13 April 2026, in sixty words

Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz risks deepening an unfolding economic crisis for Asia's energy-dependent economies, including US allies Japan and South Korea as well as China, Bloomberg reported.

India's weather agency IMD has predicted below-normal monsoon rainfall at 92% of the long-period average for 2026, raising concerns about food production and water supplies in the world's most populous country.

US energy exports have risen sharply since the blockade was announced, as countries that normally buy oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz scramble for alternative supplies, Fox News reported.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel now holds a 'solid, deeper security zone' inside southern Lebanon, one day before Israeli and Lebanese officials are set to begin direct talks in Washington.

Keir Starmer told the BBC in a radio interview that Britain will not join the US blockade and that the UK 'is not getting dragged in' to the war with Iran.

Spain's Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz 'makes no sense,' calling it 'one more episode in this whole downward spiral.' EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said freedom of navigation in the strait is of 'paramount importance' and added there can be no stability while Lebanon remains 'in flames.' The criticism reflects growing European frustration with Trump's escalation of the conflict.

China criticised the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun saying that maintaining the waterway's 'security, stability and unimpeded flow is in the common interest of the international community.' Beijing is a major importer of Iranian oil and the blockade directly threatens its energy supply chains.

Iran's military command issued a statement branding the US blockade a 'criminal act of piracy' and warning that if the security of its ports is threatened, 'no port in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea will be safe.' The threat signals Iran could retaliate by targeting commercial infrastructure across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

The US military blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas officially came into force at 2PM GMT today, with the UK Maritime Trade Operations confirming that 'maritime access restrictions are being enforced.' The restrictions apply to all vessels regardless of flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals or coastal facilities across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

The United States operates between 750 and 800 military bases across at least 80 countries, more than Britain, France, Russia and China combined, according to Pentagon data updated in December 2025.

The Southport attack, which killed three children and injured ten others, could have been stopped.

Goldman Sachs achieved its best quarterly financial performance in five years, largely driven by high market volatility.

Fragile calm may break quickly as tensions stay high in the region.

Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ, which quickly gained public notice.

Manufacturing costs are rising as metal supplies tighten during the conflict.

Canada's political landscape is shifting as Prime Minister Mark Carney closes in on a parliamentary majority.

NATO alliance ties are strained after key members, including Britain and France, refused to join Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade.

A dangerous new warning means Iranian "fast-attack" ships could be destroyed near a US blockade.

The legal challenges for former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey have increased, with new serious allegations emerging.

Almost 12,000 Kent residents can now book their second MenB dose after a local outbreak.

Global shipping and oil supply could improve if safe passage is restored.

NATO unity could weaken if US involvement in the alliance declines.

Investors have poured money into chip stocks, pushing one company to the top of the market.

Car buyers are shifting to electric vehicles as fuel costs rise sharply.

Efforts to reduce nuclear tensions may hinge on outside help managing sensitive material.

Energy supply and jobs could grow with new nuclear development.

OpenAI has introduced a new $100-a-month ChatGPT Pro plan, filling the gap between the $20 Plus tier and the existing $200 Pro tier which is no longer listed on its pricing page.

Snap announced a partnership with chipmaker Qualcomm to power its long-awaited augmented reality glasses, called Spectacles, which are expected to launch later this year.

Google has made end-to-end encryption available for Gmail on Android and iOS, letting enterprise users compose and read encrypted emails directly in the mobile app without third-party tools.

Google removed Polymarket prediction market pages from Google News after they appeared alongside legitimate journalism in personalised feeds and search results.

Anthropic is exploring the possibility of designing its own AI chips as the industry faces a growing shortage of the specialised hardware needed to train and run frontier models.

OpenAI is supporting an Illinois bill that would protect AI developers from lawsuits over catastrophic harm, including events that kill 100 or more people or cause over $1 billion in damage, as long as they publish safety reports and did not act recklessly.

The Pontiff faced an uncommon public censure from the U.S.

Manchester United's hopes for a Champions League spot received a major boost this weekend.

A worker suffered serious arm and leg injuries after falling from an aircraft at Manchester Airport.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Jerome Powell summoned the CEOs of Citigroup, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs to an emergency meeting in Washington to warn of systemic cyber risks posed by Anthropic's new AI model, Mythos.

Britney Spears is now getting help after her recent arrest for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

A ballerina with motor neurone disease has achieved her dream of dancing on stage again, calling the experience "exhilarating" and "magical".

Air travellers face growing risks from controller shortages.

Families face fresh fear after a young man's death in a popular London park.

Horse racing fans see history made with a rare repeat victory at Aintree.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf posted a Google Maps screenshot showing petrol prices near the White House ranging from $4.10 to $5.80 a gallon, alongside a mathematical formula suggesting the blockade would compound oil price rises.

Donald Trump said Iran will eventually give the United States 'everything we want' despite the collapse of peace talks in Pakistan, telling reporters he believes Tehran will return to negotiate.

Iran warned of 'deadly' retaliation as the United States prepared to implement its blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting Monday morning.

Reports emerged on Sunday that a phone call from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Vice President Vance during the Islamabad negotiations may have influenced the outcome of the US-Iran talks.

The average price of petrol in the United States reached $4.12 a gallon on Sunday, up 38% since the war with Iran began in late February.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised Donald Trump on Sky News, saying the US president has made 'incendiary, provocative, outrageous things' on social media and that it is 'not sure it's ever clear' what he means.

An Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese town of Beit Yahoun killed a Red Cross paramedic and injured another emergency worker on Sunday night, Lebanon's health ministry confirmed.

Iran has arrested around 50 people in a mass crackdown on what Tehran described as a US-Israeli 'spy network' operating inside the country, with authorities warning that the death penalty could apply.

Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters on Sunday to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to win back-to-back titles at Augusta National.

US Central Command confirmed that American forces will begin blockading all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10AM ET today (3PM BST), in accordance with Trump's order.

Numerous informal caregivers are set to have financial obligations decreased or eliminated, or obtain reimbursement, having faced penalties for surpassing income thresholds.

Manchester City's commanding 3-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday has tightened the Premier League title race.

The United States is facing new challenges and risks following failed diplomatic efforts with Iran.

Paddington The Musical dominated the 2026 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 12 April, winning seven awards — the most of the evening.

Kobbie Mainoo's wages are set to rise significantly with a new Manchester United contract.

"Trumpflation" — a term coined by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) — describes rising UK inflation driven by the US-Israel war on Iran, which has spiked global energy prices.

Starmer's government plans to introduce legislation to allow Britain to adopt EU rules, including food standards and an emissions trading system, potentially bypassing full parliamentary votes via Henry VIII powers.

The Resolution Foundation warns UK families could face energy bills rising by up to £500 this year, as the US-Israel war on Iran drives global oil and gas prices higher.

A fan's viral bottle celebration has prompted Man City manager Pep Guardiola to ask supporters for respect towards rivals Arsenal.

New government plans aim to provide millions of children in England with healthier school meals, addressing issues like childhood obesity and tooth decay.

Global energy costs are set to worsen after US-Iran negotiations concluded without agreement.