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U.S. Vice President JD Vance, heading the American delegation in the Islamabad talks, announced that the United States has yet to receive a concrete commitment from Tehran on its nuclear program and that Washington has put forward its best and final offer to Iran.Iranian media reports that the historic negotiations in Pakistan’s capital will resume for a second day. Observers note that the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical sticking point, underscoring the broader strategic stakes for regional security and global energy flows.

GSK has revealed promising early results for its treatment for gynaecological cancers, Mocertatug Rezetecan (Mo-Rez), as its chief executive, Luke Miels, seeks to speed up drug development at the group.The company reported that in an early-stage trial, Mo-Rez shrank or eliminated tumours in 62% of patients with ovarian cancer where chemotherapy had failed, and in 67% of those with endometrial cancer.GSK acquired the Mo-Rez cancer treatment, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), from China’s Hansoh Pharma in late 2023, and has trialled it in 224 patients around the world, including the UK, over the past year. Few patients needed to stop treatment because of side-effects, the most common being nausea. It is administered every three weeks via intravenous infusion.Combined with data from a separate, intermediate trial in China, these results give GSK the confidence to go straight to late-stage trials, with five clinical studies planned globally in the next few months, including on patients in the UK.Presenting the results at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s annual meeting on women’s cancer in Puerto Rico, Hesham Abdullah, GSK’s global head of cancer research and development, said: “Treatment of gynaecological cancers remains a major challenge, with a pressing need for new therapies that offer improved response rates. With Mo-Rez we now have compelling evidence of a promising clinical profile.”Endometrial cancer affects 1.6 million women globally, with 417,000 new cases each year. Ovarian cancer affects 843,000 people, with 240,000 new cases annually.Abdullah described Mo-Rez as a “key asset” in the company’s growing cancer portfolio, expected to be a blockbuster drug with peak annual sales of more than £2bn, which GSK hopes will help it achieve its 2031 sales target of £40bn.

The United States’ senior envoy, Vice President JD Vance, said the marathon talks in Islamabad collapsed because Iran would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, a stance Tehran’s representatives dismissed as a lack of US goodwill. Vance, who departed Islamabad on Sunday after a 21‑hour session with Iranian officials, reiterated that Washington’s red lines required an "affirmative commitment" from Tehran that it would not pursue a nuclear weapon or the means to acquire one quickly. He described the stalemate as "bad news for Iran much more than it is for the United States." Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf countered that, despite offering "constructive initiatives," the US failed to win the trust of the Iranian delegation, leaving it to Washington to decide whether it can regain that confidence. Iran’s foreign ministry downplayed expectations, stating that no one anticipated a deal in a single session and emphasizing continued regional contacts, while the semi‑official Tasnim news agency blamed "excessive" US demands for the impasse. The talks took place under a 14‑day ceasefire agreed by the US, Iran and Israel, with Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar urging both sides to honour the pause and offering to facilitate renewed dialogue. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has already claimed over 3,000 lives in Iran, more than 2,000 in Lebanon, and dozens across the Gulf region, while inflicting extensive infrastructure damage. Israeli security cabinet minister Ze’ev Elkin warned that Iran is "playing with fire," even as he left the door open for further negotiations. These were the first direct US‑Iran talks in more than a decade and could determine the fate of the fragile ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of global energy supplies. The war has already sent international oil prices soaring. In addition to Vance, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and former President Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner met with Ghalibaf and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for two hours before a brief recess. The Iranian delegation arrived in black mourning attire for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and carried shoes and bags belonging to children killed in a school bombing near a military compound—a strike the Pentagon says is under investigation, with some reports suggesting US involvement. Pakistani security forces sealed off Islamabad, a city of over two million, underscoring Pakistan’s newly prominent mediating role after a year of diplomatic isolation. The US military announced it was "setting conditions" to clear mines and allow warships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Iran’s state media denied. Prior to the talks, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that the US had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other banks, a statement the US later denied. Tehran’s broader demands include control over the strait, payment of war reparations, a region‑wide ceasefire—including in Lebanon—and the collection of transit fees from shipping traffic. President Trump’s minimum objectives remain the free passage of global shipping through the strait and the crippling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability to prevent the development of an atomic bomb.

