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President Donald Trump declared that the United States will commence a naval blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to the breakdown of peace talks between Washington and Tehran held in Islamabad.In addition to the blockade, Trump warned that American forces could target Iran’s water‑treatment plants, power stations and bridges unless Tehran abandons its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.The announcement came after a 21‑hour round of direct negotiations between the two sides collapsed on Sunday morning, ending a brief cease‑fire that had been brokered by the United States, Israel and Iran.U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said Iran refused to renounce the possibility of developing nuclear weapons, while Iranian officials accused Washington of failing to earn their trust.Trump instructed the U.S. Navy to begin “blockading any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz” starting Monday at 10 a.m. ET (14:00 GMT). He also accused Iran of “extortion” for charging tolls to tankers and announced a de‑mining operation in the waterway’s central sector, although the exact number of mines remains unclear.The Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned that any warships enforcing the blockade would be deemed a breach of the cease‑fire and would be met with a strong response, insisting the strait remains under Iranian control.Two U.S. destroyers transited the strait on Saturday without incident, a move the Pentagon described as the start of a mine‑clearance mission, even as Iranian media claimed the vessels were threatened as they departed.Financial markets reacted sharply: U.S. crude oil jumped 8% to $104.24 per barrel and Brent crude rose 7% to $102.29, reflecting concerns that the blockade could disrupt the flow of roughly 100 tankers that have been paying up to $2 million each for passage.Vance reiterated that the United States seeks a clear, affirmative commitment from Iran not to pursue a nuclear weapon, describing it as the “core goal of the president.”Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf argued that Tehran offered “constructive initiatives,” but U.S. demands were “excessive” and hindered an agreement, according to the semi‑official Tasnim news agency.Pakistani mediators urged both parties to avoid renewed hostilities and pledged to arrange fresh talks, emphasizing the importance of upholding the existing cease‑fire.In a televised interview, Trump warned that if a deal cannot be reached, the United States may resume bombing Iran, specifically targeting its water‑supply infrastructure, desalination plants and power generation facilities.Regional fallout continued: at least 11 people were killed in southern Lebanon amid a series of Israeli strikes, while Pope Francis called for an immediate cease‑fire, expressing solidarity with the Lebanese people.The broader conflict, now six weeks old, has claimed more than 3,000 lives in Iran, over 2,000 in Lebanon, dozens in Israel and several Gulf states, and has inflicted extensive damage on critical infrastructure across the Middle East.

The recent 10-day space mission of the Artemis II crew has garnered attention, but the true test of endurance might not be in space, but in an office setting. Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and pilot Victor Glover spent time in a capsule described as “not much bigger than a family tent”. While they navigated the challenges of confined space, their experience pales in comparison to the complexities of office politics.Anyone who has worked in an office can attest that surviving with colleagues in a confined environment is a significant test of endurance. The Artemis II crew had to get along without time off, which would be challenging even for experienced professionals. The quirks and habits of colleagues can become amplified in such settings, leading to increased tension and stress.The writer of this piece reflects on their own experience in a mundane office job at a stationery firm. They recall the boredom and impotence that led to a fixation on trivial matters, such as a dispute over a window being open or closed. This petty feud became an all-consuming battle that defined their time at the office.The writer notes that, unlike the Artemis II crew, they had the option to leave the office at the end of the day. However, their obsession with the window dispute led them to spend more time at their desk, avoiding breaks and social interactions. The comparison between the crew's space test and the writer's office experience highlights the universal challenges of working with others.Ultimately, the Artemis II crew's achievement is impressive, but it also underscores the importance of interpersonal skills and conflict resolution in any confined or high-stress environment. As the writer concludes, surviving an office job can be just as challenging as surviving in space.

A violent incident unfolded at New York City's iconic Grand Central station on Saturday, when a man armed with a machete allegedly attacked and wounded three elderly individuals.Police responded swiftly to the situation, and one officer opened fire, striking the attacker. The man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.The victims, identified as an 84-year-old man, a 70-year-old woman, and a 65-year-old man, were hospitalized in stable condition. The NYPD reported that the incident occurred at 9:40am Eastern Time (13:40 GMT).Grand Central station, a major transit hub in Midtown Manhattan, is renowned for its Beaux-Arts architecture and is one of the most visited tourist attractions globally, with an average of 750,000 travelers and visitors daily.

