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Qatar's Defence Ministry has confirmed that missiles launched from Iran struck an oil tanker within the country's territorial waters. The incident has heightened concerns over regional stability and security.In a related development, US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran does not have to make a deal for him to end the war and suggested that the conflict could be resolved in two to three weeks. These comments come amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran's aggressive actions have led to a series of incidents across the Gulf region. Kuwait's international airport was hit by drones from Iran, causing a large fire at its fuel tanks. The airport's spokesman, Abdullah al-Rajhi, confirmed that the attacks were 'brazen' and resulted in material damage but no human injuries.In Bahrain, a fire broke out at an undisclosed company facility due to Iranian aggression, with civil defence crews working to extinguish the blaze. The incident has heightened concerns about the stability of the region.The United Arab Emirates also reported a fatality, with shrapnel from a drone interception killing a Bangladeshi national on a farm in Fujairah city. Authorities are investigating the incident.These attacks are part of a broader conflict between Iran and a US-Israeli coalition. Iran has claimed to target US assets, but Gulf nations assert that Tehran's actions have targeted civilian infrastructure.The economic impact of the conflict is significant, with a UN report estimating that the Arab world's GDP could decline by 3.7 to 6 percent, equivalent to a contraction of $120bn to $194bn, after just one month of war.Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been complicated by contradictory statements from US President Donald Trump about the potential for a quick exit. Iran has dismissed a US ceasefire proposal as 'maximalist' and 'unreasonable', demanding compensation for damages and a permanent end to hostilities.

The UK is set to host 35 countries, excluding the US, to discuss ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the next phase of discussions, led by the UK and France, will take place on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders.The meeting will focus on assessing viable diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities. British military planners will meet afterwards to discuss how to marshal their capabilities and make the strait accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped.The blockade has resulted in around 1,000 ships being stranded, with only about 130 ships passing through since the war began, compared to the normal daily number. The strait is a critical route, with a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies and a third of global fertilisers passing through before the conflict.The US has not been directly invited to participate in the talks, which will include countries that signed a joint statement last month, such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as Japan, Canada, South Korea, and New Zealand. The Ministry of Defence has sent military planners to US Central Command to explore options for getting tankers through the strait.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to 'enemies of this nation', and US President Donald Trump has posted that there will be no ceasefire with Iran until it relinquishes control of the waterway.

Arsenal successfully defended their Women's Champions League title hopes with a thrilling draw against Chelsea. The Gunners secured a 3-2 aggregate win, despite suffering a 1-0 loss in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's Sjoeke Nüsken scored a late goal, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 3-1 deficit from the first leg. The intense match saw Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor sent off shortly before the final whistle. Arsenal's victory ensures they will play the winner of the quarter-final between Lyon and Wolfsburg. The German side holds a 1-0 lead into the second leg. The match was marked by high tension and dramatic moments. Chelsea's Allyssa Thompson had a chance to score but hit the ball over the bar. Hannah Hampton made crucial saves for Chelsea, while Arsenal's Daphne van Domselaar also made key stops. Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius had a goal disallowed for offside, which could have sealed the tie. However, Chelsea pushed hard and Veerle Buurman hit the post in the dying minutes. Nüsken's late strike gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope, but ultimately, Arsenal's lead held, securing their place in the semi-finals and continuing their title defence.

