By Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City St George's, University of London
Before Donald Trump delivered his prime-time address to the American people on April 1, many commentators predicted he would claim victory and signal that the US air campaign against Iran would be wound down – even without a deal with Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz. As it turned out, Trump said he would double down on the violence, promising to hit Iran “extremely…
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Thursday, April 2nd 2026
Deadly new strikes reported across the Middle East overnight and Thursday rattled energy markets and pushed crude oil prices up to $107 in early trading. Hopes dwindled of a quick end to the conflict as President Trump spoke of another "two to three weeks" of attacks, alongside "ongoing" discussions with Tehran. Civilians across the region continue to suffer misery and displacement. Stay with us for live updates on this and UN agencies. App users can follow coverage here.
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By Kate Grimshaw, Associate Clinical Fellow, Dietetics, Manchester Metropolitan University
Travelling abroad is something many of us look forward to. It’s a chance to break free from the norm, discover new sights, try new foods and do things we might not normally have a chance to do.
But sometimes, our body has other plans – and our long-awaited holiday is spoiled by changes in our bowel habits. From bloating and discomfort to constipation and diarrhoea, travellers’ tummy is a well-recognised issue. Here’s why it happens – and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your plans.
Our bowels…
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By Roman Pavlyuchenko, Lecturer in Marketing, University of Bath
DC is once more trying to build a Marvel-style mega-franchise on the big screen – but the past warns that cinematic universes don’t succeed on hype alone.
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By Louise Du Toit, Lecturer in Law, Southampton Law School, University of Southampton
More than 200 laws have been developed to regulate AI in more than 100 countries. Many of them focus on issues such as privacy, bias, disinformation, security and cybersecurity rather than the environmental consequences of AI.
AI…
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By Hui-Ying Kerr, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication and Promotion, Nottingham Trent University
At high noon on a scorching summer day, retired samurai Kohei finds the fearsome Kumagoro writhing around a field in agony. The stricken man’s name translates as “demon bear”, and he’s the proprietor of a bar of the same name. Kohei finds him next to a temple famous for a tragic legend of familial loss and despair.
This setting frames the second instalment of The…
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By Gavin D. J. Harper, Research Fellow, Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements & Critical Materials, University of Birmingham
The war in the Middle East has disrupted the world’s supply of helium. Qatar produces about a third of global helium, but attacks on its gas infrastructure have forced production to stop.
At the same time, Iran is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, through which Qatar exports both natural gas and helium. Losing 30% of global helium…
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By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
Albanese said the fuel crisis won’t prevent the government from delivering its “most ambitious” budget. In doing so, he set the marker of how to judge it.
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By Peter Edwell, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University
The ancient Greeks and Romans invaded Persia multiple times. The risks were high, the logistics complicated, and wars were a lot easier to start than end.
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By Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University
By enforcing a ‘sex test’ for athletes, the International Olympic Committee has reignited the debate about what a ‘level playing field’ actually means in sport.
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