Zappa Montag walks through a 76‑hectare (189‑acre) forest of redwoods, madrones and oaks that he co‑manages with five other Black residents at Black to the Land in Boonville, California. Powered by solar panels and supplied by a well, the off‑grid ecovillage embodies Montag’s goal to “reverse‑gentrify the country” by creating a self‑sufficient sanctuary for Black people. Intentional communities—small groups united by shared values—have long served Black and Indigenous peoples, ranging from urban co‑housing to rural ecovillages. In the post‑slavery era, tightly knit Black networks relied on mutual aid for business and farming, a tradition that is resurfacing in places like Alabama, Massachusetts and California as a way to revive ancestral agricultural knowledge. Montag and his daughter Bibi Sarai first imagined Black to the Land in 2015, frustrated by the rapid gentrification of Oakland. After a 2021 introduction to the declining Emerald Earth Sanctuary in Mendocino County, the nonprofit transferred stewardship of the property to their group through a verbal and written agreement. Montag describes the hand‑over as a form of reparations—instead of cash, they invest time learning land stewardship. Tragedy struck in February 2023 when Bibi Sarai died unexpectedly. Yet, reports that visitors felt uplifted after summer stays convinced Montag to stay permanently, turning grief into a catalyst for the community’s growth. Today, the community—members ranging from their late 20s to mid‑50s—funds land maintenance through grants, workshops and fundraising. They host classes on building, gardening and foraging, while some members work remotely to cover personal expenses. African plant‑medicine practitioners prepare herbal remedies, and a partnership with Ghanaian ecovillage leaders introduces natural‑building techniques. In addition to cultivating vegetables, the residents construct clay dwellings, practice yoga, and collectively manage chores such as fire‑wood gathering and trench‑building to prevent driveway flooding. Self‑reliance is the guiding principle, especially amid today’s economic uncertainty. The BIPOC Intentional Community Council, founded in 2020, supports Black and brown groups in establishing similar settlements by providing funding, nonprofit‑formation workshops and land‑trust guidance. Board member Crystal Byrd Farmer notes a growing “back‑to‑the‑land” movement as people seek rural roots. While mainstream media sometimes label intentional communities as radical, Farmer argues they echo millennial human practices of mutual support. Most U.S. intentional communities remain majority‑white due to historic capital access, leaving people of color to feel culturally alienated in those spaces. In Alabama, the Ekvn‑Yefolecv ecovillage—run by Indigenous Maskoke families—reclaimed 3,105 hectares (7,674 acres) of ancestral land. Governed matriarchally, residents speak their language daily, practice traditional foraging, reintroduce buffalo and sturgeon, and share land title, offering a model of ecological sustainability and cultural preservation. Massachusetts hosts the Solidarity Arts & Education Decolonial Initiatives (SAEDi) collective, a communal home for women of color that blends art, food sovereignty and reparations work. Rent is adjusted to ability, and members contribute childcare, meals and chores. Plans include a garden, orchard, and a “green residency” program that will archive elders’ agricultural stories online, aiming to boost security for immigrant families amid rising xenophobia. The modern roots of Black intentional living trace back to 1969’s New Communities in Georgia, a civil‑rights‑era farming settlement that pioneered the nation’s first community land trust. Although federal opposition led to its collapse, a 2009 $12 million settlement acknowledged USDA discrimination. Today, the organization runs workshops on land stewardship and mentors new generations of Black farmers. For Montag, the land also serves as a personal memorial. A clay bench honors his late daughter Bibi Sarai, allowing him to “connect with humanity” and keep her spirit alive. Future plans include grief‑focused rituals and a memorial garden, underscoring the belief that joy and healing are essential components of communal living. Increased security and safety Marginalized groups view intentional communities as safe havens for preserving cultural practices and passing knowledge to youth. Elders’ expertise is documented for future generations, reinforcing resilience against systemic oppression. Empowering collective action From the civil‑rights farms of Georgia to contemporary ecovillages in California and Alabama, these settlements illustrate how shared land ownership, communal labor and cultural affirmation can counter gentrification, foster economic independence, and nurture intergenerational healing.

Designer matchboxes have transformed from a utilitarian item into a coveted home‑accessory, with luxury retailers showcasing collections that command prices up to £235.Selfridges, the high‑end department store chain, says sales of premium matchboxes have jumped 121% year‑on‑year. To meet the surge, the retailer has more than doubled its assortment, now offering over 100 styles priced between £5 and £230, and touts the product as “the must‑have home accessory for 2026”.At the top of the range sits a three‑piece set designed by Cartier, featuring panther‑embellished paper and card tubes that hold 80 matches each and retail for £235.Independent designer Jo Laing, known for ceramic‑topped matchboxes, reports a 60% increase in sales year‑on‑year. Her limited‑edition, reusable boxes now appear in Harrods and are priced at £70, with stock frequently selling out.The matchbox emerged in the late 1800s as a novel advertising canvas, evolving into an unexpected art form that displayed everything from political slogans to commercial branding.While opulent versions in silver, gold and ceramics faded after smoking bans, the recent revival shows the item’s shift from pure function to decorative status.Market analysts suggest the craze reflects tighter household budgets. Consumers, unable to justify expensive candles or décor, are opting for “little treats” that provide a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.Bia Bezamat, cultural insights director at Kantar, notes: “There’s a sustained trend for ‘little treats’ … it’s a response to cost‑of‑living pressures: people want small, affordable pockets of joy to brighten their day.”Claire Dickinson, senior strategist at WGSN Interiors, describes the phenomenon as “the homeware equivalent of the lipstick effect”, where shoppers replace high‑priced luxuries with more modest, yet still indulgent, items. She adds that these matchboxes embody the rise of “beautilities” – practical objects designed to be seen and enjoyed.Henrietta Klug, head of home at Selfridges, says the once‑functional matchbox is “re‑emerging as an object of desire”, now featured on the tables of London’s trend‑setting bars and restaurants.Five of the most expensive matchboxesDebonnaire silver matchbox – £843Diabolo de Cartier graphic‑print matchboxes (set of three) – £225Panthère de Cartier graphic‑print matchboxes (set of three) – £235Jo Laing ceramic moon matchbox – £70Refill for L’Objet matchbox – £25

