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Sunday, April 19, 2026

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

Cuba Crisis Deepens: Spain, Brazil And Mexico Push Aid, Warn Against US Intervention

Edited by: Alex Berry Spain, Brazil and Mexico have pledged to boost aid efforts for Cuba to ease a humanitarian crisis they say is the result of a US blockade against the Caribbean island nation. In a joint statement late on Saturday, the three nations also called for dialogue and urged against any military intervention in Cuba, adding that the Cuban people must determine their own future. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Cuba and has imposed an oil blockade on the Caribbean island. Since launching a war against Iran on February 28, Trump also floated the idea of "taking" Cuba, which has also suffered massive nationwide blackouts as a result of the US blockade. <h2>Left-wing leaders rally in Barcelona against far right</h2> The statement came ⁠after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hosted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio &zwnj;Lula da Silva and Mexico's President Claudia Scheinbaum in Barcelona for ⁠a gathering of leftist leaders. The international summit was held to defend multilateralism and democracy amid the rising challenge from the far right. South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, were also in attendance, among others. "Democracy cannot be taken for granted," Sanchez said during the opening of IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy, the first of the day's two events in Spain's second-largest city. <h2>Trump critic Sanchez champions multilateralism</h2> Sanchez, a prominent progressive world leader, is also one of the fiercest critics of Trump and the US-Israeli war against Iran. Sanchez sparked Trump's ire when he refused to allow the US to use Spanish bases as part of American military operations against Iran. Trump has also condemned the Spanish leader for refusing to increase military spending form 2% to 5% of GDP. The meeting of leftist politicians, none of whom mentioned Trump by name, comes amid the US president's repeated attacks on global institutions, including the United Nations and NATO, and his decision to start a war with Iran. "We all see the attacks against the multilateral system, the repeated attempts to undermine international law and the dangerous normalization of the use of force,” Sanchez said. <h2>What else did Sanchez say?</h2> The Spanish prime minister also denounced the global far right, which he said "screams and shouts not because they are winning but because they know their time is running out." "They know their vision of how the world should be ordered is falling apart due to the tariffs and wars," Sanchez said, adding: "Their embrace of climate change denial, of xenophobia, or sexism is their greatest error." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump hit back, claiming Spain was doing "badly." "Their financial numbers, despite contributing almost nothing to NATO and their military defense, are absolutely horrendous. Sad to watch!!!" Trump said. Under Sanchez, who has governed since 2018, Spain has become one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. Sanchez, Lula, Ramaphosa and Klingbeil — who also serves as Germany's finance minister — stayed on for the second of the day's two events, the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilization, later on Saturday. "The far right is international, so we must be too," Klingbeil told a crowd of left-wing activists, academics and policy makers. <h2>Sheinbaum visit helps mend strained Spain-Mexico ties</h2> Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had put forward the motion to caution against US military action in Cuba, was making her first visit to Spain since she took office in October 2024. Her visit comes as ties between Spain and Mexico had been strained since 2019, when Mexico said Spain should apologize for abuses committed during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Last month, Spain's King Felipe VI acknowledged that there had been "a lot of abuse" during Spain's colonial conquests. Sheinbaum, however, insisted that there had never been a "diplomatic crisis" between the two countries. <h2>Venezuela's Machado, European far-right hold own rallies</h2> Meanwhile on Saturday, Venezuela's opposition leader in exile, Maria Corina Machado, attended a rally of right-wing supporters in Madrid. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who presented her award to Trump after the US president had ordered the kidnapping and arrest of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, declined to meet with Sanchez. While Sanchez was hosting leftist politicians, prominent far-right leaders from Europe met in Milan. Thousands of people demonstrated in the Italian city against irregular immigration and the European Union. The rally comes shortly after Hungarian far-right populist Viktor Orban was trounced in an election that was won by a pro-EU candidate, Peter Magyar. 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/cuba-crisis-aid-spain-brazil-mexico-us-blockade-1837448

