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The US Court of International Trade is hearing oral arguments in a case aimed at overturning President Donald Trump's global import tariffs. The tariffs, which were imposed in February, have been met with opposition from several US states and small businesses.The plaintiffs, including 24 mostly Democratic-led states and two small businesses, argue that the 10% global import tax sidesteps a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated most of Trump's previous tariffs. They claim that the tariffs are based on archaic authority meant to protect the US dollar from sudden depreciation in the 1970s, not to address routine trade deficits.Oregon's lawyer, Brian Marshall, told the judges that they should block the tariffs rather than let them expire on the normal 150-day timeline, to prevent Trump from invoking laws to keep them indefinitely. "[If] we have a successive series where there's always tariffs in place, that's a problem," Marshall said.The Trump administration has argued that the global tariffs are a legal and appropriate response to a persistent trade deficit caused by the fact that the US imports more goods than it exports. "President Trump is lawfully using the executive powers granted to him by Congress to address our country's balance of payments crisis," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said.The case is significant as it challenges Trump's use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorises duties of up to 15% for up to 150 days on imports during "large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits" or to prevent imminent depreciation of the dollar.

Midway through the fifth day of the County Championship’s second round, Ollie Pope joined an elite group by becoming the 11th centurion in Division One this season. Five of those centuries belong to Surrey, with Jamie Smith already on two. The pre‑season favourites, despite a drawn opening match, looked formidable at the close of play, sitting at 412 for six.Leicestershire’s situation could not be more contrasting. Fresh from promotion, the side suffered a defeat to Sussex in their opener and, by the second session, appeared short on confidence, ideas and quality. Late‑stage wickets offered a brief spark, but the scoreboard told a different story.A crowd of 4,700 spectators braved a brisk early‑spring day at the Oval. With Surrey’s top six all boasting international caps, the match was inevitably examined for potential England implications. The first surprise came from Leicestershire’s own Josh Hull, who marked the second anniversary of his solitary Test appearance.Now 21, Hull has shed the rawness of his debut against Sri Lanka in September 2024, showing improved pace and reliability. He opened his season with a wicket in his first over, dismissing Dom Sibley lbw, and later produced a short ball that struck Pope’s helmet and an edge from Smith before being pulled after a brief spell.When Hull returned for a fourth spell deep in the final session, Smith repaid the effort with a brutal low‑flying pull for six, pushing his total past 150 runs. The partnership underscored Surrey’s growing dominance as the day progressed.Jamie Smith’s 166 from 240 balls marked his second century in the opening two Championship games, a knock highlighted by a patient start – one run from his first ten balls – before accelerating with a flurry of boundaries.Smith’s innings unfolded with cautious intent: after a modest 28, he unleashed three fours in as many deliveries, eventually reaching 166 before being caught by Ajaz Patel off Ben Green’s 90th over. The innings demonstrated both resilience and flair, cementing his role as a key run‑maker.For Pope, the century arrived after a seven‑month drought without a first‑class fifty and a solitary century against India at Headingley 21 innings earlier. His 24‑run start, achieved on half the balls faced by Smith, quickly turned into a commanding display as he steadied the innings.Both batsmen left the Oval with the confidence of seasoned internationals. A delayed emergence of Dan Lawrence after Pope’s boundary suggested the wicket was never in serious contention. Ben Foakes contributed a steady 62, while Leicestershire, with an average of 226 for the season, will need to conjure more surprises to bridge the gap.

Amazon's highly anticipated satellite internet service, Leo, is expected to go live in mid-2026, according to CEO Andy Jassy. The company has been working on the project, originally conceived as Project Kuiper in 2019, and has secured revenue commitments from enterprises and governments for the scheme.Leo currently has 200 low-orbit satellites in space, with plans to launch a few thousand more in the coming years. While this puts Amazon on track to become the second commercial satellite presence in space, it still lags behind SpaceX's Starlink, which has nearly 10,000 satellites in space and aims to have as many as 42,000 operational in the future.Jassy emphasized that Leo will seamlessly integrate with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enable enterprises and governments to move data back and forth for storage, analytics, and AI. Additionally, Delta Air Lines has partnered with Leo to provide onboard WiFi for its planes, starting with 500 planes in 2028.Despite being behind rivals such as Starlink and OneWeb, Amazon's efforts have been hindered by relying on competitors' rockets for launches. However, plans have been announced for Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, to take primary responsibility for launching Leo satellites from 2027 onwards.The rivalry between Amazon and SpaceX is expected to shape the commercial space industry in the coming decades, with both companies interested in setting up datacentres in orbit and normalizing commercial space travel.