The United States and Iran have initiated direct talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, in an effort to bring an end to their six-week conflict. These face-to-face discussions, confirmed by the White House, follow a recent fragile ceasefire agreement and separate bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Iranian delegation, comprising over 70 people, is headed by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Iranian state media, the talks proceeded after Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Iran had insisted on the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire and the lifting of US sanctions as prerequisites for the negotiations. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif expressed hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region. Despite earlier assertions from Tehran that they would not engage without commitments on Lebanon's inclusion and US sanctions, the negotiations have moved forward. Sources indicate some progress on basic conditions, including the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, with reports of a possible understanding to limit strikes to southern Lebanon. There are also indications of potential movement on the unfreezing of Iranian assets. US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the only reason Iranian officials were alive was to negotiate a deal, stating that Iran had no cards other than short-term extortion. Vance expressed optimism about a positive outcome but warned that the negotiating team would not be receptive if Iran tried to play them.

The Conservative Party has announced plans to reinstate the two-child benefit cap in order to fund a substantial increase in defence spending. According to Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, this move would support the largest peacetime programme of rearmament in the UK's history. The party aims to recruit 6,000 full-time soldiers and 14,000 reservists, marking the largest net increase in British troops since the Second World War.Badenoch criticised the current government's lack of readiness for war, citing recent global events. She emphasised the need for the UK to reassert itself as a global power and committed to increasing defence spending. The Tories claim they can raise £20bn towards this venture by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and reallocating funds earmarked for net zero projects.The announcement comes amid tensions with the US over the UK's involvement in the conflict with Iran. Badenoch expressed concern over Donald Trump's public criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the importance of maintaining western bonds in the face of global threats.The Labour government has pledged to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027, increasing to 3% in the next parliament. However, they are under pressure to publish a defence spending plan, with reports of tensions between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.

Historic peace talks between Iran and the US commenced in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking the first face-to-face meeting between senior negotiators from both countries since 1979. The discussions, facilitated by Pakistani mediators, took place in a positive atmosphere despite continued fighting in Lebanon.The US delegation, led by Vice-President JD Vance, and Iran's negotiators, headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi, engaged in two rounds of talks. The discussions covered key topics such as security, finance, and the Strait of Hormuz.Pakistani sources confirmed that Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, was present in the room, having played a crucial role in brokering a ceasefire earlier in the week. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, hosted dinner for the delegations at his residence.The Iranian negotiators initially demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon, reparations, and a commitment to unblock frozen assets as part of a peace deal. However, the US warned against attempts to manipulate the negotiations, with Vance stating that the US would not be receptive to such tactics.The talks have sparked optimism, with a senior Pakistani official expressing hope for a breakthrough. The discussions have also drawn attention from other countries, with reports suggesting that China may offer guarantees to secure a deal.Meanwhile, Israel's military actions in Lebanon have escalated tensions, with Hezbollah firing rockets at Israeli cities. The Lebanese army has deployed troops to maintain stability amid internal tensions.

Despite a supposed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, thousands of families are still unable to bury their loved ones six months into the agreement. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has left about 10,000 Palestinians missing and believed to be buried under collapsed buildings.An internationally mediated agreement was signed between Israel and Hamas on October 10, 2023, aiming to end the conflict. However, for many, the war has not ended. The United Nations reports that Israeli bombardment has generated over 61 million tonnes of rubble in the besieged Gaza Strip.Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary spoke to a Palestinian father, Abu Mohammed, who survived an Israeli attack but lost four of his children. He has been trying to retrieve their bodies for three years but faces significant challenges due to the massive concrete slabs and lack of heavy equipment.The ceasefire has not allowed heavy machinery into Gaza to begin recovery efforts and reunite families. According to Mahmoud Basal, Gaza's civil defence spokesperson, nothing has entered Gaza except limited equipment for retrieving Israeli captives. Across Gaza, thousands remain buried, with at least 50 bodies trapped beneath the rubble in one apartment block in Bureij.Conditions on the ground have barely shifted six months into the ceasefire. Families continue to wait as bodies are not yet recovered, and Israeli attacks persist. Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 738 people have been killed and 2,036 wounded. Authorities have recovered 759 bodies from the rubble.Israel's actions in Gaza have resulted in over 72,317 Palestinian deaths and 172,158 wounded. Despite the ceasefire, Israel still occupies more than half of the Gaza Strip, having levelled most buildings in these areas and forced residents out.