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International activists are preparing to set sail from northeastern Spain to the Gaza Strip in a massive 70-boat flotilla, aiming to break Israel's devastating naval blockade and deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.The initiative, dubbed the 'Global Resilience Flotilla,' boasts a significant increase in participation, with about 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries taking part in the effort. The vessels, departing from the port of Barcelona, are loaded with food, medicine, school bags, and stationery for Palestinian children.Organisers say the mission is being carried out in coordination with Palestinian civil society organisations, maritime security experts, and prominent international NGOs, including Greenpeace and Open Arms—a charity known for its Mediterranean rescue operations. The flotilla has also received increased backing from the Barcelona municipality.Pablo Castilla, a spokesperson for the flotilla, told reporters in Barcelona that the primary goal is to 'condemn international complicity in the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, demand accountability, and open a humanitarian corridor by sea and land'.Castilla noted a declining international focus on Gaza due to the ongoing United States-Israel war on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He warned that Israel is exploiting this geopolitical shift to tighten its siege, restrict aid, expand settlements, and accelerate the occupation of Palestinian territory.The Gaza Strip, under an Israeli blockade since 2007, has faced an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis since Israel's genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians.The prolonged assault has also devastated infrastructure, including hospitals, and left approximately 1.5 million of the enclave's 2.4 million residents displaced and homeless, amid severe restrictions on fuel and medical supplies.Since 2010, all flotillas attempting to break the Gaza blockade have been intercepted or attacked by Israel in international waters.

Asha Bhosle, the iconic voice of Bollywood for over seven decades, has died at age 92 in Mumbai, according to her family. The two‑time Grammy nominee passed away on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital, where she had been admitted for "extreme exhaustion" and a chest infection. Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news to reporters, stating, "My mother passed away today. Her last rites will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai." Throughout her prolific career, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs in multiple Indian languages, shaping the soundscape of Bollywood cinema from the 1970s through the 1980s and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, describing himself as "deeply saddened" by the loss of a cultural legend whose music resonated across generations. The nation now prepares to bid farewell to a figure whose contributions to Indian music remain unparalleled, with funeral services set for Shivaji Park, a venue symbolic of her enduring legacy.

Day 44 of the US‑Iran war ended without a peace deal as a marathon 21‑hour session in Islamabad collapsed, jeopardising the fragile cease‑fire that has held since the conflict began over six weeks ago.Vice President JD Vance, leading the US delegation, told reporters that the lack of an agreement was "bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America," before departing Pakistan.Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pledged that Islamabad would continue to facilitate dialogue between the two longtime adversaries.In Iran, officials downplayed expectations, noting that no one anticipated a settlement in a single session. State‑run IRIB quoted ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying the talks were never expected to conclude quickly. Meanwhile, Tehran residents expressed a mix of scepticism and hope after weeks of air attacks that have left a nation of 93 million people reeling; more than 2,000 Iranians have been killed in the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict.In the United States, Vance reiterated that the delegation left with a "final and best offer" for Iran, emphasizing that Washington had communicated its position repeatedly during the talks. He cited multiple conversations with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Central Command head Brad Cooper. Trump, however, maintained that the US had already "won" on the battlefield by eliminating Iranian leaders and key infrastructure, stating that a deal would not alter the outcome.The US military reported that two destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz ahead of planned mine‑clearing operations – a first since hostilities began – though Iran’s state media claimed the joint command denied the movement.Academic David Des Roches of the Thayer Marshall Institute told Al Jazeera that while Washington clarified its stance, it did not shift its core demand: preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.In Lebanon, Israel continued strikes, claiming to have hit a "loaded and ready‑to‑launch rocket launcher" in Jouaiya, southern Lebanon. Protests have erupted in Beirut against any direct Israel‑Lebanon negotiations. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 2,020 deaths and 6,436 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2.In Israel, Channel 12 reported that a drone launched from Lebanon triggered sirens in the Upper Galilee before being intercepted.The stalemate has kept global oil and gas prices soaring, underscoring the broader economic ripple effects of a war that shows no sign of abating.

The United States and Iran left Islamabad without a peace deal, ending the most senior diplomatic encounter between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, told reporters that Tehran "refused to accept our terms" after a marathon 21‑hour session. Vance emphasized that the United States requires a "fundamental commitment" from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons or the associated delivery systems. "We need an affirmative pledge that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon," he said. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, cautioned that no one expected a single‑session resolution. "Naturally, from the beginning, we should not have expected to reach an agreement in a single session," he told state broadcaster IRIB, adding that Tehran remains "confident that contacts with Pakistan and other regional friends will continue." Pakistan called on both parties to honor the ceasefire and pursue a durable peace. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed gratitude for the mediation efforts, stating, "We hope the two sides continue with a positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond." The stalled talks occur against the backdrop of a war that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a campaign against Iran. The conflict has since spread across the Middle East, causing over 2,000 fatalities and extensive damage to both military and civilian infrastructure. One of the war’s most destabilizing effects has been a global energy crisis, as Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint through which roughly 20 % of the world’s oil and gas exports flow. The delegations, led by Vance for the United States and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, also discussed how to sustain a ceasefire that is already under strain from deep disagreements and Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at Miami’s Kaseya Center shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday to watch a UFC card, joining UFC president Dana White and several members of the Trump family. Seated nearby were U.S. ambassador to India Sergio Gor, rapper Vanilla Ice and former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino. The crowd greeted Trump enthusiastically as a Kid Rock track blared, and he exchanged handshakes and smiles with fans and the broadcast crew, which included podcaster Joe Rogan. While the fights unfolded, Vice‑President JD Vance told reporters that the diplomatic mission in Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict with Iran had broken down. He noted that Iran’s refusal to renounce its nuclear ambitions remained the chief obstacle, stating, "We need an affirmative commitment that Iran will not seek a nuclear weapon or the tools to achieve one quickly." Despite the diplomatic setback, Trump appeared focused on the cage action, occasionally leaning toward Rubio to discuss matters on his phone. After the co‑main event victory of Paulo Costa over Azamat Murzakanov, the champion approached the former president for a handshake. Trump’s family members at the venue included his children Ivanka, Tiffany and Donald Jr.; Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner was in Pakistan with Vance for the failed talks. UFC has long been a platform that bolsters Trump’s appeal among young, male audiences. The promotion recently announced a special event at the White House slated for 14 June—coinciding with Trump’s 80th birthday—to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. According to White, a bout featuring Josh Hokit was added to the June card at Trump’s request, with both White and Rogan confirming the arrangement. Vance emphasized that the United States remains committed to securing a binding Iranian pledge against nuclear weapon development, framing it as the core objective of the administration’s foreign policy agenda.

