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Islamabad – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to Beijing, reaffirming the “all‑weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations, according to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The visit follows a high‑profile quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad that brought together foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all aiming to coax the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table amid a war that has already spiked global energy prices.Despite a recent hairline shoulder fracture, Dar pressed on with the trip, signalling the urgency of Pakistan’s diplomatic push. In a March 27 call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Islamabad’s “untiring efforts to cool down the situation,” a sentiment echoed by spokesperson Mao Ning, who said China is ready to “enhance communication… for a cease‑fire and peace in the region.”Analysts argue the mission is less about collecting praise and more about testing whether Beijing will move from rhetoric to concrete action in the US‑Iran mediation. The central question: can China become an active partner rather than a silent observer?Former Wilson Center fellow Baqir Sajjad Syed explains that Dar will brief Chinese leaders on the recent Islamabad quadrilateral and seek to turn five draft principles – immediate ceasefire, resumption of talks, civilian protection, maritime security, and UN Charter compliance – into a binding framework.Pakistani scholars view the outreach as classic intermediary behaviour: Pakistan leverages China’s permanent‑member status to stay relevant, while China, unlike the United States, mainly engages with Gulf states and Tehran.Iran specialist Vali Nasr suggested Tehran may be looking for a Chinese “guarantor” for any US‑Iran deal, a premise disputed by professor Ishtiaq Ahmad, who calls the expectation “analytically weak” given China’s reluctance to back a declining regime.The strategic stakes are stark. The Strait of Hormuz moves roughly 20 % of global oil. Kpler data show China imported about 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian crude in 2025 – roughly 12 % of its total oil imports. The IEA estimates 15 million barrels per day passed through the strait in 2025, with China and India accounting for 44 % of that flow.China‑Iran trade hit about $41.2 billion in 2025, and a 2021 25‑year strategic cooperation pact promised up to $400 billion in Chinese investment for discounted Iranian oil, much of which remains unrealised due to U.S. sanctions.Syed describes China’s motivations as “clear and self‑interested”: protecting energy security, safeguarding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and bolstering its image as a global peace broker. A prolonged war would hurt China’s economy through higher oil prices and disrupted trade routes.While Beijing is unlikely to deploy military forces, it may employ diplomatic tools – public endorsements, joint statements, and economic levers – to push for a cease‑fire. Its pragmatic stance means it will weigh the benefits of deeper involvement against the risk of being drawn into a conflict.The diplomatic backdrop includes a postponed Trump visit to Beijing and a slated summit for mid‑May, as well as a future Xi‑to‑U.S. trip, which observers say could signal a broader alignment between the two great powers.Meanwhile, the United States continues to amass forces in the Gulf, with thousands of Marines and Army troops positioned for possible ground operations, underscoring the volatility that Pakistan and China are trying to mitigate.In sum, Dar’s Beijing mission tests whether China will remain a passive supporter or become an active broker in a war that threatens global energy markets and regional stability.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has taken a devastating turn, with sexual violence being used as a weapon against women and girls. A report by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has documented 3,396 survivors of sexual violence seeking treatment in MSF-supported health facilities across North and South Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025.The MSF report, titled 'There is Something I Want to Tell You…', highlights the pervasive nature of sexual violence in the conflict, with women and girls accounting for 97% of survivors treated in MSF programmes. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias were found to be primarily responsible for the systematic abuse.Children are also among the survivors, with one in five survivors in South Darfur being under 18, including 41 children younger than five. The report describes attacks not only during fighting but also in everyday settings, such as fields, markets, and displacement camps.MSF has called on the international community to urgently scale up health and protection services in Darfur and all of Sudan, and on all parties to the conflict to cease and prevent sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The organisation's emergency health manager, Ruth Kauffman, stated that 'sexual violence is a defining feature of this conflict – not confined to front lines, but pervasive across communities.'The conflict in Sudan has resulted in widespread displacement and human rights abuses, with the RSF's capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, 2025, leading to a significant increase in survivors seeking treatment.

