Although the US President has repeatedly criticized UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to join the US-Israel war against Iran, Starmer once again expressed opposition, saying in his latest response that he is "not going to yield" to pressure following President Trump's warning over a US-UK trade deal, according to media reports on Wednesday. A Chinese expert said the move by the US, which seeks to tightly link economic relations with geopolitical alignment, has deepened the trust deficit across the transatlantic alliance as UK refused to bear the costs of Washington's strategic gamble.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday an extension of the current U.S. ceasefire with Iran is "not true at this moment."

Israel rejects Washington's request for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon -- Al Jazeera

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday morning the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is "very close to being over."

U.S. and Iranian officials have reached an "in principle agreement" to extend the ceasefire to allow more time for diplomatic efforts, U.S. media reported Wednesday.

French lawmakers in the National Assembly on Monday passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks and other prized artefacts looted during the country's colonial era to their countries of origin, France 24 reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wasn't thinking about extending the ceasefire with Iran.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye from April 15 to April 18, according to an official statement.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that the war against Iran is "very close" to completion.

Israel and Lebanon laid out different expectations on a peace deal during talks here on Tuesday, with Israel insisting on Hezbollah's disarmament and Lebanon calling for a ceasefire and concrete measures to ease the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan within the next two days, according to media reports.

Amid a severe energy crisis, the Philippines faces some tough questions: Is solving the energy crisis its top priority, or just for show? How much longer are its foreign policy, coast guard, and military going to pulling in completely opposite directions? Will Manila put the suffering of its own people first, or keep prioritizing the agendas of politicians and outside powers?

US military executing mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports -- CENTCOM

Israel-Lebanon talks begin in US

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global economic growth forecasts for 2026 to 3.1 percent in the World Economic Outlook report published on Tuesday, while keeping its projection for 2027 at 3.2 percent.

"Anybody who understands economics will want to build relationship with China," a representative from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) told the Global Times at the UAE-China Business Promotion Conference in Beijing on Monday, which was held on the sidelines of the official visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, UAE. At the event, many business players from UAE told the Global Times that this trip to China is aimed at further strengthening ties between business partners amid a volatile global trade environment.

Japanese police on Tuesday rearrested Kodai Murata, second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF), who is suspected of violating Japan's Firearms and Swords Control Law by forcibly breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Japan on March 24, according to Japanese media reports. Previously, he had been arrested on suspicion of trespassing at the Chinese Embassy in Japan.

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has not been accredited by the United States to attend the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) finance chiefs meeting, local media reported on Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened again on Monday that Cuba would be Washington's next target following attacks on Venezuela and Iran.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls on U.S.-Iranian negotiations to continue, said his spokesman on Monday.

As the US blockade of Strait of Hormuz came into effect on Monday 10:00 A.M. ET., the US military said it will block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, according to Al Jazeera.

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday expressed optimism about the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States, saying a new round of dialogue is expected soon after recent talks held in Islamabad.

"The election result is painful for us, but clear," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the Fidesz party campaign offices, conceding defeat on local time Sunday in a major election loss - signaling the imminent end of his 16 consecutive years in power, as the Xinhua News Agency reported - as results showed Peter Magyar's center-right Tisza party winning a majority, per media reports. This election has received wide attention as it will not only affect the future of Hungary, but also carries implications for the European country's relations with the US, Russia and the EU, with influence on wider geopolitical scope, Chinese observers said. But no matter how policy adjustment is made, the core issues of security, energy and economic development remain unchanged and shall be the priority of the new government, they said.

US blockade of Strait of Hormuz in effect -- media

The U.S. military will impose a blockade covering parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz starting from 1400 GMT, Reuters reported, citing a notice to mariners issued by U.S. Central Command.

Britain will not be involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, British media reported on Sunday.

After peace talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Islamabad without an agreement, regional mediators are racing to secure a second round of negotiations within days to prevent the collapse of a fragile, two-week ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Iran's military warns that no Gulf ports will be safe if its own threatened: report

The spokesperson of Unified Command of Iranian Armed Forces said Monday that US restrictions on vessels in international waters is "illegal and constitutes piracy."

