Fresh Talks With Iran Likely In Pakistan In "Next Two Days", Says Trump

Days after the US-Iranian talks in Pakistan failed, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations could resume "over the next two days." Speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the venue is going to stay the same -- Pakistan.

"...It's more likely that we go back there," he said, adding, "Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?"

Trump said that Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal, Asim Munir, was "fantastic" and "doing a great job", which is why the US and Iran would go back to the talks in Islamabad. Earlier, Trump had told the Post that the US would not be returning to Pakistan for any future talks with Iran but later called them back with the update.

The Republican leader had hinted at a European country as a mediating country previously. When asked if it was Turkey that the US was considering as the next location for talks, Trump said, "No, somebody more central. Europe, maybe."

He criticised European allies again and complained that although they do want to help, "they just don't know how to do it".

"They're doing nothing except to have meetings. All they do is have meetings," he said. "They want to get there, but they just don't know how to do it. They're a paper tiger."

US-Iran Weekend Talks Failed In Islamabad

On Monday, Trump informed reporters that "the other side has reached out to us" and "they're eager to negotiate a deal."

US Vice President JD Vance also said Iran has moved in the direction of the US during the peace talks in Islamabad to end the war, and it was for Tehran to make the next move on taking the discussions forward.

"I wouldn't just say that things went wrong. I also think things went right. We made a lot of progress," Vance told Fox News.

"They moved in our direction, which is why I think we would say that we had some good signs, but they didn't move far enough," said the US vice president, who led the delegation comprising Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for the talks with the Iranian delegation.

The United States and Iran ended 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Islamabad on Sunday without reaching a deal, leaving the fate of the fragile, two-week ceasefire still unclear. The US delegation, led by Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had discussed how to advance a ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel's continued attacks against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but the US. has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear programme and international sanctions on Tehran.

"There was a strong hope in the middle of the talks that there would be a breakthrough and the two sides would reach an agreement. However, things changed within no time," a Pakistani government source told Reuters.

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Maharashtra Man Sexually Exploits 180 Minors, Shoots 350 Videos, Arrested

A man accused of sexually exploiting at least 180 minor girls and recording over 350 obscene videos has been arrested in Maharashtra's Amravati, in a prompt action by the police following a complaint by a BJP MP.

Mohammad Ayaz, alias Tanveer, a resident of Paratwada city, allegedly lured the girls into a "love trap," took them to Mumbai and Pune, and filmed obscene videos of them.

These videos were allegedly used to blackmail the girls and force them into prostitution. Some were widely shared online too.

The minors were systematically targeted through WhatsApp and Snapchat groups, according to a memorandum submitted by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde to Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vishal Anand.

Bonde also warned of staging protests in front of the SP's office on Wednesday morning if a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is not constituted.

Even some members of the Muslim community visited the police station to demand strict action against the accused, stressing the need to prevent the community's reputation from being tarnished.

Mohammad Ayaz had allegedly served as an office-bearer of the AIMIM earlier. In videos and photographs shared by him on his social media, he appears to be receiving a letter from the MIM's Amravati president, Haji Irfan Khan, and recording social media 'reels' at the party's rallies.

However, several such videos have been deleted from his Instagram account after the case came to light.

Acting swiftly in the case, the police arrested Ayaz and produced him before a court today. He has been remanded to police custody for seven days. The police have also seized his mobile phone. According to sources, the device contains several objectionable videos.

The police are now investigating whether the accused shared those videos with his friends or a criminal syndicate. With help from Cyber Cell, the videos that were shared online are also being probed.

(inputs by Shubham Baiskar)

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US May Be Eyeing Strait Of Malacca After Hormuz. Why It Matters To India

As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, where the US is intensifying pressure on Iranian-linked maritime activity, a parallel development in Southeast Asia is drawing attention. A fresh defence arrangement between the United States and Indonesia has triggered speculation that the US' focus may be widening toward the Strait of Malacca, which is another critical artery of global trade.

The agreement, finalised earlier this week, gives US military aircraft expanded operational access to Indonesia's airspace. Although it is officially framed as a step toward deeper defence cooperation, it could also enhance Washington's surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, which links the Indian Ocean with East Asia.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore collectively manage this passage, which facilitates a significant portion of global trade transit. However, the timing of the deal has raised questions about whether the US is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East.

Malacca's Strategic Weight In Global Trade

Unlike Hormuz, which is central to global oil shipments, the Strait of Malacca serves as a broader commercial lifeline, facilitating the movement of energy supplies as well as manufactured goods, electronics and industrial components. It is significant because of the sheer volume of trade it handles, including a major share of global oil flows.

