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Sir Craig Reedie, a giant of the Olympic movement, has passed away at the age of 84. He served as chair of the British Olympic Association for over a decade and was instrumental in securing the 2012 Olympics for London.Reedie was also the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) during a tumultuous period when Russia was found guilty of state-sponsored doping. He recommended banning Russia from the 2016 Rio Games, although this was ultimately rejected by the International Olympic Committee.Tributes have poured in for Reedie, with Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics president, describing him as a mentor, wise counsel, and great friend. Coe credited Reedie with playing a pivotal role in London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.Reedie's dedication to the Olympic movement and clean sport has been widely praised. Dame Katherine Grainger, the current BOA chair, highlighted his tireless efforts to promote Olympic sport and his commitment to fair play.

Two weeks after the United States and Israel entered a direct conflict with Iran, the White House faced mounting criticism that the war would drive up fuel costs and anger voters. Former President Donald Trump attempted to calm concerns on Truth Social, noting that the United States is the world’s largest oil producer and that higher prices translate into higher revenues for American companies. Now, five weeks into the hostilities, the reality is becoming clear: defense contractors and oil companies are the primary beneficiaries of the escalating energy market. The Department of Defense announced that Boeing will partner with Lockheed Martin to triple U.S. production of missile seekers, a move that sent Lockheed Martin’s stock up 25% since the start of the year. The announcement also lifted Boeing’s share price, underscoring how wartime procurement is boosting aerospace valuations. At the same time, Iran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas flows—has pushed U.S. crude from $65 to over $110 per barrel in just a month. Pump prices have mirrored this surge, breaking the $4‑a‑gallon barrier for the first time since 2022. Oil majors have responded with sharp stock gains; ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron have each risen more than 20% year‑to‑date. According to market‑research firm Rystad Energy, U.S. oil producers stand to earn an additional $63 billion as barrels trade above $100. “Oil prices in March have been materially higher than anyone expected, delivering a windfall for the vast majority of U.S. energy companies,” said Leo Mariani, senior analyst at Roth Capital Partners. The last comparable price shock occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when U.S. gasoline peaked at $5 per gallon and inflation surged to 9%. That episode generated $916 billion in global oil‑and‑gas profits, with U.S. firms accounting for $281 billion. Chevron’s subsequent $75 billion stock‑buyback program—seven times its prior year’s amount—illustrates how quickly companies can translate price spikes into shareholder returns. Research by economists Gregor Semieniuk and Isabella Weber revealed that in 2022, 50% of oil‑company profits went to the top 1% of Americans, while the bottom half of the wealth distribution captured just 1% of those gains. Analysts warn that the current conflict could generate even larger windfalls because it has damaged actual production capacity in the Middle East, not merely reshuffled supply. “You’re benefiting a lot more from higher prices than you are from lost production,” Mariani noted, emphasizing the outsized profit potential. Even if hostilities cease, restoring pre‑conflict output in the region may take months, prolonging the supply crunch. As senior fellow Clay Seagle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains, the current situation differs from 2022: “Now we’re dealing with a much more severe supply event because the oil has been actually removed from the market.” Prolonged high prices could eventually curb demand, as consumers and businesses seek alternatives—a shift seen after the 1970s oil shocks when the U.S. moved away from oil‑generated electricity. Nonetheless, many sectors remain vulnerable: diesel, a key fuel for trucks and aircraft, has risen 40%, and airline stocks such as United and American have fallen more than 15% since the year began. Moreover, disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) production threaten fertilizer supplies essential for agriculture. Semieniuk cautions that “we’re approaching the kinds of disruption levels we saw in 2022, and with that, the kinds of profits that we saw there. If this takes longer, it’s going to surpass that.”

