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Iran’s attempt to impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz has been labeled illegal by Arsenio Domínguez, the head of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO). In an interview with Al Jazeera, Domínguez stressed that such charges would set a dangerous precedent for global shipping. Tehran has asserted its right to levy fees even after the conflict ends, while U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of a joint U.S.-Iran venture to collect the payments. Both proposals clash with established maritime conventions. "Countries do not have the right to introduce tools or payments or charges on these straits," Domínguez said, adding that any toll system would be contrary to international law and could cripple the free flow of trade. The remarks came as marathon cease‑fire negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials in Pakistan concluded without an agreement. U.S. Vice President JD Vance noted that Tehran rejected Washington’s terms, which included a commitment to forgo nuclear weapons development, prompting the American delegation to depart Islamabad after presenting its "final and best offer." Iran’s state‑run Press TV blamed the stalemate on what it called the United States' "excessive demands," citing the toll issue and the nuclear programme as major points of contention. Despite a two‑week cease‑fire announced earlier in the week, maritime traffic remains severely limited. Only 22 vessels with active AIS signals exited the strait between the truce’s start and Friday, a stark drop from the pre‑conflict average of about 135 daily transits, according to S&P Global. The bottleneck is throttling oil and natural‑gas exports from the Gulf. The U.S. military reported that two warships had navigated the waterway to clear Iranian mines, a move Iran denied. President Trump later insisted the strait would reopen "fairly soon," with or without Tehran’s cooperation. Domínguez emphasized that ending the hostilities is the fundamental solution to restoring safe passage. He warned that any resumption of traffic must be accompanied by thorough de‑mining and safety checks to protect both vessels and crews. He also dismissed calls for new legal frameworks, noting that the 1968 traffic‑separation agreement between Iran and Oman—which splits the strait into north‑ and south‑bound lanes—had functioned effectively before the war and does not require revision. Humanitarian concerns feature prominently in Domínguez’s statements. He highlighted that roughly 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf due to the blockade, warning that prolonged isolation would not only harm these workers but also have a negative ripple effect on the global economy.

Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon have killed at least 18 people, including eight civilians in a village near Sidon and ten victims – among them three emergency workers – in the Nabatieh district, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The ministry’s latest figures show the conflict, which erupted on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets in support of Iran, has now claimed 2,020 lives and wounded 6,436 since Lebanon was drawn into the U.S.–Israel war on Iran. In a separate incident, two Israeli paratroopers were wounded by shrapnel during clashes with Hezbollah forces in the south, as reported by Israel’s Channel 13. Amid the escalating violence, President Joseph Aoun announced that Lebanese, Israeli and U.S. officials will convene in Washington next week to discuss a ceasefire and the framework for future negotiations under U.S. auspices. Hezbollah, however, has reiterated its refusal to engage in direct talks with Israel, labeling the proposed negotiations a “blatant violation of the national pact, the constitution and Lebanese law,” according to lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah. Pro‑Hezbollah demonstrators gathered near the government headquarters in central Beirut, waving the group’s yellow flag and the Iranian standard, to protest the planned talks. Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, later urged supporters to refrain from further demonstrations, citing the need for stability and civil peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that any peace settlement must be lasting and called for the disarmament of Hezbollah, underscoring the deep strategic divide. While the United States and Iran announced a tentative ceasefire this week, the agreement’s applicability to Israel’s campaign in Lebanon remains uncertain. Iranian officials claim they secured a U.S. assurance that Israel will reduce attacks on Lebanon, but no confirmation has been received from Israeli authorities regarding a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities. These diplomatic efforts coincide with historic in‑person ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, highlighting the broader regional stakes of the Lebanon‑Israel conflict.

The Israeli military's invasion of southern Lebanon has resulted in the demolition of entire villages, with homes rigged with explosives and razed to the ground in massive remote detonations.Videos posted by the Israeli military and on social media show Israel carrying out mass detonations in the villages of Taybeh, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan along the Israel-Lebanon border. Lebanese media has reported more mass detonations in other border villages.The demolitions came after Israel's minister of defence, Israel Katz, called for the destruction of 'all houses' in border villages 'in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza' to stop threats to communities in northern Israel. The Israeli military destroyed 90% of homes in Rafah, in south Gaza.The tactic of mass destruction of homes in Gaza, where Israel has been accused of committing genocide, was described as domicide by academics, a strategy that is used to systematically destroy and damage civilian housing to render entire areas uninhabitable.The Israeli military has said they are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure such as tunnels and military facilities, which it claims the armed group has embedded in civilian homes, through these demolitions.Israel has said that it will occupy vast swathes of south Lebanon, establishing a 'security zone' in the entire area up to the Litani River, and that displaced people would not be allowed to return to their homes until the safety of Israel's northern cities is guaranteed, prompting concern there will be long-term displacement.Rights groups, however, have said these mass remote detonations could amount to wanton destruction: a war crime. The laws of war prohibit the deliberate destruction of civilian homes, except when necessary for lawful military reasons.'The possibility that Hezbollah may use some civilian structures in Lebanon's border villages for military purposes does not justify the wide-scale destruction of entire villages along the border,' said Ramzi Kaiss, the Lebanon researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Luton Town have won the Vertu Trophy, defeating Stockport 2-1 in the final. The match, held at Wembley, saw Nahki Wells score twice for Luton, securing their first trophy since 2009. This victory marks a significant milestone for Jack Wilshere, who has been managing Luton for six months and 38 games.The match began with Stockport taking an early lead through Adama Sidibeh. However, Luton equalized with a goal from Emilio Lawrence. Wells then scored the winning goal, showcasing his exemplary touch and control from a pass by Kal Naismith.Despite Stockport's efforts to equalize, Luton maintained their dominance. The team's progressive and inventive style of play ultimately led to their victory. Wilshere expressed his happiness for the players, stating, “Mainly, I am happy for the players. They have believed in me.”This win also signifies a positive step for Luton in their bid to secure a playoff position in League One. The team's performance under Wilshere's management has been promising, with Jordan Clark, one of Luton's Premier League survivors, praising Wilshere's tactical acumen.

