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Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that the United States and Iran are still negotiating a second round of talks—held through Islamabad—to end their nearly seven‑week conflict, even though no date has been fixed for the meeting.The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan on April 8, is set to expire on April 22, and officials warn it is under increasing strain as a U.S. naval blockade continues to turn away Iranian‑linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is conducting a regional tour that began in Jeddah, moved to Doha, and will continue to Antalya, where he will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17 alongside Saudi, Turkish and possibly Egyptian counterparts.Simultaneously, Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir arrived in Tehran with a delegation that includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who praised Pakistan’s “gracious hosting of dialogue.”Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized that the details of the upcoming talks remain confidential and that Pakistan’s role is to keep the process alive, stating, “We have the details and information of the talks entrusted to us by the negotiating parties.”Analyst Muhammad Faisal described Islamabad’s approach as a dual‑track strategy: Sharif is building a broader Gulf coalition, while Munir is engaged in hard negotiations aimed at narrowing gaps between Washington and Tehran and extending the ceasefire.Iran has insisted that any agreement must include Lebanon, citing the ongoing Israeli strikes that have killed over 2,000 people and displaced 1.2 million. The United States, however, maintains that a Lebanon settlement must remain separate from the US‑Iran talks.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently mediated a trilateral meeting in Washington with Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, but no ceasefire or follow‑up was secured.Both sides appear cautiously optimistic. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said further talks are “very likely” to take place in Islamabad, while Iran’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted multiple messages exchanged with Washington since April 12.President Donald Trump indicated that talks could resume within two days and expressed a greater willingness to travel to Pakistan for negotiations.Strategic analysts warn that the Strait of Hormuz blockage—which restricts roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments—remains a pivotal issue. Opening the waterway is seen as essential to easing upward pressure on oil prices and restoring confidence in global markets.Should the second round of talks fail, Pakistan’s role may shift from mediator to crisis manager, focusing again on brokering a ceasefire if hostilities resume.

Air Canada announced a temporary pause on a handful of routes departing from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, attributing the decision to sharply rising jet‑fuel costs. The suspension comes as airlines worldwide grapple with fuel price spikes triggered by the ongoing US‑Israel war with Iran. Although the Strait of Hormuz reopened earlier this month, easing some oil‑price pressure, jet‑fuel costs remain markedly higher than before the conflict. In a related development, Spirit Airlines has appealed to the U.S. government for emergency financing worth hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate its own fuel‑price surge, according to industry source reports. Air Canada explained that jet‑fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, rendering several lower‑margin routes financially untenable. The carrier said it is implementing “schedule adjustments, including frequency reductions,” to preserve overall network viability. Effective June 1, the airline will halt one Montreal‑to‑New York flight and three Toronto‑to‑New York flights, with service slated to resume on October 25. Additional temporary suspensions include the Salt Lake City‑Toronto corridor, which will be paused from June 30 and is not expected to return until 2027, as well as a postponed launch of a Guadalajara‑to‑Montreal service. Air Canada estimates the changes will impact about 1 % of its total passenger‑carrying capacity. Affected passengers will be offered alternative travel options, with the airline continuing to operate to LaGuardia and Newark airports 34 times daily across six Canadian cities. The move mirrors broader industry pressures: British low‑cost carrier easyJet projects a pre‑tax loss of £540‑£560 million for the six‑month period ending March, while Australian airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia have announced fare hikes and reduced flight frequencies. Moreover, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe possesses only six weeks of jet‑fuel reserves, raising concerns that further supply disruptions could trigger additional flight cancellations.

New Jersey’s transit authority has officially set the price of a return train ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium at $150, a dramatic increase from the usual $12.90 fare between Penn Station and the stadium.The announcement also revealed premium parking will cost up to $225 in an ADA‑designated lot adjacent to the venue, with general spectator parking eliminated on match days.Governor Mikie Sherrill explained that the state faces a $48 million expense to safely move an estimated 40,000 fans per match. She emphasized that FIFA is not contributing financially, stating, "FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day."Under the new scheme, fans must purchase a special NJ Transit World Cup ticket that includes a wristband for the return journey. Departures from Penn Station will be organized in time‑blocks, with multiple security checkpoints along the route.For those preferring road travel, a round‑trip bus service is available for $80, picking up passengers from two New York City locations and a park‑and‑ride site in Clifton, New Jersey, which can accommodate roughly 2,500 vehicles. Shuttle buses will then transport riders to the stadium, and tailgating will be prohibited.Sherrill highlighted that the existing host‑city agreement with FIFA provides zero dollars for fan transportation, shifting the entire burden onto NJ Transit. She contrasted this with FIFA’s projected $11 billion revenue from the tournament.FIFA’s event operations chief, Heimo Schirigi, responded that the pricing model could have a “chilling effect,” potentially driving fans toward alternative transport and increasing congestion. He reiterated FIFA’s long‑standing collaboration with host cities to develop efficient mass‑transit options.To lessen disruption for regular commuters, NJ Transit will suspend outbound service from Penn Station for four hours before each MetLife match and will offer free Path train and bus rides on affected days. Additional Path service is planned, and employers are encouraged to allow remote work.Discounts for regular riders on the two busiest match days, June 22 and June 30, will be funded by the NJ/NY host committee, according to Sherrill.Other U.S. host cities have taken different approaches: Kansas City is offering $15 bus shuttles to Arrowhead Stadium, while Philadelphia will keep its standard $2.90 fare for trips to Lincoln Financial Field.With limited parking and higher transit costs, officials are urging fans to rely on public transportation across all eleven host cities, emphasizing the broader economic and logistical challenges of hosting a global sporting event.

