April 12 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. Navy will block the Strait of Hormuz to cut off Iran’s shipping lanes after peace talks in Pakistan failed to produce a deal.

Vice President J.D. Vance, who Trump sent to negotiate a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, said Saturday that the talks were not successful because the two sides cannot agree on what to do about the Iranian nuclear stockpile and who will control the Strait, CNN and The Washington Post reported.

Trump told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that the United States was going to block the Strait — it will “take a little while, but it’ll be effective pretty soon,” he said — and that nations in the Gulf region have agreed to help in the effort.

The blockade, he said, will prevent “any and all ships” from entering or leaving the the waterway, including vessels belonging to Iran, which have been shipping its oil to other countries and reportedly been bringing weapons parts from China to the Middle Eastern nation.

Vance told reporters early Sunday morning that while Iran had not yet accepted the United States’ “final and best offer,” he expressed optimism that a deal can be reached.

“We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,” Vance said. “I think that we were quite flexible.”

In a post on X, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is Iran’s leading negotiator in the talks, said that he and his colleagues had “raised forward looking initiatives, but the opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations.”

“Before the negotiations, I emphasized that we have the necessary good faith and will, but due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side,” he said.

Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities say the United States needs to do more if an agreement is to be made to end the war as they urge their supporters to maintain control of the streets.

The US delegation at Saturday’s marathon talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, “ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations”, said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker who led the Iranian team.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy will immediately begin the process of “blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz” in Iran’s southern waters. He also said the US military remains “locked and loaded” and will “finish up” Iran at the “appropriate moment”.

The fact that the Iranian delegation did not accede to Washington’s core demands of eliminating nuclear enrichment on Iranian soil and ending Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz was welcomed by Iranian authorities on Sunday as they projected defiance.

Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei thanked the delegation that went to Islamabad and said they “guarded the rights” of the supporters of Iran’s government, including paramilitary forces converging on main squares, streets and mosques in Tehran and other cities every night for more than six weeks.

When the delegations were engaged in the talks on Saturday night, a member of the aerospace division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was shown by state television telling flag-waving supporters in downtown Tehran not to be concerned.

“If the enemy does not understand, we will make them understand,” the man who was wearing military attire and a black mask to conceal his identity said to cheers from the crowd, some of whom demanded more missile and drone attacks from the IRGC.

State television also said it was Trump, not Tehran, that wished to “restore his image” through the negotiations and his “excessive demands” were the reason the talks failed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it did not expect to reach an agreement after only one day of negotiations.

Multiple lawmakers in the hardliner-dominated parliament said they were happy that the talks did not yield results because they believed Iran had the upper hand in the war.

Hamidreza Haji-Babaei, the parliament speaker’s deputy, said the only thing acceptable to the establishment supporters who are on the streets is a United Nations Security Council resolution that would signal “surrender” for the US and lead to the lifting of sanctions against Iran and its leaders.

Amir Hossein Sabeti, a Tehran lawmaker affiliated with the Paydari faction of hardliners, said he was thankful to the negotiating team for “not backing away from red lines” and “there is no way left but to show resistance in the field against these evildoers and demons”.

More escalation ahead

This comes after some pro-state voices said they were disheartened by the abrupt announcement overnight into Wednesday of a two-week ceasefire and direct negotiations on ending the war with the US.

To assuage internal concerns, the Iranian delegation to Islamabad had more than 85 members, according to local media, including dozens of representatives from state-affiliated media and analysts close to different factions.

In addition to Ghalibaf, a former IRGC commander who advanced Iran’s missile programme, senior members of the team included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, hardline diplomat Ali Bagheri Kani, Defence Council head and former security chief Ali Akbar Ahmadian and moderate central bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati.

The talks on Saturday established that a diplomatic breakthrough was not close and that more escalation was likely, even if there is no immediate return to full-fledged fighting.

“What he [Trump] has been saying after the negotiations is just excessive talk. He is saying his wishes out loud,” Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the national security commission of Iran’s parliament, told state television on Sunday afternoon about Trump’s announced naval blockade and new threats.

The IRGC has threatened that it will respond to any passage of military vessels through the Strait of Hormuz with full force. It also rejected the US military’s announcement during the talks that two US warships had passed through the strait in preparation for an operation to clear naval mines blocking the strategic waterway.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call on Sunday that he is ready to continue diplomatically facilitating a peace settlement in the Middle East.

Pezeshkian, who has been tasked mainly with working on domestic affairs, has supported continuity of the establishment and backing for Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader who has not been seen or heard from outside of written statements since Israel and the US launched the war on February 28. His government announced that schools and universities will be held online, using a limited local intranet, until further notice.

Iran’s economy continues to suffer from chronic inflation with more jobs lost in 2026 as the state continues to impose a near-total internet shutdown.

Fred Buckle’s tragic past has been discussed on Call the Midwife, but it should be brought to life in the forthcoming prequel series.

Call the Midwife favourite Fred Buckle has long been a cornerstone of the Poplar community yet behind his warm exterior lies a heartbreaking past.

Fred, portrayed by Cliff Parisi, has graced the BBC drama since its debut in 2012, initially introduced as the handyman at Nonnatus House, and audiences have watched him blossom into a devoted family man and cherished friend.

Ever willing to offer a listening ear, the shopkeeper has forged truly wonderful bonds with the midwives and nuns of the convent, and is perpetually on hand to tackle any practical difficulties (Chummy’s bicycle, anyone?).

Fred is contentedly wed to Councillor Violet Buckle (portrayed by Annabelle Apsion), and together they are parents to their adopted son, Reggie Jackson, played by Daniel Laurie. Fred also has two daughters from a former marriage.

Prior to finding happiness with his beloved Violet, Fred was married to Betty, and the couple welcomed two children, Dolly and Marlene, Wales Online reports.

Tragedy, however, came knocking when Betty lost her life during the Second World War as bombs fell relentlessly upon London. Under Adolf Hitler’s orders, the Luftwaffe repeatedly targeted Poplar, devastating the area during what became known as the London Blitz.

In the wake of Betty’s death, Dolly and Marlene had little choice but to stay with relatives and friends while Fred completed his army service.

Overnight, Fred became a widower and sole parent without a home during a period of social upheaval, violence, uncertainty and widespread devastation. The trauma of war and losing his wife would have profoundly affected Fred for the remainder of his days.

In Call the Midwife’s second series, Dolly, portrayed by Ella Smith, turned up in Poplar to see her father alongside her young son, Anthony, revealing that her husband worked as a merchant sailor.

While chatting with the expectant Dolly, a proud Fred recounted how he had made a baby bath for his wife, which triggered a poignant exchange about the past and Betty.

“I often think of her at bath time”, Dolly told her dad, who replied, “Yeah, happy memories.”

Dolly continued: “They’re the best ones, I’m telling you. I drove past the bombsite on me way over and it brought back the Blitz, like it was yesterday. Me and Marlene being lifted out the rubble by a policeman, still in our nighties.”

With a devastated look, Fred said, “I should have been there, Doll”, but Dolly swiftly interjected: “You were fighting a war, Dad. Trying to stop that sort of thing from happening. And it did stop happening, in the end.”

