International

US 15-Point Plan Reportedly Conveyed to Iran via Pakistan

Published

5 months ago

March 25, 2026

Trump Warns Iran: Open Hormuz or Get 'Hit Very Hard' as 48-Hour Deadline Looms

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

US 15-Point Plan Reportedly Conveyed to Iran via Pakistan

Proposals from the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Iran have reportedly been transmitted to Tehran through Pakistani intermediaries, according to two senior officials in Islamabad cited by AFP.

The development comes as diplomatic activity intensifies across the Middle East, with regional actors attempting to de-escalate tensions that have persisted for nearly a month and disrupted security, trade routes, and energy markets.

The officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the 15-point US plan was conveyed to Iran via Pakistan, which has increasingly been positioned as a neutral intermediary due to its longstanding ties with both countries.

Pakistan’s role in the emerging diplomacy is rooted in its strategic relationships. Islamabad maintains communication channels with both Iran and the United States, while also engaging closely with Gulf partners.

Pakistani authorities, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, have reportedly been in contact with Iranian officials and have expressed readiness to host negotiations if required. Their outreach also extends to Gulf stakeholders, including discussions with Saudi Arabia’s leadership.

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The report noted that Sharif recently held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflecting Islamabad’s effort to maintain balanced relations with key regional actors amid escalating tensions. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also share a mutual defence framework, further underscoring their strategic alignment.

Additionally, Pakistan’s military leadership has been involved in diplomatic engagements. Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir is said to have participated in high-level communications, including a reported conversation with US President Donald Trump.

The reported US proposal is believed to outline a framework for de-escalation that may include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, limitations on missile capabilities, and adjustments to regional military posture, alongside potential economic incentives such as sanctions relief. However, the full contents of the plan have not been officially disclosed by Washington.

The diplomatic push coincides with recent signals of cautious optimism from President Trump, who has indicated progress toward ending the conflict. At the same time, Tehran has announced measures such as allowing “non-hostile” oil vessels to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.

Despite these developments, Iran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, stated that no formal negotiations—direct or indirect—have taken place between Washington and Tehran. He described recent claims of progress as inaccurate, maintaining that communication remains limited to indirect or unconfirmed channels.

Iran has historically relied on intermediaries such as Oman, Qatar, and now Pakistan for backchannel diplomacy with the United States, given the absence of direct diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Analysts say Pakistan’s involvement reflects a broader pattern of regional mediation efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in a conflict that has already affected shipping lanes, energy supplies, and geopolitical stability across the Middle East.

While Islamabad has signalled willingness to facilitate dialogue, the outcome of the reported 15-point proposal remains uncertain, with no official confirmation from either Washington or Tehran on the acceptance or rejection of the plan.

US 15-Point Plan Reportedly Conveyed to Iran via Pakistan

International

Radio Caroline Fined Over False King Charles III Death Announcement

Published

6 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Radio Caroline Fined Over False King Charles III Death Announcement

A volunteer-run community station accidentally triggered pre-recorded obituary files during a live show, sparking confusion and a formal watchdog ruling.

A UK community radio station has been formally reprimanded by the national broadcasting watchdog after it falsely announced the death of King Charles III during a routine broadcast in May. The incident, which took place on May 19, 2026, involved Radio Caroline – a station with a colorful history as a former pirate radio broadcaster. Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, delivered its final ruling on Monday, confirming that the station breached two key rules on news accuracy and timely correction. Below is a detailed breakdown of what happened, why the regulator stepped in, and how the station has responded.

Listeners tuning into The Barry Marsh Show on the afternoon of May 19 were unexpectedly met with a series of pre-recorded emergency announcements. One message stated: “We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III.” The announcement was repeated three times. It was immediately followed by the playing of the UK national anthem, after which the station broadcast approximately 16 minutes of silence on its DAB+ digital service. AM listeners, meanwhile, heard backup music. The false broadcast continued for nearly half an hour before station staff issued a correction and an apology.

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According to Ofcom’s investigation, the error occurred when a staff member performing routine maintenance on the studio computer accessed the obituary files “out of curiosity.” The files were part of a standard emergency protocol package that stations prepare in advance for the death of a senior royal. Once the staff member realized the files had gone live, they panicked and left the premises. The remote presenter of The Barry Marsh Show was unaware of the mishap because he was not monitoring the station’s output via an internet stream. Additionally, the station director was on a phone call and only noticed the problem when he heard continuous music instead of the scheduled programme, further delaying the correction.

