Israel has issued an evacuation order for southern Lebanon
Israel has issued an evacuation order for southern Lebanon after one of its soldiers was killed, warning residents to leave seven towns beyond the “buffer zone” it occupied before a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military said in a statement on X that Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was violating the ceasefire and that Israel would act against it, telling people to head north and west away from the towns.
The towns are north of the Litani River and the zone in southern Lebanon occupied by Israeli troops, who have continued military operations despite the ceasefire. The military said that it struck Hezbollah fighters, rocket launchers and a weapons depot.
“From our perspective, what obliges us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, the security of our communities,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
“We act vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and also, by the way, with Lebanon.”
Rebecca Whittaker26 April 2026 18:08
Watch: Elizabeth Warren says Republicans can’t look Democrats in the eye because of Iran warElizabeth Warren says Republicans can’t look Democrats in the eye because of Iran war
Maira Butt26 April 2026 18:00
Government ramps up planning for possible supply shortages from Iran war
Oil prices have soared since the US-Israel war on Iran began, driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping lane that once handled a fifth of global oil and gas.
The Prime Minister will chair another meeting of the Cabinet committee, established to manage the fallout, this Tuesday, following last week’s Middle East Response Committee session.
A separate contingency group of ministers, led by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, also meets twice weekly.
Maira Butt26 April 2026 17:30
In pictures: Araghchi visits Muscat, Oman before returning to Islamabad
(AP)
In this photo released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, in Muscat, Oman, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi sits down with Senior Omani Diplomat, Najib Bin Yahya Al Balushi (Reuters)
Maira Butt26 April 2026 17:01
Iran can call US if it wants to negotiate an end to war, Trump says
Donald Trump has said Iran can reach out to the United States if it wants to negotiate an end to the war.
“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News.
It comes after he canceled a trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday, which was a setback to peace talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi departed Islamabad after speaking only to Pakistani officials, but has since returned to Pakistan despite the absence of US counterparts.
Rebecca Whittaker26 April 2026 16:58
Vance and Trump allies invoke ‘just war theory’ to legitimize Iran action. Experts say it ‘fails every single criteria’
Last week, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson — first and second in the presidential line of succession — explicitly cited “just war” theory while speaking about the Middle East conflict.
But, the Republican leaders’ application of the doctrine — which dates back over a thousand years — is fundamentally flawed, according to experts in theology, philosophy and military strategy.
Maira Butt26 April 2026 16:30
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,500 people, says health ministry
More than 2,500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, the country’s health ministry confirmed on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued as Hezbollah said it would not rely on “failed diplomacy” to resolve the conflict.
Israel has issued an evacuation order for more seven towns outside its occupation of southern Lebanon, which it has dubbed a “buffer zone”.
Maira Butt26 April 2026 16:00
UK’s Starmer and Trump discuss ‘urgent need’ to restore shipping in Strait of Hormuz
UK prime minister Keir Starmer and US president Donald Trump discussed an urgent need to get shipping moving through the Strait of Hormuz during a call on Sunday, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
“The leaders discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally,” read the statement.
“The prime minister shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with President (Emmanuel) Macron to restore freedom of navigation.”
Maira Butt26 April 2026 15:30
Pakistan races to save negotiations between US and Iran after Trump keeps envoys home
Attempts at ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran fell flat after Tehran’s top diplomat left Pakistan and President Donald Trump‘s envoys stayed away after he told them not to travel to Islamabad.
The US president indicated the ball was now in Iran’s court.
“If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” Trump said on social media.
The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the U.S., led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the U.S. after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
Maira Butt26 April 2026 15:00
Breaking: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in Islamabad
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, according to the country’s state media.
The arrival will spark hopes for a revival of negotiations after Tehran denied direct talks and President Donald Trump cancelled a visit for envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday.
Maira Butt26 April 2026 14:41