In series four, Marlene Buckle (Rosie Sanson) appeared in the East End and was instantly irritated to learn her dad was getting married again, with Violet set to become his wife.

Clearly wounded by Fred’s desire to remarry, Marlene spitefully told Violet that her father was exploiting her for commercial gain. This triggered a temporary split between Fred and Violet, but Marlene later acknowledged her error and rectified matters.

As Call the Midwife is producing a three-part prequel to the BBC programme, it would be remiss not to explore Fred’s heartbreaking backstory and introduce his wife, Betty Buckle, to the series.

While viewers are familiar with Fred’s history, witnessing it unfold on-screen would prove deeply emotional, and something loyal fans thoroughly deserve.

The three-episode mini-series, entitled Sisters in Arms, will turn back time to World War II, featuring younger versions of beloved characters Sisters Julienne, Monica Joan, and Evangelina, originally portrayed by Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, and Pam Ferris, amidst the London Blitz. It is scheduled to broadcast during the forthcoming Christmas period.

Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says his side are feeling “motivated and excited” at the prospect of qualifying for the Champions League next season, after their 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

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The provided text originates from a digital news digest that commemorates National Redemption Day by recounting the volatile political history of Liberia. It explains how the nation, originally established for freed slaves from America, suffered from long-standing friction between indigenous populations and settler descendants. The narrative focuses on the transition from the stable presidency of William Tubman to the eventual downfall of William Tolbert, whose economic failures led to civil unrest. This historical overview culminates in the violent 1980 coup d’état led by Samuel Doe, which resulted in the assassination of the president and a radical shift in government. Addition … 

Thousands gathered at Barcelona’s port as the largest ever Global Sumud Flotilla prepared to depart for Gaza, aiming to break Israel’s blockade. Al Jazeera’s @Mohammadfff_ reports, as organisers and volunteers insist they will sail to Gaza despite the risks.

Voters to choose from 35 presidential candidates, including a comedian, a media baron and a political dynasty heiress.

Polls have opened in Peru’s presidential and legislative elections, with no clear frontrunner amid years of political instability.

Since 2018, Peru has seen eight presidents, with a high turnover rate marred by impeachments and corruption scandals, leading to voter disillusionment with weak governments.

Some 27 million Peruvians are eligible to vote on Sunday to pick the country’s ninth leader in a decade, with polling stations across the country opening at 7am (12:00 GMT) and closing at 5pm (22:00 GMT), with preliminary results expected shortly afterwards.

With 35 candidates on the presidential ballot, Peruvians will choose from a wide range of potential leaders, including a comedian, a media baron, a political dynasty heiress, and a hard‑line ex‑mayor who likens himself to a cartoon pig.

However, all major candidates continue to poll well below the 50 percent needed to win the election, making a June 7 run-off appear likely.

A fruit seller in Lima told the Reuters news agency that she was still undecided on who to vote for.

“Peru is a mess, and there’s no candidate worth voting for,” Gloria Padilla said.

Clothing merchant Maria Fernandez, 56, also shared the same sentiment.

“I wouldn’t vote for anyone. I’m so disappointed with everyone in power,” Fernandez told the AFP news agency.

“We’ve been governed by nothing but corrupt, thieving scoundrels,” she added.

The most well-known candidate is conservative Keiko Fujimori, who will make her fourth presidential bid after reaching the run-off in all three previous races.

While Fujimori has taken a position of guarantor of order and economic stability, her candidacy remains polarising due to her family legacy. Her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, was convicted of human rights abuses and corruption before he died in 2024.

On the eve of the election, Fujimori told the AFP news agency that she would “restore order” in her first 100 days if she were to win, sending the army into jails, deporting illegal migrants and strengthening security at the border.

At the other end of the political spectrum, Ricardo Belmont – a former mayor of the capital, Lima, running for the centre-left Civic Party Obras – was polling in second place.

Popular comedian Carlos Alvarez follows behind Belmont in pre-election polls and has campaigned on a platform of being tough on crime, as Peru’s homicide rate has more than doubled in the past decade.

So this is how we find out Justin Bieber is a YouTube Premium subscriber.

The 32-year-old teen-pop survivor headlined Coachella on Saturday night, and for roughly half an hour in the middle of his set, what Bieber did was sit behind a laptop and sing along to his old music videos — often an octave down from where he recorded them — as he searched up the songs on YouTube and played them over the festival’s state-of-the-art sound system.

YouTube Premium, that is, given that he (and we) faced no ads during the performance.

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Expectations were insanely high for this show — Bieber’s first large-scale concert after a few years he spent in the pop-star wilderness recovering from various health ailments of both the physical and mental variety.

Invite-only warm-up gigs he played over the last couple of weeks in L.A. led to widespread speculation that at Coachella he might play only material from last year’s “Swag” and “Swag II” comeback albums.

And indeed that’s what he did for the first half-hour or so, singing songs like “All I Can Take,” “Speed Demon” and “Butterflies” — and singing them with extreme precision — accompanied by prerecorded backing tracks; after that, he brought out Carter Lang and Dylan Wiggins — two of his closest “Swag” collaborators — to do more of the “Swag” material “up close and personal with you guys,” as he put it.

“This is a night I dreamed about for a long time,” he said, dressed in a red hoodie, shorts and Paddington-gone-Balenciaga rain boots.

Together the three did gorgeous Christian-youth-group white-soul renditions of “Things You Do” and “Glory” and “Everything Hallelujah,” the last of which Bieber used to shout out his wife, Hailey Baldwin, who was in the crowd and made herself available to Coachella’s roving cameras.

Then: “Feels like we gotta take you guys on a bit of a journey,” Bieber said. “You guys remember this song?”

That was his own cue for a YouTube deep dive — it started with “Baby” and included “Never Say Never” and “Beauty and a Beat” — that made you wonder about the unresolved trauma he’s still dealing with from his child-star days. (Second night in a row for that, by the way, after Sabrina Carpenter on Friday.)

“How far back do you go?” he asked the crowd at one point. “Are you really with the s—?”

Bieber went on to play much-memed videos of himself running into a revolving door and himself falling off a stage; that led to an unfortunate little digression about the paparazzi and their rapacious ways.

“These guys won’t leave you alone, bro,” he said before playing that famous video of the guy freaking out over the double rainbow.

The final portion of the show had Bieber doing “Yukon,” then “Devotion” with Dijon — the vocals! — then “Essence” with Tems and Wizkid.

“Tonight has been beautiful,” Bieber said before bringing out Mk.gee to close with “Daisies,” and he was right: This was a radical reframing of what a headlining Coachella performance is supposed to be, and I loved it.

Buyout firm Leonard Green & Partners is reportedly close to acquiring Cumming Group from New Mountain Capital, in a transaction that could value the business at around $3 billion including debt.

The deal, which could be announced within weeks, would transfer ownership

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira praises Chris Wood’s character and connection with his teammates, after the New Zealand striker returned from a six month injury layoff in Forest’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

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As the world famous Settle to Carlisle line celebrates 150 years of service, the Mirror joined the 1 m passengers expected this year.

It is widely lauded as one of the best train journeys in the world, and is just about to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

A huge public outcry and an appeal that raised £3m saved it from closure in the 1980s.

