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Senator Bernie Sanders declared on Monday that he will force a vote later this week on a resolution designed to stop the sale of nearly $500 million in bombs and bulldozers to the Israeli military. The procedural maneuver bypasses the Senate majority leader, signaling a direct challenge to the administration’s policy of unconditional support for Israel.Sanders framed the measure as a response to what he described as the "extremist Netanyahu government" responsible for alleged genocide in Gaza, arguing that American taxpayers should not fund further military operations that exacerbate civilian suffering.While the Republican‑controlled Senate is unlikely to approve the resolution, the vote will serve as a barometer of Democratic sentiment toward Israel, especially as anger over the U.S.–Israel war on Iran and ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank intensifies.Last year, Sanders introduced a comparable bill that was defeated 27‑70. At that time, a majority of Senate Democrats had supported the effort, reflecting an erosion of the once‑solid bipartisan consensus backing Israel.Public opinion data underscores this shift: a February Gallup poll found that only 46 % of Americans hold favourable views of Israel, and a mere 17 % of Democratic respondents say they sympathise more with Israelis than Palestinians.Since the conflict began, the United States has provided Israel with over $21 billion in military assistance during the first two years of the Gaza war, a figure that critics argue fuels continued violence.Adding pressure from the advocacy side, liberal Zionist organization J Street issued its first call to phase out U.S. aid to the Israeli military, citing the combined impact of the Gaza war, rising extremist activity in the West Bank, and the U.S.–Israel confrontation with Iran.J Street urged Washington to consistently apply existing legal restrictions—such as the Leahy Law—that prohibit security assistance to countries implicated in human‑rights abuses, a standard it says has been routinely overlooked in Israel’s case.The upcoming Senate vote, therefore, not only tests the durability of the U.S.–Israel security partnership but also reflects a broader reevaluation of American foreign‑policy priorities amid a volatile Middle‑East landscape.

According to a recent Al Jazeera report, Israel is pursuing policies intended to change the religious identity of Jerusalem. The move has ignited debate among local communities and international observers who view the city as a focal point of religious heritage for multiple faiths. While specific actions were not detailed, the statement underscores the sensitivity surrounding any shift in Jerusalem's cultural and spiritual landscape.

World Aquatics has announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national flags and anthems in international swimming and aquatic sports events. This decision marks the end of restrictions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The move follows a similar decision by the International Paralympic Committee, which allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality will be permitted to compete in World Aquatics events in the same way as their counterparts representing other sport nationalities, with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems. To compete, athletes from Russia and Belarus must pass at least four consecutive anti-doping controls. World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam stated, 'We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.' This decision signals a further easing of limits on Russian and Belarusian athletes, who have been allowed to compete as neutrals since September 2023. The next world swimming championships will take place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2027.

Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the 'continued malicious drone attacks' launched from Iraq towards Bahrain and several Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The summoning of the Iraqi envoy follows similar action by Saudi Arabia, signalling growing regional concern over pro-Iranian groups based in Iraq. The diplomatic move complicates Baghdad's efforts to rebuild ties with its Arab neighbours. Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered an official protest note to the Iraqi charge d'affaires, Ahmed Ismail al-Karawi, calling on Baghdad to address 'these threats and attacks urgently and responsibly'. Iraq has become a staging ground for a secondary conflict during the US-Israel war on Iran, with drones and missiles launched by Iran-aligned armed groups repeatedly targeting Gulf states and Jordan. US interests in Iraq, particularly the embassy in Baghdad, have also been targeted. Despite a two-week Iran-US ceasefire, several Gulf nations reported missile and drone attacks on their territories just hours after the ceasefire was announced. Iran-aligned groups in Iraq had announced their commitment to the ceasefire and suspended their actions towards Gulf countries. The attacks are severely testing Iraq's painstakingly rebuilt ties with its Arab neighbours. Baghdad has categorically rejected the use of its territory to target Gulf states or Jordan, adding that it is taking necessary measures 'in accordance with the constitution and the law'.