Arslanbek Makhmudov, the towering Russian boxer, is gearing up to face Tyson Fury at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday night. The 6ft 5½in Makhmudov, who tips the scales at around 270lbs, brings a formidable physical presence to the ring, with 19 of his 21 victories ending in a stoppage.Makhmudov, known for his respectful demeanor, has been praising Fury, calling him 'the professor' and acknowledging his exceptional boxing IQ. However, he believes that spiritual strength will play a crucial role in the fight, stating, 'Inshallah, it is spiritual.'Despite being the underdog, Makhmudov is confident in his abilities, citing his hard-hitting power and mental toughness. He has also drawn inspiration from his past experiences, including a surreal encounter with a bear in Moscow, which he described as 'very terrible.'Makhmudov's faith plays a significant role in his life, and he credits it for giving him the strength and confidence to face Fury. He prays five times a day and believes that with God on his side, he can overcome any obstacle, including a 60,000-strong pro-Fury crowd.Fury, known for his trash-talking, has surprisingly echoed Makhmudov's respectful tone, with Makhmudov appreciating the friendly banter between them. The two fighters have a mutual respect for each other's skills, with Makhmudov acknowledging Fury's legendary status in the boxing world.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have pledged to strengthen security cooperation between their countries. The agreement was made during Zelenskyy's visit to Damascus, where he discussed ways to enhance security and development opportunities for both nations. The cooperation aims to provide more security and opportunities for development for their societies, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram after the meeting. He highlighted that there is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience between the two countries. Ukraine, which has developed significant expertise in countering drone attacks during its ongoing conflict with Russia, has been offering its military capabilities to countries in the Middle East region. Zelenskyy has recently signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and has sent teams to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to share Ukraine's expertise. Syria, which currently lacks effective air defenses against Iranian drones and missiles, stands to benefit from Ukraine's experience. Iran and its allied groups have been attacking US and Israeli targets, as well as targets in Gulf countries, using a range of missiles and drones. In addition to security cooperation, Zelenskyy and al-Sharaa discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv is a reliable grain supplier. The meeting between the two presidents was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who met with Zelenskyy, al-Sharaa, and Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Sybiha. This trilateral meeting underscores the growing diplomatic engagement in the region. Zelenskyy's visit to Syria follows his recent trip to Turkiye, where he agreed on new steps in security cooperation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed joint gas infrastructure projects.

Eight OPEC+ participants have consented to raise daily oil‑production quotas by 206,000 barrels for May, a modest adjustment given that several key producers are constrained by the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran that has sealed the Strait of Hormuz.The strategic waterway has been blocked since late February, halting shipments from the core OPEC+ exporters Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq, thereby tightening global supply.During a virtual session, the eight members—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman—endorsed the May quota increase and reiterated their commitment to monitor market dynamics closely.The joint statement highlighted ongoing vigilance over market conditions and expressed concern that attacks on energy infrastructure make restoration costly and time‑intensive, further limiting supply availability.Although the increase accounts for less than 2% of the volume lost due to the Hormuz closure, OPEC+ sources told Reuters the decision signals a willingness to expand output once the strait reopens.Crude prices have surged to around $120 per barrel, a four‑year high, driving up transport‑fuel costs worldwide.JPMorgan warned that if the blockage persists into mid‑May, oil could breach $150 a barrel, an unprecedented level.The May adjustment mirrors the April decision made on March 1, yet the conflict is estimated to have removed between 12 and 15 million barrels per day—approximately 15% of global supply.Iran has allowed certain regional vessels to navigate the strait; Iraqi crude was observed transiting, and Oman is conducting talks with Tehran to facilitate smoother passage.U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to expand attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen by Monday.

