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Senior Iranian cleric Ali Shirazi has said that US President Donald Trump must apologise to Iranians over the killing of Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Ali Shirazi, who is head of the ideological-political organisation of Iran’s police, said Trump “must apologise to the Iranian people and admit before the world that killing our leader was a mistake.”&nbsp;Shirazi further said that hostility toward Israel is “a Quranic and unchangeable principle” and warned that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to deliver a strong response to any enemy action.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/raghav-chadha-2-other-mps-quit-aam-aadmi-party-announce-split-with-2-3rd-mps-to-join-bjp-1777026936391">Raghav Chadha, 2 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, announce split with 2/3rd MPs joining BJP</a><h2>‘Hostility toward Israel is a Quranic and unchangeable principle’&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Ali Khamenei was assassinated on Feb. 28 in Tehran in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials. The Iranian government confirmed his death on March 1.&nbsp;Ali Khamenei’s daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed in the strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was subsequently appointed Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on March 8, 2026.&nbsp;Shirazi’s demand for an apology is unlikely to be met as officials in Washington see Khamenei’s killing as a strategic success.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-says-trump-as-third-us-aircraft-carrier-arrives-in-middle-east-1776976041893">‘Clock is ticking for Iran,’ says Trump as third US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East</a>&nbsp;After the Feb 28 strikes, Trump had posted on Truth Social that Israel, with US support, had killed Khamenei. “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump wrote in the post.&nbsp;The US president has since repeatedly claimed that the Iranian regime is “fractured”, pointing to tensions between hardliners and the moderate faction now engaged in negotiations for peace.Shirazi, however, said that elements within Iran’s security establishment remain uncompromising.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-talks-with-iran-appeasement-says-reza-pahlavi-appeals-western-countries-to-join-war-against-iran-1776970307677">‘Talks with Iran appeasement,’ says Reza Pahlavi, appeals Western countries to join war against Iran</a><h2>Iran risks ‘historic error’ in reading Trump, says former US envoy</h2>&nbsp;Former US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, said on Thursday that Iran is misjudging President Donald Trump’s commitment to victory. He warned that expecting Trump to “blink” would be a mistake of “historic dimensions.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intercepts-iranian-oil-tankers-in-asian-waters-away-from-strait-of-hormuz-sources-1776962536156">US intercepts Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, away from Strait of Hormuz: Sources</a>&nbsp;“Iran is grossly misjudging the President of the United States’ commitment to victory against Iran. It thinks President Trump will blink because The New York Times says so. This will be an error of historic dimensions,” he posted on X.

Ali Khamenei was assassinated on Feb. 28 in Tehran in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials. The Iranian government confirmed his death on March 1. Ali Khamenei’s daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law were also killed in the strikes.

Senior Iranian cleric Ali Shirazi has said that US President Donald Trump must apologise to Iranians over the killing of Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Ali Shirazi, who is head of the ideological-political organisation of Iran’s police, said Trump “must apologise to the Iranian people and admit before the world that killing our leader was a mistake.” Shirazi further said that hostility toward Israel is “a Quranic and unchangeable principle” and warned that Iran’s armed forces are prepared to deliver a strong response to any enemy action. Also Read: Raghav Chadha, 2 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, announce split with 2/3rd MPs joining BJP ‘Hostility toward Israel is a Quranic and unchangeable principle’ Ali Khamenei was assassinated on Feb. 28 in Tehran in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials. The Iranian government confirmed his death on March 1. Ali Khamenei’s daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law were also killed in the strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was subsequently appointed Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on March 8, 2026. Shirazi’s demand for an apology is unlikely to be met as officials in Washington see Khamenei’s killing as a strategic success. Also Read: ‘Clock is ticking for Iran,’ says Trump as third US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East After the Feb 28 strikes, Trump had posted on Truth Social that Israel, with US support, had killed Khamenei. “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump wrote in the post. The US president has since repeatedly claimed that the Iranian regime is “fractured”, pointing to tensions between hardliners and the moderate faction now engaged in negotiations for peace. Shirazi, however, said that elements within Iran’s security establishment remain uncompromising. Also Read: ‘Talks with Iran appeasement,’ says Reza Pahlavi, appeals Western countries to join war against Iran Iran risks ‘historic error’ in reading Trump, says former US envoy Former US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, said on Thursday that Iran is misjudging President Donald Trump’s commitment to victory. He warned that expecting Trump to “blink” would be a mistake of “historic dimensions.” Also Read: US intercepts Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, away from Strait of Hormuz: Sources “Iran is grossly misjudging the President of the United States’ commitment to victory against Iran. It thinks President Trump will blink because The New York Times says so. This will be an error of historic dimensions,” he posted on X.

Ali Khamenei was assassinated on Feb. 28 in Tehran in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials. The Iranian government confirmed his death on March 1. Ali Khamenei’s daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law were also killed in the strikes.

Iran cleric wants Trump to apologise over Ali Khamenei killing, admit ‘mistake’ before world

The Union Government is planning divestment in the Chabahar port in Iran and leaving the control of the strategically significant port with a local Iranian entity, Business Standard reported. The report suggests that India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) would sell its holding in India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) to an Iranian entity as the extended US sanction waiver comes to expire on Sunday, April 26. The report also suggests that the control would revert back to India if and ever the sanctions were to be lifted or a new waiver is secured.&nbsp;India enjoyed exemptions from sanctions on the Chabahar port since 2018, and invested around $120 million in equipment procurement for the Chabahar project. However, in February 2025, the Trump administration under Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to review or withdraw the waiver that supported Iran or provide any economic or financial relief and later withdrew the waiver on September 29, 2025. However, in the following month, it again issued an extension of the waiver, clarifying that activities at Chabahar Port would remain protected from US sanctions until April 26, 2026.The report suggests that the Indian government has previously explored the possibility of ignoring US sanctions and operating a terminal in the port. But legal experts warned about the possibility of sanctions being extended to the companies associated with the India-backed terminal in Chabahar. Sagarmala Development Corporation Ltd is the company that operates the terminal in Chabahar port through the subsidiary IPGL. It also operates another port in Myanmar’s Sittwe Port; if the sanctions spill into the company, it will hurt India's goal to operate an international port. The company is part of the Bharat Global Ports consortium, which seeks opportunities to operate international ports.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-spirit-airlines-federal-takeover-bailout-1777022869530">‘I think we just buy it'- Trump suggests federal takeover of Spirit Airlines as oil prices push it to bankruptcy</a><h2>Why was Chabhar port important for India?</h2>India was part of the 10-year agreement with Iran in 2024 that allowed India to operate the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal in Iran. The port is often described as the Golden Gate to West and Central Asia. It was part of India's ambition to operate ports internationally. This was India's response to China's development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It prevents China from having a monopoly over the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean and helps monitor maritime activity in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It also acts as a node of the International North-South Transport Corridor that allows India to transport goods to Russia and Afghanistan, which Pakistan often denies to India.&nbsp;

India plans divestment from Chabahar Port as US sanctions waiver expires, raising concerns over strategic access to Central Asia.

The Union Government is planning divestment in the Chabahar port in Iran and leaving the control of the strategically significant port with a local Iranian entity, Business Standard reported. The report suggests that India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) would sell its holding in India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) to an Iranian entity as the extended US sanction waiver comes to expire on Sunday, April 26. The report also suggests that the control would revert back to India if and ever the sanctions were to be lifted or a new waiver is secured. India enjoyed exemptions from sanctions on the Chabahar port since 2018, and invested around $120 million in equipment procurement for the Chabahar project. However, in February 2025, the Trump administration under Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to review or withdraw the waiver that supported Iran or provide any economic or financial relief and later withdrew the waiver on September 29, 2025. However, in the following month, it again issued an extension of the waiver, clarifying that activities at Chabahar Port would remain protected from US sanctions until April 26, 2026. The report suggests that the Indian government has previously explored the possibility of ignoring US sanctions and operating a terminal in the port. But legal experts warned about the possibility of sanctions being extended to the companies associated with the India-backed terminal in Chabahar. Sagarmala Development Corporation Ltd is the company that operates the terminal in Chabahar port through the subsidiary IPGL. It also operates another port in Myanmar’s Sittwe Port; if the sanctions spill into the company, it will hurt India's goal to operate an international port. The company is part of the Bharat Global Ports consortium, which seeks opportunities to operate international ports. Also Read: ‘I think we just buy it'- Trump suggests federal takeover of Spirit Airlines as oil prices push it to bankruptcy Why was Chabhar port important for India? India was part of the 10-year agreement with Iran in 2024 that allowed India to operate the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal in Iran. The port is often described as the Golden Gate to West and Central Asia. It was part of India's ambition to operate ports internationally. This was India's response to China's development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan. It prevents China from having a monopoly over the shipping lane in the Indian Ocean and helps monitor maritime activity in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It also acts as a node of the International North-South Transport Corridor that allows India to transport goods to Russia and Afghanistan, which Pakistan often denies to India.

India plans divestment from Chabahar Port as US sanctions waiver expires, raising concerns over strategic access to Central Asia.

India planning exit from Chabahar port as US sanction waiver expires

Pakistan has fully repaid $3.45 billion in debt owed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the country’s central bank confirmed on Friday (April 24), marking a significant financial development amid ongoing economic stabilisation efforts.&nbsp;The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a social media post that it completed the final repayment on Thursday. The central bank stated that $1 billion was returned to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) on April 23, while the remaining $2.45 billion had been cleared earlier in the week. With this, the total outstanding deposits of $3.45 billion have now been settled.&nbsp;The repayment comes shortly after Pakistan secured $3 billion in financial assistance from Saudi Arabia. The aid was released in two tranches, with the second instalment of $1 billion arriving on April 21, helping Islamabad manage its immediate external obligations.&nbsp;Reports indicate that the UAE had sought an early return of funds due to evolving geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly following the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran. The deposits were originally extended in 2019 as part of external financing support to stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments.&nbsp;In March, Pakistan failed to reach an agreement with the UAE to roll over a $3.5 billion facility, marking the first such setback in seven years. This raised concerns over short-term financing gaps.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-i-am-healthy-now-netanyahu-reveals-successful-cancer-battle-during-iran-conflict-1777032150144">'I am healthy now': Netanyahu reveals successful cancer battle during Iran conflict</a>&nbsp;Despite the repayment, analysts warn that Pakistan’s external sector remains under pressure. While IMF-backed reforms are supporting stabilisation, risks persist due to volatile energy prices and tight global financial conditions.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pakistan’s capital has remained on standby for nearly a week in anticipation of possible US-Iran peace talks, even as there is no confirmation that the two sides will meet. Despite the uncertainty, authorities have kept large parts of Islamabad sealed, with key entry routes shut and a tight security cordon in place around the administrative hub, the “Red Zone”.&nbsp;In the adjoining “Blue Area”, the restrictions have begun to take a visible toll. Cafes are running short of supplies such as fruit, markets remain largely deserted, and the suspension of services at bus terminals has left weekend commuters struggling to return home.

