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Javokhir Sindarov sealed the men’s Candidates in Pegeia, Cyprus, with a historic 10 out of 14 points, finishing 1.5 points clear of Anish Giri. The 20‑year‑old Uzbek also posted the highest tally of six wins and eight draws since the current Candidates format began in 2013. In the women’s section, India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu claimed the title by a narrow ½‑point margin over Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva. Sindarov’s play evoked the classic Soviet master Mikhail Botvinnik, with meticulous opening preparation that often anticipated his opponents’ ideas deep into the endgame. When pressure mounted – notably in his second round against world No. 3 and US champion Fabiano Caruana – his defensive technique remained precise and confident. Final standings (14 rounds): Sindarov 10, Giri 8.5, Caruana 7.5, Wei Yi 7, Hikaru Nakamura 6.5, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu 6, Matthias Blübaum 6, Andrey Esipenko 4.5. The upcoming world championship match will be a best‑of‑14 showdown, pitting Sindarov against reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju. Both will be 20 years old when the contest takes place in the second half of 2026, though the venue remains undecided. Gukesh’s recent dip to 15th in the ratings has added intrigue to the encounter. Analysts rate Sindarov as at least a 60 % favourite, while India’s grandmaster cohort – led by former champion Viswanathan Anand – is expected to rally behind Gukesh. Speculation also surrounds Magnus Carlsen, the current world No. 1, who stepped away from the classical crown in 2023. He indicated a willingness to defend only against Alireza Firouzja, but Firouzja’s recent focus on blitz and fashion has left the door open for a possible Carlsen‑Sindarov clash, should the Norwegian be persuaded. Sindarov’s rise is remarkable: he earned the grandmaster title at 12 years 10 months, later fell into a teenage obsession with the video game Counter‑Strike, and refocused on chess after defeating Firouzja at the 2021 World Cup. His resurgence helped Uzbekistan win gold at the 2022 Olympiad. Financial projections suggest a potential $10 million revenue stream for a Carlsen‑vs‑Sindarov title match, a figure that could also bolster Carlsen’s claim as the all‑time No. 1 ahead of Garry Kasparov. Nonetheless, Carlsen’s aversion to the intensive computer‑prep demanded by modern classical play remains a major hurdle. Carlsen may instead target the forthcoming 2027 FIDE World Total Championship Tour, which blends classical, rapid, and blitz formats, offering a more varied competitive landscape. In the Women’s Candidates, Vaishali Rameshbabu staged a stunning turnaround. After a 0‑5 start, she surged to the top after round 11, maintained a one‑point lead despite a round‑12 loss to China’s Zhu Jiner, and clinched the final round with a decisive victory over Kateryna Lagno in a sharp Sicilian Dragon, delivering the winning combination 39 Rd8+! 40 c4! Women’s final scores (14 rounds): Vaishali 8.5, Assaubayeva 8, Aleksandra Goryachkina 7.5, Zhu 7.5, Anna Muzychuk 7, Kateryna Lagno 6.5, Divya Deshmukh 5.5, Tan Zhongyi 5.5. Five‑time women’s world champion Ju Wenjun enters the upcoming title defence as a clear favourite, holding a peak rating above 2600 and currently rated 2559 against Vaishali’s 2470. Elsewhere, English GM Dan Fernandez posted an unbeaten 7/9 at the Menorca Open, achieving a 2601 performance rating and boosting his chances for selection to the England Olympiad squad. Young talents also featured: Argentina’s Faustino Oro and England’s Supratit Banerjee – both 12‑year‑olds – failed to secure their final GM norms, while India’s 10‑year‑old prodigy Aarit Kapil became only the fifth player ever to earn an IM norm before turning 11, later flirting with a historic GM norm. The English Chess Federation will host a 24‑hour chess marathon on Chess.com in memory of coaches GM Jonathan Hawkins and IM Adam Hunt, with proceeds supporting Macmillan Cancer Support. 4020: 1…Bxd4! 2 cxd4 Nf4! 3 Qb3 Qxf1+! 4 Kxf1 Rc1+ 5 Qd1 Rxd1 #

