Amidst persistent instability, **Iran War Live Updates: Tehran and Trump Send Signals Ahead of Potential Talks and Middle East crisis live: Iran sends mixed signals on talks after US seizes ship underscore the ongoing diplomatic tightrope walk, with U.S. and Iran Talks Appear on Track to Resume Despite Mixed Messages despite the US seizure of the sanctioned The Touska, the Iranian-Flagged Ship Seized by U.S. Forces, causing Strait of Hormuz Traffic Is at a Standstill Again and Oil prices rise and markets fall after US seizure of ship hits Iran peace deal hopes, while Pakistan seeks to raise its global standing in push for Middle East peace as a mediator, even as US spending on 'reckless' Iran war could have saved 87m lives, says UN**.

• Iran War Live Updates: Tehran and Trump Send Signals Ahead of Potential Talks — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Middle East crisis live: Iran sends mixed signals on talks after US seizes ship — The Guardian -

• Iran’s Nonnuclear Deterrent — New York Times World -
• Facing Hard-Liners at Home and Bluster From Trump, Iran Sends Mixed Signals on Peace Talks — New York Times World -
• The Touska, the Iranian-Flagged Ship Seized by U.S. Forces, Was Under Sanctions — New York Times World -
• U.S. and Iran Talks Appear on Track to Resume Despite Mixed Messages — New York Times World -
• Facing Hard-liners at Home and Bluster from Trump, Iran Sends Mixed Signals on Peace Talks — New York Times World -
• Oil prices rise after Trump says Iranian ship seized — BBC World -
• What we know about the Iranian ship seized by the US — BBC World -
• Strait of Hormuz Traffic Is at a Standstill Again — New York Times World -
• Police investigate whether London arson attacks were planned for weeks — The Guardian -
• The Touska, the Iranian-Flagged Ship Seized by U.S. Forces, Was Under Sanctions — New York Times World -
• Outrage over Israeli soldier's vandalism of Jesus statue in Lebanon — BBC World -
• JD Vance to lead US delegation in Pakistan if Iran agrees to talks — The Guardian -
• In Lebanon, residents of the south make their way home over signs of war. — New York Times World -
• Energy Secretary Says Gas Prices May Stay Above $3 Until 2027 — New York Times World -
• US spending on ‘reckless’ Iran war could have saved 87m lives, says UN — The Guardian -
• Oil prices rise and markets fall after US seizure of ship hits Iran peace deal hopes — The Guardian -
• In Turkey, Middle Powers Ponder Diplomacy With a Rogue U.S. — New York Times World -
• Israeli Soldier in Lebanon Sledgehammered a Statue of Jesus — New York Times World -
• Polymarket in fundraising talks that could value the prediction platform at $15bn — The Guardian -
• Can U.S. Blockade Iranian-Linked Ships Anywhere in the World? Yes, But … — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Democrats urged to link clean energy to affordability as Iran war hikes up prices — The Guardian -
• Israeli army to launch criminal investigation after soldier strikes Jesus statue in Lebanon — The Guardian -
• Pakistan seeks to raise its global standing in push for Middle East peace — The Guardian -
• Iranian woman arrested in US for allegedly trafficking arms to Sudan — BBC World -
• The Iran War Sent Shock Waves Through Asia That Are Likely to Spread — New York Times World -
• Are insider traders making millions from the Iran war? — BBC World -
• First Thing: US military seizes Iran-flagged ship trying to pass strait of Hormuz blockade — The Guardian -
• Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices — The Guardian -
• US urges contractor to evacuate workers from Kuwait and Iraq over worries of Iran-backed attacks — The Guardian -
• ‘We wasted a lot of lives’: CIA spymaster’s caution over past Iran intervention resurfaces from beyond the grave — The Guardian -
• Pakistan’s Leaders Try to Contain Rising Anger Over Iran War at Home — New York Times World -
• Two teenagers arrested over arson attack on synagogue in north-west London — The Guardian -
• US releases video of forces seizing Iranian ship — BBC World -
• US military seizes Iran-flagged ship trying to pass strait of Hormuz blockade — The Guardian -
• U.S. Attacks Iranian Cargo Ship While Preparing for New Round of Talks — New York Times World -
• The Strokes use Coachella set to denounce US foreign intervention — The Guardian -
• Messy War, Happy Stock Markets — New York Times World -
• Ed Miliband to double down on net zero with measures to combat Iran energy shock — The Guardian -
• IDF map shows its advance into southern Lebanon – as it happened — The Guardian -
• US intercepts and seizes Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Trump says — BBC World -
• Fuel rations and free buses: How countries have responded to rising oil prices — BBC World -

