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While the two‑week pause in the US‑Israel campaign against Iran remains uncertain, one constant is clear: Donald Trump lacks a concrete plan, but Benjamin Netanyahu does. The war’s stated aim – to cripple Iran’s state capacity – is only a stepping stone toward a larger vision of a Greater Israel. For Israel’s right‑wing, the phrase often evokes a purely territorial ambition: enlarging the land Israel claims. History shows this expansionist drive has repeatedly displaced Palestinians, a process that has accelerated dramatically in recent years. Since the war began, Israel has flattened Gaza, killing tens of thousands and reducing the civilian‑inhabitable area to roughly 12 % of its pre‑war size. In the West Bank, a wave of settlement expansion and property destruction rivals the scale of the 1967 conflict. Beyond the occupied territories, Israel has seized parts of Syria and is forging a de‑facto occupation zone in southern Lebanon, with ministers from Religious Zionism, Jewish Power and Likud openly demanding Israeli sovereignty there. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich even called for an expansion “to Damascus,” and Netanyahu has publicly expressed a deep personal connection to this territorial vision. However, Greater Israel is as much a geopolitical and strategic construct as a land‑grab. Netanyahu’s ambition extends beyond occupying borders; he seeks a regional dominion built on new alliances and hard‑power dependencies. After the October 7 attacks and the ensuing Gaza devastation, Israel’s prospects for Arab‑state normalization stalled. Faced with a choice between a conciliatory approach and a zero‑sum rejection of a Palestinian future, Netanyahu chose the latter, aiming to eliminate Iran as a regional counterweight – a move that inevitably required massive US military involvement. Former Israeli security analysts note that, from the perspective of Sunni Gulf states, a weakened Iran would elevate Israel to the role of “dominant regional power.” Achieving this, according to the article, also means softening the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) and making them dependent on Israel for security and energy routes. The spill‑over of Iranian drone and missile attacks on GCC infrastructure is portrayed not as an accident but as a calculated element of Israel’s strategy. When the US‑Israel coalition struck Iranian energy sites, Iran retaliated against the Gulf, disrupting global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu seized the moment to propose “alternative routes” – oil and gas pipelines that would bypass Hormuz and Bab‑al‑Mandab, ending at Israeli Mediterranean ports. In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netanyahu outlined a “hexagon of alliances” linking India, Arab nations, African states, Greece, Cyprus and other Asian partners, positioning Israel as the central hub. Recent IDF strategy papers echo this, suggesting Israel could achieve “operational control” far beyond its borders without permanent occupation, likening the Middle East to a “jungle” where Israel would become the “queen.” Netanyahu now describes Israel not merely as a “regional superpower” but, in some contexts, as a “global superpower.” He promises the hexagonal alliance will confront a “radical Shia axis” and an “emerging radical Sunni axis,” with Turkey singled out as the next strategic threat. Dismissal of the Greater Israel rhetoric as wartime hyperbole would be misleading. The article warns that a permanent war‑oriented mindset permeates Israel’s political elite, security establishment and media, posing a risk of overreach and regional blowback. Containing this expansive vision may become one of the most pressing post‑war challenges for the Middle East.

Rising energy costs stemming from the Iran war are set to deliver a sharp blow to British living standards, with the Resolution Foundation estimating that the average working‑age household could lose about £480 in income this year. Before the conflict began, the think‑tank projected a modest 0.9% rise in household earnings. Market‑driven energy price spikes have now pushed that forecast into a -0.6% decline, effectively turning a gain into a loss. Oil and gas markets have reacted dramatically: Brent crude has surged back above $100 per barrel (£74), while analysts such as JPMorgan Chase expect prices to stay elevated through the current quarter, with Goldman Sachs revising its Brent outlook to an average of $90 per barrel in Q2. For the poorest fifth of households, the outlook is equally grim. Expected income growth has been trimmed from 2.8% to 1.2%, despite a long‑overdue real‑terms increase in benefits for some low‑income families. Families with three or more children stand out as a relative bright spot. The abolition of the two‑child limit is projected to generate a 7.7% income boost for this group, contrasting with zero growth for poorer families with fewer children. Energy bills are also poised to climb this summer, erasing the £117 average savings households enjoyed after the regulator lowered the energy price cap in April, according to Jonathan Marshall, the foundation’s principal economist. In response, the Resolution Foundation is urging the UK government to fast‑track a social tariff before winter, aiming to shield the most vulnerable households from the worst of the price shock. James Smith, chief economist at the foundation, warned that “while hopes for sustained peace persist, the path of this conflict remains uncertain and energy prices stay well above pre‑war levels, meaning many households face a decline in purchasing power this year.” He added that “de‑escalation is welcome, but the damage to household finances is already largely done; the government should act now to prepare a social tariff that reaches households falling through the cracks this winter.”

