Iran-US Ceasefire Struggles, Middle East and Washington, DC. Two big stories lead today’s world news. A shaky ceasefire between the United States and Iran is already starting to show cracks. Next, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to testify before Congress about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ceasefire Crumbles at the Edges
Pakistan helped the US. and Iran agree to a ceasefire lasting two weeks. The truce stopped 40 days of US-Israeli attacks, easing fears that the region was about to slip into a wider war. But the deal soon started to fall apart.
Israel said it backs the ceasefire. It still attacks Hezbollah, which Iran supports, in Lebanon. Israeli forces carried out their biggest attacks on Beirut since the war began, hitting several neighborhoods during the morning rush and spreading fear across the city.
So Lebanon declared a day of national mourning. Israel’s attacks killed at least 250 people and injured more than 1,160 others, the country’s civil defense agency reported.
During April 8, Gulf countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia said they intercepted missiles. A fire started at the Habshan gas complex in Abu Dhabi, and a drone hit a key Saudi pipeline.
Iran also said the United States broke the ceasefire. Soon after the deal started, tensions flared again within hours. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly criticized the violations. He asked everyone to stay calm, honor the two-week ceasefire, and let diplomacy handle the next steps.
Even with all the disorder, the US. and Iranian teams still plan to meet in Islamabad this Friday, April 10, to finalize an agreement. Iran says talks will build on its 10-point plan, including control of the Strait of Hormuz. At a press conference, Trump said clearly that Iran must not enrich uranium. He said the ceasefire deal does not include Lebanon.
Gates Steps Forward in Epstein Probe
Meanwhile, on June 10, Bill Gates will join a closed-door, recorded interview with the House Oversight Committee. Gates’ spokesperson said he’s glad for the chance. Gates insists he never saw or took part in any of Epstein’s illegal acts. He still eagerly awaits the committee’s questions.
Still, the numbers look suspicious. Gates shows up thousands of times in the Epstein files. He’s said to have met Epstein repeatedly, including after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for crimes involving minors. At one time, Gates flew on Epstein’s private jet too.
Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, will testify by choice on May 6, beyond the gates. Tova Noel, the corrections officer who watched Epstein the night he died, is scheduled to appear on May 18.
Pam Bondi, the former attorney general, will not show up for her deposition on April 14. The DOJ said the subpoena doesn’t bind her anymore because she is no longer the Attorney General. California Rep replied. Robert Garcia insisted she testify right away, warning he’d seek contempt charges.
Lawmakers say the Epstein probe isn’t finished yet, warning that more well-known people will be called before Congress soon.
“Sources: NPR, Al Jazeera, Wikipedia (2026 Iran war ceasefire), USA Today, Washington Post”
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