Iran War. . . USA Up 2-0 in the First Period
- Thread starter Tecumsehsbones
- Start date
Trump urges Iran to spare 8 women set to be hanged
U.S. president says sparing women would be good start to negotiations.
Author of the article:Brian Towie
Published Apr 21, 2026 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 2 minute read
Iran is set to execute these women.
Iran is set to execute these women. Photo by Truth Social
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran can buy goodwill with the U.S. by releasing eight women the Islamic regime wants to hang.
“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The post didn’t identify the women, but it did include a photo of Bita Hemmati, a protester arrested during demonstrations against the regime in January. The regime accused her of using explosives and weapons, throwing objects such as concrete blocks, participating in protest gatherings, and disrupting national security, according to the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The NCRI believes more than 300 people were executed in the first month of 2026.
The regime also arrested her husband and two other men who lived in their apartment building. They, too, have been sentenced to death.
Other women include Diana Taherabadi, 16, and Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, both arrested in February for resisting the regime, along with Ensieh Nejati, a Kurdish women’s rights activist sentenced to death early last year.
Brutal crackdown
The Islamic regime has brutally punished those who protested the regime earlier this year, after holding sham trials, according to human rights groups. State media has confirmed the regime executed at least 14 people this year, and last year it executed more than 1,600 — a 36-year high.
Most were for drug and murder-related offences, but some included charges such as “waging war against God,” or “corruption on Earth,” according to a joint report by nonprofits Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty.
Iran targets women, religious minorities
At least 48 women were executed, another 20-year record, and the death sentences were handed down “after grossly unfair trials and without due process,” the report said, adding that religious minorities were disproportionately represented.
This year’s executions were linked to protest activity following American military action against the Islamic regime started earlier this year. Six were convicted of being members of an anti-regime group and another was accused of spying for the Israelis, the report said.
The regime has also killed tens of thousands of protesters who took to the streets in January over the country’s lagging economy. More than 7,000 people have been confirmed killed by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, with thousands more still under investigation.
nypost.com
ncr-iran.org
torontosun.com
U.S. president says sparing women would be good start to negotiations.
Author of the article:Brian Towie
Published Apr 21, 2026 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 2 minute read
Iran is set to execute these women.
Iran is set to execute these women. Photo by Truth Social
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran can buy goodwill with the U.S. by releasing eight women the Islamic regime wants to hang.
“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm! Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The post didn’t identify the women, but it did include a photo of Bita Hemmati, a protester arrested during demonstrations against the regime in January. The regime accused her of using explosives and weapons, throwing objects such as concrete blocks, participating in protest gatherings, and disrupting national security, according to the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The NCRI believes more than 300 people were executed in the first month of 2026.
The regime also arrested her husband and two other men who lived in their apartment building. They, too, have been sentenced to death.
Other women include Diana Taherabadi, 16, and Mahboubeh Shabani, 33, both arrested in February for resisting the regime, along with Ensieh Nejati, a Kurdish women’s rights activist sentenced to death early last year.
Brutal crackdown
The Islamic regime has brutally punished those who protested the regime earlier this year, after holding sham trials, according to human rights groups. State media has confirmed the regime executed at least 14 people this year, and last year it executed more than 1,600 — a 36-year high.
Most were for drug and murder-related offences, but some included charges such as “waging war against God,” or “corruption on Earth,” according to a joint report by nonprofits Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty.
Iran targets women, religious minorities
At least 48 women were executed, another 20-year record, and the death sentences were handed down “after grossly unfair trials and without due process,” the report said, adding that religious minorities were disproportionately represented.
This year’s executions were linked to protest activity following American military action against the Islamic regime started earlier this year. Six were convicted of being members of an anti-regime group and another was accused of spying for the Israelis, the report said.
The regime has also killed tens of thousands of protesters who took to the streets in January over the country’s lagging economy. More than 7,000 people have been confirmed killed by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, with thousands more still under investigation.
Executions in Iran doubled in 2025 — marking a 36-year high: report
The Iranian government executed more than 1,600 people last year — marking a three decade high not seen since the end of the republic’s war against Iraq in 1989.
nypost.com
Iran: Criminal Death Sentences and Confiscation of Property for Four Prisoners of the January 2026 Uprising - NCRI
The regime's judiciary cited their charges as "using explosives and weapons," "harming stationed forces on-site," "throwing incendiary materials," and
ncr-iran.org
Trump urges Iran to spare 8 women set to be hanged
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran can buy goodwill with the U.S. by releasing eight women the Islamic regime wants to hang. Read more.
