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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls to quit amid mounting pressure over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. Starmer expressed his fury at not being informed that Mandelson had failed his security vetting before being appointed as the UK's envoy to Washington.The controversy centers around the Foreign Office's decision to overrule the recommendation of security officials not to give Mandelson the job. Mandelson was subsequently appointed in December 2024 and took up the post in February 2025, only to be sacked seven months later due to his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Starmer maintained that he was kept in the dark about the vetting outcome, describing the Foreign Office's failure to inform him as 'staggering' and 'unforgivable'. He has pledged to provide 'true transparency' to Parliament on Monday. The beleaguered prime minister said he only found out about the botched process on Tuesday, just before the revelations were published.Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch questioned Starmer's claims of ignorance, calling them 'completely preposterous'. She demanded his resignation, stating that 'all roads lead to a resignation'. The scandal has raised serious questions about Starmer's leadership and the UK government's handling of sensitive appointments.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for commercial traffic, aligning the decision with the newly‑instated ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. President Donald Trump echoed the statement on social media, insisting the waterway is ready for business but also stressing that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in full force until a comprehensive agreement is reached. In Paris, France and the United Kingdom convened a summit of roughly 40 countries to discuss a coordinated effort to restore freedom of navigation in the strait once the broader U.S.–Iran conflict subsides. The strait channels about 20 % of the world’s daily crude oil flow; its blockage had previously pushed fuel prices upward worldwide. The latest announcement prompted an immediate plunge in oil prices, offering a brief reprieve for markets. United States: Trump posted on Truth Social that the strait is "completely open and ready for business," yet reiterated that the blockade will stay in effect "until our transaction with Iran is 100 % complete." He later told AFP the deal to end the war on Iran is "close" with "no sticking points" remaining. Iran: Araghchi shared the opening on X, tying it to the 10‑day ceasefire. However, later state media quoted a senior IRGC official saying only non‑military vessels would be permitted, subject to IRGC Navy approval, highlighting internal ambiguity. United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer co‑hosted the Paris summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, welcoming the reopening but urging that any solution be "lasting and workable." He pledged a "strictly peaceful and defensive" multinational mission to protect navigation when conditions allow. France: Macron called for an "immediate and unconditional" reopening by all parties and warned against any attempts to "privatise" the strait or impose tolls. His office outlined potential coalition roles, including intelligence, mine‑clearing, military escorts, and communication with coastal states. Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered German mine‑clearance and intelligence support, pending parliamentary approval and a UN Security Council mandate. He expressed a desire for U.S. participation, a request Trump publicly dismissed. Finland: President Alexander Stubb, attending the summit, praised Iran’s announcement but emphasized that durable solutions require diplomatic effort. United Nations: Secretary‑General António Guterres welcomed the opening as "a step in the right direction," while the International Maritime Organization began verifying compliance with freedom‑of‑navigation standards. Shipping industry: The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, representing 130 firms and 1,500 vessels, called the development welcome but said practical details—such as mine presence and Iranian conditions—must be clarified. Germany’s Hapag‑Lloyd and Denmark’s Maersk both indicated they are reassessing risks but remain cautious about immediate transits. Markets: Analysts noted the announcement’s swift impact on oil markets. "This is the biggest development so far during the ceasefire and gives hope that the war will end soon," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.

