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US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Pakistan to engage in crucial talks with Iran, seeking to bring an end to the ongoing US-Israeli war. Vance expressed optimism about the negotiations, stating that he expects 'positive' results from the discussions.Vance's trip comes at a critical juncture, with the conflict showing no signs of abating. The US and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, which has resulted in significant damage to Iran's nuclear sites. President Donald Trump has given Vance clear guidelines for the meeting, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.The talks in Pakistan will involve Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, it remains unclear if any representative from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will attend. The format of the negotiations and whether the US and Iranian officials will speak face-to-face or through intermediaries have not been disclosed.Trust issues remain a significant hurdle in the negotiations. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht Ravanchi, expressed wariness about the talks, citing concerns that they could be used as a deception to cover renewed escalation in fighting. Iran seeks an agreement with guarantees that it will not be attacked again.The negotiations in Pakistan are seen as a critical step towards resolving the conflict. Both sides appear to be miles apart, with tremendous amounts of mistrust. However, according to Ali Vaez, the Iran project manager at the International Crisis Group, every option possible has been tried, and both sides have ended up in a lose-lose scenario. Vaez emphasized that it is essential for both sides to be practical and realize that concessions at the negotiating table are necessary to avoid further conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Spain will no longer take part in the Gaza ceasefire coordination centre, labeling Madrid’s actions as a diplomatic assault on Israel.In a video posted on X, Netanyahu warned that Israel will not stay silent when faced with what he described as attacks on its legitimacy.Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed the prime minister’s sentiment, condemning Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for allegedly spreading "blood libels" against the Israeli Defence Forces.Saar added on X that Spain’s persistent anti‑Israel stance under Sánchez has rendered it incapable of contributing constructively to the U.S. President’s peace initiative and the operations of the coordination centre.Relations have deteriorated since Israel’s October 2023 offensive in Gaza, after which Spain recognised a Palestinian state and repeatedly criticised Israel’s conduct. Sánchez’s government also opposed the U.S.–Israel campaign against Iran and even closed Spanish airspace to U.S. warplanes involved in that conflict.The Civil‑Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), a U.S.–led facility created under former President Donald Trump’s 20‑point plan, serves to monitor the declared ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave.Despite the formal ceasefire, Israel continues to conduct near‑daily strikes in Gaza, and significant constraints on aid shipments remain in place.

Argentina's glacier law has been in effect since 2010, and was the first legislation in Latin America to protect glaciers. It has been a point of contention for mining companies and provincial authorities ever since.The law bans 'any activity' that can affect the 'natural condition' of a glacier or the periglacial frozen land surrounding it, or that results in 'its destruction, movement or interferes with its advance'. That includes the construction of infrastructure not for scientific purposes and any industrial activity. Mining companies, including Barrick, have previously sought to have the law deemed unconstitutional, but the supreme court rejected the challenge.However, a recent reform to the glacier law driven by the far-right government of Javier Milei will relax restrictions, paving the way for mines in high-altitude areas blanketed with ice and snow, which are sources of water. The new law, approved on Wednesday by 137 votes to 111, with three abstentions, will enable provincial authorities to decide which glaciers are protected and which are open for development based on whether they represent a 'relevant water function'.Environmentalists and community members such as Zeballos, a 51-year-old accountant turned activist, have long alleged that Veladero, owned by Canada-based Barrick Mining Corporation and China's Shandong Gold, is operating illegally in an area considered off-limits by Argentina's Ley de Glaciares – or glacier law. The reform has sparked a wave of protests, with Greenpeace activists staging a demonstration on the steps of the National Congress.'What is at stake is the protection of key water reserves in Argentina,' says Andrés Nápoli, a lawyer and executive director of the Foundation of Environment and Natural Resources (Farn), an environmental and human rights NGO. 'Saying that you have to destroy glaciers to guarantee the energy transition is an oxymoron.'About 7 million people, 16% of the population in Argentina, live in areas that depend on glaciers, according to environmental organisations. Glaciers don't just feed rivers; they balance fragile ecosystems hit hard by a heating planet. In Argentina's northwest, scientists say they have shrunk by 17% in the past 10 years.

JD Vance, the United States vice‑president, issued a stark warning to Tehran as he boarded Air Force Two for Pakistan: Iran must not attempt to "play" the United States at the peace talks scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad. The talks, mediated by Pakistan, could determine whether the fragile ceasefire in the region holds or if hostilities resume, with significant repercussions for the global economy, especially oil markets. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi have conditioned their participation on two unmet measures: a full ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets. Ghalibaf posted on X that "Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented." Uncertainty lingered on Friday night about whether the Iranian delegation would even travel to Islamabad. Earlier reports indicated that Israel had removed the Iranian officials from its bombing target list at Washington’s request. Meanwhile, Donald Trump amplified the tension, telling the New York Post that U.S. forces were "loading up the ships with the best ammunition" and would use them if negotiations failed. He later posted that Iran "has no cards" except short‑term extortion of international waterways. The backdrop to the talks is a worsening Lebanon‑Israel confrontation. More than 300 Lebanese civilians have been killed since the ceasefire began, and 13 Lebanese security personnel died in an Israeli strike on a government building in Nabatieh. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispute whether the April 7 ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran includes Lebanon, and Israel continues bombing Hezbollah‑linked targets despite Netanyahu’s earlier statements about opening negotiations with the Lebanese government. Oil markets have felt the shock. The February 28 U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz—shutting off roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas—triggered a sharp price spike, adding political pressure ahead of the November U.S. congressional elections. Vance, however, expressed optimism as he departed for Islamabad: "We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive. If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand." He added, "If they’re going to try and play us, then they’ll find the negotiating team is not that receptive." The U.S. delegation also includes senior adviser Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner, both of whom participated in earlier talks on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes before the February attack. Negotiations are expected to focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the future of Iran’s nuclear program, potential sanctions relief, reparations for war damage, and the release of Americans detained in Iran, according to the Washington Post. Advance teams from the United States and Iran have already taken up rooms at Islamabad’s five‑star Serena hotel, with Pakistani officials acting as intermediaries. Security forces have established a two‑mile perimeter around the hotel, declared a public holiday, and locked down the city centre to ensure a safe environment for the high‑stakes mediation. Hezbollah, while not commenting directly on the Lebanese‑Israeli negotiations, issued a statement urging the Lebanese government to stop "making gratuitous concessions" and vowed to continue fighting to "expel the occupier." The Lebanese army has reinforced its presence in Beirut following an Israeli strike that killed at least 303 people. Fighting persists in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah claiming to have struck Israeli soldiers near Bint Jbeil—a town symbolic of resistance from the 2006 war—and launching rockets into Israel throughout Friday. Israel’s airstrikes across Lebanon have intensified, culminating in the Nabatieh attack that killed the highest number of Lebanese security forces to date.