Trump says US to blockade ship entering or exiting Iran's ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET

US President Donald Trump is looking at resuming limited military strikes in Iran in addition to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz "as a way to break a stalemate in peace talks," The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling coalition by securing a majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the National Election Office (NEO).

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat in Sunday's parliamentary elections, as partial results showed the opposition Tisza party securing a majority.

U.S. forces will begin implementing a blockade of "all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports" on Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, U.S. Central Command said in a statement Sunday.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Sunday that Israeli forces rammed UNIFIL vehicles and damaged monitoring equipment in southern Lebanon, calling the incidents a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday any "erroneous" move by the "enemy" in the Strait of Hormuz will have deadly consequences.

The UK government has been forced to shelve its legislation to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after the US dropped its support for the agreement, the Guardian reported on Saturday, describing the setback as “a sign of the worsening US-UK relations.”

Expressing her intention on constitutional revision, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi claimed on Sunday that “Voluntary constitutional revision crafted by the Japanese people is a core party principle. The time has come,” the Asahi Shimbun reported on Sunday. A Chinese expert said the move reflects an attempt by Takaichi and Japanese right-wing forces to set a clearer timetable for amending the pacifist Constitution and loosening legal constraints on the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

After 21 hours of intense negotiations in Islamabad, the US-Iran talks, which multiple news outlets said to be the highest-level face-to-face meeting between US and Iranian officials since 1979, ended on Sunday without an agreement to halt the monthlong war. Despite the marathon talks, deep-seated mistrust - shaped by decades of hostilities and sharpened by the latest conflict - continues to weigh heavily on both sides. Disputes over critical issues, including the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program, have further complicated the path forward, making any breakthrough far from swift or straightforward, Chinese analysts said.

Iran's IRGC Navy warns that "any wrong move will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools" in Strait of Hormuz -- report

Trump says to destroy Iranian energy infrastructure if no deal reached -- media

Trump says U.S. Navy to immediately blockade all ships attempting to enter or leave Hormuz Strait

After 21 hours of marathon-like negotiations, the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the latest round of talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who heads the Iranian delegation in the Islamabad talks, said Sunday that Washington was unable to win Tehran's trust during the discussions.

The Ukrainian armed forces have violated the Easter ceasefire for 1,971 times from Saturday when the truce was agreed until 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Sunday, said Russian Defense Ministry.

Iranian delegation leaves Islamabad: report

Iran and the United States reached an understanding on a number of issues, but views diverged on two or three important issues, and ultimately their talks in Islamabad, Pakistan did not lead to an agreement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Sunday.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that his country will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating engagement and dialogue between Iran and the United States in the days ahead, despite the Islamabad talks failing to reach a deal.

Iranian FM spokesperson says to continue contacts, consultations between Iran, Pakistan, "other friends" in region: report

No agreement was reached between the United States and Iran in the latest round of talks held in Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance said here on Sunday, as negotiations concluded without a breakthrough despite intensive engagement.

No agreement was reached between the United States and Iran in the latest round of talks held in Islamabad, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said here on Sunday, as negotiations concluded without a breakthrough despite intensive engagement.

Vance says we are going back to US

Agreement not reached so far: Vance

Vance to brief to media on US-Iran talks in Islamabad: media

The Iraqi Parliament on Saturday elected former environment minister Nizar Amedi as the country's new president, following a decisive voting session held in the capital Baghdad.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes during the latest round of fighting have killed 2,020 people and wounded 6,436 others since hostilities escalated.

Qatar's Ministry of Transport said in a statement on Saturday that maritime navigation will resume on Sunday for all types of vessels and ships.

Negotiations between delegations from Iran and the United States will be extended for another day at Pakistan's proposal and at the two sides' consent, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported early Sunday.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was officially sworn in as the President of Myanmar on Friday.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that the Iranian people have achieved a "decisive victory" in the war against the United States and Israel, adding that Iran will move the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has amplified global geopolitical risks and intensified downside risks for economic growth of developing Asia and the Pacific, according to a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday warned the United States against allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "kill diplomacy," as a fragile ceasefire took hold following 40 days of fighting.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday again lashed out at NATO following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, with White House reportedly considering a plan to punish some members of the NATO alliance. A Chinese expert noting that the renewed criticism underscores contradiction of strategic interests between Washington and its European allies amid the Iran war.