The Settle to Carlisle line survived and remains one of the most scenic in the country, crossing the Pennine Hills, the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria’s Eden Valley.

It celebrates 150 years since its first rail passenger journey with a series of events including a steam train service.

The Mirror joined some of the 1 million passengers expected to travel on the route this year.

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It was wet, wild and stormy as we ventured south from Carlisle to the Ribblehead Viaduct.

Its magnificent 400m arches are 400 meters (1,300 ft) long. A huge workforce of 6,000 men – 2,300 specifically on the Viaduct – built it between 1870 and 1875.

You can imagine the conditions they faced during winter on the wide open moorland surrounding the giant structure.

The navvies who died are buried in the cemetery at Chapel-le-Dale. Even in the pouring rain, the path passing under its 24 arches remains busy with hikers and cyclists.

You must take a short break during your train journey to see the viaduct in all its glory.

From your train seat, you have a breathtaking backdrop of rolling countryside.

Wind bent the trees on the distant hills. The stations are straight out of a 1930s black-and-white film.

“I say that is my office window,” said Yvonne Harland, 52, a Carlisle-based conductor on the route.

“It is absolutely stunning. Many passengers are hikers and dog lovers heading outdoors.

“It does not matter if you are in the valleys around Dent or the Ribblehead Viaduct.

“It is a tonic. You have to get off the train to see the viaduct; otherwise, you only catch a glimpse.

“The Three Peaks are just beautiful too. No disrespect to people who work in an office, but it takes some beating.

“I was in education for 20 years, and I fancied a change.”

Regular passenger Robin Gilder, 83, a retired ITV newsman, remembers the campaign to save the line in the 1980s.

Now he enjoys bringing along his grandson Finley Doran, 12, for days out. “I use it regularly now,” he said. “Especially since I retired.

“They had a dog sign the petition to save the railway and there is a statue to him at Garsdale station.

“There was huge public outcry when they announced they were closing this line.

“They raised millions of pounds to keep it open. So I think we should use it as much as we can.”

Finley, tucking into some sweets and pop, added: “I have been on about twenty times now. We use it all the time.”

For Scottish pharmacist Amy Robertson, it is her maiden journey. The 28-year-old is heading to Leeds to see a former friend with the misty hills rolling by her window.

“It does remind me of Scotland,” she said. “This is really lovely and you get some really nice views when you go up to the north of Scotland around Fort William.

“The weather may not be very good, but the countryside is beautiful.”

Northern recorded 995,000 passenger journeys on the line in 2025, the highest number since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But demand is expected to rise this year. Commercial and customer director Alex Hornby said he was confident passenger numbers would hit 1m.

“Customers can enjoy miles of breathtaking scenery, which changes throughout the year, and there are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore,” he said.

The Settle to Carlisle section of the line was completed in 1875; freight trains ran for a year before passenger trains were introduced on May 1, 1876.

The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company will run a chartered steam train between Carlisle and York on May 23.

Karen Morley-Chesworth, their community rail officer, told the Mirror: “The Lonely Planet said it was in the Top 10 most scenic railway journeys in Europe.

“So it brings in many tourists and serves local people all year round. It runs down the backbone of Britain through Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Pennines.

“But it is the beauty of it that stays with you; every station takes you back in time, and the history of the line still fascinates people. It remains important to communities all along the route.”

Northern is set to offer £1.50 tickets to customers travelling on the route to mark the milestone.

Thousands of workers contributed to its complex construction, which includes 14 tunnels and more than 20 viaducts along its 72 miles (116km) of track.

In 1983, British Rail announced plans to close the line to passengers amid concerns about the cost of repairing the Ribblehead Viaduct. But £3m was spent between 1988 and 1991 to bring it back into use.

The Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company’s chairman, Pete Myers, said the company was working with communities along the line to mark the “special anniversary year.”

He said: “The Settle to Carlisle line is unique, connecting communities from Yorkshire through to Cumbria, and also providing a sustainable and beautiful way for visitors to explore the Yorkshire Dales, Westmorland Dales and Lake District.”

On Saturday, the United States and Iran held direct negotiations for the first time in more than a decade. The talks ended without a deal, as the US and Iranian positions remain far apart.

While it is unclear what will happen next, the past month and a half of fighting has cast light on important lessons to be learned not just about this conflict but also the nature of modern warfare. These may turn into key considerations for decision-makers in Washington as they determine what to do next.

Scale and geography matter

Iran operates on a scale that immediately complicates any direct confrontation. With a landmass of approximately 1.64 million sq km (more than 633,200sq miles) and a population exceeding 90 million, the country dwarfs the environments in which recent major wars have taken place.

By comparison, Iraq — invaded by a US-led coalition in 2003 — has roughly one quarter of Iran’s land area and half its population. Afghanistan and Ukraine, while sizeable, are still significantly smaller in both territory and demographic weight.

This matters because military operations scale nonlinearly. Larger territory does not simply require more troops and weapons; it requires exponentially more logistics, longer supply lines, and expanded intelligence coverage.

If scale complicates the planning of a war, geography compounds it even more.

The US invasion of Iraq benefitted from favourable terrain. Coalition forces advanced rapidly through the relatively flat southern desert and river valleys, enabling a swift push towards Baghdad. Russian forces also benefitted from the relatively even landscape in Ukraine, easily crossing through the steppe in the eastern part of the country.

The problem with flat terrain is that it exposes troops to enemy attacks, as their movements can easily be detected.

Afghanistan presented the opposite challenge: mountainous terrain that limited conventional operations and forced reliance on airpower, special forces, and local allies.

Iran, however, combines the worst of both environments at a much larger scale.

The Zagros Mountains stretch along Iran’s western frontier, forming a natural defensive barrier. The Alborz Mountains in the north protect key population centres, including Tehran. The central plateau introduces vast desert expanses that can complicate military manoeuvres and sustainment. Meanwhile, Iran’s long coastline along the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman introduces maritime vulnerabilities, but also defensive depth.

Iran’s mountainous terrain not only makes a ground invasion almost impossible but also provides plenty of opportunities to hide missile launchers, military production facilities, and even air defences. This means that even a conflict limited to an air campaign could be stretched over many months, as Iran retains the capability to retaliate.

Strong and cohesive defence

The assumption that internal diversity translates into vulnerability is often overstated. Iran is ethnically diverse, with minorities such as the Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs, Baloch, and others forming a significant part of its population. Yet historical experience suggests that external threats tend to strengthen national cohesion rather than fracture it.

Ukraine provides the most recent example. Despite linguistic and regional differences, Russia’s invasion reinforced Ukrainian national identity and resistance.

Iran followed a similar trajectory. External military pressure did not dissolve the state; it consolidated it.

This is particularly significant given Iran’s military structure. With more than 800,000 active personnel, including both the regular army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran possesses a layered defence system designed for both conventional and asymmetric warfare. Its doctrine emphasises dispersal, survivability, and long-term resistance.

Unlike Iraq in 2003, whose military had been weakened by sanctions and prior conflict, Iran maintains a functioning state apparatus, integrated command structures, and extensive missile and drone capabilities.

Here, Ukraine offers another important lesson: even a large, modern military can fail to achieve decisive results against a smaller but determined and organised defender.