At the break of day in Keswick, the air still carries a chill despite it being April. From a drystone wall on St John’s Vale, I watched the sky race past Helvellyn, while bright daffodils bowed on a nearby farm as if shivering in the breeze. The surrounding trees stood still, and a shaft of sunlight ignited the bracken below the crags, turning it a vivid colour that starkly contrasted with the dead grass and dark scree. This scene illustrates a place where change has settled gently, with farms preserving their protective belts of trees that nestle comfortably against the fell’s edge.The low fields echoed with the call of curlews, and although some farmers elsewhere lament a lack of moisture, the land here was saturated; the river ran brown with flood‑water and the becks churned white. Many ewes were gathered for lambing, yet one independent ewe chose to give birth alone on a small green shelf in a ghyll above a stream. The newborn lamb was still damp and trembling when a farmhand arrived in his tractor, loading the pair onto a hay‑lined trailer to bring them back to the safety of the farm, fearing the lamb might tumble into the beck as its mother went to drink.

Senator Bernie Sanders used a Manhattan rally on Sunday to issue a stark warning: “the worst is yet to come” for the U.S. economy unless workers confront a ruling class of billionaires. Sharing the stage with New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, the two leaders announced the launch of Union Now, a nationwide drive to boost union density and provide resources for organizing and strikes. Sanders singled out high‑profile billionaires – Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), and President Donald Trump – as the architects of a looming crisis. He warned that Musk’s push for robotics and AI, coupled with Bezos’s recent pledge to raise $100 billion for buying and automating manufacturing firms, threatens to replace human labor on a massive scale. “Unless we fundamentally transform our economic and political systems, the worst is yet to come,” Sanders declared, emphasizing that increasing union membership is the most effective tool to tackle income inequality. Mamdani echoed the sentiment, noting that artificial intelligence is “coming for human jobs” and that worker protections are eroding. He pledged his administration’s support for Union Now, describing the effort as essential for safeguarding workers’ rights. Data presented at the rally underscored the scale of wealth concentration: in 2025, 938 U.S. billionaires saw their net worth rise by $1.5 trillion, while Musk alone possesses more wealth than the bottom 53 % of Americans. Sanders painted the billionaire class as “extremely greedy” and likened their self‑perception to 19th‑century monarchs who believe they have a divine right to rule. He warned that their unchecked influence could leave future generations without a safety net. Highlighting a recent political victory, Sanders cited Mamdani’s mayoral win as proof that ordinary people can defeat billionaire‑backed opposition. He warned that if the current trajectory continues, “fewer people will have more wealth and power, democracy will be undermined, and workers will be left with no recourse.” Closing his speech, Sanders urged unity: “If we stand together and fight for a government that works for all of us, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”

Rory McIlroy faced a daunting challenge on the 12th hole at Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters Tournament. The hole, known as Golden Bell, had a pin positioned precariously on the far right edge, making it one of the most difficult holes in tournament golf. McIlroy decided to ignore Jack Nicklaus's advice to play for the middle of the green and instead went for the pin, a decision that could have easily backfired.Nicklaus, a legendary golfer and course designer, had previously advised McIlroy to avoid going for the pin if it's on the right side of the green, suggesting that players should prioritize making par over attempting a challenging shot. However, McIlroy chose to take a different approach, hitting his shot over the water and onto the green, where it bounded towards the cup.The crowd held its collective breath as McIlroy lined up his birdie putt, which was approximately seven feet left of the hole. With the wind whipping through the trees and the pressure mounting, McIlroy remained focused and sank the putt with ease, securing a crucial birdie that helped him stay in contention.This moment proved pivotal in McIlroy's victory, as he managed to navigate the challenging 12th hole successfully and maintain his position at the top of the leaderboard. McIlroy's win marked his continued dominance in the golf world, showcasing his skill and mental toughness under pressure.

Hungary's longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orban has conceded defeat in the country's parliamentary election after partial official results showed Peter Magyar's Tisza party winning a landslide victory.With 53.45% of precincts counted, Tisza stood at 52.49% and Orban's Fidesz at 38.83%. In a victory speech, Magyar said his voters had rewritten history, stating, 'Tonight, truth prevailed over lies. Today, we won because Hungarians didn’t ask what their homeland could do for them – they asked what they could do for their homeland.'The partial count showed Tisza ahead in 95 of Hungary's 106 constituencies, with the party projected to win more than 130 mandates in the 199-seat parliament. This comfortable two-thirds majority could allow Tisza to amend Hungary's constitution.Orban's defeat will have significant implications not only for Hungary but also for the European Union, Ukraine, and beyond. It may spell an end to Hungary's adversarial role inside the EU, possibly opening the way for a €90 billion ($105bn) loan to war-battered Ukraine, which was blocked by Orban.Orban's exit could also mean the eventual release of EU funds to Hungary that the bloc had suspended due to what Brussels said was Orban's erosion of democratic standards. Additionally, it would deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of his main ally in the EU and send shockwaves through Western right-wing circles.

