Aletho News

US-Israeli terrorist war damaged 150 Iranian historical, cultural sites: Ministry

Press TV – April 23, 2026

Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts says US-Israeli terrorist attacks have so far caused damage to 149 historical and cultural monuments across 20 provinces.

The damaged sites include five registered on the World Heritage Sites list, seven historical structures and 54 museums, it added on Thursday.

Latest assessments show that Tehran, Isfahan, and Kurdistan provinces had the highest number of damaged historical monuments with 70, 27, and 13 monuments, respectively.

Khuzestan, Kermanshah, Lorestan, and Qom were the other provinces that suffered the most damage from the aggression, with 12, 5, 4, and 3 monuments, respectively. … Full article

Confusion, delusion, and how Israel drives the Iran War

By Jamal Kanj | MEMO | April 23, 2026

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the temporary ceasefire is the culmination of an American policy defined by strategic incoherence. At the center stands Donald Trump, whose shifting positions, confused war objectives, and conflicting actions have not only failed to ease regional tensions but have actively deepened them.

Nowhere is this clearer than in Trump’s threats to blow up the whole country, including its bridges and power plants. At the same time, he touted a military “big day,” presenting potential war crimes as diplomatic tool, aggression as diplomacy, and destruction as leverage.

Trump’s inflated, almost delusional, promises ahead of potential talks come across less as statesmanship and more as a calculated sales pitch to the American public. His vows “to end up with a great deal,” coupled with an almost obsessive focus on Barack Obama by insisting his agreement will be “far better” than the one negotiated over a decade ago. An approach that reflects a tendency toward messaging driven less by policy depth and more by projection, comparison, and to frame outcomes in terms of self-aggrandizement and personal glory.

Instead of articulating clear strategic objectives, his policy relies on distinguishing himself and image cultivation to project authority and superiority, leaving the underlying substance vague and open to question. … continue

Iran’s Red Crescent: US-pirated ship carried vital kidney dialysis supplies

Press TV – April 23, 2026

The Iranian Red Crescent Society says a commercial vessel pirated by US forces near Iran’s coastline in the Sea of Oman was carrying vital raw materials needed to produce medical supplies for kidney dialysis patients, warning that disruption of the shipment could threaten lives.

The US forces targeted the vessel on Sunday in a blatant act of piracy, boarding the ship and disabling its navigation systems.

The supplies belong to Saha Medical Equipment Company, a subsidiary of the Iranian Red Crescent, the organization said in a statement on Thursday.

Part of the ship’s cargo, it said, consisted of raw materials required to produce consumable medical supplies for dialysis patients.

“Any disruption in the supply of these critical items could directly threaten the health and lives of patients in need of dialysis services,” the Red Crescent warned.

The Red Crescent added that the US action, which it said created threats and intimidation and endangered the lives of civilian crew members, contradicted fundamental principles of humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction and precaution in military operations.

It said the act could violate international obligations regarding the maintenance of peace and stability and could be examined as an instance of unlawful use of force under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974). … Full article

Germans turned into ‘cash cows’ for Ukraine – veteran politician

RT | April 23, 2026

Veteran German politician Sahra Wagenknecht has lashed out at Chancellor Friedrich Merz after a €90 billion ($106 billion) emergency loan to Ukraine, which Berlin had been actively promoting, was approved by the bloc.

On Thursday, the European Council announced that the interest-free loan has been finalized and that it will begin disbursements “as soon as possible” in the second quarter of 2026. A day earlier, EU ambassadors agreed the transfer of funds to Vladimir Zelensky’s government, just hours after Kiev resumed the flow of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.

The financial package had previously been vetoed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who rejected Ukrainian explanations about the pipeline being damaged in a Russian strike and insisted that Kiev halted oil supplies in January deliberately to influence the outcome of the election in Hungary. Orban’s Fidesz party ended up losing the April 12 vote to the pro-EU Tisza party led by Peter Magyar.

Wagenknecht took to X on Wednesday, saying: “Great! Another 90 billion for Zelensky’s corrupt cronies in Kiev – this is going to cost the German taxpayer dearly.” “Merz, who bears significant responsibility for this madness, has turned his own citizens into cash cows for Ukraine.” … Full article

70-year-olds fit enough for service – German reservist chief

RT | April 21, 2026

The upper age limit for military reservists in Germany should be raised to 70 given that people stay fit longer, Bastian Ernst, the newly elected president of the country’s Reservists’ Association, has said.

Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Germany has pursued a major recruitment drive, aiming to increase Bundeswehr personnel from the current 186,000 to 260,000 active soldiers and another 200,000 reservists by the mid-2030s. […]

Late last year, another EU and NATO member state, Finland, announced that it would raise the upper age limit for rank-and-file military reservists from 50 to 65, starting in 2026.

The UK government has similarly hiked the maximum liability age for reservists from 55 to 65.

Andre Denk, the head of the European Defense Agency (EDA), suggested earlier this month that compulsory military service could be reinstated in the EU. … Full article

France and Poland to practice nuclear strikes on Russia – media

RT | April 23, 2026

France and Poland are preparing joint military exercises simulating conventional and nuclear strikes on Russia and Belarus, according to Polish media. Moscow has claimed that NATO will practice the blockade and seizure of Russia’s Kaliningrad Region at the same time.

The Wirtualna Polska (WP) news outlet reported on Thursday, citing sources within the military, that the nuclear drills are set to take place “soon” over the Baltic Sea and northern Poland, and are meant to develop a “Polish-French military arm… outside of NATO bureaucracy” to deter supposed Russian aggression. […]

Meanwhile, the Finnish parliament took up a bill to allow the import and storage of nuclear weapons on the country’s territory. The move would overturn legal barriers that had banned such devices in the country since the 1980s.

Moscow has warned that any deployment of nuclear weapons in Finland would be a direct threat to Russia and would trigger retaliatory measures. … Full article

US suspends arms deliveries to NATO ally Estonia as war on Iran draining US arsenal

Press TV – April 23, 2026

The United States has suspended arms deliveries to NATO ally Estonia as its aggression on Iran has put a major strain on US weapons stockpiles.

‎Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced the news on Tuesday, saying that his American counterpart Pete Hegseth had told him in a phone call that the US would be suspending all arms deliveries to the Baltic state.

‎According to Pevkur, Washington will no longer ship HIMARS light multiple rocket launcher ammunition and Javelin missiles to its NATO ally, which borders Russia.