The corridor is especially crucial for East Asian economies. China, in particular, remains heavily reliant on this route for energy imports. This is a dependency long viewed in Beijing as a strategic vulnerability, often referred to as the "Malacca Dilemma".

Despite comparatively lower direct economic dependence, the United States views the strait through a strategic and military lens. Its narrow width at key points makes it both a potential bottleneck and a leverage point in any future conflict scenario.

India's Geographic Advantage And Growing Role

The evolving dynamics around the Malacca Strait also place India in a position of relevance. Located close to the western approaches of the strait, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide New Delhi with a natural vantage point over maritime traffic moving through the region.

India's military infrastructure, including its southernmost air station at Campbell Bay, enables monitoring of key sea lanes. Moreover, ongoing infrastructure initiatives in the region will further bolster India's maritime capabilities, strengthening its presence near one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

This geographic proximity could contribute to a cooperation between the US and India, particularly in the context of balancing China's influence in the region.

Complex Regional Dynamics Could Challenge US Plans

Any expanded US role in the Strait of Malacca, however, would have to navigate a complex regional landscape. Indonesia and Malaysia share control over the strait, which has longstanding sensitivities regarding sovereignty and maritime boundaries.

Singapore, while controlling a smaller part of the strait, remains central to its commercial ecosystem due to its advanced port infrastructure and dominance in global shipping services, including bunkering operations. The maritime sector is a key pillar of its economy, making stability in regional shipping routes critical for it.

Recent global debates over maritime tolls and restrictions have also heightened concerns in Southeast Asia. Against this backdrop, Washington's evolving posture suggests a broader effort to secure multiple strategic corridors simultaneously.

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India Gets Iranian Oil For First Time In 7 Years: Report

Two very large crude carriers loaded with Iranian oil have reached Indian ports, ship tracking data from LSEG shows, as local refiners utilise a temporary waiver granted by the United States last month to resume purchases from Tehran for the first time in seven years.

The current waiver is due to expire on April 19.

The Iran-flagged Felicity has reached Sikka Port in western India, while the Curacao-flagged Jaya is at the eastern port of Odisha, the data shows.

A VLCC carries 2 million barrels of oil.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not received a cargo from Iran since May 2019 after coming under U.S. pressure not to buy the country's crude.

Indian Oil Corp, the country's top refiner, has bought Iranian oil loaded on the Jaya, a vessel under U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported last week.

India has also allowed Reliance Industries Ltd, the operator of the world's biggest refining complex, to buy Iranian oil loaded on the Comoros-flagged aframax Kaviz, Curacao-flagged VLCC Lenore and Iran-flagged VLCCs Felicity and Hedy, all of which are more than 20 years old and are also under U.S. sanctions.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Finally, a Mid-Ranger Without Compromise

The OnePlus Nord 6 feels like a stellar return to what made the Nord lineup relevant in the first place, capturing that elusive value-driven DNA. By borrowing heavily from flagship design elements and pairing them with a high-quality display and dependable performance, the handset stands out without cutting corners on core specifications. In a landscape where competitors are dialling back core hardware, the Nord 6 makes a persuasive case as a performance-focused disruptor in its segment.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Cygnus XL for NASA ISS Resupply Mission

A Cygnus XL launched aboard a Falcon 9 is delivering supplies and experiments to the International Space Station, supporting research in microgravity, medicine, and space weather.

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Wearing Flak Vest, Benjamin Netanyahu Visits Lebanon: "War Continues"

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, visited southern Lebanon on Sunday and met with Israeli troops. Wearing what appears to be a flak vest, the embattled leader said Israeli forces had eliminated the threat of an invasion by Hezbollah militants.

A flak vest is a body armour designed to protect from lower-velocity projectiles. 

In a video released by his office, which showed him surrounded by masked soldiers, Netanyahu further said that the war in Lebanon continues. "The war continues, including within the security zone in Lebanon," Netanyahu said. 

"What we are seeing is that we have thwarted the threat of an invasion from Lebanon through this security zone," he added.

The Israeli PM was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz.

היום בלבנון עם הלוחמים הגיבורים שלנו pic.twitter.com/ycjhdZDNIL

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 12, 2026

Earlier this week, Netanyahu announced that he had authorised direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible”.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948.

The Israeli Prime Minister later said there was no ceasefire between them. In a video statement, he said Israel will keep striking Hezbollah until security is restored in northern Israel.

"I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security," he said earlier this week.

He further said that the negotiation aims to disarm Hezbollah and achieve a "historic peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon". 

"Following repeated requests from the Lebanese government, last night I instructed the Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve two goals. First, the disarmament of Hezbollah. Second, a historic peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," he said.

He has said that he wants a peace agreement that lasts for several generations.

The Israel Defence Forces has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Hezbollah launch sites after the announcements.

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