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A Pakistani delegation headed by Army Chief General Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, bearing a fresh message from Washington and urging the launch of a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran. The effort comes as the two‑week ceasefire that halted hostilities last week is set to expire on April 22, leaving a narrow window to end a war that has claimed more than 4,000 lives across the Middle East, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. The initial round of talks, held in Islamabad on April 11‑12, marked the most significant direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades. Mediated by Pakistan, the sessions lasted over 20 hours and featured both indirect and direct exchanges between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian officials led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Despite covering core issues—nuclear programme, sanctions relief, frozen assets and control of the Strait of Hormuz—the talks concluded without a memorandum, with Vance asserting that Iran “did not accept our terms” and that the U.S. requires a “fundamental commitment” to forego nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump has described the conflict as “very close to being over” and hinted that a second round could resume within days, possibly in Islamabad. However, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on a four‑day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey to rally regional backing, making a rapid return to Islamabad uncertain. U.S. officials have offered an “in‑principle” agreement to extend the ceasefire, yet a Reuters‑cited source confirmed that Washington has not formally committed to an extension. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism, stating that “there can be no negotiating with clenched fists.” Key sticking points remain: Nuclear programme: The United States and Israel demand a complete halt to uranium enrichment, accusing Iran of weaponization despite a lack of public evidence. Iran maintains its enrichment is for civilian use and cites its obligations under the 1970 Non‑Proliferation Treaty. Strait of Hormuz: One‑fifth of global oil and LNG passes through this chokepoint. Since the February strikes, shipping through the strait has dropped by 95 %. Iran permits passage for “non‑hostile” vessels and seeks the right to levy tolls, while the U.S. insists on unrestricted navigation. Lebanon/Hezbollah: Iran demands that Israel cease its offensive against Hezbollah. While Tehran claims the ceasefire covers Lebanon, both the United States and Israel reject this, and Israel continues attacks on Hezbollah positions. Complicating the diplomatic landscape, President Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, adding pressure on Tehran and potentially hindering any imminent talks. With the ceasefire deadline looming and regional actors issuing mixed signals, the prospects for a renewed U.S.–Iran dialogue hinge on whether Pakistan can secure a consensus among the parties before the window closes.

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's rising star, has reaffirmed his commitment to winning the UEFA Champions League with the club. A day after their quarterfinal elimination by Atletico Madrid, Yamal expressed his determination on Instagram, stating that he will not give up on his promise to capture the trophy with Barcelona.“We are Barca, and we will be back where we belong,” Yamal said. “My parents taught me that a man’s word always has to be fulfilled … we’ll bring it to Barcelona.” This statement comes after Barcelona's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, which wasn't enough to overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.Yamal, who scored one of Barcelona's goals, had similar sentiments after their 2025 semifinals loss to Inter Milan, vowing not to stop until he fulfills his promise. His inspiration, LeBron James, was evident as his Instagram profile featured James holding the NBA trophy in 2016.Barcelona's president-elect, Joan Laporta, criticized the refereeing in both legs against Atletico, calling it “shameful” and “inadmissible.” The club plans to file a formal complaint with UEFA. Despite the setback, Barcelona leads La Liga by nine points over Real Madrid.Coach Hansi Flick emphasized that the young team will learn from their mistakes and improve. With their next match against Celta Vigo, Barcelona aims to bounce back and move forward in their quest for Champions League glory.

A group of 19 UN experts has denounced Israel's attack on Lebanon, which occurred a day after the US and Iran agreed on a ceasefire, as illegal and a blatant violation of the UN Charter. The experts are calling on UN member states to halt all arms transfers to Israel while there is credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.The condemnation comes as Israel continues to pound areas of southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 16 deaths, including four paramedics, according to Lebanese state media. The experts also expressed concern over the forced displacement of over 1.2 million people and the targeted destruction of homes, particularly in predominantly Shia areas of the south, which they described as a form of collective punishment that points to ethnic cleansing.The UN experts emphasized that Israel's actions constitute crimes against humanity and urged Israel to cease all military operations in Lebanon. The situation has been a point of tension in US-Iran negotiations, with Tehran pushing for Lebanon to be included in the ongoing ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will continue to target Hezbollah wherever required, despite diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire.

A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Army Chief Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran to facilitate fresh negotiations between Iran and the United States, with a fragile truce set to expire on April 22.The talks aim to address key issues, including Iran's nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also joining mediation efforts in Tehran.US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about a potential deal, stating that the world should brace for an “amazing two days” as the war with Iran is close to over. The White House has also indicated that additional talks with Iran would likely go forward in Islamabad.Despite these developments, US military maintains its naval blockade on all Iranian ports, which Iran's military has slammed as a violation of the ceasefire. Iran has threatened to retaliate by blocking trade through the Red Sea, Gulf, and Sea of Oman if the US does not lift its blockade.Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points – Iran's nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages. Sources indicate that Pakistani mediators are optimistic about a potential major breakthrough on the nuclear front.

