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The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the destroyers USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy "transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf" as part of a mission to clear sea mines allegedly laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Admiral Brad Cooper hailed the operation as a turning point in the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran, saying the navy was establishing a "new passage" to restore safe commercial flow. Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters immediately rejected the claim, stating that any vessel movement in the strait remains under the "Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and that the U.S. report is "strongly denied." The strait, a narrow chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas transits, has been a flashpoint since the February 28 U.S.–Israel attacks that prompted Iran to restrict passage to pre‑approved ships. The closure spiked global fuel prices and disrupted both commercial and military traffic. Analysts, such as Maria Sultan of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, argue that any U.S. navigation would require Tehran’s explicit permission, underscoring the strategic leverage Iran holds over the waterway. Simultaneously, senior delegations from the United States and Iran met in Islamabad for historic face‑to‑face talks—the highest‑level engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The negotiations, sparked by a preliminary ceasefire announced earlier in the week, focus on contentious issues including Iran’s nuclear program, frozen assets, and the future of Israeli operations in Lebanon. Both parties acknowledge that control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of disagreement. Iran has signaled willingness to temporarily reopen the channel for commercial shipping but insists on maintaining leverage, proposing tolls to compensate for war damages. The United States, however, deems continued Iranian control a "non‑starter." U.S. President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to assert that Iran is "losing big" and to downplay the strait’s importance to the United States relative to its allies, claiming the mine‑clearing effort benefits nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany. Al Jazeera’s on‑the‑ground correspondents noted that despite a "deficit of trust," negotiators are working late into the night to bridge gaps, though fundamental disagreements over the strait’s governance persist.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his cabinet has been directed to begin cease‑fire talks with Lebanon "as soon as possible", a day after Israel launched its largest‑scale offensive against the neighbour, resulting in over 300 fatalities and more than 1,150 injuries.Netanyahu said the request followed “repeated calls” from Beirut for direct dialogue, yet he reaffirmed that Israel will continue targeting Hezbollah. Analysts caution that the intensified strikes could undermine the US‑Iran cease‑fire negotiations slated to start Saturday in Pakistan.The heavy bombing on Wednesday was carried out without the customary warnings, just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two‑week cease‑fire in the broader US‑Israel‑Iran conflict that began on 28 February. While attacks persisted into Friday, their intensity had lessened, and Hezbollah responded with missile fire into Israeli territory.Experts suggest the Wednesday onslaught was designed to disrupt Tehran’s diplomatic overtures, as Iran has insisted that any negotiations must be predicated on a halt to hostilities against both Iran and its ally Hezbollah.Hezbollah, which originated as a resistance movement to Israel’s 18‑year occupation of southern Lebanon (1982‑2000), now functions as both a political party and a formidable armed group—described as comparable to a medium‑sized army and stronger than the Lebanese military.Both Israeli and Lebanese officials have signalled a willingness to engage in peace talks, but Israel’s ongoing bombardment fuels scepticism. Netanyahu reiterated that disarming Hezbollah remains a top priority, even as he ordered the commencement of negotiations.Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir warned on X that the Israeli Defence Forces will continue to fight Hezbollah with “great intensity” and are prepared to resume full‑scale operations if required.Lebanese Prime Minister Joseph Aoun welcomed the prospect of talks, yet Beirut has insisted that any negotiations must occur only after a complete halt to Israeli attacks.The United States is reportedly applying pressure on Israel to curb its campaign. According to a Wall Street Journal report, former President Donald Trump called Netanyahu to urge an end to the bombing, a message echoed by Vice President JD Vance, who said Israel had agreed to “check itself” in Lebanon. European allies, notably Germany and France, have also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.Hezbollah, which holds 15 of Lebanon’s 128 parliamentary seats, has categorically rejected any dialogue with Israel. Analysts note that Iran’s insistence on including Lebanon in the cease‑fire agreement could strain relations with the Lebanese government, which seeks a greater say in any war‑time decisions.Iran’s 10‑point peace proposal to the United States explicitly demands that Israel halt attacks on all Iranian allies, including Hezbollah, for the cease‑fire to hold. Continued Israeli strikes are therefore viewed as a “grave violation” of Tehran’s red lines and could jeopardise the fragile truce.Confusion persists over whether Lebanon was part of the US‑Iran cease‑fire deal. While Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that the agreement covered “everywhere including Lebanon,” U.S. officials, including Trump and Vance, later claimed Lebanon was not included, leading to mixed messages on the ground.As displaced Lebanese begin returning home, the uncertainty surrounding the cease‑fire’s scope underscores the complex web of regional actors—Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, the United States, and Pakistan—each influencing the prospects for a sustainable peace.

