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Amid a wave of Israeli air strikes that have killed hundreds and displaced roughly 20 % of Lebanon’s population from the south, Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui attracted fierce criticism after being publicly praised for his pro‑Israel activities. Sehnaoui, who chairs Societe Generale de Banque au Liban (SGBL), attended an event at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – a venue he has financially supported. The commendation came from Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Middle‑East envoy who, according to reports, is also Sehnaoui’s romantic partner. Ortagus framed support for Israel as a matter of "moral clarity", even when it entails personal risk. She highlighted Sehnaoui’s funding of a U.S.–Israeli opera project, noting that such transactions are technically illegal in Lebanon under the country’s ban on dealings with Israeli entities. Describing the banker’s lineage, Ortagus said he hails from generations of "committed Lebanese Christian Zionists" and that his family has been "trained to support the State of Israel and the Jewish people." She also referenced his father, Nabil Sehnaoui, a principal backer of the Lebanese Forces militia, which allied with Israel during the 1982 invasion and was implicated in the Sabra‑Shatila massacres. The timing of the endorsement proved especially contentious. Since mid‑March, Israel has been accused of employing a “quadruple‑tap” bombing technique designed to maximise civilian casualties, and more than a million southerners have fled their homes, deepening sectarian tensions. Lebanese social‑media users reacted with outrage, calling for Sehnaoui’s imprisonment, accusing him of betraying his nation, and even alleging he had converted to Judaism. One commentator, academic Makram Rabah, argued that while a museum visit should not be controversial, the overt support for Israel amid a fragile ceasefire is. Ortagus’s own record – marked by staunch opposition to Hezbollah and open advocacy for Israel since her appointment in April 2025 – has already drawn scrutiny over her suitability as a neutral broker in the region. Beyond the political backlash, Sehnaoui faces serious legal challenges. Lebanese prosecutors have filed money‑laundering charges against him and SGBL, alleging illicit currency‑trading activities that exacerbated the country’s financial crisis that began in 2019. The bank denies any wrongdoing. In the United States, a 2020 civil lawsuit filed by families of Hezbollah‑linked attack victims accuses SGBL of providing material support to the militant group – a claim the bank also rejects. Lebanese MP Paula Yacoubian warned that Sehnaoui’s recent maneuvers appear designed to secure personal immunity in exchange for facilitating Israel‑Lebanon normalisation, rather than delivering tangible benefits such as the safe return of displaced residents. While the controversy rages, a tenuous ceasefire has allowed tens of thousands of residents to return to the devastated south, many seeking the remains of loved ones or assessing the damage to their homes.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, a statement that raised hopes for de‑escalation in the Middle‑East conflict and sent global oil prices tumbling. President Donald Trump took to social media to celebrate the news, proclaiming it a "great and brilliant day for the world" and asserting that Iran had pledged never to shut the strategic waterway again. Trump also claimed that Tehran had agreed to suspend its nuclear programme indefinitely and would forfeit any frozen U.S. funds, suggesting that a deal‑making session could occur over the upcoming weekend. In contrast, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) offered only qualified support for Araghchi’s declaration, indicating that commercial traffic would be permitted only along a prescribed route and under IRGC naval permission. The United States, however, signalled that its naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force until all transactions are completed, warning that few vessels are likely to risk passage under the current uncertainty. Oil markets reacted swiftly: Brent crude slipped below $90 per barrel, easing inflationary pressures that had surged after the strait’s earlier closure. Simultaneously, a ten‑day truce in Lebanon entered its second day, temporarily halting Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah‑aligned forces and offering a brief respite to civilians after weeks of intense fighting. Despite the truce, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed a civilian, and Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated that the Israeli Defence Forces were not withdrawing and could resume operations. In Paris, representatives from roughly 40 nations gathered at a conference co‑chaired by France and the United Kingdom to discuss a coordinated plan for safeguarding the strait, which historically carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Araghchi’s statement but urged a "full, unconditional reopening" by all parties, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for any reopening plan to be "lasting and workable". The International Maritime Organization’s secretary‑general, Arsenio Domínguez, said the agency is reviewing the announcement to ensure it complies with the principle of free navigation for all merchant vessels. Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, acting as a key mediator, arrived in Tehran to advance negotiations for a more durable peace, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in the region. Overall, while the Hormuz opening has eased immediate market pressures, the broader geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire set to expire soon and regional actors still poised for further confrontation.