Israel, Lebanon Cease-Fire Extended by Three Weeks, Trump Says — The Wall Street Journal
A third aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East, giving Trump additional warships to enforce his blockade of Iranian ports
Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches — BBC News
Iran's chief negotiator says "violations" by the US and Israel make it impossible to open the strait.
Two other army officials, Gen David Hodne and Maj Gen William Green, have also been removed from their roles recently.
Since entering the Pentagon, Hegseth has fired more than a dozen senior military officers, including the chief of naval operations and the Air Force's vice-chief of staff.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is "satisfied" with the ongoing US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and "understands Iran is in a very weak position".
No reason was given for John Phelan's ouster. It comes just weeks after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down from his post. Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting secretary. That is all.
Day 55 & ‘bout the same. Strait of Hormuz blockaded by both Iran & Trump America. Both are collecting boats, while not formally speaking with each other.
apple.news
apple.news
U.S. intercepts another tanker, saying it transported oil from Iran — The Washington Post
The incident follows the seizure of a tanker in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday, marking the expansion of U.S. naval operations against Iran beyond the Middle East.
Iran shows off its control over strait after collapse of peace talks — Reuters
Iran showed off its tightened grip over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday with video of its commandos storming a huge cargo ship, after the collapse of peace talks that Washington had hoped would open the world's most important shipping corridor.
Israel, Lebanon Cease-Fire Extended by Three Weeks, Trump Says — The Wall Street Journal
A third aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East, giving Trump additional warships to enforce his blockade of Iranian ports
President Trump said the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, and said the U.S. “is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” the Iranian-backed militia. Trump also said, “It'll be a wonderful thing to get this worked out simultaneously with what we're doing in Iran.” (???)
I wonder if Lebanon & Israel knew about this before Trump’s announcement?
apple.news
I wonder if Lebanon & Israel knew about this before Trump’s announcement?
Israel, Lebanon Cease-Fire Extended by Three Weeks, Trump Says — The Wall Street Journal
A third aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East, giving Trump additional warships to enforce his blockade of Iranian ports
he has a strait and he is the gayatollah.
It is in the Canadian Press it must be true . They are after all the gate keepers .
So….as long as this is about a New York real estate transaction, it might go well? Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to restart negotiations to end the war with Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday.
“Steve and Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out,” Leavitt told reporters at the White House. “The president, the vice president, the secretary of State, will be waiting here in the United States for updates, and the vice president, I understand, is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time.”
I am picturing JD Vance in a uniform much like super Dave Osborne, with a great big rail gun pointed towards Pakistan…
Kushner, Witkoff to restart talks with Iran in Pakistan — without Vance — POLITICO
The vice president will be "on standby" to return to Pakistan for negotiations.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Leavitt struck an upbeat tone, saying the U.S. had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands(?), but said he did not yet know what the offer entailed.
But Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with U.S. representatives, even though U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planned to travel to Islamabad. Iran's concerns would be conveyed to Pakistan, the spokesperson said.
Araghchi is said to be heading to Oman and Russia after his meetings in Pakistan. It is not clear whether he will stay in Pakistan for Witkoff and Kushner’s arrival, although Iran has previously ruled out direct negotiations, citing the continuation of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Leavitt said the president decided to send Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan “to hear the Iranians out.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing earlier on Friday that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal" with the United States. "Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely," he said. "All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways."
apple.news
“Obviously it makes no sense for me to send American troops to secure the Strait, because I already won the war two weeks ago,” Trumpinsisted to reporters. “So the only question is which of America’s weak, freeloading, dickless chode allies gets the great honour of putting their boots on the ground to defeat the Iranian military.”
Trump offered to “sweeten the deal” by lowering the tariff rates of any countries who deploy military aid to the Strait of Hormuz “from 15% to 15%. What an amazing deal, you gutless foreign idiots!”
thebeaverton.com
U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands(?), but said he did not yet know what the offer entailed.
But Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with U.S. representatives, even though U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planned to travel to Islamabad. Iran's concerns would be conveyed to Pakistan, the spokesperson said.
