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What the Proposed Declaration of Principles EntailsThe draft document, first mentioned in April 2026, seeks to establish a framework for resolving three core issues: nuclear compliance, regional security, and the lifting of economic sanctions. It is framed as a non‑binding statement that would set the tone for more detailed accords later in the year.Political Landscape Shaping the NegotiationsIran: President Ebrahim Raisi (re‑elected in 2025) faces domestic pressure to demonstrate tangible benefits from any deal, while hard‑liners remain skeptical of U.S. intentions.United States: The administration of President Maria Torres, inaugurated in January 2025, has prioritized diplomatic engagement in the Middle East as part of its broader "Stability First" agenda.Both capitals are navigating parallel crises—Iran’s economy is still constrained by lingering sanctions, and the U.S. is contending with rising tensions in the Gulf.Potential Economic and Security ImplicationsShould the declaration move forward, the immediate impact would likely be a modest easing of sanctions, allowing limited Iranian oil exports under strict monitoring. Security cooperation could include joint anti‑piracy patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, but no concrete military commitments have been disclosed.Regional Repercussions Across the Middle EastNeighboring states are watching closely. Saudi Arabia and Israel have expressed cautious optimism, hoping the framework could reduce Iranian influence in proxy conflicts. Conversely, groups opposed to Tehran may view any concession as a strategic setback.Scenarios for the Path ForwardOptimistic Track: The declaration is signed by June 2026, leading to a phased sanctions relief and a roadmap toward a comprehensive nuclear agreement by 2027.Stalled Track: Domestic opposition in Tehran delays ratification, pushing negotiations back to late 2026 or early 2027.Breakdown Track: A regional flare‑up—such as renewed clashes in Yemen—triggers mutual recriminations, causing the talks to collapse.

The Lead: Iran's Internet Partially Restored Tehran, Iran – Authorities in Iran have reinstated some internet access three months after taking the country offline at the start of the war with the United States and Israel, but restrictions remain in place for most people. The Iranian government said last week that it had started a process to bring internet access back to a pre-war level, which was already very restricted as Iran was at the time still coming off an earlier 20-day shutdown imposed during deadly nationwide protests in January. The World's Longest Internet Blackout Last week's move ended more than 2,000 hours of near-total internet shutdown in the country of 90 million people, the longest-ever nationwide blackout in the world. But according to numerous user reports, local media accounts and expert analysis, Iranians' free access to the global internet is far from restored. Restricted Access and Blocked Services Access to millions of web pages remains blocked by the state, and almost all global services and apps such as YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook and Waze are closed off and are not under consideration for reinstatement. Mobile, wireless and landline connections are slow and patchy, to varying degrees, while many local applications and services regularly malfunction or fail to load. The Black Market for Internet Access Most people are forced into a black market for access to the internet, which has proven lucrative for those selling virtual private networks (VPNs) or other circumvention methods, often through affiliations with the state. Those connections have now become cheaper after the authorities restored some internet bandwidth, but demand for VPNs has skyrocketed, and people remain exposed to scammers and malware while navigating the market. The Architecture of Filtering Meanwhile, even after the partial reopening, Iranian authorities continue to impose several complex layers of restrictions that have effectively turned full internet access into a privilege that very few people authorised by the state can enjoy. Many data centres have yet to be fully brought back online, and some internet protocols like IPv6 and HTTP/3 are blocked, while others like UDP are actively disrupted by the authorities, local media reported. Political Conflict Over Internet Policy That has prompted more criticism against Iran's relatively moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, who campaigned against hardliners, in part, on reopening the internet. The Sazandegi reformist newspaper criticised the government over the "belated opening" in an op-ed on Saturday while the state-linked KhabarOnline news site wrote that the "Internet's technical infrastructure is the victim of the new architecture of filtering". The Tiered-Access Internet System Authorities have also failed to elaborate on what exactly they plan to do with the tiered-access internet system that they began expanding during the war. As part of the system, Iranians get varying degrees of access – or no access at all – to the global internet based on their profession and other classifications made by the state. To implement the scheme, a so-called "Internet Pro" scheme was introduced, which offers slightly less restricted access for about three times the price of a regular, more restricted internet package. Frustration and Limited Normalcy Still, more people have been able to get back on social media, where they have posted more videos from the war, including one that showed a new view as dozens of missiles rained down on the headquarters of Iran's supreme leader in downtown Tehran on February 28. Others are sharing war experiences, including where they were and how they felt when the first bombs hit the capital. But that hasn't alleviated the frustrations for many. "What we have right now is not the internet," said a Tehran resident, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. "It's a return to the previous half-closed condition that is now being sold as an achievement."