Trump says all US ships, aircraft, military will remain in and around Iran until reached agreement fully complied with

The United Nations strongly condemns Israel's strikes across Lebanon that resulted in significant civilian casualties, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said Wednesday.

Iran's state-run Press TV reported on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz has been fully closed, forcing oil tankers to turn back.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Thursday said that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon risks jeopardizing the ceasefire in the Middle East.

"NATO wasn't there when we needed them, and they won't be there if we need them again," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned Israel's latest strikes on Lebanon, stressing that "Lebanon must be fully covered by" the Middle East ceasefire.

Oil tankers have been suspended from passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli attack on Lebanon, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported Wednesday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday posted a message in Chinese, English and Arabic on social platform X, thanking China and other countries for their diplomatic efforts and support in securing a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Trump threatens 50 pct tariffs on any country supplying weapons to Iran

Trump says there will be no enrichment of uranium for Iran

An Israeli air strike targeted Barbour area in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Wednesday, causing fear among residents, local TV channel al-Jadeed reported.

Vessel movements resumed on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire announced by the United States and Iran, ship-tracking service MarineTraffic said on X.

A reliable security guarantee mechanism involving the UN Security Council, China, Russia and other major powers, as well as Pakistan, needs to be established to safeguard overall stability in the Middle East, the Iranian ambassador to China said at a Wednesday press conference at the embassy.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is to head a negotiating team for talks with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Iranian Students' News Agency reported on Wednesday.

In a stunning turn of events closely watched by the world, the US-Israeli operation against Iran that had dragged on for over a month has dramatically reversed, ushering in a significant de-escalation of tensions. Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened "a whole civilization will die," the US leader announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday night. Iranian side later confirmed the two-week ceasefire deal negotiated by Pakistan, saying it does not mean an end to the war with release of Tehran's 10-point peace plan.

Israeli PM says he supports temporary truce subject to Iran opening straits

Iran and the United States have agreed to a 2-week ceasefire less than two hours before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, and will hold negotiations in Pakistan.

Iran fired the fourth round of missile attack targeting Israel, the Israeli military said early Wednesday.

Israel is continuing its strike against Iran despite a ceasefire declared by the United States and Iran, Israeli media quoted a security official as saying on Wednesday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X on Wednesday that Iran and the U.S., along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said Wednesday that the two-week ceasefire with the United States does not signal an end to the war, pending negotiations over the details of its 10-point plan.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt a draft resolution that "strongly encourages" states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts of a defensive nature to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz, including through the escort of merchant and commercial vessels.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks."

Trump says he agrees to suspend bombing and attack of Iran for two weeks, according to Xinhua News Agency. Iran says to hold negotiations with US in Islamabad, per Xinhua

Iran has closed all diplomatic and indirect channels of communication with the United States: media

US Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday that the United States has largely achieved its military objectives against Iran and set a deadline for Tehran to respond to negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday morning that Iran's "whole civilization will die tonight," a deadline he set for Iran to make a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a possible sharp escalation of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

The United States and Israel on Tuesday launched an attack on a bridge near the Iranian city of Qom, south of Tehran, according to local media reports.

Several explosions were heard in Iran's Kharg Island on Tuesday, following multiple attacks by the United States and Israel, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency.

One attacker was killed and four others, including two police officers and two attackers, were wounded Tuesday during a shootout near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul's Besiktas district, a local official said.

About 52 percent of Southeast Asian respondents identified US leadership under Donald Trump as their top geopolitical concern, followed closely by 51.4 percent citing global scam operations, an annual survey released on Tuesday showed.

The 16th National Assembly of Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon elected Le Minh Hung as the country's new prime minister.

The Japanese government on Monday outlined plans to promote dual-use technologies to strengthen national defense readiness, local media reported.

To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, was elected Vietnam's state president at the first session of the 16th National Assembly, the country's top legislature, on Tuesday.

At least one person died and two others were injured following a fire on Monday that involved several fuel trucks beneath the Bridge of the Americas, according to a report of the Spanish news agency EFE.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. military had used as many as 155 warplanes to rescue the second airman in Iran and was forced to destroy some cargo planes that got stuck to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.

Iran has rejected a U.S.-proposed 15-point peace plan, calling instead for a permanent end to the conflict, the official news agency IRNA reported Monday.