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Lebanon has declared a national day of mourning following a devastating wave of Israeli attacks that killed at least 254 people and injured over 1,165 in a single day. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has mobilized 'all of Lebanon's political and diplomatic resources to stop the Israeli killing machine.'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, a position echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who said, 'We never made that promise.'Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the ceasefire, claimed the deal included a pause in fighting in Lebanon. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington must choose between a ceasefire or 'continued war via Israel,' emphasizing that it 'cannot have both.'Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon was a key condition of Iran's 10-point plan for securing an end to the Middle East war. However, a US official stated that Iran's published ceasefire plan is not the same set of conditions agreed on by the White House.US Vice President JD Vance will lead the country's delegation for talks with Iran in Pakistan, while French President Emmanuel Macron has urged that Lebanon be included in the ceasefire as the 'best path to peace.'The conflict has also affected the Gulf region, with Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain reporting damage and disruptions from Iranian strikes. The situation remains volatile, with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that Israel is prepared to 'return to battle' if necessary.

The Gulf region breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday after Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week truce, halting over five weeks of escalating attacks and hostile rhetoric.However, Gulf states are expressing caution, concerned that the US, seeking a swift exit, might agree to terms granting Iran some control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one fifth of the world's oil and natural liquefied gas passes.Iran had nearly brought traffic through the strait to a standstill in response to joint US-Israeli attacks on its soil since February 28. Under the truce, Iran has agreed to halt attacks for two weeks in exchange for resumed maritime transit in the key waterway.Despite this, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are stressing that any deal must result in a permanent, long-term arrangement to keep the strait open. They fear a weakened yet intact Iranian leadership could use the strait as leverage, leaving them under constant threat of disruption and economic blackmail.“There is a quiet but palpable concern that President Trump, eager for a quick political victory, could tolerate some Iranian leverage over the strait in exchange for a fragile truce, prioritising optics over Gulf realities,” said Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi Arabia-based scholar at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.The GCC countries, which have faced near-daily Iranian missile and drone attacks, have welcomed the truce but emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen. They are also concerned about Iran's future influence over the strait, with a Bahrain-sponsored UN Security Council resolution calling for countries to use defensive missions to keep the maritime chokepoint open being vetoed by Russia and China.A further escalation could have devastating consequences for the GCC economies, undoing decades of work to make the region a safe hub for finance, tourism, and culture. Analysts say GCC countries have stepped up diplomacy in the lead-up to the conflict, but officials across the region have warned Iran should not mistake their inaction as a sign of weakness.“The Gulf will leave no stone unturned if Iran continues to take the path of aggression,” said Hamad Althunayyan, a political analyst and professor at Kuwait University. “The Gulf expects its interests to be represented, and included, in any deal with Iran.”

Residents of Tehran and much of Iran are breathing a sigh of relief after a two-week ceasefire was announced, bringing an end to daily bombardments. The ceasefire, agreed upon by Iran and the US with mediation from Pakistan, has allowed some traffic to return to the streets of the Iranian capital during daylight hours.Despite the temporary reprieve, Tehran remains far from its usual bustling state, having been targeted by several thousand munitions since February 28. The Iranian capital is home to more than 10 million people. Air defence systems were activated for short periods several times since the ceasefire was announced overnight, but there were no reports of impacts or any official explanation for the activations.People across Tehran are debating whether the ceasefire will hold and what the future may hold for them. A young man noted, “Looks like the ceasefire will continue. I heard the Israelis are opening up their airspace more,” referring to an announcement by Israeli authorities that flights will resume from Ben Gurion Airport.However, others are more pessimistic, especially after two critical islands off southern Iran were attacked on Wednesday morning, hitting oil facilities. It is unclear who was behind the attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a drone in the southern province of Fars.Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain also reported attacks on their territories by missiles and drones from Iran, with Iranian state television confirming this was in retaliation for the post-ceasefire oil attacks. Tehran said it was ready to restart military operations if attacked again.On Tuesday, Iranians had been worried about the targeting of critical civilian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, after a threat from US President Donald Trump to end “civilisation” in a country with one of the world’s oldest civilisations. The ceasefire was announced shortly before the midnight GMT deadline that Trump had set for an agreement to be reached.The Israeli military intensified its attacks in the hours preceding the ceasefire, hitting electricity outposts, bridges, and the railway network. Warplanes also struck the Iranian Aluminium Company in Arak, damaging the country’s largest aluminium production facility.Even after the ceasefire, Israel continued attacking Lebanon, killing more than 250 people in a devastating day of attacks on Wednesday. Israel said it was targeting Iran’s ally Hezbollah, but civilian locations across Lebanon were hit.Trump hailed what he described as a decisive victory against Iran while announcing the ceasefire, but his top general emphasised that the deal only signifies a pause and combat operations could start once again if no final deal is reached. The US military said it struck 13,000 targets across Iran in less than six weeks of war.In Iran, similar proclamations of victory and celebrations were broadcast from Iranian state television. A statement from the Supreme National Security Council urged supporters of the government to trust in the system and refrain from making “divisive commentary”.The council also stressed that affairs were being overseen by Mojtaba Khamenei, who was declared Iran’s supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war on February 28.

