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Texas is expanding its global reach with the launch of a new office in London, aimed at attracting UK businesses and investment to the low-tax Lone Star State. The office, led by James Taylor, one of the founders of the Austin-based lobbying and public relations firm Vianovo, is part of Texas's efforts to lure corporate heavyweights across its borders.The new site adds to a growing list of international offices from which Texas can try to draw businesses. Texas charges neither corporation nor income tax, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to relocate or expand.Lobbyists working in the London office will court UK bosses with incentives including new, fast-track business courts and multimillion-dollar subsidies. Their targets are expected to include the City's banks and investment houses, as the state aims to build on Dallas's financial-sector boom.The ambitions have caught the attention of the City of London Corporation, with the City's mayor, Susan Langley, discussing how London could tap into excitement over the launch later this year of the state's first dedicated stock market, the TXSE. “With the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange, new dual-listing opportunities could connect British and Texan firms to fresh capital,” she said.The news comes as London tries to reverse a trend where businesses have been abandoning the UK stock market, choosing either to go private or shift their listings to hubs overseas, including New York.Texas has already had success luring jobs and investment from rival US states, including California, Delaware, and New York. Texas has overtaken California in having the largest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters of any American state, with companies like Oracle, Tesla, X Corp, and SpaceX having moved to the state in recent years.A spokesperson for Governor Greg Abbott's office said: “Texas has long had a global presence, with offices in Mexico and most recently in Taiwan designed to attract foreign direct investment and job creation into Texas, while also helping Texas companies export worldwide.”

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the destroyers USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy "transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf" as part of a mission to clear sea mines allegedly laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Admiral Brad Cooper hailed the operation as a turning point in the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran, saying the navy was establishing a "new passage" to restore safe commercial flow. Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters immediately rejected the claim, stating that any vessel movement in the strait remains under the "Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and that the U.S. report is "strongly denied." The strait, a narrow chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas transits, has been a flashpoint since the February 28 U.S.–Israel attacks that prompted Iran to restrict passage to pre‑approved ships. The closure spiked global fuel prices and disrupted both commercial and military traffic. Analysts, such as Maria Sultan of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, argue that any U.S. navigation would require Tehran’s explicit permission, underscoring the strategic leverage Iran holds over the waterway. Simultaneously, senior delegations from the United States and Iran met in Islamabad for historic face‑to‑face talks—the highest‑level engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The negotiations, sparked by a preliminary ceasefire announced earlier in the week, focus on contentious issues including Iran’s nuclear program, frozen assets, and the future of Israeli operations in Lebanon. Both parties acknowledge that control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of disagreement. Iran has signaled willingness to temporarily reopen the channel for commercial shipping but insists on maintaining leverage, proposing tolls to compensate for war damages. The United States, however, deems continued Iranian control a "non‑starter." U.S. President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to assert that Iran is "losing big" and to downplay the strait’s importance to the United States relative to its allies, claiming the mine‑clearing effort benefits nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany. Al Jazeera’s on‑the‑ground correspondents noted that despite a "deficit of trust," negotiators are working late into the night to bridge gaps, though fundamental disagreements over the strait’s governance persist.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has granted the Trump administration a brief reprieve, extending the pause on the White House ballroom construction until April 17. The move allows officials to pursue a potential Supreme Court review of a lower‑court injunction that barred further work. In a split decision, Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia formed the majority, while Trump‑appointed Judge Neomi Rao dissented. The majority questioned the administration’s repeated claim that the construction pause creates a national‑security risk, noting that the original order already exempts work necessary for the White House’s safety. Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, had issued the March 31 injunction, stating that a project of this magnitude requires explicit Congressional authorization. Leon’s order included a 14‑day stay to let the administration appeal, a stay that was set to expire this week before the appeals court’s extension. The court highlighted that the administration has not demonstrated how the injunction interferes with any existing security plans. As the majority wrote, “Defendants have not, on this record, explained how, if at all, the injunction interferes with their existing plans for safety and security.” Furthermore, the judges pointed out that the ballroom—spanning roughly 90,000 sq ft (8,360 m²)—was always projected to be a multi‑year undertaking. Planning documents estimate completion nearly three years after groundbreaking, raising doubts about the claim that a short‑term delay poses additional harm. In her dissent, Judge Rao argued that the majority’s demand for further fact‑finding would cause “irreparable injury” by halting construction, asserting that the aesthetic concerns raised by critics are outweighed by the administration’s interests. The controversy stems from the decision to demolish the historic East Wing, a structure dating back to 1902, to make room for the new ballroom. Critics, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contend the demolition was executed without notice and exceeds presidential authority, prompting a lawsuit that led to Leon’s injunction. While the appeals court has sent the case back to the district court for clarification on factual disputes and the scope of the security exemption, the extension effectively keeps the construction site active for another week, maintaining the political flashpoint surrounding one of the most transformative building projects on the nation’s capital in recent memory.