The United States, led by President Donald Trump, has announced its intention to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, in a significant escalation of tensions with Iran. This move comes after talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad failed to yield an agreement.In a social media post, Trump stated that the US Navy would begin the process of blockading any and all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade, which commenced at 10am Washington, DC, time (14:00 GMT) on Monday, has sparked concerns about the status of the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran announced last week.Analysts view Trump’s threat as a substantial escalation in the war on Iran. Chris Featherstone, a political scientist at the University of York, noted that Trump is using the blockade as a tool in negotiations with Iran, aiming to pressure the country to comply with US goals.The blockade could have far-reaching implications for global energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Iran has allowed ships from certain countries to pass through the strait during the conflict, but a blockade could disrupt these supplies.Jason Chuah, professor of maritime law at City St George’s, University of London, described the US actions as “sanctions with warships doing the bidding of President Trump,” rather than a classic blockade. He raised concerns about the legality of such actions under international maritime law, noting that the US is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.The international community remains divided on the issue, with the United Kingdom stating it will not support the blockade and China urging calm. The blockade’s impact on Iranian mines in the strait and shipping operations remains uncertain, with potential consequences for global energy security and the economy.

The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions between the two countries. The blockade, announced by President Donald Trump, aims to restrict Iran's access to international trade and oil exports.Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, criticized the move, stating that it would only harm the international economy. "Can an illegal 'war of choice' be won through a 'revenge of choice' against the global economy?!" he posted on social media.Trump warned Iranian military ships against approaching the blockade zone, stating that they would be "immediately ELIMINATED" if they came close. The blockade, which came into effect on Monday, risks setting the stage for a major escalation that could fray a two-week ceasefire between the two countries.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre announced that the US blockade would apply "without distinction" to ships engaging with Iranian ports and oil terminals. The restrictions encompass the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including the ports and energy infrastructure.Iranian officials have accused the US of violating the truce by allowing Israel to continue to bomb and conduct a ground invasion in Lebanon. Pakistan, which mediated the ceasefire, had said all regional fronts – including Lebanon – were part of the deal.While Trump's move to blockade Iran's ports could hamper the already ailing Iranian economy, it is unlikely to loosen the Iranian grip on Hormuz or bring down energy prices. The average price of one gallon of petrol in the US is now more than $4.12, up from less than $3 before the war began.Iran has promised to defend its territorial waters, saying the naval siege amounts to "piracy". The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRG) also warned that if fighting were to resume, Iran would introduce new capabilities to the battlefield.

The Iranian judiciary announced on Monday that the assets of Zahra Ghanbari, captain of Iran’s women’s national football team, have been released following a court decision. The assets had been frozen earlier after she was listed among alleged “traitors” for seeking asylum in Australia.According to the state‑run Mizan news agency, the release came after Ghanbari submitted a “declaration of innocence” and demonstrated a change in behaviour, prompting officials to lift the seizure.Ghanbari was part of a group of six players and one staff member who fled to Australia in March, after the team’s refusal to sing Iran’s national anthem during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup sparked a media backlash. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had publicly offered asylum to the entire delegation, warning they could face reprisals on return.Within weeks, five of the athletes, including Ghanbari, abandoned their asylum applications and returned to Iran. They were greeted with a hero’s welcome at a ceremony in central Tehran on March 19, and the court subsequently moved to restore their frozen assets.The asset release follows a broader crackdown that began after the outbreak of the US‑Israel war on Iran on February 28, during which more than 2,000 Iranians were reported killed. Iranian state media published a list of individuals deemed “traitors,” leading to the freezing of their property and bank accounts.In interviews with Al Jazeera, two of the returning players described the intense pressure they faced, noting that any misstep could have severe personal and professional consequences. “Every decision felt like a life‑or‑death choice for my family and my career,” said Mona Hamoudi, one of the athletes.Human‑rights groups have repeatedly warned that Iranian authorities use tactics such as asset seizure, family intimidation, and legal threats to deter athletes from defecting or speaking out. The case of Ghanbari underscores how sports can become a flashpoint for broader geopolitical tensions.Only two members of the original squad remain in Australia, where they have continued training with Brisbane Roar, while the rest of the team prepares for upcoming domestic competitions under heightened scrutiny.