Javokhir Sindarov reinforced his dominance at the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, securing his sixth victory of the event and climbing to an unbeaten eight points out of ten. This tally places him two points clear of his nearest rival, Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri, who sits on six points after ten rounds. In a decisive game against India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Sindarov capitalized on a critical blunder at move 22, converting a queen‑and‑pawn advantage into a winning material edge while Giri’s opponent struggled to defend the Queen’s Gambit. Giri, meanwhile, bolstered his own campaign by defeating pre‑tournament favourite and US champion Fabiano Caruana in the previous round, delivering a spectacular finish that featured a forced queen sacrifice and a forced checkmate sequence. The upcoming round 13 pits Sindarov against Giri with the black pieces. A victory there would virtually guarantee Sindarov a spot in the 2026 World Championship match against fellow teenager Gukesh Dommaraju, who is only six months younger. Both contenders will be under 21, underscoring a historic youth surge at the pinnacle of chess. Current Candidates standings after ten of the fourteen rounds:Sindarov 8, Giri 6, Caruana 5, Blübaum (Germany), Wei Yi (China) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) 4.5, Praggnanandhaa 4, Andrey Esipenko 3.5. In the women’s Candidates, the race remains tightly contested. India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu—sister of Praggnanandhaa—has surged to the outright lead with six points, after climbing from a negative score three rounds earlier. The rest of the field includes Zhu Jiner (China) and Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine) on 5.5 points, and a quartet of players tied at five points. Parallel events highlighted the depth of talent emerging worldwide. Germany’s Vincent Keymer clinched the Grenke Freestyle Open title on tie‑break over France’s Maxime Vachier‑Lagrave, earning a spot at the next Freestyle World Championship. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen finished third with 7/9, also on tie‑break, after a drawn final round against a lower‑rated Indian opponent; his performance was reportedly hampered by excessive heat in the venue. In England, International Master Marcus Harvey achieved his first grandmaster norm at the 4NCL Easter Congress, bringing his rating to 2446—well above the 2400 threshold required for the title. At 29, Harvey joins a small group of English players on the cusp of full GM status, with strong institutional support from the English Chess Federation and government‑backed funding. The Candidates tournament thus not only crowns the next challenger for the world crown but also signals a broader generational shift, with several teenagers already positioned to shape the elite chess landscape for years to come.

OECD preliminary figures reveal a 23% decline in international development assistance between 2024 and 2025, the steepest annual fall recorded since the organization began tracking aid.The United States was the primary catalyst, with its official development assistance slashing nearly 57% in 2025, a reduction that accounts for roughly three‑quarters of the overall drop.Total aid from the 34 DAC members fell from $214.6 billion to $174.3 billion. American contributions shrank from about $63 billion in 2024 to just under $29 billion the following year, according to the OECD.Other major donors—including Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and France—also trimmed their budgets, and only eight DAC countries managed to meet or exceed their 2024 levels.The cuts arrive at a time of heightened global economic and food‑security uncertainty, exacerbated by the ongoing US‑Israeli conflict with Iran.OECD official Carsten Staur described the plunge as “deeply concerning,” urging donors to reverse the trend as humanitarian needs surge. Oxfam’s Development Finance Lead Didier Jacobs warned that wealthy governments are “turning their backs on millions of lives in the Global South” by cutting life‑saving aid while funding conflict.Academic research links the U.S. reductions to a rise in armed conflict across Africa, with the Center for Global Development estimating that the cuts could have caused between 500,000 and 1,000,000 excess deaths in 2025. A Lancet analysis warns that continuing the downward trajectory may result in **over 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030**.Under President Trump, the United States has dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and pursued a handful of bilateral agreements with African nations that tie aid to mineral access and health data. Simultaneously, the administration is seeking a historic $1.5 trillion military budget for FY2027** and between **$80 billion and $200 billion** for the Iran‑Israel war effort.Analysts and NGOs are calling on DAC members to restore aid levels and reinforce the global humanitarian system, which they say faces its most serious crisis in decades.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has urged NATO allies to stand united in defending international law, following US President Donald Trump's recent comments about the Arctic island. Trump's remarks described Greenland as a 'big, poor, poorly run, piece of ice.'Nielsen firmly rejected this characterization, stating, 'We are not some piece of ice. We are a proud population of 57,000 people, working every single day as good global citizens in full respect for all our allies.'The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining the post-war geopolitical order, including NATO's defence alliance and globally respected international law. 