranian negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said President Donald Trump is trying to turn negotiations into “a table of surrender”. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” he wrote on X, adding that Iran is prepared to “reveal new cards on the battlefield”. His remarks add to uncertainty over possible talks in Islamabad, with US officials expected to attend while Iran has said it has no plans to reengage “for now”.
Israel must take sharply declining US public support seriously, think tank warns Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 16:09 Israel's Institute for National Security Studies warns that US support might not last forever Protesters gather in Times Square for an Al Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians and against the current bombing of Iran by both the United States and Israel on 13 March 2026 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via AFP) Off Israel ’s rapidly declining popularity in the US is a threat to national security and must be taken seriously if the country wants to maintain sufficient support from Washington, an Israeli think tank has warned. A new report from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has highlighted the consequences of the steep decline in Israel’s standing with the United States and said that if American public opinion does not change drastically Israel will soon find itself without enough support there. The report published on Monday by the INSS, which has affiliations to the army and Tel Aviv University, refers to polling from the Pew Research Centre released earlier in April, which found that 60 percent of US adults have an unfavourable view of Israel - up from 53 percent last year.
UK: Newham council investigates Labour mayoral candidate's past flat purchase Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:29 A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May Buildings at the Canary Wharf financial district are seen in the background from a high street in the London borough of Newham, east London, on 2 May 2020 (AFP) Off A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May. The flat's previous owner, Forhad Hussain, is Labour's candidate to be Newham mayor. Hussain purchased the flat in 2016 with financial assistance from Newham council, in which he was at that time a senior councillor.
UK: Newham council investigates Labour mayoral candidate's past flat purchase Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:29 A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May Buildings at the Canary Wharf financial district are seen in the background from a high street in the London borough of Newham, east London, on 2 May 2020 (AFP) Off A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May. The flat's previous owner, Forhad Hussain, is Labour's candidate to be Newham mayor. Hussain purchased the flat in 2016 with financial assistance from Newham council, in which he was at that time a senior councillor.
Iran says World Cup decision hinges on player safety in US Iran’s sports minister said a final decision on the national team’s participation in the World Cup will be made by the government. Ahmad Donyamali said Iran would travel to the tournament if the safety of players in the US could be guaranteed. He added that the decision will be taken by the government and the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran foreign ministry condemns arrests in UAE as 'baseless' Iran's foreign ministry has condemned arrests in the UAE of what Abu Dhabi said were members of an Iran-linked group plotting terrorist acts in the country. In a statement, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the arrests were made under "baseless pretexts" and urged the UAE "to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals, refrain from retaliatory behaviour. " On Monday, UAE authorities said the group arrested was attempting to recruit Emiratis and funnelling funds to "suspicious" foreign entities.
Trump says currency swap with UAE is under consideration President Donald Trump has told CNBC that the US was considering helping the UAE financially, stating that a currency swap with the Emirates was under consideration.
Trump says he does not want to extend ceasefire with Iran President Donald Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday that he did not want to extend a ceasefire with Iran. He added that the US was in a strong negotiating position and would end up with what he called a great deal. "I don't want to do that.
Trump's 'Board of Peace' held talks with DP World over Gaza reconstruction Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 09:53 Scandal-hit Emirati company was consulted over redevelopment and privatisation plans for devastated enclave US President Donald Trump during speeches at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, DC, 19 February 2026 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP) Off Members of US President Donald Trump's so-called Board of Peace have been in communication with the Emirati company DP World about reconstruction in Gaza. According to people familiar with the matter speaking to the Financial Times, representatives for the US-backed group discussed DP World managing supply chains, humanitarian aid and other goods entering the besieged territory, including warehousing, tracking systems and security. There was also discussion that DP World, a multi-national logistics company whose chairman recently resigned over publicised links to paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, could build a new port in either Gaza or on the nearby Egyptian coast, or develop a free trade zone in the enclave.
Germany's Wadephul urges Iran to take 'extended hand' of US for sake of own population German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Iran to hold constructive talks with the United States in Islamabad. "As we know, the US vice president is prepared to travel to Islamabad," Wadephul said ahead of a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. "Iran should now take up this offer for the sake of its own people.
No Iranian delegation has departed for Pakistan yet, state TV says Iranian state television said Tuesday that no Iranian delegation had yet departed for talks with the United States in Pakistan. "So far, no delegation from Iran has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan; whether it is the main or subsidiary delegation; primary or secondary," state TV said, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise. A security personnel walks along a closed road near the Serena Hotel at the Red Zone area in Islamabad on 21 April, 2026.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ held talks with DP World over Gaza reconstruction, report says Representatives for Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” have held discussions with state-owned Dubai multinational DP World about managing supply chains and other infrastructure projects in Gaza, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the matter. The talks examined whether DP World could enter into a partnership with the “Board of Peace” to run the logistics for humanitarian aid and other goods entering Gaza, the report said.
Hezbollah MP calls for Lebanese president to withdraw from Israel talks Speaking to AFP, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said: "It is in the interest of the state, the interest of Lebanon, the president of the republic and the government to move away from the path of direct negotiation and return to a national understanding about the best option for Lebanon. " He added that Hezbollah will "reject and confront any attempt to impose political costs on Lebanon through concessions made to this Israeli enemy". Speaking to AFP, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said: "It is in the interest of the state, the interest of Lebanon, the president of the republic and the government to move away from the path of direct negotiation and return to a national understanding about the best option for… pic.
Pakistan urges Trump to tone down rhetoric ahead of talks A Pakistani official said Islamabad conveyed messages to US President Donald Trump warning him against using strong public language, according to The Washington Post. The move comes as Pakistan continues to mediate between the United States and Iran ahead of potential talks. Reuters reported that a Pakistani official said, “We have received a positive signal from Iran, things are changing, and we are seeking the participation of its delegation tomorrow or the day after.
Trump says Iran ‘going to negotiate’ ahead of talks US President Donald Trump said Iran is “going to negotiate” ahead of anticipated talks in Pakistan, while warning of consequences if it does not. Speaking in a phone interview reported by CNN, Trump said, “Well, they’re going to negotiate, and if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before. ” “Hopefully they’ll make a fair deal, and they’ll build their country back up,” he said, adding that Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon.
