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Monday, April 20, 2026

Tim Cook To Step Down As Apple CEO After 15 Years; John Ternus Named New Chief Executive

Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down from his role later this year, marking the end of a 15-year tenure at the helm of the technology giant. The company confirmed that Cook will transition to the position of executive chairman of Apple’s board after stepping down as chief executive on September 1. The move paves the way for John Ternus, Apple’s current head of hardware engineering, to take over as CEO. A veteran at the company, Ternus has spent 25 years at Apple and has played a central role in shaping many of its flagship products. Cook, who succeeded co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011 following Jobs’ resignation due to health reasons, will remain in the CEO role through the summer. During this period, he will work closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth leadership transition. After stepping down, Cook is expected to continue contributing to the company, including engaging with policymakers globally. The decision follows months of speculation about succession planning at Apple. Reflecting on his tenure, Cook described leading the company as “the greatest privilege of my life”. <h2>Cook Reflects on ‘Greatest Privilege’ as CEO</h2> “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people,” he said in a statement. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple reached several historic milestones. In 2018, it became the first publicly listed company to achieve a market valuation of $1 trillion (£740 billion). The company is now valued at $4 trillion. Cook also expressed strong confidence in his successor, describing Ternus as a “visionary” leader. “He has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator and the heart to lead with integrity and honour. He is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future,” Cook added. <h2>Ternus Tapped to Lead Apple’s Next Phase of Innovation</h2> Ternus, who has worked at Apple for a quarter of a century, has been involved in nearly every major product the company has launched. His contributions span multiple generations of the iPad and iPhone, as well as the introduction of AirPods and the Apple Watch. He also played a key role in overseeing the transition of Mac computers to Apple’s in-house silicon. His rise to the top job gained momentum last year after the departure of long-time executive and chief operating officer Jeff Williams, according to the BBC. Having also worked under Steve Jobs, Ternus acknowledged Cook’s influence on his career, calling him a mentor. “I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity to carry Apple’s mission forward,” Ternus said. “I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come.”

source https://news.abplive.com/technology/tim-cook-steps-down-as-apple-ceo-after-15-years-john-ternus-named-new-apple-ceo-1837693

Trump Claims ‘Big Win’ In Iran War As Ceasefire Deadline Ends Tomorrow: 'Under No Pressure...'

US President Donald Trump has said he is “winning” the ongoing conflict with Iran “by a lot”, even as a fragile two-week ceasefire approaches its scheduled end. His remarks come amid mounting uncertainty over whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a renewed escalation. Highlighting what he described as heavy losses suffered by Iran, Trump also confirmed that the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place until a final agreement is reached. He added that such a deal could come together “relatively quickly”. <h2>Trump Dismisses Pressure, Promises Stronger Deal</h2> The US president pushed back against suggestions that he was under pressure to secure an agreement, criticising Democrats for allegedly undermining Washington’s position during the conflict. “I read the Fake News saying that I am under ‘pressure’ to make a Deal. THIS IS NOT TRUE! I am under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, insisting that time was not working against him. He also argued that any new agreement with Iran would surpass the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the landmark international nuclear deal reached under a previous administration. <h2>Ceasefire Violations Cloud Talks</h2> As the ceasefire deadline of Wednesday, April 22, draws closer, the outlook remains unclear. Questions linger over whether both sides can return to meaningful negotiations, particularly with a fresh round of talks expected in Islamabad. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran is considering participation in the Pakistan-hosted discussions. The development follows efforts by Islamabad to address the US blockade of Iranian ports, which has been a significant hurdle in restarting dialogue. However, the official cautioned that no final decision has been made. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also pointed to what he described as ongoing US violations of the ceasefire as a key barrier to diplomatic progress. In a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Araqchi said Iran is still weighing its options and has yet to determine its next move. Meanwhile, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf accused Trump of intensifying pressure on Tehran through continued blockade measures and alleged ceasefire breaches. In a post on X, he said Iran would not engage in negotiations under threat. Adding to the uncertainty, Bloomberg reported that Trump considers it “highly unlikely” that the truce will be extended. He also confirmed US participation in the Islamabad talks, noting that Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel there soon.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-us-ceasefire-trump-claims-big-win-as-ceasefire-deadline-nears-says-under-no-pressure-1837692

Trump Warns ‘Bombs Will Fall’ If Iran Ceasefire Collapses; Islamabad Talks Uncertain

