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US President Donald Trump has suspended a planned bombing of Iran for two weeks following mediation by Pakistan. The decision was announced on Tuesday evening, hours before the planned attack.Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to reveal that, based on conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, he had agreed to hold off the attack on the condition that Iran re-open the Strait of Hormuz.“Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump wrote.The announcement came just under one and a half hours before Trump’s 8pm (00:00 GMT) deadline for the attack. Earlier in the day, Trump had posted a menacing message on social media, stating, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”Trump claimed victory against Iran, stating that Tehran had delivered a feasible ceasefire proposal. He described it as a “double sided CEASEFIRE” and mentioned that the US had “already met and exceeded all Military objectives.”Despite the temporary halt, it remains unclear to what extent Trump will pursue his military offensive, which had previously included threats to target power plants, bridges, and other civilian infrastructure.

On April 5, 2026, President Donald Trump posted a vulgar warning on Truth Social and X, demanding that Iran "open the f****** Strait" or face the bombing of its bridges and power plants. The post, framed as a blend of threats and profanity, raised global concerns because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical oil chokepoint. Rather than replying in kind, Iranian diplomatic missions across continents responded with a wave of sarcasm and satire. Embassies from London to Pretoria, New Delhi to Moscow, used short quips, memes, and literary references to ridicule the president’s language and question his mental fitness. The most viral exchange began when the Iranian embassy in Zimbabwe replied on X, "We've lost the keys," to Trump’s demand to open the Strait. The joke quickly spread: the South African mission added, "Shh… the key’s under the flowerpot. Just open for friends," while the embassy in Bulgaria referenced the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, writing, "Doors open for friends. Epstein’s friends need keys." These posts coincided with renewed speculation about the Epstein files. Political rivals have suggested that Trump’s aggressive stance serves to distract from the release of millions of documents linking billionaires, academics and politicians to Epstein. Although Trump appears in the files, he denies any wrongdoing, claiming he cut ties with Epstein decades ago. Complicating the political backdrop, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who oversaw the Epstein investigation, was removed from office on April 2. Analysts argue her dismissal reflected growing pressure on the administration over the handling of the files. Many Iranian missions seized the moment to invoke the 25th Amendment, Section 4, urging U.S. officials to consider removing a president deemed mentally unfit. The South African embassy shared a post by broadcaster Piers Morgan calling Trump’s tweet "embarrassing" and suggesting he had "lost his marbles," and added, "Humanity must know what kind of creatures are leading the American people." Similar sentiments were echoed by the Tajikistan and London missions, the latter posting a Rumi poem about a madman wielding a sword alongside a Mark Twain quote warning against reckless speech. Other embassies took a more direct tone. The Indian mission labeled Trump a "sore loser brats" and urged him to "get a grip," while the Austrian embassy overlaid an "18+" warning on a screenshot of the president’s post, condemning the threats as a potential "War Crime" against civilian infrastructure. Visual satire also featured prominently. In Berlin, the Iranian embassy shared a Der Spiegel cartoon depicting Trump staring into a mirror, imagining himself as an emperor. In Moscow, a Russian illustration portrayed Trump as a delusional Don Quixote charging at a windmill, with a sidekick shouting, "Boss, it’s just a windmill!" All of this digital mockery unfolds as the Middle East braces for Trump’s self‑imposed deadline to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, local time. While geopolitical tensions rise, Iranian diplomatic posts continue to turn the president’s incendiary rhetoric into a global social‑media spectacle, one sarcastic tweet at a time.