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.

Following a recent policy shift, Israel has eased the restrictions that limited Christian access to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The change permits believers to once again visit the revered site for worship and pilgrimage. The relaxation of these measures marks a significant development in the nation’s approach to religious freedom, potentially improving relations with Christian communities worldwide. Authorities have not disclosed detailed timelines for the new access guidelines, but the immediate effect is a renewed flow of pilgrims to the historic cathedral.

The United States and Iran have initiated direct talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, in an effort to bring an end to their six-week conflict. These face-to-face discussions, confirmed by the White House, follow a recent fragile ceasefire agreement and separate bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Iranian delegation, comprising over 70 people, is headed by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Iranian state media, the talks proceeded after Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Iran had insisted on the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire and the lifting of US sanctions as prerequisites for the negotiations. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif expressed hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region. Despite earlier assertions from Tehran that they would not engage without commitments on Lebanon's inclusion and US sanctions, the negotiations have moved forward. Sources indicate some progress on basic conditions, including the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, with reports of a possible understanding to limit strikes to southern Lebanon. There are also indications of potential movement on the unfreezing of Iranian assets. US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the only reason Iranian officials were alive was to negotiate a deal, stating that Iran had no cards other than short-term extortion. Vance expressed optimism about a positive outcome but warned that the negotiating team would not be receptive if Iran tried to play them.

The new academic term began in Gaza in late March, but the usual bustle of students catching buses to campus has been replaced by the stark reality of displacement.Israel’s relentless campaign has turned most university buildings into rubble and shelters, forcing a shift to online learning that many students in tents cannot access due to lack of electricity, water, food and reliable internet.Against this backdrop, a glimmer of hope has emerged. In the overcrowded al‑Mawasi district of Khan Younis, the US‑based NGO Scholars Without Borders has erected a makeshift “University City,” a wooden and metal structure designed to bring students back into a real lecture hall."Our mission is to bring education closer to students in a better environment," said Hamza Abu Daqqa, the organisation’s Gaza representative.The facility houses six halls that can accommodate up to 600 students each day. Powered by solar panels, it offers internet access, improvised green spaces and even a small business incubator to help students explore entrepreneurial ideas.University City operates on a rotating weekly schedule, allocating each day to a different institution so that multiple universities can share the limited space. Priority is given to courses that require hands‑on instruction, such as practical labs and discussion‑based classes.Prominent Gaza institutions—including the Islamic University, Al‑Azhar University and the Palestine College of Nursing—have already begun using the site.For many students, this is the first time in years they have set foot in a space that feels like a real university. "When I saw this place, I was amazed," said 20‑year‑old nursing student Mariam Nasr, who fled Rafah and now travels four kilometres on foot to attend classes.Another first‑year student, Amr Muhammad, echoed the sentiment: "Being here with other students, discussing and engaging in class makes a huge difference."The broader picture remains grim. UN experts have labeled Israel’s systematic targeting of Gaza’s academic sector as “scholasticide.” More than 7,000 university students and staff have been killed or injured, and over 60 university buildings have been completely demolished, according to the Euro‑Med Human Rights Monitor.Materials for University City were sourced entirely within Gaza, a testament to the community’s resilience amid soaring costs and scarce resources. Yet the initiative is hampered by the same blockade that restricts reconstruction supplies, fuel and safe transport.Students still face daily hurdles: damaged roads, limited cash, and unreliable transport—often relying on worn‑out vehicles, donkey carts or long walks. "My father could only give me eight shekels (about $2.64) for a ride," Mariam explained, highlighting the economic strain.Even once inside the halls, challenges persist. Power outages and unstable internet make it difficult to print materials or follow online lectures, forcing many to rely on old phones and intermittent connections.Nevertheless, the atmosphere inside University City is one of determination. "For medical education, in‑person learning is essential," said Dr Essam Mughari of the Palestine College of Nursing. "Seeing students gather again restores something vital."For students like Mariam, the drive to continue studying is deeply personal. "My cousin, a nurse, was killed when an airstrike destroyed her family’s house. I study to heal others and honor her memory," she said.While University City now serves hundreds daily, thousands of Gaza’s students remain without comparable facilities. Abu Daqqa stresses that the project is only the beginning: "We have built dozens of makeshift schools, but the need is far greater. Imagine what could be done if the needed resources were allowed through."