At a damp morning meeting in Sandy Park, Exeter Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe outlined the club’s next chapter: a potential sale to an American investment group that will be decided by the club’s 700‑plus members at an extraordinary general meeting on 7 May.Rowe, now 77, has steered the Chiefs for more than three decades, guiding the team from a modest county‑ground side to Premiership champions in 2010. Yet he admits that “romance doesn’t pay the bills” in today’s professional rugby, and a well‑funded owner could finally provide the financial muscle the club needs.The proposed buyer is described as a “mega‑wealthy multi‑sport investor” already active in British football. If the vote passes, the investor would inject fresh capital, allowing Exeter to compete for top talent such as marquee player Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso and to pursue broader ambitions.Rowe argues that English club rugby must look beyond nostalgia. “We’ve got to wake up and smell the coffee,” he said, emphasizing the need for an owner with deep pockets. He warned that the club’s current shareholder structure, which “has no money,” limits growth.The takeover is part of a wider trend of foreign money entering English rugby, following recent investments in Newcastle Red Bulls and Bath. Rowe believes a cash‑rich owner will position Exeter to help expand the Premiership from its current ten clubs to twelve, and eventually fourteen, with a view to incorporating Welsh sides.He suggested that adding “two Welsh clubs” could revitalise Welsh rugby, which he described as “on its arse,” and noted that travel logistics would not be a barrier for English clubs making weekend trips to Wales.Financial pressures remain acute. Rowe cited a £25 million loss from Covid and the post‑pandemic mini‑recession, compounded by a government grant that was later converted into a loan and a Rugby Football Union (RFU) contribution that covered only half of the promised support.He also criticised a £200 million 2018 deal that gave private‑equity firm CVC Capital Partners a 27 % share of the club’s commercial rights. “We should never have sold those shares,” Rowe lamented, adding that CVC has done little to boost sponsorship or “razzmatazz” for the sport.Looking ahead, Rowe stresses the importance of attracting a younger, millennial fan base, noting that “our future supporters are millennials” and that they will be the financial lifeline of the club.Despite the uncertainties, Rowe remains optimistic. He confirmed he will stay on under the new ownership, describing the investors as “long‑term” and “understanding of the sport.” He warned the new owners must respect Exeter’s Devonian heritage, likening the club’s future to a bus that needs a fresh fuel supply to reach “even greater success.”

The concert began with Imogen Holst's Persephone, a 12-minute tone poem written in 1929. The piece starts with a familiar, rippling woodwind passage that evokes Ravel's Daphnis and Chloé, but Holst's unique voice soon emerges, exploring texture, color, and tonality.Holst's work tells a story of rebirth, culminating in a glowing finale that references the music's beginning. The darker, uneasy sections feature a fugue-like passage for strings and muted brass, showcasing Holst's innovative approach.The program continued with Erich Wolfgang Korngold's 1945 Violin Concerto, performed by Vilde Frang. Frang's interpretation highlighted Korngold's melodiousness and the work's expressionistic roots in Vienna. Her silky, intense playing was balanced by a willingness to dispense with vibrato, revealing the music's strangeness and spikiness.The evening concluded with Dmitri Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. Pappano's direction kept the first movement on its toes, building tension through subtle increases in speed. The second movement was a heavy-footed dance, while the slow movement was a tragic, romantic masterpiece. The orchestra reached a thrilling, ear-ringing culmination in the final movement, with Pappano coaxing even more sound from the strings when it seemed they had reached their fullest extent.

Oil and gas prices experienced a significant decline of almost 10% on Friday following Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping. This development could pave the way for tankers carrying millions of barrels of oil and gas to access the global market.Iran's foreign minister stated that vessels are free to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by 9% to $90 a barrel, while the benchmark European gas contract dropped by about 8.5% to €38.80 (£33.80) per megawatt hour.The US naval blockade on Iran's use of the strait remains in full force, according to Donald Trump, until a deal is reached with Tehran. Trump expressed optimism that the process will move quickly, as most points have already been negotiated.The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted supplies of Middle Eastern crude and gas, as well as refined fuels from Gulf refineries, in what the International Energy Agency has described as the biggest energy supply crisis in history. Before the crisis, over 130 ships a day travelled through the strait, but this has reduced to a trickle under threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.There are currently around 800 tankers stuck in the Gulf, with about 300 being oil and gas tankers. It remains uncertain whether tankers will be required to pay a fee of about $2m (£1.5m) for safe passage through the strait.Analysts, such as Giovanni Staunovo from UBS, view Iran's comments as a sign of de-escalation, but emphasize the need to see a substantial increase in the number of tankers crossing the strait.