Asha Bhosle, the iconic voice of Bollywood, passed away at age 92 after being hospitalized in Mumbai with severe exhaustion and a chest infection, her family confirmed.Her son, Anand Bhosle, told reporters that his mother died on Sunday and that her last rites would be performed the following day at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.Over a career that stretched across nearly eight decades, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs, pioneering cabaret and Western‑influenced styles that broadened the sonic palette of Indian cinema.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, noting that her "extraordinary musical journey" enriched the nation’s cultural heritage and will continue to inspire future generations.Born on 8 September 1933 into a musical family, she was the younger sister of the celebrated vocalist Lata Mangeshkar, often referred to as “India’s nightingale.” While comparisons were inevitable, Bhosle forged a distinct path, embracing genres from pop to folk.Her early years were marked by hardship, including a turbulent marriage at the age of 16, yet she rose to become one of Indian cinema’s most versatile singers, earning the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and receiving two Grammy nominations.Even in her later years, Bhosle remained artistically active, collaborating with the British virtual band Gorillaz on their album The Mountain, demonstrating her enduring global appeal.Beyond music, she pursued a passion for cuisine, establishing the Asha’s restaurant chain in Dubai and the United Kingdom, further cementing her status as a cultural entrepreneur.Agence France‑Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pakistan dispatched a mixed fleet of fighter and support aircraft to King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Saturday, marking the first visible military action under the mutual defence agreement signed in September 2025. The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed the landing, noting the deployment aligns with the collective defence clause that obliges each signatory to treat an attack on the other as an attack on itself. At the same time, Islamabad is hosting direct US‑Iran negotiations aimed at halting weeks of regional fighting triggered by Iran’s missile and drone strikes on Gulf targets after the US‑Israeli killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters he personally warned Iranian leaders in early March that Pakistan must honour its obligations to Riyadh. Tehran, seeking assurances that Saudi soil would not be used for attacks against it, received such guarantees, Dar added. Despite these diplomatic overtures, Iranian attacks on Saudi facilities – including key bases and a US embassy building – have persisted. In early March, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, flew to Riyadh to discuss measures to curb Iranian strikes within the framework of the defence pact. Four days before the jet deployment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif phoned Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledging that Pakistan would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia. The two leaders also agreed to accelerate a $5 billion Saudi investment package earmarked for Pakistan. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al‑Jadaan met Sharif, Dar and Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, underscoring the economic dimension of the partnership. Saudi Arabia hosts roughly 2.5 million Pakistani workers, whose remittances are vital to Pakistan’s fragile economy, and has repeatedly provided financial assistance. Security analyst Imtiaz Gul told Al Jazeera the deployment was not intended as a military escalation but as a “messaging tool” to remind Tehran of Pakistan’s treaty obligations. “Three jets won’t make much of a difference militarily,” he said, noting Saudi Arabia’s own sizable air force. Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, described the move as “a risky gambit.” He warned that if Iran refuses concessions, Pakistan could be drawn closer to Saudi Arabia, potentially invoking the defence pact in a renewed conflict.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has weighed in considerably lighter than his previous fight in 2024, but still carries a few pounds more than his opponent, Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury registered 267.9 pounds in his underwear during Friday's weigh-in, while Makhmudov stepped up at 264.9 pounds.Fury's weight is a decrease from the 281 pounds he recorded for his rematch with world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 and 262 pounds against the Ukrainian in May that year. The 37-year-old Briton stated he still had 'a bit left in the tank' as he came out of retirement for the fifth time.'After another four or five retirements, I should be good,' Fury said. 'My priority is to beat this fella, I've got loads of Easter eggs in the fridge ready for me. Whoever has these belts, I want them back.'Fury emphasized his commitment to making a statement, saying he came in 'nice and light and lean' for the fight. He has spent 16 weeks training in Thailand and has promised fans a knockout win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.'I'll knock his head right off his two shoulders,' Fury told reporters on Thursday. 'I'll be like the gamecock on top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he'll be like the knocked-out man sparked out on the floor.'The bout against Makhmudov will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, highlighting Fury's continued commercial appeal even after a 16-month absence from the ring. Fury boasted about his financial draw, saying, 'I'm the money man. When you mention Tyson Fury in heavyweight boxing, you know you're getting paid.'

Al Jazeera reporter has described ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran as 'crucial talks' at the meeting venue. The nature and specifics of these talks have not been detailed, but they are being closely watched by international observers.