Russia entered Ukraine with a large force, hoping for a swift victory and regime change. Yet the war quickly evolved into a protracted conflict, with high costs and limited strategic gains.

Limits of conventional arms

There are also lessons to be learned about the effectiveness of conventional arms. The past month and a half has shown that even overwhelming air superiority does not necessarily translate into decisive results when deployed against a state designed to absorb and outlast attacks.

Iran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities are central to this dynamic. Rather than relying on concentrated, high-value assets that can be quickly neutralised, Iran has developed a dispersed and layered system. Missile launchers, storage facilities and production sites have been embedded in mountainous terrain or hardened underground infrastructure, making them difficult to detect and eliminate. This reinforces the broader point: geography is not just a backdrop to conflict; it is actively integrated into Iran’s defensive strategy.

At the same time, Iran’s increasing reliance on drones and relatively low-cost missile systems introduces a different kind of challenge. These systems do not need to achieve precision or dominance; they only need to survive and sustain pressure over time. In doing so, they impose a continuous operational burden on even the most advanced air defence systems.

This creates a structural imbalance. Highly sophisticated and expensive military platforms are used to counter weapons that are significantly cheaper and easier to reproduce. Over time, this dynamic does not necessarily result in victory on the battlefield, but it erodes the ability to achieve decisive outcomes.

The result is a shift in how military power functions in practice. Conventional superiority remains important, but its role becomes more limited. It can disrupt, degrade, and contain, but it struggles to decisively defeat an adversary that is territorially embedded, operationally dispersed, and strategically prepared for a prolonged confrontation.

What this means strategically

Iran is not Afghanistan in 2001, nor Iraq in 2003, nor Ukraine in 2022. It is a hybrid of all three — combining scale, complexity and resilience.

Taken together, these factors reinforce a central conclusion of this conflict: Iran is not simply a harder target; it fundamentally alters the strategic calculus of war.

The combination of scale, geography, and resilience means that any conflict is likely to become prolonged, costly, and uncertain in outcome. This helps explain why, despite sustained military pressure, the war did not produce a decisive shift on the ground. Instead, it moved towards a temporary pause, reflecting the difficulty of translating military action into clear strategic gains.

This does not suggest that future conflict is unlikely. Rather, it indicates that the nature of such conflict could be different from what we saw in this month and a half. Direct, large-scale confrontation becomes less attractive when the probability of a quick victory is low, and the costs of escalation are high. Instead, what emerges is a pattern of limited engagements, calibrated responses, and strategic signalling — forms of conflict that fall short of full-scale war but stop well short of lasting resolution.

For the US and other major powers, the implications are equally significant. The expectation of rapid, decisive campaigns — seen in Iraq in 2003 — becomes far less applicable in this context. Military superiority can still shape the battlefield, but it cannot easily compress time or guarantee outcomes.

Ultimately, the conflict points to a broader shift in the nature of modern warfare. Victory is no longer defined by speed or initial dominance, but by endurance, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively within complex environments. This may well be a major factor in US calculations on whether to restart the war.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

The fortress was packed before the annual celebration at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, authorities say.

At least 30 people have been killed in a stampede in the northern countryside of Haiti, according to authorities, who warned that the death toll could rise.

Jean Henri Petit, head of Civil Protection for Haiti’s Nord Department, said the stampede occurred on Saturday at the Citadelle Laferriere, an early-19th-century fortress built shortly after Haiti’s independence from France.

One of Haiti’s most popular tourist attractions, “La Citadelle” was packed with students and visitors who had come to participate in an annual celebration at the fortress, which was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1982.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime said in a statement that he “extends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of his profound solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering”.

He added that “many young people” were in attendance at La Citadelle’s celebrations, although it is unknown who died, and the prime minister’s statement did not give an estimate of the death toll.

Rescue operations continue

Petit said the stampede occurred at the entrance to the site, adding that the rain further exacerbated the disaster.

“The minister of Culture and Communication has confirmed the deaths of 30 people at the Citadelle Henri on Saturday, April 11, 2026,” Culture Minister Emmanuel Menard told the AFP news agency in a written message.

“The injured are currently receiving the necessary medical care, and a rescue team is searching for any missing persons,” Menard said, without giving an exact figure of those injured.

The deadly stampede comes as Haiti is grappling with widespread violence by gangs that have massacred civilians, as well as an increasingly deadly crackdown by security forces.

The island nation has also been the site of various disasters in recent years, including a 2024 fuel tank explosion that killed two dozen people, another fuel tank blast in 2021 that killed 90 people, and an earthquake that left some 2,000 people dead that same year.

AUBREY Plaza’s world was tragically turned upside down last year following the very sudden and sad loss of her husband Jeff Baena.

But 15 months on, the Parks and Recreation actress, 41, has quietly found happiness and laid the foundations of a fruitful new future, as it emerged this week that she’s expecting her first child with Girls star Christopher Abbott.

“It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year,” a source close to the couple told People following the baby news, adding that “they feel very blessed”.

The new chapter comes just over a year after her filmmaker husband Jeff Baena was found dead, aged 47, in January 2025.

Aubrey has kept herself mostly out of the spotlight in the aftermath of Jeff’s passing, with it since revealed that she’s been quietly enjoying the company of her supportive new beau Chris.

MOVIE MEETING

Like all good love stories, Aubrey and Chris’s relationship started off as friends.

FIRST BABY

White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza, 41, pregnant a year after husband’s tragic death

TRAGIC LOSS

Aubrey Plaza’s director husband found dead age 47 as family left ‘devastated’

They first met starring in the 2020 psychological flick Black Bear, and even then were singing each other’s praises.

Speaking at the time, Aubrey said that their dynamic felt “volatile and electric in a way that made every take unpredictable.”

While Chris praised Aubrey at the time as “fearless, you never quite know what she’s going to do.”

SPARKS OFF BROADWAY

The two became co-stars while starring together in the Off-Broadway show Danny and the Deep Blue Sea in 2023.

While the two-person play received mixed reviews, with The Guardian saying it was “challenging theatre, just not in the good way”, the pair grew close behind the scenes.

Halfway through the run, Chris injured his knee, and Aubrey is reported to have “coordinated a dance scene where she gave him a lap dance when he was on crutches.” 

Even before the injury, the actress is alleged to have “[rode] him simulating sex while he’s on the floor as one of the sets changed between acts.” 

On the evening that Chris hurt himself, Aubrey reportedly “went into a different mode to take care of him and was very affectionate.”

She even skipped seeing fans to attend to her colleague post-performance, with it noted that she “avoided any stage door due to Chris being her main concern.”

Aubrey was still with Jeff during the Broadway run, with her split from her late husband happening around Septemebr 2024, months prior to his death.

Meanwhile, Chris appeared to stay single and was spotted on celebrity dating app Raya, however, never on any actual dates.

Before finding love with Aubrey, Chris dated The Girlfriend star Olivia Cooke, but the pair split just before the pandemic.

PRESS TOUR PAIRING

While not together, their chemistry was visible during the press tour for the play.

Speaking about their project at the time, Aubrey told The New York Times: “He cares but he also doesn’t care; it’s the best recipe for me for a scene partner.