Araghchi is said to be heading to Oman and Russia after his meetings in Pakistan. It is not clear whether he will stay in Pakistan for Witkoff and Kushner’s arrival, although Iran has previously ruled out direct negotiations, citing the continuation of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Leavitt said the president decided to send Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan “to hear the Iranians out.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing earlier on Friday that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal" with the United States. "Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely," he said. "All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways."
Iran's foreign minister arrives in Pakistan, Trump expects offer satisfying US demands — Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals for restarting peace talks with the U.S., offering some hope for an end to the eight-week war that has killed thousands and sown turmoil in global markets.
Trump offered to “sweeten the deal” by lowering the tariff rates of any countries who deploy military aid to the Strait of Hormuz “from 15% to 15%. What an amazing deal, you gutless foreign idiots!”
Trump to allies: “Which of you fucking losers wants to secure the Strait of Hormuz?”
WASHINGTON D.C. - With the Strait of Hormuz shut down by Iranian forces following the U.S.-Israel-led invasion, President Donald Trump has publicly invited his "pathetic baby NATO allies" to send warships and secure the vital shipping lane.
thebeaverton.com
Witless and Kushy ain't going. Turns out they had a five-year-old's birthday party to attend.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has told envoys not to go to Pakistan for more talks with Iran, shortly after that country's top diplomat left Islamabad late Saturday.
Tehran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, visited Islamabad, where he met with Pakistan’s senior leadership but he flew out before the U.S. delegation took off. Then, President Donald Trump said he would not send his negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan at all.
"I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!" Trump said in a social-media post. "If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"
Condom prices to swell over supply disruptions due to Iran war
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually
Author of the articleenette Wilford
Published Apr 24, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang.
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP /Getty Images
The prices of rubber products are surging dramatically, according to condom and glove manufacturers, which are blaming on supply chain disruptions stemming from the war in Iran.
Karex, the world’s largest condom maker which supplies condoms for brands like Trojan and Durex, said it had to raise prices by up to 30%, while global supplier Top Glover, said the main material for its synthetic rubber gloves has doubled in cost.
Much of the rubber industry in Malaysia, where both companies are based, relies on oil to produce goods, but supply has been scarce since Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz.
Costs of raw materials hit hard
The closure, which began after the United States and Israel launched strikes nearly two months ago, has also affected raw material costs and disrupted global shipping.
“We continue to experience longer lead times from suppliers, increased price volatility and higher freight costs,” Karex chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said in an email to AFP.
“In the meantime, we are also holding more key raw materials critical for business operations, and hence requiring the need to increase costs by up to 30 per cent.”
Silicone oil, one of the aforementioned crucial raw materials, is “used in every condom,” according to the company, which noted that costs have been affected “across the board,” including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh told Reuters. “We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually, and provides condoms to organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.K.’s National Health Service to help prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases around the globe.
Goh noted that more condoms are “actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” Goh said, pointing out that many developing countries do not have enough stock because it takes time for the products to reach them, per Reuters.
The prices of other Karex products, including its personal lubricants, probe covers to catheters, and aluminum foil packaging, have also increased, Goh said.
Costs have been affected “across the board”, including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
‘Tight supply’
Meanwhile, Top Glove, pointed toward the spike in the price of nitrile butadiene rubber as the main source of its pain due to it skyrocketing in price “by more than 100 per cent, reflecting tight supply,” they said, per AFP.
“For natural rubber gloves, input costs have risen by approximately 30 per cent, as natural rubber is a traded commodity which is impacted by the uptrend in crude oil prices.”
Top Glove supplies 95 billion gloves per year to more than 2,000 customers worldwide.
Both manufacturers assured their supply remains stable.
“However, longer ship lead times are causing lower inventory levels at our customers’ end, and certain condom manufacturers are facing challenges in production,” Goh noted of the Karex products.
torontosun.com
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually
Author of the article
enette WilfordPublished Apr 24, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang.
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP /Getty Images
The prices of rubber products are surging dramatically, according to condom and glove manufacturers, which are blaming on supply chain disruptions stemming from the war in Iran.
Karex, the world’s largest condom maker which supplies condoms for brands like Trojan and Durex, said it had to raise prices by up to 30%, while global supplier Top Glover, said the main material for its synthetic rubber gloves has doubled in cost.
Much of the rubber industry in Malaysia, where both companies are based, relies on oil to produce goods, but supply has been scarce since Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz.