‎The US, in collaboration with Israel, waged an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28. … Full article

US launches air bridge to restock Israeli air force munitions – Hebrew sources

 MEMO | April 23, 2026

Hebrew media reported on Wednesday that the United States has set up an air bridge to replenish Israeli Air Force stockpiles with munitions, in preparation for a possible renewal of war with Iran.

Channel 12 previously cited sources as saying Washington had informed Israel that US President Donald Trump had set next Sunday as a deadline for negotiations with Iran.

According to the report, Trump did not formally announce such a date, but Israeli officials understood this to be the timeline following updates received from the Americans.

The channel added that this period would allow a third US aircraft carrier to reach the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold further discussions on Thursday to complete preparations on both the defensive and offensive fronts.

Palestinian teen killed by IOF gunfire in Nablus

Palestinian Information Center – April 23, 2026

NABLUS – A Palestinian teenager was martyred on Thursday after being shot by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) during a raid in Nablus City.

According to eyewitnesses, as IOF vehicles withdrawing from the western side of Nablus, specifically in the Beit Wazan area, they opened fire directly at the boy while he was near a road, critically injuring him in the upper part of his body.

The boy, identified as 15-year-old Yousef Shtayyeh, was immediately rushed to one of the city’s hospitals, where doctors attempted to save his life, but he was later pronounced dead from his injury. … Full article

Three children among fatalities in fresh Israeli strike on northern Gaza

Press TV – April 23, 2026

‎‎At least five people, including three children were killed in the northern side of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip after an Israeli airstrike struck a group of civilians.

‎Gaza’s civil defense agency announced in a statement on Wednesday that the Israeli aerial attack targeted several individuals near al-Qassam Mosque in the city of Beit Lahia. It added that their bodies were taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

‎The agency, however, did not provide any information on how old the children were.

‎The Gaza Health Ministry announced that the death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 72,562 people amid ongoing Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.

‎Since the announcement of a ceasefire on October 11, 2025, at least 786 people have been killed and 2,217 injured, the ministry said.

These figures, combined with earlier records from the genocide that began on October 7, 2023, bring the total number of injured individuals to 172,320. … Full article

After the ceasefire illusion: Why Gaza’s “Day After” still has no buyer?

By Dr Mustafa Fetouri | MEMO | April 23, 2026

The international community remains fixated on a phantom: Gaza’s “Day After.” While Washington, Cairo, and Doha debate elaborate governance frameworks and the “Board of Peace,” these plans share a fatal flaw—they lack a viable “buyer” on the ground.

This diplomatic theatre has been eclipsed by the US-Israeli aggression against Iran that began on 28^th February. Since then, Gaza has been sidelined globally, yet the genocide—begun in October 2023—has never stopped. Even before the Iran escalation, the 10^th October ceasefire was a hollow promise; Israel violated the agreement over 2,400 times through near-daily air raids and shelling. … continue

Shifting to Guerilla Warfare, Hezbollah Delivers Massive Blows to Israel

By Robert Inlakesh | Palestine Chronicle | April 22, 2026

Hezbollah has shifted to waging a guerrilla war against the Israeli occupiers in southern Lebanon, reminding Tel Aviv why it decided to withdraw from the country in the year 2000. Instead of allowing Israel to violate the ceasefire unchecked, the responses have been immediate and painful. … continue

Three martyred, others wounded in Israeli strikes on South Lebanon

Al Mayadeen | April 23, 2026

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health announced on Thursday that three people were martyred in an Israeli airstrike targeting the area of Shoukin in the Nabatieh district, southern Lebanon.

According to the ministry, two others were wounded in a separate artillery attack on the town of Yater in Bint Jbeil district, including a child.

Field reports indicated that an Israeli drone strike targeted a civilian vehicle on the road to Shoukin, resulting in casualties and injuries. The attack forms part of a broader escalation of Israeli aggression on Lebanon, further adding to the list of violations of the ceasefire.

Israeli artillery also carried out heavy shelling on Yater, while additional air raids targeted the town of Rshaf in the south.

In a separate development, Israeli forces reportedly conducted a large-scale demolition of houses and civilian infrastructure in the town of Shamaa, near the coastal city of Tyre, further expanding the scope of military activity in the region. … Full article

Israeli forces accused of widespread looting amid outrage over journalist killing in southern Lebanon

Palestinian Information Center – April 23, 2026

BEIRUT – Reports from Israeli media and field testimonies have revealed widespread looting by Israeli occupation forces during operations in southern Lebanon, as outrage grows over the assassination of a Lebanese journalist in the same region.

According to accounts published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, soldiers and officers involved in ground operations in southern Lebanon said both regular and reserve troops have been systematically looting civilian property from homes and shops. Items reportedly taken include motorcycles, televisions, artwork, furniture, and carpets.

Soldiers described the looting as widespread and routine, with both junior and senior officers aware of the practice but largely failing to stop it. Some testimonies indicated that troops openly transported stolen goods in military vehicles without attempting to conceal them. … Full article

Al-Akhbar’s Amal Khalil assassinated by Israel, left to die under rubble

The Cradle | April 23, 2026

Lebanese Civil Defense confirmed late on 23 April the death of Amal Khalil, Lebanese journalist and reporter for Al-Akhbar newspaper, who was deliberately targeted by Israel and trapped for hours under the rubble as the Lebanese government awaited permission to rescue her.

Khalil was reporting in south Lebanon’s Tayri with fellow journalist Zainab Faraj when the strikes took place.

A civilian vehicle accompanying the journalists – who were in a separate car – was first hit by an Israeli drone, killing the two people inside it.

Khalil and Faraj exited their car and took cover behind a tree upon the first strike. Contact was then made with ambulance teams and Lebanese army intelligence, yet the Red Cross was not allowed to act until receiving clearance from the US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

Another drone strike hit right near the journalists’ vehicle shortly after, prompting them to shelter near a house.

About an hour later, amid reports that access to the site was being refused and that UNIFIL was asked to avoid the Haddatha–Bint Jbeil Road, a warplane hit Tayri. It was later confirmed that the house where they were sheltering was targeted.

The Red Cross was not given approval to move until 10 minutes after the Israeli warplane struck home.

Rescue workers reached and rescued Faraj, who was seriously wounded, while also retrieving the bodies of the two who were killed in the first strike.

