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Despite a ceasefire that has been in place for seven months, Israeli attacks have killed several Palestinians in the Gaza Strip over the past two days. The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including brothers Abdelmalek and Abdel Sattar al-Attar, who were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beit Lahiya.Nine-year-old Saleh Badawi was also shot dead by Israeli forces in the Zeitoun neighbourhood east of Gaza City. Additionally, Mohsen al-Dabbari, 38, was killed by Israeli fire south of Khan Younis.On Friday, three more Palestinians were killed, including brothers Mohammed and Eid Abu Warda, who were shot dead on Mansoura Street in the Shujayea neighbourhood east of Gaza City. An Israeli drone strike on a water desalination facility in the same neighbourhood killed one Palestinian and wounded several others.The Gaza Government Media Office has reported that Israel has committed 2,400 violations of the ceasefire, which began in October. These violations include killings, arrests, blockades, and starvation policies.The violence has also spread to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces and settlers have carried out raids and attacks. Israeli settlers set fire to two vehicles during an attack on Palestinian homes in the southern West Bank, while Israeli forces stormed ar-Ram town north of Jerusalem and arrested a number of Palestinians.The United Nations has expressed concern over the continued violence, with UN Women reporting that an average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza.

France and the United Kingdom are convening dozens of countries to advance plans for a multinational maritime force to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has been closed since Iran imposed a blockade on February 28.The meeting, taking place at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, is being chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with around 30 to 40 countries participating in person or by video conference.The talks will focus on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, a defensive mission aimed at restoring free passage through the waterway once a lasting ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran is in place.European leaders have warned that the ongoing closure threatens consumers with higher inflation, food shortages, and flight cancellations as jet fuel supplies dwindle. Over 20,000 seafarers are trapped on board hundreds of vessels caught in the blockade.“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again,” Starmer said, accusing Iran of “holding the world’s economy to ransom”.The initiative mirrors Europe’s earlier efforts to assemble a security force for Ukraine and carries similar conditions: deployment only when the conflict ends and security conditions allow.A French presidential official stated that allies would need “an Iranian commitment not to fire on passing ships and a US commitment not to block any ships leaving or entering the Strait of Hormuz” before any mission could proceed.Washington’s absence from the discussions is deliberate, with Macron emphasizing that the mission to provide security for shipping through the strait would be “strictly defensive” and limited to non-belligerent countries.

Two men have been disqualified from one of South Africa's premier marathon events, the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, after finishing in the top 10 of the women's race. Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield were found to have swapped bibs with female runners, Larissa Parekh and Tegan Garvey, to compete in the women's category.The annual Two Oceans race, which includes a 56km ultramarathon and a 21.1km half-marathon, attracted over 16,000 participants. Finishing among the top 10 is a significant achievement for most runners. Jacobs and Bradfield finished seventh and 10th respectively, before being disqualified.The deception was uncovered by a marathon board member, Stuart Mann, after Jacobs posted pictures of himself at the race on social media with a bib displaying the name 'Larissa'. Further investigation revealed that Jacobs had competed using Parekh's bib, while Bradfield had used Garvey's bib after she suffered a hip problem and was unable to run.Swapping bibs is considered unethical and risky, as it can lead to incorrect medical treatment in case of an emergency. The practice can also be used to obtain a faster time for qualifying in future races. Mann warned that such actions carry far-reaching consequences and can result in disciplinary action, including bans from future events.Both Jacobs and Bradfield have apologized for their actions and will face disciplinary processes by the marathon's disciplinary subcommittee. The women they swapped bibs with, Parekh and Garvey, have also apologized and face two-year bans from the Two Oceans Marathon.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which will take effect at 5pm US East Coast time (21:00 GMT) on Thursday. The truce was brokered after Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.The ceasefire is seen as a significant development in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, which was drawn into the US-Israeli war on Iran on March 2 when Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese armed group, fired rockets at Israel. The conflict has resulted in over 2,196 deaths in Lebanon and thousands more wounded.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the announcement, describing the ceasefire as "a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the first day of the war". Netanyahu confirmed he had agreed to the truce, which he said presented his country with an opportunity for a "historic deal" with Beirut.The US State Department said that Israel would retain the right under the agreement to carry out strikes in Lebanon in self-defence "at any time". The ceasefire could be extended by mutual consent. Trump later said the Lebanese government would begin working with Hezbollah to achieve the goal of dismantling the group.The ceasefire follows an intense week of diplomacy, including direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington, DC, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump said he would invite Netanyahu and Aoun to direct talks, believing "that will happen quickly".