Researchers at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of food safety. By utilizing Crispr genome editing, they have successfully developed wheat that can be used to make bread with reduced levels of acrylamide, a toxic compound classified as a probable carcinogen.The innovation lies in the reduction of free asparagine, an amino acid in wheat that converts into acrylamide when bread is toasted, fried, or baked. Field trials over two years demonstrated that gene-edited wheat can have significantly lower concentrations of free asparagine without impacting crop yields. This translates into lower acrylamide formation in food products, making toasted bread safer for consumption.In tests, bread and biscuits made from the edited wheat showed substantially reduced acrylamide levels, with some bread samples having concentrations below detectable limits even after toasting. The Crispr editing targeted the gene responsible for asparagine production, achieving a reduction of up to 93% in free asparagine in dual-edited lines.Compared to conventional methods that achieved a 50% reduction in free asparagine but resulted in a 25% yield penalty, the Crispr-edited wheat offers a more efficient and effective solution. Dr. Navneet Kaur, a lead researcher, highlighted the potential of Crispr technology to deliver precise, beneficial changes in crop genetics, emphasizing the importance of supportive regulatory frameworks to unlock benefits for agriculture and food systems.The UK has become a global hub for gene editing research since Brexit, with the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act of 2023 facilitating the development and marketing of genetically modified crops. However, the future of these advancements may be influenced by negotiations with the EU over sanitary and phytosanitary agreements.Prof. Nigel Halford, who led the study, noted that low-acrylamide wheat could help food businesses meet safety standards without compromising product quality or incurring major costs, ultimately reducing consumers' dietary exposure to acrylamide.

Iran has issued a threat to close the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route, a vital waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, in response to escalating tensions with the US. Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that Iranian allies could shut the route, similar to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.The Bab al-Mandeb is a crucial passage for global oil trade, with 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products passing through it in 2024, accounting for 5% of the global total. A closure of both the Bab al-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz would block 25% of the world's oil and gas supply.The strait is effectively controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis, who have already demonstrated their ability to disrupt shipping in the region. During Israel's conflict in Gaza, the Houthis blocked the Bab al-Mandeb for ships associated with Israel or the US.A closure of the Bab al-Mandeb would have significant implications for global trade, particularly for Saudi Arabia's oil exports to Asia and global container shipping from China, India, and other Asian countries to Europe. It could also exacerbate the ongoing global energy supply crisis.Experts warn that a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb would create a 'nightmare scenario,' disrupting trade toward Europe and potentially leading to a broader conflict in the region.

As the northern hemisphere welcomes spring, the constellation of Boötes, the herdsman, is rising to prominence in the eastern sky after dusk. This celestial display is a treat for stargazers, with the constellation's brightest star, Arcturus, shining brightly.A chart showing the view looking east from London at 21:00 BST on 6 April illustrates the optimal viewing conditions. By this time, the darkness is complete, and Arcturus, the fourth-brightest star in the night sky, is easily visible.To locate Boötes, start with the familiar shape of the Plough and follow the curve of its handle downwards in an arc until you reach the orange glow of Arcturus. This method makes it easy to find the constellation in the night sky.Boötes is one of the original 48 constellations defined by Ptolemy in the second century. However, its origins date back thousands of years to ancient Babylon, where it was associated with the god Enlil. In Greek tradition, Boötes is often identified as a herdsman or ploughman, with various mythic tales surrounding his role as a protector of rural life.During this time of year in the northern hemisphere, Boötes rises during twilight and becomes well-placed for observation by late evening. Conversely, from the southern hemisphere, Boötes appears low in the northern sky.

Iran carried out the execution of Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian on Saturday morning, following a Supreme Court ruling that confirmed their death sentences for membership in the outlawed People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and involvement in "armed rebellion" through multiple terrorist acts. The two men were hanged after a Revolutionary Court sentenced them in late 2024, a case that underscores Tehran's intensified crackdown on dissent amid the US‑Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28. This latest execution follows the hanging of four other PMOI members—Mohammad Taghavi, Akbar Daneshvarkar, Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi—on March 30‑31, bringing the total number of executed opposition figures to six since the conflict escalated. The PMOI condemned the hangings in an April 2 statement, labeling Tehran's actions a "futile" attempt to suppress opposition and warning that such brutality will only fuel the resolve of Iran’s youth to challenge the regime. Human‑rights groups have also decried the executions. Amnesty International reported that the men were allegedly tortured while in custody and transferred to an undisclosed location shortly before their deaths. The organization warned that additional protesters—some sentenced to death for participation in the January anti‑government demonstrations—could face execution after being moved from Ghezel Hesar prison. Amnesty’s deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Diana Eltahawy, said, "It is unconscionable that even as the population endures mass bereavement from aerial bombardments, the Islamic Republic continues to weaponize the death penalty to eradicate dissenting voices and terrorise its people." The wave of hangings also includes the case of Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian‑Swedish national convicted of spying for Israel, whose execution sparked outrage in Stockholm and the European Union. Another individual convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests was executed on Thursday. These developments occur against a backdrop of intensified military confrontations, with Iran reporting the downing of U.S. aircraft and ongoing aerial bombardments by Israel and the United States, further complicating the nation’s internal security landscape. International observers warn that the continued use of capital punishment as a tool of political repression not only violates human‑rights norms but also risks deepening regional instability as the war persists.