Israeli forces fired at the rescue teams as they attempted to reach Khalil, halting search efforts, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. … continue

Monitoring group finds UK media guilty of ‘systematic’ dehumanization of Palestinians

The Cradle | April 23, 2026

A British media monitoring group accused major UK media outlets on 23 April of “systematic” anti-Palestine bias in their coverage of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza over the past two years.

NewsCord announced it had analyzed thousands of articles published by BBC, The Guardian, and Sky News in their coverage of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since 2023.

The group quantified various bias metrics, including “attribution, passive voice, source qualification, humanization, legal framing, and the reporting of documented genocidal statements by Israeli officials.”

NewsCord found systematic patterns of anti-Palestine bias in the reporting of all three news outlets. For example, the BBC names Israel as the perpetrator in just 50 percent of reports of casualties and uses passive voice, which obscures responsibility, in 80 percent of sentences reporting casualties from Israeli attacks. … continue

Wired for War: Israel’s Black Cube and the infiltration of Europe

Israeli spies-for-hire interfered in elections in Cyprus and Slovenia

RT | April 23, 2026

Political hit-jobs in Cyprus and Slovenia are just the tip of an election interference iceberg in Europe, involving a dark nexus of Israeli spies, defense chiefs, and tech companies. The threat is real, but the EU is staying silent. … continue

Trump Asks FIFA to Expel Iran From 2026 World Cup Amid US War of Aggression

RT | April 23, 2026

A US special envoy is pressuring FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the upcoming World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the three North American nations.

Italy failed to qualify for the tournament for a third successive time after a humiliating loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff, triggering widespread backlash at home and leading to the resignation of the head of the national football federation. […]

The proposal is impossible and inappropriate, Sports Minister Andrea Abodi told the Italian news agency La Press, stressing: “You qualify on the pitch.” Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the idea “shameful.” […]

Separately, media reports last week stated that Trump’s special envoy for combating anti-Semitism, Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, warned European officials they could face travel restrictions during the World Cup in retaliation for alleged lapses in addressing the issue. … Full article

US naval blockade has disrupted but ‘not broken’ Iran’s oil exports: Kpler

Al Mayadeen | April 23, 2026

The US naval blockade of Iranian ports has disrupted the country’s oil machine, but its loading infrastructure remains intact, and cargoes are still flowing toward China, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler.

US Central Command announced overnight that American forces have redirected 31 vessels to return to port or turn around as part of the ongoing US blockade against Iran. Most of the redirected vessels were oil tankers, CENTCOM posted on X.

The US has also seized an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman and boarded a sanctioned vessel in the Indian Ocean.

Despite the blockade, tankers are still positioned in Iran’s loading zones and Iranian crude continues to move toward China, Kpler data shows. The maritime analytics firm estimated the flow of crude from Iran to China to be 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April. Since then, this flow has not been interrupted, Kpler said. … continue

Fire breaks out aboard identity-fluid $8bn USS Zumwalt

RT | April 23, 2026

Three sailors were injured after a fire broke out aboard USS Zumwalt while the stealth destroyer was sitting pierside at HII Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, undergoing a costly modernization meant to give the ship a whole new identity. … continue

On Mass Surveillance, Will the Deep State Win Again?

By Harrison Berger | The American Conservative | April 22, 2026

… For now, Section 702 survives on a 15-day temporary extension, and the prospects for blocking a clean renewal of the government’s surveillance authorities remain uncertain. Greenwald, whose reporting alongside Snowden’s disclosures first revealed the true scope of NSA mass surveillance, frequently says that “the deep state always gets what it wants,” though he told The American Conservative that he “has been through about four of these and got [his] hopes up every time.” During a livestream last Friday, Glenn Greenwald sustained that pattern, holding up some hope that there were enough votes in Congress to stop reauthorization.

Tucker Carlson, who has covered surveillance overreach extensively on his show, seemed even more skeptical. “I doubt it,” he told The American Conservative when asked whether Trump’s push for a clean renewal could still be stopped. “He’s determined. It’s very dark.”

“Well there are a couple of clues,” he continued, pointing to the raw intelligence sharing agreement between the NSA and Israeli intelligence, first revealed by Snowden and reported by Greenwald, under which Americans’ signals intelligence data is handed over “to be used, God knows how.” He also pointed to a 2024 presentation by Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), a security state loyalist and then-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, in which the Congressman advocated for using Section 702 authorities against American college students protesting the war in Gaza. To his point, a “Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations,” in 2024 told Congress that FISA 702 was needed for “the safety and security of Israel.” … Read full article

Pentagon Requests Record $50Bln for Military Intelligence in 2027

Sputnik – 22.04.2026

The US Department of War said it had requested a record $50 billion for the military intelligence program in fiscal year 2027, a 49% increase compared to 2026.

“Today, the Department of War released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2027. The total was $50.0 billion and is aligned to strategic priorities of the Secretary of War,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

However, the details of the allocation of these funds remain classified for national security reasons, the statement added.

The fiscal year 2027 budget requests a nearly 50% increase in military intelligence spending compared to the current $33.6 billion and a nearly 80% increase compared to the $27.9 billion allocated in 2023, according to Pentagon budget documents.

Palantir’s Technological Republic is a blueprint for digital tyranny

The surveillance company’s unapologetically dystopian vision for the future is just 1984 updated for the AI era

By Constantin von Hoffmeister | RT | April 22, 2026

Walking through the glass-and-steel corridors of the modern tech-security apparatus reveals that the telescreen is a tireless processor of our very souls.

Palantir Technologies’ vision of a “Technological Republic” arrives as a manual for the refinement of the boot, the one destined to remain on the human face, provided the boot remains equipped with the latest predictive sensors. In the spirit of a clear-eyed look at the clock striking thirteen, we must dissect the alliance between corporate algorithmic power and the Zionist state. This is a new Newspeak, where “defense” is a moral debt and “deterrence” is the silent humming of an algorithm deciding who shall disappear. … continue

Ukrainian drone strike wrecks Russian apartment block, killing two – governor

RT | April 22, 2026

Two people were killed and at least 12 others injured when a Ukrainian drone strike led to the partial collapse of an apartment block in the city of Syzran in Russia’s Samara Region, local authorities have said.

The bodies of a woman and a child were recovered from the rubble of the four-story building, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev wrote in a post on Max on Wednesday morning. Two of the injured required hospitalization, while the rest received treatment on site, he added.