Mom’s mantra – “don’t borrow trouble” – became the compass that steadied Feimster during the uncertain early years of her comedy career. She says the simple advice helped her shift focus from endless worry to actually performing. Growing up, Feimster was captivated by Carol Burnett’s slapstick brilliance, a love sparked by her grandmother’s nightly reruns. The legendary comedian’s on‑ and off‑screen silliness shaped Feimster’s own comedic sensibility. When she was cast as the beaver Nibbles in the upcoming Zootropolis 2, the process was anything but typical. “The script was top‑secret,” she recalls, noting that she entered the recording booth with only a brief scene description from director Jared Bush, never knowing how pivotal her character would become. Feimster also laughs about a nightmare charity gig in a Virginia biker bar, where the stage was literally a wooden crate, the lighting resembled a construction site, and a karaoke machine served as the sound system. “Nobody, including me, enjoyed the show,” she admits. Unlike many performers, she has no elaborate pre‑show rituals. She arrives minutes before the curtain rises, chats with the audience, and treats each performance like a regular day, much to the amusement of co‑host Tom Papa. The relentless travel schedule is a double‑edged sword. Feimster describes the constant touring as exhausting, with the added pressure of having to write fresh material after every special. “You finish one project and must start from scratch,” she says, highlighting the creative churn that fuels her growth. On set with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the film Fubar, Feimster found the experience inspiring. She notes that the legendary actor’s varied career – from bodybuilding champion to governor – made every day on set feel like a master class. Looking ahead, Feimster has wrapped two Netflix comedies: one starring Will Ferrell as a washed‑up pro golfer where she plays his caddie, and another ensemble with Kim Kardashian, Nikki Glaser and Brenda Song. She hints at a future shift toward a more serious, less self‑referential role. Meanwhile, her current stand‑up show “Takin’ Care of Biscuits” continues its North American and European leg, with a stop at London’s Hackney Empire on 3 June and the tour running through 9 August.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed frustration with the effects of Donald Trump's actions in the Middle East on British energy costs, drawing a comparison with Vladimir Putin's influence. In an interview with ITV's Robert Peston, Starmer stated, 'I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses' bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.'Starmer also condemned Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's continued strikes on Lebanon, despite Iran calling for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire agreed on April 7. He emphasized that these attacks 'should stop' and that the situation requires a practical resolution.In a conversation with Trump, Starmer discussed the need for a 'practical plan' to get shipping going through the Strait of Hormuz after the Middle East ceasefire. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer and Trump agreed on the necessity of finding a resolution, with the leaders discussing the need for a plan to restore freedom of navigation in the strait.Starmer's relationship with Britain's allies has been strained since the US and Israel's war with Iran began in late February. He has been repeatedly criticized and belittled by Trump and other members of his administration. Starmer has promised that his government will take a different approach to managing crises, ensuring that Britain is 'a country where people are not at the mercy of events abroad.'

The Australian Greens are calling on the federal government to apply direct diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel to end its intensive air strikes on Lebanon, describing the conflict as a “disastrous, illegal, immoral war.” Party defence spokesperson David Shoebridge said Australia should join the growing list of nations demanding that southern Lebanon be part of the cease‑fire framework being negotiated between the United States and Iran. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have already signalled that Lebanon must be included in any cease‑fire agreement, but Shoebridge argued that mere statements are insufficient. He told ABC Radio that “Penny Wong saying she’s gravely concerned will not stop the illegal bombing or the plan to turn southern Lebanon into a new Gaza.” Lebanese authorities report that the war, which began in April, has already claimed the lives of more than 1,700 civilians, with over 300 deaths recorded in a single 24‑hour period following the announcement of a cease‑fire in the Iran conflict. To exert tangible pressure, Shoebridge proposed that Australia cancel more than $1 billion in Israeli arms contracts. He argued that such a move would not only address the moral outrage over the attacks but also deliver “real material pressure” on Israel to withdraw its forces. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned Australians to avoid travel to Lebanon and is urging residents to leave while commercial flights remain available, citing a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, displacement crises, and the risk of sudden airspace closures. In a separate development, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott urged the government to deploy troops alongside U.S. forces, claiming Australia had “betrayed our values and long‑term national interest.” Abbott framed the conflict as part of a broader effort to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and protect freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait. His remarks were rebuffed by Health Minister Mark Butler, who emphasized that Australia’s current support is limited to defensive assistance for the United Arab Emirates and that there is no public appetite for offensive deployments in the Middle East. Energy Minister Chris Bowen reiterated that any cease‑fire must extend across the region, stating that “Lebanese people have the same rights as anyone else in the Middle East” and that Israel should honour the cease‑fire “in both letter and spirit.”