Syria has taken full control of every former U.S. military site, completing a handover that Damascus says demonstrates the successful absorption of Kurdish‑led fighters into national structures.The final U.S. convoy departed Qasrak air base in Hasakah on Thursday, ending a presence that began in 2014 when American troops entered the fight against ISIL alongside Kurdish units that later formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).In Damascus, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa received the two most senior SDF officials – military commander Mazloum Abdi and political head Ilham Ahmad – accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al‑Shaibani and the presidential envoy overseeing the integration process.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the completed handover as evidence of the government’s drive to bring the entire country, including border areas and the northeast, under a single state authority. It stressed that the transfer was carried out in full coordination with the United States, pointing to a constructive relationship that dates back to al‑Sharaa’s 2025 meeting with then‑U.S. President Donald Trump.U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces have “completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria as part of a deliberate and conditions‑based transition.”The handover follows a January cease‑fire agreement between Damascus and the SDF and a March integration pact that places Kurdish fighters into the Syrian national army, deploys Syrian security forces to the city centres of Hasakah and Qamishli, and transfers control of border crossings and civilian institutions to Damascus.Syria’s entry into the international coalition against ISIL in November reshaped its role from obstacle to partner, fundamentally altering the rationale for a continued U.S. military footprint.Analyst Charles Lister noted that the last U.S. convoy was routed overland through Jordan rather than Iraq to reduce exposure to potential attacks by Iranian‑backed militias operating in the region.

Disney introduced InfinityVision at this year’s CinemaCon, positioning it as a certification for premium large‑format (PLF) auditoriums that meet or exceed undisclosed standards for screen size, brightness and sound quality. While the name sounds like a Marvel spin‑off, the label applies to any film, not just superhero titles. Disney claims roughly 300 screens worldwide already carry the badge, though a public directory has yet to appear. The timing is strategic: Disney’s Avengers: Doomsday is slated for a December debut that coincides with the release of the third Dune film, which has secured a limited run on coveted Imax screens. By promoting InfinityVision, Disney hopes to reassure audiences that alternative PLF venues—such as Dolby, RPX and other branded auditoriums—can deliver an equally spectacular experience, a tactic the author dubs screenmaxxing. Screenmaxxing has become a lifeline for a theatrical sector under pressure from streaming and rising ticket prices. Even the smallest multiplex PLF screens dwarf the televisions owned by the majority of consumers, yet theatres cannot simply charge a $5 premium for a larger screen; they need to sell a demonstrably superior visual and auditory package. Today’s market offers a bewildering array of PLF options, especially in cities where multiple chains compete. Directors like Ryan Coogler (Sinners) and the team behind Project Hail Mary use the variety of formats as a marketing hook, explaining aspect‑ratio differences and visual nuances to fans. Even legacy formats have resurfaced: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another revived the rarely used VistaVision, an analog high‑definition process dormant for half a century, alongside traditional 70mm and Imax prints. Adding to the mix, a new digital projector brand—HDR by Barco—is being rolled out to compete with Dolby‑branded auditoriums. The technology promises deeper blacks, heightened contrast and unprecedented brightness, and has already been adopted by the Alamo Drafthouse chain for its dine‑in locations. Many of these Barco‑equipped rooms also feature Dolby Atmos sound, though the author cautions against conflating sound systems with projection technologies. To gauge HDR by Barco’s performance, the writer visited the Brooklyn Alamo Drafthouse, one of three New York venues using the system (the others are Regal locations equipped with RPX screens). While the recent Super Mario Galaxy movie showcased the projector’s vivid palette, the reviewer chose a more demanding test: Lee Cronin’s horror‑reimagining The Mummy. Compared with a prior Dolby projection of the same film, the Barco version delivered a noticeable boost in clarity—especially in shadow‑heavy scenes—without the oversharpening or motion‑smoothing artifacts sometimes seen on consumer TVs. The experience was “brighter” yet retained natural colour balance, offering a subtle but real upgrade over standard cinema projection. Despite the technical gains, the piece questions whether another premium brand can truly shift audience habits. The author argues that healthy competition among laser‑projection systems may prevent theatres from settling for “dim” images, encouraging cinephiles to seek out PLF venues. However, blockbuster spectacles like the climactic battle in Avengers: Endgame remain visually underwhelming even on an InfinityVision‑certified screen, suggesting that format alone cannot rescue a film’s visual impact. Ultimately, the most compelling case for premium formats may be the construction of genuine Imax theatres, not retrofits. True Imax auditoriums prioritize height over width, delivering an immersive field of view that even high‑end digital projectors struggle to match. Yet only a few dozen such venues exist worldwide; most “Imax” screens are simply Dolby, Barco or RPX rooms equipped with the brand’s hardware. Screenmaxxing, therefore, is likely to remain a niche pursuit rather than a universal solution for the exhibition industry. While hunting for the loudest, sharpest presentation can be entertaining, an overabundance of competing formats may reinforce the perception that a standard movie‑going experience is insufficient—potentially undermining the very audience the industry hopes to attract.