The United States Department of Justice has opened an investigation into whether the National Football League (NFL) has engaged in anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers. This probe comes amid concerns over the difficulties consumers face in watching sports games and the growing trend of selling broadcast rights to streamers.Major broadcast station owners, US regulators, and senators have raised concerns about the increasing costs for consumers to access sports games, with estimates suggesting it could cost over $1,500 to watch all NFL games last year. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also opened a review into the shift of live sports away from free broadcast TV to pay TV and subscription services.The NFL has responded by stating that more than 87 percent of its games are aired on free broadcast TV and that all games are available on free broadcast television in markets of participating teams. However, the investigation's nature and scope are still unclear.A 1961 law exempts major sports leagues from antitrust laws, allowing them to pool their individual teams' television rights and sell them as a package. This has led to concerns about the NFL's dealings with streaming platforms and potential anticompetitive practices.

Protesters in Ireland and Norway have escalated demonstrations against rising fuel costs, turning major highways into blockades and prompting a convoy of lorries to converge on Oslo’s parliament. The unrest is linked to the broader spike in oil prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. In Dublin, hauliers, farmers and other groups have shut down motorways for the fourth consecutive day, causing fuel shortages, traffic chaos and warnings that essential supplies—food, clean water and animal feed—are at risk. The Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, described the blockades as unlawful and warned that continued defiance could lead to arrests. The Irish government has placed the army on standby to clear the obstructions, while the justice minister accused outside actors, including far‑right figures such as Tommy Robinson, of exploiting the protests for political gain. Fuel prices have surged dramatically: Irish diesel has risen from roughly €1.70 per litre to €2.17, and petrol from about €1.74 to €1.97. In Norway, despite a recent fuel‑tax cut on 1 April, diesel prices jumped 23.6 % from February to March, with overall fuel and lubricants up 17.9 %. Statistics Norway noted this as the steepest month‑on‑month increase on record, comparable only to the post‑Ukraine‑invasion spike of spring 2022. Irish Prime Minister Mícheál Martin warned that blockades of the Whitegate refinery and key depots in Galway and Foynes were pushing the country to the brink of turning away oil shipments. He called the situation “unconscionable and “illogical.” In response, Dublin unveiled a €250 million relief package that includes a temporary excise duty cut, an expanded diesel rebate for hauliers and bus operators, and an extended fuel allowance. Nevertheless, industry leaders remain skeptical about the measures’ ability to quell the unrest, and many protesters demand direct talks with ministers. Across the North Sea, Norwegian demonstrators—part of the “Dieselbrølet” (diesel roar) movement—marched a convoy of 70‑80 trucks toward the Storting. Their banners read “nok er nok!” (enough is enough). While only a few vehicles were permitted into Oslo, the show underscored hauliers’ demand for more predictable, lower fuel prices despite Norway’s status as an oil producer. Other nations have taken emergency steps: the Philippines declared a national energy emergency, and France authorized fuel tankers to operate on weekends and holidays until 11 May to stave off shortages. Back in Ireland, the blockade of the sole refinery and depots has left dozens of petrol stations empty, prompting a rush of motorists to fill up before supplies run out. Emergency services report slower response times, and the Irish Medical Organisation warns that delayed care could jeopardise patient health. Courier firm DPD has halted deliveries, and protesters have vowed to remain in Dublin for weeks, with spokesperson John Dallon stating, “If it takes a month, we are prepared to sit here.” The crisis has also forced the Irish Taoiseach to postpone a trade mission to Canada, highlighting the domestic political fallout of the fuel‑price turmoil.

A fresh assessment released after the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes confirms that Beirut has endured extensive structural damage. The report, sourced from local authorities, outlines the breadth of destruction across residential districts and key infrastructure.While precise casualty figures remain unconfirmed, officials emphasize that the scale of the devastation will require substantial reconstruction efforts and could exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the capital.International observers note that the heightened damage underscores the escalating intensity of the conflict in the region, raising concerns about further destabilisation and the need for coordinated relief responses.

The Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem reopened after a 40‑day closure imposed by Israeli authorities.Verified video footage released by Al Jazeera shows crowds streaming through the gates early Thursday, with approximately 3,000 worshippers attending the morning prayers.The ban had been total—or limited to a few dozen faithful—at Christian, Jewish and Muslim sites since the US‑Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. Israel frequently imposes restrictions, especially on Palestinian worshippers.The Islamic Waqf Department in occupied Jerusalem confirmed that the doors of Al‑Aqsa would be opened to all worshippers from dawn; the Jordanian‑affiliated authority managing the site offered no further details.Volunteers and caretakers were seen preparing courtyards and prayer areas to receive the faithful, while Israeli officials announced the simultaneous opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening.Israeli police attributed the decision to “updated instructions from the Israeli Home Front Command” and highlighted a massive security deployment, with hundreds of police officers and border guards stationed throughout the Old City and surrounding roads to “secure visitors.”Jerusalem’s holy sites have endured strict security measures and repeated closures during the six‑week regional war, curtailing celebrations of Lent, Passover, Ramadan and, for the first time since Israel’s 1967 occupation, Eid al‑Fitr prayers at Al‑Aqsa.The lifting of the ban arrives just in time for Orthodox Christians, who observe Easter on Sunday, a week after Catholic and Protestant celebrations.Continued Raids in the Occupied West BankIsraeli forces continued operations across the occupied West Bank. In Nablus, a woman was detained and a man assaulted during an early‑morning raid, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.The Ramallah‑based Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces fatally shot 28‑year‑old Alaa Khaled Mohammed Sbeih near the village of Tayasir on Wednesday night; the Israeli military said an off‑duty soldier fired at a stone‑thrower.Wafa added that six young men were detained in Tayasir, while troops stormed homes in Ya’bad, south of Jenin, destroying the contents of three houses. Additional raids hit the villages of Qusra and Awarta, though no arrests were reported there.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since 2023, with at least 10,000 people forcibly displaced.

Mint, the new drama from Charlotte Regan, is a bold reimagining of the classic love story, Romeo and Juliet. This electrifying drama tells the tale of impossible love between two people from bitter crime rival families.The series stars Emma Laird as Shannon, the daughter of a Scottish crime family, and Benjamin Coyle-Larner, also known as Loyle Carner, as Arran, the prodigal son of a different crime family. Their eyes meet across a down-at-heel train station, and they are incompatible and irresistible to one another.Charlotte Regan drew inspiration from her own experiences and those of her cast and crew. The drama features a unique visual style, with sparse dialogue and a focus on visual storytelling. The show's use of Super 8 fragments and VHS-style footage adds to its distinctive aesthetic.The cast, including Laura Fraser and Lindsay Duncan, deliver powerful performances that bring depth and nuance to the story. Emma Laird praises Regan for keeping her acne in the show, saying it's a huge part of her character's authenticity.Mint is available on BBC iPlayer from Monday, April 20th, with the series airing on BBC One from 9 pm that night.

For the first time, scientists have observed a 'civil war' in wild chimpanzees, where a once unified group turned on itself, leading to a years-long conflict. In a study published in the journal Science, researchers detail the dramatic shift in behavior among the Ngogo chimpanzee group in Uganda's Kibale national park.Primatologist Aaron Sandel, who led the research, noted that the conflict began in 2015 when the group's dynamics started to change. A change in social hierarchies, the death of key older individuals, and a disease outbreak in 2017 contributed to the group's fracture. By 2018, two distinct groups had emerged: the western chimps and the central chimps.The conflict escalated into 24 sustained and coordinated attacks by the western group on the central group over seven years, resulting in the deaths of at least seven adult males and 17 infants. This level of in-group violence is rare in the animal kingdom and has significant implications for understanding human conflict.Sandel suggests that human activities disrupting social cohesion, such as deforestation, climate change, or disease outbreaks, could make such inter-group conflicts more common among chimpanzees, who are already threatened with extinction. The study highlights the fragility of social ties and the potential for group cohesion to be disrupted under specific circumstances.Brian Wood, an evolutionary anthropologist, noted that the western chimps increased their Darwinian fitness by decreasing the survival and reproduction of their former community members. This conflict has resulted in the lowest survivorship ever documented in a wild chimpanzee community.