The strategic Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, has become the focal point of the Israel‑U.S. war on Iran that began in February. In peacetime the narrow waterway handled about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments without any tolls, but the conflict has turned it into a contested zone. After a series of Israeli and U.S. strikes, Iran retaliated by targeting merchant vessels it deemed hostile, effectively shutting the passage and triggering one of the most severe energy‑distribution crises in recent memory. While a two‑week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was declared on Tuesday, Tehran has issued a set of official terms that would govern the strait moving forward. According to Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghi, safe passage will be allowed in coordination with the Iranian armed forces and subject to technical limitations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has even published a new navigation map that pushes traffic farther north, away from the traditional route near Oman’s coast, citing the risk of anti‑ship mines. Central to Tehran’s 10‑point peace proposal is the idea of charging fees for strait usage. Iranian media report that the plan could levy up to $2 million per vessel—a sum to be shared with Oman—or a charge of $1 per barrel of oil shipped. The revenue would allegedly fund reconstruction of military and civilian infrastructure damaged by the U.S.–Israeli campaign. Oman has publicly rejected any toll scheme, with Transport Minister Said Al‑Maawali reminding that the country has already signed all relevant international maritime transport agreements that prohibit such fees. International law adds another layer of complexity. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) prohibits levying charges for mere passage through international straits, allowing fees only for services like navigation assistance or port use. Neither the United States nor Iran have ratified UNCLOS, but the principle remains a benchmark for maritime norms. Analysts suggest a possible workaround: charging for de‑mining and safety services rather than for passage itself, which could be permissible under existing legal frameworks. The proposal has sparked diplomatic pushback. At the United Nations Security Council, Bahrain led a resolution urging coordinated reopening of the strait, backed by Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan. The resolution passed with 11 of 15 votes, but was vetoed by Russia and China, who argued it unfairly targeted Iran and ignored the initial strikes. Beyond the region, the United States is unlikely to accept indefinite tolls. Former President Donald Trump, who announced the ceasefire, warned that U.S. forces would remain in the area and threatened to resume attacks if negotiations faltered. American troops are reportedly “hanging around” to assist with traffic buildup, though the extent of their operational control remains unclear. Maritime analyst C. Uday Bhaskar notes that only three to five ships have traversed the strait since the ceasefire began, underscoring the lingering uncertainty for global shippers. He adds that ship owners facing multi‑million‑dollar losses each day may ultimately acquiesce to Iran’s terms, at least temporarily. Should Iran implement a toll regime, the immediate impact would fall on Gulf oil‑producing nations, but the ripple effects could destabilize global energy markets, already strained by supply shocks. Major powers such as the United Kingdom have been coordinating with a coalition of 40 countries to explore alternative mechanisms for reopening the waterway without conceding to tolls. In sum, Iran’s proposed protocol for the Strait of Hormuz introduces a contentious new variable into an already volatile geopolitical landscape, pitting national security interests against established maritime law and the broader stability of world energy supplies.

The global energy crisis has been labeled 'the mother of all crises' by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. The crisis, sparked by Iran's retaliatory blocking of the strait, has significant implications for global energy supplies and security.Bayraktar, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, highlighted the importance of diversifying energy routes to mitigate the impact of such crises. He noted that Turkey, with its strategic location between Asia and Europe, has become a pivotal country in the region, hosting key pipelines such as the 'Blue Stream' and 'TurkStream'.The minister emphasized that Turkey is well-suited to weather the crisis, with sufficient strategic energy reserves, including gas storage facilities that are 72 percent full, compared to Europe's 28 percent. However, he warned that rising oil and gas prices still burden the state budget, with an increase of $1 per barrel costing Ankara approximately $400 million.Bayraktar also discussed the potential for a new energy architecture to emerge, driven by the need for diversification. He proposed several projects, including the transportation of Turkmen gas across the Caspian Sea to Turkey and Europe, extending the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline to reach Basra, and constructing a natural gas pipeline from Qatar to Turkey.The crisis has significant economic implications, with oil prices potentially rising to $200 per barrel in a worst-case scenario, which could lead to another global recession. Bayraktar stressed the importance of a lasting peace in the region to stabilize energy markets and prevent further economic damage.

Britain has weathered a succession of crises since the 2008 financial collapse— austerity, Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war and recent political turbulence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the war in Iran must become a turning point, forcing the country to build lasting resilience at home and with its European partners.Starmer stresses that the UK’s response to the Iranian aggression has been guided by de‑escalation, diplomacy and the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. While Britain avoided direct offensive action, it intercepted drones, shot down missiles and protected British lives and interests alongside allies who share the same stance.The government’s approach, he explains, is to reduce escalation, work with allies and safeguard economic stability. In a world that is “more volatile and dangerous than at any other point in my lifetime,” such a strategy is presented as essential for protecting British interests.Starmer links global instability to domestic pressures, noting that the same tensions that threaten security also drive up energy prices, disrupt supply chains and strain household finances. To counter this, his administration has capped energy bills and invested heavily in homegrown energy sources, aiming to free the UK from reliance on external gas suppliers.On the defence front, the UK has announced the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, reinforcing European alliances and expanding military capacity. Parallel to these security measures, the government has launched an ambitious industrial strategy, strengthened workers’ rights and pledged to lift more than half a million children out of poverty through a new child‑poverty programme.Starmer argues that these policies are not isolated reactions but part of a broader shift toward long‑term resilience. By building secure, domestic energy, robust alliances and a stable economy, Britain can “shape its future and deliver on priorities that matter to working people.”He concludes that Britain will not attempt to recreate the pre‑2008 world; instead, it will forge a stronger, more secure, and more resilient nation capable of withstanding future shocks.