The repayment comes shortly after Pakistan secured $3 billion in financial assistance from Saudi Arabia. The aid was released in two tranches, with the second instalment of $1 billion arriving on April 21, helping Islamabad manage its immediate external obligations.

Pakistan has fully repaid $3.45 billion in debt owed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the country’s central bank confirmed on Friday (April 24), marking a significant financial development amid ongoing economic stabilisation efforts. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a social media post that it completed the final repayment on Thursday. The central bank stated that $1 billion was returned to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) on April 23, while the remaining $2.45 billion had been cleared earlier in the week. With this, the total outstanding deposits of $3.45 billion have now been settled. The repayment comes shortly after Pakistan secured $3 billion in financial assistance from Saudi Arabia. The aid was released in two tranches, with the second instalment of $1 billion arriving on April 21, helping Islamabad manage its immediate external obligations. Reports indicate that the UAE had sought an early return of funds due to evolving geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly following the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran. The deposits were originally extended in 2019 as part of external financing support to stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments. In March, Pakistan failed to reach an agreement with the UAE to roll over a $3.5 billion facility, marking the first such setback in seven years. This raised concerns over short-term financing gaps. Also Read: 'I am healthy now': Netanyahu reveals successful cancer battle during Iran conflict Despite the repayment, analysts warn that Pakistan’s external sector remains under pressure. While IMF-backed reforms are supporting stabilisation, risks persist due to volatile energy prices and tight global financial conditions. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s capital has remained on standby for nearly a week in anticipation of possible US-Iran peace talks, even as there is no confirmation that the two sides will meet. Despite the uncertainty, authorities have kept large parts of Islamabad sealed, with key entry routes shut and a tight security cordon in place around the administrative hub, the “Red Zone”. In the adjoining “Blue Area”, the restrictions have begun to take a visible toll. Cafes are running short of supplies such as fruit, markets remain largely deserted, and the suspension of services at bus terminals has left weekend commuters struggling to return home.

The repayment comes shortly after Pakistan secured $3 billion in financial assistance from Saudi Arabia. The aid was released in two tranches, with the second instalment of $1 billion arriving on April 21, helping Islamabad manage its immediate external obligations.

Pakistan repays $3.45 billion UAE debt with Saudi Arabia's financial support

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in "excellent" health and is officially cancer-free following successful treatment for an early-stage malignancy, according to a formal medical report released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday (Apr 24). According to report by news outlet The Times of Israel, the disclosure follows a period of strategic secrecy regarding the prime minister’s health during the height of regional hostilities.&nbsp;The medical summary, signed by the Prime Minister’s personal physician Dr. Tzvi Berkovitz, confirms that a "minuscule suspicious lesion" was identified following a routine MRI scan. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of localised, early-stage prostate cancer.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">היום התפרסם הדו״ח הרפואי השנתי שלי. ביקשתי לעכב את פרסומו בחודשיים כדי שהוא לא יפורסם בשיא המלחמה על מנת שלא לאפשר למשטר הטרור באיראן להפיץ עוד תעמולת כזב נגד ישראל. אני מבקש לשתף אתכם בשלושה דברים: 1 - ברוך השם, אני בריא. 2 - אני בכושר גופני מצויין. 3 - הייתה לי בעיה…&mdash; Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/2047625296396845425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-condemns-vandalism-of-jesus-statue-vows-punishment-for-soldier-in-lebanon-1776687146392">Netanyahu condemns vandalism of Jesus statue; vows punishment for soldier in Lebanon</a>&nbsp;In a statement released on the social media platform X, Netanyahu addressed the delay in making the diagnosis public. He cited the ongoing security crisis with Iran, referred to as 'Operation Epic Fury', as the primary reason for the confidentiality. "I chose to delay the report’s publication so it would not come out at the peak of the war. Today I can say I am healthy... the spot disappeared completely."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/netanyahu-warning-as-iran-pulls-back-from-talks-with-us-in-pakistan-who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring-power-plant-blown-up-threat-by-trump-1776651592071">'Who knows what tomorrow...': Netanyahu's BIG warning as Iran pulls back from talks with US in Pakistan</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Prime Minister’s Office noted that Netanyahu maintained his full operational schedule throughout the treatment period to project stability and prevent adversaries from exploiting his medical status for propaganda. Despite these episodes, the latest medical consensus indicates that the Prime Minister has no current physical limitations. The release of the report appears aimed at quelling speculation regarding his fitness for office as Israel navigates a fragile, Pakistan-mediated regional ceasefire.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirms he is cancer-free after undergoing secret treatment for early-stage prostate cancer during the peak of the Iran conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in "excellent" health and is officially cancer-free following successful treatment for an early-stage malignancy, according to a formal medical report released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday (Apr 24). According to report by news outlet The Times of Israel, the disclosure follows a period of strategic secrecy regarding the prime minister’s health during the height of regional hostilities. The medical summary, signed by the Prime Minister’s personal physician Dr. Tzvi Berkovitz, confirms that a "minuscule suspicious lesion" was identified following a routine MRI scan. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of localised, early-stage prostate cancer.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirms he is cancer-free after undergoing secret treatment for early-stage prostate cancer during the peak of the Iran conflict.

'I am healthy now': Netanyahu reveals successful cancer battle during Iran conflict

Satellite images have captured oil spilling from tankers and facilities into the Persian Gulf, setting the stage for a major ecological disaster. Iran and the US-Israel have been engaged in a war for nearly two months now, targeting oil facilities in the Gulf and ships in the area. The liquid can be seen flowing into the sea from space. Images taken on March 18, April 2, and April 7 show huge oil spills in the Strait of Hormuz. This specific area is just near Iran's Qeshm Island, where key military and civilian infrastructure is present. On April 6, an oil trail leaving Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba was captured by satellites. A day before, Iran had targeted energy and petrochemical facilities in the Gulf countries. Another oil trail was seen leaking into the waters off Lavan Island in Iran and moving towards Shidvar Island on April 10. Known as "Iran's Maldives”, it is a protected wildlife refuge and is at risk of an environmental disaster.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-very-top-secret-what-was-gift-from-china-to-iran-stopped-by-us-forces-trump-claims-there-was-1777024880901">‘Very top secret’: What was ‘gift from China’ to Iran stopped by US forces?&nbsp;</a><h2>Oil spill in Strait of Hormuz</h2>Since conditions continue to remain hostile in the Persian Gulf despite an indefinite ceasefire extension, things might continue to get worse for the sea and the animals, since it is highly unlikely that anyone would initiate clean-up efforts. This spells bad news for marine life and puts the creatures at risk of mass deaths. Meanwhile, the oil spill will also affect the filtering systems of desalination plants, affecting the supply of clean, drinkable water to almost 100 million people in the region, CNN reported. The outlet reported that the oil spill off Lavan Island constitutes a major environmental emergency. &nbsp;Wim Zwijnenburg, a project leader in humanitarian disarmament at the Dutch peace organisation PAX, said that at least five sites, including an oil refinery, have been struck by the US and Israel on Lavan Island, triggering an oil stream that threatens the uninhabited Shidvar Island. The coral island hosts seabird colonies and turtle nesting grounds.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-weird-stuff-happens-us-navy-sailor-headed-to-strait-of-hormuz-for-trump-s-minesweeping-mission-attacked-by-monkey-1777009414675">Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz</a><h2>Marine life threatened by oil spills in Persian Gulf</h2>Near Qeshm Island, eight-kilometre-long pools of oil are visible and have put microorganisms, dolphins and whales at serious risk of dying. Besides, the smaller fish in the region, which people depend on for food and income, are also threatened. Oil can cover marine creatures with thick sludge, which can cause hypothermia. Poisoning is the biggest risk which will lead to mass die-offs. Several turtles, whales and dugongs reside in the Persian Gulf. Experts are unsure of how much damage can occur from existing spills, as the streams could increase in the coming days as tensions between Tehran and the US continue unabated. Dialogues for a deal have failed to reach fruitful ends. Nearly 20 billion litres of crude oil are currently waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. More attacks could mean more spills, aggravating the situation.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-trump-withholds-details-on-seized-ship-from-china-to-iran-1777028847916/embed&nbsp;A similar situation occurred in the Persian Gulf during the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraqi forces intentionally dumped 6 to 8 million barrels of crude oil into the sea. An estimated 114,000 animals, including birds, turtles, bottlenose dolphins and whales, died in the disaster.

The Iran War could turn into a major catastrophe for marine life in the Persian Gulf. Attacks on oil facilities and tankers have led to oil spills, which can be seen spreading for several kilometres from space. Environmental experts fear clean-up efforts might not start soon. 

Satellite images have captured oil spilling from tankers and facilities into the Persian Gulf, setting the stage for a major ecological disaster. Iran and the US-Israel have been engaged in a war for nearly two months now, targeting oil facilities in the Gulf and ships in the area. The liquid can be seen flowing into the sea from space. Images taken on March 18, April 2, and April 7 show huge oil spills in the Strait of Hormuz. This specific area is just near Iran's Qeshm Island, where key military and civilian infrastructure is present. On April 6, an oil trail leaving Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba was captured by satellites. A day before, Iran had targeted energy and petrochemical facilities in the Gulf countries. Another oil trail was seen leaking into the waters off Lavan Island in Iran and moving towards Shidvar Island on April 10. Known as "Iran's Maldives”, it is a protected wildlife refuge and is at risk of an environmental disaster. Also Read: ‘Very top secret’: What was ‘gift from China’ to Iran stopped by US forces? Oil spill in Strait of Hormuz Since conditions continue to remain hostile in the Persian Gulf despite an indefinite ceasefire extension, things might continue to get worse for the sea and the animals, since it is highly unlikely that anyone would initiate clean-up efforts. This spells bad news for marine life and puts the creatures at risk of mass deaths. Meanwhile, the oil spill will also affect the filtering systems of desalination plants, affecting the supply of clean, drinkable water to almost 100 million people in the region, CNN reported. The outlet reported that the oil spill off Lavan Island constitutes a major environmental emergency. Wim Zwijnenburg, a project leader in humanitarian disarmament at the Dutch peace organisation PAX, said that at least five sites, including an oil refinery, have been struck by the US and Israel on Lavan Island, triggering an oil stream that threatens the uninhabited Shidvar Island. The coral island hosts seabird colonies and turtle nesting grounds. Also Read: Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz Marine life threatened by oil spills in Persian Gulf Near Qeshm Island, eight-kilometre-long pools of oil are visible and have put microorganisms, dolphins and whales at serious risk of dying. Besides, the smaller fish in the region, which people depend on for food and income, are also threatened. Oil can cover marine creatures with thick sludge, which can cause hypothermia. Poisoning is the biggest risk which will lead to mass die-offs. Several turtles, whales and dugongs reside in the Persian Gulf. Experts are unsure of how much damage can occur from existing spills, as the streams could increase in the coming days as tensions between Tehran and the US continue unabated. Dialogues for a deal have failed to reach fruitful ends. Nearly 20 billion litres of crude oil are currently waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. More attacks could mean more spills, aggravating the situation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-trump-withholds-details-on-seized-ship-from-china-to-iran-1777028847916/embed A similar situation occurred in the Persian Gulf during the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraqi forces intentionally dumped 6 to 8 million barrels of crude oil into the sea. An estimated 114,000 animals, including birds, turtles, bottlenose dolphins and whales, died in the disaster.