“It’s fun and it’s also good and it’s also safe. I like to just throw things out the window also and laugh and mess around and not take it so seriously. It’s a hard combo to come by.”

Chris agreed, adding: “We’re both unafraid to be ugly and weird and strange.

“We’re doing this play every night for an audience, but I think you also have to do it for each other,” he said.

“We want to entertain the audience, but I personally want to entertain Aubrey.”

“I guess I like to entertain him as well,” Aubrey added.

SECRET DATES

Last July, the couple were spotted at The Chatham Berry Farm, which is located a couple of hours outside of New York City, in what appeared to be a less-than-platonic encounter.

A source at the farm reported to Duexmoi that Aubrey was “was rubbing his back, and they were sitting very close to each other at a picnic table.” 

From the insider’s POV, the outing appeared “more than friends.”

The insider added that Aubrey appeared to know Chris’ sister who was also invited on the outing. 

Chris’ sister is singer Christina Abbott who posted about the day in June 2025.

The group were said to have had “several rounds of drinks from the cidery and ate dinner.”

Just one month later, Aubrey opened up about her grief during an interview with former Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler.

She said: “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning.

“I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I’m okay, but it’s like a daily struggle, obviously.”

Last year, Aubrey received the tragic news that her estranged husband Jeff Baena had been found dead at the home they once shared.

The U.S. Sun previously reported that emergency services were dispatched to the address in Los Feliz.

His body was found at 10.25am by an assistant at the property, which the couple bought together in 2022.

The filmmaker was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigator noted in documents that Aubrey, whose name was blacked out in the final report, said she had spoken to Jeff the night before he died.

In March 2025, it emerged Aubrey had quietly split from Jeff four months before his death, with the pair separating in September 2024.

An LA County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report obtained by DailyMail.com stated they had parted that month and that she was living in New York when his body was found.

Jeff’s family were left “devastated” and asked for privacy at the time.

The couple tied the knot over four years earlier after dating for a decade.

They kept both the engagement and marriage secret until Aubrey described him as her “darling husband” in a touching Instagram post following the tragedy.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123, or visit www.samaritans.org.

“WHAT will we be cooking today?” I asked.

“Any Moroccan dish you’d like,” my host, Mohamed, grinned.

My eyes lit up, growing larger than my stomach. I was in his family home and we had just returned from the souks of Fes to buy fresh ingredients for our feast.

I had watched Mohamed expertly barter down the price of meats, olives and grains. The sights and smells of the markets were as lively as you’d expect.

Street cats gathered under the butcher’s stall, gazing up longingly for a spare scrap of meat.

Flatbreads were slid into wood-fired ovens with the warm waft of freshly-made dough.

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Behind the vegetable stand, a Premier League match played on a fuzzy old TV, the grocer keeping one eye on the game and one on the giant tomatoes he was weighing.

Back in their kitchen, Mohamed and his wife Jessica worked all six hobs in a perfectly-coordinated dance, darting between pots and pans to stir and toss in spices.

The couple host home cooking classes via the experiences site GetYourGuide, and you’d struggle to find a more authentic Moroccan experience for £34.

I chopped vegetables for a tagine, occasionally ditching the dicing to dance along to traditional music in an impromptu kitchen disco.

By the time dinner was served, we’d gone from strangers to friends.

This was just one of three local expert-led experiences I undertook in Fes, known as the cultural capital of Morocco. The city, which was previously the country’s actual capital, is a history-lover’s dream.

It’s home to the largest and oldest medina in the world, which is a maze to explore, with 9,000 narrow streets jam-packed with people.

So I was thankful to have an expert to show me around on a walking tour for my second excursion.

Local guide Fatah made sure to stop by all of the city’s key landmarks. We began at the Royal Palace gates, where seven grand, golden doors stood framed by intricate green and blue mosaics.

Next was the Mellah, or Jewish Quarter. Here, wooden balconies jut out over sun-dappled streets, housing the best handmade jewellery and metalcraft in town.

When it comes to exploring the ancient medina, the entrance alone is enough to take your breath away.

The grand Bab Boujloud gate welcomes you with its striking cobalt blue archway, a colour reflecting the famous pottery produced in Fes.

The medina is a wonderful whirlwind for the senses.

Inside its fortified walls, you’ll find donkeys transporting goods, as well as souks stocked with silks and spices.

And that freshly-baked bread scent follows you around the city, with 350 communal ovens marking each neighbourhood.

Fatah guided us to Mnebhi Palace, where an ordinary-looking brown door opens up to a lavish interior. Vivid geometric patterns jump out from the walls and a marble fountain at its centre is filled to the brim with rose petals.

I thought I recognised the bright pink patterned sofa sitting in the corner — it turns out Madonna had posted it on her Instagram a few months prior.

Next was the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the oldest higher education institution in the world. This beautiful building used to be a mosque and was founded in the 9th century.

We rounded up the walking tour with a visit to the Chouara Tannery, where leather goods have been hand-crafted for more than 1,000 years.

I was confused to be handed a sprig of fresh mint at the entrance, but the reason why soon became apparent — plenty of pigeon droppings are used in the leather tanning process!

Clutching the leaves to my nose, we head up to a viewing platform.

Here, you can look out over pools of vivid red, blue and purple dye, watching workers dip and soften the leather hides.

This view marked the end of the walking tour and I couldn’t believe the amount of value packed into an expert-led experience, which you can book from just £10.

My last activity was a hands-on pottery and mosaics workshop, starting with a tour of the studio to see the masters at work.

These artists are true professionals, constructing massive designs entirely from memory — no tracing or templates required. Then came my turn to hit the pottery wheel.

I had oodles of fun smoothing the clay into weird and wacky shapes, though I instantly knew that my work wouldn’t be sitting on their shelves any time soon.

But the endless supply of Moroccan mint tea and syrupy treats really sweetened the deal.

And at £35 with a handmade souvenir to take home, who can complain . . . 

This year’s WNBA draft is bigger than ever with two expansion teams joining the league. It’s also a top-heavy draft, with a ton of depth in the first round and no clear first overall pick.

This is also the first year teams will be selecting talent knowing players can be signed to two developmental roster spots per team that don’t count against the salary cap, which might change the way teams use their picks.

The Sparks don’t pick until the mid-second round, but they should have options to help address depth needs. Here’s how the draft is projected to unfold.

First round

1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam | C | Spain | 6-foot-4

This is one of the first years in recent memory without an obvious No. 1 overall pick. Fam could go anywhere from first to fourth, but the 19-year-old would benefit from an environment where she doesn’t have to dominate right away. The Wings also need size.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles | G | TCU | 5-foot-10

The Texas Christian star nearly averaged a triple-double during the Horned Frogs’ Elite Eight run and she is the best point guard in this draft. Minnesota needs backcourt depth.

UConn guard Azzi Fudd dribbles up the court during Sweet 16 game against North Carolina on March 27 in Fort Worth, Texas.

(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd | G | Connecticut | 5-foot-11

Fudd’s stock might have dropped because of an underwhelming NCAA tournament, but she is still a pro-ready offensive threat who will get playing time with a rebuilding Storm squad.