Residents of Sidon are recalling the traumatic experience of Israeli airstrikes that targeted their area, following a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The strikes had caused significant fear and destruction, leaving a lasting impact on the local community. The ceasefire has brought a sense of relief, but the memories of the intense violence and fear for their safety continue to linger among the residents. The incident has underscored the fragile nature of peace in the region and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.

The ongoing Iran ceasefire talks have hit a roadblock, with Hezbollah's role emerging as a significant sticking point. The militant group's involvement in the negotiations has raised concerns among various stakeholders, making it challenging to achieve a peaceful resolution.Hezbollah, a Shiite Islamist organization based in Lebanon, has been closely aligned with Iran, which has been a key player in the conflict. The group's presence in the talks has sparked fears that Iran's interests may not be fully addressed, potentially undermining the ceasefire.Efforts to broker a ceasefire have been ongoing, with multiple parties involved in the negotiations. However, the issue of Hezbollah's involvement has complicated matters, highlighting the complexities of the conflict and the need for a comprehensive solution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that his government is ready to hold direct talks with Lebanon, following a series of devastating Israeli attacks that killed over 300 people and threatened a fragile US-Iran ceasefire.In a statement released on Thursday, Netanyahu said that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. This move comes a day after Israeli attacks across Lebanon resulted in significant casualties and raised concerns about the stability of the region.The Israeli attacks have killed at least 303 people and wounded over 1,000 in central Beirut and other areas of Lebanon. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has declared Thursday a 'national day of mourning' in response to the attacks.Netanyahu's announcement comes as Hezbollah has rejected direct negotiations with Israel, stating that the Lebanese government should demand a ceasefire as a precondition before further steps. An official source has also confirmed that there will be no talks before a ceasefire is secured.The situation remains volatile, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning that Israeli strikes on Lebanon would render negotiations meaningless. The US and Iran are set to meet in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday for talks on ending the war, with concerns growing about the impact of the conflict on the fragile ceasefire deal.

The United Kingdom's Defence Minister, John Healey, announced that British forces had successfully tracked and deterred three Russian submarines in a covert operation within UK waters in the High North maritime region. This area is strategically important due to its proximity to key shipping routes and crucial undersea cables.Healey revealed that the month-long operation, which involved British warships and military aircraft, did not find evidence of Russian vessels damaging undersea infrastructure. However, the decision to publicly disclose the operation was made to 'call out' Russian activity and send a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.“We see you, we see your activity over our cables and pipelines. And you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated, and will have serious consequences,” Healey stated. The British Defence Ministry identified the submarines as an Akula-class Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine and two specialist submarines from Russia's Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research (GUGI), which defence experts consider one of Moscow's most secret facilities.The Russian embassy in London rejected the British government's claims that its submarines posed a threat to undersea cables. According to Healey, the Russian attack submarine was likely a decoy to distract from the two specialist vessels designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime and sabotage it in conflict. The operation highlights growing concerns about threats to undersea cables, which connect about 99 percent of global internet traffic, with the UK having 60 cables near its waters.

Hours after the US and Iran announced a ceasefire, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon, killing hundreds and injuring thousands. The attacks have been widely condemned, with many questioning whether Israel's actions were intended to undermine the ceasefire.The bone of contention lies in whether or not Israel's strikes on Lebanon were included in the ceasefire agreement. Pakistan, which brokered the deal, said they were, while Israel claimed they were not.The US has sided with Israel, with President Donald Trump calling the violence in Lebanon 'a separate skirmish'. However, this stance has been met with criticism from many, including Iran, which has reimposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense political pressure since the US and Iran signed the ceasefire, which had little or no active involvement from Israel. Netanyahu's war aims have not been achieved, angering those who supported the war.Under the terms of the truce, a 10-point peace plan put forward by Iran has been accepted as a starting point for negotiations. However, Israel's attacks on Lebanon have raised concerns about the viability of the ceasefire and the potential for further escalation in the region.Some analysts have accused Israel of trying to prolong the broader war against Iran and collapse any ceasefire prospects. 'Israeli officials will no doubt claim that this was a super sophisticated operation against necessary security targets', but others see it as an attempt to 'act as provocateurs-in-chief'.The attacks have also sparked criticism within Israel, with opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Yair Golan condemning Netanyahu's actions and accusing him of lying about the war aims and outcomes.