The Trump administration faces challenges as Democrats say Trump administration 'imploding' after third cabinet member steps down with Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation, while **Trump administration begins refunding more than $166bn in tariffs and Kash Patel sues the Atlantic over bombshell story detailing allegations of misconduct regarding the FBI director, and Federal agents detain wife of another US army member** highlighting immigration concerns.

• Democrats say Trump administration ‘imploding’ after third cabinet member steps down – live — The Guardian -
• Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation — The Guardian -
• Federal agents detain wife of another US army member: ‘ICE is out of control’ — The Guardian -

• The Onion plans to lease Alex Jones’s Infowars after judge blocks purchase — The Guardian -
• Supreme court to hear Catholic preschool case over funding and LGBTQ+ rights — The Guardian -
• Trump administration begins refunding more than $166bn in tariffs — The Guardian -
• Trump tariff refunds begin but consumers likely to miss out — BBC World -
• Kash Patel sues the Atlantic over bombshell story detailing allegations of misconduct — The Guardian -
• The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency — BBC World -
• Trump DoJ’s mixed messages bode ill for Epstein victims, experts fear — The Guardian -
• ‘We’re Catholic first’: Sunday mass attenders weigh in on Trump’s feud with Pope Leo — The Guardian -

UK politics is dominated by the Mandelson vetting scandal, with Starmer accuses Robbins of obstructing truth about Mandelson vetting and Starmer Voices Fury Over Being Kept in the Dark on Mandelson Vetting, prompting **Starmer orders inquiry into any security concerns over Mandelson’s tenure in US as his premiership faces scrutiny, while domestically, Mobile phones to be banned in schools in England under new plans, and UK shifts older wind and solar farms to fixed-price deals to reduce price shocks** to manage energy costs.

• UK shifts older wind and solar farms to fixed-price deals to reduce price shocks — The Guardian -
• Starmer accuses Robbins of obstructing truth about Mandelson vetting — The Guardian -
• Starmer Voices Fury Over Being Kept in the Dark on Mandelson Vetting — New York Times World -

• Mobile phones to be banned in schools in England under new plans — The Guardian -
• How safe is Starmer’s premiership after his Mandelson vetting statement to MPs? — The Guardian -
• Starmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces down the Commons – UK politics as it happened — The Guardian -
• What Starmer said, and didn’t say, in the Commons about the Mandelson saga — The Guardian -
• Starmer orders inquiry into any security concerns over Mandelson’s tenure in US — The Guardian -
• Reform’s Richard Tice posts picture with telltale signs of AI manipulation, say experts — The Guardian -
• Starmer to admit he inadvertently gave MPs misleading information on Mandelson — The Guardian -
• Greens ‘have welcomed’ people expelled by Labour for antisemitism, Steve Reed claims — The Guardian -
• Anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez blocked from entering UK for far-right rally — The Guardian -
• Cabinet secretary apparently advised Starmer to wait for vetting before appointing Mandelson — The Guardian -
• Home Office could face hundreds of claims over asylum families in single rooms — The Guardian -
• Naming Mandelson as ambassador before vetting was mistake, minister says — The Guardian -
• Universities in England could face fines for freedom of speech failures — The Guardian -
• Monday briefing: How is it possible the prime minister didn’t know about Mandelson’s vetting failure? — The Guardian -
• ‘Exam-obsessed’ schools leave pupils unready for work, Alan Milburn says — The Guardian -
• Get a grip on ‘scandal’ of illegal child social care in England, ministers are told — The Guardian -
• England left with ‘toilet deserts’ as public facilities decline by 14% in a decade — The Guardian -

Incidents of violence and legal proceedings are widespread, as US singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder in death of missing teen girl and Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old girl found in his car, while in Mexico, a **Canadian Tourist Is Shot Dead in Shooting at Mexico’s Pyramids and US and Mexican officials assigned to cartel case killed in car accident, and in the US, a Man kills seven of his children, and an eighth child, in Louisiana mass shooting**.