The Evolution of Enterprise AutonomyMicrosoft is quietly pivoting from reactive AI assistants to proactive, autonomous agents within its ecosystem. The tech giant is currently testing a new feature set for Microsoft 365 Copilot that mimics the capabilities of the open-source OpenClaw agent. This move signals a strategic shift toward "always-on" intelligence that can execute multistep tasks autonomously, rather than merely responding to user prompts. Microsoft's "Always-On" Copilot StrategyThe core innovation of this potential new agent is its ability to function continuously. Unlike previous iterations that required active user engagement, this tool would be designed to take actions at any time, effectively acting as a persistent digital assistant. Microsoft has confirmed to The Information that the focus is on enterprise customers, specifically addressing the security concerns that have historically plagued open-source alternatives. Autonomous Execution: Capable of handling multistep workflows without constant supervision. Enterprise Focus: Prioritizing security controls over the flexibility of open-source tools. Integration: Built directly into the existing Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Cloud vs. Local: The Hardware ImplicationWhile the source material suggests a comparison with OpenClaw—which runs locally on hardware like the Mac Mini—Microsoft has not confirmed if this new agent will be local or cloud-based. However, the trend is clear. The company previously launched Copilot Cowork (powered by Anthropic's Claude) and Copilot Tasks, both of which operate in the cloud. The potential shift to a local execution model would explain the recent surge in Mac Mini sales, as users seek hardware capable of running these resource-intensive, privacy-focused agents. Why This Matters for Enterprise SecurityThe primary driver for this development is the "trust gap" in enterprise AI. Open-source agents like OpenClaw offer powerful automation but carry significant security risks. By creating a proprietary version, Microsoft aims to offer the autonomy of open-source tools with the governance of a major corporation. This aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy of anchoring AI experiences in security, governance, and trust, reducing the friction of daily operations for enterprise workers. Expectations for Microsoft Build 2026Industry analysts predict that this new agent—or an upgraded version of existing tools—will be a centerpiece of the upcoming Microsoft Build conference in June. While the company remains tight-lipped about the specifics, the spokesperson's confirmation that they are "experimenting" with broader orchestration and autonomy suggests a major reveal is imminent. This development could redefine how businesses interact with their software stack, moving from a tool-based model to an agent-based model.

The United Kingdom's decision to ban Israelis from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) over Israel's actions in Gaza has sparked concern within the college about its reputation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced the ban in September after Israel planned a major ground assault on Gaza City.The British government made the decision amid widespread condemnation of Israel's escalation of the war. Previously unreported correspondence shows that the move prompted discussion within the RCDS about potential harm to its reputation as an institution that welcomes students of all backgrounds.RCDS commandant George Norton asked a senior military official, Tom Copinger-Symes, for help in shaping the public narrative while a government minister was preparing to answer a question about the ban in the UK's upper house of parliament. Norton sought to ensure that the public understood the college played no role in the decision.In an email, Norton told Copinger-Symes that it would be important for the government minister to highlight that the college does not invite or select participants in its courses, and that invitations were a government-to-government matter. He emphasized that the college's reputation as a welcoming institution could be harmed by the perception that it was deciding which countries to invite or not.The emails, obtained by Al Jazeera via a Freedom of Information request, reveal the college's efforts to distance itself from the government's decision. The MOD spokesperson stated that decisions about military education and training are made on a case-by-case basis and following robust assessment of benefits and risks.The UK-Israel relationship has been strained due to Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military operation. The RCDS did not respond to a request for comment.