A World Athletics Nationality Review Panel has rejected eleven requests from athletes seeking to transfer their sporting allegiance to Turkiye. The panel described the applications as part of a coordinated recruitment strategy orchestrated by the Turkish government through a state‑financed club offering lucrative contracts. The denied petitions originated from five Kenyan runners—including former women’s marathon world‑record holder Brigid Kosgei—four Jamaican throwers, notably Olympic discus champion Roje Stona and shot‑put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell. The remaining two athletes were Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili and Russian heptathlete Sophia Yakushina. World Athletics explained that approving the transfers would compromise its eligibility and allegiance regulations, which are designed to ensure a genuine connection between athletes and the nations they represent and to safeguard the sport’s integrity worldwide. “The applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Turkiye government acting through a wholly‑owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts,” the governing body said in a statement. The panel warned that such moves aim to boost Turkiye’s representation at future events, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. These rules were tightened in 2019 after World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe likened some athlete switches to human trafficking. The current framework requires demonstrable ties—such as residency, heritage, or long‑term commitment—to the new country. Turkiye has a history of naturalising foreign talent; its squad at the 2016 European Championships featured athletes from Kenya, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Cuba, Ukraine, South Africa and Azerbaijan. Notable success stories include Ramil Guliyev, who switched from Azerbaijan and won the 200 m world title in 2017. Other nations, like Qatar, have similarly used financial incentives to attract athletes, exemplified by Egyptian‑born weightlifter Fares Ibrahim Hassouna**, who secured Qatar’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2021. Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi also switched from Kenya at age 15 and later claimed Olympic and world titles in the steeplechase. World Athletics clarified that the refusal does not bar the eleven athletes from competing in individual meets, road races, or training in Turkiye; it merely blocks official national representation under the Turkish flag.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful homily to an estimated 120,000 worshippers at the Japorma stadium in Douala, Cameroon’s largest economic centre. Speaking in both English and French, the pontiff urged the city’s young people to turn away from violence and corruption, emphasizing that true wealth lies in values such as faith, family, hospitality and diligent work.Security measures were stringent for the Friday Mass, and many attendees camped overnight despite harsh conditions, determined to witness the historic event. One pilgrim, Kevin Kaegam, told Reuters that the cold and mosquitoes were a small price to pay for the chance to see the “supreme pontiff”.Following the Mass, the Pope was scheduled to visit a local Catholic hospital and later travel to Yaoundé to meet students at the Catholic University of Central Africa. This stop follows a previous visit to Bamenda, a city at the heart of Cameroon’s nearly decade‑long English‑speaking separatist insurgency, where he also called for peace and condemned the exploitation of religion for political gain.Cameroon, with roughly 30 % of its population identifying as Catholic, is grappling with multiple crises, including the Anglophone conflict and lingering unrest from last year’s post‑election protests. The bishop of Obala, Leopold Bayemi Matjei, described the papal visit as a moment of great joy and a hopeful sign of divine blessing for the nation.In a more forceful tone than usual, Pope Leo criticized “neocolonial” powers for violating international law and warned that the whims of the rich and powerful threaten global peace. His comments on the war in Iran drew ire from U.S. President Donald Trump, who labelled the pontiff “weak” and “terrible for foreign policy”. Leo responded that he harbors “no fear of the Trump administration”.The Douala gathering marks the second stop of a four‑country African tour that began in Algeria and will also include Angola and Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the Pope’s broader mission to address social and political challenges across the continent.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that, in line with the 10‑day Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the truce. The declaration follows a fragile agreement between Israel and Lebanon, whose acceptance by Hezbollah remains uncertain. The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organisation has already outlined a coordinated routing system for vessels, ensuring that traffic proceeds under strict supervision by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, which will permit only non‑military ships. U.S. President Donald Trump echoed the openness of the strait in a social‑media post, emphasizing that it is "ready for business and full passage." However, he added that the U.S. naval blockade will continue "until Iran reaches a deal with the United States to end the war," signalling that commercial freedom does not equate to a lift of sanctions. Trump also claimed that Iran has pledged to "never close the Strait of Hormuz again," describing the waterway’s previous use as a "weapon against the world." A senior Iranian military official clarified that this promise applies solely to non‑military vessels, with IRGC Navy oversight. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has already claimed over 3,000 lives and saw Iran previously block the strait—a chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments flow. After stalled U.S.–Iran talks in Pakistan, the United States expanded its blockade to Iranian ports in the Gulf. In Washington, Trump reiterated his administration’s pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He suggested a potential "cash‑for‑uranium" deal worth $20 billion, later describing the prospect of acquiring Iran’s "nuclear dust" without payment—a claim dismissed by Iran’s state media, which said no such negotiations ever occurred. Trump also announced that Israel is now "prohibited" from bombing Lebanon, stating that any U.S.–Iran agreement is not contingent on developments in Lebanon. UN peacekeepers reported no air attacks since midnight, though they accused Israeli forces of violating Lebanese airspace and conducting artillery fire. According to the U.S. Department of State, Israel may act in self‑defence against imminent threats but is barred from offensive operations in southern Lebanon. Senior analyst Mairav Zonszein of the International Crisis Group described the direct talks between Lebanon and Israel as a "potential breakthrough," while cautioning that a durable settlement remains distant. He noted that a diplomatic track strengthening the Lebanese government could gradually diminish Hezbollah’s political influence. Overall, the simultaneous declaration of an open strait and the continuation of a U.S. blockade underscores the complex interplay of commercial interests, regional security, and the broader quest for a diplomatic resolution to the Middle‑East conflict.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which will take effect at 5pm US East Coast time (21:00 GMT) on Thursday. The truce was brokered after Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.The ceasefire is seen as a significant development in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, which was drawn into the US-Israeli war on Iran on March 2 when Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese armed group, fired rockets at Israel. The conflict has resulted in over 2,196 deaths in Lebanon and thousands more wounded.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the announcement, describing the ceasefire as "a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the first day of the war". Netanyahu confirmed he had agreed to the truce, which he said presented his country with an opportunity for a "historic deal" with Beirut.The US State Department said that Israel would retain the right under the agreement to carry out strikes in Lebanon in self-defence "at any time". The ceasefire could be extended by mutual consent. Trump later said the Lebanese government would begin working with Hezbollah to achieve the goal of dismantling the group.The ceasefire follows an intense week of diplomacy, including direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington, DC, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump said he would invite Netanyahu and Aoun to direct talks, believing "that will happen quickly".

Syria has taken full control of every former U.S. military site, completing a handover that Damascus says demonstrates the successful absorption of Kurdish‑led fighters into national structures.The final U.S. convoy departed Qasrak air base in Hasakah on Thursday, ending a presence that began in 2014 when American troops entered the fight against ISIL alongside Kurdish units that later formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).In Damascus, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa received the two most senior SDF officials – military commander Mazloum Abdi and political head Ilham Ahmad – accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al‑Shaibani and the presidential envoy overseeing the integration process.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the completed handover as evidence of the government’s drive to bring the entire country, including border areas and the northeast, under a single state authority. It stressed that the transfer was carried out in full coordination with the United States, pointing to a constructive relationship that dates back to al‑Sharaa’s 2025 meeting with then‑U.S. President Donald Trump.U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces have “completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions‑based transition.”The handover follows a January cease‑fire agreement between Damascus and the SDF and a March integration pact that places Kurdish fighters into the Syrian national army, deploys Syrian security forces to the city centres of Hasakah and Qamishli, and transfers control of border crossings and civilian institutions to Damascus.Syria’s entry into the international coalition against ISIL in November reshaped its role from obstacle to partner, fundamentally altering the rationale for a continued U.S. military footprint.Analyst Charles Lister noted that the last U.S. convoy was routed overland through Jordan rather than Iraq to reduce exposure to potential attacks by Iranian‑backed militias operating in the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that