Iran’s only operational nuclear power station, the Bushehr plant, has endured a series of assaults amid the escalating Israel‑United States campaign against Tehran, sparking alarm over a possible regional nuclear incident.The most recent strike on Saturday resulted in the death of a security guard and damage to an auxiliary building, according to the state‑run Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI).Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the facility has been "bombed" four times since the conflict erupted on 28 February, accusing the United States and Israel of a "lack of concern" for nuclear safety.Security analysts stress that any bombing of the reactor or its spent‑fuel pools would unleash the radioactive isotope Caesium‑137, a contaminant capable of traveling far via wind and water, rendering soil, food and drinking supplies hazardous for decades and increasing cancer risks for exposed populations.The Bushehr complex, built by Russia and completed in 2011, supplies roughly 1,000 MW to Iran’s grid. It is the Middle East’s first nuclear plant and is slated to host two additional reactors by 2029, with hundreds of Russian technicians on site.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned that a direct hit could trigger a “regional catastrophe.” Director‑General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council that striking the plant could cause a "very high release of radioactivity" and, if power to the cooling system were cut, could lead to a reactor melt. He called for "maximum restraint," noting that evacuation zones could extend several hundred kilometres, requiring iodine prophylaxis and food‑supply restrictions.Beyond terrestrial fallout, experts highlight the danger of contaminating the Gulf’s shallow waters. Radioactive pollution would devastate marine ecosystems and cripple desalination plants, which lack the technology to filter such material. Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, warned that a simulated Bushehr attack would render the sea "entirely contaminated" and leave the country without water within three days.International law explicitly forbids targeting civilian nuclear installations. Article 56 of Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions bars attacks on "works and installations containing dangerous forces," and the IAEA’s own guidelines prohibit indiscriminate strikes on reactors, fuel storage, or power supplies.Araghchi also criticized the muted Western response, contrasting it with the outcry over Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant, which prompted emergency UN sessions, NATO warnings, and statements from the EU, UK and US. In the Bushehr case, the EU has remained silent, while Russia, which maintains a sizable staff at the site, issued a condemnation of the attacks.Historical precedents such as the 2011 Fukushima disaster and the 1986 Chernobyl explosion illustrate the long‑term human and environmental toll of nuclear accidents, underscoring why the safety of Bushehr is viewed as a matter of regional, not merely national, security.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif presented a comprehensive peace roadmap in Foreign Affairs on Friday, seeking to move beyond a temporary cease‑fire in the war that erupted on February 28 after coordinated US‑Israeli strikes on Iran. The plan urges Iran to place limits on its nuclear program under international monitoring, including a commitment to never pursue nuclear weapons and to blend its enriched uranium below 3.67 %. This would address the International Atomic Energy Agency’s estimate that Iran holds roughly 440 kg (970 lb) of uranium enriched to 60 %—a level close to the 90 % threshold needed for a bomb. Zarif also proposes a mutual non‑aggression pact with the United States, coupled with the immediate lifting of all US sanctions and United Nations Security Council resolutions against Tehran. To secure regional stability, he suggests forming a regional fuel‑enrichment consortium that would involve China, Russia and the United States alongside Iran and its Gulf neighbours, using West Asia’s sole enrichment facility. Additionally, a broader security framework could include Gulf states, UN Security Council powers and possibly Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey to guarantee freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked since the conflict began. Beyond security, Zarif calls for “mutually beneficial trade, economic and technological cooperation” between Iran and the United States, framing the roadmap as a “well‑timed off‑ramp” for President Donald Trump, who recently warned Iran it had 48 hours to negotiate a deal or face “all hell”. Gulf officials reacted sharply. UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash dismissed the proposal as ignoring Iran’s aggressive missile and drone attacks on Gulf infrastructure, calling the strategy “hubris & strategic failure.” Former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani acknowledged the plan’s cleverness but warned that the war has “eroded the trust built over years” and increased regional danger. The United States has offered a 15‑point cease‑fire plan, while Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt continue to push for direct talks, yet no substantive progress has emerged. Should the roadmap gain traction, it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz—through which one‑fifth of global crude oil and natural gas normally flows—alleviate the economic shockwaves rippling through world markets, and reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

Ukrainian drones have launched targeted strikes on key Russian oil infrastructure, hitting the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and the NORSI oil refinery in the central Nizhny Novgorod region. According to Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi, these overnight attacks were confirmed by Russian officials on Sunday.In Primorsk, which serves as one of Russia's main oil exporting outlets, Governor Alexander Drozdenko of Russia's northwestern Leningrad region reported that a pipeline was damaged. He later updated that a fuel reservoir in the port area leaked when it was hit by shrapnel.The NORSI oil refinery, Russia's fourth largest, was also targeted. Governor Gleb Nikitin of Nizhny Novgorod stated that a fire broke out at the plant after two facilities were hit. The attack also resulted in damage to a power station and several houses, although there were no reported injuries.These strikes are part of Ukraine's strategy to disrupt Russia's oil infrastructure and reduce a key source of revenue funding Moscow's war efforts. At one point last month, about 40 percent of Russia's oil exporting capabilities were shut down due to these attacks and other disruptions.Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have stalled, with high-level talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine yielding no progress on critical issues like territorial concessions in eastern Ukraine.

