Ceasefire talk in Islamabad, 6 killed in Lebanon, 12 deaths in Gaza, US to punish NATO allies failed to support Iran war, China to benefit from Iran war, China curbs US investment in AI firms

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Pakistan for what Tehran said will be indirect talks, mediated by Pakistan. US envoys ⁠Steve Witkoff ⁠and Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad on Saturday morning. Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported that six people were killed and two others wounded in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Friday. On April 24 2026, Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians, according to local health officials and medics. Among the dead were at least six police officers. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned a major Chinese refinery and 40 Shipping Firms and Vessels are targeted for operating as part of Iran's "shadow fleet" to transport petroleum and petrochemicals. An internal Pentagon email outlines options for the United States to punish NATO allies it believes failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing the U.S. position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands. China stands to benefit from US-Israel-Iran war. China is instructing top AI firms to curb, and seek government approval for, investment from U.S. entities to protect sensitive technology.