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Saudi Arabia has halted operational activities at several energy facilities due to recent attacks, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The attacks targeted oil, gas, and electricity sites in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City.The attacks resulted in the death of one Saudi national from the industrial security personnel of the Saudi energy company, with seven others injured. The attacks have reduced the kingdom's oil production capacity by approximately 600,000 barrels per day.The Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, have faced repeated drone and missile attacks from Iran over recent weeks. These attacks have contributed to increased volatility in the oil market, affecting the security of supply for consuming countries.Oil prices have jumped upward as the world weighs the prospects of a shaky Iran-US ceasefire and possibly the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit point that Iran has effectively blocked during the conflict.The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump, has been placed in doubt due to Israel's ongoing daily attacks on Lebanon and Iran's attacks on the Gulf countries. Several leaders around the world have called for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire.

Hours after the US and Iran announced a ceasefire, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon, killing hundreds and injuring thousands. The attacks have been widely condemned, with many questioning whether Israel's actions were intended to undermine the ceasefire.The bone of contention lies in whether or not Israel's strikes on Lebanon were included in the ceasefire agreement. Pakistan, which brokered the deal, said they were, while Israel claimed they were not.The US has sided with Israel, with President Donald Trump calling the violence in Lebanon 'a separate skirmish'. However, this stance has been met with criticism from many, including Iran, which has reimposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense political pressure since the US and Iran signed the ceasefire, which had little or no active involvement from Israel. Netanyahu's war aims have not been achieved, angering those who supported the war.Under the terms of the truce, a 10-point peace plan put forward by Iran has been accepted as a starting point for negotiations. However, Israel's attacks on Lebanon have raised concerns about the viability of the ceasefire and the potential for further escalation in the region.Some analysts have accused Israel of trying to prolong the broader war against Iran and collapse any ceasefire prospects. 'Israeli officials will no doubt claim that this was a super sophisticated operation against necessary security targets', but others see it as an attempt to 'act as provocateurs-in-chief'.The attacks have also sparked criticism within Israel, with opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Yair Golan condemning Netanyahu's actions and accusing him of lying about the war aims and outcomes.

A tragic incident unfolded early on Thursday off the northern coast of France, near Calais, as four people died while attempting to board an inflatable dinghy to cross the English Channel to the UK. The group of migrants waded into the sea to reach a small boat positioned offshore, but things went wrong, and they struggled in the water.Christian Fourcroy, the mayor of Equihen-Plage, confirmed that two women and two men lost their lives in the incident. A fifth person remains in a critical condition. Emergency services launched a rescue operation along the coastline between Equihen and Ecault, France, and 38 other people were rescued, including one with a medical emergency.The Boulogne prosecutor has opened an investigation into the deaths. This incident is part of a surge in attempted crossings and deaths in recent days. French maritime authorities reported rescuing 102 people in two separate operations on Wednesday while trying to cross the channel. Just last week, two people died in a similar incident off the coast north of Calais.Despite heightened enforcement efforts by France and the UK, 4,776 people crossed the channel between January 1 and April 4 this year, following over 41,000 crossings in 2025. The UK remains a destination for many undocumented migrants due to family ties, language, and the prospect of work. However, the journey is frequently perilous, with overcrowded boats and unpredictable conditions putting lives at risk.The issue has intensified political debate across Europe, with Paris and London seeking to deter crossings through a 'one in, one out' scheme, allowing some migrants to enter the UK legally in exchange for the return of others who arrive by boat. Rights groups argue that such measures fail to address the root causes driving people to risk the journey, emphasizing the need for safer pathways to be created.