4. Washington Mystics: Flau’jae Johnson | G | LSU | 6-foot

Johnson could join an up-and-coming Washington squad as a three-level scorer who can play defense as a two-way guard. With second-year player Sonia Citron already ahead of her at her position, the Mystics can develop Johnson.

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice | G | UCLA | 5-foot-11

The Sky need a guard who can score and defend, and with Courtney Vandersloot out to start the season, Rice might get some early playing time. She can rebound and scrap for loose balls too, and with Ariel Atkins reportedly being traded, Rice could play a big role.

6. Toronto Tempo: Lauren Betts | C | UCLA | 6-foot-7

Betts could become one of the faces of the new franchise as a starting center. She is a pro-ready post scorer who can continue to develop defensively and play against bigger players.

UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives around South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson during the NCAA championship game on April 4.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

7. Portland Fire: Nell Angloma | F | France | 5-foot-11

Angloma needs time to develop, but general manager Vanja Cernivec has seen her plenty. She is a physical guard who has proven she can score against much older players.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez | F | UCLA | 6 feet

Jaquez can score and win rebounds and would fit in well with the Valkyries’ scrappy style. She fits in a clear role and is the type of player coach Natalie Nakase and company prefer to draft. Jaquez could have some electric games off the bench.

9. Washington: Iyana Martín Carrion | G | Spain | 5-foot-9

With three first-round picks, the Mystics could consider a draft-and-stash here, and that might just be Carrion. She’s a good shooter and passer and plays bigger than her size. They can be patient and develop her into a starting point guard in a few years.

10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot | C | South Carolina | 6-foot-6

Indiana can add the third-best center in the draft early here and get a physical player who can create space on the floor as long as she can assert herself in the post.

11. Washington: Raven Johnson | G | South Carolina | 5-foot-9

Johnson’s defensive ability and facilitating skills make her one of the most WNBA-ready players in the draft. Her shutdown defense on Sarah Strong in the Final Four showed she can handle tough assignments.

12. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon | F | Mississippi | 6-foot

McMahon could get early playing time as a ballhandler for a Sun team in transition that needs versatility. She can make her own shot and slot in wherever Connecticut needs her.

UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez dribble past Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards during the NCAA women’s championship on April 4.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

13. Atlanta Dream: Ta’Niya Latson | G | South Carolina | 5-foot-8

There was a time when Latson was the best scorer in the college game, and she could join an Atlanta team building both to win now and for a future run. She wouldn’t be relied on too heavily, which would give her room to develop as a scorer at the pro level.

14. Seattle: Marta Suarez | F | TCU | 6-foot-3

Suarez may have seen her WNBA draft stock rise the most this season, her first at TCU, where she led the Horned Frogs to a Sweet 16 game in which she scored 33 points. She’s an older prospect at 24 but still kind of raw. She could help a Storm team trying to find itself.

15. Connecticut: Gianna Kneepkens | G | UCLA | 5-foot-11

Kneepkens is a shooter who can play decent defense and is likely as WNBA-ready as anyone in this first round. She could jump in off the bench and make some serious shots, developing into a starter pretty quickly.

Second round

16. Seattle: Frieda Buhner | G | Spain | 6-foot-2

A big guard, Buhner can shoot the three-ball when she’s at her best, collect rebounds and bang in the post.

17. Portland: Jessica Timmons | G | Alabama | 5-foot-8

Timmons had a breakout year for Alabama as an All-SEC player. She can create her own offense and hit shots.

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic shoots over South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards during the NCAA championship on April 4 in Phoenix.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

18. Connecticut: Angela Dugalic | F | UCLA | 6-foot-4

At 24, Dugalic will be one of the more experienced rookies in the WNBA, which could help mold a Sun team in transition. A tough interior presence who also can shoot from distance, Dugalic was arguably the best bench player in the nation during UCLA’s title run.

19. Washington: Shay Ciezki | G | Indiana | 5-foot-7

After averaging 22.8 points per game, Ciezki proved she can score in a variety of ways. She is undersized but could get time to develop on the young Mystics.

20. Sparks: Charlisse Leger-Walker | G | UCLA | 5-foot-8

The first pick for the Sparks of this draft, they stay close to home and get a much-needed ballhandler who can hang defensively. Leger-Walker went from a flashy three-point scorer at Washington State to a well-rounded player who can add energy to the Sparks’ bench.

21. Chicago: Yarden Garzon | G | Maryland | 6-foot-3

Garzon did not have a great senior campaign with Maryland, but Chicago needs guard depth, and she has size and can shoot from distance.

UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker slips past Minnesota guard Tori McKinney and scores on March 27 in Sacramento.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

22. Toronto: Janiah Barker | F | Tennessee | 6-foot-4

A 6-4 forward who can shoot, Barker has plenty of talent but moved around a lot in her college career. Toronto can be patient with her.

23. Golden State: Serah Williams | C| UConn | 6-foot-4

The Valkyries might need some size with Monique Billings moving on and Temi Fagbenle’s future unclear.

24. Sparks: Teoni Key | F | Kentucky | 6-foot-5

Key would give the Sparks some size off the bench behind Cameron Brink, Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby. Key is more physical than Brink and could give her a bit of a break in the post.

25. Indiana: Ashlon Jackson | G | Duke | 6-foot

Jackson had perhaps the most iconic shot of the NCAA tournament with her game-winner in the Sweet 16 over Louisiana State with 2.5 seconds left.

Michigan State forward Grace VanSlooten dribbles the ball during a game against Washington on Jan. 8.

(Stephen Brashear / Associated Press)

26. Toronto: Grace VanSlooten | G | Michigan State | 6-foot-3

An elite two-point shooter for the Spartans, VanSlooten has a high motor on the offensive side and can play a quick defensive game.

27. Phoenix Mercury: Rori Harmon | G | Texas | 5-foot-6

As an undersized but scrappy guard, underestimate Harmon at your own risk. One of the peskiest point-of-attack defenders in the country, Harmon was named to four all-defense teams during her time at Texas.

28. Atlanta: Dari Littlepage-Buggs | F | Baylor | 6-foot-1

A strong rebounder who can move the ball upcourt, Littlepage-Buggs is worth a pick to see how she might adapt to the WNBA. She is someone whom the developmental slots might help a lot.

29. Las Vegas Aces: Maggie Doogan | F | Richmond | 6-foot-2

The Aces already have a core in place, but Doogan has enough upside to be worth a late-round pick as a reliable bench shooter.

30. Washington: Justine Pissott | F | Vanderbilt | 6-foot-4

Another versatile player, Pissott was a part of a dynamic Vanderbilt offense this season. She can space the floor and add depth to the Mystics.

Third round

31. Dallas: Laila Phelia | F | Syracuse | 6-foot

Phelia is a solid defensive forward who can shoot well for her position.

32. Chicago: Tonie Morgan | G | Kentucky | 5-foot-9

Morgan is a terrific passer who can attack downhill.

Texas center Kyla Oldacre shoots over UCLA center Lauren Betts during a Final Four game on April 3 in Phoenix.

(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)

33. Connecticut: Kyla Oldacre | C | Texas | 6-foot-6

This would be a pure depth pick after the Sun added Brittney Griner.