'Those things are being challenged now, and I think all allies should stand together to try to maintain them. I hope that will happen,' he said.NATO allies had been scrambling earlier this year to keep the alliance together after Trump revived his push to seize Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member. The White House in January said Trump was weighing the use of military force in Greenland, prompting Germany, France, and other European nations to send troops to the island in a show of solidarity and deterrence.Trump later backed down after talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, stating that 'the framework of a future deal' had been formed and moving the Greenland dispute to a diplomatic track. Diplomatic talks between Greenland, Denmark, and the US are ongoing, with more meetings scheduled.Despite the talks, Nielsen made it clear he did not believe Trump had abandoned his ambitions regarding the island: 'I cannot see that his desire to either take over or control Greenland has been taken off the table,' he said.

At a Wednesday briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the ongoing US‑Israel war against Iran as a "test" that NATO failed, hinting that President Donald Trump is weighing a possible withdrawal from the alliance. She quoted the president saying the partnership had turned its back on the American people over the past six weeks. Shortly thereafter, Trump met with NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte at the White House. Both described the discussion as "frank and open," with Rutte acknowledging logistical support and base access from allies, but noting the absence of direct military contributions. During a CNN interview, host Jake Tapper asked Rutte whether the president intended to pull the United States out of NATO or at least reduce its backing. Rutte admitted there was disappointment, yet emphasized he had listened carefully to Trump’s arguments and praised the president’s leadership. Since assuming office in 2025, Trump has intensified pressure on NATO members to raise defence spending. At the 2025 NATO summit, members agreed to a non‑binding target of 5 % of GDP by 2035. Spain’s request for an exemption sparked a year‑long public denouncement by Trump. Earlier, Trump threatened to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, claiming its strategic value, though the United States has since softened that stance. Nevertheless, he continues to argue that US control of Greenland is essential, despite opposition from local residents and European leaders. The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration is evaluating the closure of U.S. bases or the redeployment of troops from countries such as Spain and Germany as retaliation for their limited engagement in the Iran conflict. When pressed about a potential NATO exit, Leavitt confirmed that the president "has discussed" the option and may address it after his meeting with Rutte. The president’s relationship with Rutte remains close; the Dutch leader has visited the White House multiple times during Trump’s second term. Rutte warned that NATO "will not work" without U.S. support, underscoring the strategic stakes of any American pull‑back. The unfolding debate highlights a deepening rift between Washington and its European partners at a time when the broader geopolitical landscape is already destabilised by the Iran war.

Janett and Erika Liriano, growing up in Queens as daughters of Dominican immigrants, were encouraged to dream big. By their late 20s, Janett had been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Listmaker and was chief of staff at a biopharmaceutical firm, while Erika was making a name for herself in venture capital.However, feeling unfulfilled, they decided to leave their lucrative jobs and move to the Dominican Republic to start a chocolate company. Inspired by their parents' homeland and the country's rich cacao resources, they aimed to create a vertically integrated cacao company that would benefit local farmers.The Dominican Republic produces about 60% of the world's organic cacao, but most of its export is raw beans, with the majority of profit made in countries like Belgium, Germany, and the US. The sisters saw an opportunity to change this and create a more equitable supply chain.After months of research and planning, they launched Inaru Chocolate, a company that contracts directly with farmers and pays them a fixed rate, ensuring fair prices and better livelihoods. The company pays farmers 3% of every product sold, resulting in 30 to 50% higher earnings than what most other buyers offer.In 2023, they opened a 7,000-sq-ft chocolate factory outside Santo Domingo, employing 35 people and producing high-end chocolate. Their business model has attracted brands like the W Hotel and Zingerman's, with 80% of their business coming from B2B sales.The sisters' journey hasn't been easy, facing challenges like securing funding and navigating language barriers. Despite these obstacles, they have raised $12m in investments and are committed to creating jobs and empowering local farmers in their parents' homeland.