At a damp morning meeting in Sandy Park, Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe outlined the club’s next chapter: a potential sale to an American investment group that will be decided by the club’s 700‑plus members at an extraordinary general meeting on 7 May.Rowe, now 77, has steered the Chiefs for more than three decades, guiding the team from a modest county‑ground side to Premiership champions in 2010. Yet he admits that “romance doesn’t pay the bills” in today’s professional rugby, and a well‑funded owner could finally provide the financial muscle the club needs.The proposed buyer is described as a “mega‑wealthy multi‑sport investor” already active in British football. If the vote passes, the investor would inject fresh capital, allowing Exeter to compete for top talent such as marquee player Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso and to pursue broader ambitions.Rowe argues that English club rugby must look beyond nostalgia. “We’ve got to wake up and smell the coffee,” he said, emphasizing the need for an owner with deep pockets. He warned that the club’s current shareholder structure, which “has no money,” limits growth.The takeover is part of a wider trend of foreign money entering English rugby, following recent investments in Newcastle Red Bulls and Bath. Rowe believes a cash‑rich owner will position Exeter to help expand the Premiership from its current ten clubs to twelve, and eventually fourteen, with a view to incorporating Welsh sides.He suggested that adding “two Welsh clubs” could revitalise Welsh rugby, which he described as “on its arse,” and noted that travel logistics would not be a barrier for English clubs making weekend trips to Wales.Financial pressures remain acute. Rowe cited a £25 million loss from Covid and the post‑pandemic mini‑recession, compounded by a government grant that was later converted into a loan and a Rugby Football Union (RFU) contribution that covered only half of the promised support.He also criticised a £200 million 2018 deal that gave private‑equity firm CVC Capital Partners a 27 % share of the club’s commercial rights. “We should never have sold those shares,” Rowe lamented, adding that CVC has done little to boost sponsorship or “razzmatazz” for the sport.Looking ahead, Rowe stresses the importance of attracting a younger, millennial fan base, noting that “our future supporters are millennials” and that they will be the financial lifeline of the club.Despite the uncertainties, Rowe remains optimistic. He confirmed he will stay on under the new ownership, describing the investors as “long‑term” and “understanding of the sport.” He warned the new owners must respect Exeter’s Devonian heritage, likening the club’s future to a bus that needs a fresh fuel supply to reach “even greater success.”

British financial institutions are set to receive Anthropic’s latest AI model, Mythos, within the coming week, despite the company’s own assessment that the technology poses a significant security risk.Anthropic, the creator of the Claude suite, has so far limited Mythos to a handful of U.S. tech giants such as Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. The firm now plans to extend the rollout to major UK banks, a move announced by Pip White, head of Anthropic’s UK, Ireland and Northern Europe operations, during a Bloomberg Television interview.The concern stems from Mythos’s ability to identify and exploit software flaws at a level that rivals the most skilled human hackers. In a recent blog post, Anthropic warned that such capabilities could trigger severe repercussions for economies, public safety and national security if misused.Finance ministers, senior executives and regulators convened in Washington for the IMF and World Bank spring meetings to discuss these emerging threats. Canadian Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne emphasized the need for vigilance, describing the AI risk as an “unknown unknown” that demands robust safeguards to protect the resilience of the financial system.Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who also chairs the Financial Stability Board, described the situation as a “very serious challenge” and highlighted the dilemma regulators face in timing the introduction of rules: acting too early could stifle innovation, while delaying could allow risks to spiral out of control.European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde echoed these concerns, noting that while Anthropic’s initiative reflects responsible innovation, the absence of a clear governance framework leaves the technology vulnerable to misuse. She called for the development of comprehensive standards to guide safe deployment.As UK banks prepare to integrate Mythos into their operations, the financial sector stands at a crossroads between harnessing AI’s economic benefits and averting potential cyber‑security crises.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to prolong Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an estimated 350,000 Haitian nationals residing in the United States, marking a clear departure from President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. In a tightly contested vote, the measure passed 224 to 204, with ten Republicans breaking ranks to join the Democratic majority. The legislation would keep TPS in place for an additional three years, citing the persistent violence and political instability that continue to plague Haiti. Following House approval, the bill proceeds to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Should it clear that chamber, Trump has signaled he would veto the extension, setting up a direct showdown between the executive branch and a bipartisan Congress. Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley, co‑chair of the House Haiti Caucus, hailed the vote as “a monumental victory” and emphasized that the decision reflects both practical policy and humanitarian responsibility. The legislation advanced through a bipartisan discharge petition, a procedural tool that circumvents the Republican leadership’s control of the House agenda, underscoring the urgency lawmakers feel about protecting Haitian residents. President Trump and his administration have repeatedly sought to roll back TPS designations, arguing that prior extensions exceeded executive authority and conflicted with U.S. “national interests.” This stance is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls, including proposals to deport Haitian legal permanent residents alleged to have gang ties. TPS, by design, shields foreign nationals already in the U.S. from removal when their home countries face temporary crises such as natural disasters or armed conflict, while also granting limited work authorization. Haiti’s deteriorating security situation—exacerbated since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse—has seen powerful gangs dominate large swaths of Port‑au‑Prince, prompting the State Department to issue travel warnings for U.S. citizens. Advocacy groups warn that the looming threat of deportation adds severe stress to Haitian communities in the United States, urging Congress to act swiftly to prevent further trauma. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is slated to hear a case that could accelerate the administration’s push to rescind deportation protections for both Haitians and Syrians, adding another layer of legal uncertainty to the issue.

President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to erect a colossal arch in Washington, DC, has cleared a significant hurdle with the US Commission of Fine Arts giving its approval to the proposed design. The arch, which would stand at 76 meters (250 feet) high, is intended to be built on Memorial Circle, between the Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. The commission's approval is a crucial step forward for the project, which has faced criticism and legal challenges. The arch would be significantly larger than the Lincoln Memorial, which stands at 99 feet (30 meters) tall, and approximately twice as tall as the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which the design resembles. The proposed monument, dubbed the 'Triumphal Arch,' would feature the phrases 'One Nation Under God' and 'Liberty and Justice for All' in gold lettering atop either side. However, the design has faced opposition, with about three out of every four people who delivered public comments expressing opposition, many citing its enormous size. Criticism has also centered on the potential impact on views of the national cemetery, a resting place for war veterans. Public Citizen Litigation Group is representing some Vietnam War veterans in a lawsuit against the proposed construction, arguing that it needs congressional approval. Even within the Commission of Fine Arts, there was some dissent. James McCrery II, the vice chair, suggested modifications to the design, including removing the winged statue and eagles on top and the lions at its base, citing that African animals are 'not a beast natural to the North American continent.' The project is part of Trump's efforts to leave his mark on the physical landscape of Washington, DC. The commission still needs to vote on final approval for the proposal after reviewing updated designs. If given final approval, the arch would tower above other landmarks in the national capital.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters on Thursday that Iran’s energy infrastructure is "not destroyed yet," but the United States is "locked and loaded" to finish the job. Speaking from the Pentagon podium, Hegseth framed the press corps as the modern equivalent of the Pharisees who plotted against Jesus, suggesting that media criticism was driven by hostility rather than facts.The remarks coincided with the launch of a naval blockade of Iranian ports that began earlier this week. Hegseth urged Tehran to accept a nuclear agreement, warning that refusal would bring further attacks on the country’s remaining power‑generation and energy facilities."We are reloading with more power than ever before, and with better intelligence," Hegseth said, emphasizing the United States’ enhanced surveillance capabilities.He added that Iran’s missile launchers are dwindling and cannot be replenished: "You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You can dig out for now. Can’t reconstitute, but we can."Offering a stark choice, Hegseth said, "We prefer to do it the nice way, through a deal led by our great vice‑president and negotiating team, or we can do it the hard way." He also pledged that the War Department would ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that the blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, and has been in effect for more than 24 hours. Over 10,000 sailors, marines and aircrew are enforcing the restriction. Since its inception, the U.S. Navy has transmitted a "do not attempt to breach the blockade" warning to vessels 13 times, with none of the ships boarded.During his address, Hegseth invoked a biblical sermon, likening the press to the Pharisees who, according to the Gospel of Mark, plotted to destroy Jesus after witnessing his miracles. He claimed the media’s “hardened hearts” were calibrated only to “impugn.”Hegseth also criticized the press for what he called a distorted portrayal of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, citing the phrase "the greatest airlift in American history"—a line originally used by President Joe Biden and later echoed by right‑wing commentators and politicians.Concluding his remarks, Hegseth admitted, "Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what side some of you are actually on," underscoring the tension between the Pentagon and the media.