34. Washington: Kara Dunn | G | USC | 5-foot-11

Dunn has averaged better than 15 points per game during each of her last three seasons (two at Georgia Tech and one at USC) and been efficient in doing so, most recently shooting 57.3% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range.

35. Sparks: Jalyn Brown | G | Michigan State | 6-foot-1

An incredibly efficient shooter, Brown has size and is a three-level scorer who has been a top perimeter defender in the Big 12 and Big Ten. She is a true wing and could give the Sparks a developmental player with a high floor.

36. Toronto: Lani White | F | Utah | 6-foot

White started for only one season but showed she can shoot from distance and give the Tempo another forward to build their bench depth.

USC guard Kara Dunn dribbles up the court during a game against Saint Mary’s at the Galen Center on Dec. 2.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

37. Portland: Raegan Beers | C | Oklahoma | 6-foot-4

For a while, Beers was one of the most interesting prospects in the college game. She proved she can be an efficient scorer when she went from Oregon State to Oklahoma. Her offense is far ahead of her defense, though.

38. Golden State: Elle Ladine | G | Washington | 5-foot-11

A San Francisco native, Ladine, when she is on, can be a dynamic three-way scorer.

39. Seattle: Saffron Shiels | G | Australia | 6-foot-2

A big guard who could be a late-round steal because of an ankle injury last season.

40. Indiana: Jordan Harrison | G | West Virginia | 5-foot-6

Harrison is undersized but was a good defender in the Big 12. She can facilitate and cause havoc on the court too.

41. New York Liberty: Hannah Stuelke | F | Iowa | 6-foot-2

This is the Liberty’s only pick, and Stuelke is a tough rebounder who has a high upside.

Notre Dame guard Cassandre Prosper drives to the basket under pressure from UConn guard Azzi Fudd during an Elite Eight game on March 29.

(LM Otero / Associated Press)

42. Phoenix: Cassandre Prosper | C | Notre Dame | 6-foot-3

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s most improved player, Prosper can score and rebound while also being surprisingly quick for her size in the frontcourt.

43. Atlanta: Laura Ziegler | F | Louisville | 6-foot-2

An All-ACC first-team player for an underrated Louisville team, Ziegler can pass and make threes.

44. Las Vegas: Mya Perry | G | Cincinnati | 5-foot-11

A 17.8-point scorer, Perry is a three-point shooter who could earn a developmental slot.

45. Minnesota: Madison St. Rose | G | Princeton | 5-foot-10

St. Rose led Princeton in scoring and could be worth a shot as a developmental player.

Israel’s far-right national ‌security minister storms the mosque compound under the protection of settlers, drawing condemnation from Palestinians.

Israel’s far-right National ‌Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound ⁠in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old ⁠City – his third incursion into Islam’s third holiest site this year – as Israel arrested at least 18 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Sunday.

Accompanied by Israeli settlers under heavy protection from Israeli forces, Ben-Gvir offered Jewish prayers at the site, which is not allowed for non-Muslims as part of the status quo arrangement in place since 1967, though Jewish people are permitted to visit the compound.

A statement from Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said it considered Ben-Gvir’s visit to be a violation of the status quo agreement at the site and “a desecration of its sanctity, a condemnable escalation and ⁠an unacceptable provocation”.

The Palestinian Authority’s presidency has also condemned the storming of the mosque compound, which has become more frequent in recent years.

In a statement, the presidency said the move was a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo at the holy site, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Ben-Gvir, who has stormed the mosque compound at least 16 times since taking office in 2022, is part of a growing settler movement that wants to take over the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the far-right Israeli minister having expressed his intention to build a Jewish synagogue in place of the holy Muslim site.

“Today, I feel like the owner here,” Ben-Gvir said in a video filmed at the site and distributed by his office. “There is still more to do, more to improve. I keep pushing the prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to do more and more,” he said.

There has been no comment from Netanyahu’s office so far.

Israel had closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the public for 40 days after launching its war on Iran on February 28. Israel often imposes restrictions, especially on Palestinian worshippers, with Israeli authorities also preventing Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa this year – the first such restriction since Israel’s illegal occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.

The mosque reopened on April 9 to Palestinian worshippers. But later that day, Israeli settlers stormed the compound and performed Talmudic rituals, under the protection of Israeli police, Wafa reported.

Wafa also said that Israeli authorities had extended the daily windows for Israeli settler incursions by an additional 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Israeli raids have continued across the occupied West Bank, with at least 18 people arrested on Sunday.

Wafa said Israel arrested six Palestinians during a raid on Dheisheh refugee camp, south of Bethlehem.

A  child and a young man were also injured by Israeli forces during a raid on the city of Nablus.

Attacks by Israeli forces across Gaza and the occupied West Bank have continued, along with Israel’s wars on Iran and Lebanon.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, with thousands forcibly displaced.

Benin is voting for its next president. The election is between Benin’s current Finance Minister Romauld Wadagni and the opposition candidate, Paul Hounkpe.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris is in Cotonou, explaining what’s at stake.

IN A time where most stars are terrified they’re one post away from getting ‘cancelled’, influencer Brittany Miller has somehow managed to maintain her legion of 3.5M fans despite a very controversial past.

TikTok star Brittany’s fame comes despite being at the centre of a massive scam which saw her admit to faking cancer – something which has been career-breaking for several others.

Six years ago, Brittany, now 29, was convicted of fraud by false representation after it was revealed that her claim to have been suffering from stage 3 gastric cancer was in fact a lie.

Brittany pretended to have been diagnosed with the cancer and even had a JustGiving page to raise money for the alleged illness.

Rather than keep a low profile following the scandal, Brittany grew her profile even further via videos on TikTok.

Posting videos which saw her dishing up her dinner and documenting her pregnancy – many fans assumed she was nothing but a sweet young mum as her follower count catapulted.

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As news of the scam began circulating on TikTok again last year, Brittany took to the platform in November with a teary apology – claiming that her lies were a result of “extremely bad mental health”.

In her groveling apology, Brittany claimed that she wasn’t the one who set up the JustGiving page to raise money for her “illness”.

But a friend told The Sun that she wasn’t being truthful in the videos, claiming Brittany did try to raise money for herself via the fake illness.

“Brittany lied to us all – not just her friends but also her followers online. 

“Now people are following her and they have no idea what she is really like,” they said last year.

They added: “Yes it happened years ago but lying about cancer is really wrong.

“Lots of her followers will have family members living with cancer but little do they know that every time they watch one of her videos, they are giving money to a fraud.”

Since then, Brittany has returned to posting her usual content on the app, such as cooking videos and clips detailing family life with her kids and partner Ash.

It’s a stark contrast to other stars who have been “cancelled” for similar crimes, with the likes of Belle Gibson – who famously lied about having brain cancer – losing their entire careers.

So, how has Brittany managed to continue business as usual despite the scandal?

According to PR and Influencer expert Chloe Franses, taking accountability for the scandal is what kept Brittany in the spotlight.

Whilst others, such as Belle Gibson, have opted for the “deny, deny, deny” strategy, Brittany’s teary apology video struck a chord with fans.

“I think that the main reason for her avoiding total cancellation was because she publicly lent into her vulnerability and her issues with mental health,” said Chloe, who owns PR agency HelloFranses.