Senior Iranian officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for ceasefire talks with the United States. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is representing Washington in the negotiations.Ahead of the talks, Vance indicated a potential opening for diplomacy, stating that Washington is ready to “extend an open hand” if Iran negotiates in good faith. However, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting that at least 357 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, with the death toll expected to rise.In IranIran is experiencing a near internet blackout that has passed 1,000 hours, making it one of the longest nationwide internet disruptions on record, according to the monitoring group NetBlocks.Analyst Zohreh Kharazmi noted that Iranians remain sceptical ahead of the negotiations, despite Tehran believing it holds leverage, including over the Strait of Hormuz.War DiplomacyIran’s delegation of top officials arrived in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with the US, as reported by Iranian state television on Friday.Lebanon’s presidency announced that a meeting will be held at the US Department of State on Tuesday to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices.Iran demands a truce in Lebanon and the release of its blocked assets as Vance warned Tehran not to “play” Washington in their talks.US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has “no cards” in upcoming talks with the US and mentioned that US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if the talks fail to produce a deal.In the USTrump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen ‘fairly soon’, pledging that Washington will “open up the Gulf” amid ongoing disruption to global energy supplies.Former US ambassador Douglas Silliman noted that Trump is likely to push for a fast outcome in the talks to ease economic pressure, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz seen as a critical priority.US consumer prices surged to a two-year high, increasing pressure on the administration as economic concerns grow at home.In IsraelThe US has reportedly asked Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon to avoid derailing negotiations, with the current US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 21.Israel’s military operations and expanding ground offensive in Lebanon continued, even as ceasefire negotiations were scheduled.In Gaza and JerusalemMore than 100,000 people attended the first Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem since its reopening following the US-Iran truce, the holy site’s Islamic authority reported.An Israeli air strike killed at least six people and injured several others at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.In LebanonHeavy toll from Israeli attacks: Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that nearly 2,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes and ground operations since early March, with thousands more wounded.Lebanon is facing a food security crisis, with prices surging and supply chains disrupted amid Israel’s offensive, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Madeline Horwath has created a new cartoon for The Guardian's Saturday Opinion section, focusing on spring picnics. The illustration is part of the publication's ongoing series of cartoons that provide humorous commentary on various topics.The cartoon, published on April 11, 2026, offers a visual take on the joys of picnics during spring, a season often associated with outdoor activities and gatherings. Horwath's work is known for its engaging and thought-provoking style, making complex issues more approachable through humor and satire.Readers can explore more on topics related to picnics, spring, and food through The Guardian's website, which features a range of articles and opinion pieces on these subjects.