• US singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder in death of missing teen girl — BBC World -
• Canadian Tourist Is Shot Dead in Shooting at Mexico’s Pyramids — New York Times World -
• Canadian woman killed after gunman opens fire at Mexico’s Teotihuacán pyramids — The Guardian -

• Singer D4vd pleads not guilty to murder of 14-year-old girl found in his car — The Guardian -
• Tory Lanez sues California officials for $100m over prison stabbing — The Guardian -
• Mexico to Investigate Security Role of 2 U.S. Officials Killed in Crash — New York Times World -
• Baby was sexually abused before being killed by man adopting him, court told — The Guardian -
• Woman charged with attempted murder after car hits pedestrians in London — The Guardian -
• Police gunfight with favela gang traps 200 tourists on hilltop — BBC World -
• Mother and six children killed in explosion and fire at Pennsylvania home — The Guardian -
• Man kills seven of his children, and an eighth child, in Louisiana mass shooting — BBC World -
• US and Mexican officials assigned to cartel case killed in car accident — The Guardian -
• Daughter calls for investigation into death of man after police contact at Bristol protest — The Guardian -
• 2 U.S. Government Workers Among 4 Killed in Car Crash in Mexico — New York Times World -

Around the globe, Indian politicians are campaigning while holding fish in a unique cultural display, **A Decisive Win Raises Bulgarians’ Hopes for Change as Rumen Radev's party wins Bulgarian election with an absolute majority, Maduro’s Successor Is Purging Allies Who Kept Him in Power in Venezuela, and Javier Milei Tamed Argentina’s Inflation while also seeking to reshape its values, while More than 200 rescued from IS-linked group in DR Congo**.

• Indian politicians are campaigning while holding fish. What is going on? — BBC World -
• A Decisive Win Raises Bulgarians’ Hopes for Change — New York Times World -
• More than 200 rescued from IS-linked group in DR Congo — BBC World -

• Hungary’s Magyar eyes swift political deal to unfreeze EU funds after Orbán years – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Moscow-friendly Rumen Radev wins absolute majority in Bulgarian elections — The Guardian -
• Maduro’s Successor Is Purging Allies Who Kept Him in Power in Venezuela — New York Times World -
• Nigerian wins global prize for trying to save bats in a country that shuns them — BBC World -
• Rumen Radev's party wins Bulgarian election — BBC World -
• Carney says Canada’s strong economic ties to US are ‘weakness’ to be corrected — The Guardian -
• A Leaner Saudi Arabia Turns From Grandiose Plans to Pragmatism — New York Times World -
• Javier Milei Tamed Argentina’s Inflation. Now He Wants to Reshape Its Values. — New York Times World -
• Myanmar military regime widens sanitary towel ban, claiming rebels use them for first aid — The Guardian -
• Arrests fuel fears among Madagascar’s gen Z protesters that new regime no better than one they overthrew — The Guardian -

Key changes are afoot in the tech world with Tim Cook to step down as Apple chief as John Ternus named replacement, while Elon Musk Ignores French Prosecutors, Widening Tech Rift With Europe over his social media platform X, and **The Onion plans to lease Alex Jones’s Infowars after judge blocks purchase, and in business, William Hill owner Evoke in talks on £225m takeover by casino group Bally’s, even as Trustpilot hosts reviews of illegal casinos, raising concern among MPs**.

• Tim Cook to step down as Apple chief as John Ternus named replacement — The Guardian -
• Elon Musk Ignores French Prosecutors, Widening Tech Rift With Europe — New York Times World -
• Elon Musk snubs Paris legal summons over alleged child abuse images on X — The Guardian -

• Elon Musk snubs interview summons by French prosecutors amid X probe — BBC World -
• Trustpilot hosts reviews of illegal casinos, raising concern among MPs — The Guardian -
• William Hill owner Evoke in talks on £225m takeover by casino group Bally’s — The Guardian -

Climate groups sue US government over approval of new BP project in Gulf of Mexico while **WaterNSW criticised for ‘appalling’ decision after hundreds of turtles left to die in wetlands, and Adelaide University considers dropping Santos name from building amidst fossil fuel concerns, as Weather tracker: temperatures in Spain and Brazil well above late April norm** highlights global climate shifts.

