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A Waitrose employee with 17 years of service was dismissed after stopping a shoplifter who had stolen a display of Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs worth £13 each. Walker Smith, a shop assistant at a Waitrose branch in Clapham Junction, south London, described his devastation after being sacked. He had been told not to approach shoplifters but felt compelled to act after seeing the repeat offender. The incident highlights the growing concern of shoplifting in retail, with 519,381 offences recorded in England and Wales in the year to September 2025, up 5% from the previous year. Smith's manager told him off and he apologized, but the matter was escalated, leading to his dismissal. He expressed regret over his actions and worries about his future, having recently moved into his own studio flat and being diagnosed with anxiety. Retail businesses, particularly supermarkets, have seen an increase in shoplifting, prompting calls for greater support and security measures. The chief executive of Marks & Spencer has urged the government and London's mayor to crack down on retail crime. A Waitrose spokesperson stated that the company takes the safety and security of customers and employees seriously, with policies in place to address these concerns.

The prospect of a historic quadruple for Arsenal has evaporated. After a Carabao Cup final loss and a humbling defeat to second‑tier Southampton, the Gunners now face only two competitions.In a dramatic FA Cup quarter‑final, a late goal by Shea Charles clinched a 2‑1 win for the Saints, who have been reshaped by manager Tonda Eckert from relegation candidates into promotion frontrunners within six months.Southampton opened the scoring eleven minutes before halftime when Ross Stewart capitalised on a defensive lapse, slipping a low finish past Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The lead was restored shortly after when substitute Viktor Gyökeres headed home, leveling the match.However, the decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. After a swift build‑up involving Tom Fellows, Charles received the ball inside the box and calmly placed it past the keeper, sending the Saints into the FA Cup semi‑finals at the end of the month.The victory marks only the fifth occasion this season that a team has beaten the Premier League leaders, underscoring Southampton’s resurgence. The club also honoured its 50‑year FA Cup triumph with a special yellow‑and‑blue kit, recalling Bobby Stokes' winning goal in 1976.For Arsenal, the defeat compounds recent setbacks. Manager Mikel Arteta now has less than 48 hours before the team departs for Lisbon to face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter‑final first leg, followed by a crucial Premier League clash at Manchester City.Despite the loss, Arsenal showed flashes of life, with Gyökeres equalising and a flurry of chances in stoppage time, but Southampton’s disciplined defence and Charles’ composure proved decisive.

The search for a missing US crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet entered its second day on Saturday, as Iranian media released pictures of wreckage, including a distinctive F-15 tail fin and a used ejector seat.A pilot was rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war, but the second crew member has not been accounted for.US search and rescue efforts are using low-flying Pave Hawk helicopters and specialist C-130 Hercules transport. Military pilots said the missing crew member would be trying to hide for as long as possible from the Iranian military and potentially seeking to transmit their location relative to a known secret point.Israel extended its war in Lebanon with increased airstrikes, targeting sites in Beirut and Tyre. The Israeli military said it had conducted a wave of strikes on Tehran overnight against what it said were air defence, ballistic missile storage and weapons development facilities.The US president, Donald Trump, said on Friday the episode would not affect efforts to negotiate a peace settlement with Iran. However, he also threatened an unspecified escalation, saying Iran had 48 hours to comply with his demands or face consequences.The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life, with at least 1,900 people killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of the war, according to estimates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

More than 100 United States‑based international law scholars have signed an open letter denouncing the recent US‑Israeli strikes on Iran as a violation of the United Nations Charter and potentially amounting to war crimes. The letter, released on Thursday, asserts that the campaign – launched on February 28 – proceeded without UN Security Council authorization and without credible evidence of an imminent Iranian threat. According to the scholars, the legal basis for force against another state exists only in self‑defence against an actual or imminent armed attack, or when expressly sanctioned by the Security Council. Iran has not attacked the United States or Israel, and the Security Council did not approve the operation. The experts organize their concerns into four categories: the legality of the war decision, the conduct of hostilities, threatening rhetoric from senior officials, and what they describe as the dismantling of civilian‑protection safeguards within the US defence establishment under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s “gloves‑off” approach. Among the most alarming incidents highlighted is the strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran on the first day of the conflict, which killed at least 175 people, the majority of them children. The letter also cites attacks on hospitals, water treatment facilities, and energy infrastructure, emphasizing that schools, health facilities, and homes have been targeted. The signatories condemn public statements by senior US officials, including a mid‑March remark by former President Donald Trump that the United States might strike Iran “just for fun,” and early‑March comments from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth dismissing “stupid rules of engagement.” They argue that such rhetoric reflects an “alarming disrespect” for international humanitarian law, which is designed to protect civilians and combatants alike. Financially, the letter notes that the war is costing US taxpayers up to $2 billion per day, underscoring the broader economic burden of the conflict. The open letter was co‑authored by prominent legal scholars such as Yale Law School’s Oona Hathaway, former State Department legal adviser Harold Koh, NYU’s Philip Alston, and former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth. While the authors focus on the United States’ conduct, they warn of a heightened risk of atrocities throughout the region. Emphasizing the need for consistent application of international law, the scholars write: “We urge US government officials to uphold the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and human rights law at all times, and to publicly make clear US commitment to and respect for norms of international law.”

