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Political leaders across Washington breathed a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday evening when President Donald Trump announced a provisional two‑week ceasefire with Iran, ending a 24‑hour standoff that had seen him threaten to annihilate Iran’s “whole civilization” if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his self‑imposed deadline.The ceasefire declaration arrived just 90 minutes before the 8 p.m. ET deadline at which Trump had pledged to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges – a move scholars warned would constitute a war crime. A last‑minute diplomatic push by Pakistan persuaded the president to suspend the ultimatum, buying a narrow window for de‑escalation.In a post on Tuesday night, Trump wrote: “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”Iran’s foreign minister quickly responded, stating that the strait would remain open for the next fourteen days under Iranian military management, effectively meeting the condition set by the United States.The president’s earlier warning – that a “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” – drew swift condemnation from Democrats, longtime allies who have broken with Trump over the crisis, and even Pope Francis, the first American pontiff.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled Trump’s retreat as “desperately searching for any sort of exit ramp from his ridiculous bluster,” adding that the president had previously been called “an extremely sick person” waging a “wanton war of choice.”House Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for Trump’s removal via impeachment or the 25th Amendment, arguing that his conduct amounted to a threat of genocide against the Iranian people. Progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez echoed this sentiment, saying the two‑week deal “changes nothing” and urging Congress to act.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump’s behavior as “unhinged, unpresidential and unconscionable,” and warned that the American public “strongly opposes this reckless war of choice.” He announced that Democrats would push Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House and move a war‑powers resolution to secure a permanent end to hostilities.Republican reactions were more nuanced. Senator Rick Scott praised the ceasefire as “a strong first step toward holding Iran accountable,” while Senator Lindsey Graham expressed hope that diplomacy could “end the reign of terror of the Iranian regime,” cautioning that Iran should not be rewarded for its earlier attacks on the strait.Conversely, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican known for breaking with Trump, dismissed critics as “pearl‑clutching,” arguing that the president’s “language of POWER” is what adversaries understand, and that diplomatic niceties alone achieve little.The episode underscores a volatile moment in US‑Iran relations, where a single diplomatic pivot averted an imminent escalation, yet left Congress divided over the president’s authority to wage war and the need for a lasting legislative solution.

Shell is poised to report a substantial increase in profits from its commodity trading activities in the first quarter, driven by recent market volatility sparked by the Iran crisis. The energy giant's chemicals and products unit, which encompasses its primary oil trading desk, is expected to see a significant boost in trading results.The company's trading windfall is particularly notable in its renewable energy division, with predicted earnings ranging from $200m to $700m in the first quarter, up from approximately $100m in the previous quarter. This surge is attributed to the historic price rises in oil and gas markets following Iran's retaliation to US-Israeli aggression, which included throttling energy trade through the Strait of Hormuz and launching strikes against key energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.However, Shell's gas production is expected to decline by about 5% to between 880,000 and 920,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, compared to 948,000 in the fourth quarter, due to the impact of the Middle East conflict on its assets in Qatar. A strike damaged Shell's assets at the Ras Laffan liquified natural gas (LNG) complex in Qatar, contributing to the expected decline.Despite these challenges, Shell's boss, Wael Sawan, has warned that Europe could face an energy and fuel shortage in April without a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The company is working with governments to address the oil and gas supply crisis, which has already led to energy rationing in some Asian countries.

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, which includes the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This development comes after a last-minute diplomatic intervention led by Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and a threatened US military response.US President Donald Trump had issued an ultimatum for Iran to surrender or face widespread destruction, but less than two hours before the self-imposed 8pm Eastern time deadline, he announced the ceasefire agreement. The agreement is conditional on Iran's complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.The ceasefire process was clouded in uncertainty after Iran released two different versions of the 10-point plan intended to be the basis for negotiations. Oil prices dived, stocks surged, and the dollar was knocked back on Wednesday as a two-week Middle East ceasefire sparked a relief rally, fueled by hopes that oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz could resume.Despite the provisional ceasefire, attacks continued across the region in the hours after Trump's announcement. The sudden about-face will allow Trump to step back as the US war in Iran has dragged on for five weeks with little sign that Tehran is ready to surrender or release its hold on the strait, a conduit for a fifth of the global energy supply.The agreement was welcomed by various countries, including Germany, Japan, and South Korea, who expressed hopes for a lasting ceasefire and peaceful resolution. However, some countries, such as Iraq and Australia, called for caution and noted that significant work remains to be done to secure a lasting ceasefire.

Thirty years after the passionate road protests against the Newbury bypass, the elevated road now looms large, a constant reminder of the environmental costs of progress. For the author, who was part of the campaign, the Newbury bypass remains a sore point, even today.On a walk in The Chase, a nature reserve adjacent to the bypass, the author is accompanied by their friend Sarah, a 'cow watcher' for the National Trust. Their mission is to check on the wellbeing of conservation grazers – Shetland cows with upswept horns – which play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and plant life.The reserve, once common land with a rich history dating back to 1819, has been a playground for the author and Sarah. They recall devastating sewage spills that killed local wildlife and the great storms of 1987 and 1990 that left trees like 'spilled pencils.'As they wade across a stream to find the cows grazing among wild daffodils and golden saxifrages, memories of their children come flooding back – 'welly walks' with grandparents, watching great spotted woodpecker chicks fledge, and following silver-washed fritillary butterflies.Their walk complete, they meet at a garden centre cafe, where the author, aided by 'brain fog,' mistakenly heads to the pub first. The zigzag patterns of peaty-black mud from Sarah's boots across the polished floor serve as a humorous reminder of their conservation work and shared experiences.