Malina Lee, a 31‑year‑old wedding baker from San Antonio, joined TikTok in 2020 to pass the lockdown‑induced boredom and promote her business. Four years later, an anonymous commenter called “PickleFart” noticed an asymmetrical neck in one of her videos and suggested she check for a goiter.The tip proved accurate: doctors confirmed thyroid cancer. Lee received prompt treatment and, within a year, was declared cancer‑free. She told the outlet that her oncologist was amazed at how early the disease was caught, crediting the TikTok comment as the catalyst.Lee’s experience is part of a growing trend where TikTok’s hyper‑targeted algorithm surfaces health‑related content that resonates with users’ unnoticed symptoms. In several cases, community members have flagged potential conditions that clinicians initially missed.The “PickleFart” persona belongs to Billie Jean Tuomi, who calls herself the “thyroid avenger.” A thyroid‑cancer survivor herself (diagnosed in 2012), Tuomi now scans videos for neck asymmetry and gently advises creators to seek a thyroid panel—a blood test measuring hormone levels and antibodies. The American Thyroid Association recommends adults start routine thyroid testing at age 35, or annually for high‑risk individuals.Tuomi estimates she has flagged dozens of videos, with at least four confirmed serious thyroid issues, including Lee’s. She stresses she does not claim to diagnose, merely urges viewers to consult a physician. After a viral comment, she received a flood of private messages with neck photos, prompting her to change her username.Lee, inspired by Tuomi’s intervention, has begun commenting on other users’ videos, helping one individual discover an enlarged thyroid that required removal. She describes the process as a “domino effect” of community‑driven health awareness.Medical professionals acknowledge the double‑edged nature of this phenomenon. Craig Mittleman, director of emergency services at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, notes a rise in patients arriving with self‑diagnoses sourced from social media. While this can empower patients to ask informed questions, it also burdens clinicians with debunking misinformation.Gender disparities amplify the issue: research shows women are more likely to seek health information online, often after feeling dismissed by traditional providers. TikTok user Tori Mosser, a 23‑year‑old filmmaker, credits a direct message suggesting chronic appendicitis for prompting surgery that resolved her chronic vomiting episodes.Both Lee and Mosser emphasize the therapeutic value of finding a supportive community on TikTok, especially for invisible or chronic illnesses that are frequently minimized in clinical settings.

Springtime in a typical British suburb is a chorus of birds, buzzing insects and the occasional rumble of a mini‑digger. While sparrows spar and tits clash over territory, a crew of contractors is often busy erasing hedges, bushes and trees, leaving behind a stark trench of bare earth. In one April afternoon, a once‑lush front garden was reduced to a skip full of uprooted branches and a strip of exposed soil. Despite the nation’s reputation as a garden‑loving society, the trend toward concrete is accelerating. An RHS audit published last year found that 42% of domestic garden space in the United Kingdom has been paved over, with timber fences replacing wild privet and driveways smothering mossy lawns. The loss is not merely aesthetic; it erodes habitats that support a remarkable share of the country’s wildlife. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, over 50% of Britain’s butterflies, amphibians and reptiles, and more than 40% of its bird and mammal species rely on garden habitats. The new David Attenborough series Secret Garden underscores this, describing urban gardens as “almost as diverse as a tropical rainforest.” Yet, as the series aired, another garden was being stripped to the ground, highlighting the tension between media‑driven reverence and on‑the‑ground reality. Socio‑economic factors compound the issue. One in eight households in the UK has no garden at all, and lower‑income families and ethnic minorities are disproportionately deprived of green space. Even owners of gardens often lack the time, money, or confidence to cultivate biodiverse oases, viewing gardening as a burdensome chore. Experts suggest a radical, yet simple, alternative: do nothing. Allowing dandelions, thistles, and stray grasses to flourish provides nectar for pollinators, while bare patches become nesting sites for bees and birds. Unraked leaves serve as winter shelters for insects, and dead stalks become food for aphids, which in turn feed higher‑up predators. The “negative space” of an untended garden can therefore become a hotbed of ecological activity. Conservationists argue that embracing this messiness could reverse the decline of urban biodiversity. As one commentator mused, “If Sir David Attenborough could return for a bonus episode, he might show us that a tangled, overgrown garden is not a failure but a vibrant ecosystem in its own right.” By Emma Beddington, 12 April 2026