Just days after his 15th birthday, Rajasthan Royals’ opening batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi celebrated with a blistering 15‑ball fifty, steering his side to an eight‑wicket victory against Chennai Super Kings on Monday.Following a debut‑season knock of 100 off 35 balls against Gujarat Titans last year, the teenager continued his aggressive form, reaching 52 runs from only 17 deliveries – a spell that featured five sixes and four fours. His innings, paired with a rapid 75‑run partnership alongside fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, propelled Rajasthan to a target of 128 in just 12.1 overs."Our strategy was to dominate the powerplay and set the tone early," Sooryavanshi explained. "If the opposition had bowled better in those first overs, the match could have swung the other way, but we chose to attack from the start."The young batter credited the backing of coach Kumar Sangakkara and the support staff for encouraging his instinctive attacking approach, noting that they urged him to read the situation and trust his game.Rajasthan’s chase was underpinned by a disciplined bowling display. South Africa pacer Nandre Burger led the attack with figures of 2‑26 and was named player of the match. Both Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja contributed two wickets each, helping restrict Chennai to 127 all out in 19.4 overs after a shaky 41‑4 start.Looking ahead, the Royals will meet the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday, while Chennai prepares to host Punjab Kings on Friday.

Somalia's national army has taken control of the strategic city of Baidoa, the largest in Southwest state, prompting the regional leader to resign. The city's takeover comes two weeks after the Southwest state administration announced it was severing ties with the federal government.The city of Baidoa, located about 245 km northwest of the capital Mogadishu, is home to international peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies in an area affected by drought, conflict, and displacement.Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the President of Southwest State, announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that he had been in office for more than seven years. His resignation comes days after he was re-elected for another five-year term, an election the federal government deemed illegal.Earlier on Monday, Somalia's federal forces entered Baidoa, taking full control of the city and marking the start of a political transition. A local elder described the city as calm but a ghost town.The Southwest state's transition began with the appointment of its finance minister, Ahmed Mohamed Hussein, as acting president through a formal decree. The central government in Mogadishu hailed the state's transition and urged calm and unity.The federal government emphasized that no acts of retaliation will be tolerated, underscoring its commitment to protecting lives and property during this sensitive political transition.The dispute with Southwest is the latest sign of strain in Somalia's fragile federal system, where disputes over elections and the balance of power between Mogadishu and regional administrations repeatedly open up political fault lines.

Heavy rain has caused devastating floods and landslides in Afghanistan and Pakistan, resulting in at least 45 deaths over the past five days. Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) reported that 28 people have been killed and 49 injured in Afghanistan, with over 100 homes destroyed. The majority of deaths in Afghanistan occurred in central and eastern provinces, including Parwan, Maidan Wardak, Daikundi, and Logar. ANDMA warned that weather conditions remain unstable, posing a continued risk of more rain and flooding in some areas. A total of 1,140 families have been affected by the floods. In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a border with Afghanistan, 17 people were killed and 56 wounded, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. The floods have prompted the closure of several highways and further rains and storms are forecast. Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather, especially heavy rainfall and monsoon seasons, which frequently trigger floods and landslides in remote areas with fragile infrastructure. In January, flash floods and snowfall caused at least 17 deaths and killed livestock.

Japan's oyster industry is facing a severe crisis as a mass die-off of oysters in the country's Hiroshima prefecture threatens the livelihoods of local fishermen and the national cuisine. The die-off, which has resulted in up to 90% of oysters dying in some areas, is attributed to a combination of rising sea temperatures and a brutally hot summer last year.The oyster industry in Hiroshima accounts for almost two-thirds of Japan's supply of farmed oysters, producing 89,000 tons of the shellfish in 2023. The industry's struggles have prompted the government to step in with support measures, including five-year government loans at virtually zero interest and access to mutual aid programs for aquaculture businesses.Experts warn that mass die-offs could become more common due to climate change and global warming. 'It's difficult to put the brakes on climate change,' says Kazuhiko Koike, a professor at Hiroshima University. 'But if the rainy season ends early again with little rainfall, and is followed by prolonged high temperatures and hot weather, this could mean that low oxygen levels and food shortages will occur again.'The crisis has significant implications for local businesses and consumers, with oyster's being a popular Japanese dish. 'This is something out of the ordinary,' says Taketoshi Niina, a fishery owner in Kure. 'A lot of those that do survive are in poor condition … they are not of a high enough quality to sell to shops and restaurants.'

