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In an urgent 11‑hour appeal posted on X, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked U.S. President Donald Trump to push back the deadline for his proposed Iran deal by two weeks. Sharif also called on Tehran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same period, framing the move as a goodwill gesture that could bolster ongoing diplomatic talks aimed at ending the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. Sharif wrote that “Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in the near future,” and added that a temporary cease‑fire across the region would give negotiations a chance to succeed. The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that President Trump is aware of Pakistan’s proposal and that an official response will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is “positively reviewing” the request. Trump has intensified his rhetoric, warning on Truth Social that the United States would “destroy the Iranian civilization” if Tehran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz and comply with his terms. Iran has responded by nearly halting maritime traffic through the waterway, which carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments, as retaliation for recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian soil. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would not hesitate to strike back if U.S. forces target civilian facilities. In parallel, Israel has launched attacks on Iranian railways and bridges, while Iranian forces have struck targets in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A Pakistani source speaking to Al Jazeera noted that “we’re at a dangerous escalation, but the possibility of diplomacy can’t be ruled out till the last minute,” emphasizing Islamabad’s commitment to keeping all diplomatic channels open despite internal opposition. Legal experts have warned that Trump’s threats to target civilian infrastructure could amount to a war crime. Yale University professor and U.S. legal scholar Oona Hathaway warned that any such action would become “exhibit A” in future war‑crimes tribunals, noting that there is no statute of limitations for these offenses. As the deadline looms, the international community watches to see whether Trump will grant the requested extension, whether Iran will reopen the strategic strait, and whether diplomatic momentum can translate into a lasting cease‑fire in the volatile Middle East.

Glass Lewis, a leading proxy adviser, has advised investors to vote against BP's chair Albert Manifold because the board chose to exclude a climate‑strategy resolution from the upcoming annual general meeting.The resolution, put forward by activist shareholder group Follow This, sought a discussion of BP's long‑term strategy under scenarios of declining oil and gas demand.BP, currently pivoting back to oil and gas after a faltering renewable push, appointed Manifold in October with a promise to help the company “reach its full potential”.In a parallel leadership change, the firm named Meg O’Neill, a former ExxonMobil executive, as chief executive – making her the first woman to lead BP and its fourth CEO since 2023.Glass Lewis argued that the board’s decision to drop the climate proposal raises serious questions about transparency, shareholder communication and responsiveness, according to a note first reported by Reuters.Manifold responded on BP’s website, stating that the board concluded the Follow This proposal was invalid and would be ineffective if passed.Another proxy adviser, ISS, also recommended voting against BP’s request to retire two older climate‑impact reporting resolutions, contending that the proposals remain relevant despite newer reporting frameworks.Follow This disclosed that 12 institutional investors plan to oppose BP’s move to scrap its climate disclosures, and its CEO Mark van Baal warned that more than 25% of shareholders could vote against the resolution, enough to block it.O’Neill, addressing staff, highlighted the “significant complexity” of today’s environment – geopolitical tension, rapid technological change, and shifting global energy demand – and reaffirmed BP’s mission to deliver energy safely, reliably and efficiently.

Oil prices have skyrocketed to more than $110 a barrel following Donald Trump's threat of military action against Iran. The international benchmark for oil prices, Brent crude, rose by 1% to $111 a barrel, while New York light crude jumped 2.6% to $115.3 a barrel. Investors are growing increasingly anxious as Trump escalates his threats against Iran, demanding it reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of any deal to stop the war. The president set a deadline of Tuesday 8pm ET (1am BST Wednesday) for Iran to agree to a deal with Washington or face fresh attacks on civil infrastructure, including power plants. “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump said. He emphasized that passage through the Strait – a vital shipping channel through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally pass – was a “very big priority” and should be part of any ceasefire deal. Global stock markets have been choppy since the US-Israel attack on Iran in February, as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fed fears around inflation and rattled investor confidence. On Monday, Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the International Monetary Fund, warned that the war is likely to lead to higher inflation and slower global growth. Georgieva told Reuters that before the war began, the IMF had expected a small upgrade in its expectation for global growth of 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027. Instead, she said, “all roads now lead to higher prices and slower growth”. The IMF is expected to publish its report on the world economic outlook next week.

At least ten displaced Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded, including six in critical condition, after Israeli drones launched two missiles near a school housing refugees in the central Gaza Maghazi refugee camp, health officials reported. The strike occurred amid clashes between residents and an Israeli‑backed militia that had allegedly attempted to abduct people from the school. Witnesses said the militia’s leader later claimed to have killed five Hamas members, a statement that could not be independently verified. According to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the victims were struck east of the camp, where residents were trying to defend their homes. "The residents tried to defend their homes, but the occupation forces targeted them directly," said Ahmed al‑Maghazi to Reuters. The Maghazi camp, once one of the smallest Palestinian refugee enclaves with roughly 30,000 residents, has seen its population more than triple since the war began, according to UNRWA. Despite being designated by the Israeli military as a "safe zone," the area has suffered multiple lethal attacks, including a December 2023 strike that killed over 100 civilians, primarily women and children. Earlier on the same day, a World Health Organization (WHO) staff member was killed and several others injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a WHO vehicle, underscoring the broader risk to humanitarian personnel in the region. The latest incident highlights the fragility of ceasefire arrangements reached in October and raises urgent questions about the protection of civilians in areas purportedly shielded from conflict.