“I express my sincere condolences to those who lost their loved ones. We’re seeing another inhumane criminal act against civilians,” the governor said.

The local emergencies ministry said earlier that there were at least two children among the wounded. … Full article

The Murder Of The IRIS Dena – Fist Public Testimony By The Surviving Captain And First Officer

By John Helmer | Dances With Bears | April 21, 2026

Testimony from the survivors of the Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, attacked and sunk in a US Navy operation, led by the submarine USS Charlotte on March 4, has just been released in Iran, broadcast by an Iranian television outlet. […]

The evidence provided by the two officers indicates the Mouj-class warship did not have its regular armament of anti-ship and anti-air missiles, and torpedoes for anti-submarine combat. This was a condition of the Indian invitation for the exercise. The US Navy, which also participated in MILAN 2026, not only knew this but US air-patrol electronic surveillance of the Dena in the days before it reached Visakhapatnam on February 15 confirmed this disarmament. … Read full article

Nablus: Israeli Colonizers Burn Vehicles, Cut 150 Trees

IMEMC | April 22, 2026

A number of citizens suffered injuries on Tuesday night, after Israeli colonizers set fire to two vehicles in the village of Beit Imrin, north of Nablus. Another group of colonizers cut down 150 olive trees in the village of Al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Media sources reported that a group of illegal colonizers from a nearby colonial outpost, stormed the village of Beit Imrin on Tuesday night.

The settlers set fire to two vehicles belonging to citizens and attempted to burn a home, before local residents confronted them and forced them to withdraw.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that its ambulance crews provided medical treatment to seven citizens, including an infant, who suffered smoke inhalation and one who sustained first-degree burns as a result of the fire.

Meanwhile, illegal colonizers stormed the village of Al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya on Tuesday night and cut down dozens of olive trees on lands owned by Palestinian citizens.

Media sources reported that Israeli settlers cut down at least 150 olive trees in the Al-Khan and Wadi Ali areas of the village of Al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya.

Palestinian killed in terrorist settler attack in West Bank town

Palestinian Information Center – April 22, 2026

WEST BANK – A Palestinian young man was martyred on Wednesday evening, succumbing to serious injuries from live bullets fired by armed Jewish settlers during their terrorist attack on the town of Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

According to local and medical sources, 29‑year‑old Atef Awawdeh died shortly after arriving at Palestine Hospital from wounds sustained when settlers shot him in the back in the town.

Eyewitnesses reported that a horde of armed settlers attacked the outskirts of Deir Dibwan, firing live ammunition at residents, critically wounding Awawdeh.

They added that Israeli forces closed the town’s entrance during the attack before later storming it and kidnaping at least 40 citizens.

At the same time, Israeli forces closed the road between the towns of Beitin and Deir Dibwan, northeast of Ramallah.

Yesterday, three Palestinians were killed in terrorist settler attacks in the West Bank.

Israeli-backed armed gang kidnaps 25 Palestinians in Gaza’s Zeitoun neighbourhood

MEMO | April 22, 2026

An armed gang backed by Israel has reportedly kidnapped 25 Palestinians, including women and children, in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood.

In a statement issued yesterday, the “Deterrence” force, affiliated with the Palestinian resistance’s security forces, said that the gang attacked families in the Al-Dawla and Al-Sawafiri areas before abducting several people.

The statement added that these areas are effectively under Israeli army control, making it difficult to obtain accurate information about the identities or fate of those abducted. … continue

Israeli Drone Attack Kills Palestinian in Jabalia

IMEMC | April 22, 2026

A Palestinian man was killed, and several others were wounded, on Wednesday when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of residents in Jabalia town in the northern Gaza Strip.

The men had returned to what was left of their neighborhood to clear the rubble of a destroyed home. Instead, they found themselves under fire again — a scene that has become painfully familiar across Gaza despite the ceasefire announced in October.

Medical teams said the drone struck as residents were lifting debris on Old Gaza Street, killing one man, Abdul‑Jalil Jonaid, instantly and injuring several others. Family members said Abdul‑Jalil was preparing to be engaged in two days.

Ambulance crews transported the wounded to nearby hospitals, where doctors continue to work with almost no supplies, damaged equipment, and exhausting shifts that have stretched into months.

Residents told reporters that the neighborhood had already been hit several times in previous attacks. Families were trying to recover whatever belongings they could, or searching for missing relatives, when the drone fired. … Full article

Double Israeli attack on al-Tiri kills 2 people, injures journalists

Al Mayadeen | April 22, 2026

Israeli warplanes targeted a vehicle on the al-Tiri road in South Lebanon in violation of the 10-day ceasefire, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported on Wednesday.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the Israeli attack resulted in the martyrdom of two civilians and the injury of several others.

Shortly after, our correspondent reported that al-Tiri was attacked for a second time, resulting in multiple injuries, including journalists, in a grave violation of international law. He added that Israeli occupation forces prevented the evacuation of the victims and blocked ambulances from reaching the southern town, in an attempt to inflict maximum losses.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent also reported another airstrike on a vehicle in Yohmor al-Shqif.

Aggression continues unabated

Israeli artillery attacks, large-scale demolitions and detonations, airstrikes, and drone invasions continue despite the ceasefire and despite engagement with the Lebanese government, which claimed its efforts would halt the aggression on Lebanon. … Full article

IDF Gives Order To Fire On Civilians In Southern Lebanon

The Dissident | April 21, 2026

The Israeli paper, The Jerusalem Post, has admitted that the Israeli IDF has been given the order to slaughter any civilians attempting to return to South Lebanon.

For context, Israel has been carrying out a new Nakba in South Lebanon, with the intention of ethnically cleansing its civilian population and setting up Jewish settlements.

After forcing South Lebanon’s population to flee past the Litani River, Israel intended to create a “new northern border” in South Lebanon, as the Likud-connected journalist Amit Segal admitted.

Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said “the new Israeli border must be the Litani,” and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Israeli forces would control ‘the entire area’ from the border to the Litani River after the offensive had concluded”. … continue

No war crimes in Gaza, says Nigel Farage’s Israel tsar

Jason Pearlman is among several pro-Israel figures behind the party predicted to win big in May elections

By Martin Williams | Declassified UK | April 21, 2026

Israel has not committed a single war crime in Gaza, the head of the newly-formed Reform Friends of Israel has claimed.

Speaking to Declassified, Jason Pearlman also described the torture and abuse of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons as “the minutiae of individual claims”.

