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President Donald Trump asserted that a diplomatic path remains open for Tehran, even as the United States enforces a naval blockade of Iranian ports and Israel deepens its ground offensive in southern Lebanon. Iran’s leadership denounced the blockade as "piracy" and thousands gathered in Tehran to demonstrate against the restriction on maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Associated Press reported that diplomatic channels are still active; Pakistan has volunteered to host a second round of negotiations in Islamabad later this week. US blockade and protests: The enforcement of the maritime restrictions has provoked Iranian accusations of illegal action and sparked street protests in the capital. Tehran’s legal stance: Iran’s armed forces labeled the blockade unlawful, warning that targeting its ports could jeopardize broader Gulf shipping. IRGC warning: A Revolutionary Guard spokesperson hinted that Iran retains "unused capabilities" and may adopt new tactics if the confrontation escalates. Parliamentary support for the Pope: Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised Pope Leo XIV’s condemnation of the war, describing it as courageous. Russian nuclear staff pull‑out: Moscow has withdrawn most of its personnel from Iran’s sole nuclear power plant, a project built with Russian assistance. Qatar’s mediation call: Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged both Washington and Tehran to engage constructively in mediation. Pakistan’s ceasefire assessment: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the US‑Iran truce is holding, even as weekend talks failed to produce a breakthrough. Shipping disruption: A UN spokesperson warned that there is no military solution and noted that roughly 20,000 vessels are stranded, straining global supply chains, especially for fertiliser. UK push for Lebanese inclusion: London advocated adding Lebanon to the US‑Iran ceasefire framework, which currently omits Hezbollah‑related fighting. US‑Lebanon diplomatic talks: Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors are slated to meet in Washington to discuss halting hostilities. Hezbollah’s rejection: Leader Naim Qassem urged Lebanon to cancel the planned Washington meeting, reaffirming the group’s opposition to any direct dialogue with Israel. Russia’s uranium offer: The Kremlin reiterated its willingness to accept Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a broader US‑Iran settlement, echoing President Vladimir Putin’s statements. Trump on Iranian outreach: The former president claimed Iranian officials have expressed a strong desire to negotiate, though he did not identify the interlocutors. Trump’s stance on the Pope: He dismissed criticism of Pope Leo XIV as unwarranted, labeling the pontiff "weak" on key issues, including Iran. Threat to Iranian vessels: Trump warned that U.S. forces will neutralise any Iranian fast‑attack ships that approach the blockade zone. Domestic political pressure: Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are pushing for a new vote to limit the president’s war‑making powers, citing rising U.S. fuel prices. Protester arrests in New York: Approximately 90 demonstrators, including whistleblower Chelsea Manning and actor Hari Nef, were detained during a Manhattan traffic‑stop protest against the war and U.S. arms sales to Israel. Israel’s buffer‑zone push: Israeli forces continue ground and air operations in southern Lebanon, razing structures in border towns such as Naqoura to create a security buffer. Hezbollah retaliation: The group has intensified rocket and drone attacks on Israeli positions in locations like Bint Jbeil and Biyyada. Accusations of a "Greater Israel": Hezbollah chief Hassan Qassem accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing an expansionist agenda backed by the United States. Diplomatic tension with Italy: Israel summoned the Italian ambassador after Italy’s foreign minister condemned Israeli attacks on Beirut as "unacceptable". Casualties in Lebanon: Israeli operations have raised the death toll in southern Lebanon since March 2 to at least 2,089, including a recent drone strike that killed two civilians near Nabatieh. Public opinion in Lebanon: Lebanese citizens are divided, with some weary of the conflict and hopeful for diplomacy, while others distrust Israel’s intentions. Canadian casualty: Canada’s foreign minister confirmed that a Canadian national died in southern Lebanon, though details remain scarce. Energy implications: Reuters reported that a Chinese‑owned tanker, sanctioned by the United States, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade, underscoring the challenges of enforcement. Oil market outlook: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned that oil prices could keep climbing until "meaningful ship traffic" resumes through the strait.