Analysts say that more than two years of relentless campaigns against Gaza, the Houthis, Lebanon and now Iran have reshaped Israel’s politics, economy and social fabric.Washington, rather than Jerusalem, is likely to decide the ultimate outcome of the conflict that Israeli leaders describe as an “existential battle” with Tehran.According to the Bank of Israel, the cumulative cost of these wars has reached 352 billion shekels (about $112 bn), which translates to roughly 300 million shekels ($96 m) per day. The financial pressure is compounded by the International Court of Justice hearing credible genocide accusations and the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for the prime minister and a former defence minister.Domestically, Israelis endure frequent air‑raid alerts and school closures, while many families juggle work and shelter duties. Yet a poll by the Israel Democracy Institute in late March showed that 78 % of Jewish Israelis still support continuing the war, even as a majority doubt that Washington and Israeli planners have fully grasped Tehran’s capabilities.Political commentator Dahlia Scheindlin told Al Jazeera that a “graveness” has settled over the population, noting a grim determination to press on despite exhaustion.Israel’s right‑wing coalition, led by figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir and ultra‑Orthodox Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has pushed through a controversial death‑penalty law targeting Palestinians and approved a record $271 bn budget. The budget allocates substantial funds to ultra‑Orthodox and settler communities, a move described by critics as an attempt to shore up Prime Minister Netanyahu’s waning support.Internationally, the United Nations, European Union and several Muslim‑majority states have condemned the new death‑penalty legislation, though Israel has so far avoided direct sanctions.Economists warn that the war’s fiscal impact extends beyond defence spending. A Le Monde analysis highlighted rising defence outlays, lost productivity from reservist mobilisation, and dampened consumer activity. While temporary tax cuts have mitigated fuel‑price spikes caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, political economist Shir Hever cautions that Israel’s reliance on imported fuel means any relief is short‑lived.Hever likens the current economic trajectory to that of a “totalitarian state,” where military expenses are pursued arbitrarily, ignoring broader economic stability.Ultimately, the war’s duration may hinge more on U.S. policy than Israeli strategy. When asked by Newsmax about progress toward its goals, Prime Minister Netanyahu could only claim the effort was “halfway” achieved.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

At the start of 2026 Pakistan was sitting on a surplus of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). Three consecutive years of falling demand – from a peak of 8.2 million tonnes in 2021 to 6.1 million tonnes by late 2025 – were driven by cheap solar panels and reduced industrial activity. The government responded by quietly selling excess cargoes abroad and shutting down domestic wells to avoid over‑pressurising pipelines. Any gas that could not be diverted would have been pushed into household networks at a loss, adding billions to the sector’s crippling debt. Everything changed on 28 February when the United States and Israel launched the "Epic Fury" operation against Iran. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeted missile sites, air defences and military infrastructure. Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones, choking traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of global oil and gas. As part of its retaliation, Iranian drones hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on 2 March, the world’s largest LNG export hub. Qatar, the second‑largest LNG exporter after the United States, declared force majeure and halted all production, releasing it from contractual delivery obligations. The fallout was immediate. Qatar’s forced shutdown cut its LNG output by 17 % and disrupted the supply chain that fuels Pakistan, which sources almost all of its imported gas from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan’s LNG arrivals plummeted from 12 shipments in January to just two in March. Monthly cargo data from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) show that the country received between eight and twelve shipments a month through 2025, but only two arrived after the conflict began. Price pressure followed. On 13 February state‑owned Pakistan State Oil and Pakistan LNG Limited bought eight cargoes at an average of $10.47 per MMBtu (totaling $257.1 million). By 12 March the two cargoes that did arrive cost $12.49 per MMBtu – a 19 % increase in just one month. Long‑term contracts have left Pakistan with little flexibility. Two government‑to‑government agreements with Qatar, spanning 15 and 10 years, commit the country to nine shipments a month. Even as domestic demand fell – LNG’s share of Asian markets dropped from ~30 % in 2020 to ~18 % in 2025 – the contracts remained binding. Solarisation has been a double‑edged sword. By 2025 Pakistan installed 34 GW of solar capacity, with about 25 GW feeding the national grid, driving an 11 % decline in overall electricity demand between 2022 and 2025. Gas‑fired power plants built for imported LNG are now under‑utilised, especially during daylight hours. Analysts warn that the surplus was predictable. “Pakistan’s energy planning has been locked into long‑term contracts with little room for adjustment,” says Haneea Isaad of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The resulting circular debt now stands at 3.3 trillion rupees (≈ $11 billion), and the government is negotiating to off‑load 177 unwanted shipments worth $5.6 billion through 2031. With Qatar’s LNG shipments effectively halted, the country faces a potential shortfall of more than 21 % of its power generation capacity. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority confirmed that LNG supplies are under force majeure, while coal imports from South Africa and Indonesia continue. To mitigate the gap, Pakistan is reviving domestic gas production that had been throttled during the surplus period. Roughly 350–400 million cubic feet per day of domestic gas were previously held back for LNG imports, now being released to the grid. Nevertheless, analysts caution that even with restored domestic gas, imported coal and hydropower, “the energy shortage may persist, especially during the peak summer months.” Summer pressure is already building. The State of Industry Report 2025 recorded peak electricity demand of over 33,000 MW last summer, while winter demand sits around 15,000 MW, helped by solar generation of 9,000–10,000 MW daily. Furnace oil, the primary backup fuel, now costs 35 rupees per unit (≈ $0.12), more than double since the Strait of Hormuz disruption. Consumers with grid electricity face higher bills and possible outages; industrial users reliant on gas risk production cuts; those equipped with rooftop solar and battery storage are best insulated. “Returning to the spot market is unlikely given Pakistan’s dire financial position, and competing with wealthier nations would price the country out,” Isaad warns. “The realistic outcome may be planned load‑shedding of two to three hours daily.”

