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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.

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.

The latest analysis by HR consultancy Hamilton Nash shows that 54 employment tribunals in England, Scotland and Wales cited remote‑working issues in 2025 – a 13% decline from the previous year and the first drop since the pandemic began.This marks the end of a six‑year upward trend during which tribunal filings related to remote work surged tenfold from the pre‑COVID baseline of 2019. The number of cases peaked at 62 in 2024 but fell sharply to just six in 2025.According to the Office for National Statistics, 28% of working‑age adults in Great Britain now operate in a hybrid model, splitting time between a traditional office and another location such as home. Yet many large employers, notably financial giants Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, have intensified return‑to‑office mandates, with some demanding five days a week on site.Employment experts attribute the unexpected dip to broader labour‑market dynamics. The UK unemployment rate rose to a near five‑year high of 5.2% in Q4 2025, while job vacancies have continued to fall, shifting bargaining power back toward employers. As Jim Moore, employee‑relations partner at Hamilton Nash, explains, “Top talent did vote with their feet for a while, but that has changed because of wider issues in the labour market and people saying: ‘I am going to stay put and keep my head down.’”Legislative changes may also be curbing tribunal filings. The amended Employment Relations Act, which introduced a right to request flexible working from day one of a new job in April 2024, appears to encourage employees to resolve disputes internally rather than through the courts.Moore warns that tribunal numbers represent “the tip of the iceberg,” noting that much workplace conflict never reaches a public hearing. Adding to employer confidence, a 2024 tribunal decision rejected a senior manager’s claim against the Financial Conduct Authority for the right to work entirely from home, a ruling that, according to Hill Dickinson partner Padma Tadi‑Booth, “may give some encouragement to employers” to tighten office‑attendance policies.Consequently, some firms are already planning to raise on‑site requirements, moving from two to three days a week or mandating a higher percentage of total working hours in the office.Nevertheless, the backlog of employment tribunals remains a significant hurdle. Over 500,000 cases were pending last year, and claimants can expect waits of up to three years for a hearing, potentially deterring future filings.

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.

The Women's Super League (WSL) is experiencing a critical loss of momentum as the season approaches its climax, due to an extended international break that has left fans and teams alike facing a lengthy period without matches. This 11-day window for up to three international fixtures has created a significant gap in the schedule, coming at a time when interest in the league should be swelling. The break, which includes nearly four weeks without WSL fixtures, poses a challenge for teams and fans. For instance, Everton drew 5,292 fans to the Merseyside derby before going a month without a game. Similarly, Leicester, bottom of the Women’s Super League, do not play at home between 29 March and 3 May, missing a crucial opportunity to rally fan support. Sarina Wiegman, England’s head coach, has expressed concerns about the congested agenda and the amount of games players participate in, stating her preference for a two-match international break over three. This sentiment is echoed by various teams and players who see the extended break as a disruption to the rhythm of the domestic season. While some, like Charlton head coach Karen Hills, view the break as a necessary reset moment for players, both mentally and physically, the overall impact on the league's momentum and fan engagement is significant. The WSL's growth and the development of a fan culture are hindered by such gaps in the schedule, making it challenging for new fans to integrate match-going into their routine. Looking ahead, similar disruptions are expected in 2027, 2028, and 2029 due to scheduled three-game international windows. This ongoing issue highlights the need for a more cohesive scheduling approach to support the growth and continuity of women’s football.