According to a recent report, the cost of a round‑trip train ticket from New York City’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could surge sevenfold to more than $100 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Athletic cited sources familiar with NJ Transit’s pricing strategy, noting that the agency told Fox 5 New York the exact fare has not yet been finalized, with a decision expected in the coming days.At present, NJ Transit lists a standard round‑trip fare at $12.90, with discounted rates for children, seniors and passengers with disabilities. The proposed increase would eliminate these reduced‑price options, pushing the ticket price above the six‑figure mark for a single journey.Transportation costs have become a focal point of the World Cup debate, joining concerns over the sky‑high match tickets. For context, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority recently raised its Boston‑to‑Gillette Stadium fare from $20 to $80 for the tournament.New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized her commitment to protecting taxpayers, stating that the state will not subsidize travel for World Cup spectators."When I came into office about two months ago, I immediately got to work on the World Cup," Sherrill said. "One of the key things I wanted to make sure of was that we were not going to be paying for moving people who were viewing the World Cup on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters."NJ Transit estimates that operating its services for the eight World Cup matches at MetLife—including the July 19 final—will cost roughly $48 million.The agency added, "The ticket prices for match‑day travel have not been finalized. However, as the Governor has clearly stated, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters."In February, Governor Sherrill cancelled a planned $5 million fan festival at Liberty State Park, redirecting the funds toward smaller watch parties and events across the state.Officials anticipate tens of thousands of fans will rely on the rail network to reach MetLife, especially as parking availability will be sharply reduced compared with typical concert or NFL game days. NorthJersey.com reported that portions of Penn Station will be reserved exclusively for World Cup ticket‑holders for a four‑hour window before each of the eight matches.

The UK's culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has cleared Axel Springer's £575m takeover of the Telegraph titles, paving the way for the end of almost three years of uncertainty over the ownership of the newspapers. Nandy stated that she does not believe there are grounds to intervene and refer the deal to the media regulator, Ofcom, for an in-depth regulatory investigation. The culture secretary has the power to call in mergers for further scrutiny on public interest grounds, as well as the new foreign state influence regime. Axel Springer, a German media group, had tabled a significantly superior offer to Lord Rothermere's Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), prompting the United Arab Emirates-backed group that controls the Telegraph to seek UK government approval to switch the permission to sell the right-to-buy option to Axel Springer. The Telegraph titles will add to Axel Springer's media portfolio, which includes Europe's biggest newspaper, Bild, Politico, and Business Insider. Axel Springer CEO, Mathias Döpfner, has promised to invest in the Telegraph to make it the “leading centre-right media outlet in the English-speaking world”, with a rapid expansion planned for the US supported by the expertise of Politico and Business Insider. The sale of the newspapers was kicked off in 2023 when the Barclay family lost control of the group over £1.16bn of unpaid debts owed to Lloyds bank. RedBird IMI, which is 75% controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice-president of the UAE and the owner of Manchester City, took control of the publishing group after agreeing to pay the Barclays' debts.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has strongly criticized the US decision to engage in a war with Iran without a clear exit strategy, labeling it a 'folly' that has significant economic implications for the UK and the world. In an interview with the Mirror before her trip to Washington for the International Monetary Fund spring meeting, Reeves expressed her frustration and anger over the US's approach to the conflict. She emphasized that the war was not initiated by the UK and that the US's lack of a clear plan has led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for Iranian oil shipments. Reeves stated, 'This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve.' She added that the conflict's impact is being felt globally, including in the UK, and that it was sensible for the UK to avoid involvement. The criticism comes after a tumultuous period marked by the collapse of peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad and the official start of a US blockade on Iranian ports. The situation has contributed to rising oil prices and threatens to increase inflation worldwide. The IMF has released new forecasts indicating that the UK will experience the biggest economic impact among G7 countries, with GDP growth revised down to 0.8% from 1.3%. Reeves has pledged to support households with energy bills if they rise and is under pressure to reconsider a planned fuel duty increase. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has established a committee to discuss the war's impact on Britain, which met for the first time on Friday. He will also attend an international summit in Paris to address safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

China has emerged as a leader in global AI governance, contrasting with the US, which is pursuing AI development in a 'wild west' manner, according to Prof Dame Wendy Hall, a former UN and UK government adviser. Hall told the House of Commons business and trade committee that China is backing multinational attempts to introduce global governance of AI, while the US has set up a race between profit-hungry companies that rely on hype.Hall, who is director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton, said Chinese AI researchers are efficient, innovative, and willing to release their models on an open-source basis. However, she noted that it has become increasingly difficult for UK experts to collaborate with China on research, limiting her academic freedom.The UK's reliance on US tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Amazon, risks a repeat of the Post Office Horizon scandal, warned Neil Lawrence, Cambridge University's DeepMind professor of machine learning. He expressed concerns that the UK is outsourcing AI model development to private billionaires with zero loyalty to the British state and consumer.Hall and Lawrence also highlighted that promises from US-backed tech companies may not be delivered as planned. For example, OpenAI has put a UK datacentre project on hold, and a government plan to open a large UK sovereign AI datacentre is behind schedule.The tech industry has identified a lack of power as a key problem, with Microsoft saying a planned datacentre in the north of England will not come online until at least 2033 due to a shortage of power from the grid.