Palantir’s claim that opposition to its NHS contract is driven by ideology was rebuked by Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP who chairs Parliament’s science, innovation and technology select committee. Onwurah said it is appropriate for ministers to explore a break‑clause option in the deal, underscoring the seriousness of the concerns raised. Louis Mosley, Palantir’s UK executive vice‑chair, had urged the government not to succumb to “ideologically motivated campaigners” as officials weighed a way out of a £330 million contract to deliver the Federated Data Platform (FDP) for NHS England. Ministers have now asked for advice on triggering the contract’s break clause amid growing scrutiny of Palantir’s expanding role in the public sector. The FDP is an AI‑enabled platform designed to integrate disparate health information across the NHS. Palantir already holds contracts with the Ministry of Defence, several police forces and the UK’s financial watchdog, the FCA. Onwurah’s cross‑party committee is set to publish its report in the coming weeks, covering the digital reorganisation of government services and the role of AI after a series of hearings that included experts, NHS leaders and representatives from companies such as Palantir. She identified three core issues: the manner in which the contract was awarded, the handling of patient data and the resulting trust deficit within the NHS, and the involvement of Peter Mandelson through his firm Global Counsel. “These are not fringe ideological concerns,” Onwurah told the Guardian. “They relate to contract transparency, vendor lock‑in, value for money and data security – matters that should concern everyone pushing the NHS towards digital transformation.” She added that the NHS’s post‑COVID fatigue and austerity‑driven burnout make any additional trust‑related resentment a significant barrier to progress. Onwurah noted that Palantir secured the contract after providing services to the NHS at a nominal cost – a tactic often used by large tech firms to position themselves as the most attractive government supplier. “It is right for the government to explore all options, including breaking the contract, given ongoing concerns about FDP uptake while Palantir remains at the helm,” she said. Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley, also on the committee, urged the government to commission a new consortium of UK‑based tech experts to build a home‑grown NHS platform. During a previous committee appearance, Mosley accused British doctors of placing “ideology over patient interest” after they challenged the data‑processing contract. Speaking to the Times, Mosley warned that removing Palantir could jeopardise patient care and stall solutions to the NHS’s biggest challenges, arguing that the campaign against the firm would do more harm than good.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Downing Street staff that Britain’s long‑term national interest now hinges on a more ambitious partnership with the European Union, a stance shaped by the escalating war in the Middle East and the broader volatility of global politics.He announced that the foreign secretary will convene an international meeting later this week to discuss ways to re‑open the Strait of Hormuz and ensure safe navigation once hostilities subside. Following that summit, Starmer said military planners will be brought together to assess how Britain can contribute to securing the vital waterway.Emphasising a strategic pivot, Starmer said the UK’s future is increasingly tied to Europe, especially ahead of an upcoming EU summit that will go beyond merely reviewing last year’s “reset” commitments. He warned that Brexit inflicted deep damage on the British economy and that the opportunities to improve security and alleviate the cost‑of‑living crisis are “too big to ignore”.At the summit, the government aims to secure closer economic and defence cooperation, a partnership built on shared values and mutual security interests. Starmer added that strengthening ties with the EU could also enhance the UK’s relationship with the United States, despite recent criticism from President Donald Trump.When pressed about Trump’s remarks about possibly withdrawing the US from NATO, Starmer replied that he will act according to the British national interest, regardless of external “noise”. He also clarified that, while Labour’s manifesto does not call for re‑joining the EU single market, the government is open to negotiating deeper single‑market links if they serve Britain’s economic goals.The speech drew sharp rebuke from Reform UK, whose deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed the idea of tighter EU ties as “ludicrous” and warned of the bloc’s past reliance on Russian gas. In contrast, Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton hailed the remarks as an “overdue moment of honesty” about Brexit’s costs and urged the UK to scrap “red‑line” policies and consider a customs union as an economic imperative.Green Party MP Siân Berry welcomed the shift, saying Starmer is finally recognising the need to look to European partners for long‑term security rather than relying solely on the United States.

London, United Kingdom – Civil‑rights organisations and supporters of the Palestine solidarity movement allege that the British state is employing intimidation tactics following the recent re‑arrest of two young pro‑Palestinian activists who were out on bail. On Monday, 21‑year‑old Qesser Zuhrah was detained at her Watford home after posting on social media urging people to take “direct action”. Counter‑terrorism police charged her with encouraging or assisting criminal damage, a charge tied to the online post. She was granted bail again on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court on 17 April. Four days earlier, 23‑year‑old Audrey Corno was arrested in south London by plain‑clothes officers who claimed she had tampered with her electronic tag – a breach of bail conditions she denies. Corno said officers emerged from an undercover vehicle parked outside her home and that her tag had been offline for only 20 minutes, a duration she could not have caused. Both activists were previously imprisoned for alleged involvement in separate 2024 raids on military‑hardware manufacturers linked to the Israeli war effort, actions claimed by the direct‑action group Palestine Action. Zuhrah is part of the “Filton 24” collective accused of breaking into an Elbit Systems UK weapons factory in Bristol, while Corno faced charges related to a break‑in at GRiD Defence Systems in Buckinghamshire. Although a High Court ruling in February declared the UK’s designation of Palestine Action as a “terrorist” organisation unlawful, the government is preparing an appeal, meaning public support for the group remains illegal for now. Naila Ahmed, head of campaigns at CAGE International, described Zuhrah’s re‑arrest as part of an “active repression” of pro‑Palestine voices, arguing that the legislation is being used to criminalise political speech and dissent. She called for the abolition of terrorism laws, saying they have historically served as tools of political control rather than public protection. Human Rights Watch has echoed these concerns, noting a “disproportionate targeting” of groups such as climate‑change activists and Palestine protesters, which undermines the right to protest without fear of harassment. The arrests occur amid escalating tension between the Metropolitan Police and Britain’s sizable Palestine solidarity movement. A large march is slated for Saturday in London, where demonstrators are expected to chant slogans like “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. The Met, which had paused mass arrests after the High Court decision, has recently reversed that policy, raising the likelihood of further detentions. In parallel, a court hearing is set for Wednesday involving Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Ben Jamal and Stop the War Coalition’s Chris Nineham, who face accusations of breaching protest restrictions in January 2025. Public sentiment appears to be shifting: a YouGov poll found that one in three Britons express “no sympathy at all” for the Israeli side after the conflict has claimed over 72,000 lives and devastated the Gaza Strip. Critics argue that the Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, has intensified its crackdown on pro‑Palestine activism, citing a wave of arrests and the ongoing proscription of Palestine Action as evidence of a broader strategy to suppress dissent.