• Climate groups sue US government over approval of new BP project in Gulf of Mexico — The Guardian -
• WaterNSW criticised for ‘appalling’ decision after hundreds of turtles left to die in wetlands — The Guardian -
• Weather tracker: temperatures in Spain and Brazil well above late April norm — The Guardian -

• Adelaide University considers dropping Santos name from building — The Guardian -

In Australia, **Ed Husic condemns ‘obscenely sweet’ gas deals; Anthony Albanese says national cabinet to discuss ‘long tail’ of fuel crisis, while NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians and Consumer watchdog zeroes in on Woolworths’ allegedly fake discounts, and Japan on high alert for 'huge' second quake after issuing tsunami warning following an earthquake that prompted Japan tsunami alerts downgraded, with New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit**.

• Australia news live: Husic condemns ‘obscenely sweet’ gas deals; police investigate alleged trespass after YouTuber posts video of Dezi Freeman hideout — The Guardian -
• Former VFL footballer Barry Cable cleared of historic child sex abuse charges — The Guardian -
• NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians — The Guardian -

• Consumer watchdog zeroes in on Woolworths’ allegedly fake discounts as it meets supermarket giant in court — The Guardian -
• Japan on high alert for 'huge' second quake after issuing tsunami warning — BBC World -
• Japan tsunami alerts downgraded following powerful earthquake off northern coast – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Tsunami Warnings Downgraded in Japan After Strong Offshore Earthquake — New York Times World -
• Minns doubles down on ‘rational’ anti-protest law despite NSW’s highest court ruling it unconstitutional — The Guardian -
• Rebel Wilson accused in court of trying to paint actor as ‘money grabbing opportunist’ as defamation trial begins — The Guardian -
• Trucking industry celebrates Fair Work fuel payment win – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Watch: Trapped boy dangles from moving bus in Australia — BBC World -
• New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit — BBC World -
• Daily Mail’s ‘aggressive’ reporting on Prince Harry and Meghan ‘irreparably damaged’ press briefings — The Guardian -
• Fire destroys 1,000 ‘stilt’ homes in Malaysia’s Sabah, displacing thousands — The Guardian -
• States on edge about NDIS cuts as Chalmers flags they will be ‘easily the most important’ part of budget savings — The Guardian -

Ukraine, Short on Troops, Is Turning to Robots to Help Its War Efforts showing technological adaptation in conflict, while A Humanoid Robot Races to a Record Half-Marathon Finish marks a scientific milestone, **British Jews feel ‘under siege’ and worry about kids wearing religious symbols in public due to rising antisemitism, and Gut microbiome can reveal risk of Parkinson’s, scientists say offering new hope for health, as the Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies** for celestial observers.

• Ukraine, Short on Troops, Is Turning to Robots to Help Its War Efforts — New York Times World -
• A Humanoid Robot Races to a Record Half-Marathon Finish — New York Times World -
• British Jews feel ‘under siege’ and worry about kids wearing religious symbols in public — The Guardian -

• Trailblazing black beauty queen who defied apartheid South Africa dies aged 76 — BBC World -
• John Keats’s love letters returned to owner after being stolen in the 1980s — The Guardian -
• How Bruce the Parrot Landed Atop the Pecking Order, Without a Beak — New York Times World -
• Victory slips away as marathon runner celebrates too soon — BBC World -
• Remains of US soldier who went missing in Korean war laid to rest after 75 years — The Guardian -
• Days of Our Lives and Starship Troopers actor Patrick Muldoon dies aged 57 — BBC World -
• Zoologist, author and presenter Desmond Morris dies aged 98 — The Guardian -
• Gut microbiome can reveal risk of Parkinson’s, scientists say — The Guardian -
• Charlize Theron joins chorus of disapproval over Timothée Chalamet’s ballet comments — The Guardian -
• Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch loses high court battle against her friends — The Guardian -
• Starwatch: Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies — The Guardian -
• ‘The Moon and The Zoo’: Simon Armitage poem celebrates 200 years of ZSL — The Guardian -
• V&A East Storehouse and Norwich Castle among finalists for museum of the year — The Guardian -