In Zimbabwe, a proposed constitutional amendment has sparked widespread debate and concern among citizens. The amendment, known as CAB3, aims to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term from 2028 to 2030, changing presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years.Critics argue that this move will consolidate power in the hands of Mnangagwa's ruling ZANU-PF party, making it increasingly difficult for opposition leaders to assume power. Currently, the president is elected through a popular vote, but the proposed changes would allow parliament to elect the president, potentially paving the way for a dynastic succession.Public hearings on the bill have been marred by chaos and allegations of bias, with many citizens expressing concerns about the rushed and limited consultation process. Opponents of the bill, including former finance minister Tendai Biti and opposition leaders, have been arrested and intimidated.Supporters of the bill, however, argue that it will enhance political stability and allow Mnangagwa to complete his development projects. But critics counter that term limits are essential to preventing authoritarianism and ensuring peaceful transfers of power.As the bill moves forward, Zimbabweans are worried about the future of their democracy and the potential for further repression. The country's economy is in shambles, and many believe that Mnangagwa's extended term will only exacerbate the situation.

Europe’s attention is fixed on Hungary’s parliamentary election scheduled for April 12, a contest many analysts view as a litmus test for the bloc’s cohesion on foreign‑policy, defence, energy and migration. Since coming to power, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has consistently blocked EU initiatives: he has refused to join a common asylum framework, opposed a joint defence scheme, resisted the shift toward renewable‑energy independence while still importing Russian hydrocarbons, and vetoed both Ukraine’s accession talks and a proposed €90 billion low‑interest loan package for Kyiv. These actions have made Hungary the most disruptive member state in the Union, prompting observers to argue that the election’s outcome will reverberate far beyond Budapest’s borders. Greek conservative MP Angelos Syrigos warned that the EU is plagued by “fanatically Trump‑like and pro‑Russian” governments, naming Hungary and Slovakia as examples. He told Al Jazeera that the constant threat of an Orban veto forces other capitals to seek ad‑hoc compromises rather than genuine consensus. Opposition leader Peter Magyar of the Tisza party is campaigning on a pro‑European platform, pledging a binding referendum on Ukraine’s membership, a crackdown on corruption, the release of billions in frozen EU funds, and a reversal of Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. Current polls give Tisza roughly 50 % of the vote, a ten‑point lead over the ruling Fidesz, though the political landscape remains fluid. Even a Magyar victory would not automatically resolve the EU’s structural challenges. Other illiberal leaders—such as Slovakia’s Robert Fico and the Czech Republic’s Andrej Babiš—could step into a vacuum of obstructionism. Nevertheless, some scholars argue that Orban’s habit of breaking consensus has forced the Union to become more pragmatic. At a December 2023 summit, EU leaders temporarily excluded Orban to secure unanimous approval of Ukraine’s candidate status, later offering Hungary a €10 billion release of blocked funds as an incentive. Professor Katalin Miklossy of the University of Helsinki explained that the EU has shifted from a rigid, rule‑bound approach to a more flexible, problem‑solving mindset, saying, “We were weak when we clung to the book; now we act more practically.” Should Orban remain in power, the bloc is considering a workaround: issuing 26 bilateral loans to Ukraine from member states, bypassing any single‑country veto. Historical precedent exists. In 2010, when Greece’s debt crisis threatened the euro, EU members created the Greek Loan Facility—an ad‑hoc series of bilateral loans that compensated for the lack of a common rescue fund. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that delays in funding could leave the Ukrainian army under‑resourced, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of the Hungarian vote. The EU’s inability to move from unanimity to qualified‑majority voting—an ambition thwarted by failed French and Dutch referenda in 2005—has amplified Orban’s leverage. Yet the Union continues to evolve, having launched a common bond in 2020 to revive the pandemic‑hit economy and, since Russia’s 2022 invasion, channeling resources into a nascent European defence union. Orban’s recent reversal on the €90 billion Ukraine loan—after Kyiv refused to repair the Druzhba pipeline damaged by a Russian bomb—illustrates the volatility of his stance. He initially agreed to the loan in December, on the condition that Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic would not be required to co‑sign, only to withdraw support a month later. Even if Magyar secures a parliamentary majority, the promised loan may not materialise immediately. Cambridge‑based expert Victoria Vdovychenko notes that a decision made in December 2025 to disburse funds from January 2026 has already stalled, with the next realistic window possibly in June. Academics stress that a Tisza victory would deliver a psychological boost to the EU and its trans‑Atlantic partners, injecting confidence into a system battling “stealth creep of illiberalism” and economic disenfranchisement. Professor SM Amadae of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk warned that while a change in Hungary could energise citizens, the entrenched gerrymandering and patronage networks of Fidesz present formidable obstacles to lasting reform. In sum, the April 12 election is more than a domestic contest; it is a pivotal moment that could reshape the EU’s decision‑making architecture, determine the flow of critical aid to Ukraine, and signal the future trajectory of populist politics across Europe.