Colombia, the largest coal and fourth biggest oil exporter in the Americas, is hosting a groundbreaking global conference this month to drive the long-awaited 'transition away from fossil fuels'. The conference, co-hosted with the Netherlands, aims to break the deadlock in UN climate talks and bring together countries willing to forge ahead with the energy transition.The conference comes at a critical time, with nations embroiled in another oil-inflected war and fuel prices soaring worldwide. Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia's environment minister, said the conference comes in the best possible moment, highlighting the stark choice world leaders face between oil, gas and coal and cleaner, safer renewable energy.Countries are paying the price for oil addiction, not just in their energy bills but in food prices, consumer inflation, shortages, and businesses threatened with collapse. The oil crisis, sparked by the US-Israeli attack on Iran, is spotlighting the risks of fossil fuel dependency.Some countries, like the UK, are already making the switch to renewable energy, with record numbers of households turning to solar panels, electric vehicles and heat pumps. Global power generation from coal and gas has fallen, while renewables have surged ahead, with solar generation up 14% and wind by 8%.The conference aims to bring together countries that want to forge ahead with the energy transition, with 54 countries confirmed to attend, representing about a fifth of global fossil fuel production and a third of demand. However, some of the world's biggest economies and biggest polluters, including the US, China, India, Russia and the Gulf petro states, will be missing.Colombia and the Netherlands hope to create a 'coalition of the willing' to drive the transition away from fossil fuels, with a focus on tangible outcomes, including a report by scientists on how countries can make the transition and a report from finance experts on how funding can be made available.

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir authorized five soldiers from the Force 100 unit to resume reserve service after the top military prosecutor dismissed all charges linked to an alleged sexual assault on a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp. The decision comes while an internal military inquiry into the soldiers’ conduct remains open; Israeli Army Radio reports that some of the reservists have already been redeployed to active combat roles. In a statement cited by Haaretz, the army emphasized that “the investigation does not prevent them from continuing to serve … the command‑level investigation will be completed as soon as possible.” Charges were withdrawn last month by Israel’s senior military lawyer, ending a case that had become one of the most contentious in recent Israeli history. The original indictment alleged that the soldiers stabbed the detainee with a sharp object near his rectum, causing cracked ribs, a punctured lung and an internal tear. Prison doctor Yoel Donchin told reporters he was initially shocked by the severity of the injuries, assuming they were inflicted by a rival armed group. Military Advocate General Itay Offir explained that the indictments were scrapped due to “complexities in the evidentiary structure” and “difficulties” arising after the detainee’s release to the Gaza Strip. Human‑rights organisations, led by Amnesty International, condemned the reinstatement as “yet another unconscionable chapter” in a legal system they say routinely grants impunity for grave crimes against Palestinians. The group noted that only one Israeli soldier has ever been sentenced for torturing a Palestinian detainee. Broader reports, including a February study by the Committee to Protect Journalists, document widespread abuse—ranging from beatings and starvation to sexual assault—experienced by Palestinians held in Israeli custody.

South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for firing a rifle in the air at a party rally. Malema, the leader of the far-left opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was handed the sentence by Magistrate Twanet Olivier on Thursday.Malema was convicted last year of charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place over the 2018 incident at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.The 45-year-old leader of the fourth-biggest party in parliament had pleaded not guilty, arguing the gun was a toy. His defence said the shots were only intended to be celebratory.“It wasn’t … an impulsive act,” the magistrate said. “It was the event of the evening.”The court sentenced Malema to 5 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and 2 years for unlawful possession of ammunition. It gave him fines for three other offences, including discharging a firearm in a built-up area, with prison time if he doesn’t pay. The sentences will run at the same time.Within minutes of the magistrate’s decision being read out in the court in KuGompo City, Malema’s lawyers applied for leave to appeal – a request that was later granted.Meanwhile, outside the court, hundreds of Malema’s red-clad EFF supporters gathered for the sentencing in the politically charged case.The EFF – a small but vocal party – says the case is an attempt to silence its outspoken leader, who is known for fiery speeches. Party supporters have threatened protests should their leader be jailed.The magistrate stressed it “is not a political party who has been convicted here … it is a person, an individual.”The maximum possible sentence was 15 years in prison. If confirmed after all appeals, Thursday’s 5-year sentence would bar Malema from serving as a lawmaker.That would be a major setback to the EFF, which has strong support among young South Africans frustrated by the racial inequality that has persisted since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