The Iran War could turn into a major catastrophe for marine life in the Persian Gulf. Attacks on oil facilities and tankers have led to oil spills, which can be seen spreading for several kilometres from space. Environmental experts fear clean-up efforts might not start soon.&nbsp;

Silent casualty of Iran War: Oil spills set to trigger historic environmental collapse in the Persian Gulf

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the administration is considering a federal takeover of the struggling budget carrier, Spirit Airlines, if they find a reasonable price for it. The President confirmed this interest in offering Spirit Airlines a lifeline as the oil prices rise to $110 per barrel. The President did not clarify how it is going to happen, but it is exploring a rare direct intervention in the private sector to prevent Spirit from liquidating.&nbsp;“Spirit is an airline that has had some trouble,” Trump said. “They have some good aircraft, some good assets, and when the price of oil goes down, we’d sell it for a profit.<h2>How does the Trump administration plan to rescue Spirit Airlines?</h2>A lawyer told a US Bankruptcy Court that the airline was in advanced talks with the U.S. government on a financing deal that would allow Spirit to emerge from Chapter 11 protection. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg both reported that an amount of $500 million would give the government a sizeable part, at least 90 per cent ownership of the airline. It is likely to save nearly 18,000 jobs. However, aviation experts and other analysts suggest that its an waste of the taxpayers' dollars and if the investors, shareholders and creditors cannot run Spirit Airlines profitably, then the US government will also eventually fail. Republican Senator Tom Cotton and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren both have expressed scepticism about investing taxpayer dollars to stage a private bailout. &nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-china-ai-theft-distillation-trump-beijing-summit-1777012695107">What is distilling? US accuses China of ​industrial-scale AI system theft</a><h2>Why does Spirit Airlines require a bailout?</h2>The recent energy crisis due to the US war on Iran and the rising prices of jet fuel had tipped it over the edge. This might be the phase of many such corporate bankruptcies and mergers across the US and the globe. Though Spirit's financial health deteriorated following the legacy debt, not just recent geopolitical developments. It was grappling with a massive $7.4 billion debt and lease obligation, and had already filed two Chapter 11 bankruptcies in two years, in November 2024 and August 2025. It had already restructured its debts to stay afloat and was contemplating a merger in 2024. The Trump administration blamed the Biden administration for not allowing Spirit Airlines to merge with JetBlue, which would have allowed it to stabilise the debt but would have driven up the airfare for passengers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a rare move, Donald Trump has signalled that the US government could step in to rescue Spirit Airlines through a potential federal takeover. With rising oil prices and mounting debt, the airline’s future hangs in the balance, but critics warn it could burden taxpayers.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that the administration is considering a federal takeover of the struggling budget carrier, Spirit Airlines, if they find a reasonable price for it. The President confirmed this interest in offering Spirit Airlines a lifeline as the oil prices rise to $110 per barrel. The President did not clarify how it is going to happen, but it is exploring a rare direct intervention in the private sector to prevent Spirit from liquidating. “Spirit is an airline that has had some trouble,” Trump said. “They have some good aircraft, some good assets, and when the price of oil goes down, we’d sell it for a profit. How does the Trump administration plan to rescue Spirit Airlines? A lawyer told a US Bankruptcy Court that the airline was in advanced talks with the U.S. government on a financing deal that would allow Spirit to emerge from Chapter 11 protection. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg both reported that an amount of $500 million would give the government a sizeable part, at least 90 per cent ownership of the airline. It is likely to save nearly 18,000 jobs. However, aviation experts and other analysts suggest that its an waste of the taxpayers' dollars and if the investors, shareholders and creditors cannot run Spirit Airlines profitably, then the US government will also eventually fail. Republican Senator Tom Cotton and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren both have expressed scepticism about investing taxpayer dollars to stage a private bailout. Also Read: What is distilling? US accuses China of industrial-scale AI system theft Why does Spirit Airlines require a bailout? The recent energy crisis due to the US war on Iran and the rising prices of jet fuel had tipped it over the edge. This might be the phase of many such corporate bankruptcies and mergers across the US and the globe. Though Spirit's financial health deteriorated following the legacy debt, not just recent geopolitical developments. It was grappling with a massive $7.4 billion debt and lease obligation, and had already filed two Chapter 11 bankruptcies in two years, in November 2024 and August 2025. It had already restructured its debts to stay afloat and was contemplating a merger in 2024. The Trump administration blamed the Biden administration for not allowing Spirit Airlines to merge with JetBlue, which would have allowed it to stabilise the debt but would have driven up the airfare for passengers.

In a rare move, Donald Trump has signalled that the US government could step in to rescue Spirit Airlines through a potential federal takeover. With rising oil prices and mounting debt, the airline’s future hangs in the balance, but critics warn it could burden taxpayers.

‘I think we just buy it'- Trump suggests federal take over of Spirit Airlines as oil prices push it to bankruptcy

Ukrainian officials have reportedly proposed to rename a part of the Donbas region, which is coveted by Russia, to “Donnyland” as a nod to US President Donald Trump’s efforts against Moscow. The moniker is a reference to “Donbas” and “Donald”. According to a report, officials in Kyiv have repeatedly brought up the idea of Donnyland to the US. This comes as the war in Ukraine continues for more than four years, with Russia capturing the vast majority of Donbas and continuing to seek control of Donetsk.According to a New York Times report, citing people familiar with the negotiations, the renaming of Donbas was a part of an effort to convince the Trump administration to put more pressure on Russia’s territorial demands. Although there has been no official document suggesting the move. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to continue fighting until Russian forces seize a key administrative boundary on the edge of the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine where Russia first began waging war in 2014.The report added that the proposed “Donnyland” would cover an area of about 50 miles long and 40 miles wide in northeastern Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have maintained a strong defensive belt despite sustained Russian offensives. Kyiv envisions the zone as a fortified buffer, reducing the risk of deeper incursions while buying time for longer-term security arrangements.The proposal for Donnyland even went as far as a negotiator creating its flag, coloured green and gold, and a national anthem using ChatGPT, the report added. It is not clear whether the US side saw these symbols.Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have also explored a “Monaco model” for the region, referencing the Mediterranean city-state, in which a semi-autonomous entity with economic incentives is designed to stabilise the area while keeping it aligned with Ukraine.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stressed the importance of US support, saying that the only man who can end the war in Ukraine is Trump. “I trust President Trump because he’s the president of the United States, because your people, your people voted for him, and I respect their choice, and I will work with President Trump,” Zelensky told NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this year.However, broader negotiations over the future of Donbas have stalled in recent months, since the US waged war on Iran.

Ukraine has floated renaming part of Donbas as “Donnyland” to win over US President Donald Trump and push back against Russia, as stalled talks cloud the region’s future.

Ukrainian officials have reportedly proposed to rename a part of the Donbas region, which is coveted by Russia, to “Donnyland” as a nod to US President Donald Trump’s efforts against Moscow. The moniker is a reference to “Donbas” and “Donald”. According to a report, officials in Kyiv have repeatedly brought up the idea of Donnyland to the US. This comes as the war in Ukraine continues for more than four years, with Russia capturing the vast majority of Donbas and continuing to seek control of Donetsk. According to a New York Times report, citing people familiar with the negotiations, the renaming of Donbas was a part of an effort to convince the Trump administration to put more pressure on Russia’s territorial demands. Although there has been no official document suggesting the move. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to continue fighting until Russian forces seize a key administrative boundary on the edge of the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine where Russia first began waging war in 2014. The report added that the proposed “Donnyland” would cover an area of about 50 miles long and 40 miles wide in northeastern Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have maintained a strong defensive belt despite sustained Russian offensives. Kyiv envisions the zone as a fortified buffer, reducing the risk of deeper incursions while buying time for longer-term security arrangements. The proposal for Donnyland even went as far as a negotiator creating its flag, coloured green and gold, and a national anthem using ChatGPT, the report added. It is not clear whether the US side saw these symbols. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have also explored a “Monaco model” for the region, referencing the Mediterranean city-state, in which a semi-autonomous entity with economic incentives is designed to stabilise the area while keeping it aligned with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stressed the importance of US support, saying that the only man who can end the war in Ukraine is Trump. “I trust President Trump because he’s the president of the United States, because your people, your people voted for him, and I respect their choice, and I will work with President Trump,” Zelensky told NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this year. However, broader negotiations over the future of Donbas have stalled in recent months, since the US waged war on Iran.

Ukraine has floated renaming part of Donbas as “Donnyland” to win over US President Donald Trump and push back against Russia, as stalled talks cloud the region’s future.