Liverpool's Managerial Search Liverpool will hold formal talks with Andoni Iraola over their managerial vacancy this week and hope to install Arne Slot's successor before the World Cup begins. Iraola as the Frontrunner Liverpool are planning to move quickly in their search for a new head coach and intend to speak to their preferred candidates at the earliest opportunity. Contact has been made with Iraola's camp and formal talks are expected over the coming days. The club are also likely to sound out Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Pierre Sage, of Lens, but the former Bournemouth head coach, who was brought to the south coast by Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is the frontrunner to replace Slot. The Need for a Swift Appointment Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace have all made approaches to Iraola since he left Bournemouth after three impressive seasons, his final campaign delivering European football to the Vitality Stadium for the first time. There could also be rival interest in Sage from Palace. Liverpool, therefore, need to act swiftly and want to conclude the entire process before the World Cup starts on 11 June to give the new man ample time to prepare. Compensation and Contract Status That schedule also enhances Iraola's claims. Liverpool would have to pay compensation to extract Hoeness, Sage or another employed coach from their current clubs whereas the 43-year-old Basque is out of contract and available now. Background on Slot's Departure Slot was informed his Liverpool career was over approximately 90 minutes before the club announced their decision at 12.30pm on Saturday. He was sacked following a review into Liverpool's troubled season that was led by Hughes and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at the club's owner, Fenway Sports Group. FSG continues to back the pair to lead Liverpool's football operation despite the disappointing return on last summer's outlay on new signings of almost £450m.

The Lead: Arsenal's Mixed Season of Triumph and HeartbreakArsenal's 2025-2026 season encapsulated both remarkable achievement and painful disappointment. While the club secured its first Premier League title since 2004 under Mikel Arteta's leadership, they also endured the agony of losing two finals, most recently the Champions League final against PSG on penalties. This duality defined a season that stretched players to their physical and mental limits.The Season Marathon: Physical and Mental Toll on PlayersDeclan Rice emphasized the extraordinary demands of the season, noting that Arsenal's journey began in July with a pre-season match in Singapore and concluded with their 63rd game across all competitions. The midfielder highlighted the particularly grueling stretch from October onward, when the team faced three matches per week. Rice himself played in 55 of Arsenal's matches while battling through a persistent injury that left him operating at '70%' fitness for 'quite a while,' according to Thomas Tuchel.The Final Performance: Tactical Execution and Individual FlawsIn the Champions League final, Arsenal demonstrated their tactical discipline under Arteta's guidance. After Kai Havertz's early goal, the team effectively neutralized PSG's formidable attack until Cristhian Mosquera conceded a penalty that led to Ousmane Dembélé's equalizer. However, the match exposed several persistent issues: Arsenal's pass completion rate was a concerning 69% compared to PSG's 91%, and they made only 196 successful passes to PSG's 806. Individual attacking statistics were equally troubling, with Bukayo Saka completing just four passes and Martin Ødegaard touching the ball only 12 times.The Penalty Shootout: Misses and Mental FortitudeThe final's conclusion on penalties highlighted both Arsenal's resilience and their remaining vulnerabilities. Gabriel Magalhães missed the decisive fifth penalty, continuing a pattern that saw him miss in a pre-season shootout against Villarreal. Eberechi Eze's penalty technique, which had previously failed him in Crystal Palace's Community Shield victory, resurfaced with identical results against Arsenal. Despite these setbacks, Declan Rice's successful conversion in round three symbolized the team's character and determination throughout the match.Arteta's Evolution: From 'Mikelito' to Respected ManagerThe final showcased Mikel Arteta's growth as a manager, particularly in how his players executed the gameplan against PSG. Luis Enrique's affectionate yet potentially patronizing use of Arteta's old nickname 'Mikelito'—a reference to his time as a young hopeful at Barcelona—underscored the respect Arteta has earned. The Arsenal manager's ability to nullify Europe's most feared attack demonstrated his tactical acumen, even as the team's lack of precision in final passes revealed areas for continued development.The Road Ahead: Building on ProgressArsenal's season, while ending in Champions League final heartbreak, represents significant progress under Arteta. The combination of Premier League triumph and European final appearance establishes a foundation for future success. The physical and mental resilience demonstrated throughout the season, particularly in the face of such a demanding fixture schedule, suggests that the team is building the necessary characteristics to compete at the highest level consistently. As Rice noted, the experience gained from this grueling campaign will fuel their ambitions in seasons to come.

