Iran Internet Blackout Now in Its 50th Day: NetBlocks
Iran's authorities have kept the nation offline for 50 days, the longest nationwide internet shutdown on record. The blackout began after the Feb 28 US‑Israel attacks and has already logged 1,176 hours of isolation, according to NetBlocks. While a state‑run intranet continues to host domestic sites, Iranians cannot access global news, financial services, or social media without risky workarounds. The regime’s crackdown includes VPN arrest warnings and a ban on satellite internet such as Starlink.
Lebanon President, PM Discuss Readiness for Israel Talks
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on April 18 to evaluate the country’s readiness for the first direct negotiations with Israel in decades, following a U.S.-brokered 10‑day cease‑fire that halted six weeks of fighting between Hezbollah...
France Makes Reusable Period Products Free for Young Women
France's social security system will reimburse reusable menstrual cups and underwear for women under 26 and for low‑income women, starting in the autumn academic year. The measure, approved in the 2024 social security budget, aims to assist roughly 6.7 million people,...
Hidden Cave, Hippo Bones Under Welsh Castle May Rewrite History
Archaeologists have uncovered a hidden cave beneath Pembroke Castle in Wales containing hippo bones and a suite of Ice Age fauna. The five‑year project, led by the University of Aberdeen, aims to explore evidence of early Homo sapiens, possible Neanderthal...
Can the US and Iran Conclude a Lasting Deal to End the War?
After two weeks of a fragile ceasefire, the United States and Iran are weighing a further two‑week extension while negotiating a permanent peace settlement. Key obstacles include control of the Strait of Hormuz, where a U.S. naval blockade seeks to...
Ukraine PM Says She Feels More Confident of US Support After Visit to Washington
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko returned from Washington feeling reassured after constructive talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other U.S. officials. She emphasized that sanctions on Russia must remain strong and highlighted progress on the US‑Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund,...
Prosecutors in a Minnesota County Charge ICE Agent with Assault
Prosecutors in Hennepin County, Minnesota, have filed assault charges against ICE Special Agent Gregory Donnell Morgan for allegedly pointing his gun at two drivers on a Minneapolis highway in February. Morgan faces two counts of second-degree assault and a nationwide...
Macron, Starmer Rally Allies to Mull over Hormuz Mission
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are chairing a virtual summit of roughly 30 allied nations to discuss a defensive multinational force that would secure the Strait of Hormuz once the US‑Israel‑Iran war ends. The Iranian...
Iran Military Says It Will Block Red Sea if US Blockade of Hormuz Continues
Iran’s military warned that if the United States maintains its naval blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran will block commercial traffic through the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The blockade, announced on April 13 after failed talks...
Top Israel Court Hears Petitions to Oust Far-Right Minister
Israel’s High Court began hearing four petitions, backed by Attorney‑General Gali Baharav‑Miara, seeking the removal of hard‑line National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for allegedly undermining police independence. The petitions argue Ben Gvir abused his authority to influence police appointments and investigations,...
Dubai's Landmark Burj Al Arab Hotel Will Shut for 18-Month Refurb Amid Tourism Decline
Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab will close for an 18‑month, phased refurbishment, the first shutdown since its 1999 debut. Jumeirah announced Paris‑based interior architect Tristan Auer will lead the overhaul, emphasizing it is unrelated to March’s drone‑debris damage. Guests with existing reservations...
Ukraine Retakes 50 Sq Km of Territory in March, Army Chief Says
Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Kyiv reclaimed roughly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of Russian‑occupied land in March, bringing the total regained area to about 480 sq km since late January. The heaviest fighting occurred around Pokrovsk and the southeastern axes of Oleksandrivka, Kostiantynivka...
Hezbollah Says Lebanon's Talks with Israel Widen National Rift
Hezbollah denounced the Lebanese government’s U.S.-mediated talks with Israel as a "national sin," warning the dialogue would widen Lebanon’s internal divisions. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marked the first direct contact between Lebanese and Israeli...
Russian Drone Attack on Ukrainian Port Damages Panama-Flagged Vessel, Officials Say
Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s Izmail port in the Odesa region on April 14, damaging a civilian Panama‑flagged vessel and destroying a workshop building, two buses, seven cars and an ambulance. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said multiple strikes hit critical...
US Is Negotiating an Iran Deal that Would Buy Time, Again
U.S. officials are negotiating a new Iran nuclear deal that would suspend all Iranian nuclear activity for up to 20 years, while Tehran counters with a proposal for a five‑year suspension. The talks, sparked by Vice‑President J.D. Vance’s recent visit...
Mpox Can Infect and Replicate in the Brain, US Health Researchers Say in Fatal HIV Case
U.S. researchers reported that mpox virus replicated in the brain of a 38‑year‑old man with advanced HIV, marking the first documented neuroinvasion of the pathogen. Autopsy findings revealed drug‑resistant viral strains, including mutations linked to reduced efficacy of tecovirimat. The...
Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Risks Piling Pain on Asia Allies, China
President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, restricting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting 10 am NY time on April 13. The move sent Brent crude up 8.6% to over $103 a barrel and spiked European gas...
Iran’s Underground Air Force Base Had Been Hit Earlier in the War
Satellite images released by The New York Times show that Iran’s Eagle 44 underground Air Force base in Hormozgan province was hit by air strikes at the end of March. The strikes created craters at tunnel entrances and damaged taxiways, effectively sealing the...
Control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Uranium Stockpiles Were Sticking Points
U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary chief Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met in Islamabad but left without a permanent cease‑fire, citing three core disputes: reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of roughly 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, and the...
Two Supertankers U-Turn in Hormuz as US-Iran Talks Break Down
Two empty supertankers attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz on April 12 but turned back as US‑Iran peace talks collapsed, while a third VLCC, Mombasa B, successfully navigated an Iran‑approved route. The aborted passages underscore the volatility of Hormuz traffic...
US Intelligence Indicates China Preparing Weapons Shipment to Iran, CNN Reports
U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that China is preparing to deliver shoulder‑fired air‑defence missiles, specifically MANPAD systems, to Iran within the next few weeks. The shipment is expected to be routed through intermediary countries to obscure Beijing’s involvement. The development...
US Tariff Refund Process to Begin April 20 After Top Court’s Decision
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that, beginning April 20, importers can submit requests for tariff refunds after the Supreme Court nullified former President Donald Trump’s sweeping global duties. The refund program will initially cover only unliquidated entries or those...
Iran Is Prepared for a War Lasting Six Months, but Constraints Will Come From Its Population, China
Iran’s leadership says it can endure a conflict lasting up to six months, backed by underground missile factories and ample food stocks. Analysts estimate missile output has doubled to roughly 100 advanced rockets per month, with a near‑infinite drone inventory....
World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon
President Donald Trump’s fragile cease‑fire with Iran is under pressure as Israel intensifies attacks on Lebanon, raising fears of a broader Middle‑East escalation. Iran has agreed to a diplomatic track in Islamabad, with China and other world powers mediating to...
Kuwait Condemns Drone Attacks on Vital Facilities, Iran Denies Involvement
On Thursday evening, Kuwait condemned drone attacks it said were carried out by Iran and its proxies, which struck a National Guard facility and caused material damage without injuries. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied any involvement, stating that any Iranian strike...
Ecuador Raises Tariffs on Colombia to 100% From 50%
Ecuador announced a steep increase in tariffs on Colombian imports, raising the rate to 100% from the previous 50% effective May 1. The move follows Quito’s claim that Bogotá has failed to implement effective border security against drug trafficking. Colombia rejected...
Trump Says Iran Should Not Charge Fees to Tankers Going Through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump warned Iran on April 9 that any fees imposed on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz must stop immediately. Iran has hinted at collecting tolls in cryptocurrency despite a fragile two‑week ceasefire announced on April 7. Ship...
Venezuela Lawmakers Confirm Devoe as New Attorney General
Venezuela's National Assembly confirmed Larry Devoi as attorney general on April 9, after he served as interim following the February resignation of longtime AG Tarek Saab. Devoi, 46, previously led the National Council of Human Rights and is a close...
Iran’s Shattered Economy Means Any Success in War May Be Fleeting
Iran’s brief strategic victory in the US‑Israel truce is shadowed by a shattered economy after weeks of strikes. Damage to factories, power plants, railways and key petrochemical sites, combined with soaring inflation and a 40% price jump, has pushed millions...
Airline and Travel Industries See No Immediate Relief From Iran Ceasefire
A two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire is unlikely to quickly ease the airline industry's fuel crisis, as jet‑fuel supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will persist for months. Delta Air Lines expects an extra $2 billion in fuel costs for Q2 and...
Iran to Approach Peace Talks with US with Caution, Iranian Ambassador to UN Says
Iran’s UN ambassador said Tehran will enter U.S. peace talks cautiously, citing a deep trust gap. A Pakistan‑brokered two‑week ceasefire ends a six‑week war that has killed thousands and disrupted global energy supplies. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire and...
Wars Impose Deep and Prolonged Economic Costs on Countries, IMF Research Finds
The IMF’s new research shows wars cause deep, lasting economic damage, shrinking output by roughly 7% over five years. The study finds these losses linger for more than a decade, outpacing impacts from financial crises or natural disasters. Simultaneously, global...
US Military Says It’s Ready to Resume Fighting if Diplomacy Fails
Top US General Dan Caine announced that American troops remain ready to resume combat operations against Iran if diplomatic talks fail. The statement followed President Donald Trump's decision to step back from a threatened assault after setting a deadline for...