‘Donnyland’: Ukraine floats idea of renaming part of Donbas to flatter Trump

The Chinese government on Friday (Apr 24) issued a sharp rebuttal to accusations from the White House, calling claims of a state-sponsored campaign to steal American artificial intelligence (AI) technology "entirely baseless" and a “slanderous smear.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, when asked during a regular news conference in Beijing said, “They are a slanderous smear against the achievements of China's artificial intelligence industry. China firmly opposes this.”&nbsp;The diplomatic flare-up follows a sharply worded memorandum released on Thursday (Apr 23) by Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. In the memo, the administration accused Chinese entities of engaging in "industrial-scale" efforts to extract capabilities from advanced US AI systems using a technique known as “unauthorised distillation.”&nbsp;Kratosios said, “These foreign entities are using tens of thousands of proxies and jailbreaking techniques in coordinated campaigns to systematically extract American breakthroughs. Foreign entities that build on such fragile foundations should have little confidence in the integrity and reliability of the models they produce.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-selects-pakistani-candidates-as-1st-foreign-astronauts-for-tiangong-space-station-1777017319504">China selects Pakistani candidates as 1st foreign astronauts for Tiangong Space Station</a>&nbsp;The war of words coincides with major breakthroughs in the Chinese tech sector. On the same day as the rebuttal, the Hangzhou-based AI firm DeepSeek released its latest model, DeepSeek-V4, which reportedly matches the performance of leading US models like Gemini in "world knowledge" benchmarks while significantly reducing computing costs.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-china-ai-theft-distillation-trump-beijing-summit-1777012695107">What is distilling? US accuses China of ​industrial-scale theft of AI systems</a>&nbsp;The timing of the US allegations is tied to the narrowing gap between Silicon Valley and Chinese firms. While US officials argue that China is "buying what it can and stealing what it must," Beijing maintains that its focus on efficiency and low-cost reasoning models is a legitimate competitive advantage.<h2>Steps to be taken by the Trump administration:</h2>&nbsp;<ul><li>Share information with US AI companies concerning attempts by foreign actors to conduct unauthorised, industrial-scale distillation, including the tactics employed and actors involved.</li><li>Enable the private sector to better coordinate against such attacks.</li><li>Work together with private industry to develop best practices to identify, mitigate, and remediate industrial-scale distillation activities and build strong defences against such activities.</li><li>Explore a range of measures to hold foreign actors accountable for industrial-scale distillation campaigns.</li></ul>

China’s Foreign Ministry rejects White House claims of "unauthorised distillation" of AI models, calling the accusations a slanderous smear against its tech industry.

The Chinese government on Friday (Apr 24) issued a sharp rebuttal to accusations from the White House, calling claims of a state-sponsored campaign to steal American artificial intelligence (AI) technology "entirely baseless" and a “slanderous smear.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, when asked during a regular news conference in Beijing said, “They are a slanderous smear against the achievements of China's artificial intelligence industry. China firmly opposes this.” The diplomatic flare-up follows a sharply worded memorandum released on Thursday (Apr 23) by Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. In the memo, the administration accused Chinese entities of engaging in "industrial-scale" efforts to extract capabilities from advanced US AI systems using a technique known as “unauthorised distillation.” Kratosios said, “These foreign entities are using tens of thousands of proxies and jailbreaking techniques in coordinated campaigns to systematically extract American breakthroughs. Foreign entities that build on such fragile foundations should have little confidence in the integrity and reliability of the models they produce.” Also read: China selects Pakistani candidates as 1st foreign astronauts for Tiangong Space Station The war of words coincides with major breakthroughs in the Chinese tech sector. On the same day as the rebuttal, the Hangzhou-based AI firm DeepSeek released its latest model, DeepSeek-V4, which reportedly matches the performance of leading US models like Gemini in "world knowledge" benchmarks while significantly reducing computing costs. Also read: What is distilling? US accuses China of industrial-scale theft of AI systems The timing of the US allegations is tied to the narrowing gap between Silicon Valley and Chinese firms. While US officials argue that China is "buying what it can and stealing what it must," Beijing maintains that its focus on efficiency and low-cost reasoning models is a legitimate competitive advantage. Steps to be taken by the Trump administration: Share information with US AI companies concerning attempts by foreign actors to conduct unauthorised, industrial-scale distillation, including the tactics employed and actors involved. Enable the private sector to better coordinate against such attacks. Work together with private industry to develop best practices to identify, mitigate, and remediate industrial-scale distillation activities and build strong defences against such activities. Explore a range of measures to hold foreign actors accountable for industrial-scale distillation campaigns.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejects White House claims of "unauthorised distillation" of AI models, calling the accusations a slanderous smear against its tech industry.

'Entirely baseless': China rejects US accusations of AI technology theft

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 23) claimed that the Iranian-flagged vessel that was intercepted and seized by the American forces had something that was “very top secret.” This comes after Trump claimed that the ship was carrying a “gift from China”, but refused to elaborate on it. The cargo vessel, M/V Touska, was captured by the US troops in the Gulf of Oman while it was en route to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port on Sunday (Apr 19). It is currently in the custody of the US Marines.<h2>What was on the ship?</h2>Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked what was on the ship. In response, the US President said, “Yeah, well, we have that. It’s very top secret. There was stuff in there, but it’s top secret.” However, he did not provide any other details on what the “stuff” was on the vessel.When asked whether he was angry at China for sending stuff to Iran, Trump said, “No, we do the same thing, don’t we, with other countries?”Earlier in an interview on Tuesday (Apr 21), Trump told CNBC that the ship had “a gift from China”, which “wasn’t very nice”. He added that he “was a little surprised,” as he thought he had an “understanding” with China’s President Xi Jinping. A week earlier, Trump said that Xi had assured him that there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran.According to a Reuters report, citing US maritime security sources, Touska is likely to have what Washington deems “dual-use items” that could be used by ‌the military on board. As per AIS data provided by the global intelligence company Kpler, mentioned in a Washington Post report, the ship was travelling back from Gaolan port in Zhuhai, a city on China’s southeastern coast. The US has not yet revealed what materials were on the ship.<h2>What claims ‘complete control’ over Hormuz</h2>Trump also said that the US has “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz. “You know that the strait, what we’ve done with the blockade is amazing, and nobody, nobody gets through, and nobody wants to get through it. Nobody’s trying. The one tried to shut out the engine, but nobody’s trying. We have complete control now. They can drop their mines in there and do all those stupid things. It’s just going to take longer for them to make money, because the mines are going to affect them much more than they’re going to affect us,” he said.He added, “But, and we don’t know that they’re doing that, but they could be that if they, if they’re doing it, it’s a very foolish thing to do, just like for Iran to shoot at Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, Bahrain, all the different places they shot. Nobody expected that. They thought they’d shoot at Israel in all fairness, but you didn’t expect they’d be shooting at numerous other countries. I think it was a big mistake if they’re putting mines down. It’s a big mistake for them.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump claims the seized vessel carried “top secret” cargo from China to Iran, as the US tightens grip over the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 23) claimed that the Iranian-flagged vessel that was intercepted and seized by the American forces had something that was “very top secret.” This comes after Trump claimed that the ship was carrying a “gift from China”, but refused to elaborate on it. The cargo vessel, M/V Touska, was captured by the US troops in the Gulf of Oman while it was en route to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port on Sunday (Apr 19). It is currently in the custody of the US Marines. What was on the ship? Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked what was on the ship. In response, the US President said, “Yeah, well, we have that. It’s very top secret. There was stuff in there, but it’s top secret.” However, he did not provide any other details on what the “stuff” was on the vessel. When asked whether he was angry at China for sending stuff to Iran, Trump said, “No, we do the same thing, don’t we, with other countries?” Earlier in an interview on Tuesday (Apr 21), Trump told CNBC that the ship had “a gift from China”, which “wasn’t very nice”. He added that he “was a little surprised,” as he thought he had an “understanding” with China’s President Xi Jinping. A week earlier, Trump said that Xi had assured him that there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran. According to a Reuters report, citing US maritime security sources, Touska is likely to have what Washington deems “dual-use items” that could be used by ‌the military on board. As per AIS data provided by the global intelligence company Kpler, mentioned in a Washington Post report, the ship was travelling back from Gaolan port in Zhuhai, a city on China’s southeastern coast. The US has not yet revealed what materials were on the ship. What claims ‘complete control’ over Hormuz Trump also said that the US has “complete control” over the Strait of Hormuz. “You know that the strait, what we’ve done with the blockade is amazing, and nobody, nobody gets through, and nobody wants to get through it. Nobody’s trying. The one tried to shut out the engine, but nobody’s trying. We have complete control now. They can drop their mines in there and do all those stupid things. It’s just going to take longer for them to make money, because the mines are going to affect them much more than they’re going to affect us,” he said. He added, “But, and we don’t know that they’re doing that, but they could be that if they, if they’re doing it, it’s a very foolish thing to do, just like for Iran to shoot at Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, Bahrain, all the different places they shot. Nobody expected that. They thought they’d shoot at Israel in all fairness, but you didn’t expect they’d be shooting at numerous other countries. I think it was a big mistake if they’re putting mines down. It’s a big mistake for them.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump claims the seized vessel carried “top secret” cargo from China to Iran, as the US tightens grip over the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Very top secret’: What was ‘gift from China’ to Iran stopped by US forces? Trump claims ‘there was...’

Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump after he reposted remarks of a commentator referring to India and China as “hellholes”. The Embassy posted a video on social media that captured the essence of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The clip carried a caption suggesting Trump to “book a one-way cultural detox” to reduce the random rubbish. This comes after US President Donald Trump shared a video and four-page transcript of remarks made by podcaster Michael Savage on America’s birthright citizenship, where he referred to India and China as “hellholes”.“Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. #Trump, it might just reduce the random bakwaas (rubbish),” the post read. “Kabhi #India aa ke dekho, phir bolna (come to India sometime, then talk).”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a>, it might just reduce the random bakwaas 😏 Kabhi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> aa ke dekho, phir bolna. <a href="https://t.co/kkocLZ31XX">pic.twitter.com/kkocLZ31XX</a>&mdash; Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinMumbai/status/2047380743010332744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>MEA responds</h2>Responding to the remarks reposted by Trump, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs called the comments “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”“We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste. They certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in New Delhi issued a clarification, saying, “The President has said, ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top.’”<h2>What remarks did Trump share?</h2>According to the transcript, Savage talked about the efforts to end the US birthright citizenship, under which a child born in the country automatically gets US nationality regardless of the parents’ immigration status.“A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet,” the transcript read. Savage also claimed that English was no longer widely spoken in the US. He alleged that immigrants showed little loyalty to the country, and hiring systems in California’s technology sector favoured Indians and Chinese over white Americans. White men “need not apply” for jobs in California, he said, adding that “Your chances are nil.”“They’ve done more damage to this nation than all the mafia families put together. In my un-humble opinion. Gangsters with laptops. They’ve robbed us, blind, treated us like second class citizens, let the turd world triumph, stepped on our flag, et cetera,” Savage said.&nbsp;

The Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump over reposted remarks on India, referring to it as a “hellhole”, as the Ministry of External Affairs called them inappropriate.

Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump after he reposted remarks of a commentator referring to India and China as “hellholes”. The Embassy posted a video on social media that captured the essence of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The clip carried a caption suggesting Trump to “book a one-way cultural detox” to reduce the random rubbish. This comes after US President Donald Trump shared a video and four-page transcript of remarks made by podcaster Michael Savage on America’s birthright citizenship, where he referred to India and China as “hellholes”. “Maybe someone should book a one-way cultural detox for Mr. #Trump, it might just reduce the random bakwaas (rubbish),” the post read. “Kabhi #India aa ke dekho, phir bolna (come to India sometime, then talk).”