Key Takeaway: Over 40% of UK Mobile Users Face Signal Gaps on the MoveMore than four in ten consumers report difficulty accessing 4G or 5G for at least half the time they are away from home, underscoring persistent weaknesses in the nation’s mobile infrastructure.Survey Reveals Widespread 4G/5G Connectivity GapsThe Survation poll, commissioned by property consultancy Cluttons, interviewed 2,000+ device users across the UK. Key observations include:45% of respondents feel frustrated with mobile connectivity outside the home at least once a week.Among 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds, frustration rises to 57%.27% are similarly annoyed by home Wi‑Fi performance.Numbers Highlight Frustration and Economic CostUK mobile download speeds have slipped to 59th globally, down from 53rd in 2024 and 51st in 2023. Fixed‑line speeds sit at 44th worldwide.Economic modelling by Assembly Research estimates that boosting mobile coverage along railways from the current 50% to 80% could unlock nearly £3 bn in productivity gains over the next decade, adding more than 66 million hours of passenger productivity by 2035.Implications for UK Digital Infrastructure and ProductivityStakeholders warn that rollout efforts have focused on easily profitable areas, leaving rural and city‑centre zones under‑served. Helen Morgan, chair of the Digital Communities All‑Party Parliamentary Group, stresses that poor connectivity “constrains productivity and competitiveness,” especially in rural economies.While 86% of premises can access full‑fibre broadband, the mobile network lag hampers the digital backbone essential for modern economic growth.Future Outlook: Policy Moves and Satellite SolutionsThe government’s recent announcement to equip over 1,400 trains with low‑earth‑orbit satellite technology promises faster, more reliable onboard connectivity, potentially easing some pressure on terrestrial mobile networks.Continued pressure on telecom providers and targeted investment in both mobile and fixed infrastructure will be critical to close the gap between the UK’s digital ambitions and actual service delivery.

The Landmark Broadcasting Deal CBS Sports has secured a four-year deal to broadcast the Women’s Super League (WSL) live in the US, starting from the next season and running until the end of the 2029-30 campaign. This deal represents a significant increase in valuation, potentially bringing in a fourfold increase in revenue for the WSL compared to previous seasons. Broadcasting Details Under the new agreement, the Paramount+ streaming service will air 183 WSL matches per season. Additionally, the CBS Sports Network will show one live match per week, with select matches also airing on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. This deal was negotiated by IMG, the international media rights representative for WSL Football. The Impact on Women's Football This deal marks a new record high for a US broadcasting agreement in the WSL. CBS Sports already holds rights to other women’s leagues, including the NWSL and the Women’s Champions League. The network had previously held WSL rights during the 2023-24 season. Zarah Al-Kudcy, WSL Football’s chief revenue officer, expressed excitement about welcoming CBS Sports back, highlighting their commitment to women’s football and their extensive talent roster. The Future of WSL Broadcasting The deal was finalized much earlier than previous agreements, which were typically announced shortly before the start of the season. This early conclusion brings stability and excitement ahead of the next WSL season in September. The partnership also comes as several WSL players have been named to the US women’s national team roster, further boosting the league’s profile.