Saturday, April 18, 2026

‘Red Flag’ Or Key Mediator? US Report Cautions Trump Over Asim Munir's Ties With Iran

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has been flagged as a potential “red flag” for the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to a report by Fox News, citing intelligence chatter and security assessments. The report highlights concerns over Munir’s longstanding connections with Iran’s senior military leadership, raising questions about his reliability as a strategic interlocutor at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. <h3>Concerns Over Iran Links and Back-Channel Role</h3> According to the report, Munir maintained personal ties with prominent Iranian figures, including slain Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Retired Pakistani General Ahmed Saeed told Fox News Digital that these relationships are now under scrutiny, particularly as Munir plays a central role in facilitating informal communication channels between Washington and Tehran. While Trump has publicly praised Munir, reportedly calling him his “favourite field marshal,” US intelligence officials caution that his dual engagement with both sides could complicate American strategic interests. <h3>‘Perfidious Ally’ Concerns Resurface</h3> The report also revisits longstanding US concerns about Pakistan’s strategic posture. Analysts pointed to Islamabad’s past role in Afghanistan, where it was accused of supporting the Taliban while receiving US assistance. Bill Roggio of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told Fox News Digital, "Trump should not trust the Pakistanis. Pakistan was a perfidious 'ally' in Afghanistan... Munir's ties to the IRGC should be a massive red flag for the Trump admin." FDD analysts further suggested that Munir could be leveraging his rapport with Trump to position Pakistan as an indispensable, yet potentially unreliable, intermediary, or even to shield Iranian interests. <h3>Military Dominance And Domestic Concerns</h3> Pakistani analyst Raza Rumi argued that Munir’s rise reflects a broader shift in Pakistan’s power structure, with the military increasingly overshadowing civilian leadership. Critics have pointed to an intensified crackdown on political opposition since Munir assumed office in late 2022, including the sidelining of former Prime Minister <a title="Imran Khan" href="https://ift.tt/hpAi5eU" data-type="interlinkingkeywords">Imran Khan</a>. Fox News also referenced Munir’s remarks at the Margalla Dialogue in November 2024, where he stated that "absence of proper regulations for freedom of expression is leading to the deterioration of moral values in societies worldwide." The outlet interpreted the comment as indicative of his inclination toward centralised authority. Rumi described Munir’s worldview as “transactional, state-centric rather than ideological,” with foreign policy increasingly directed by Pakistan’s military headquarters. <h3>Trump Relies On Munir Despite Internal Divisions</h3> Despite internal concerns, Trump appears to maintain confidence in Munir. Their working relationship strengthened during the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, where Munir was credited with helping reduce tensions. Currently, Munir is said to be facilitating back-channel communications involving Trump allies such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with Iranian counterparts. Trump has publicly acknowledged Munir’s role, saying he has done a “great job” in advancing peace efforts. However, divisions within the administration persist, highlighted by Vice President JD Vance reportedly walking out of recent talks in Pakistan over Iran’s reluctance to commit to nuclear terms. The evolving situation underscores a broader dilemma within the Trump administration, balancing the President’s preference for personalised, “strongman”-style diplomacy with the intelligence community’s caution regarding Munir’s regional alignments. As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, Munir’s role as both facilitator and potential risk remains a contentious issue shaping US policy calculations.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updates-us-report-cautions-trump-relying-on-pak-army-chief-asim-munir-red-flag-ties-with-iran-1837337

‘Can’t Blackmail Us’: Trump Calls Situation Room Meet As Iran Reimposes Hormuz Blockade