Until December, Pearlman was a media adviser to Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, who a UN commission found to have incited genocide.

Speaking from Israel, where he still lives, he told Declassified that he started a conversation with Reform about turning the party’s ‘Friends of Israel’ group into a “full-time” organisation while he was still working for Herzog.

“We did have a dinner with Nigel and some key backers,” he said. “We were able to put seed funding together.”

Pearlman refused to say who Reform Friends of Israel’s (RFOI) donors were. … continue

Nearly half of Polish citizens say Israel’s crimes against Palestinians ‘comparable to Nazi Germany’: Poll

The Cradle | April 22, 2026

A study released on 21 April by the UNESCO Chair for interdisciplinary research on antisemitism at the University of Warsaw revealed that 45 percent of Polish citizens see Israel’s actions against Palestinians as similar to Nazi Germany’s treatment of Jews.

In Poland, 45 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that “Israel’s actions against Palestinians are no different from the Nazis’ treatment of Jews.” Only 18.7 percent disagreed, while 36.2 percent said they had no clear opinion.

The research was conducted by specialists in Holocaust studies across Eastern European universities, and found similar patterns were recorded across the region, with a sizable portion of the population viewing Israel’s actions toward Palestinians as comparable to Nazi treatment of Jews.

In Austria and Germany, over 40 percent agreed with the comparison, while around 25 percent disagreed.

Slovakia also saw over 42 percent agreement, while only around 15 percent opposed the notion.

More splits in opinion were reported elsewhere, with the Czech Republic and Hungary showing roughly similar shares for both agreement and opposition, at around 30 percent.

A notable share of respondents across all surveyed countries remained undecided, which the study suggests points to the sensitivity of the issue and the growing visibility of such comparisons in public discourse. … Full article

Islamabad’s post-war push: A new Gulf security order takes shape

Regional powers are moving quickly to fill the vacuum before Washington can reassert control

By F.M. Shakil | The Cradle | April 22, 2026

… intense diplomacy is underway between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Egypt over a possible “Muslim” replacement for the US-led Gulf security architecture.

A quadripartite meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held from 17–19 April in Turkiye, reportedly focused on lowering tensions and building a new regional security structure. Sources speaking to The Cradle say there is now broad support for an “internal security apparatus” rooted in economic integration and defense coordination.

Ankara has proposed what it describes as an “organized regional security platform” built around the idea that regional states, not outside powers, should be responsible for defending West Asia.

The urgency behind those discussions is easy to understand.

Several Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, now believe that US bases in the Persian Gulf have become liabilities rather than assets. After Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed multiple US military facilities in the region, Gulf governments began to question whether the US presence protects them or simply turns them into targets.

Zahir Shah Sherazi, executive vice president of Bol News, tells The Cradle:

“Targeting the US bases and installations in the Gulf states, where American outposts were located, was a strategic and insightful military tactic of Iran that exposed the true nature of Washington. The Gulf nations came to understand that the US is unable to safeguard them, as its primary focus lies on the Zionist state and its expansionist ambitions.”

Sherazi states that the concept of a Greater Israel stems from the expansionist designs of the Zionist state, which is working on it in the West Bank, Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria under US protection. This situation, he argues, has worried the Gulf states, and even Turkiye is at risk of clashing with Israel in Syria and Lebanon.

These apprehensions led to the formation of a NATO-like force in West Asia, not to counter Iran but Israel’s expansionist designs. He says Iran may join this force after its war, making it a strong military alliance against the US and Israel. … Read full article

IRGC seizes Israeli ship, second vessel for violations in Strait of Hormuz

Press TV – April 22, 2026

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says it has intercepted and transferred to Iranian territorial waters two vessels for having committed violations in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC identified the vessels as the MSC-Francesca, which it said belongs to the Israeli regime, and the Epaminodes.

The vessels, it said, were operating without authorization, committing repeated violations, tampering with navigation aid systems, and endangering maritime security in an attempt to exit the strait covertly. … continue

US Embargo on Iran Undermined as 34 Tankers Slip Through, Vortexa Says

Al-Manar | April 22, 2026

At least 34 oil tankers linked to Iran have managed to circumvent the US embargo imposed on the country since it took effect, according to the shipping tracking group Vortexa. Several of the vessels were carrying Iranian crude oil, contradicting President Donald Trump’s declaration that the embargo has been a “tremendous success,” the Financial Times reported.

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Trump said, “The embargo has been a tremendous success,” adding that he would not lift the US embargo on the Strait of Hormuz until Washington reaches a “final agreement” with Iran.

However, Vortexa data shows that dozens of ships have bypassed the restrictions. At least 19 oil tankers linked to Iran have crossed the US blockade to leave the Gulf, while at least 15 others have entered the Gulf from the Arabian Sea heading toward Iran. At least six of the departing vessels were carrying Iranian crude oil, totaling 10.7 million barrels.

Among them was the Iranian-flagged supertanker Dorina, which evaded the embargo by switching off its transponder the device that broadcasts its location and identity. According to Vortexa, the Dorina was one of two tankers that left Iranian waters on April 17, while two other crude oil carriers transited the area on April 20. Satellite images analyzed by the Financial Times in March showed the Dorina off the coast of Malaysia conducting a ship-to-ship oil transfer; its last recorded position was off southern India on April 18.

Meanwhile, several sanctioned tankers entered the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman, including the Morelicious and Alicia, both sanctioned by the United States last year. The two ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the night of April 14 before sailing to the northern end of the Gulf. … continue

Trump’s erratic behavior signals US deadlock: Ansarullah

Press TV – April 22, 2026

A senior member of Yemen’s Ansarullah popular resistance movement says US President Donald Trump’s erratic behavior signals his entanglement in a deadlock amid Iran’s continued successful steadfastness in the face of Washington’s demands.

Remarking on Tuesday, Nasr al-Din Amer, deputy head of Ansarullah’s Media Authority, said, “Iran’s refusal to sit at the negotiating table demonstrates its upper hand.”

He was referring to the Islamic Republic’s turning down the United States’ offer of resumption of negotiations, which saw Tehran insist that an unlawful American blockade against Iranian vessels and ports had to be lifted before the process could be re-launched.