Air Canada announced a temporary pause on a handful of routes departing from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, attributing the decision to sharply rising jet‑fuel costs. The suspension comes as airlines worldwide grapple with fuel price spikes triggered by the ongoing US‑Israel war with Iran. Although the Strait of Hormuz reopened earlier this month, easing some oil‑price pressure, jet‑fuel costs remain markedly higher than before the conflict. In a related development, Spirit Airlines has appealed to the U.S. government for emergency financing worth hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate its own fuel‑price surge, according to industry source reports. Air Canada explained that jet‑fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, rendering several lower‑margin routes financially untenable. The carrier said it is implementing “schedule adjustments, including frequency reductions,” to preserve overall network viability. Effective June 1, the airline will halt one Montreal‑to‑New York flight and three Toronto‑to‑New York flights, with service slated to resume on October 25. Additional temporary suspensions include the Salt Lake City‑Toronto corridor, which will be paused from June 30 and is not expected to return until 2027, as well as a postponed launch of a Guadalajara‑to‑Montreal service. Air Canada estimates the changes will impact about 1 % of its total passenger‑carrying capacity. Affected passengers will be offered alternative travel options, with the airline continuing to operate to LaGuardia and Newark airports 34 times daily across six Canadian cities. The move mirrors broader industry pressures: British low‑cost carrier easyJet projects a pre‑tax loss of £540‑£560 million for the six‑month period ending March, while Australian airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia have announced fare hikes and reduced flight frequencies. Moreover, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe possesses only six weeks of jet‑fuel reserves, raising concerns that further supply disruptions could trigger additional flight cancellations.

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.

Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United hangs in the balance as his loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona come to an end. The 28-year-old has not played for United since December 2024 and is currently on loan at Barcelona, who have the option to purchase him for €30m (£26m).Manchester United sit comfortably in third place in the Premier League, seven points above sixth-placed Chelsea, but will not want to see the gap close come full time at Stamford Bridge. A return to Europe's top table is vital for United, which would result in players' wages increasing, including Rashford's salary reaching £325,000 per week on his deal, which runs until 2028.Michael Carrick, United's manager, has stated that the door is not completely closed on Rashford playing for United again. 'There's decisions to be made in time on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation. But at this point in time, nothing's been decided,' Carrick said. 'Certainly from my perspective, whoever's here I want to work with, make the best out of, and help them improve.'Rashford's situation is complicated by United's desire to sell him, but few clubs could match his current earnings. Carrick will want to see his team bounce back from Monday night's home defeat by Leeds, but faces a defensive crisis with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez out of the lineup.