Costs of raw materials hit hard
The closure, which began after the United States and Israel launched strikes nearly two months ago, has also affected raw material costs and disrupted global shipping.
“We continue to experience longer lead times from suppliers, increased price volatility and higher freight costs,” Karex chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said in an email to AFP.
“In the meantime, we are also holding more key raw materials critical for business operations, and hence requiring the need to increase costs by up to 30 per cent.”
Silicone oil, one of the aforementioned crucial raw materials, is “used in every condom,” according to the company, which noted that costs have been affected “across the board,” including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh told Reuters. “We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually, and provides condoms to organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.K.’s National Health Service to help prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases around the globe.
Goh noted that more condoms are “actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” Goh said, pointing out that many developing countries do not have enough stock because it takes time for the products to reach them, per Reuters.
The prices of other Karex products, including its personal lubricants, probe covers to catheters, and aluminum foil packaging, have also increased, Goh said.
Costs have been affected “across the board”, including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
‘Tight supply’
Meanwhile, Top Glove, pointed toward the spike in the price of nitrile butadiene rubber as the main source of its pain due to it skyrocketing in price “by more than 100 per cent, reflecting tight supply,” they said, per AFP.
“For natural rubber gloves, input costs have risen by approximately 30 per cent, as natural rubber is a traded commodity which is impacted by the uptrend in crude oil prices.”
Top Glove supplies 95 billion gloves per year to more than 2,000 customers worldwide.
Both manufacturers assured their supply remains stable.
“However, longer ship lead times are causing lower inventory levels at our customers’ end, and certain condom manufacturers are facing challenges in production,” Goh noted of the Karex products.
Condom prices to swell over supply disruptions due to Iran war
The prices of rubber products are surging dramatically, according to condom and glove manufacturers. Read on for the details.
8.3 billion and counting.Condom prices to swell over supply disruptions due to Iran war
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually
Author of the article
Published Apr 24, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang.
In this picture taken September 20, 2017, a worker packs condoms at the Malaysian condom-maker Karex Industries headquarters in Port Klang. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP /Getty Images
The prices of rubber products are surging dramatically, according to condom and glove manufacturers, which are blaming on supply chain disruptions stemming from the war in Iran.
Karex, the world’s largest condom maker which supplies condoms for brands like Trojan and Durex, said it had to raise prices by up to 30%, while global supplier Top Glover, said the main material for its synthetic rubber gloves has doubled in cost.
Much of the rubber industry in Malaysia, where both companies are based, relies on oil to produce goods, but supply has been scarce since Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz.
Costs of raw materials hit hard
The closure, which began after the United States and Israel launched strikes nearly two months ago, has also affected raw material costs and disrupted global shipping.
“We continue to experience longer lead times from suppliers, increased price volatility and higher freight costs,” Karex chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said in an email to AFP.
“In the meantime, we are also holding more key raw materials critical for business operations, and hence requiring the need to increase costs by up to 30 per cent.”
Silicone oil, one of the aforementioned crucial raw materials, is “used in every condom,” according to the company, which noted that costs have been affected “across the board,” including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh told Reuters. “We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”
Karex makes more than five billion condoms annually, and provides condoms to organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.K.’s National Health Service to help prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases around the globe.
Goh noted that more condoms are “actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” Goh said, pointing out that many developing countries do not have enough stock because it takes time for the products to reach them, per Reuters.
The prices of other Karex products, including its personal lubricants, probe covers to catheters, and aluminum foil packaging, have also increased, Goh said.
Costs have been affected “across the board”, including the price of condom material nitrile latex and natural rubber.
‘Tight supply’
Meanwhile, Top Glove, pointed toward the spike in the price of nitrile butadiene rubber as the main source of its pain due to it skyrocketing in price “by more than 100 per cent, reflecting tight supply,” they said, per AFP.
“For natural rubber gloves, input costs have risen by approximately 30 per cent, as natural rubber is a traded commodity which is impacted by the uptrend in crude oil prices.”
Top Glove supplies 95 billion gloves per year to more than 2,000 customers worldwide.
Both manufacturers assured their supply remains stable.
“However, longer ship lead times are causing lower inventory levels at our customers’ end, and certain condom manufacturers are facing challenges in production,” Goh noted of the Karex products.
Condom prices to swell over supply disruptions due to Iran war
The prices of rubber products are surging dramatically, according to condom and glove manufacturers. Read on for the details.