Ofcom, which received two formal complaints from listeners, ruled that Radio Caroline violated Rule 5.1 – which requires that news reports must be presented with due accuracy and impartiality – and Rule 5.2 – which mandates that significant errors must be acknowledged and corrected promptly on air. The regulator described the broadcast as a “very significant inaccuracy” on a matter of “very high public interest.” It also criticized the “considerable length of time” – approximately 30 minutes – that passed before an apology was aired, noting that such delays undermine public trust in broadcast media.

Radio Caroline, which is 100% volunteer-operated, said it took the matter “very seriously” and acted “as soon as possible” once the error was discovered. The station has since reprimanded the staff member responsible for accessing the files, removed all obituary-related sound files from the studio computer desktop, and retrained volunteers on the correct emergency broadcast protocols. It has also issued a public apology to listeners and the Royal Household. A spokesperson for the station stated that the error was entirely accidental and that the team was “deeply sorry” for any distress caused, emphasizing that they are committed to maintaining high editorial standards despite their volunteer-led structure.

Radio Caroline is no ordinary station. Founded in 1964, it originally operated as a pirate radio broadcaster from ships anchored in international waters off the UK coast. Its goal was to play popular music – which mainstream BBC radio largely ignored at the time – and it became a cultural icon of the 1960s, symbolizing a generation’s push for musical freedom. The station continued broadcasting from vessels until its ship ran aground in 1991. Today, Radio Caroline operates legally as a community station under an Ofcom license granted in 2017, broadcasting rock music from studios in Essex, and it retains a loyal listener base that appreciates its independent spirit and musical heritage.

The false announcement sparked confusion and concern among listeners, especially given the high public interest in royal news. While the error was quickly corrected, the incident highlights the challenges faced by volunteer-led community broadcasters in managing sensitive emergency content – and the importance of robust editorial safeguards. Ofcom’s ruling serves as a reminder that all broadcasters, regardless of size or budget, are held to the same standards of accuracy and accountability when it comes to news of national significance, ensuring that audiences can trust what they hear on the airwaves.

Radio Caroline has accepted the Ofcom ruling and has already implemented the recommended changes. No financial penalty was imposed, but the station has been formally warned that any future breaches could result in heavier sanctions, including fines or even license restrictions. The station continues to broadcast as normal, with its regular rock music programming now back on air, and it has pledged to review all internal procedures to prevent any recurrence of such an error.

Radio Caroline Fined Over False King Charles III Death Announcement

International

Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Insists No Israeli Withdrawal Until Hamas Is Fully Disarmed

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Insists No Israeli Withdrawal Until Hamas Is Fully Disarmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected the United States’ 15-point peace plan for Gaza, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is completely disarmed. The announcement marks a significant break with President Donald Trump and his Board of Peace just months before Israel’s October 27 elections. “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday. The Israeli military “will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” he added.

The plan, announced by Trump’s Board of Peace in late July, was described by the US president as a “major milestone” towards ending the war in Gaza. The proposal includes complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, transition to governance by a new Palestinian administration called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to work alongside Palestinian police, and reconstruction of Gaza under the oversight of the Board of Peace. Netanyahu, however, has made clear that the sequencing is unacceptable to Israel. While the plan originally suggested Israel would begin pulling out forces in tandem with disarmament, the Board of Peace later backtracked after meeting Netanyahu, saying withdrawal would only occur after “complete” disarmament. Even this was apparently not enough for the Israeli leader.

Netanyahu insisted that Israel would only accept “genuine disarmament” of Hamas. “When I say Hamas is disarmed, that means the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons, all the weapons,” he said. “We are talking about real disarmament, not fictitious disarmament,” Netanyahu emphasised, adding that Israel was raising its objections with the United States. “They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters,” he said.

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The Israeli prime minister used the occasion to reiterate his long-standing opposition to Palestinian statehood. “As long as I am prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established—not in Gaza and not in the West Bank,” he said. He added: “Neither ‘Fatahstan’ nor ‘Hamastan’.” This broad declaration suggests that the disagreement is not just about military tactics in Gaza but also about the fundamental political framework for the future of the territories.