The recent UN General Assembly resolution, led by Ghana, has made a significant statement by declaring the transatlantic slave trade 'the gravest crime against humanity'. Adopted with 123 votes in favor, 3 against, and 52 abstentions, this resolution urges steps including formal apologies, reparatory justice, and the return of looted cultural property.The voting pattern revealed a stark divide, with much of Africa, the Caribbean, and the global south supporting the resolution as a moral imperative. In contrast, Western countries, including the US, Israel, and Argentina, which voted against it, and the UK and EU member states, which abstained, reacted as if acknowledgment itself were a threat to their comfort.Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama emphasized that the resolution is 'a pathway to healing and reparative justice' and 'a safeguard against forgetting'. The resolution aims to establish, at the highest level, a crime whose scale, brutality, and enduring consequences continue to structure the present.The backlash against the resolution has been revealing, with objections from Britain and the EU framed in terms of legal caution. They argued that the resolution creates a 'hierarchy of historical atrocities' and that the slave trade was not prohibited by international law at the time. However, this stance is seen as a way to avoid confronting the world-making role of transatlantic slavery.The Caribbean Community (Caricom)'s 10-point plan for reparatory justice is crucial in this context. For over a decade, Caricom has insisted that reparatory justice is not merely about writing cheques but about linking formal apologies to development, public health, education, and other areas. The UN resolution is seen as a first step in creating political and moral architecture for reparations claims.The fear of Western countries is not of rhetoric but of precedent. Once the slave trade is officially recognized as foundational and still alive in its consequences, questions about debt, underdevelopment, museum collections, and trade structures inevitably follow. The resolution has exposed who wants the wealth from slavery to remain history's most profitable amnesia.

The looming conflict in Iran has raised concerns about the potential impact on global oil prices, which could have far-reaching consequences for Africa's economy. As a significant importer of oil, the continent is vulnerable to fluctuations in the global market. Rising oil prices could lead to increased inflation, reduced economic growth, and a decline in living standards for many Africans.Africa's economic resilience will be put to the test as the conflict in Iran threatens to disrupt global oil supplies. The continent's dependence on oil imports makes it particularly susceptible to price shocks. Countries with large oil imports, such as South Africa and Nigeria, will be among the hardest hit.The article highlights the need for Africa to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil imports. Investing in renewable energy sources and developing domestic industries could help mitigate the impact of future oil shocks. However, the continent's ability to adapt to these changes remains uncertain.

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to target Palestinians has sparked widespread concern. This technology, increasingly being utilized in various sectors, has been reportedly used to enhance surveillance and monitoring capabilities. Sources indicate that AI-powered tools are being employed to gather and analyze data on individuals and communities within Palestine. This has led to fears about the potential for biased and discriminatory outcomes, exacerbating existing tensions and human rights issues. Critics argue that the use of AI in this context undermines privacy and freedom, potentially leading to a disproportionate impact on Palestinian communities. The integration of AI into surveillance systems raises questions about accountability and transparency in the use of such technologies. As AI continues to evolve and become more pervasive, the need for robust regulations and safeguards to protect human rights has become increasingly apparent. The situation highlights the importance of ensuring that technological advancements are developed and implemented in a manner that respects and upholds universal human rights standards.

Lin Yu-ting, the 30‑year‑old Taiwanese Olympic champion, secured a bronze medal at the Asian Boxing Elite Championships in Mongolia, marking her return to competition after a gender‑eligibility controversy that clouded her 2024 Paris Olympic triumph.Competing in the 60kg division for the first time, Lin was defeated in the semifinals by North Korea’s Won Un Gyong, resulting in a third‑place finish.Her coach, Tseng Tzu‑chiang, told Taiwan’s Central News Agency that the shift to a higher weight class presented “new opponents’ skills, strategies and styles,” and that the tournament served as a valuable learning opportunity.Lin had opted out of last year’s World Championships after World Boxing announced mandatory sex testing for female athletes, a policy introduced following the high‑profile gender disputes involving Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after their gold medals in Paris.Following an appeal by Taiwan’s boxing federation, World Boxing cleared Lin to compete in the female category last month, enabling her participation in the Asian championships.Looking ahead, Tseng indicated that Lin aims to compete at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan later this year, noting that while her physical condition was not yet optimal, the experience provides “room for improvement and a clear path forward.”In parallel, the International Olympic Committee has introduced a new eligibility policy that excludes transgender female athletes from women’s events, aligning with a U.S. executive order. The IOC stated that eligibility will be determined by a mandatory gene test, limiting participation to “biological females.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not armed while working in Canada, the agency said in a statement released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near. The clarification comes amid public anxiety that U.S. officers might be deployed at tournament venues in Toronto and Vancouver.According to an ICE spokesperson quoted by CBC, the agency’s personnel collaborate with Canadian law‑enforcement partners on joint investigations into narcotics, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. However, they do not perform operational duties such as executing search warrants or making arrests on Canadian soil.ICE maintains five offices across Canada, including locations in the World Cup host cities of Toronto and Vancouver, which together will host 13 matches. Despite this presence, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasized that ICE has no legal jurisdiction in Canada.Federal law grants U.S. immigration agents the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of violating U.S. immigration statutes, but those powers do not extend beyond American borders. The distinction is crucial as Toronto’s city council recently passed a motion opposing any deployment of U.S. agents at World Cup venues.The clarification follows earlier protests, such as the February demonstration in Milan where hundreds rallied against ICE’s presence ahead of the Milano‑Cortina Winter Games. Those events underscore the sensitivity surrounding foreign law‑enforcement agencies operating in host nations of major sporting events.By confirming that its agents are unarmed and lack enforcement authority in Canada, ICE aims to allay concerns and preserve the collaborative spirit between the United States and Canada as they prepare for a tournament expected to draw millions of visitors.