Turkish Intelligence Played a Role Securing US-Iran Ceasefire, Media Says
Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) played a pivotal role in securing a two‑week cease‑fire between the United States and Iran, acting as a back‑channel liaison between Washington, Tehran and other intelligence services. The truce, brokered primarily by Pakistan, was agreed...
IAEA Says Strikes Near Iran Nuclear Power Plant ‘Must Stop’
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on April 6 that repeated strikes near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant pose a serious nuclear safety risk and must cease. Since the Feb 28 US‑Israeli war on Iran began, the 1,000‑MW reactor has been...
Nigerian Army Rescues 31 Hostages After Church Attack
The Nigerian army rescued 31 civilians taken hostage during an Easter attack on a church in Ariko village, Kaduna state. The assault left five dead at the scene, while local Christian leaders reported seven fatalities and additional hostages. Security forces...
Ukrainian Drones Attacked Cargo Vessel that Sank, Killing One, Russia-Installed Official Says
A cargo vessel carrying wheat, the Volgo‑Balt, sank in the Sea of Azov after a reported Ukrainian drone strike, according to a Russia‑installed official in Kherson. The attack on April 3 left one crew member dead, two missing, and nine rescued,...
Russia’s Lavrov Says US Should ‘Abandon Language of Ultimatums’ on Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Iran’s foreign minister that the United States should abandon its ultimatum‑style rhetoric and return to negotiations after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the...
Ships Near Italy Rescue 32 Migrants, 71 Lost at Sea, Charities Say
Two merchant vessels off Italy rescued 32 migrants and recovered two bodies after a capsized boat left 71 passengers missing, according to NGOs Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea‑Watch. Survivors reported the vessel originally carried 105 people attempting the Libya‑to‑Europe crossing....
Satellite Firm Planet Labs to Indefinitely Withhold Iran War Images
Planet Labs announced it will indefinitely withhold all satellite imagery of Iran and the surrounding conflict zone, complying with a U.S. government request. The firm had already imposed a 14‑day delay on Middle East images last month, but now blocks...
While You Were Sleeping: 5 Stories You Might Have Missed, April 5, 2026
On April 4, President Donald Trump and Israel warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks, while U.S. agents detained the niece and grand‑niece of the late General Qassem Soleimani, revoking their green cards. A Russian drone strike...
While You Were Sleeping: 5 Stories You Might Have Missed, April 4, 2026
Iran shot down a US F‑15E fighter jet on April 3, marking the first confirmed loss in the five‑week Iran‑US war, while a second US combat plane crashed in the Gulf and its pilot was rescued. French container ship CMA CGM Kribi and...
Senators Urge Trump to Bar Chinese Automakers From Building Cars in US
Three Democratic senators—Tammy Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin and Chuck Schumer—urged President Donald Trump to bar Chinese automakers from building vehicles in the United States and from importing cars assembled in Mexico or Canada. They cite national‑security risks and an unfair competitive...
ICC Moves Ahead with Disciplinary Proceedings Against Chief Prosecutor Khan, WSJ Reports
The International Criminal Court’s member states voted on April 1 to proceed with disciplinary action against Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of non‑consensual sexual interaction. A UN investigative report identified a factual basis for the accusations, while a separate panel...
Confident of Air Supremacy, US Sends B-52 Bombers over Iran
The United States announced that B‑52 strategic bombers have flown directly over Iranian territory for the first time since the conflict began, signaling what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as "unchallenged air supremacy." Hegseth warned Iran could still launch missiles...
Third US Aircraft Carrier Heads to Middle East as Iran War Continues
The US Navy dispatched a third aircraft carrier strike group, the USS George H.W. Bush, to the Middle East as operations against Iran continue. The carrier left Norfolk on March 31, escorted by Arleigh Burke‑class destroyers, and is expected to arrive...
Netanyahu Says Israel Will Continue to ‘Crush Iran's Terror Regime’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel will keep pressing its military campaign against Iran, insisting the effort to "crush Iran's terror regime" is far from finished. The statement follows a joint Israeli‑U.S. strike on February 28 that killed Iran’s supreme...
US Strips Citizenship From Couple in Trade Theft Case, Part of Trump Immigration Push
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department successfully revoked U.S. citizenship from Yu Zhou and Li Chen, a Chinese‑born couple convicted of conspiring to steal pediatric medical trade secrets. A San Diego federal judge ruled their naturalization was obtained through misrepresentation, meeting...
Trump Says US Could End War in Iran in Two to Three Weeks
President Donald Trump announced that the United States could end its month‑long military campaign against Iran within two to three weeks, stating a withdrawal does not require a formal Iranian deal. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the coming days...
Trump Interested in Calling on Arab States to Help Pay for Iran War, White House Says
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering urging Arab nations to cover the costs of the United States’ war with Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The administration indicated that the idea is under discussion and that Trump...