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Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, marking their first such attack since the US-Israel war on Iran began. The assault was announced by Brigadier-General Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthis, on their Al-Masirah satellite television. The attack targeted what Saree described as 'sensitive Israeli military sites' in southern Israel. The Israeli military reported intercepting one of the missiles. This development comes as Iran and Hezbollah continue to fire on Israel, with sirens sounding around Beer Sheba and near Israel's main nuclear research centre. Saree stated that the strikes 'will continue until the declared objectives are achieved, as stated in the previous statement by the armed forces, and until the aggression against all fronts of the resistance ceases'. This escalation follows a vague statement by Saree on Friday signaling the rebels' intention to join the conflict. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, had previously stayed out of the US-Israel war. However, they have been involved in attacks on shipping vessels during the Israel-Hamas war, disrupting commercial transit in the Red Sea. Over 100 merchant vessels were attacked with missiles and drones, resulting in two ships sinking and four sailors killed between November 2023 and January 2025. Experts consider the Houthis' entry into the US-Israeli war on Iran as 'very significant'. Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of Media Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, noted that if the Houthis were to shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, it would impact two major international shipping waterways, alongside the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reported from Ramallah that the opening of a new front in the war is likely to raise questions in Israel about 'the viability of the operations and the way the government is conducting its war'. She expects Israel to retaliate to this attack, as seen in previous instances when Yemen joined the battle.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the country's population to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians suffering and nearly a quarter of the population displaced. The conflict, which began four weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, has resulted in 1,094 deaths and 3,119 injuries in Lebanon, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health.The displaced are extremely frustrated and fatigued, with many feeling the pressure of deadly Israeli attacks, increasing petrol prices, and a general slowdown in business. The crisis has hit the most vulnerable populations, including migrant workers, Syrians, and those with chronic diseases.The humanitarian situation is dire, with women, children, and those with psychological issues suffering the most. The mass evacuation orders have resulted in a massive displacement crisis, with at least 1.2 million people displaced, according to the Lebanese government. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the country's healthcare system, with many women displaced from their healthcare networks.The never-ending trauma of the conflict has also taken a toll on the mental health of the population, with three in five people in Lebanon screening positive for depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The National Lifeline in Lebanon (1564) for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention Hotline has seen a substantial increase in calls, with almost 50 calls a day, up from 30 a day during the 2024 Israeli attacks.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil exports, has seen its traffic plunge by over 95 percent since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran. This disruption has led to a significant increase in pressure on oil and gas markets, with 20 percent of the world's oil and gas typically passing through the strait.To mitigate the impact of the strait's closure, countries in the Middle East are turning to alternative routes for energy exports. Three major pipelines in the region are being explored as potential solutions:Saudi Arabia's East-West PipelineThe East-West Pipeline, also known as the Petroline, is operated by Saudi oil giant Aramco. With a capacity of 7 million barrels per day (bpd), the pipeline runs from the Abqaiq oil processing centre to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea. However, it currently only has the capacity to supply 5 million bpd for exports.UAE's Abu Dhabi Crude Oil PipelineThe Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, also called the ADCOP or Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, has a capacity of 1.5 million bpd. Oil exports from Fujairah have risen in the past month, averaging 1.62 million bpd in March compared to 1.17 million bpd in February.Iraq-Turkiye Crude Oil PipelineThe Iraq-Turkiye Crude Oil Pipeline, also called the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Pipeline, has a capacity of 1.6 million bpd but currently only carries around 200,000 bpd. Iraq is among the top five global producers of oil and the second largest within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).Can these pipelines replace the Strait of Hormuz?While these pipelines can take on some of the capacity of Hormuz, their combined capacity is only around 9 million bpd, compared to 20 million bpd for the strait. Additionally, these pipelines are land-based and vulnerable to attacks and damage in the ongoing conflict.

Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the US Men's National Team (USMNT), understands the pressure of playing for your national team in a way few of his players can. Having been a late cut from Argentina's World Cup plans in 1994 and 1998, Pochettino finally made the squad as a veteran in 2002. He recalls the immense pressure Argentina faced during that tournament, with the country in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis. Pochettino shared his experiences during a press conference ahead of the USMNT's friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. He emphasized that Argentine people feel the pressure deeply, and that football is a battle to survive. The team's performance at the 2002 World Cup was catastrophic, crashing out in the group stage for the first time in half a century. Now, as the US team prepares for the World Cup on home soil, Pochettino aims to shield his players from excessive pressure. He believes that pressure can be heavy if not dealt with properly, and instead focuses on sending good energy to his players. Pochettino encourages his team to perform freely and happily, rather than under the weight of expectation. Christian Pulisic, arguably the most talented player in US soccer history, is likely to feel the burden of pressure. As Captain America, he is the highest-profile player the program has ever seen. Pulisic acknowledged the pressure, stating, "There's pressure, it's a World Cup, it's not because of my position in the team or anything. I'm used to this, I wouldn’t want to be in any other position, I'm lucky to be in this position." Pochettino has created a strong bond with his players, and his motivational approach focuses on building emotional connections. He believes that motivation begins from the first day you meet someone and that words alone are empty without an emotional bond. The coach's positivity is infectious, and his message to the team was simple: "Why not us?" Pochettino's confidence in the team's abilities is clear, stating, "Dreams inspire reality." He genuinely believes the US can compete to win the World Cup, saying, "because we are American." The team's performance will depend on various factors, but Pochettino's faith in his players is evident.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has taken a dangerous turn with the entry of Houthi forces from Yemen, who have launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at sensitive Israeli military sites. The Houthis, close allies of Iran, have vowed to continue their military operations until the 'aggression' comes to an end on all fronts.In response, Israel has reported intercepting one missile originating from Yemen. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with Pakistan attempting to host a meeting of Middle Eastern powers to find a regional approach to ending the conflict.The entry of the Houthis poses a direct threat to the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, a critical choke point for energy supplies and trade. A shutdown of this strait, combined with Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, would have a devastating impact on the global economy.The conflict has also seen an escalation in the array of weapons being used, with reports of the US dropping cluster munitions and Iran using ballistic missiles carrying cluster warheads. Experts have cited concerns about the indiscriminate nature of these weapons, which have been banned by over 100 countries.The situation remains volatile, with US President Donald Trump suggesting that he had hoped for Saudi Arabia to join other Arab countries in normalizing relations with Israel in return for the attack on Iran. However, the survival of the Islamic Republic's regime after a month of bombing has left Trump with the choice of either extricating the US from the costly war or intensifying the campaign.