The United States’ senior envoy, Vice President JD Vance, said the marathon talks in Islamabad collapsed because Iran would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, a stance Tehran’s representatives dismissed as a lack of US goodwill. Vance, who departed Islamabad on Sunday after a 21‑hour session with Iranian officials, reiterated that Washington’s red lines required an "affirmative commitment" from Tehran that it would not pursue a nuclear weapon or the means to acquire one quickly. He described the stalemate as "bad news for Iran much more than it is for the United States." Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf countered that, despite offering "constructive initiatives," the US failed to win the trust of the Iranian delegation, leaving it to Washington to decide whether it can regain that confidence. Iran’s foreign ministry downplayed expectations, stating that no one anticipated a deal in a single session and emphasizing continued regional contacts, while the semi‑official Tasnim news agency blamed "excessive" US demands for the impasse. The talks took place under a 14‑day ceasefire agreed by the US, Iran and Israel, with Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar urging both sides to honour the pause and offering to facilitate renewed dialogue. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has already claimed over 3,000 lives in Iran, more than 2,000 in Lebanon, and dozens across the Gulf region, while inflicting extensive infrastructure damage. Israeli security cabinet minister Ze’ev Elkin warned that Iran is "playing with fire," even as he left the door open for further negotiations. These were the first direct US‑Iran talks in more than a decade and could determine the fate of the fragile ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of global energy supplies. The war has already sent international oil prices soaring. In addition to Vance, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and former President Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner met with Ghalibaf and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for two hours before a brief recess. The Iranian delegation arrived in black mourning attire for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and carried shoes and bags belonging to children killed in a school bombing near a military compound—a strike the Pentagon says is under investigation, with some reports suggesting US involvement. Pakistani security forces sealed off Islamabad, a city of over two million, underscoring Pakistan’s newly prominent mediating role after a year of diplomatic isolation. The US military announced it was "setting conditions" to clear mines and allow warships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Iran’s state media denied. Prior to the talks, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that the US had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other banks, a statement the US later denied. Tehran’s broader demands include control over the strait, payment of war reparations, a region‑wide ceasefire—including in Lebanon—and the collection of transit fees from shipping traffic. President Trump’s minimum objectives remain the free passage of global shipping through the strait and the crippling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability to prevent the development of an atomic bomb.

After serving in Afghanistan, Army Ranger Jesse Gould developed PTSD and turned to drinking to cope. Seeking an alternative to lifelong medication, Gould discovered psilocybin in Peru, which significantly alleviated his symptoms.Gould founded the Heroic Hearts Project, a non-profit hosting ayahuasca and psilocybin retreats for veterans. The organization has helped over 1,500 veterans and their spouses without any psychotic episodes.State lawmakers are taking notice of psilocybin's potential health benefits, with Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon legalizing it for therapeutic use. At least eight states are considering similar legislation, despite some arguing that the FDA should approve it first.Research suggests psilocybin can be safe and effective when administered with psychological support. A 2025 study found it was associated with symptomatic improvement in adults with PTSD. Clinical psychologist Joseph Zamaria notes that psilocybin can disrupt the brain's default mode network, allowing people to detach from harmful narratives.However, some experts, like Albert Garcia-Romeu, are skeptical about state-led legalization without FDA approval, citing potential unknown risks. Gould counters that the suicide rate among veterans is a pressing issue, with 35 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, more than double the general population's rate.

OpenAI, a leading AI company, has recently released a 13-page policy paper titled 'Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age,' which calls for a reimagining of the social contract around 'a slate of people-first ideas.' This move is part of an aggressive effort by major AI players to reshape the narrative around their industry, as public disapproval of AI is increasing.OpenAI's paper proposes ideas such as a four-day workweek and a public wealth fund that would return profits directly to citizens. While the company presents these ideas as a starting point for a broader conversation, critics argue that they are more of a public relations ploy than a genuine policy document.OpenAI spent nearly $3m on lobbying in 2025, and its president, Greg Brockman, co-founded a pro-AI Super Pac that raised more than $125m last year. The company is also backing a bill in Illinois that would shield AI firms from liability in cases where an AI model causes serious societal harms.Critics argue that these efforts are aimed at undermining independent efforts to regulate the industry and that the company's proposals shift responsibility away from the company and towards the public and lawmakers. As public distrust of AI grows, the industry is looking for ways to reframe the debate and influence regulation.A Pew Research Center survey found that only 16% of Americans believe that AI will help people think more creatively, while only 5% of Americans believe it will help people better form meaningful relationships. An NBC News poll found that only 26% of voters had a favorable opinion of AI, with a net negative rating.