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The Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem reopened after a 40‑day closure imposed by Israeli authorities.Verified video footage released by Al Jazeera shows crowds streaming through the gates early Thursday, with approximately 3,000 worshippers attending the morning prayers.The ban had been total—or limited to a few dozen faithful—at Christian, Jewish and Muslim sites since the US‑Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. Israel frequently imposes restrictions, especially on Palestinian worshippers.The Islamic Waqf Department in occupied Jerusalem confirmed that the doors of Al‑Aqsa would be opened to all worshippers from dawn; the Jordanian‑affiliated authority managing the site offered no further details.Volunteers and caretakers were seen preparing courtyards and prayer areas to receive the faithful, while Israeli officials announced the simultaneous opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Wednesday evening.Israeli police attributed the decision to “updated instructions from the Israeli Home Front Command” and highlighted a massive security deployment, with hundreds of police officers and border guards stationed throughout the Old City and surrounding roads to “secure visitors.”Jerusalem’s holy sites have endured strict security measures and repeated closures during the six‑week regional war, curtailing celebrations of Lent, Passover, Ramadan and, for the first time since Israel’s 1967 occupation, Eid al‑Fitr prayers at Al‑Aqsa.The lifting of the ban arrives just in time for Orthodox Christians, who observe Easter on Sunday, a week after Catholic and Protestant celebrations.Continued Raids in the Occupied West BankIsraeli forces continued operations across the occupied West Bank. In Nablus, a woman was detained and a man assaulted during an early‑morning raid, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.The Ramallah‑based Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces fatally shot 28‑year‑old Alaa Khaled Mohammed Sbeih near the village of Tayasir on Wednesday night; the Israeli military said an off‑duty soldier fired at a stone‑thrower.Wafa added that six young men were detained in Tayasir, while troops stormed homes in Ya’bad, south of Jenin, destroying the contents of three houses. Additional raids hit the villages of Qusra and Awarta, though no arrests were reported there.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since 2023, with at least 10,000 people forcibly displaced.

The White House has reiterated that the United States continues to reject any uranium enrichment inside Iran, reaffirming that US President Donald Trump did not agree to a 'wish list' submitted by Tehran. The US stance on uranium enrichment remains a major point of contention in talks between the two countries.Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, suggested that the 10-point proposal put forward by Iran as the basis for a ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran differs from the proposal published by the government in Tehran. The proposal included Iran's right to enrich uranium, which the US has rejected."The president's red lines, namely the end of Iranian enrichment in Iran, have not changed," Leavitt said. This stance has been a major sticking point in previous talks between Tehran and Washington.Domestic uranium enrichment has been a contentious issue, with Iran insisting on enriching its own uranium as a national right, while the Trump administration has pushed for dismantling the Iranian nuclear programme altogether. The US and Israel have claimed victory in the conflict, while Iran has also claimed success.After more than 38 days of war, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire that will see the US stop its attacks and Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The first round of negotiations will take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Saturday, led by US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.However, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf cast doubt over the fate of the talks, citing US and Israeli violations of the ceasefire. The talks' success remains uncertain amid these tensions.