“In contrast, the Americans’ haste to travel to Islamabad, even before Iran agreed to a new round of talks and the subsequent extension of the ceasefire, shows how deeply Trump is trapped in a deadlock,” the Yemeni official added. … continue

US nuclear official accused of leaking data on Iran, nerve agents

Al Mayadeen | April 22, 2026

A senior US Army official responsible for nuclear and chemical safety has been placed on administrative leave following the release of an undercover video exposing sensitive national security discussions. … continue

Following 200+ Israeli ceasefire violations, Hezbollah retaliates

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

The Islamic Resistance announced that it carried out a combined rocket and drone strike targeting an Israeli army artillery position in the Kfar Giladi settlement at 18:50 local time on April 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the position was identified as the source of recent artillery fire targeting the town of Yohmor al-Shqif in southern Lebanon.

The group said the operation was conducted using rockets and a swarm of one-way attack drones, and emphasized that the operation came in response to repeated Israeli violations following the ceasefire.

It added that more than 200 such violations have been recorded since the ceasefire came into effect, including strikes on civilians and the destruction of homes and villages in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah asserted that the operation is “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the flagrant and documented violations committed by the Israeli enemy, which have exceeded 200 since the ceasefire went into effect, including attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern Lebanon, and based on the right to resist and rout the occupation.” … Full article

How A Fake Iranian Terror Group Was Invented To Proscribe IRGC in Europe

The story of Ashab al-Yamin

By David Miller | Tracking Power update | April 21, 2026

Now that several more “attacks” have been credited to this fake group, here is my investigation on the topic.

A series of arson attacks and alleged incidents targeting alleged Jewish-linked sites across Europe have been attributed to a little-known group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), or Ashab al-Yamin. The group has been widely described in media and security circles as an Iran-backed network, allegedly linked to the IRGC. … continue

Iran’s judiciary rejects Trump’s claim on ‘planned execution’ of 8 women

Press TV – April 21, 2026

Iran’s Judiciary has dismissed claims by US President Donald Trump that eight women are facing imminent execution in Iran.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Judiciary clarified that some of these individuals have been released, while others are facing charges that, if upheld by the court, may lead to imprisonment.

“Trump was misled once again by fake news,” the statement said.

Trump requested clemency on their behalf in a post on social media earlier in the day. … continue

X suspends Iranian accounts in bid to silence voices against US-Israeli aggression

Press TV – April 21, 2026

The social media platform X has launched a sweeping campaign to suspend accounts opposed to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

The latest account to be suspended belongs to Ali Alizadeh, an Iranian journalist and podcaster based in the United Kingdom, who is active on X under the handle @Jedaal.

According to reports, the account was taken down without prior notice or explanation, marking the latest in a series of suspensions affecting Iranian users critical of the war.

Previously, amid the US-Israeli war against Iran, X took similar action against other Iranian voices, including social media activist Arya (@AryJeay) and international affairs commentator and TV show host Mehdi Khanalizadeh (@Khanalizadeh_IR). … Full article

Democrats turn on ‘Israel’ as party support for military aid collapses

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

The political landscape around “Israel” within the Democratic Party has undergone a marked shift in recent years, with outspoken defenders of the country becoming increasingly rare, Vox reported. A growing number of Democrats are now adopting a more critical stance toward “Israel”, reflecting a broader realignment within the party.

On Wednesday, 40 of 47 Democratic senators voted to block a proposed military sale to “Israel”, a level of opposition far higher than what similar measures have typically faced in the past. The vote signaled the most striking evidence yet of the party’s rapid movement toward a more confrontational posture, a trend that both supporters and critics of “Israel” say is still evolving.

The outcome left many pro-“Israel” Democrats “shocked and disillusioned,” according to Marc Rod of Jewish Insider. These tensions were also visible in electoral politics the following day, when voters in New Jersey’s 11th District elected Analilia Mejia, a candidate known for her strong criticism of “Israel”, in a special House election. Although Mejia won comfortably, traditionally Jewish suburbs such as Livingston and Millburn swung sharply against her compared with previous presidential results, an unusual pattern in an otherwise reliably Democratic district.

“It’s disturbing for supporters of Israel who’ve long needed and counted on bipartisan support, and had it,” a Democratic operative with long-standing ties to Jewish advocacy told Vox. “It’s growing, and it’s hard to tell where it’s going to end up, but it’s not good.”

While the long-standing bipartisan consensus of unconditional support for “Israel” is clearly eroding, what comes next remains unclear. Political strategists across the Democratic spectrum are divided over whether this shift represents a temporary correction or a more fundamental realignment that could eventually push “Israel” out of the American political mainstream.

What is evident, however, is that Democratic voters themselves have changed significantly.

Back in 2022, a narrow majority, 53 percent, of Democratic voters viewed “Israel” unfavorably. Since then, the Israeli genocide in Gaza following October 7, 2023, has sharply worsened its standing in the United States. That decline in sentiment has been compounded by the renewed war on Iran under President Donald Trump, launched alongside “Israel” this year.

According to Pew Research polling conducted last month, a striking 80 percent of Democrats or Democratic-leaning adults now hold an unfavorable view of “Israel”. … Full article

The Winner at the DNC’s Latest Meeting? Israel, Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide

By Norman Solomon | Z | April 16, 2026

In the aftermath of this month’s big meeting of the Democratic National Committee in New Orleans, supporters of the U.S.-Israel alliance have been quite content.

“We’re pleased that the DNC Resolutions Committee rejected a set of divisive, anti-Israel resolutions,” the president of Democratic Majority for Israel said.

The CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a former national security advisor to Kamala Harris, expressed gratitude to the DNC’s leadership.

Why did pro-Israel groups voice so much pleasure and praise — not only for the sidelining of pro-human-rights resolutions but also for the process that sidelined them?

The answer has to do with the DNC’s mechanism that thwarted changes in positions on Israel. A panel named the Middle East Working Group gummed up all efforts to align the DNC with the views of most Democratic voters, even while supposedly hard at work. … continue

Proposal to suspend EU trade agreement with Israel shelved: Italy

MEMO | April 21, 2026

The Italian foreign minister said Tuesday that a proposal to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been shelved, adding that EU members will discuss alternatives next month, Anadolu reports. […]

“We have a different position from Spain, because theirs doesn’t seem like the right path to take. Our position is identical to Germany’s,” said the foreign minister.