The UK housing market is experiencing a downturn due to the Iran conflict, which has led to increased uncertainty and fear among buyers and sellers. This conflict has resulted in lenders pulling hundreds of mortgage products within 48 hours of the war's outbreak, replacing them with more expensive deals.As a result, buyers and sellers are having second thoughts, with some pulling out of deals altogether. The mood in the market is one of 'fear and uncertainty,' according to Andy Wicking, director of the Charles Bainbridge estate agency in Canterbury.In the first three months of this year, just 47% of homeowners who asked Wicking to value their property went on to list it, a significant drop from 68% in the same period in 2025. Wicking notes that owners are still asking for valuations but not acting on them.At the bottom end, first-time buyers and those with the smallest deposits and least experience of riding out a turbulent market are pulling out. Wicking says, 'The chains falling down at the lower end, they're the really cautious ones.'For those who do make it to market, prices are slumping. A house valued at £600,000 may now go on at £575,000 to get buyers through the door. Surveyors are increasingly down-valuing properties too.The conflict has also led to a rise in interest rates, with the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage standing at 5.90% on Wednesday, up from 4.83% at the start of March. Nearly a million homeowners are due to come off five-year fixed deals this year, with those who have secured new deals paying an average of £94 more a month.The timing of the conflict couldn't be worse for owners who usually bring their homes to market after hunkering down for the winter. As Brian Swint, an independent mortgage broker, notes, 'It's the fear.'

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has granted the Trump administration a brief reprieve, extending the pause on the White House ballroom construction until April 17. The move allows officials to pursue a potential Supreme Court review of a lower‑court injunction that barred further work. In a split decision, Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia formed the majority, while Trump‑appointed Judge Neomi Rao dissented. The majority questioned the administration’s repeated claim that the construction pause creates a national‑security risk, noting that the original order already exempts work necessary for the White House’s safety. Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, had issued the March 31 injunction, stating that a project of this magnitude requires explicit Congressional authorization. Leon’s order included a 14‑day stay to let the administration appeal, a stay that was set to expire this week before the appeals court’s extension. The court highlighted that the administration has not demonstrated how the injunction interferes with any existing security plans. As the majority wrote, “Defendants have not, on this record, explained how, if at all, the injunction interferes with their existing plans for safety and security.” Furthermore, the judges pointed out that the ballroom—spanning roughly 90,000 sq ft (8,360 m²)—was always projected to be a multi‑year undertaking. Planning documents estimate completion nearly three years after groundbreaking, raising doubts about the claim that a short‑term delay poses additional harm. In her dissent, Judge Rao argued that the majority’s demand for further fact‑finding would cause “irreparable injury” by halting construction, asserting that the aesthetic concerns raised by critics are outweighed by the administration’s interests. The controversy stems from the decision to demolish the historic East Wing, a structure dating back to 1902, to make room for the new ballroom. Critics, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contend the demolition was executed without notice and exceeds presidential authority, prompting a lawsuit that led to Leon’s injunction. While the appeals court has sent the case back to the district court for clarification on factual disputes and the scope of the security exemption, the extension effectively keeps the construction site active for another week, maintaining the political flashpoint surrounding one of the most transformative building projects on the nation’s capital in recent memory.

Iran's economy is struggling to recover from a lethal mix of local mismanagement, corruption, sanctions, and two major wars in less than a year. The ceasefire announced overnight into Wednesday has brought some relief, with more people returning to work and shops reopening in Tehran's Grand Bazaar.However, sales remain slow compared to before the war, and merchants are facing significant challenges, including 20-30 percent price increases for products due to inflation. The near-total internet shutdown imposed since the start of the war on February 28 has caused countless income streams to be wiped out for families trying to survive.The government has promised to provide support to digital businesses, but it is unclear how they will operate while their customers remain offline. Lay-offs are widespread, with technology firms only signing contracts spanning several months, major carmakers laying off thousands of workers, and numerous journalists being let go by state-run and private sector media outlets.The situation for the embattled Iranian economy could still get worse, as the deepening impact of attacks against civilian infrastructure will likely become more apparent over the coming weeks and months. Iran's top steel factories, petrochemical manufacturers, aluminium producers, airports, and civilian aircraft have been bombed and put out of commission by the US and Israel.It would take Iran years to rebuild even if the war ended today, and that is while the country faced a huge budget crunch even before the war, and still has no prospects of lifting the harsh sanctions imposed by the US and the United Nations over its nuclear programme in order to boost foreign investments.