The Iranian Embassy in Mumbai mocked US President Donald Trump over reposted remarks on India, referring to it as a “hellhole”, as the Ministry of External Affairs called them inappropriate.

‘Kabhi India aa ke dekho’: Iran Embassy in Mumbai mocks Trump over ‘hellholes’ remark

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (Apr 23) held a high-profile meeting with Commander Khurram Dawood and Wing Commander Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, the two Pakistan Air Force officers selected as the nation’s first astronauts to train for missions aboard China’s Tiangong space station. The meeting, held at the PM House, marks a definitive shift in the Pakistan-China strategic partnership.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-suggests-pak-s-4-bn-arms-deal-with-libyan-army-also-under-review-1776794378211/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-suggests-pak-s-4-bn-arms-deal-with-libyan-army-also-under-review-1776794378211/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Describing the selection as a "landmark achievement," the Prime Minister congratulated the duo on their historic milestone. "I am confident that you are about to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history," PM Shehbaz stated, emphasising that their journey carries the "hopes and aspirations of the entire nation."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-will-negotiate-issues-another-warning-ahead-of-pakistan-islamabad-talks-1776737639436">'Problems like never seen before': Ahead of Pak talks, Trump says Iran 'will negotiate', issues another BIG warning</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Off to space and beyond! It was a pleasure meeting Commander Khurram Dawood and Wg Cdr Muhammad Zeeshan Ali today. I congratulated them on their historic selection as the first Pakistani astronauts to train for China’s space station missions. This remarkable achievement… <a href="https://t.co/1o45LXaHez">pic.twitter.com/1o45LXaHez</a>&mdash; Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/2047359050078212332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;A high-level delegation, including Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong attended the meeting. The presence of the Chinese envoy underscored the geopolitical weight of the collaboration. PM Shehbaz remarked that the space research partnership signifies a friendship that is truly "reaching for the stars."&nbsp;Pak PM posted on X, "This remarkable achievement reflects the immense talent of our people and the growing strength of Pakistan–China cooperation in space technology. I wish them great success as they embark on this inspiring journey, carrying the hopes and aspirations of the entire nation."&nbsp;While Pakistan has long relied on Chinese Long March rockets for satellite launches—most recently the PAKSAT-MM1 in 2024—this mission represents the first time Pakistani personnel will participate in a crewed orbital program.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-totally-rejected-india-trump-administration-s-shift-towards-pakistan-due-to-his-ego-claims-former-us-envoy-rahm-emanuel-us-foreign-policy-1776416571901">'Totally rejected India': Trump administration's shift towards Pakistan due to his ego, claims former US envoy Rahm Emanuel</a>&nbsp;Following the Prime Minister’s send-off, the two candidates are set to depart for the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC) in Beijing. After completing intensive training and evaluations, one of the two will reportedly be selected as a payload specialist for a Shenzhou mission, tentatively scheduled for late 2026. This individual will become the first foreign astronaut to board the Chinese space station.&nbsp;In the global landscape of 2026, Pakistan is currently transitioning from a satellite-using nation to a space-participating nation. As of date, Islamabad does not yet match the independent launch or deep-space capabilities of the US, China, Russia, and India.

PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Pakistani astronauts Khurram Dawood & Zeeshan Ali, selected as the first foreign nationals to train for China’s Tiangong Space Station.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday (Apr 23) held a high-profile meeting with Commander Khurram Dawood and Wing Commander Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, the two Pakistan Air Force officers selected as the nation’s first astronauts to train for missions aboard China’s Tiangong space station. The meeting, held at the PM House, marks a definitive shift in the Pakistan-China strategic partnership. https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-suggests-pak-s-4-bn-arms-deal-with-libyan-army-also-under-review-1776794378211/embed Describing the selection as a "landmark achievement," the Prime Minister congratulated the duo on their historic milestone. "I am confident that you are about to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history," PM Shehbaz stated, emphasising that their journey carries the "hopes and aspirations of the entire nation." Also read: 'Problems like never seen before': Ahead of Pak talks, Trump says Iran 'will negotiate', issues another BIG warning

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif meets astronauts Khurram Dawood &amp; Zeeshan Ali, selected as the first foreign nationals to train for China’s Tiangong Space Station.

China selects Pakistani candidates as 1st foreign astronauts for Tiangong Space Station

Huge crowds gathered in Southern Lebanon for Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil's funeral. She was killed in an Israeli airstrike while covering ongoing hostilities. Her death has drawn strong condemnation with conflicting narratives emerging from Lebanon and Israel amid a strained ceasefire.

Thousands gather to mourn Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil killed in Israeli airstrike | In pics

US have accused China of intellectual property theft just weeks ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing for a historic US-China summit. In a memo released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, it accused China of distilling “US frontier AI systems” on an industrial scale. “The US government has information indicating that foreign entities, principally based in China, are engaged in deliberate, ​industrial-scale campaigns to distil US frontier AI systems,” read the memo from Michael Kratsios, director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as reported by the Financial Times on Thursday.<h2>What is the distilling of AI?</h2>Knowledge distillation is the process by which a smaller AI model trains itself from a “teacher” AI model, from its logits or probability distribution."Leveraging tens of thousands of proxy accounts to evade detection and using ​jailbreaking techniques to expose proprietary information, these coordinated campaigns systematically extract capabilities from American AI models, exploiting American expertise and innovation," read the memo from Michael Kratsios. The process involves a large scale of individual bot account that appear as normal user tries to reveal information about the “teacher” model which were not supposed to be made public.&nbsp;Earlier this year, AI firms like Anthropic and OpenAI said they have been dealing with such distillation activity. Anthropic has said that it faced a distillation attempt from Deepsek, Moonshot and MiniMax.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ghalibaf-denies-rift-irgc-us-tensions-1777013407090">Iran's Ghalibaf denies schism between 'moderate' and 'radicals', says Iran united in ‘revolutionary’ identity</a><h2>How did China respond?</h2>The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied such claims, calling them “baseless allegations” It claimed that Beijing "attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property ​rights." &nbsp;A spokesperson from China's US embassy said: "China's development is the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation that delivers mutual benefits." He added that China is not only the world's factory but is also becoming the world's innovation lab.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Washington alleges that Chinese entities are using AI “distillation” techniques to extract capabilities from advanced models developed by American firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. Beijing has denied the claims, calling them baseless, as both sides prepare for a high-stakes summit.

US have accused China of intellectual property theft just weeks ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing for a historic US-China summit. In a memo released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, it accused China of distilling “US frontier AI systems” on an industrial scale. “The US government has information indicating that foreign entities, principally based in China, are engaged in deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns to distil US frontier AI systems,” read the memo from Michael Kratsios, director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as reported by the Financial Times on Thursday. What is the distilling of AI? Knowledge distillation is the process by which a smaller AI model trains itself from a “teacher” AI model, from its logits or probability distribution. "Leveraging tens of thousands of proxy accounts to evade detection and using jailbreaking techniques to expose proprietary information, these coordinated campaigns systematically extract capabilities from American AI models, exploiting American expertise and innovation," read the memo from Michael Kratsios. The process involves a large scale of individual bot account that appear as normal user tries to reveal information about the “teacher” model which were not supposed to be made public. Earlier this year, AI firms like Anthropic and OpenAI said they have been dealing with such distillation activity. Anthropic has said that it faced a distillation attempt from Deepsek, Moonshot and MiniMax. Also Read: Iran's Ghalibaf denies schism between 'moderate' and 'radicals', says Iran united in ‘revolutionary’ identity How did China respond? The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied such claims, calling them “baseless allegations” It claimed that Beijing "attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights." A spokesperson from China's US embassy said: "China's development is the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation that delivers mutual benefits." He added that China is not only the world's factory but is also becoming the world's innovation lab.

Washington alleges that Chinese entities are using AI “distillation” techniques to extract capabilities from advanced models developed by American firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. Beijing has denied the claims, calling them baseless, as both sides prepare for a high-stakes summit.

What is distilling? US accuses China of ​industrial-scale AI system theft

Iran's Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday denied the existence of any schism between the "moderate" and “radicals” within Iran. He denied that binary and asserted that within Iran everyone is "Iranian" and “revolutionary.” There were floating reports from Times of Israel suggesting an internal rift in Iran and that the Iranian speaker of the parliament, Ghalibaf, who participated in the first round of talks in Islamabad, will not take part in the negotiations in the second round. The report cited unnamed sources claiming he decided to back down from the negotiations following interference from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force.&nbsp;"In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates; &nbsp;we are all ‘Iranian’ and 'revolutionary,' and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions," read a translated post from Ghalibaf in the social media platform X. “One God, one leader, one nation, and one path; that path being the path to victory for Iran, dearer than life."The persistent enmity between the IRGC and the US, which considers the US an existential enemy and a peace negotiation between the US and Iran appear incoherent to observers. However, the messaging from the Iranian side does not reflect any internal rift, and neither Ghalibaf nor any other top Iranian leadership have discussed it. Both Ghalibaf and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, have been perceived by the US as closely aligned with the IRGC.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghislaine-maxwell-usb-doj-new-evidence-trump-pardon-1777007338246">Ghislaine Maxwell's mysterious USB drive to DOJ- Is commutation next?</a><h2>Esmail Baghei accused the US of “promoting terrorism”</h2>Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghei has accused the country, which is the “cradle of democracy”, of "promoting terrorism". US President Donald Trump shared a post of the Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen, who claimed that if “there are two factions in Iran, one that wants a deal and one that doesn’t, let’s kill the ones who don’t want a deal.” He called it a “moral faliure” of the US and wrote in post on X, “The United States, which once presented itself as a cradle of democracy, freedom, and human values, now appears to become a promoter of terrorism, murder, and mass violence.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Amid reports of internal divisions and IRGC interference, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has firmly denied any rift within Iran’s leadership, emphasising unity and loyalty to the country’s revolutionary path.