Gulf countries are increasingly concerned about the threat posed by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region. These groups, which include Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have been used by Iran as a pillar of its foreign and security policy for decades.In a joint statement, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”. The statement also called on the Iraqi government to take measures to halt attacks launched by factions, militias, and armed groups from Iraqi territory.Kuwait recently foiled a plot to kill state leaders and arrested six suspects believed to be associated with Hezbollah. The Houthis also confirmed they had launched a missile strike on Israel, the first time the proxy group have admitted involvement in the war in the Middle East.The threat of these groups is seen as particularly worrying for countries such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which have a history of Iran-backed militia carrying out violent attacks. Analysts warn that the presence and danger of Iranian proxy groups in the Gulf had not reached levels anything close to those during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, but the threat remains greater the longer the conflict with Iran drags on.Bilal Saab, a senior managing director of the Trends US thinktank, said: “If this war escalates, the worst-case scenario for the Gulf countries is Iran activating their sleeper cells and these Shia militia movements in the region. We could see a whole lot more if things really escalate.”

The recent video of McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski sampling the chain's new 'Big Arch burger' sparked widespread ridicule. This incident highlights a growing trend: CEOs and corporate leaders increasingly seeking to center themselves in the spotlight. This phenomenon, which can be termed 'CEOism,' raises important questions about the motivations behind it and its impact on consumers.Examples of CEOism abound. During the Super Bowl, the founder of Ring featured in the company's ad, only to face backlash for the dystopian undertones of the doorbell technology being promoted. In the sporting world, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has taken to inserting himself into high-profile events, including interrupting the start of the World Cup to give a welcoming address and unveiling the official sticker album.The reasons behind CEOism are complex and multifaceted. On one hand, companies are seeking to be seen as more relatable and approachable, which may explain why CEOs want to center themselves in advertising. On the other hand, the current cultural and political climate appears to have emboldened corporate leaders, who now seem more willing to express their opinions and insert themselves into public discourse.The article's author, Larry Ryan, expresses skepticism about the trend, suggesting that CEOs are mistaking interest in their products with interest in the people themselves. He longs for a time when CEOs focused on financial performance rather than seeking to be in the spotlight.However, some argue that audiences want to hear from the people behind brands and that 'CEOism' can be an effective marketing strategy. The success of podcasts like 'The Diary of a CEO' and social media influencers suggests that people may indeed be interested in hearing from corporate leaders.

In a groundbreaking development, US President Donald Trump's signature will soon be featured on US currency as part of plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country's Independence Day on July 4. This move, announced by the US Department of the Treasury on Thursday, marks a significant departure from tradition, as Trump becomes the first sitting president to have his signature on US banknotes.Currently, US banknotes, which come in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, feature the signatures of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer. The decision to include Trump's signature is seen as a recognition of his 'historic achievements,' according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who noted that Trump has put the country on a path towards 'unprecedented economic growth' and 'fiscal strength and stability.'The economic growth under Trump has been largely in line with the post-pandemic trend overseen by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Specifically, US GDP grew 2.2 percent in 2025, slightly below the 2.5 percent average expansion from 2022-2024. This move has not been without criticism, with California Governor Gavin Newsom mocking the announcement, suggesting that Americans will now know exactly who to blame for rising costs of living expenses.This development comes on the heels of the US Commission of Fine Arts approving the minting of a commemorative gold coin bearing Trump's image, a move that also drew backlash. Critics have likened these actions to the behavior of dictators and monarchs. Trump, known for aggressively pushing his personal brand, has attached his name to various institutions and projects, including the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and an upcoming class of battle ships.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has convened a critical meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, against a backdrop of global economic turmoil and rising protectionism. The organization is facing the threat of a 'disorderly collapse' if it fails to strike a new deal on global trade rules.WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that the old 'world order' is not returning, following a year of turmoil marked by US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies, including sweeping tariffs.“We will not get it back … We must look to the future,” Okonjo-Iweala said, emphasizing the need for a new approach. The global trading system is experiencing the 'worst disruptions in the past 80 years'.The US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, defended Trump's policies, stating that they were a 'corrective response' to a trading system that had overseen 'severe and sustained imbalances'. Greer argued that the 'new world order' would involve agreements between smaller groups, rather than waiting for consensus on a 'lowest common denominator'.The US is critical of the WTO's 'most-favoured nation' (MFN) principle, which governs 72 percent of global trade. China, however, defended the system, warning that abandoning MFN would open a 'Pandora's box'.The European Union signaled its desire to rethink MFN, citing concerns about China. UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant warned of potential fragmentation if no deal is reached on reforms, stating that ministers must 'get this week right' to avoid a 'disorderly collapse of the WTO'.