James McAvoy, a renowned British actor, has spoken out about the challenges of being typecast due to his Scottish accent. In an interview, McAvoy discussed his directorial debut, 'California Schemin', a film based on the true story of two Scottish men who posed as Los Angeles rappers.McAvoy emphasized the importance of authenticity in storytelling, particularly when it comes to regional accents and cultural representation. He shared his own experiences of being reduced to a "noise" due to his accent, highlighting the need for more nuanced portrayals of Scottish characters in film.The film, which stars Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley as the two Scottish protagonists, explores themes of friendship, circumstance, and the limits of authenticity. McAvoy expressed his desire to make films that showcase working-class Scottish stories, saying, "I don’t think we make enough to satisfy the cultural needs of the 6 million people that live in this country."McAvoy also touched on the issue of limited opportunities for Scottish actors, citing the lack of greenlit projects and the dominance of a few established stars. He praised Screen Scotland for its efforts to boost the country's film industry, which aims to be worth £1 billion within five years.'California Schemin'' is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas on April 10, offering a fresh perspective on Scottish storytelling and the complexities of cultural identity.

Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year contract. The Italian manager, renowned for his daring and aggressive possession-based approach, faces a significant challenge as he takes over with the club precariously positioned just above the relegation zone.Spurs are set to play seven matches to end the season, with their next fixture scheduled against Sunderland on the upcoming Sunday. Notably, De Zerbi's contract does not include any break clause in the event of Tottenham being relegated.De Zerbi expressed his delight in joining the club, stating, “I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.”The appointment of De Zerbi comes after Igor Tudor, the interim manager, parted ways with the club by mutual consent. Tudor had taken over temporarily following the departure of Thomas Frank on February 14.De Zerbi previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion, where he achieved significant success, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League. His tenure at Marseille also yielded impressive results, with a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and Champions League qualification.Despite his successes, De Zerbi is also known for his volatile personality and has had public disagreements with players and clubs in the past. The immediate concern for Spurs will be whether De Zerbi can adapt quickly and lead the team to avoid relegation.

While AI is transforming the workforce, certain jobs that require human expertise and dexterity are becoming increasingly valuable. Cale Mouser, a 23-year-old diesel engine repair expert, is a prime example. He earns a six-figure salary and has even taught at a college level, showcasing the complexity and demand for skilled trades.Mouser's journey into diesel technology began just five years ago. He quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the field, leading to a degree in diesel technology and a faculty position at North Dakota State College of Science. His expertise has taken him to international competitions, including WorldSkills in Lyon, France, where he earned a fifth-place medallion of excellence.His story highlights a growing trend: young adults are finding success and fulfillment in skilled trades. Eva Carroll, a 20-year-old electrical installation specialist, is another example. She and her team took silver at SkillsUSA, a nationwide workforce development organization for students. Carroll's passion for electrical work was sparked by a high school elective, and she now sees a future in construction management or estimation, with potential earnings above $90,000 a year.These fields, often referred to as 'middle-skill' jobs, require training and credentials beyond high school but not a four-year bachelor's degree. They over-index on human expertise, applying learned proficiency to problem-solving and high-stakes decisions. According to Prof David Autor, these jobs are poised to benefit in an AI-entwined economy, where humans collaborate with technologies to form new expertise.AI is not a threat to skilled trades, as Autor notes that these jobs require lots of judgment, dexterity, and adaptability, making them difficult to automate. Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA, sees a surge in interest from policymakers and CEOs in developing work-based learning programs for students. With over 440,000 students nationwide, SkillsUSA's annual championships draw thousands of competitors, showcasing the growing appeal of skilled trades.