England's hopes of winning the Women's Six Nations title have been hit by a series of setbacks, including injuries and pregnancies. Prop Hannah Botterman has been ruled out of their opener against Ireland with an ankle injury, and her participation in the tournament is uncertain.The team is already dealing with several injuries, two retirements, and four pregnancies, including that of Rosie Galligan, whose partner is England teammate Marlie Packer. Coach John Mitchell said that Botterman's ankle is not yet mechanically sound, and they will have more information on her return timeline next week.England remain favorites for the grand slam, but Mitchell acknowledged that the team has been affected by the post-World Cup euphoria. Ellie Kildunne will start at full-back, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Jess Breach on the wings. New captain Meg Jones, who took over from pregnant Zoe Stratford, will start at outside centre.Mitchell believes that the team has built a legacy and has the opportunity to create a dynasty. However, he also acknowledged that there will be challenges along the way, including a Lions tour in 2027 and the fact that several players are becoming mothers.

Doug Allan, a pioneering wildlife cinematographer, died at the age of 74 while on a trek in Nepal, his management firm said, noting he passed away "immersed in nature and surrounded by friends."Best known for his role as principal camera operator on landmark BBC series including Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet, Allan amassed a remarkable collection of honors, among them eight Emmy Awards, five BAFTAs, and an OBE awarded in 2024 for services to broadcast media and environmental awareness.Born in Dunfermline, Fife, he earned an honours degree in marine biology from Stirling University in 1973 and soon after joined the British Antarctic Survey as a research diver at Signy Island. It was during this period that his passion for filming blossomed, leading to a pivotal encounter with Sir David Attenborough in 1981, which set him on the path to a distinguished career.Allan’s early forays into polar filming began with a 16 mm camera he purchased for an Antarctic expedition, capturing emperor penguins and selling the footage to the BBC—a move that launched his lifelong partnership with the broadcaster.His dedication to extreme‑environment storytelling earned him the Polar Medal twice, underscoring his expertise in filming some of the planet’s harshest locales.In a 2017 interview, Allan revealed he had spent roughly 620 days tracking and recording polar bears. He recounted a memorable moment when a bear’s wet nose brushed a window, likening it to “a squeegee mop cleaning the glass.” Another close encounter saw a hungry walrus seize his legs underwater, which he repelled by striking the animal with his camera.Allan’s visual legacy, described by his representatives as "breathtaking and intimate moments in the natural world," continues to inspire audiences to appreciate and protect Earth’s wonders.

What would Henrik Ibsen’s iconic heroine Nora look like in today’s Britain? In this bold re‑imagining, playwright Anya Reiss transports the 19th‑century drama into a world of high‑salary banking, social‑media façades and post‑pandemic consumer excess. Set against a sleek, white‑goods‑strewn stage designed by Hyemi Shin, the story follows Nora (played by Romola Garai) as the wife of a lucrative London banker, Torvald (Tom Mothersdale), who is also battling drug addiction. Though presented as a “trophy wife”, Nora is far sharper than her husband realises – she has secretly rescued the family from financial collapse and funded Torvald’s recovery, all while maintaining a veneer of festive, pre‑Christmas splurging. The familiar Ibsen plot points survive the update: a blackmail threat from Torvald’s colleague Nils Krogstad (James Corrigan) and a visit from the destitute, marriage‑for‑money‑failed friend Kristine (Thalissa Teixeira). Their interactions expose the tension between outward affluence and hidden desperation. Reiss’s version is unmistakably contemporary, peppering dialogue with references to Instagram, a stock market rattled by conflict in the Middle East, and the relentless pursuit of material status. This backdrop reframes the marital power struggle as a clash of class and modern capitalism, asking whether love can ever be insulated from market forces. Despite the heavy thematic load, the cast delivers a series of compelling performances. Garai’s Nora oscillates between calculated seduction – even donning a provocative nurse’s outfit for a flirtatious dance – and a keen intellect that refuses to be reduced to a mere commodity. Her portrayal suggests that, for Nora, the body has become a form of currency, yet she remains acutely aware of the performative nature of both marriage and motherhood. Notably, the children appear only through baby‑monitor audio, a deliberate choice that underscores the couple’s emotional distance and mirrors the original’s focus on Nora’s internal emancipation. The climax arrives in a charged confrontation where Nora questions, “Is love meant to be subject to the market?” The line encapsulates Reiss’s preoccupation with the commodification of intimacy, even as it feels like a summarising refrain rather than a fresh revelation. Ultimately, the production offers a nuanced, if occasionally over‑engineered, vision of Ibsen’s feminist aspirations. It hints at a future where Nora and Torvald might seek couples therapy to untangle their financial and emotional entanglements – a decidedly modern resolution. A Doll’s House runs at the Almeida Theatre, London, until 23 May.

