TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a massive wave of precision airstrikes against Iranian military installations on Kharg Island early Tuesday morning. pic.twitter.com/sq07nYHgNg — Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 7, 2026The twin offensives mark a pivotal moment in the “2026 Iran War,” now entering its second month. The Siege of Kharg IslandKharg Island, often referred to as Iran’s “oil lifeline,” houses the terminal through which nearly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports pass. As the sun sets over the Persian Gulf, the fires on Kharg Island and the severed bridges of Qom serve as a stark reminder of the scale of this conflict. With both sides dug in and the “2026 Iran War” entering a more destructive phase, the international community watches with bated breath, fearing that the “tragedy” warned of by regional diplomats is only just beginning.

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on April 02, 2026 in Kirkby, England. The Reds will be taking on Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, and given the mood around the club few are expecting a result that favours Liverpool. And news that after not being ready to be included in the team that faced City on the weekend, striker Alexander Isak is making the trip to Paris having been named to the travelling squad. If he were to make an appearance it would be his first since suffering a broken leg against Tottenham back on the 20th of December. That leaves only goalkeeper Alisson Becker as well as long-term absences Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, and Giovanni Leoni as key first team players left off the squad heading to Paris today.

Just hours earlier, Trump had written on Truth Social: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” American B-52 bombers were reported to be en route to Iran before the ceasefire agreement was announced. He said the US would be “helping with the traffic buildup” in the strait of Hormuz and that “big money will be made” as Iran begins reconstruction. In the two-week ceasefire, Trump said, he believed the US and Iran could negotiate over the 10-point proposal that would allow an armistice to be “finalized and consummated”. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordinating with Iran’s Armed Forces,” he wrote.

Regardless, Trump plans to spend a record $1.5tn on the military in 2027 – a 40% increase for the Pentagon at a time when farm bankruptcies have increased by 46%. My wife and I moved from Fremantle to New York for our careers 15 years ago, bringing our three small children with us. We lost and those wounds were still weeping when Trump sent thousands of ICE agents to Minneapolis in January. Or as my LGBTQ+ daughter put it to me: “‘Make America Great Again’ feels a lot like ‘America hates me again’.”Immigrants feel especially vulnerable. Instead, I want to return to a country that believes in simple things, like democracy, human rights and science.

Into that mix, late last month the club announced ticket price increases for next season—and committed itself to more in the years to come. This has gone over about as one would have expected with fan groups, which is something the club would have entirely expected. Regardless, said fan groups are now planning protests and boycotts. “This is Liverpool FC’s owners locking in price rises for years to come and removing meaningful annual scrutiny from supporters,” Spirit of Shankly added. It’s about what kind of football club Liverpool chooses to be.

The poll was conducted last Tuesday to this Tuesday from a sample of 1500. Among “Gen-Z” men, Labor is on 39%, the Coalition 12%, One Nation 19% and the Greens 24%; among women, Labor is on 26%, the Coalition 14%, One Nation 11% and the Greens 38%. For “Gen-X” men, Labor is on 32%, the Coalition 18%, One Nation 35% and the Greens 6%; for women, Labor 29%, the Coalition 21%, One Nation 31% and Greens 9%. Among “baby boomer” men, Labor is on 27%, the Coalition 30%, One Nation 31% and the Greens 4%; among women, Labor 33%, the Coalition 24%, One Nation 32% and the Greens 3%. The result includes an undistributed 8% “don’t know” component, with the rest being Labor 26%, Coalition 19%, One Nation 24% and Greens 12%.

Seeing Slot calmly address the press through it all, though, it’s hard not to feel sympathy. That he seems a fundamentally decent man and we’d all like it to be otherwise, though, doesn’t change the reality. “Before you can look ahead to the next game you have to address that you have to improve,” Slot added of the position he and his team are in. “Everyone can see there’s a lot to improve. It’s only about two games, and a lot can happen in two games.”

Three years ago it was named one of the prettiest places to do Christmas shopping by The Times newspaper and was praised for bucking the trend of struggling high streets. But business owners now say it's the "toughest" and "quietest" they've known trading in Cardigan, the historic market town widely recognised for its "independent vibe". The town in Ceredigion is dominated by small, independent businesses - with shops, cafes and restaurants saying increasing operational costs and a downturn in footfall are making it harder than ever for them. One shop owner says he took just £4 in a day, while an artist closed the doors on his high street gallery last week because of business rates. Many people across Wales have been in touch with BBC Your Voice ahead of the Senedd election to say they are concerned about the state of the economy, with many feeling the effects of rising costs and prices.

Savers take £2.3 billion from pensions before inheritance tax raid The number withdrawing their tax-free lump sums at age 55 rose 38 per cent in a year as families try to protect their wealth

Still, for all its epic violence, the second world war was fought with worthy goals, clearly communicated. Well before the end of the fighting, Franklin D Roosevelt articulated his vision for a world united around democratic values and international organizations. The Pentagon has a Law of War Manual, with a long chapter on how to protect civilians. By following that logic now, we will uphold long-established American values, and constrain other leaders from resorting to mindless violence. It is not a sign of weakness to protect civilians; it is the essence of strength and self-discipline, and a gesture of respect for the thousands of years of civilization that undergird all of us.

At 19 years, eight months and 12 days Vicky López is a history maker, record breaker and Barcelona hero. Putellas made her Barcelona debut at 16 and lost her father to illness two years later. In her debut season with Barcelona she made 13 appearances, scoring two goals. “I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness,” López says. López is the future of a Barcelona team who will not have Putellas or Aitana Bonmatí for ever.

Donald Trump on Tuesday morning threatened to annihilate the entirety of Iranian civilization should the country’s government ignore his 8pm ET deadline to reopen the strait of Hormuz. Trump’s latest threat against the totality of Iranian civilization “shocks the conscience”, House Democratic leaders said in a joint statement, calling for a “decisive congressional response”. Questions about the president’s mental state have grown louder since Trump’s expletive-ridden Easter Sunday message, with Democrats and critics calling him “unhinged” and a “madman”. Trump’s Truth Social post came the morning after a chaotic White House press conference in which Trump voiced his threats to reporters. The military campaign is being followed by Trump’s $1.5tn Pentagon budget request, submitted last week alongside sweeping cuts to domestic programs.

Donald Trump is openly threatening war crimes in Iran because he apparently thinks he can get away with them. There is no doubt that Trump is contemplating war crimes. Iran is not currently a member, meaning the court has no jurisdiction over crimes committed on Iranian territory. It is now allowed for such crimes as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and arguably aggression. Presumably any group of countries – say, the European Union, or Nato or the G7 minus the United States – could establish an international tribunal to address crimes committed in Iran, including war crimes and aggression.

Gorleston-on-Sea has been named one of the UK's best (Image: Anthony Kelly)One of the most popular beaches in the county, Gorleston is a true favourite. Last year, it won the award as the best beach in the UK, according to travel experts at Omio. Time Out Magazine shared its list of the 39 best beaches to visit across the UK last summer. Earlier this year, Tripadvisor released its Travellers' Choice: Best of the Best beaches list for 2026. Sea Palling was named among the best beaches by The Sunday Times (Image: Mark Bullimore)Sea Paling was named as one of the best beaches in the UK last year in the Times and Sunday Times 2025 guide.

Offset was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., following a fight on Monday evening and is currently listed as stable, a spokesperson for the rapper told The Times. “We can confirm Offset was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” the spokesperson said in a statement. The incident began as a fight near the hotel valet, police said. Offset shares three children with hip-hop legend Cardi B, whom he married in 2017. The pair split publicly in late 2023, and Cardi B filed for divorce in 2024.