The missing crew member of a US F‑15E jet, described by President Trump as a colonel, was located and rescued after a heavy firefight that involved hundreds of special‑forces operators, according to a US official speaking to Al Jazeera.Trump has set a 48‑hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which 20% of global oil and gas transits. Iran’s central military command dismissed the ultimatum as “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid.”Iran reports that US‑Israeli strikes have killed five people and wounded 170 at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone, while more than 30 universities have been targeted since the war began on 28 February.The rescued airman was the second of the two‑person crew; Iran has not yet issued a comment, though officials had previously urged citizens to help locate the missing officer in hopes of gaining leverage against Washington.During the rescue operation, Iranian media said strikes killed five civilians in the southwest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it shot down a US aircraft searching for the officer near Isfahan and destroyed an MQ‑9 Reaper drone, labeling the US effort a “desperate attempt to cover up a huge defeat.”Additional US‑Israeli attacks in Ardabil province near the Azerbaijani border killed three people, and the IRGC warned that the United States’ “target bank is inaccurate,” dismissing Trump’s threats to strike bridges as “laughable.”Russia has evacuated another 200 staff from the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant after a deadly perimeter attack, while Iran’s foreign minister warned that such raids could expose the region to radioactive contamination.Tehran’s prosecutor’s office ordered the seizure and freezing of assets belonging to more than 100 high‑profile individuals accused of supporting the enemy abroad.In the Gulf, Iranian drones damaged two Kuwaiti power and desalination plants, shutting down two electricity‑generating units but causing no injuries. Bahrain’s civil‑defence teams extinguished a fire at an unspecified facility, also without casualties. Abu Dhabi halted operations at Borouge’s petrochemical plant after debris‑induced fires, and the UAE’s air defences responded to missile and drone attacks aimed at its aluminium industry. Former IAEA director‑general Mohamed ElBaradei urged Gulf nations to act before the situation “turns the region into a ball of fire.”President Trump confirmed the rescue on Truth Social, calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” Meanwhile, former Army chief of staff General Randy George submitted a farewell letter after his removal, and satellite‑imaging firm Planet Labs announced an indefinite blackout of Iranian and regional imagery at the request of the Trump administration. Two individuals claiming to be relatives of the late Iranian general Qassem Soleimani were detained in the US, though Iranian media later disputed the familial link.Israel reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen—the fifth such attack since the war’s start—and the Houthis, together with Iranian forces and Hezbollah, claimed a joint long‑range strike on Lod airport. Explosions were heard over Jerusalem, and missile attacks on Tel Aviv and central Israel wounded five civilians.In Lebanon and Syria, Israeli forces bombed the town of Kfar Hatta in Sidon, struck the southern city of Tyre after issuing evacuation warnings, and caused casualties in Maarakeh, where at least five people were reported killed.Energy markets are under pressure: OPEC is set to meet to decide May output policy after a modest April boost of 206,000 barrels per day. The war has driven crude prices above $100 per barrel, up from $65 before hostilities. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar and is expected to travel to the UAE as oil supplies remain disrupted. Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines reported that its LPG tanker Green Sanvi resumed Gulf crossing after being stranded. Iran announced it would allow Iraqi vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite maintaining a broader blockade, a move aimed at easing Iraq’s severe economic distress.