A devastating fire has engulfed the largest of Australia's two oil refineries, operated by Viva Energy in Geelong, Victoria. The blaze, which began on Wednesday night, had been brought under control by Thursday noon. The refinery, which processes 120,000 barrels of oil per day, accounts for approximately 10% of Australia's fuel production.The fire was triggered by a gas leak that ignited, sending flames as high as 60m (200 feet) into the air. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the blaze without it spreading to other parts of the plant, which produces high-octane petrol, jet fuel, and diesel.The incident comes at a critical time for Australia, which relies on imports for 80% of its fuel needs. The country is racing to replace supply disrupted by the Middle East conflict, which has driven up energy prices worldwide. Fuel security is a growing concern in the Asia Pacific region, with Australia lacking major stockpiles.In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia had secured an additional supply of 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea. The government has urged Australians to avoid panic-buying fuel and to conserve petrol where possible.Australia's fuel reserves stand at approximately 38 days' worth of petrol, falling short of the 90-day minimum recommended by the International Energy Agency. The country is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen shipping traffic cease since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran.

Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that a significant diplomatic breakthrough could emerge from the latest round of U.S.–Iran negotiations, with Islamabad intensifying its role as mediator in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives. On Wednesday, a senior Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran to deliver a message from Washington to Iranian leaders, according to Iran’s Press TV. The envoy was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who thanked Pakistan for its "gracious hosting of dialogue" and indicated that groundwork is being laid for a second U.S.–Iran round of talks. Al Jazeera analyst Osama Bin Javaid noted that Pakistani officials anticipate a "major breakthrough on the nuclear front," with messages shuttling continuously between the two capitals. The core dispute centers on the length of any Iranian enrichment freeze—ranging from a proposed five‑year to a twenty‑year moratorium—and the disposition of Iran’s 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Options under discussion include exporting the material, diluting it to natural uranium, or reducing enrichment to a maximum of 3 %. Pakistan’s diplomatic push follows a stalled U.S.–Iran session in Islamabad that ended without a cease‑fire agreement. Mediators are now concentrating on three pivotal issues: the nuclear programme, control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz—which Tehran has effectively closed, driving up global oil prices—and compensation for wartime damages. The conflict, ignited by the United States and Israel on 28 February, has resulted in more than 3,000 Iranian deaths and prompted retaliatory strikes against Gulf states. It has also reignited hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where over 2,000 casualties have been reported since early March. A cease‑fire declared on 8 April halted attacks in Iran and the Gulf, yet Israeli operations in southern Lebanon have persisted. Simultaneously, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, a move described by Bin Javaid as a "double‑pronged strategy" aimed at neutralising opposition to a potential deal. According to the White House, President Donald Trump signalled optimism on Tuesday, suggesting the war could conclude within "an amazing two days" and that it is "very close to over." Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later described the Pakistan‑facilitated talks as "productive and ongoing," adding that further negotiations are likely to take place in Islamabad. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that message exchanges with the United States have continued via Pakistani channels, with spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that Tehran’s positions have been communicated. Nevertheless, tensions linger. A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz remains active; U.S. Central Command reported turning back nine vessels as of Wednesday. Iran’s military denounced the blockade as a breach of the cease‑fire, and the Iranian joint command chief, Ali Abdollahi, warned of possible retaliation by disrupting trade routes through the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the blockade persists.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves cautioned that the push to raise Britain’s defence budget will likely demand reductions in other spending areas, notably welfare, as the nation confronts escalating geopolitical pressures. She emphasized that the government is exploring a range of options but aims to avoid new taxes or extra borrowing, noting that “we already spend £1 in every £10 on servicing the debt.” Reeves highlighted her willingness to challenge party orthodoxy, pointing to last year’s budget moves that freed additional funds for defence, and said, “I’m willing to make difficult choices for national security.” Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund spring meetings in Washington, she referenced the government’s 10‑year defence investment plan and stressed the importance of allocating resources appropriately. While refusing to detail which welfare programmes might be trimmed, Reeves reaffirmed that “national security always comes first” and confirmed that Labour will keep its manifesto pledge to retain the pension triple‑lock. Her stance mirrors Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who earlier warned that welfare reforms could be required to meet “the challenge of the world we face.” The Starmer administration faces mounting pressure from opposition MPs and senior military figures, especially after US President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw the United States from NATO and the ongoing Iran‑Israel and Russia‑Ukraine conflicts. Current forecasts show UK defence spending reaching 2.6 % of GDP by April 2027, surpassing targets set by both Labour and the opposition before the 2024 general election. Reeves proudly noted that her previous budgets delivered “the biggest uplift in defence spending since the end of the Cold War,” arguing that a robust economy depends on strong national security. The IMF warned that a further escalation in the Middle‑East could trigger a global recession, with the UK potentially hit hardest among G7 nations, and cautioned that government debt is on track to hit its highest level since World War II. To fund household and business support without widening the fiscal gap, Reeves suggested reprioritising other budgets, criticizing the blanket subsidies of the previous Conservative government that cost over £100 billion and contributed to higher inflation and interest rates. She concluded that “the best way to help families and businesses is to keep prices, costs and interest rates down,” underscoring the fiscal balancing act ahead.

