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The UK government is poised to fully nationalize British Steel within weeks, a significant move that would mark a major shift in the country's steel industry. British Steel, which employs 3,500 people at its Scunthorpe plant, has been under government control since last April, when the Chinese owner, Jingye, threatened to shut down the site. The steelmaker operates the last two remaining blast furnaces in the UK, crucial for producing steel from scratch. The government's decision to nationalize the company is driven by the need to maintain domestic steel production, which is considered vital for national security and economic growth. Ministers had offered Jingye £100m for British Steel earlier this month, but the offer was rejected. The Chinese company had initially demanded over £1bn. The government may now set Jingye a deadline to reach a deal or proceed with nationalization. The cost of keeping British Steel running has ballooned to £377m by the end of January, with projections suggesting it could exceed £1.5bn by 2028 if current trends continue. The National Audit Office has highlighted the need for a swift resolution to the ownership issue. Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, has expressed support for nationalization, stating it would provide vital certainty for the workforce, customers, and supply chain. The sector has seen significant interest from potential buyers, including Miami-based investor Michael Flacks. The UK government's move to protect the steel industry comes as part of broader efforts to counter cheap Chinese imports. Earlier in March, ministers announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and reduce the amount of steel that can be bought from abroad.

Iranian politicians are pushing for the country to exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the conflict with the US and Israel escalates. The country's national security commission spokesman, Ebrahim Rezaei, stated that remaining a signatory to the treaty has been 'meaningless' and provided no benefits to Iran.Malek Shariati, a representative from Tehran, has introduced legislation to withdraw Iran from the NPT, revoke a law linked to the 2015 nuclear deal, and support a new international treaty with aligned countries to develop peaceful nuclear technologies. The proposed law must be approved by the parliament and the Guardian Council before implementation.The move comes as the US and Israel have ramped up their attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, steel factories, and a university. Recent air strikes have targeted key infrastructure, including a yellowcake facility in Yazd and the Khondab Heavy Water Complex near Arak. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned about the potential for a major radiological incident.Iranian authorities have accused the IAEA of taking a politicized stance and being complicit in attacks against Iranian nuclear sites. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has been criticized by Iranian officials, with one adviser to the Supreme Leader labeling him a 'partner in crime.'The conflict has also had significant economic impacts, with thousands of jobs at risk due to damage to Iran's steel giants. The country's economy is struggling with an energy crisis and inflation rates of about 70 percent. The internet has been blocked for a month, limiting the flow of information to state-run outlets.

Israel's military is facing a severe crisis, according to the country's opposition. The opposition has made a startling assertion that the military forces are 'in collapse,' raising alarms about the nation's defense capabilities and overall stability.The claims have significant implications for Israel's national security and could potentially impact the country's stance on various geopolitical issues. However, details about the specific challenges facing the military and the evidence supporting these claims remain unclear.The situation underscores the complexities and challenges Israel faces in maintaining its military strength and ensuring national security in a volatile region.

A United States judge has ruled that he will not dismiss the drug-trafficking and weapons possession charges brought against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.In a Thursday court hearing, Judge Alvin Hellerstein questioned whether the US government has the right to bar Venezuela from funding Maduro's legal expenses. The hearing was the first for Maduro and his wife since a brief January arraignment, where they pleaded not guilty.Maduro and Flores have sought to have the charges against them thrown out. Hellerstein declined to do so, but he pressed the prosecution on some of the issues Maduro's legal team raised in its petition to dismiss the case. Among them was a decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to prevent the Venezuelan government from financing Maduro's defence.Federal prosecutors argued that national security reasons prevented the US from allowing such payments. They also pointed to ongoing sanctions against the Venezuelan government. But Hellerstein pushed back against that argument, noting that Trump had eased sanctions against Venezuela since Maduro's abduction on January 3. He also questioned how Maduro might pose a security threat while imprisoned in New York.“The defendant is here. Flores is here. They present no further national security threat,” said Hellerstein. “I see no abiding interest of national security on the right to defend themselves.”Hellerstein emphasised that, in the US, all criminal defendants have the right to a vigorous defence, as part of the US Constitution's Sixth Amendment. Maduro, who led Venezuela from 2013 to 2026, has been charged with four criminal counts, including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, the possession of machine guns and the conspiracy to possess machine guns and other destructive devices.He and his wife were taken into US custody on January 3, after Trump launched an attack on Venezuela. The Trump administration has framed the military operation as a “law enforcement function”, but experts say it was widely considered illegal under international law, which protects local sovereignty.Trump himself weighed in on the proceedings during a Thursday US Cabinet meeting, hinting that further charges could be brought against Maduro. “He emptied his prisons in Venezuela, emptied his prisons into our country,” Trump said of Maduro, reiterating an unsubstantiated claim. “And I hope that charge will be brought at some point. Because that was a big charge that hasn’t been brought yet. It should be brought.”