US President Donald Trump convened a high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room on Saturday following Iran’s renewed move to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios. The meeting comes at a critical juncture, with a ceasefire nearing expiry and no clarity on the next round of US-Iran talks. Senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, were present during the discussions. Officials described the moment as key point, warning that failure to secure progress could trigger a return to active conflict. <h3>‘They Can’t Blackmail Us’: Trump’s Warning</h3> Reacting to Tehran’s actions, Trump issued a sharp warning, rejecting any attempt to use the strategic waterway as leverage. He remarked that Iran "got a little cute," but is not in a position to "blackmail" the US. “Iran got a little cute… they wanted to close up the Strait again,” he said, as quoted by Axios. "They (Iran) have no navy, no air force. They have no leaders; they have nothing. But we are talking to them. They wanted to close the Strait again, as they have been doing for years. They can't blackmail us. They have killed a lot of people. A lot of your fellow soldiers have been killed over the years by Iran. They have gotten away with murder for 47 years. They are not getting away with it anymore," Trump said. His remarks came as Iran moved to reassert control over the Strait, citing the continued US naval blockade of its ports as justification. <h3>From Breakthrough To Breakdown In 24 Hours</h3> The escalation follows a dramatic reversal after Iran had briefly declared the Strait open, triggering optimism in global energy markets and hopes of de-escalation. The Strait had reopened briefly on Friday, allowing more than a dozen vessels, including sanctioned tankers, to pass through after nearly two months of disruption. However, the window proved short-lived. As the blockade returned on Saturday, tensions escalated sharply. Two IRGC gunboats reportedly opened fire on a commercial tanker roughly 23 miles northeast of Oman. While the vessel and crew were reported safe, the incident marked a decisive end to the fleeting de-escalation. According to maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com, the situation worsened when two Indian vessels were forced to retreat under direct fire from IRGC naval units. "According to two Channel 16 audio recordings captured today, two Indian vessels were forced back west out of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran's Sepah (IRGC) Navy. Firing was involved. One of the vessels is an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil," the platform said. Despite some signs of progress in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader security concerns, no fresh dialogue schedule has been announced. Mediation efforts, reportedly involving regional actors, have yet to yield a breakthrough. With nearly one-fifth of global oil supply passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the renewed disruption has raised alarms over energy security and global markets.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-trump-says-iran-can-t-blackmail-us-calls-situation-room-white-house-1837334

Days after ordering burgers at Oval Office, Trump dubs move as 'tacky'

Washington, Apr 19 (PTI): US President Donald Trump celebrated the first anniversary of "no tax on tips" policy with a doorstep delivery of burgers at the Oval Office -- a staged campaign he dismissed days later as "tacky" and "embarrassing".The White House ordered McDonald's cheeseburgers that were brought to the Oval Office by DoorDash delivery driver Sharon Simmons, a Republican supporter from Arkansas, and received personally by Trump."We do these things in politics; they're a little embarrassing. They're a little tiny embarrassing, but we do them and you win by landslides," Trump said at a rally to celebrate the "no tax on tips" policy in Las Vegas on Thursday.Simmons had delivered two bags full of burgers and fries at the Oval Office on Monday with the White House highlighting that she had saved USD 11,000 in takes due to the "no tax on tips" policy."Sharon delivered to the Oval Office -- to be honest, it was a little tacky," Trump said."They come up with these crazy ideas like McDonald's … the garbage truck," he said, referring to the presidential campaign moments from 2024 when he served fries at a burger-chain outlet and climbed into a campaign-branded garbage truck while wearing a safety vest.DoorDash faced backlash on social media with users pointing out that Simmons testified before Congress in July to promote "no tax on tips". At the time, she identified herself as a resident of Nevada. She has since moved to Arkansas and ostensibly became a DC-area DoorDash driver this week, if only for a day."No one is claiming it was a real delivery," DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said on X."It was clearly and obviously a planned event to mark a new policy starting. To claim Sharon is a prop, plant or an actor is totally wrong and off base. She is a Dasher and she participated to support the policy that benefits her," Crowley said. PTI SKU 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/days-after-ordering-burgers-at-oval-office-trump-dubs-move-as-tacky-1837333

