The Daily Populous Thursday April 16th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by independent.co.uk and submitted by JKKIDD231

Close UN welcomes Lebanon-Israel talks as White House optimistic for peace

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Lebanon has denied knowledge of forthcoming peace talks with Israel hours after US president Donald Trump announced the historic negotiations.

An official in Lebanon’s presidential office told the BBC it is not aware of any plans of contact with Israel on Thursday.

“It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump had said on Truth Social in a midnight post.

Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington, following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. At least 2,124 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon and more than one million displaced, according to the health ministry.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to revive peace talks between the US and Iran, with the White House optimistic about a deal to end the war. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “We feel good about the prospects of a deal.”

But Leavitt said reports ​that the US has requested an extended ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong. The ceasefire, which remains fragile, is set to end next week.

Stilnovisti on April 15th, 2026 at 14:36 UTC »

All the neocons trying to convince us for the past 45+ days that this was a brilliant scheme to deny China oil better come out and explain this one. Also, if he just wanted a world leader hug, PM Modi would have been happy to oblige once more.

Intro-Nimbus on April 15th, 2026 at 14:28 UTC »

He's going to open up the strait for China when it was never closed to china?

JKKIDD231 on April 15th, 2026 at 14:24 UTC »

SS: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!! President DJT”