Uncertainty continues to surround the proposed second round of talks between United States and Iran in Islamabad, even as diplomatic and military signals grow increasingly contradictory. Reports suggest a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is preparing to travel to Pakistan, though some accounts indicate he remains in Washington. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained a firm stance, even as he hints at focusing on post-conflict recovery. The mixed signals have heightened uncertainty around whether talks will proceed as planned. <h2>Trump’s Warning</h2> Tensions escalated further after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, stating that if the ceasefire with Iran collapses, “a lot of bombs” could follow. He reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains Washington’s primary objective. At the same time, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone on diplomacy, indicating willingness to engage directly with Iranian leaders if progress is made during the Islamabad talks. The US delegation is expected to include key figures such as envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, reflecting the significance of the proposed engagement. <h2>Iran’s Firm Stand</h2> Tehran, however, has publicly expressed deep distrust towards the US. Pezeshkian emphasised that any dialogue would only be meaningful if commitments are honoured, criticising what he described as inconsistent and non-constructive behaviour from Washington. He reiterated that Iran would not yield to pressure, signalling a cautious and conditional approach to negotiations. <h2>Global Concern Grows</h2> Amid rising tensions, global powers have stepped in to urge de-escalation. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for normalisation of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need for diplomatic resolution. Meanwhile, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, during talks with Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi in Tokyo, underscored the importance of reopening the vital maritime route and adhering to international maritime law.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-news-live-update-trump-warns-bombs-will-fall-if-iran-ceasefire-collapses-islamabad-talks-uncertain-1837682

Sudan War Enters Year 4 As Child Hunger Reaches Breaking Point

This article has been adapted from an episode of DW's AfricaLink podcast. "The reality for children in Sudan is growing darker hour by hour," Eva Hinds, spokeswoman for the UN's children's agency (UNICEF), said last week as the country's civil war entered its fourth year. The conflict broke out in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) following the collapse of a fragile transition to civilian rule after Sudan's 2019 uprising. Fighting has since spread across much of the country, devastating cities and displacing more than 13 million people, the World Health Organization reported. More than 4,300 children have been killed or maimed since the war began, according to UNICEF, with Darfur and Kordofan states accounting for the highest numbers. Ashan Abeywardena, emergency response manager at War Child, an organization working to ensure a safer future for every child caught up in war, said the conflict had had a severe impact on minors. "Going through three years of conflict has had a massive impact on these children and women. Children's daily lives are shaped by news of death and destruction," Abeywardena told DW. Many of the deaths and injuries have been caused by indiscriminate drone attacks — a weapon that is increasingly used by both sides in the conflict. "Drones are killing and wounding girls and boys in their homes, in markets, on the roads, near schools and health facilities — all places that should never be targets," UNICEF's Hinds told reporters. "In the first three months of this year, nearly 700 civilians were reportedly killed in drone strikes," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said. Both the RSF and SAF have used drones to attack civilian infrastructure in a bid to slow the advance of their opponents. The effect is that hospitals, roads, and schools have been destroyed, further worsening the plight of the civilian population. <h2>Humanitarian crisis spills over into East Africa</h2> The effects of the war are being felt throughout East Africa. DW Kenya correspondent Andrew Wasike said the conflict is no longer seen as contained within Sudan. "In East Africa, the war is not just a distant conflict. It's both a humanitarian catastrophe and a regional security problem," Wasike said, adding that displacement, disrupted trade routes and political tensions are weighing on neighboring countries. "The conversation is no longer only about Khartoum or Darfur. We are all feeling the impact," he added. Despite the scale of suffering, Sudan has struggled to remain a global priority. The United Nations' top official in the country, Denise Brown, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said the crisis-ridden country has effectively been abandoned. She described widespread atrocities documented by the UN, including systematic sexual violence, sieges that have left whole communities facing famine, and mass killings. She pointed to a particularly deadly episode last year, when thousands were reportedly killed within days during fighting in the city of el-Fasher. "My question is, what is the world waiting for?" she asked, calling for the kind of global response seen in other major crises. Now that call is getting attention in Berlin. Germany hosted an international conference last week to raise funds to help those affected by the war. Ahead of the conference, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was hopeful that more than $1 billion (around €850 million) could be raised. He later announced that €1.3 billion had been pledged, following the $1 billion raised at last year's donor conference in London. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/sudan-war-enters-year-4-as-child-hunger-reaches-breaking-point-1837680

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Louisiana Shooting Suspect Identified As Father Of Seven Victims; Was Undergoing Divorce

A devastating family tragedy has shaken Louisiana after police identified the suspect in a mass shooting that left eight children dead in Shreveport. Authorities said the accused was the father of seven of the victims, while the eighth child was a relative. Investigators believe the violence stemmed from a domestic dispute. The attack, described as one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in more than two years, unfolded across two homes in the same neighbourhood during the early hours of Sunday morning. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/louisiana-mass-shooting-8-children-killed-several-injured-gunman-shot-dead-1837467">Louisiana Mass Shooting: 8 Children Killed, Several Injured; Gunman Shot Dead</a> <h2 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Children Killed During Early Morning Attack</h2> Police named the suspect as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins. Officials said the children, aged between three and 11, included five girls and three boys. According to investigators, most of the children were shot while asleep. Seven victims were discovered inside the home. Another child was later found dead on the roof after apparently trying to escape. One more child reportedly jumped from the roof, survived and was taken to hospital. <h2 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Family Separation Reportedly At Centre Of Dispute</h2> Police have not officially confirmed what triggered the violence. However, relatives said Elkins and his wife had been separating and were due to appear in court on Monday. “He murdered his children. He shot his wife,” said Crystal Brown, a cousin of one of the injured women. She added that Elkins had four children with his wife and three children with another woman who lived nearby and was also shot. All of the children were together inside one house when the attack happened. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-launches-drone-attack-at-us-military-ships-after-vessel-seized-strait-of-hormuz-fragile-ceasefire-1837475">Iran Launches Drone Attack At US Military Ships After Vessel Seized Near Hormuz</a> <h2 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Police Response And Aftermath</h2> Officials said police were already familiar with Elkins due to a 2019 firearms arrest, though they were unaware of previous domestic violence complaints. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith expressed disbelief over the scale of the tragedy. “I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” he said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.” State Representative Tammy Phelps added that some children attempted to flee through the back door during the shooting. “I can't even imagine what the police officers, first responders actually dealt with when they got here today,” she said. Police later shot and killed Elkins after a pursuit came to an end.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/louisiana-shooting-suspect-identified-father-shreveport-children-killed-1837491