Despite describing Trump as “our greatest friend in the White House,” Netanyahu made clear he was willing to challenge the US president. The rejection comes after more than a week of gradually escalating criticism of the plan. Netanyahu until recently campaigned on the strength of his relationship with Trump, who since his first term has taken unprecedented steps to back Israel. However, the two leaders have diverged on key issues, including Trump’s pursuit of a ceasefire with Iran in April.

Hamas, which announced days earlier it supported the plan, has linked disarmament to Israeli actions. The group said it would only implement the disarmament deal if Israel halted strikes in Gaza and pulled its troops back to the “yellow line” as defined by the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, called on the United States to “pressure Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap and not obstruct the process for internal political and electoral reasons.” This highlights the fundamental impasse: Israel demands disarmament before withdrawal, while Hamas insists withdrawal must precede or accompany disarmament.

Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to the initial ceasefire last October. The Board of Peace’s lead envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, urged Netanyahu to stop attacks on Gaza during a meeting last week. However, Israel has steadfastly refused to do so. According to reports, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,200 Palestinians since the October ceasefire took effect, including dozens after the disarmament deal was announced. This ongoing violence has further complicated efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is running even or trailing in some polls ahead of the October 27 elections. The Gaza plan is widely unpopular with his right-wing base and far-right members of his cabinet. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissed the draft as “not acceptable” and called for a new cabinet vote to end the Gaza plan. The political pressure may explain Netanyahu’s firm rejection of US-backed proposals that could alienate his core supporters, as he seeks to maintain his coalition ahead of the critical elections.

The rejection leaves the future of Trump’s Gaza peace plan in serious doubt. The plan, which was unveiled in September 2025, was intended to provide a comprehensive framework including disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction. The Board of Peace has already begun establishing itself on the ground, with Mladenov appointed as High Representative for Gaza and Palestinian technocrats assembled to lead the NCAG. However, without Israeli cooperation, the plan’s implementation appears highly uncertain. The core dispute over sequencing remains unresolved: Israel demands disarmament before withdrawal, while Hamas insists withdrawal must precede or accompany disarmament. With Netanyahu facing electoral pressure and Hamas seeking assurances of an end to Israeli strikes, the path to peace remains as elusive as ever.

Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, Insists No Israeli Withdrawal Until Hamas Is Fully Disarmed

International

Biden condition deteriorates as cancer spreads to bones

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Biden condition deteriorates as cancer spreads to bones

Former United States President Joe Biden is battling advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, with his son, Hunter Biden, revealing that the disease is causing his 83-year-old father significant pain and debilitating effects.

Hunter Biden, who became emotional while discussing his father’s health, told the BBC that the cancer had metastasised beyond the prostate and into his bones.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” he said. “It’s very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

The revelation provides a fresh and worrying update on the health of the former president, who disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, less than four months after leaving the White House.

Hunter said the diagnosis had been particularly difficult for the Biden family, describing his father as the “centre” and “rock” of the family.

“It’s really sad to watch,” he said. “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.

“He is the center of our family… He is our rock.”

Biden’s condition had previously been described as an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones when his diagnosis was announced.

The latest disclosure comes after former First Lady Jill Biden also acknowledged the seriousness of her husband’s condition, saying in June that he would likely live with the disease for the rest of his life.

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“I think if he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, that’s one thing because that can be cured, but the fact that it metastasized to his bones, that makes it a whole different story,” she said.

“So I think Joe will live with cancer till the rest of his life.”

Biden has undergone radiation and hormone treatment as part of his treatment. He also underwent surgery in September 2025 to remove cancerous skin cells.

Despite his health challenges, Hunter said his father remains publicly engaged, continuing to speak about issues he considers important.

“He’s still doing his thing,” Hunter said. “He so believes in this country.”

Biden, who served as president from January 2021 to January 2025, was the oldest person to occupy the White House. His age and health became major political issues during his presidency, particularly in the final year of his administration.

His health was also a significant factor in the 2024 presidential campaign, eventually contributing to his decision to withdraw from the race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s candidate.

The latest development comes as Biden continues to receive treatment and spend time with his family following his departure from the White House.