Iran's Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday denied the existence of any schism between the "moderate" and “radicals” within Iran. He denied that binary and asserted that within Iran everyone is "Iranian" and “revolutionary.” There were floating reports from Times of Israel suggesting an internal rift in Iran and that the Iranian speaker of the parliament, Ghalibaf, who participated in the first round of talks in Islamabad, will not take part in the negotiations in the second round. The report cited unnamed sources claiming he decided to back down from the negotiations following interference from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force. "In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates; we are all ‘Iranian’ and 'revolutionary,' and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions," read a translated post from Ghalibaf in the social media platform X. “One God, one leader, one nation, and one path; that path being the path to victory for Iran, dearer than life." The persistent enmity between the IRGC and the US, which considers the US an existential enemy and a peace negotiation between the US and Iran appear incoherent to observers. However, the messaging from the Iranian side does not reflect any internal rift, and neither Ghalibaf nor any other top Iranian leadership have discussed it. Both Ghalibaf and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, have been perceived by the US as closely aligned with the IRGC. Also Read: Ghislaine Maxwell's mysterious USB drive to DOJ- Is commutation next? Esmail Baghei accused the US of “promoting terrorism” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghei has accused the country, which is the “cradle of democracy”, of "promoting terrorism". US President Donald Trump shared a post of the Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen, who claimed that if “there are two factions in Iran, one that wants a deal and one that doesn’t, let’s kill the ones who don’t want a deal.” He called it a “moral faliure” of the US and wrote in post on X, “The United States, which once presented itself as a cradle of democracy, freedom, and human values, now appears to become a promoter of terrorism, murder, and mass violence.”

Amid reports of internal divisions and IRGC interference, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has firmly denied any rift within Iran’s leadership, emphasising unity and loyalty to the country’s revolutionary path.

Iran's Ghalibaf denies schism between 'moderate' and 'radicals', says Iran united in ‘revolutionary’ identity

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has claimed its most unexpected casualty yet. A US Navy sailor had to be left behind in Thailand after being attacked by a monkey during a port stopover on his way to one of the most dangerous minesweeping operations in recent American military history. This comes as US President Donald Trump ordered troops to "shoot and kill any boat" that may be laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway which has been blockaded by Iran since the start of the war on February 28. In a state on Truth Social, Trump revealed "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be... that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz." He added that there will be no "hesitation" and that US "mine 'sweepers' are clearing the Strait right now."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-use-nuclear-weapons-against-tehran-trump-finally-reveals-his-plan-on-day-55-of-iran-war-1776996331952">US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war</a><h2>US Navy sailor and the monkey that derailed a vital mission</h2>According to an Axios report, an electronics technician, whose name has not been made public, was aboard the USS Chief minesweeper when it stopped in Phuket. There, a monkey scratched him. While the sailor got away with only a scratch, the encounter was serious enough to require medical attention. While officials described his wound as not severe, there is a risk of serious diseases. Macaques can carry the Herpes B virus, a rare but potentially fatal infection that the CDC recommends treating as a medical emergency. The sailor was evacuated to the vessel's home base in Sasebo, Japan, for proper evaluation and care."Weird stuff happens," a military official told Axios. "This was definitely an unknown unknown."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-profiting-off-righteous-operation-how-an-army-soldier-used-secret-war-plans-about-maduro-s-capture-to-make-400-000-on-polymarket-1776993168140">'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket</a><h2>US minesweeper mission delayed?</h2>While the sailor's mission had to be put on hold, his misfortune did not delay the wider mission. The USS Chief continued toward the Strait of Hormuz alongside the USS Pioneer, both tasked with clearing Iranian mines from the waterway.Iran has seeded the strait, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas ordinarily flows, with mines deployed either remotely via GPS or by small boats, effectively shutting down commercial traffic and trapping hundreds of vessels in the Persian Gulf.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

How did a monkey in Thailand end up disrupting a US military mission tied to one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints, the Strait of Hormuz? Here's all you need to know.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has claimed its most unexpected casualty yet. A US Navy sailor had to be left behind in Thailand after being attacked by a monkey during a port stopover on his way to one of the most dangerous minesweeping operations in recent American military history. This comes as US President Donald Trump ordered troops to "shoot and kill any boat" that may be laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway which has been blockaded by Iran since the start of the war on February 28. In a state on Truth Social, Trump revealed "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be... that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz." He added that there will be no "hesitation" and that US "mine 'sweepers' are clearing the Strait right now." Also read | US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war US Navy sailor and the monkey that derailed a vital mission According to an Axios report, an electronics technician, whose name has not been made public, was aboard the USS Chief minesweeper when it stopped in Phuket. There, a monkey scratched him. While the sailor got away with only a scratch, the encounter was serious enough to require medical attention. While officials described his wound as not severe, there is a risk of serious diseases. Macaques can carry the Herpes B virus, a rare but potentially fatal infection that the CDC recommends treating as a medical emergency. The sailor was evacuated to the vessel's home base in Sasebo, Japan, for proper evaluation and care. "Weird stuff happens," a military official told Axios. "This was definitely an unknown unknown." Also read | 'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket US minesweeper mission delayed? While the sailor's mission had to be put on hold, his misfortune did not delay the wider mission. The USS Chief continued toward the Strait of Hormuz alongside the USS Pioneer, both tasked with clearing Iranian mines from the waterway. Iran has seeded the strait, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas ordinarily flows, with mines deployed either remotely via GPS or by small boats, effectively shutting down commercial traffic and trapping hundreds of vessels in the Persian Gulf. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

How did a monkey in Thailand end up disrupting a US military mission tied to one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints, the Strait of Hormuz? Here's all you need to know.

'Weird stuff happens': Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz

The convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, has sent a mystery USB drive to the Department of Justice, almost a week after First Lady Melania Trump’s surprise statement denying personal ties to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. The drive was sent via FedEx on April 16 to the US Attorney Jay Clayton in support of her appeal against the 20-year sentence, reported The Swamp, The Daily Beast Substack. The delivery has sparked intense public and political speculation due to its timing and the secretive nature of its contents.<h2>What was on the USB Drive?</h2>The specific content of the drive has not been made public. Though the Federal prosecutor has provided a summary of the content to the court, in a letter, he reported that Maxwell claimed to have presented 50 new exhibits containing "substantial new evidence" to argue that her trial was unfair, but Clayton suggested that the package had only 33. Clayton described her claims as “duplicative and meritless” but requested time till June 5 to respond.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palantir-manifesto-ai-militarisation-technofascism-debate-1776774249138">Palantir's manifesto calls for AI militarisation, critics call it dystopian and 'technofascism’</a><h2>Why is it mysterious, and is Maxwell getting remission?</h2>The content of the drive and its timing following the surprising denial by the First Lady, Melania Trump, about any personal ties with the Maxwell and Epstein have driven speculation about coordination and quid pro quo. Notably, there were several mentions of Melania Trump in the Epstein documents revealed by the DOJ in subsequent batches in late 2025 and early 2026, and there was political controversy over redactions and withheld names.Maxwell has long argued that the jurors in her trial failed to disclose their own history of sexual abuse during jury selection, which compromised their objectivity. While the 2007 Non Prosecution Agreement made by Jeffrey Epstein with Florida prosecutors should have given her blanket immunity. She also claims that witnesses lied under oath in the Giuffre vs Maxwell civil lawsuit trial, which became the basis of the criminal trial against Maxwell.&nbsp;In a recent Politico report, Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said there was "a good chance and for good reason that (Maxwell) would get a pardon' from President Donald Trump."

A mystery USB drive sent by Ghislaine Maxwell to US authorities is fueling speculation about new evidence, political connections, and even a possible pardon. Here’s what we know so far about the latest twist in the Epstein case.

The convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, has sent a mystery USB drive to the Department of Justice, almost a week after First Lady Melania Trump’s surprise statement denying personal ties to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. The drive was sent via FedEx on April 16 to the US Attorney Jay Clayton in support of her appeal against the 20-year sentence, reported The Swamp, The Daily Beast Substack. The delivery has sparked intense public and political speculation due to its timing and the secretive nature of its contents. What was on the USB Drive? The specific content of the drive has not been made public. Though the Federal prosecutor has provided a summary of the content to the court, in a letter, he reported that Maxwell claimed to have presented 50 new exhibits containing "substantial new evidence" to argue that her trial was unfair, but Clayton suggested that the package had only 33. Clayton described her claims as “duplicative and meritless” but requested time till June 5 to respond. Also Read: Palantir's manifesto calls for AI militarisation, critics call it dystopian and 'technofascism’ Why is it mysterious, and is Maxwell getting remission? The content of the drive and its timing following the surprising denial by the First Lady, Melania Trump, about any personal ties with the Maxwell and Epstein have driven speculation about coordination and quid pro quo. Notably, there were several mentions of Melania Trump in the Epstein documents revealed by the DOJ in subsequent batches in late 2025 and early 2026, and there was political controversy over redactions and withheld names. Maxwell has long argued that the jurors in her trial failed to disclose their own history of sexual abuse during jury selection, which compromised their objectivity. While the 2007 Non Prosecution Agreement made by Jeffrey Epstein with Florida prosecutors should have given her blanket immunity. She also claims that witnesses lied under oath in the Giuffre vs Maxwell civil lawsuit trial, which became the basis of the criminal trial against Maxwell. In a recent Politico report, Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said there was "a good chance and for good reason that (Maxwell) would get a pardon' from President Donald Trump."

A mystery USB drive sent by Ghislaine Maxwell to US authorities is fueling speculation about new evidence, political connections, and even a possible pardon. Here’s what we know so far about the latest twist in the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell's mysterious USB drive to DOJ- Is commutation next?

Photographs of visibly emaciated Ukrainian frontline soldiers went viral on social media on Thursday (Apr 3). The images posted by an account named 'i.petrovna' on Meta's Threads show three Ukrainian soldiers who are quite literally all skin and bones, with their ribs showing. The shocking pictures come as the Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated for over four years and two months. After the heart-wrenching pictures went viral with over 29K likes and 2.8k reshares in under 24 hours, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence issued an emergency response acknowledging what it called an "extreme situation". Replying to the Threads post, the Ukrainian ministry cited "complicated logistics," even as netizens slammed the "nightmare," asking "Where the f**k is our f**king power?!". Here's what Ukraine has to say about starving soldiers on the frontline.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-use-nuclear-weapons-against-tehran-trump-finally-reveals-his-plan-on-day-55-of-iran-war-1776996331952">US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war</a><h2>What did the pictures show?</h2>The images, posted by an anonymous account on Threads, showed four soldiers from the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of Ukraine's 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade appearing gaunt, hollow-eyed and severely weakened. The accompanying post was stark: "The guys are on the positions without food or water. Command isn't responding. The fighters are losing consciousness from hunger, drinking rainwater. There are also problems with communication."

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The post spread quickly, triggering a wave of alarm and demands for accountability from social media users across multiple platforms. The exact location of the unit has not been disclosed for security reasons, though a brigade update from April 19 suggests at least some of its troops are operating in the Kharkiv region, likely near the Kupyansk sector, an area that has seen sustained and intense fighting.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-profiting-off-righteous-operation-how-an-army-soldier-used-secret-war-plans-about-maduro-s-capture-to-make-400-000-on-polymarket-1776993168140">'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket</a><h2>What did Ukraine say?</h2>Within hours, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence confirmed the situation had been flagged and that the brigade commander had taken personal control of addressing it. Calling the images visuals of one of the war's most gruelling stretches of front line, it said that "Logistics are complicated, but we are working to fix supply issues and rotate the troops."