the United States and Iran are still negotiating a second round of talks—held through Islamabad—to end their nearly seven‑week conflict, even though no date has been fixed for the meeting.The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan on April 8, is set to expire on April 22, and officials warn it is under increasing strain as a U.S. naval blockade continues to turn away Iranian‑linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is conducting a regional tour that began in Jeddah, moved to Doha, and will continue to Antalya, where he will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17 alongside Saudi, Turkish and possibly Egyptian counterparts.Simultaneously, Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir arrived in Tehran with a delegation that includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who praised Pakistan’s “gracious hosting of dialogue.”Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized that the details of the upcoming talks remain confidential and that Pakistan’s role is to keep the process alive, stating, “We have the details and information of the talks entrusted to us by the negotiating parties.”Analyst Muhammad Faisal described Islamabad’s approach as a dual‑track strategy: Sharif is building a broader Gulf coalition, while Munir is engaged in hard negotiations aimed at narrowing gaps between Washington and Tehran and extending the ceasefire.Iran has insisted that any agreement must include Lebanon, citing the ongoing Israeli strikes that have killed over 2,000 people and displaced 1.2 million. The United States, however, maintains that a Lebanon settlement must remain separate from the US‑Iran talks.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently mediated a trilateral meeting in Washington with Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, but no ceasefire or follow‑up was secured.Both sides appear cautiously optimistic. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said further talks are “very likely” to take place in Islamabad, while Iran’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted multiple messages exchanged with Washington since April 12.President Donald Trump indicated that talks could resume within two days and expressed a greater willingness to travel to Pakistan for negotiations.Strategic analysts warn that the Strait of Hormuz blockage—which restricts roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments—remains a pivotal issue. Opening the waterway is seen as essential to easing upward pressure on oil prices and restoring confidence in global markets.Should the second round of talks fail, Pakistan’s role may shift from mediator to crisis manager, focusing again on brokering a ceasefire if hostilities resume.

Ten years after Prince’s death, friends and collaborators such as George Clinton, Apollonia Kotero and drummer Charles “Chazz” Smith share personal memories that illuminate his musical brilliance and private life.George Clinton, the legendary leader of Parliament‑Funkadelic, remembers meeting the 19‑year‑old Prince in 1977 and immediately recognizing a talent “a new version of Sly Stone.” Clinton praised Prince’s ability to master guitar, keyboards, bass and drums, noting his “arranging genius” inherited from his pianist father and his dance flair “like James Brown.” Clinton also recalled how Prince later signed him to Paisley Park Records and inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing a friendship that survived countless late‑night studio sessions.Apollonia Kotero, actress and singer who starred alongside Prince in the 1984 film Purple Rain, describes a bond that spanned 33 years. She recounts the grueling shoot—jumping into a freezing lake, suffering hypothermia, and Prince’s frantic plea, “Please don’t die, Apple. I love you.” Their relationship, she says, was “family, not romance,” and Prince’s protective nature shone when he cared for her during illness. Kotero also recalls a surreal moment when Prince hummed the opening melody of “When Doves Cry” into her answerphone, urging her “Don’t erase this!” as a reminder of his creative process.Beyond the studio, Kotero notes Prince’s voracious appetite for literature and politics, his 3 a.m. visits that turned into midnight drives across Hollywood, and his habit of showing her walls plastered with fan mail—a testament to his deep connection with his audience.Charles “Chazz” Smith, Prince’s cousin and original drummer in the early band Grand Central, paints a picture of Prince’s childhood obsession with music. After a spontaneous Sly and the Family Stone concert in Minneapolis, Prince declared, “We’re gonna form a band, and you’re gonna be the drummer.” Within weeks, a newly gifted guitar allowed him to replicate Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” note for note, signalling the start of an insatiable drive to master every genre—from rock to funk to ballads.In the final months of his life, Prince’s friends observed a shift. He reclaimed the rights to his catalog in 2014, began repaying debts, and expressed grief over the death of Vanity, his longtime muse. Smith recalls a poignant encounter six weeks before Prince’s passing: after a brief hug, they exchanged the words “I love you,” marking the last conversation they ever shared.These testimonies collectively reveal a portrait of Prince that goes beyond his public persona: a relentless virtuoso, a compassionate confidant, and an artist whose influence continues to reverberate a decade after his untimely death.