Israel's wave of air attacks on Lebanon has resulted in a significant escalation of violence, with over 250 people killed and 1,165 wounded. The attacks, which occurred just hours after the announcement of a two-week US-Iran ceasefire, have raised concerns about the fragility of the agreement.The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure, but Lebanese officials and aid groups reported that entire neighborhoods were devastated, with hospitals overwhelmed and emergency services struggling to cope. The United Nations described the casualty figures as 'appalling', with its human rights chief Volker Turk calling the destruction 'horrific'.The attacks have exposed major disagreements over the scope of the ceasefire, with the US and Israel claiming it excludes Lebanon, while Iran and Pakistan argue it includes the country. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government helped broker the deal, stated that the ceasefire deal included the halting of attacks on all fronts, specifically mentioning Lebanon.The continuation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon poses a significant threat to the prospects for the ceasefire between the US and Iran. Analysts warn that if Hezbollah continues to be targeted while attacks on Iran remain paused, Tehran could lose both its leverage and credibility within its network of resistance groups.International reaction has largely focused on condemning the scale of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and calling for Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire. Several countries, including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, described the attacks as a 'dangerous escalation' and urged the international community to act.

Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in supplying illegal drugs to Matthew Perry, the actor from the popular TV show Friends. Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine' in 2023.In a court appearance, Sangha expressed regret for her actions, stating, 'I take full responsibility for my actions. These were horrible choices that ultimately proved tragic.'Sangha pleaded guilty to five felony drug counts linked to Perry's death, including distributing ketamine resulting in death. Her defence lawyers had requested a sentence limited to time already served, but District Judge Sherilyn Garnett handed down a harsher sentence, citing Sangha's continued sale of ketamine after Perry's death as a lack of remorse.Perry had struggled with substance abuse and prescription painkillers, sharing his experiences in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Federal officials reported that Perry became addicted to ketamine during infusions at a clinic, and when doctors declined to increase his dosage, he turned to alternative sources.Sangha, referred to as the 'Ketamine Queen', admitted to selling 51 vials of ketamine to a go-between, who then sold them to Perry through his personal assistant. Prosecutors stated that this led to Perry's death from ketamine overdose.

Prosecutors in Florida have moved to subpoena Tiger Woods' prescription drug records from a pharmacy, following his recent vehicle crash and DUI arrest. The legendary golfer's records from Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach, Florida, are being sought for the period from the start of the year through last month.The subpoena aims to obtain comprehensive details on Woods' prescription medication, including:the times prescriptions were filledthe number of pills dispenseddosage amountsany instructions provided with the medication, such as warnings about drivingAccording to court documents, prosecutors in Martin County, Florida, are seeking this information to aid in their investigation. Any objections to the subpoena must be filed within 10 days. Woods has pleaded not guilty in his DUI case.Woods' vehicle crashed on a beachside road on Jupiter Island, where he was traveling at high speeds in a 30-mile per hour zone. The accident resulted in $5,000 in damage to the truck. Although a Breathalyzer test showed no signs of alcohol, Woods refused a urine test.Following the incident, Woods announced he would be stepping away to seek treatment. This is not his first leave of absence following a car crash; in 2009, he took a four-month break after a previous accident.

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant number of amputations, with over 6,000 adults and children undergoing amputations since October 2023, according to the WHO and Palestinian Ministry of Health. Ola Jamal, 36, is one of the many Palestinians who have been forced to flee Gaza due to the conflict. She was breastfeeding her two-month-old son, Zain, when a missile struck al-Nasr hospital in Gaza, causing her to lose her arm. Jamal and her family were forced to separate, with her children being cared for by another family. This traumatic experience has had a lasting impact on Jamal and her children, with her son Zain still experiencing nightmares and trauma two years after the event. Shadi Sharif Ayesh al-Sous, a father of two, lost his leg in a missile strike while collecting firewood. He had his leg amputated above the knee and now waits to return home to Gaza. However, many Palestinians in Egypt face significant challenges, including restricted access to healthcare and prosthetic care due to their uncertain legal status. Yousef El Deeb, a certified prosthetist at Orthomedics in Cairo, says his clinic has treated about 300 Palestinian patients since October 2023, mostly through the support of NGOs. However, the lack of documentation and uncertain legal status of Palestinians in Egypt makes it difficult for them to access long-term prosthetic care without the support of NGOs. The situation for Palestinians in Egypt is further complicated by their lack of formal residency or refugee status. Without valid residency permits, survivors are often restricted to hostels or share a flat with other families, unable to work and living under the constant pressure of temporary status. This lack of documentation makes accessing hi-tech, long-term prosthetic care almost impossible without the support of NGOs.