Eight OPEC+ participants have consented to raise daily oil‑production quotas by 206,000 barrels for May, a modest adjustment given that several key producers are constrained by the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran that has sealed the Strait of Hormuz.The strategic waterway has been blocked since late February, halting shipments from the core OPEC+ exporters Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq, thereby tightening global supply.During a virtual session, the eight members—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman—endorsed the May quota increase and reiterated their commitment to monitor market dynamics closely.The joint statement highlighted ongoing vigilance over market conditions and expressed concern that attacks on energy infrastructure make restoration costly and time‑intensive, further limiting supply availability.Although the increase accounts for less than 2% of the volume lost due to the Hormuz closure, OPEC+ sources told Reuters the decision signals a willingness to expand output once the strait reopens.Crude prices have surged to around $120 per barrel, a four‑year high, driving up transport‑fuel costs worldwide.JPMorgan warned that if the blockage persists into mid‑May, oil could breach $150 a barrel, an unprecedented level.The May adjustment mirrors the April decision made on March 1, yet the conflict is estimated to have removed between 12 and 15 million barrels per day—approximately 15% of global supply.Iran has allowed certain regional vessels to navigate the strait; Iraqi crude was observed transiting, and Oman is conducting talks with Tehran to facilitate smoother passage.U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to expand attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen by Monday.

The Giuffre family has publicly asked King Charles III to sit down with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex‑trafficking network during his upcoming state visit to Washington, scheduled for April 27‑30.The appeal arrives just before the anniversary of Virginia Giuffre’s death in April 2025, which was ruled a suicide.Giuffre, who first went public in 2010, alleged that she was groomed and trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and that she was forced to have sexual encounters with Prince Andrew, the king’s brother.Sky Roberts and his wife Amanda, Giuffre’s brother and sister‑in‑law, told Reuters that they "strongly urge King Charles to meet with us and survivors and hear what we have to say," hoping the testimony could spur further British action against Epstein’s alleged co‑conspirators.The request comes as Charles’s Washington trip follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of the final tranche of more than 3.5 million Epstein‑related documents, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by former President Donald Trump.The massive disclosure has already triggered a wave of high‑profile resignations, arrests and ongoing investigations, including charges against former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew.Prince Andrew, now styled Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor after being stripped of his military roles, patronages and royal titles, denied the allegations, settled a civil case with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing, and continues to contest criminal charges.Buckingham Palace has expressed “thoughts and utmost sympathies” for victims but did not comment on the Giuffre family’s request. The family thanked the king for his “decisive action” in removing his brother’s princely status.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

French authorities detained European Parliament member Rima Hassan on Thursday, accusing her of "apology for terrorism" after a social‑media post referenced Kozo Okamoto, a participant in the 1972 Ben Gurion Airport attack. The detention, reported by Le Parisien, marks a rare instance where a sitting MEP’s parliamentary immunity appears to have been set aside. According to the newspaper, Hassan had already removed the contentious post from X, but the investigation continued. Police also reported finding a small quantity of synthetic drugs in her possession during the arrest. Jean‑Luc Mélenchon, founder of the left‑wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party, condemned the move on X, stating, "There is no longer parliamentary immunity in France. Intolerable." He and other LFI colleagues argue the action is designed to silence supporters of Palestine. LFI parliamentarians Sophia Chikirou and Mathilde Panot echoed the criticism, accusing the French police and justice system of being weaponised against activists. Panot warned that President Emmanuel Macron’s France is witnessing a "new level" of criminalisation of political opponents. The controversy follows Hassan’s recent denial of entry to Canada, which she described as censorship, and a prior alert by far‑right National Rally politician Matthias Renault to Paris prosecutors about the same X post. Renault welcomed the detention, calling it "the beginning of the end of impunity for the LFI MP." Hassan, a 33‑year‑old French‑Palestinian lawyer elected to the European Parliament in 2024, is a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and participated in a Gaza‑bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in October 2025. Her advocacy has repeatedly drawn ire from pro‑Israel groups across Europe. While Hassan and her legal team have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment, the incident raises broader questions about the balance between anti‑terrorism legislation and political freedoms within the EU, especially as debates over Palestine intensify across the continent.

SpaceX has submitted paperwork for an initial public offering that could debut as early as June or July, targeting a capital raise of $75 billion. If the market pricing aligns with analysts’ forecasts, the launch could lift the company’s valuation to nearly $1.5 trillion, roughly double its worth in December. Such a valuation would place founder Elon Musk on a clear trajectory toward becoming the planet’s first trillionaire, a milestone that would eclipse the $25.6 billion record set by Saudi Aramco’s 2019 IPO. Renaissance Capital’s data analyst Angelo Bochanis told Reuters that, much like Tesla, SpaceX’s market price will hinge on investor confidence in Musk’s long‑term vision. "Investors are clamouring for any exposure to SpaceX," he added. Despite Musk’s controversial public persona and his involvement in multiple high‑profile ventures, industry experts remain bullish. Kat Liu, vice‑president at IPOX, noted that SpaceX is "operationally mature, technologically ahead in several key areas, and profitable," providing a solid foundation for a public listing. The company’s recent merger with Musk’s artificial‑intelligence startup xAI and the continued dominance of its Starlink satellite network—now the world’s largest satellite communications platform—have reinforced investor interest. SpaceX’s ambitious roadmap includes a lunar base and a crewed Mars mission, though timelines remain uncertain. Musk has previously admitted a "50‑50 chance" of delivering an uncrewed Starship to Mars by the end of 2026. Financial data firm Pitchbook estimates the IPO could nearly double the company’s market cap, underscoring the scale of potential investor demand. If realized, the offering would not only reshape the space‑tech sector but also set a new benchmark for public market fundraising.