Recent talks in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran collapsed, reflecting the stark mismatch between the United States' 15‑point proposal and Iran's 10‑point counter‑offer. The brief negotiations, led by U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance, failed to bridge core disagreements on nuclear policy and regional security. Vance attributed the breakdown to Iran's outright rejection of U.S. terms, while President Donald Trump responded by imposing a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Such a blockade is legally an act of war, raising the specter of Iranian retaliation against Gulf monarchies and a sharp spike in global oil, diesel, and LNG prices. Both sides, however, have not ruled out renewed negotiations. Pakistan and Egypt are quietly mediating, recognizing that a renewed conflict would deepen President Trump's domestic challenges—rising inflation, declining poll numbers, and the approaching midterm elections—while also exacerbating Iran's economic hardship and social unrest. The proposed diplomatic framework focuses on three pillars: Limited uranium enrichment: The U.S. would acknowledge Iran's right, under the Non‑Proliferation Treaty, to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, capping enrichment at 3.67% (the 2015 JCPOA limit). Monitoring would be conducted by the IAEA through electronic and on‑site inspections, with a potential 20‑year renewable agreement. Sanctions relief and asset release: In exchange for Iran dropping its demand for war reparations, the United States would lift primary and secondary sanctions and unfreeze all Iranian assets. Additionally, Iran would be authorized to levy a $2 million fee per oil tanker transiting Hormuz, shared with Oman, provided it guarantees innocent passage under a multinational oversight coalition that includes Russia and China. Security guarantees: Iran would issue a written pledge not to develop nuclear weapons, echoing the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s injunction. Simultaneously, the U.S. and UN Security Council would endorse a non‑aggression pact between the two nations, with parallel agreements possible for Gulf states. For the plan to succeed, three conditions must be met: Washington must make genuine concessions; President Trump must extend the 22 April cease‑fire deadline and allow sufficient time for complex negotiations; and any Israeli offensive against Iran must be avoided, as it would jeopardize the entire process. Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at CUNY’s Powell School and senior research fellow at Columbia University’s Saltzman Institute, outlines this pragmatic approach as a means to avert a full‑scale war and secure a durable peace in the Middle East.

The UK is bracing for possible gaps on supermarket shelves this summer as the ongoing conflict in Iran threatens to disrupt carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies, a critical component in the food industry. CO2 is essential for the humane slaughter of livestock, packaging of fresh meats and produce, and production of fizzy drinks and beer.Government ministers are reportedly drawing up contingency plans for a 'reasonable worst-case scenario' if the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane, remains closed. This could lead to shortages of CO2, impacting supplies of chicken, pork, and fizzy drinks.The business secretary, Peter Kyle, has reassured the public that ministers are making contingency plans to deal with possible consequences of the Iran war. The government has invested £100m to reopen the mothballed Ensus bioethanol plant on Teesside to mitigate potential CO2 shortages.The CEO of Tesco, Ken Murphy, has expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage supply chains, stating that they have 'seen nothing at this point' in terms of problems within their supply chain caused by CO2 availability issues. However, the UK is one of Europe's largest users of CO2, and any disruption could have significant impacts on the food industry and beyond.