She added: “This, especially nowadays, is something people are open to empathising with.”

TikTok also uses features where creators can block certain words, or profiles, from their comment section and page, something which could have helped water down the chatter of the scandal on Brittany’s page, says Chloe.

“There have been reports suggesting that she has retained this large following by using filters on her comments to block words related to the scandal and actively deleted negative remarks.

“As with a lot of things in the world of influencers, the past can be glossed over, with a shiny, scroll stopping, new focus.

“Admitting you were weak and you have done something wrong, saying sorry to your fans (and deleting anyone who isn’t) and committing to being better… This is the reinvention playbook that she is, well, walking into…”

In fact, the shocking scandal could have even worked in her favour, as Brittany could be raking in up to £20,000 per post through her blooming social media career, says PR guru Nick Ede.

He told The Sun: “With her following, she could be earning £5,000–£20,000 per post and potentially hundreds of thousands a year across TikTok and YouTube.

“She will have lost deals but brands know that she has a good conversion rate and no one is calling her or them out – so its business as usual”.

SACRAMENTO — There has never been a California governor’s race like this one. And that was even before the leading Democrat was shoved aside by shocking accusations of sexual assault.

For months, the contest has been uninspiring, unexciting and unwatchable. It really shouldn’t have been called a “race.” It was more like a slow trot. No candidate has drawn even 20% of voters’ support in independent polling. Half the 10 main candidates have been stuck in single digits.

And in less than a month, voters will start casting mail-in ballots.

But suddenly eyes and ears have opened.

Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell, a congressman from the East San Francisco Bay, was accused by a former young female staffer of twice sexually assaulting her when she was too intoxicated to consent.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Friday and CNN soon followed with a similar report, adding accusations of sexual misconduct from three other women.

“I was pushing him off of me saying no,” the anonymous former staffer told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”

Swalwell, who is married and has three children, strongly denied the accusations.

The incidents “never happened,” he said. “I will fight them with everything I have….

“I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but these mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”

Sorry, congressman, but if someone is running for governor of the nation’s largest state, the mistakes aren’t just between him and his wife.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco told Swalwell, in essence, that it’s his right to fight the accusations, but he should do it on his own time, not the Democratic Party’s. She was among the first of party leaders to call on him to abandon the race.

Bye, bye Eric. Might as well depart the House, too.

A leading candidate for California governor has never crumbled so fast. It was like a dam bursting.

Powerful interests and major politicians had been coalescing behind the 45-year-old congressman because he charmed them or they were loyal colleagues or — most important — he seemed like a potential winner.

Political players, including campaign donors, seek to invest their capital in anticipated victors. Their expected return is access and favors. And Swalwell had been racking up lots of endorsements.

But almost immediately after the sex scandal broke, supporters began fleeing the reeking corpse.

Marital infidelity is one thing, but alleged sexual assault — rape — cannot be tolerated, especially by a party dominated by female voters.

Labor unions, other interests and influential politicians began backing off their endorsements. Many urged Swalwell to fold his campaign. And with his support collapsing, he really was left ultimately with no other choice.

So, now the most pertinent question is which candidate will replace Swalwell as the Democrat with the best chance of surviving the June 2 top-two primary and winning a spot on the November ballot.

If it’s a Democrat against a Republican in November–the most likely matchup–the Democrat is a virtual cinch to succeed the termed out Gov. Gavin Newsom. No Republican has won a statewide race in California in 20 years.

State Democratic Chairman Rusty Hicks — as part of his effort to pressure lagging candidates to exit the race and make more room for faster runners — released a nonpartisan, party-paid poll last week. It was conducted before Swalwell’s collapse.

It showed two Republicans tied for the lead with 14% each: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.

Among Democrats, Swalwell led with 12%, slightly ahead of billionaire hedge fund founder Tom Steyer at 11%. Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter had 7%. Then came former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, San José Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, each with 4%.

Former state controller Betty Yee and state schools chief Tony Thurmond barely registered at 1% each.

For weeks, it has been deemed conceivable that both Republican candidates would finish ahead of all Democrats in the June 2 primary. Democratic voters would splinter their support among the party’s crowded field. That would lock out Democrats from the November ballot and guarantee the election of a Republican.

But President Trump seemed to botch that for the GOP last week by endorsing Hilton. Trump presumably will help the former British politico draw votes from Bianco and indirectly assist a Democrat in finishing second.

There’s a new twist, however. Where will Swalwell’s votes go? If enough go to the Democratic laggers rather than the party frontrunners, both Republicans could still wind up one-two.

No gubernatorial contest in modern times has been this wide open.

These candidates’ failure to make waves isn’t all their fault. Some were slow diving into the water. But even those who tried to make a splash were inundated by Trump.

Practically all the public’s attention has been on the president and his oddball or vengeful or unprincipled actions.

Now the Democratic race is more wide open than ever.

Steyer — a liberal climate fighter — has run an energetic campaign, spending more than $100 million of his own money on TV ads. But will Californians elect a mega-rich governor? They never have.

Porter has been running better in polls than the latest Democratic survey showed. She’s straight forward on all the issues, but a bit too liberal and feisty for some establishment Democrats. Swalwell’s fall is her opportunity to rise.

Becerra — a former state attorney general and congressman — has an impressive resume, but was too slow out of the starting gate. This is his chance to sprint, if he can.

No candidate is more qualified to be governor than centrist Villaraigosa, a former state Assembly speaker. But voters apparently are looking for someone younger. He’s 73.

Mayhan is a moderate who started too late and has fallen far short of expectations. He now has a second chance.

It soon will all be in the hands of voters, whether they’re interested or not.

What else you should be reading

The must-read: Eric Swalwell’s bid for California governor is over. Let the political scrambling begin
Knives out: GOP’s best shot at California governor’s office in decades mired in angry internal debate
The L.A. Times Special: Newsom reluctant to endorse a successor, break gridlock in governor’s race

Until next week,
George Skelton

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Rally Croatia results

1. Takamoto Katsutu (JAP)/Aaron Johnston (IRL) Toyota 2:51:15.8

2. Sami Pajari (FIN)/Marko Salminen (FIN) Toyota +20.7 seconds

3. Hayden Paddon (NZL)/John Kennard (NZL) Hyundai + 2:07.7

15. Josh McErlean (IRL)/Eoiin Treacy (IRL) M-Sport Ford +12:23.1

20. Thierry Neuville (BEL)/Martin Wydaghe (BEL) Hyundai +20:00.8

24. Adrien Fourmaux (FRA)/Alex Coria (FRA) Hyundai +49:12.5

25. Jon Armstrong (IRL)/Shane Byrne (IRL) M-Sport Ford +49:31.1

27. Elfyn Evans (GBR)/Scott Martin (GBR) Toyota +56:14.8

32. Oliver Solberg (SWE)/Elliot Edmundson (GBR) Toyota +1:19:02.2

Championship standings

1. Takamoto Katsuta (JAP) 81 points

2. Elfyn Evans (GBR) 74

3. Oliver Solberg (SWE) 68

4. Sami Pajari (FIN) 53

5. Adrien Fourmaux (FRA) 49

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the game as Chelsea host City at Stamford Bridge.