Vice President JD Vance warned Iran that jeopardising the US‑Iran ceasefire over Lebanon would be "dumb", emphasizing that the United States expects the truce to remain intact despite Tehran’s frustrations. Pakistan, which brokered the two‑week ceasefire, publicly stated that Lebanon is part of the agreement. Vance, speaking to reporters in Hungary, countered that the United States does not consider Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon as covered by the ceasefire. "If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart – in a conflict where they were getting hammered – over Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire, that’s ultimately their choice," Vance said, adding, "We think that would be dumb, but that’s their choice." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed Pakistan’s position, highlighting Lebanon in his repost of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement and asserting that the ceasefire terms are clear: the US must choose either a ceasefire or continued war via Israel. President Donald Trump and the White House, however, maintain that Lebanon was not part of the deal. Vance dismissed the contradictory messages as a "misunderstanding" and "bad faith propaganda," suggesting the Iranians mistakenly believed Lebanon was included. The lack of a clear explanation from US officials leaves observers questioning how such a misunderstanding could arise amid high‑stakes diplomacy. Israel’s track record of breaching ceasefires dates back to the November 2024 truce with Lebanon. On Wednesday, Israeli air strikes in Lebanon killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,100, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the 15‑month conflict. Vance indicated that Israel has signaled a willingness to temper its operations in Lebanon, stating the Israelis have "committed to check themselves a little bit in Lebanon" to ensure the US‑Iran negotiations stay on track. The broader conflict intensified in early March after Hezbollah launched rockets in retaliation for Israeli attacks and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah now faces internal pressure from rival factions accusing it of dragging Lebanon into war on Iran’s behalf. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning: if Israeli aggression against Lebanon does not cease immediately, the IRGC will deliver a "regretful response" to what it called "evil aggressors" in the region.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah lost his life on Wednesday when an Israeli drone strike struck the car he was traveling in on al‑Rashid Street, a coastal road west of Gaza City.The air strike ignited the vehicle, causing it to burst into flames, according to sources cited by Al Jazeera.Since the onset of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023, the Israeli military has increasingly targeted media personnel. The Gaza Government Media Office reports that at least 262 journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks on the enclave.This latest fatality highlights the heightened risk faced by reporters covering the conflict and raises serious concerns about press freedom in a war zone where information is both a strategic asset and a perilous pursuit.Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The UK hospitality sector is reeling from a triple whammy of rising costs, including increased minimum wage, business rates, and energy prices. This has put immense pressure on businesses, particularly pubs and hotels, to maintain profitability.Nick Evans, co-owner of the Old Crown Coaching Inn in Oxfordshire, exemplifies the struggles faced by many in the industry. Despite a rich history dating back to 1645, Evans is finding it challenging to make ends meet. The pub's annual revenue stands at £1.4m, but rising costs, including a £350,000 wage bill and £80,000 energy bill, are eating into profits.The latest blow to the industry came on April 1, with increases in the minimum wage and business rates. Evans notes that the wage bill will rise to nearly £370,000, and the business rates increase will add another £24,000 to the bill. This comes on top of surging energy prices due to the Iran crisis, which will further exacerbate the cost burden.Evans argues that the national insurance change is misogynistic, as it disincentivizes employers from hiring part-time workers, often mothers seeking extra income. He also believes that the minimum wage increase will price young people out of the market, as employers may opt to hire adults for a pound more.Kate Nicholls, chair of UK Hospitality, warns that one in five businesses fear they may not survive the next 12 months. She emphasizes that the sector cannot absorb any more cost increases, and hikes will simply be passed through to consumers, driving inflation and hitting jobs.For now, Evans and his co-owner, Mike Webb, are seeking a more lenient payment plan for their VAT bill from HMRC. As Evans says, 'It’s tough, tough, tough.' The future of many hospitality businesses hangs in the balance as they struggle to navigate these unprecedented challenges.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters that the United Kingdom has a "job" to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz after reports that the vital oil corridor was blocked again just hours after a tentative cease‑fire was announced. The leader arrived at the King Fahd airbase in Taif, Saudi Arabia, where he met with British and local staff before embarking on a broader diplomatic tour of Gulf allies. The visit mirrors his recent push to shape a cease‑fire framework for Ukraine. While officials describe the trip as complementary to the Pakistan‑mediated talks between Washington and Tehran, many Gulf observers see Starmer as a more predictable partner than a United‑States administration that has been criticised for its unpredictable stance. The cease‑fire, brokered barely an hour before a deadline set by the U.S. president, included a clause to reopen Hormuz. Starmer’s itinerary follows a UK‑led gathering of military planners that explored practical steps for achieving that goal. Iran’s state news agency, Fars, claimed that Israeli actions in Lebanon breached the cease‑fire, prompting a fresh blockage of oil tankers in the strait. Later on Wednesday, Starmer is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their agenda is expected to cover the removal of Iranian mines and the insurance of tankers that rely on the Hormuz route for global oil shipments. "There are many practicalities and moving parts involved; this cannot be switched on instantly," a UK official explained, underscoring the complexity of the task. Addressing the media at the airbase, Starmer acknowledged the temporary relief provided by the cease‑fire but warned that the situation remains in its early stages. He emphasized that the UK’s priority is a permanent solution that restores full maritime traffic. "The impact on our energy prices is evident – we have seen daily fluctuations over the past 39 days. It is our responsibility to ensure the strait remains open so that the world’s energy needs are met and UK fuel prices stabilise," he said. Starmer has previously drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump for refusing to back the initial U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran and for limiting U.S. use of British bases to defensive missions, such as targeting Iranian missile sites. When asked about the risk of the UK becoming entangled in the conflict, Starmer reiterated that Britain acts only in collective self‑defence and that his mandate is to protect British lives and national interests, which includes keeping Hormuz open. The remainder of his Gulf itinerary has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear which other regional capitals he will visit after Saudi Arabia. One government source summed up the mission: "The cease‑fire is welcome, but the decisive factor for the British public will be a fully operational Hormuz Strait, which will have the greatest impact on domestic energy costs." The source likened Starmer’s role to his earlier effort in assembling the "coalition of the willing" that pledged to back any peace settlement in Ukraine, noting that this is his first opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with Middle‑East allies.