Negotiations are intensifying between the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and the UK’s Super League over a prospective takeover that could reshape the sport’s calendar and governance. The NRL’s chief executive, Andrew Abdo, told The Guardian that any acquisition would hinge on a major investment package and a decisive move to re‑introduce a winter competition, the first such change since 1996.Abdo travelled to England this week to discuss the feasibility of the deal, emphasizing that the London Broncos would be pivotal to the NRL’s vision. He warned that British clubs would need to surrender the extensive control they currently wield if they hope to benefit from the financial backing the NRL could provide.The proposed shift to a winter schedule is driven by the prospect of a global broadcast arrangement that would allow the NRL to sell television rights throughout the year. While a summer season avoids clashing with the Premier League, Abdo argued that a unified calendar could attract new fans and sponsors on an international scale.Super League clubs are reportedly losing close to £20 million annually. An infusion of NRL capital could not only cover the salary‑cap obligations for every club but also free up resources for further investment in facilities, talent development and marketing.Governance would also undergo a overhaul. The NRL operates under an independent commission, whereas Super League’s club owners currently dominate decision‑making. Abdo stressed the need for an independent governing body to make “tough calls” and separate day‑to‑day club interests from the sport’s strategic direction.London’s role is another cornerstone of the plan. Abdo highlighted the city’s diverse population and commercial potential, suggesting that a strong London franchise could boost fan acquisition, sponsorship deals, and overall league visibility.With the existing Sky Sports broadcast contract set to expire at the end of the season, timing is critical. The NRL aims to align its own TV‑rights expansion with a possible partnership, viewing broadcasting as the key lever for global growth.While no formal offer has been lodged, Abdo indicated that the NRL will present its findings to its board and Australian clubs before any official proposal is made. The next few weeks will be decisive for both leagues as they weigh the benefits of a combined, year‑round rugby league ecosystem.

In Tokyo, a group of elderly Japanese people are determined to master smartphones and stay connected in a 4G and 5G world. The class, led by Yasushi Nishioka, a retired programmer, teaches students the basics of smartphone use, including turning their phones on and off, controlling volume, and using cashless payments and QR codes.The students, most of whom are in their 70s, say they are intimidated by their devices, but are eager to learn and not be left behind in an increasingly digital world. Japan's 3G network has been shut down, and telecom companies are encouraging subscribers to switch to 4G and 5G networks.Nishioka guides his students through the basics, including health trackers and weather forecasts, and promises that future sessions will cover entertainment, social media, and photo and video content. The students also express concerns about security, a growing problem in Japan, and Nishioka shares an app that filters out suspicious contacts.The participants' reasons for taking the plunge aren't wildly different to those that keep younger people umbilically attached to their devices: reserving tickets, joining WhatsApp groups, learning a foreign language, and making travel plans. As Nishioka notes, one of the biggest challenges for users of all ages is managing their passwords.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the cost of public transport to match venues in the New York‑New Jersey corridor is set to eclipse $100 for a single trip, prompting a sharp response from U.S. officials. Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey took to X, demanding that FIFA shoulder the expense, warning that commuters should not be left with a multi‑year financial burden. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the governor’s concerns, calling on the soccer federation to cover transportation costs after noting that FIFA stands to earn roughly $11 billion from the tournament while local transit agencies face a $48 million bill to move an estimated 40,000 fans per match. According to a report by The Athletic, a train ticket from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford could top $100 on World Cup days, a stark jump from the regular $12.90 fare. Similar price hikes have been reported in Massachusetts, where tickets from Boston to Foxborough may reach $80 and bus fares could climb to $95. Sherrill highlighted that the existing host‑city agreement, signed in 2018, originally required free fan transportation. In 2023 FIFA amended the terms, allowing match‑ticket holders to pay for travel, a change she argues unfairly shifts costs onto taxpayers. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also voiced criticism, describing the proposed fares as “awfully high” and urging that the event remain affordable and accessible. Schumer added that New York commuters should not subsidize FIFA’s windfall, emphasizing the need for the federation to “step up and cover transportation costs for host cities and states.” In response, a FIFA spokesperson said the organization was “surprised” by the governor’s remarks and reiterated that the federation has long collaborated with host cities on mobility plans, including securing federal funding for transport infrastructure. The statement noted that the revised host‑city agreements permit fans to access public or additional transport at cost, but did not commit to direct financial contributions. The dispute underscores a broader tension between the massive economic benefits promised by the World Cup—projected to draw millions of fans to North America—and the immediate financial impact on local commuters. As the tournament, co‑hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, prepares for kickoff in June, the outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for how future mega‑events address public‑service costs.