It's been 12 months since Donald Trump's 'liberation day' on April 2, 2025, when the US president introduced tariffs on nearly every country the US did business with. The move sent shockwaves through the global economy, causing chaos in Washington and beyond. Experts say that if Trump had spent the last 14 months on the golf course instead of in the White House, the US economy would be in a better place. The wholesale slashing of government jobs and defunding of US aid agencies had already signaled that Trump was in a hurry to upset institutions he considered profligate or useless. Investors quickly understood that chaos was an essential tool in Trump's armoury. Almost as soon as he was inaugurated, there was a steady decline in the value of the dollar against other currencies. Investors sold assets denominated in dollars and bought assets elsewhere: Europe, Asia, South America. Dario Perkins, the head of global research at the consultancy TS Lombard, said: 'If you think that discouraging investors from buying assets in the US is a victory, then you don’t believe in a growing economy.' He added that Trump's policies had led to a decline in US manufacturing jobs and a growing trade deficit. The data supports Perkins' claims. US companies stopped hiring almost as soon as liberation day was announced. Significant revisions in February to data covering 2025 pushed payroll employment down by 403,000 jobs, resulting in the addition of just 181,000 jobs last year. This small boost is set against the 163 million people who are employed in the US. Russ Mould, the investment director of the British stockbroker AJ Bell, said: 'America is still home to the world’s largest economy and its reserve currency, as well as the globe’s largest equity and bond markets, but investors continue to reassess their exposure one year on from liberation day.' The next few months of steadily increasing confidence levels followed probably the calmest period in the second Trump presidency. But sentiment began to fall again in the autumn as the White House battled with Congress over the federal budget deficit and much of the public sector was shut down. A poll by the University of Michigan showed consumer confidence at a near record low at the end of 2025. A six-month moving average produced by the Conference Board showed every generation, from baby boomers to gen Xers, had lost confidence in the economy over the past year. Trump’s liberation day executive order stated: 'The decline of US manufacturing capacity threatens the US economy in other ways, including through the loss of manufacturing jobs.' However, the US manufacturing sector shed 100,000 jobs between January 2025 and March 2026. The ratio of manufacturing workers to total nonfarm employment fell to the lowest point since 1939. Bryan Riley, the director of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation’s free trade initiative, said: 'One year after liberation day, the evidence is in. Tariffs failed even by the Trump administration’s own terms. They did not shrink the trade deficit, did not revitalise manufacturing and did not help farmers. It would be a mistake to replace one set of failed tariffs with another.' Some major US companies have redirected their investments to Europe, but China has proved to be one of the main beneficiaries. In the year to February 2026, China’s industrial profits increased by 15.2%. It's a boom that Beijing will struggle to repeat should Chinese companies face fuel and energy shortages and price hikes. But the decline of two major powers can only be to China’s gain.