Tom Watson, an eight-time major winner, has blasted the PGA Tour over its recent decision to allow Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed to return from LIV Golf. Moments after participating in the honorary first drive ceremony at the 2026 Masters, Watson lambasted the tour's decision.Watson expressed his discontent, saying that by reinstating Reed and Koepka, the tour had reneged on promises made to players who remained loyal during the schism. 'I thought the LIV players, when they left, were supposed to be banned for life,' he stated.Watson suggested that if he were the commissioner, Koepka, Reed, and other returning players would have to qualify through the Korn Ferry Tour. 'If I was the commissioner, that's what I'd do,' he said.Watson also emphasized that the players who left for LIV Golf violated the No. 1 rule of protecting sponsors. 'When the players left, they chose to go for the money, which is fine, but to return to the Tour, I thought was a nonstarter, but apparently it's not.'In response, Reed stated that returning to the PGA Tour was the right decision for his game and family. 'I've always known that the best players in the world and the deepest fields from top to bottom are on the PGA Tour,' he said.

Outcome arrives on Apple TV+ on April 10 as Jonah Hill’s most ambitious foray into Hollywood satire. The film casts Keanu Reeves as Reef Hawk, a globally recognized star whose public persona of kindness masks a deep‑seated narcissism and a hidden past of heroin addiction.Reef becomes the target of a mysterious extortionist who claims to possess compromising footage. His crisis lawyer, Ira—portrayed by Hill himself with a shaved head and unnerving veneers—guides him through a frantic quest to locate the blackmailer. The narrative unfolds as a “whodunnit without a body,” prompting Reef to apologize to every person he’s ever wronged while hunting the unseen threat.Supporting roles feature Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer as Reef’s high‑school friends who reluctantly join the mission. The film also boasts cameo appearances from Laverne Cox as a women’s‑rights attorney, Drew Barrymore playing herself, and a moving turn by Martin Scorsese as a washed‑up talent manager. In a tongue‑in‑cheek detail, Ira’s office wall displays a picture of Kanye West, symbolising the industry’s obsession with redemption narratives.The satire’s core message is that wealth and fame do not guarantee happiness. Reef spends idle moments Googling his own reputation—searching “Reef Hawk bad person”—underscoring a profound loneliness beneath the glittering surface. While the script delivers frequent laughs, its climax lands on a comparatively flat note, offering personal growth rather than the expected murder or public humiliation.Overall, the performances remain consistently entertaining, and Hill’s dialogue, co‑written with Ezra Woods, captures the insider tone of Hollywood’s inner circle. Outcome serves as both a comedic critique and a reflective portrait of celebrity culture, inviting audiences to consider the cost of perpetual public scrutiny.

The recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran may provide temporary relief, but the oil crisis triggered by their conflict is far from over. After 40 days of fighting, the two nations agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with negotiations set to begin in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.One of the key points in Iran's 10-point proposal is allowing shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas is shipped during peacetime. The strait has been effectively closed since the start of the war, causing global oil and gas prices to soar.Following the announcement, oil prices dropped to $92 on Wednesday, down from over $110 for much of the war. However, delays in restarting production and transport mean the energy crisis is far from over. For ships to continue operating, they need certainty about security during the next two weeks of the ceasefire.Even with the waterway reopened, it will take weeks for large oil tankers – now scattered thousands of miles away – to return to the Gulf to collect the millions of barrels sitting in large reservoirs. With very few tankers able to load or unload and their onshore storage full, producers began shutting wells, causing regional oil output to plummet despite efforts to reroute limited volumes via overland pipelines.Economists warn that the true impact on grocery bills will likely persist throughout 2026 and into 2027. Additionally, it will take years for the Gulf energy industry to repair facilities damaged or destroyed during the war.Shipping data shows that combined exports from Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates fell from 469 million barrels in February to 263 million barrels in March – a decline of 206 million barrels, or 44 percent. Iraq's crude exports have been hit the hardest, falling 82 percent from 94m barrels in February to 17m in March.The 206 million barrels of Gulf oil lost since the start of the war would fill approximately 103 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), the workhorse supertankers of the global energy trade. A single VLCC stretches nearly 330 metres (1,080 feet) in length, nearly the same height as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.To put that in more practical terms, if you drove a pick-up truck that averages 24 miles per gallon (or 10 litres per 100km), one barrel of crude oil would carry you about 730km or 450 miles. That is about the distance from New York City to Cleveland, Ohio.For much of the war, oil has traded above $100 per barrel, hitting a peak of nearly $128 on April 2. The value of 206 million lost export barrels at various oil prices is significant, with Brent crude being the global benchmark.