As Israeli settlers intensify violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, often while Israeli forces stand by, a notable shift is occurring in US political circles. Even staunch supporters of Israel within the Democratic party are now publicly denouncing the escalating violence.In recent days, dozens of settlers have engaged in apparently coordinated attacks, torching homes and vehicles while targeting Palestinian civilians. Since the beginning of the month, Israeli settlers and police have killed at least 10 Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory, including two young brothers and their parents who were returning from a Ramadan shopping trip.Among the voices breaking ranks is Ritchie Torres, a New York Democratic representative and one of Israel's most ardent supporters in Congress. In a statement this week, he declared that "the crisis of extremist settler violence in the West Bank must be confronted, and the perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." He called for "zero tolerance for violent extremism, no matter what form it takes."Another pro-Israel Democrat, Daniel Goldman of New York, condemned the violence as an "outrage" and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring to vote proposed legislation seeking to impose sanctions against those "undermining prospects for a two-state solution by committing illegal violent acts." He also criticized the Trump administration for rescinding sanctions against violent settlers that had been issued under the Biden administration.Several other Aipac-backed politicians have joined the condemnation, including Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, who called on the Israeli government to "stop being complicit," and Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, who labeled the attacks "acts of terrorism." Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Shontel Brown accused Trump of "green-lighting settler violence," while Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen stated that "violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank is a national security threat to Israel and must be treated as such."The political shift comes as US public support for Israel has plummeted. An NBC News poll found that two-thirds of Democrats now say their sympathies lie with Palestinians over Israelis—a dramatic reversal with significant implications for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, 68% of Republicans continue to express stronger support for Israel.A Guardian analysis revealed that Israel has not prosecuted any of its citizens for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank since the start of the decade. The UN has warned that the Israeli government has accelerated illegal settlement expansion, forcibly displacing approximately 36,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past year.Political analysts suggest these pro-Israel Democrats are "trapped between the money they've relied on to make their campaigns work and the voters they actually need to win," with condemnation of settler violence offering a way to express discontent without challenging the Israeli state itself.

The UK government has unveiled a new policy to prioritise British suppliers for public contracts in key sectors deemed vital to national security. Shipbuilding, steel, AI, and energy infrastructure will be the primary areas where British suppliers will be given preference. Under the new guidance, departments will be required to use British steel or justify sourcing it from overseas. This move is part of a broader effort to bolster national security and economic resilience, particularly in the face of global supply chain disruptions highlighted by the war in the Gulf. A Public Interest Test will also be introduced, obliging departments to assess whether outsourced service contracts over £1m could be delivered more effectively in-house. This test is expected to cover more than 95% of central government contracts by value. Chris Ward, a Cabinet Office minister, emphasised that these reforms aim to support British jobs, protect national security, and grow the economy. The policies are part of the National Security Strategy, which seeks to align national security with economic growth and build the resilience of British supply chains. While the UK is still subject to international obligations such as the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) – World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, national security exemptions are being utilised to implement these new rules. Larger departments spending over £100m annually will need to publish an “insourcing” strategy, outlining plans to bring services back in-house where they offer better value. The government will also prioritise community impact in buying decisions, encouraging firms to demonstrate how their bids will create local jobs and apprenticeships. Additionally, a new suite of AI tools has been developed to streamline the commercial process, making it simpler, faster, and fairer for small businesses and charities to bid for work.

The ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for about a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies and a third of global fertilisers necessary for food production.Before the conflict, an average of 138 ships a day transited the strait. However, following the escalation, 100 vessels have exited the Gulf and only 40 have entered in the past month, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.Despite over 20 reported attacks on ships in the region, including near-misses and damage to vessels, some ships are still attempting to cross, with Iran permitting 'non-hostile vessels' to use a 'safe corridor' in its territorial waters. This route allows Iranian authorities to visually verify vessels and potentially demand payment for safe passage.The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has raised concerns about the 20,000 seafarers stranded in stressful conditions with dwindling supplies. Over 30 countries have agreed to work together to safeguard the strait, with the UK offering to host an international security summit to devise a plan to reopen it.

The United States Department of State has approved a significant arms deal worth $16.5 billion to Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan. This move comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify. The deal includes $8.4 billion worth of arms to the United Arab Emirates, which will be used to purchase drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft. Additionally, the US has approved roughly $8 billion for air and missile defense radar systems to Kuwait. Jordan will receive an additional $70.5 million to cover aircraft and munition support. The State Department stated that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner. The UAE is considered a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This arms deal comes amid ever-increasing tensions between the US and Iran. The administration of US President Donald Trump joined Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, prompting fears of a protracted regional conflict. The war has also caused energy prices around the world to surge. Iran has largely choked off tanker shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas travels. Gas prices in the United States have jumped from $3.10 per gallon ($0.82 per litre) on average this time last month to $3.88 ($1.02 per litre) on Thursday, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The principal contractors in Thursday’s proposed sales will include RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Despite the deals, all three companies’ stocks are trending downward on Wall Street. The Pentagon is seeking more money to fund the war, with the US Department of Defense seeking an additional $200 billion, according to The Associated Press. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that he was seeking a significant spending boost from Congress.

Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence company, is set to face off against the US Pentagon in a San Francisco court over a ban that prevents the military from using its Claude AI model. The company refused to remove safety guardrails that prevent its AI from being used for fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance.The legal showdown began on Tuesday, with US District Judge Rita Lin presiding over the hearing. Anthropic argues that the Pentagon's move is an unprecedented and unlawful designation that violates freedom of speech protections and due process rights.The Pentagon-led ban was enacted after Anthropic refused to strip safety guardrails from its AI model. The company's designation as a national security supply chain risk prohibits anyone within the Defense Department or its contractors from using the technology.Legal experts believe that Anthropic is likely to prevail, pointing to a February 27 post on X in which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he is directing the DoD to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security. The post also said that contractors, suppliers, or partners for the United States military are prohibited from commercial activity with Anthropic.The White House has pushed back on Anthropic's claims that government action violated free speech protections under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, saying the dispute stems from contract negotiations and national security concerns rather than retaliation.Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has penned a letter to Hegseth voicing her concerns, saying she is particularly concerned that the DoD is trying to strong-arm American companies into providing the Department with the tools to spy on American citizens and deploy fully autonomous weapons without adequate safeguards.