A 47‑year‑old woman who had endured three life‑threatening autoimmune diseases for more than a decade is now living a near‑normal life after an experimental CAR‑T cell therapy reset her immune system at University Hospital Erlangen in Germany.Before the procedure she had exhausted nine different treatments with no lasting benefit, relying on daily blood transfusions and continuous anticoagulation to manage her illnesses.Within weeks of the infusion, doctors observed rapid improvement in all three conditions—a world‑first outcome. She has remained in treatment‑free remission for 14 months and has largely returned to everyday activities.Prof Fabian Müller, who led the team, called the speed and depth of the response “remarkable” and said the therapy “significantly improved her quality of life.” He emphasized that clinical trials are required to determine how durable the effect is and whether it can help other autoimmune patients.The patient suffered from three distinct disorders: autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), where rogue immune cells destroy red blood cells; immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which depletes platelets and raises bleeding risk; and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which promotes dangerous blood clots. All three stem from malfunctioning B‑cells.With no conventional options left, doctors turned to CAR‑T therapy, a technique that has revolutionised treatment for certain cancers. They harvested her white‑blood cells, isolated the T‑cells, engineered them to recognise the CD19 protein on B‑cells, and reinfused the modified cells.The engineered T‑cells swiftly eliminated the pathogenic B‑cells. She received her last blood transfusion a week after treatment and was able to perform routine tasks within two weeks. Follow‑up tests showed a reconstituted, healthy B‑cell population, suggesting an immune reset. The findings were published in the journal Med.She still exhibits a mildly low white‑cell count and slightly elevated liver enzymes, which researchers attribute to the cumulative impact of prior therapies rather than the CAR‑T product.Rheumatology expert Prof Ben Parker of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust described the case as encouraging, noting that “the prolonged response off normal therapy suggests there has been an immune reset.” However, he warned that case reports alone cannot confirm efficacy and highlighted ongoing trials for lupus, myositis, multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, and other autoimmune conditions.

Oil and gas markets rallied on Thursday as investors grappled with the shaky outlook for the two‑week Iran‑Israel ceasefire. Brent crude rose more than 2% to $96.77 a barrel, while New York light crude climbed nearly 3% to $97.23, still shy of the $100 threshold that many traders watch. The previous session had seen Brent plunge 13.29% to a four‑week low of $94.75. In the gas sector, the UK month‑ahead contract rebounded 1% to 115.35p per therm after a 15% drop the day before. European natural‑gas futures also recovered, edging toward €46/MWh from a five‑week trough of €45.30. The price uptick reflects growing scepticism about the durability of the ceasefire announced a day earlier by the United States and Iran, which included a pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UAE and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian drones, and Iran’s parliamentary speaker accused the United States and Israel of breaching several agreement points. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of a “regret‑inducing response” if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue. The latest Israeli barrage killed at least 254 people and wounded 837, prompting the Fars news agency to note that oil‑tanker traffic through the strait had been halted. Former President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to threaten that U.S. forces would remain in the region until a “real agreement” is fully honoured, warning that any non‑compliance would trigger “stronger than anyone has ever seen before” military action. Asian equity markets reacted negatively: Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.7%, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.4%. In Europe, the FTSE 100 dipped 0.1%, Germany’s DAX fell 0.6%, France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.3%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB slipped 0.2%. The pan‑European Stoxx 600 trimmed 0.1% after a near‑4% rally the day before, while U.S. futures pointed to a lower opening on Wall Street. Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid noted that market stress has eased compared with 24 hours earlier, as the ceasefire news generated renewed optimism and reduced fears of a stagflationary shock. On the diplomatic front, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Vice‑President JD Vance will lead a delegation to Islamabad, with initial talks slated for Saturday morning. Jefferies chief European economist Mohit Kumar argued that, despite its fragility, the truce is likely to hold because of the “mutually assured destruction” calculus. He added that both sides now see a ceasefire as the lesser‑evil, given the escalating costs of continued conflict and the strategic challenges of securing cheap drone interceptors and a reliable Hormuz passage.