The UK's National Energy System Operator (Neso) is set to launch a new initiative urging households to boost their consumption of renewable energy during periods of high production. This move aims to balance the power grid and reduce energy bills, which are expected to rise to almost £2,000 a year from July. Under the plan, households may be encouraged to run appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, or charge electric vehicles, during times when there is a surplus of wind and solar power. Energy suppliers may offer discounted or free electricity during these periods. The goal is to avoid making costly payments to turn off wind and solar farms when demand is low, which ultimately affects energy bills. This approach could prove popular as households face rising energy costs. Great Britain has recently set records for solar power and is expected to have a summer where the grid could run entirely on zero-carbon electricity. The country is also anticipated to be a net importer of electricity from continental Europe. The abundance of low-carbon electricity supplies poses a risk of grid overload on breezy summer weekends, potentially leading to unplanned blackouts. However, future grid upgrades and increased power consumption by electric vehicles and green technologies are expected to mitigate this issue. Businesses and manufacturers will also be able to increase their electricity demand during certain times in exchange for better rates. Additionally, the UK is expected to have sufficient gas supplies to meet its needs this summer, primarily relying on North Sea gas from Norway and the UK.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has strongly opposed an upcoming meeting between the Lebanese government and Israel in the United States, labeling such efforts as 'futile' amid intensified Israeli attacks on Lebanon. In a televised speech on Monday, Qassem called on the Lebanese government to take 'a historic and heroic stance' by not attending the planned talks. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are set to meet in Washington, DC, on Tuesday to discuss direct negotiations between the two countries. However, Qassem argued that the talks are a ploy to pressure Hezbollah into laying down its weapons, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly stating that the goal is to disarm Hezbollah. Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah will not back down, stating, 'We will not rest, stop or surrender. Instead, we will let the battlefield speak for itself.' He also accused Israel of continuing its aggressive actions, including near-daily deadly attacks, despite a supposed ceasefire in effect since November 2024. Since Israel intensified its war on Lebanon in early March, at least 2,055 people have been killed, including 165 children and 87 medical workers, with over 6,500 wounded and around 1.2 million displaced. Qassem described the planned talks as a 'free concession' to Israel and the US, and called for a united Lebanese stance against negotiations. The speech followed protests in Beirut against the planned talks, with demonstrators accusing Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of betraying the Lebanese people. The situation remains tense, with the Israeli military claiming to have surrounded the key southern town of Bint Jbeil, while Hezbollah continues to claim attacks against Israeli forces there.

The United Kingdom's decision to ban Israelis from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) over Israel's actions in Gaza has sparked concern within the college about its reputation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced the ban in September after Israel planned a major ground assault on Gaza City.The British government made the decision amid widespread condemnation of Israel's escalation of the war. Previously unreported correspondence shows that the move prompted discussion within the RCDS about potential harm to its reputation as an institution that welcomes students of all backgrounds.RCDS commandant George Norton asked a senior military official, Tom Copinger-Symes, for help in shaping the public narrative while a government minister was preparing to answer a question about the ban in the UK's upper house of parliament. Norton sought to ensure that the public understood the college played no role in the decision.In an email, Norton told Copinger-Symes that it would be important for the government minister to highlight that the college does not invite or select participants in its courses, and that invitations were a government-to-government matter. He emphasized that the college's reputation as a welcoming institution could be harmed by the perception that it was deciding which countries to invite or not.The emails, obtained by Al Jazeera via a Freedom of Information request, reveal the college's efforts to distance itself from the government's decision. The MOD spokesperson stated that decisions about military education and training are made on a case-by-case basis and following robust assessment of benefits and risks.The UK-Israel relationship has been strained due to Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military operation. The RCDS did not respond to a request for comment.

The Iranian military has strongly condemned the US plan to blockade its ports, calling it an act of piracy. The blockade, set to begin on Monday at 14:00 GMT, would restrict all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports. The Iranian army has warned that if its ports are threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea would be safe.The US Central Command has stated that the blockade would be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports. However, the military would not impede vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and gas shipments.Oil prices surged almost 8 percent on Monday, with both key WTI and Brent contracts topping $100 a barrel. The increase comes amid concerns over the potential impact of the blockade on global energy supplies.The move has been criticized by China, which urged Iran and the US not to reignite the war. Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the planned naval blockade 'makes no sense', while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain would not join the US blockade.