It came as European countries were divided over trade ties with Israel, as Spain and Ireland pushed for the suspension, while some other countries, including Germany, had expressed opposition to the idea. – Full article

Israeli Colonizers Steal Over 12,000 Livestock Since Early 2025

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers have sharply intensified livestock theft across the occupied West Bank, transforming what were once sporadic incidents into a coordinated, systematic campaign carried out under the protection of the Israeli army.

Testimonies from residents, video documentation by Palestinians and international activists, and reports from rights organizations all point to a consistent pattern of assault, intimidation, and property seizure.

According to figures provided to Al Jazeera by the rights group Al‑Baydar, colonizers have stolen over 12,000 head of livestock since the beginning of 2025, in addition to 1,500 more animals stolen since January 2026.

In Ein Yabrud, northeast of Ramallah, resident Mohammad Hujair has lost three horses to colonizer attacks within one year.

He shared footage showing armed colonizers seizing his white horse days earlier while he attempted to intervene. He was beaten, sustaining bruises and injuries.

Hujair said 14 colonizers stormed his home, while others invaded the village with the Israeli army, which sealed all entrances and prevented residents from reaching the area.

“They beat us without mercy and took the horse right in front of me,” he said, adding that the group also tried to steal another horse tied near the house. … Full article

Youth Killed by Settler Vehicle in Hebron, Woman Died of Previous Wounds in Jenin

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

A Palestinian child was killed on Tuesday morning, after he was struck by a settler vehicle north of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank. A woman succumbed to injuries she sustained in 2023 during the army’s aggression against the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry announced that the child Mohammad Majdi Ahmad Al-Ja’bari, 15, was killed on Tuesday after a settler’s vehicle struck him north of Hebron, and Mrs. Raja Fadl Bitawi, 47, succumbed to injuries she sustained in the Jenin refugee camp in 2023.

WAFA reported that the child Mohammad Majdi Ahmad Al-Ja’bari, 15, died Tuesday morning after a settler vehicle ran over him, while he was riding his bicycle to school at the Beit Einun junction near Hebron.

According to Israeli media reports, the one of the vehicles involved in the incident was part of the “Magen” unit, responsible for securing Israeli ministers and senior government officials.

Israeli Army Radio reported that the vehicle belongs to the security detail of an Israeli minister residing in an illegal colony in the Hebron governorate. … Full article

Jewish settlers raze school, seize homes after displacing Palestinian families

Palestinian Information Center – April 21, 2026

JORDAN VALLEY – A horde of extremist Jewish settlers demolished a Palestinian school and nearby homes in the al‑Malih Bedouin community in the northern Jordan Valley after storming the area with bulldozers.

Local sources reported that settlers seized citizens’ homes and raised Israeli flags over them, after previously forcing Palestinian families in the community to leave.

The school had served about 70 Palestinian students, providing elementary education from first to fourth grade.

Families in al-Malih (and nearby areas like al-Juba, Khirbet Samra) have left or been forced to abandon their homes after facing continuous attacks from Jewish settlers, including livestock thefts, physical harassment, and destruction of property.

Colonizers Attack a School Near Ramallah, Kill 2 Palestinians

IMEMC – April 21, 2026

Illegal Israeli colonizers killed two Palestinians and injured four others, on Tuesday, after attacking the Al-Mughayyir Boys’ School in Al-Mughayyir village, northeast of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank.

In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced that two citizens, including a child, were killed by Israeli settlers and four others were wounded during an attack on the Al-Mughayyir Boys’ School.

The Ministry stated that the child and student Aws Hamdi Al-Naasan, 13, and the young man Jihad Marzouq Abu Naim, 35, were both killed and four others injured after being shot with live ammunition.

For its part, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that its ambulance crews transported the bodies of two slain citizens, and four others to the hospital for live gunshot wounds.

Media sources added that the father of the slain grade nine student Aws Hamdi Al-Naasan was also killed by Israeli colonizers in 2019. … Full article

Israeli army blows up school in southern Lebanon in violation of ceasefire

Press TV – April 21, 2026

‎‎The Israeli regime has demolished a public school in southern Lebanon in a new violation of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Beirut approved by US President Donald Trump.

‎The Israeli army destroyed a public school building in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam despite the 10-day ceasefire.

‎The state-run Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported on Tuesday that the Israeli forces rigged the building with explosives and detonated it overnight, completely leveling the structure.

‎‎Israeli forces also fired artillery near the town of Kunin in the Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon, according to another report by NNA.

‎‎A series of Israeli demolitions occurred across the south, targeting homes, buildings and other infrastructure, the report said. Israeli forces also “booby-trapped” numerous homes in the villages of Beit Lif, Shamaa, Biyyada, and Naqoura, leveling them, the report added.‎ … continue

Israel broadcaster: No criminal probe into soldier who smashed Christ statue in Lebanon

MEMO | April 21, 2026

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday that a soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese town will not face a criminal investigation, and will instead be dealt with “disciplinarily only”. … Full article

Water crisis in Gaza worsens as per capita supply falls to critical levels

Palestinian Information Center – April 21, 2026

GAZA – Gaza is facing a rapidly worsening water crisis as infrastructure destruction and mass displacement sharply reduce access to safe water, leaving residents struggling daily to secure minimal supplies.

According to field reports, dozens of displaced Palestinians queue for hours at water trucks in central Gaza, filling small containers and carrying them back to tents in a repeated effort to meet basic needs. […]

The crisis has been driven by the destruction of most water wells and infrastructure. Gaza’s water system, which once supplied around 100,000 cubic meters daily, has dropped to just 35,000 cubic meters, according to local officials. … Full article

The desalination front: Water as Israel’s Achilles heel

The Cradle | April 21, 2026

Israel’s near-total dependence on seawater desalination to secure almost 80 percent of its drinking water and industrial needs has created a security vulnerability unlike that of the Persian Gulf states.

While Gulf desalination facilities are spread across wide geographic areas, Israel’s production capacity is concentrated along a narrow stretch of coastline. That concentration leaves Israel’s water system vulnerable to paralysis through concentrated missile barrages or suicide drone attacks from multiple fronts – a danger that exceeds the ability of conventional air defenses to fully contain.

The longer the confrontation with Iran drags on, the more these facilities are transformed from civilian infrastructure into strategic targets. Israel’s five main desalination plants have become central nodes in Tehran’s target bank, placing domestic stability and regional water commitments under the threat of broad disruption. … continue

Washington cuts flow of US dollars to Iraqi central bank until ‘acceptable’ government formed

The Cradle | April 21, 2026

The US has suspended all funding and security coordination with Iraq, and shipments of dollars the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), until a new Baghdad government acceptable to Washington is formed, Al-Hadath reported on 20 April.