‘Non-Starter’: Iran Refuses Uranium Transfer, Snubs Face-to-Face Talks With US

Iran has said it is not prepared to move to direct, face-to-face negotiations with the United States, citing unresolved differences over key issues. Speaking at a diplomacy forum in Turkiye, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said discussions remain at an early stage and are continuing through indirect channels. “We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” he said, according to AP. He added that Tehran wants a “framework agreement” in place before any in-person talks. <h2>Strait Of Hormuz Tensions And Trump’s Response</h2> The comments came as tensions escalated around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said control over the waterway would include payment of costs related to security, safety and environmental protection. US President Donald Trump rejected the move, saying Tehran cannot use the strait as leverage and cannot “blackmail” Washington. <h2>Iran Rejects Uranium Transfer Proposal</h2> Khatibzadeh also dismissed suggestions that Iran could transfer enriched uranium to the United States. "I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States," he said. "This is non-starter and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we're not going to accept things that are non-starters." His remarks followed Trump’s statement that the US would retrieve nuclear material from Iranian sites, referring to an estimated 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium. <h2>Sanctions Remain A Key Sticking Point</h2> While not detailing all points of contention, Khatibzadeh identified US sanctions as a major obstacle to progress. "The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran," he said. He added that multiple exchanges of messages have taken place, but significant gaps remain. <h2>Ceasefire Scope And Regional Tensions</h2> Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran’s position that the ceasefire should extend to Lebanon, where Israel has been engaged with Hezbollah. "Iran negotiated with good faith, accepted a ceasefire and told everybody that this ceasefire should include all countries, including Lebanon," he said. "Then the other side said that, it is not committed to this and then started atrocities." Asked about Iran’s response to renewed attacks, he said, "Iran has no option, just to stop aggressors once and forever." The United States has said Israel is “prohibited” from further offensive strikes on Lebanon, though it can act in self-defence. <h2>Strait Of Hormuz Central To Negotiations</h2> The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical element in ongoing discussions. Khatibzadeh said a “new protocol” could be introduced to ensure safe civilian shipping. He added that the strait would “remain open and safe for all civilian passage.” The developments follow a series of moves linked to the ceasefire. While Iran and Pakistan said the truce extended to Lebanon, Israel and later the United States denied this. Israel subsequently carried out airstrikes in Beirut, after which Iran again closed the strait before reopening it following a truce in Lebanon. Trump has said the US blockade will continue and warned that attacks could resume if no agreement is reached.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/non-starter-iran-refuses-uranium-transfer-snubs-face-to-face-talks-with-us-1837323

Friday, April 17, 2026

US-based Hindu advocacy group wins two awards for public outreach

Washington, Apr 18 (PTI): Two public outreach initiatives of US-based advocacy group Hindu American Foundation have won awards of excellence from an association of communication professionals working for faith-based organisations.The Hindu American Foundation's (HAF) fundraising campaign video "Back to the (Hindu) Future" and podcast "All about Hinduism Series 2" were presented with a 2026 DeRose-Hinkhouse Award of Excellence by the Religion Communicators Council.The "Back to the (Hindu) Future" was produced by the HAF marketing team. It was filmed and edited by Todd Lewis."...we're thrilled that the Religion Communicators Council has recognised the creativity and quality of this fundraising campaign, which has succeeded in both that primary goal, but also in raising awareness about the critical need for accurate, nuanced, and comprehensive educational materials in America's schools," HAF senior creative director Tejus Shah said in a statement.The "All About Hinduism" podcast is a 23-part educational series presenting the basic tenets of Hinduism and its history, as well as answering commonly asked questions about the world's third-largest religion and addressing contentious contemporary issues faced by the Hindus.The second series of the podcast was produced, written, narrated and edited by HAF senior director of communications Mat McDermott with assistance with script development by HAF senior director of education strategy Vijay Satnarine and HAF education research assistant Devala Gupta.The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards are given annually to active members of the Religion Communicators Council who demonstrate excellence in religious communications and public relations. PTI SKU 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/us-based-hindu-advocacy-group-wins-two-awards-for-public-outreach-1837168