Iran has warned that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could become new targets if the United States proceeds with attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, according to a statement cited by the Tasnim news agency. The warning came late on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 00:00 GMT (3:30 a.m. Tehran time) on Wednesday, threatening to "destroy a whole civilisation" if the demand is not met. Closing the strategic waterway would further destabilise the global oil market, already rattled by the ongoing blockade of Gulf oil exports. In response, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref affirmed the country’s readiness for any scenario, stating on X that national security and infrastructure sustainability have been meticulously calculated and that “no threat is beyond our preparedness and intelligence.” Meanwhile, U.S. forces intensified strikes on Iranian targets, hitting railway and road bridges, an airport, a petrochemical plant, and the Kharg Island oil export terminal. Gulf states on high alert Regional authorities have taken precautionary measures: Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port announced a temporary suspension of operations from early April 8, and the U.S. State Department issued a shelter‑in‑place order for American citizens in Bahrain, alongside travel advisories for the Hajj pilgrimage and for Riyadh. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior imposed a curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. (GMT 21:00–03:00) as a precaution, while the King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was closed twice on Tuesday due to alerts in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region. Israel warned its citizens of a likely surge in attacks as the deadline approaches, citing the Karish and Tanin offshore gas fields as potential targets. Explosions and rocket fire were reported across the region, including near a U.S. diplomatic facility in Baghdad, in the Iraqi capital, and over Bahrain and the UAE. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air defences are currently engaging missile and drone attacks from Iran, and Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting a missile aimed at its territory. These developments underscore a rapidly escalating security environment in the Middle East, with the potential to impact global energy supplies and international trade.

The Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has announced that it will release Shelly Kittleson, a journalist from the United States. Kittleson was abducted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on March 31, prompting calls for her release from press freedom groups.The group said on Tuesday that Kittleson would be freed on the condition that she leave Iraq immediately. An anonymous Iraqi official confirmed her release to The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon.Kittleson, a 49-year-old freelance reporter, had been kept in detention in Baghdad. Her release comes at a moment of heightened tension in Iraq, where Iran-backed groups have carried out attacks on US forces amid the US-Israel war on Iran.The decision to release Kittleson was reportedly made in response to 'the national stances of the outgoing prime minister' of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, a security official with the group, warned that the 'exceptional gesture' would not be repeated again.The Associated Press reported that Kittleson was released in exchange for several imprisoned Kataib Hezbollah members, citing anonymous members of the militia. During her detention, publications Kittleson had worked for, including Al-Monitor, praised her for her commitment to covering conflicts in the Middle East.

The Greatest Showman, the hit 2017 film starring Hugh Jackman as PT Barnum, has been transformed into a high-flying, hammer-juggling, banger-filled spectacular on stage. The musical, premiering in Bristol's Hippodrome, brings to life the story of the American showman and entrepreneur, with a sold-out eight-week run.The film's iconic soundtrack, which includes the Oscar-nominated 'This Is Me,' has been retained, with new songs by the original composers, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The production features Oliver Tompsett as Barnum and Samantha Barks as his wife, Charity.The stage adaptation aims to celebrate the world of circus and theatre, while acknowledging the controversial history of PT Barnum, who was criticized for exploiting people and animals. The musical's producers have chosen not to cast a performer with dwarfism in the role of Charles Stratton, but instead focus on showcasing vulnerable characters and promoting inclusivity.The production features sophisticated digital technology, with a 'sky pit' above the stage and a half-circus ring design. The team behind the musical hopes to create a sense of community among audience members, but stops short of encouraging sing-alongs to the hit songs.