The US is also conditioning continued security cooperation on the disclosure of those involved in the bombing of its embassy, the Saudi news channel added.

Nevertheless, on Monday, the CBI released a statement rejecting the Al-Hadath report.

Since 2003, a decision issued by Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) head Paul Bremer has required that all Iraqi oil revenues be paid into an account at the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York, giving the US the ability to control how many US dollars are returned to the CBI.

From that point until today, the Iraqi Ministry of Finance has had to submit funding requests to the US Treasury, which then approves or denies them based on its own criteria.

This monthly transfer of US dollars, flown into Baghdad in pallets of hard cash, determines Iraq’s ability to pay for basic needs such as salaries, food, and medicine. … continue

Iran announces new Hormuz restrictions after US ceasefire violations

Al Mayadeen | April 21, 2026

Iran has announced sweeping restrictions on maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following violations of the ceasefire by the United States, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The report stated that all established maritime channels for entry and exit through the Strait have been closed, effectively halting normal transit in one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.

Iranian authorities have instead introduced a newly designed waterway that will allow limited and closely monitored passage for commercial vessels, signaling a controlled approach to maritime navigation under heightened tensions.

Tehran has also declared that no vessel will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until guarantees are provided, ensuring the full lifting of the maritime blockade imposed on Iran.

Additionally, the Strait will remain under strict surveillance by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Navy, with an explicit ban on the transit of any military vessels, further escalating security measures in the region. … continue

Is Trump Going for Armageddon?

By Larry C. Johnson | SONAR21 | April 21, 2026 

Pakistan is trying desperately to hold a new round of talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran. After conflicting statements from the Trump administration, it appears that JD Vance, accompanied by his Zionist watchers — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — are headed back to Islamabad. As of 22:20 hours eastern, Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said there will be no negotiations while the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect, stating that they are prepared to demonstrate new cards on the battlefield. … continue

‘War crime’: Russian envoy denounces US-Israeli war on Iran from Tehran rubble

RT | April 21, 2026

The US and Israel have committed war crimes in Iran, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Aleksey Dedov has declared while inspecting the ruins of a hospital in the Iranian capital destroyed in the strikes.

The diplomat made the remarks to RT on Monday during a visit to damaged residential areas alongside a group of foreign ambassadors.

According to RT correspondent Saman Kojouri, the hospital was hit without prior warning while patients and staff were inside. It was not immediately clear how many people were injured.

“It’s a horrible thing to see,” Dedov said, assessing the damage to civilian medical infrastructure. “This is evidence of an inhumane approach by Israel and the US… it’s very clearly a war crime.”

The visit was organized so that foreign diplomats could witness the aftermath firsthand, Tehran Province Governor Mohammad-Sadegh Motamedian said, adding that it was intended to draw attention to what he described as Western “silence” over the actions of the US and Israel. … Video report

China blames US for diplomatic impasse with Iran, urges it to show ‘sincerity’ in talks

Press TV – April 21, 2026

China has called on the United States to demonstrate “sincerity” in resolving its prolonged standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, while censuring the joint US-Israeli military aggression against the country.

In its latest Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) report, Beijing said that Washington is responsible for the current diplomatic impasse with Tehran.

The national report on the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was made public online by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

According to the report, the US and Israel’s military aggression against Iran, both in June 2025 and on February 28, “seriously violated international law and the purposes of the UN Charter.” … continue

After Islamabad: How the Global South Is Reshaping Eurasian Geopolitics

By Abbas Hashemite – New Eastern Outlook – April 21, 2026

The developments surrounding the “Islamabad Talks” underscore a broader geopolitical realignment in which Pakistan, China, and other regional powers are deepening their strategic and economic integration, accelerating the rise of a Global South-led order while exposing the waning influence of the US and its traditional allies. … continue

Xi’s Taiwan Masterstroke: Beijing’s Peace Offensive Reshapes the Strait

By Adrian Korczyński – New Eastern Outlook – April 21, 2026

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Taiwanese Kuomintang Party leader Cheng Li-wun met in Beijing. This visit could mark a turning point in China’s relations with the island and ease tensions between them. […]

This meeting is no isolated event — it forms part of a broader structural shift in the emerging multipolar order.

In today’s world, influence flows not only from military alliances or sanctions, but from strategic patience, economic interdependence, and direct political engagement. By bypassing Washington’s intermediaries and speaking directly to forces within Taiwan, Beijing demonstrates that the future of the Strait will be decided by the Chinese people themselves — not dictated from distant capitals.

The message is unmistakable: external interference is increasingly irrelevant as internal convergence accelerates. … Read full article

Chinese envoy firmly rejects US allegations at UN Security Council emergency briefing on Ukraine

Global Times | April 21, 2026

At a UN Security Council emergency briefing on Ukraine on Monday afternoon local time, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Sun Lei firmly rejected the US representative’s repetition of old narratives and dissemination of false allegations, the China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.

Sun clearly pointed out that any attempt to shift responsibility to China or to attack and smear China on the Ukraine issue is irresponsible and will not succeed, according to the CCTV report.

In fact, since the outbreak of the crisis, it has been the US – not China – that has long provided weapons to the battlefield and attempted to prolong the war, the Chinese envoy said.

China once again urges the US side to stop shifting blame and passing the buck, and to play a more constructive role in achieving a ceasefire, ending the war, and promoting peace talks, Sun said, according to CCTV.

Japan makes major shift from pacificism policy

RT | April 21, 2026

Japan has lifted restrictions on lethal arms sales, ending a ban on military exports imposed under the country’s pacifist constitution in 1947.

The move was announced on Tuesday by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative who had long advocated revising Japan’s pacifist constitution and further beefing up the country’s offensive military capabilities. […]

Japanese companies will now be able to sell arms to 17 countries with which Tokyo has defensive equipment and technology transfer agreements, including the US, the UK, Australia, and multiple Southeast Asian nations. […]

While the easing of the arms sales restrictions has been touted by Takaichi as a major achievement, the latest step towards full re-militarization is consistent with the decisions made by the previous Japanese governments. In late 2023, Tokyo performed the first overseas lethal arms sale since 1947, supplying domestically produced missiles for US-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems to Washington. The munitions are manufactured by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX. … Full article