Match details: Manchester City will meet Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 4 April, kicking off at 12:45 pm local time (11:45 GMT) in the FA Cup quarter‑final.Salah’s impending exit: The Egyptian forward announced during the international break that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, having scored 255 goals for the club. Manager Arne Slot praised his “ever‑present hunger” and said the striker remains a legend despite a brief spell out of the squad earlier in the campaign.Guardiola’s suspension: City boss Pep Guardiola will miss the fixture after receiving a sixth yellow card in the 3‑1 FA Cup win over Newcastle United. The booking came after he protested a referee’s decision on a challenge to Jeremy Doku. This could be his last appearance against Liverpool as speculation grows over his future at Manchester City.Stakes for both sides: City are chasing a historic domestic treble – League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League – a feat last achieved in 2018/19. Liverpool, sitting fifth in the Premier League, view the cup as their only realistic route to silverware and a chance for Slot to secure his position after delivering a record‑equalling 20th league title.Upcoming fixtures: A win for Liverpool would be followed by a Champions League quarter‑final clash with Paris Saint‑Germain on 8 and 14 April. City, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent 2‑0 League Cup final victory over Arsenal.Team news – Manchester City: Centre‑back Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined with a tibial fracture. Ruben Dias and John Stones face late fitness tests for hamstring and calf issues. If Dias is unavailable, Abdukodir Khusanov or Nathan Ake could partner Marc Guehi in central defence. Goalkeeper James Trafford is expected to start, giving him a chance ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.Predicted City XI: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait‑Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki.Team news – Liverpool: Mohamed Salah missed the recent 2‑1 loss to Brighton with a muscle injury but is expected to be fit. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are out, and Alisson Becker remains doubtful due to a muscular problem. Jeremie Frimpong’s availability is pending after a knock on international duty; Dominik Szoboszlai may cover at right‑back if needed. Alexander Isak has returned to training but is unlikely to feature this weekend.Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.Historical head‑to‑head: The two clubs have met 220 times, with Liverpool winning 110 matches, City 62 and 58 draws. Their most recent league encounter ended in a 2‑1 City win thanks to a stoppage‑time penalty from Erling Haaland.Other quarter‑final ties: After the early kickoff, Chelsea face Port Vale, Arsenal travel to Southampton, West Ham host Leeds, and the remaining fixtures will determine the final four.

Kuwait has been hit by Iranian missile and drone strikes, targeting a crucial power and desalination plant, as well as the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery. The attacks, which occurred on Friday, have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. The power and desalination plant was struck before midday local time, with the extent of the damage still unknown. The plant is critical for Kuwait's water supply, as the country is highly dependent on desalinated water. An Indian national was killed in a similar attack on March 30, and Iran denied claims it launched the attacks, blaming Israel instead. The Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, was targeted in early morning drone strikes, resulting in fires in several operational units. No employees were injured, but emergency and firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene, and environmental authorities monitored the area for air quality. The attacks are part of a broader escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets. The United Arab Emirates' defence ministry reported that it had intercepted 19 ballistic missiles and 26 drones on Thursday alone, while Saudi Arabia destroyed a drone in its airspace overnight. Iran's army spokesperson warned of impending attacks on regional power plants, while US President Donald Trump warned of intensifying strikes on Iran's infrastructure. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about the potential for further attacks and the impact on regional stability.