During an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher pressed members to outline concrete measures for safeguarding Lebanese civilians as Israel intensifies its ground offensive and aerial bombardment.Fletcher highlighted the stark parallel between Israel’s stated objectives in Lebanon and the ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, asking the council how it intends to prevent a repeat of the humanitarian catastrophe witnessed there.Since the escalation on 2 March, more than 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes across Lebanon, a displacement surge linked to Israel’s retaliatory strikes after Hezbollah fired missiles into northern Israel.In a video address, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that, once the current operation concludes, the Israeli army will establish a security zone extending to the Litani River and maintain control over the area, effectively creating a new occupied territory.Israeli forces have pushed deeper into the south this week, claiming the moves are necessary to shield northern Israeli communities from missile attacks. Human‑rights organisations have condemned the expansion, warning that targeting civilian infrastructure and preventing residents from returning would exacerbate the crisis.The heightened conflict has also claimed the lives of three UN peacekeepers. Two Indonesian soldiers were killed on Monday when an unexplained explosion destroyed their vehicle near the village of Bani Haiyyan, while a third Indonesian peacekeeper died the previous day after a projectile detonated at a UNIFIL post near Aadshit al‑Qusayr.UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Peace Operations Jean‑Pierre Lacroix said early investigations suggest a roadside blast was responsible for the Monday deaths, emphasizing that such incidents must not occur and that peacekeepers should never be targeted.A spokesperson for Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks, stating they breach international law and could constitute war crimes. The statement called for accountability and urged all parties to uphold their legal obligations to protect UN personnel and property at all times.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Tehran has been exchanging messages with the United States, either directly or via regional partners, as the US‑Israel war on Iran continues. He emphasized that these contacts do not constitute formal negotiations. "I receive messages from US special envoy Steve Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations," Araghchi said. He added that all communications are routed through the Foreign Ministry or security agencies, and there is no truth to claims of active talks with any US party. Reflecting on past diplomatic experience, Araghchi recalled a previous agreement—referring to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—that the United States later abandoned. "We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield results; the trust level is at zero," he asserted. President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the skepticism, stating that the US "does not believe in diplomacy" after Iran was attacked twice during prior negotiations. In a phone call with European Council President Antonio Costa, Pezeshkian said Iran possesses the "necessary will" to end the war, but insists on guarantees to prevent further aggression. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth countered, saying Washington aims to secure a deal that would end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, yet remains prepared to "negotiate with bombs" if needed. Addressing the strategic waterway, Araghchi noted that the strait lies within Oman’s and Iran’s territorial waters and can be used strategically. "Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed. That is normal during war," he explained, adding that some nations avoid the route due to security concerns and high insurance costs, while others have negotiated access. He warned that any post‑war arrangement for the strait will be decided jointly by Oman and Iran, with the potential to transform it into a "peaceful waterway." Regarding rumors of a possible US ground operation, Araghchi said Tehran is unafraid: "We are waiting for them. I don’t think they’d dare to do such a thing. There will be a lot of strength waiting for them." He affirmed Iran’s readiness to repel any ground attack. The foreign minister clarified that Iran has neither responded to nor submitted any counter‑proposals to the US 15‑point plan aimed at ending the war. The proposal, according to earlier reports, calls for Iran to renounce the acquisition of nuclear weapons and to limit its missile stockpile in range and quantity. Araghchi concluded that Iran will only accept an end to all attacks in the region, not merely a ceasefire, underscoring the country's firm stance amid ongoing hostilities.