Iran Launches Drone Attack At US Military Ships After Vessel Seized Near Hormuz

A fresh escalation has been reported in the Sea of Oman, where Iranian forces launched drones toward US warships following an alleged American attack on an Iranian commercial vessel. Regional media outlets, citing Iranian sources, indicated that the incident marks a significant uptick in tensions in waters linked to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian media cited by Al Jazeera, the confrontation began after US forces targeted an Iranian merchant vessel. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed that American naval units operating in the area were compelled to withdraw after engaging the vessel. Reports referencing Mehr News Agency stated that the US action was intended to force the Iranian ship back into its territorial waters. The episode occurred amid heightened military and commercial maritime activity in the region. Press TV further reported that US forces retreated following the “timely presence and rapid response” of IRGC naval units deployed to assist the Iranian vessel. <h3>Strait Of Hormuz Tensions And Strategic Calculations</h3> The developments are closely tied to the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iranian accounts suggested that the US move was connected to broader efforts involving the closure of the strait, as well as the movement and return of Indian and British commercial vessels under IRGC monitoring. The report also indicated that Washington had imposed a naval blockade on Iran after failing to meet its military objectives in what was described as a joint campaign with Israel that began in late February. According to these claims, the blockade was a response to Iran’s restrictions on transit through the strait. <h3>Ceasefire Dispute And Renewed Restrictions</h3> Iran had reportedly eased restrictions on non-hostile shipping in a bid to reduce tensions. However, the IRGC Navy later announced renewed measures, stating that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed following alleged US violations of a ceasefire declared earlier in April by Donald Trump. The IRGC stated:"However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," Subsequently, Iranian forces reportedly intercepted and redirected two oil tankers flying the flags of Botswana and Angola within the strait. <h3>Accusations Of ‘Maritime Piracy’ And Retaliation Warning</h3> Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters confirmed that a US operation had targeted and seized the Iranian vessel. The command accused Washington of "violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy" and warned of an impending response. "We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military," In contrast, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that American forces intercepted an Iranian-flagged vessel, identified as TOUSKA, in the Arabian Sea for allegedly breaching a naval blockade. According to the US account, the USS Spruance fired upon the vessel’s engine room after repeated warnings were ignored, before boarding and taking control of the ship. President Donald Trump also stated that the vessel had been placed under “full custody,” reinforcing the US position on enforcement actions in the region.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-launches-drone-attack-at-us-military-ships-after-vessel-seized-strait-of-hormuz-fragile-ceasefire-1837475

Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif discusses 'regional situation' with Iranian President Pezeshkian

Islamabad, Apr 20 (PTI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the "current regional situation", even as President Donald Trump announced the visit of US delegation to Islamabad on Monday for second round of talks.In a telephone call with President Pezeshkian on Sunday, PM Sharif discussed his own recent engagements with a number of world leaders, including the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a handout, Dawn reported. “During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted for around forty-five minutes, the two leaders engaged in detailed exchanges on the current regional situation,” it added.The talks came as US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that American negotiators will be in Islamabad on Monday for peace talks with Iran.“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan - They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.There was no confirmation from the Iranian side about Tehran's participation in the second round of talks.The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan on April 11 and 12 in Islamabad aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks concluded without any agreement. Trump's announcement of the fresh round of talks raised hopes of extending a two-week ceasefire that expires by Wednesday.Sharif also thanked the Iranian president for sending delegation for first round of talks in Islamabad, the PMO stated.“The prime minister reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan would remain fully committed to its honest and sincere efforts to advance regional peace and security,” it stated.“President Pezeshkian thanked the PM Shehbaz and CDF Munir for Pakistan’s strong commitment to the success of the peace efforts, while affirming that relations between Iran and Pakistan would continue to grow stronger in the days ahead,” said the statement, reported Dawn. PTI RD RUK RUK(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-s-pm-shehbaz-sharif-discusses-regional-situation-with-iranian-president-pezeshkian-1837474