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, marking his third incursion into Islam's third holiest site this year. The move has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians and Jordan.Ben-Gvir, accompanied by Israeli settlers and under heavy protection from Israeli forces, offered Jewish prayers at the site, which is not allowed for non-Muslims under the status quo arrangement in place since 1967. The arrangement permits Jewish people to visit the compound but prohibits them from praying there.The Palestinian Authority's presidency has condemned the storming of the mosque compound, calling it a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo at the holy site. Jordan's Foreign Ministry also expressed concern, viewing Ben-Gvir's visit as a violation of the status quo agreement and a desecration of the site's sanctity.This incident is part of a growing trend of Israeli settler incursions into Al-Aqsa, with Ben-Gvir having stormed the mosque compound at least 16 times since taking office in 2022. The far-right Israeli minister has expressed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue in place of the holy Muslim site.In a video filmed at the site, Ben-Gvir said, "Today, I feel like the owner here. There is still more to do, more to improve. I keep pushing the prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to do more and more."The incident has occurred amid continued Israeli raids across the occupied West Bank, with at least 18 Palestinians arrested on Sunday. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, with thousands forcibly displaced.

Tehran – Iranian officials warned that the United States must increase pressure for any peace agreement while urging their supporters to keep the streets under control.Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US delegation in Islamabad “failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation” during the marathon talks.US President Donald Trump announced an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and declared that US forces are “locked and loaded” to finish Iran at the “appropriate moment.”Iran hailed the delegation’s refusal to accept Washington’s core demands – ending nuclear enrichment and relinquishing control of the Strait – as a sign of defiant resolve.Judiciary chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei thanked the Islamabad team for “guarding the rights” of government supporters, including paramilitary forces that have been gathering in Tehran’s main squares for more than six weeks.State television aired an IRGC aerospace officer urging flag‑waving crowds not to worry, stating, “If the enemy does not understand, we will make them understand,” which was met with cheers demanding more missile and drone attacks.Iranian officials blamed Trump’s “excessive demands” for the talks’ failure, noting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not expect an agreement after a single day of negotiations.Hard‑line parliamentarians expressed satisfaction with the stalemate, viewing Iran as holding the upper hand. Deputy speaker Hamidreza Haji‑Babaei said only a UN Security Council resolution signalling US surrender would lift sanctions on Iran.Lawmaker Amir Hossein Sabeti of the Paydari faction thanked the negotiating team for standing by red lines and called for “resistance in the field against these evildoers.”The sudden announcement of a two‑week cease‑fire left pro‑state voices disappointed; local media reported the Iranian delegation numbered over 85 members, including state‑affiliated journalists and factional analysts.The talks confirmed that a diplomatic breakthrough was not imminent and hinted at further escalation, though not necessarily a return to full‑scale fighting.National security commission head Ebrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s blockade threats as “excessive talk.”The IRGC warned it would meet any vessel passing the Strait of Hormuz with “full force” and rejected US claims that two warships had already transited the waterway.Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian he remains ready to facilitate a Middle‑East peace settlement.Pezeshkian, focused on domestic affairs, reaffirmed support for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced that schools and universities will continue online via a limited intranet.Iran’s economy continues to suffer from chronic inflation, rising unemployment and a near‑total internet shutdown, deepening public hardship.

Peruvians are heading to the polls to elect their ninth president in less than a decade, a period marked by political instability and corruption scandals that have led to widespread voter disillusionment.Since 2018, Peru has seen eight presidents, with a high turnover rate marred by impeachments and corruption scandals. This has resulted in weak governments and a lack of trust in the political system.On Sunday, 27 million Peruvians are eligible to vote, with polling stations across the country opening at 7am (12:00 GMT) and closing at 5pm (22:00 GMT). Preliminary results are expected shortly afterwards.The presidential ballot features 35 candidates, including a comedian, a media baron, a political dynasty heiress, and a hard-line ex-mayor. However, all major candidates continue to poll well below the 50 percent needed to win the election, making a June 7 run-off appear likely.The most well-known candidate is conservative Keiko Fujimori, who will make her fourth presidential bid. Her candidacy remains polarizing due to her family legacy, with her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, convicted of human rights abuses and corruption.Other notable candidates include Ricardo Belmont, a former mayor of Lima, and Carlos Alvarez, a popular comedian who has campaigned on a platform of being tough on crime. Peru's homicide rate has more than doubled in the past decade, making crime a major concern for voters.Many Peruvians, however, remain disillusioned with the political system and the available candidates. A fruit seller in Lima told the Reuters news agency that she was still undecided on who to vote for, saying "Peru is a mess, and there's no candidate worth voting for." A clothing merchant also shared similar sentiments, stating "We've been governed by nothing but corrupt, thieving scoundrels."