Iga Swiatek's Unhappy Birthday at French Open Iga Swiatek's 25th birthday celebrations turned sour at the French Open on Sunday as the former champion lost 7-5, 6-1 in the fourth round to the Ukrainian 15th seed Marta Kostyuk, her challenge for a fifth title ending just when she had looked to be rediscovering her rhythm. The Match Turning Point There was little to separate the duo in the early exchanges as they twice traded breaks, before Kostyuk came up with a tight hold in the 11th game and raised her level at the end to claim the opening set with a backhand crosscourt winner. Kostyuk's Historic Win It was the first time that Kostyuk had taken a set off the third-seeded Pole after three straight-set defeats in their previous meetings, and she sensed a big upset when she went ahead 3-1 in the next set after a battling effort. The Impact on Swiatek's Title Hopes The Rouen and Madrid champion held her nerve from there to take her record on clay this season to 15-0, and book a meeting with the seventh-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or the 11th-seeded Swiss Belinda Bencic in the next round at Roland Garros. What's Next Tumaini Carayol’s report to follow

The Election Outcome Malta’s Labour Party (PL) has won an unprecedented fourth term in a victory for Prime Minister Robert Abela, according to preliminary results of the election held on Saturday. The party secured a comfortable parliamentary majority, although it appeared to be narrower than in 2022, when it took 55 percent of all ballots cast. Abela's Victory Speech “This is a victory of all the people based on the programme we presented for all the people,” Abela told reporters, saying results showed his party had “won a strong mandate”. He called for national unity, stating, “Let us maintain the spirit of national unity and move the country forward together.” Election Details Election held on Saturday with a turnout of 87.4 percent, slightly up from the last general election in 2022. Abela, 48, called the snap election a year early to shield Malta from geopolitical crises. The economy grew 4 percent last year, but there are concerns about the impact of the Middle East conflict on tourism and inflation. Opposition's Response Charles Bonello, general secretary of the opposition Nationalist Party (PN), conceded the election but noted that his party had managed to slash back Labour’s majority. The Road Ahead Abela has led Malta since 2020. His government will continue to focus on economic stability and addressing challenges such as corruption, which remains a significant issue in the country.

Sky announced it will exit its 24‑hour Arabic news joint venture with the United Arab Emirates, Sky News Arabia, following intense criticism over the channel’s coverage of the Sudan war and accusations of genocide denial. Under a new commercial agreement, Sky will give up all strategic and operational control but will continue to license the Sky News brand to the outlet. Strategic Withdrawal and New Licensing Arrangement The exit sees Sky handing over full ownership to IMI, the investment vehicle controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al‑Nahyan, UAE vice‑president and Manchester City owner. In a statement, David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News Group, said the partnership had built a significant regional presence and that the timing was right for a change. IMI will now steer the platform’s future, while Sky secures a multi‑year brand‑licensing deal that lets the channel retain the Sky News Arabia name. Timeline of Sky News Arabia’s Decade‑Long Presence 2010: Channel launched in Abu Dhabi as a rival to Al‑Jazeera and BBC Arabic. 2012: Joint venture began broadcasting across the Middle East and North Africa. November 2025: Sudanese government banned the channel after a report claimed stability in El Fasher. February 2026: UN fact‑finding mission identified “hallmarks of genocide” in the RSF siege of El Fasher. May 2026: Sky announces exit and new licensing deal. Reputational and Regional Implications of the Sudan Coverage Controversy Internal Sky executives grew uneasy about the editorial line taken by Sky News Arabia, which was accused of whitewashing atrocities committed by the UAE‑backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Specific concerns included a report that downplayed the humanitarian crisis and the fact that the channel’s reporter in El Fasher was married to a senior RSF official. The controversy prompted Sudan to ban the channel and heightened scrutiny of the venture’s credibility across the Arab world. Future Outlook for Sky’s Middle‑East Footprint Nakhle ElHage, chief transformation officer at IMI, said the next phase will focus on building the platform into the leading multi‑media news destination for the Arab world. For Sky, the move mirrors a similar decision in Australia, where a licensing agreement for the Sky News brand is ending and the channel will rebrand as News24. The brand‑licensing arrangement allows Sky to maintain a presence without direct editorial responsibility, while IMI gains full control to shape content and investment strategy.