Barcelona’s aspirations for a Champions League title were extinguished for the second consecutive season when they fell 2‑1 to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter‑finals, losing 3‑2 on aggregate.Coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the disappointment, noting that the squad believed it could progress: “It’s tough because everyone really believed that we could make it happen today,” he said after the match.Despite the exit, Flick remains optimistic that the experience will accelerate the development of the club’s young core, which includes teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, midfielder Frenkie de Jong, and forward Pedri. The starting XI’s average age is under 25, positioning Barcelona as one of Europe’s most youthful line‑ups.Defensive frailties were starkly exposed. Barcelona conceded 20 goals in 12 Champions League matches and failed to keep a single clean sheet. In both legs of the tie, defenders were sent off for fouls that led directly to Atletico’s goals – Pau Cubarsi in the first leg and Eric Garcia in the second – highlighting the risks of Flick’s high defensive line.Financial constraints limit the club’s ability to splash on marquee signings. Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski is out of contract at 38, and the future of on‑loan winger Marcus Rashford remains uncertain. Additional questions loom over the contracts of Ferran Torres, Ronald Araujo and defender João Cancelo beyond the summer.Nevertheless, Barcelona’s domestic form remains strong. They sit nine points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga and retain the confidence that a league title is within reach, even as the quest for a sixth Champions League crown continues.De Jong emphasized the positive trajectory: “We’re growing every year. We have a young team, with a lot of talent and a lot of quality that can already compete for every competition.”Looking ahead, Flick hopes that a year of added experience will see Yamal, Pedri and Cubarsi return as battle‑hardened leaders capable of taking Barcelona further in Europe.

Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has emerged victorious in the chess Candidates Tournament, drawing with Dutchman Anish Giri to set up a highly anticipated World Championship match against India's Gukesh Dommaraju.The 20-year-old Sindarov dominated the event in Cyprus, winning six of his 13 games and losing none. This impressive performance earned him 9.5 points, two clear of second-placed Giri on 7.5.Sindarov's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, and he expressed his relief and happiness after the tournament. 'It was the hardest week in my life. I even slept really bad the last few days. I am very happy to finish this tournament with a win,' he said.The World Championship match against Gukesh, who won the title in 2024 by defeating China's Ding Liren, is expected to be a challenging encounter. Sindarov acknowledged Gukesh's experience but expressed confidence in his own abilities, stating, 'Gukesh has an experience of playing at this level. But I have a very good team. I have a lot to work on, and I will work a lot for this and take my chances.'While Sindarov's breakthrough and the rise of a younger generation may spark speculation about a potential comeback by Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian has stated that he has no intention of returning to the classical World Championship cycle.A precise date and venue for the World Championship match have yet to be announced.

The Portland Trail Blazers have ended a four-year playoff drought with a thrilling 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in an NBA play-in game. Deni Avdija led the charge with a career-high 41 points, including the decisive three-point play with 16.1 seconds remaining to cap a remarkable comeback from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.The Trail Blazers will now face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs in a best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series starting on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Suns will have another chance to secure a playoff spot on Friday against the winner of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers play-in game.Avdija's impressive performance included 12 assists and seven rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 21 points and Jerami Grant contributed 16 points, including crucial three-pointers down the stretch. For the Suns, Jalen Green scored 35 points, Devin Booker had 22 points, and Dillon Brooks added 20 points.In another play-in game, the Charlotte Hornets edged the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime, with LaMelo Ball hitting a go-ahead layup with 4.7 seconds left and Miles Bridges blocking Davion Mitchell's shot at the buzzer.

Israeli and Lebanese officials have engaged in historic talks in Washington, DC, marking the first direct negotiations between the two countries since 1983. The meeting, facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lasted over two hours and focused on addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.The talks come as Israel continues its military campaign against Hezbollah, which has resulted in nearly 2,124 deaths and displaced over 1.1 million people in Lebanon. The conflict has tested the fragile ceasefire struck on April 8, which paused the US and Israel's war on Iran for two weeks.Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, described the discussions as a 'wonderful exchange', highlighting points of agreement, including a push to remove Hezbollah from Lebanon. Lebanon's ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, characterized the talks as 'constructive', emphasizing the need for a ceasefire, the return of displaced people, and measures to ease the humanitarian crisis.Despite the positive remarks, heavy fighting continues in the region, with Hezbollah launching daily drone, rocket, and artillery attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon. The group also retains significant influence in parts of Lebanon, including Beirut's southern suburbs and areas in the south and east.The US Secretary of State acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that progress would take time and that the parties are working against decades of history and complexities. The talks have raised hopes for a potential ceasefire and disarmament of Hezbollah, but a near-term end to the fighting appears uncertain.

Arsenal survived a tense second‑leg against Sporting Lisbon, preserving their 1‑0 first‑leg cushion to advance to a Champions League semi‑final against Atlético Madrid. The victory comes amid a turbulent spell that has seen the Gunners lose the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City, exit the FA Cup to Southampton, and drop points to Bournemouth in the Premier League.The match was a defensive slog. Arsenal managed just one shot on target – a strike credited to Martín Zubimendi – and struggled to create clear chances. Substitute Leandro Trossard rattled the post with a header in the 84th minute, while Sporting’s Geny Catamo and João Simões each struck the woodwork, underscoring the fine margins.Despite the lack of flair, Arsenal’s backline held firm. Goalkeeper David Raya made a crucial save, and the team’s overall resolve mirrored the solidity that has defined their season. The win ensures a semi‑final showdown with Atlético Madrid, the side that humbled Arsenal 4‑0 in the league phase last October.While the result eases immediate pressure, the performance raised questions about Arsenal’s attacking potency. Only one shot on target and a reliance on defensive grit highlight concerns that could haunt them in the upcoming league clash with Manchester City, who sit six points ahead in the title race.Looking ahead, Arsenal will need to translate their defensive confidence into sharper offensive output if they hope to challenge for silverware on multiple fronts.