Last‑Minute Discount Deadline Fuels Urgency With only three days left before the April 10, 11:59 p.m. PT deadline, prospective attendees can lock in savings of up to $500 on a TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass. The limited‑time offer is designed to attract founders, operators, and VCs eager to secure a seat at the epicenter of the tech ecosystem. What the 2026 Disrupt Event Brings to the Table From October 13‑15 at Moscone West, the conference will gather 10,000+ founders, operators, and venture capitalists for three days of high‑signal conversations and deal‑making. Highlights include: Over 20,000 curated meetings recorded in the previous year. Upgraded networking tools aimed at more targeted connections. Startup Battlefield featuring 200 pre‑Series A companies competing for $100,000 in equity‑free funding. More than 300 startup exhibitors showcasing new products in the Expo Hall. Side events from October 11‑17 across the Bay Area, including breakfasts, cocktail hours, panels, and founder meetups. Financial and Scale Metrics Highlight Event Weight The discount translates to a direct cost reduction for attendees, while the event itself drives significant economic activity: Potential savings of up to $500 per pass, lowering the barrier for early‑stage founders. Historical data shows 20,000+ curated meetings, indicating high deal‑flow potential. The $100,000 equity‑free prize pool for Battlefield winners can accelerate growth trajectories. Why This Discount Matters for the Startup Ecosystem Access to Disrupt is more than content; it’s a gateway to capital, talent, and market validation. By reducing the price point, TechCrunch widens participation, enabling: Early‑stage startups to pitch directly to top‑tier VCs. Founders to secure curated meetings that can change company trajectories. Investors to source high‑quality deals in a concentrated environment. Looking Ahead: What 2026 Disrupt Could Shape Given the scale and the upgraded networking tools, the 2026 edition is poised to amplify trends in AI, hardware, and growth strategy. Expect: Increased cross‑border collaborations as global founders converge. More data‑driven matchmaking, leading to higher conversion rates from meetings to investments. Emergence of new category‑defining startups, following the legacy of alumni like Discord, Cloudflare, and Trello. Stakeholders who secure their passes now position themselves at the forefront of these developments.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), used a high‑profile trip to mainland China to advocate for renewed dialogue with Beijing. On Wednesday she laid a wreath at Sun Yat‑sen’s mausoleum in Nanjing, invoking the revolutionary’s legacy of “equality, inclusiveness and unity” as a moral foundation for cross‑strait reconciliation. Her visit marks the first time a KMT leader has set foot in China in ten years. Cheng said the core values of Sun’s ideal—"all under heaven are equal"—should guide efforts to promote reconciliation and regional prosperity across the Taiwan Strait. During the trip Cheng also expressed hopes to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, framing the potential encounter as a diplomatic test that could demonstrate the effectiveness of dialogue over deterrence. The timing of the trip is notable. It comes amid heightened friction between Taipei and Beijing, with China continuing to assert sovereignty over Taiwan while refusing to engage with President William Lai Ching‑te, whom it labels a “separatist”. Amid concerns that a distracted United States may be less able to guarantee Taiwan’s security, some Taiwanese voters view a thaw in relations as attractive. Wen‑ti Sung, a non‑resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, told Al Jazeera that a cordial photo‑op between Cheng and Xi could bolster the KMT’s argument that dialogue is more effective than military deterrence. Domestically, Cheng’s outreach occurs as Taiwan’s opposition‑controlled parliament has stalled a proposed $40 billion increase in defence spending. She acknowledged Taiwan’s democratic evolution, referencing the legacy of the “White Terror” period, while also praising China’s recent development achievements. The governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sharply criticized the trip, accusing the KMT of undermining national security. Party spokesperson Wu Cheng argued that if the opposition truly seeks stability, it should stop blocking the defence budget increase. Neither Beijing nor Taipei formally recognises the other’s government, leaving any dialogue fragile and heavily politicised. Cheng’s visit therefore represents both a symbolic gesture toward historic ties and a contested move within Taiwan’s polarized political landscape.