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The ministry attributed the breakdown not to negligence but to the brutal physical realities of resupply in active combat zones. "This should not happen," acknowledged the ministry, adding "but the situation in different directions of the front is quite critical."Reports suggest that on certain sections of the front line, even delivering food and water has become a life-threatening mission. Supplies are often carried on foot or transported by small drones, both of which are vulnerable to Russian artillery and first-person view drones that hunt anything moving behind Ukrainian lines. As front lines shift, routes that were passable one day can become kill zones the next.Not only that, amid battlefield pressure, commanders are often forced to choose ammunition over food and water. This is not because commanders are indifferent to their troops hunger, but because the calculus of survival on an active front line is brutally straightforward: weapons take precedence.

How bad are conditions on Ukraine’s front lines right now? Viral images showing emaciated troops from a frontline unit have sparked outrage and forced a response from Kyiv. Here's what Ukraine said.

Photographs of visibly emaciated Ukrainian frontline soldiers went viral on social media on Thursday (Apr 3). The images posted by an account named 'i.petrovna' on Meta's Threads show three Ukrainian soldiers who are quite literally all skin and bones, with their ribs showing. The shocking pictures come as the Russia-Ukraine war continues unabated for over four years and two months. After the heart-wrenching pictures went viral with over 29K likes and 2.8k reshares in under 24 hours, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence issued an emergency response acknowledging what it called an "extreme situation". Replying to the Threads post, the Ukrainian ministry cited "complicated logistics," even as netizens slammed the "nightmare," asking "Where the f**k is our f**king power?!". Here's what Ukraine has to say about starving soldiers on the frontline. Also read | US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war What did the pictures show? The images, posted by an anonymous account on Threads, showed four soldiers from the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of Ukraine's 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade appearing gaunt, hollow-eyed and severely weakened. The accompanying post was stark: "The guys are on the positions without food or water. Command isn't responding. The fighters are losing consciousness from hunger, drinking rainwater. There are also problems with communication."

How bad are conditions on Ukraine’s front lines right now? Viral images showing emaciated troops from a frontline unit have sparked outrage and forced a response from Kyiv. Here's what Ukraine said.

'Extreme situation': Images of starving Ukrainian soldiers go viral, Kyiv says 'logistics are complicated'

Doubts and questions about Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, have circulated ever since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing his father and former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. As the US intel continues to find Mojtaba’s whereabouts, a report claims the Iranian leader was “gravely wounded” but is “mentally sharp”. Mojtaba was elected as the country’s new supreme leader on March 8. However, reports suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been in control ever since, as his uncertainty looms over his health. Moreover, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances since the war began and only shared written statements through social media or state media.<h2>Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?</h2>According to a New York Times report, Iran’s supreme leader is facing critical medical conditions after surviving bombings that killed his father, wife and son. It added that access to him is “extremely difficult and limited” as a team of doctors treat his injuries sustained in the airstrikes. Reportedly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is also a heart surgeon and the minister of health, have been involved in his care. Even senior IRGC and government officials do not visit him, fearing his location may be traced by Israel.Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-fracture-in-enemy-mojtaba-khamenei-responds-after-trump-claims-infighting-within-iranian-leadership-1777001035221"> ‘Fracture in enemy’: Mojtaba Khamenei responds after Trump claims ‘infighting’ within Iranian leadership</a><h2>Mojtaba Khamenei’s health update</h2>While Mojtaba Khamenei was severely injured in the US-Israeli strikes, he is “mentally sharp and engaged”, the NYT reported, citing Iranian officials familiar with his health. The report added that one of his legs was operated on three times and he is awaiting a prosthetic. It added that Mojtaba also had surgery on one hand and is slowly regaining function.The Iranian leader’s face and lips were severely burned, making it difficult for him to speak. According to officials, he will also require plastic surgery eventually.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-use-nuclear-weapons-against-tehran-trump-finally-reveals-his-plan-on-day-55-of-iran-war-1776996331952">US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war</a><h2>Why has Mojtaba Khamenei not appeared in public?</h2>According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei has not recorded any audio or video message yet as he does not want to appear weak or vulnerable in his first public address, the official said. Since being named Iran’s supreme leader, he has issued several written statements that have been posted on social media or read on state television.Messages sent to him are handwritten and sealed in envelopes, then relayed through a human chain of trusted couriers, “who travel on highways and back roads, in cars and on motorcycles until they reach his hide-out”. His advice on issues are communited same way.Over concerns over his safety and his health, Mojtaba Khamenei has delegates decision making to the generals for now, the report added.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly gravely injured but mentally alert after strikes, with limited access and no public appearances, raising concerns over Iran’s leadership stability.

Doubts and questions about Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, have circulated ever since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing his father and former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. As the US intel continues to find Mojtaba’s whereabouts, a report claims the Iranian leader was “gravely wounded” but is “mentally sharp”. Mojtaba was elected as the country’s new supreme leader on March 8. However, reports suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been in control ever since, as his uncertainty looms over his health. Moreover, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances since the war began and only shared written statements through social media or state media. Where is Mojtaba Khamenei? According to a New York Times report, Iran’s supreme leader is facing critical medical conditions after surviving bombings that killed his father, wife and son. It added that access to him is “extremely difficult and limited” as a team of doctors treat his injuries sustained in the airstrikes. Reportedly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is also a heart surgeon and the minister of health, have been involved in his care. Even senior IRGC and government officials do not visit him, fearing his location may be traced by Israel. Also read | ‘Fracture in enemy’: Mojtaba Khamenei responds after Trump claims ‘infighting’ within Iranian leadership Mojtaba Khamenei’s health update While Mojtaba Khamenei was severely injured in the US-Israeli strikes, he is “mentally sharp and engaged”, the NYT reported, citing Iranian officials familiar with his health. The report added that one of his legs was operated on three times and he is awaiting a prosthetic. It added that Mojtaba also had surgery on one hand and is slowly regaining function. The Iranian leader’s face and lips were severely burned, making it difficult for him to speak. According to officials, he will also require plastic surgery eventually. Also read | US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war Why has Mojtaba Khamenei not appeared in public? According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei has not recorded any audio or video message yet as he does not want to appear weak or vulnerable in his first public address, the official said. Since being named Iran’s supreme leader, he has issued several written statements that have been posted on social media or read on state television. Messages sent to him are handwritten and sealed in envelopes, then relayed through a human chain of trusted couriers, “who travel on highways and back roads, in cars and on motorcycles until they reach his hide-out”. His advice on issues are communited same way. Over concerns over his safety and his health, Mojtaba Khamenei has delegates decision making to the generals for now, the report added. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly gravely injured but mentally alert after strikes, with limited access and no public appearances, raising concerns over Iran’s leadership stability.

Mojtaba Khamenei to undergo plastic surgery? SHOCKING details on Iranian Supreme Leader’s health

Tensions between the United States and Iran remain at the centre of the unfolding Middle East crisis, with Donald Trump warning that “the clock is ticking” for Tehran while signalling no urgency to end the war. The US has reinforced its military presence, including the deployment of the USS George H.W. Bush, as part of a broader naval buildup near the Strait of Hormuz.Washington has also stepped up maritime actions, intercepting vessels linked to Iranian oil shipments and warning it will use force against any attempts to mine the strait. Iran, in response, has effectively restricted passage through Hormuz, a critical global energy route, and begun collecting toll revenues from limited approved shipping. Reports of air defence activity over Tehran have added to uncertainty, though no confirmed strikes were acknowledged. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with proposed talks in Islamabad yet to materialise.Meanwhile, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a fragile ceasefire by three weeks despite ongoing violations, including Israeli strikes and missile fire from Hezbollah. Trump expressed cautious optimism about peace, even as regional tensions continue to simmer.<h2>Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war</h2>

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Islamabad in Pakistan for further talks with Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.The two will leave Saturday morning to continue the negotiations, she added.

Witkoff and Kushner will go to Islamabad for Iran talks: White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a process to achieve a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon is underway, but it is that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this.Israel is changing the face of the Middle East, and they’re fully cooperating with the US, said Netanyahu, while praising Donald Trump for “applying very strong pressure on Iran, both economically and militarily."

Netanyahu accuses Hezbollah of trying to sabotage peace deal

Iran’s mission to the United Nations has issued a statement denouncing the US’ “illegal seizure” of Iran’s commercial vessel Touska on April 19, as Washington enforced its naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz.In a statement posted on X, the mission said the ship was carrying “critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment” and claimed the seizure constituted “a flagrant breach of international law”.

Seized ship carried critical medical equipment, says Iran mission to UN 

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Our neighbors are our priority.&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/2047685407941296331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 24, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Araghchi says travelling to Islamabad for bilateral talks, no mention of US peace talks

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has stepped up diplomatic efforts in Europe, seeking support to stabilise the country and reinforce a fragile ceasefire.Aoun held a series of meetings in Cyprus on the sidelines of an informal EU gathering with leaders from the Middle East and North Africa, hosted by the country’s Prime Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

Lebanon seeks EU support to reinforce fragile ceasefire

Lawmaker Mohammed Raad, head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, called on Friday for Lebanon to "withdraw" from direct talks with Israel that US President Donald Trump says have a "very good chance" of achieving peace.

Hezbollah calls on Lebanon to 'withdraw' from Israel talks

The immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions is "vital" for the world, European Council President Antonio Costa said Friday, after talks with regional leaders including from Lebanon and Syria."The Strait of Hormuz must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling, in full respect of international law and the principle of freedom of navigation. This is vital for the entire world," Costa told a news conference in Cyprus.

EU chief says it is ‘vital’ to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The Israeli military said Hezbollah shot down one of its drones in south Lebanon on Friday, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group was extended."A short while ago, an IDF remotely piloted aircraft was downed in southern Lebanon following the launch of a small surface-to-air missile by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation," the military said in a statement, indicating the incident was under review.

Hezbollah downs Israeli drone in south Lebanon, says IDF

Oil prices slid Friday on hopes of fresh peace talks aimed at ending the Middle East war, with Iran's foreign minister expected later in Islamabad.After jumping more than two percent, international benchmark Brent North Sea crude showed a loss of 0.5 percent at $104.57 a barrel. The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, fell 1.1 percent to $94.80.

Oil prices drop as hopes of renewed US-Iran talks ease supply fears

An Israeli strike killed two people in southern Lebanon on Friday, the Lebanese health ministry reported, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended.