Senate Democrats have moved to stall President Donald Trump's bid to install a new leader of the US Federal Reserve, condemning the move as 'absurd' given ongoing criminal investigations into the central bank's leadership.Democratic lawmakers on the Senate banking committee urged its Republican leadership to postpone the planned confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, the financial executive and former Fed governor Trump has nominated to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair.In a letter to banking committee chair Senator Tim Scott, the 11 Democrats called for a hearing currently scheduled for Tuesday to be delayed until investigations into Powell and Lisa Cook, a Fed governor, are closed.Powell is facing a criminal investigation into the renovations of the central bank's headquarters, which he dismissed as a 'pretext' tied to the Fed's refusal to bow to Trump's demands. The Trump administration also tried to fire Cook, an appointee of Joe Biden, for alleged mortgage fraud.The Democratic senators wrote in their letter to Scott: 'It would be absurd on its face to allow President Trump to handpick the next chair of the Federal Reserve as his Department of Justice actively pursues criminal investigations of not one, but two sitting members of the Federal Reserve board.'Warsh's nomination also faces hurdles from within the president's own party, with outgoing GOP senator Thom Tillis stating he would not support any nomination as long as there is an investigation into Powell.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened senior leaders from Meta, TikTok, Google and X at No 10 on Thursday to discuss the escalating child‑safety crisis on social platforms. He told the executives that "things can’t go on like this" and that immediate reforms are essential to protect minors. The meeting comes as the UK government launches a formal consultation on imposing a firm age limit for social‑media users, echoing Australia’s recent ban for under‑16s. The proposal also examines curbing design features such as infinite scrolling that encourage prolonged use. Starmer emphasized that restricting access for younger users is preferable to allowing ongoing harm, stating that a future where children are shielded—even at the cost of reduced participation—is the goal. He added that the challenge lies not in the decision to act, but in determining the most effective implementation strategy. While the prime minister has previously cautioned that a blanket ban could push teenagers toward the dark web, pressure from within his own party has intensified. More than 60 Labour backbenchers recently signed a letter urging a ban, and many expect Starmer to endorse the measure once the consultation concludes this summer. Parliament’s recent actions illustrate the split view: MPs rejected a House of Lords amendment that would have introduced an automatic age gate, preferring to await the government’s response to the consultation. A separate Conservative‑led amendment proposing a twelve‑month trial of platform bans was also defeated in the Commons. Early education minister Olivia Bailey defended the consultation approach, arguing it allows a broader assessment of services and features than the narrow amendment proposed in the Lords. The government is also pressing Ofcom, the communications regulator tasked with enforcing the Online Safety Act, to act decisively. Last year, technology secretary Liz Kendall warned that Ofcom risked losing public trust if it failed to curb online harms. This month she appointed former Channel 4 chair Ian Cheshire as the new Ofcom chair to steer the regulator through this critical period. Google declined to comment on the No 10 meeting, while Meta, TikTok and X have been approached for responses.