Israeli strike in southern Lebanon kills two, says health ministry

UAE official says rebuilding trust with Iran will take ‘ages and ages.’

UAE official warns trust with Iran may take ‘ages and ages’ to rebuild

Oil prices pushed higher, with Brent at $107 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $97, while stocks struggled as investors worried about a lack of progress in ending the West Asia crisis, with Tehran keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and the US maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.

Oil prices pushed higher amid West Asia crisis

International flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport will resume on Saturday, the ISNA news agency reported, days after Iran reopened its airspace. The first flights to resume will be to Istanbul and Muscat, the announcement said.

Tehran airport to resume on Saturday

The Kuwaiti military said on Friday that two drones coming from the direction of neighbouring Iraq struck border posts on its northern frontier with the country, causing damage but no casualties.

Kuwait says drones coming from Iraq target border posts

The US military noted that it now has three aircraft carriers -- the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS George H.W. Bush -- in West Asia for the first time since it waged the 2003 Iraq war.The three battle groups comprise "over 200 aircraft and 15,000 Sailors and Marines", US Central Command said on X.

USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford & USS George H.W. Bush in West Asia for the first time since 2003

The residents of Gaza's Deir el-Balah will be conducting a symbolic poll on April 25 for their first local election since 2006. Almost 70,000 eligible voters will cast ballots in 12 polling centres across the city. While many Palestinians view this as a symbolic poll, to signify that Gaza, along with the West Bank, as an inseparable part of the Palestinian political system and Palestinian identity.&nbsp;

Gaza's resident to vote in Municpal poll first time since 2006 

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected US President Donald Trump's accusation that the intercepted Iranian ship was a “gift from China”, Reuters reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that it opposes all baseless “accusations and associations”. It further asserted that a "normal trade relationship" between countries should not be subjected to “interference and disruptions”.

China's FM rejects Trump's accusation of 'gift from China'

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, commander of the Pakistani army. According to Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim, the phone call discussed regional developments and a possible peace accord, involving the US-Iran war&nbsp;

Iran's FM holds a phone call with Pakistani high command

European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that exclusion of nuclear experts from negotiations with Tehran could result in an agreement "weaker than the JCPOA". Speaking ahead of an informal EU summit in Cyprus, Kallas cautioned that without technical specialists and a broader focus, the international community would ultimately face a "more dangerous Iran".&nbsp;

EU warns about a "more dangerous Iran"

Iranian leaders have posted the message on social media that there were no “radicals” and “moderates” in Iran; all of them were unified in a “revolutionary identity”. Almost a similar kind of message was sent out from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force. This comes as a response to US President Donald Trump's claim that there was an internal rift within Iran and that Iran is leaderless.&nbsp;

Iranian leaders push message of unity simultaneously

Israeli forces have arrested three Palestinians, including two brothers, during early morning raids in the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, according to reports.Palestinian news agency Wafa said the arrests took place across multiple neighbourhoods, including Asira al Shamaliya and Karoum Ashour.&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="ar" dir="rtl"&gt;قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي تقتحتم قرية عصيرة الشمالية شمال نابلس في الضفة الغربية &lt;a href="https://t.co/sf5ZNbBTlw"&gt;pic.twitter.com/sf5ZNbBTlw&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/ajmubasher/status/2047501673925337102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 24, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Israeli forces arrest three in West Bank dawn raids

Iran will restart flights between Tehran and Mashhad from Saturday, according to Tasnim News Agency, as part of a phased reopening of its airspace.The country began restoring aviation operations on April 18 under a four-stage plan, with key airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International, reopening earlier this week. Mashhad is Iran’s second-largest city and a major religious hub.

Iran to resume Tehran–Mashhad flights as airspace reopening continues

South Korea has secured 74.62 million barrels of crude oil for May, covering about 87 per cent of its average monthly imports, as it moves to stabilise supplies amid the Iran conflict.Officials said the country has also reduced dependence on Middle East oil to 56 per cent from 69 per cent, signalling a shift toward diversified energy sourcing.

South Korea secures 74.6m barrels of oil, cuts Middle East reliance

The USS George H.W. Bush has arrived in the region, bringing the number of US aircraft carriers in the Middle East to three.

US deploys third aircraft carrier to Middle East

Will the US use nuclear weapons against Iran? That’s the question hanging over the war, and President Donald Trump has now given his clearest answer yet.What did he say?<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-use-nuclear-weapons-against-tehran-trump-finally-reveals-his-plan-on-day-55-of-iran-war-1776996331952">CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260424/image-1776996610364.jpg?rect=(0,68,1065,799)&amp;imwidth=800&amp;imheight=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war"></figure>

US to use nuclear weapons against Tehran? Trump FINALLY REVEALS his plan on day 55 of Iran war

Trump said the US would act against any attempt to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, vowing to destroy vessels laying mines.

US warns it will destroy mines in Strait of Hormuz

Equity markets across Asia traded lower as investors grew cautious over the lack of progress in US-Iran negotiations.Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Sydney all declined, reflecting weakening confidence as the conflict drags on.Key figures at 0230 GMTWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 per cent at $96.92 a barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 per cent at $106.26 a barrelTokyo - Nikkei 225: Up 0.3 per cent at 59,343.40 (break)Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 per cent at 25,715.74Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.5 per cent at 4,071.52Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1681 from $1.1684 on ThursdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3463 from $1.3465Dollar/yen: UP at 159.79 yen from 159.72 yenEuro/pound: UP at 86.78 pence from 86.76 penceNew York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.4 per cent at 49,310.32 (close)London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 per cent at 10,457.01 (close)

Global markets slip amid uncertainty over Iran war talks

Oil prices continued to climb, with crude gaining by around a fifth over the past week as tensions in the Middle East disrupted supply routes.The Strait of Hormuz remains closed while the US blockade of Iranian ports continues, raising concerns over global energy flows.

Oil prices surge as Hormuz shutdown, US blockade fuel fears

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;If there is anything important in the text, let us know. My colleagues and I haven’t read it at all.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Who is running the United States? The one who is busy posting &lt;a href="https://t.co/19aVoETzho"&gt;pic.twitter.com/19aVoETzho&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Iran Embassy SA (@IraninSA) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/IraninSA/status/2047344813071118735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 23, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Iranian Embassy mock Trump over Truth Social post

Doubts and questions about Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, have circulated ever since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing his father and former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. As the US intel continues to find Mojtaba’s whereabouts, a report claims the Iranian leader was “gravely wounded” but is “mentally sharp”. Mojtaba was selected as the country’s new supreme leader on March 8. However, reports suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been in control ever since, as his uncertainty looms over his health. Moreover, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances since the war began and only shared written statements through social media or state media.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mojtaba-khamenei-to-undergo-plastic-surgery-shocking-details-on-iranian-supreme-leader-s-health-1777007633183">Read more here.</a>

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei hailed the unity of Iranians that has struck a major blow to the enemy in his latest message on Thursday (Apr 23). He also called for “practical gratitude” to further strengthen national cohesion. This comes after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran’s leadership was divided from within, saying that there was “infighting” between the “hardliners” and “moderates”. He also said that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz until Iran makes a deal.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-fracture-in-enemy-mojtaba-khamenei-responds-after-trump-claims-infighting-within-iranian-leadership-1777001035221">Read more here.</a>

‘Fracture in enemy’: Mojtaba Khamenei responds after Trump claims ‘infighting’ within Iranian leadership

Israel and Lebanon extended a shaky ceasefire by three weeks, President Donald Trump said Thursday, as the United States remained at a standstill in negotiations with Iran to end the Middle East war.Trump announced the truce extension as he met with ambassadors of the two countries and despite recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon and fresh rocket fire from Iran-backed Hezbollah, which was not part of the talks in Washington."I think there's a very good chance of having peace. I think it should be an easy one," Trump told reporters on Thursday. The initial truce had been set to expire on Sunday.Still, the US president said earlier he was in no rush to end the war with Iran, adding that "the clock is ticking" for the Islamic republic as a third American aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East.Iranian media reported blasts over the capital Tehran, a first since the ceasefire in the Middle East war came into effect two weeks ago.It was not clear what caused the explosions, though an Israeli security source told AFP that their country was not currently striking Iran.

Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire as Iran peace talks stall

The United States will not exclude Iran from the World Cup tournament it is hosting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, after an official mused about replacing war-battered Iran with Italy, which did not qualify."The problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that we want to bring with them," Rubio told reporters, denying Washington had asked the Iranian team not to come.

Rubio denies US trying to exclude Iran players from World Cup

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he expected the Israeli and Lebanese leaders to meet with him over the next couple of weeks and voiced hope for a permanent peace deal this year."I think there's a very good chance of having peace. I think it should be an easy one," Trump told reporters as he met the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to announce an extension of a shaky ceasefire.

Trump eyes Lebanon-Israel meeting in weeks, deal this year

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire would be extended by three weeks, despite sporadic fighting on the ground."The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS," Trump said in a social media posting as he met envoys of Israel and Lebanon.

Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks

Hezbollah said on Thursday it fired rockets at northern Israel in response to the country's ceasefire "violations", as Lebanon and Israel's US ambassadors were set to meet in Washington."In defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the Israeli enemy's violation of the ceasefire and its targeting of the town of Yater in southern Lebanon," Hezbollah "targeted the Shtula settlement with a rocket salvo", the Iran-backed militant group said in a statement.The Israeli military said "several launches that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory were identified" and intercepted.

Hezbollah says fired rockets at northern Israel

Tensions continue to flare in the Middle East despite a fragile ceasefire. Will the US and Iran engage in diplomacy? Follow Iran war live updates here.

Tensions between the United States and Iran remain at the centre of the unfolding Middle East crisis, with Donald Trump warning that “the clock is ticking” for Tehran while signalling no urgency to end the war. The US has reinforced its military presence, including the deployment of the USS George H.W. Bush, as part of a broader naval buildup near the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has also stepped up maritime actions, intercepting vessels linked to Iranian oil shipments and warning it will use force against any attempts to mine the strait. Iran, in response, has effectively restricted passage through Hormuz, a critical global energy route, and begun collecting toll revenues from limited approved shipping. Reports of air defence activity over Tehran have added to uncertainty, though no confirmed strikes were acknowledged. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with proposed talks in Islamabad yet to materialise. Meanwhile, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a fragile ceasefire by three weeks despite ongoing violations, including Israeli strikes and missile fire from Hezbollah. Trump expressed cautious optimism about peace, even as regional tensions continue to simmer. Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war

Tensions continue to flare in the Middle East despite a fragile ceasefire. Will the US and Iran engage in diplomacy? Follow Iran war live updates here.

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