Is the Iran ceasefire over? What the latest US attacks tell us

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced that investigators will probe potential breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties involved in the Lebanon conflict. • The escalation, featuring Hezbollah attacks and an extensive Israeli air and ground campaign, has resulted in over 3,660 deaths and the displacement of more than one million people.

• India's Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon advocated for a rules-based order and strengthened diplomacy during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting held in Manila. • The ARF operates as a "track-one" diplomatic forum, focusing on a gradual evolutionary process to move from confidence-building measures toward full conflict resolution.

• The UAE is positioning its energy transformation as a global model for balancing economic growth with long-term environmental sustainability. • The strategy focuses on reconciling the urgent need for energy security with accelerated climate action to meet international goals.

• The United States launched a second consecutive day of military strikes against Iran, following Donald Trump's vow to "hit them hard again" after accusing Tehran negotiators of deception. • Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, stated that these attacks have jeopardized ongoing ceasefire negotiations and accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts.

• The US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 following weeks of intense conflict and retaliatory attacks. • The agreement aims to halt hostilities and initiate protracted negotiations between the two nations.

Sources say Chinese firm is asking for more than £1bn in row that could put pressure on two countries’ relationshipBusiness live – latest updatesThe Chinese owner of British Steel has started a formal process under an international treaty to win compensation from the UK government over its decision to nationalise the Scunthorpe steelworks.Jingye Steel said it would seek to recover money via China’s bilateral investment treaty with the UK, after more than a year of negotiations over the size of a potential payout. The dispute could put pressure on the relationship between China and the UK. Continue reading...

Hilary Benn says 16 people arrested and 12 police officers injured during second night of disorderThe Northern Ireland secretary has condemned “racist thuggery” in Belfast after a second night of violent anti-immigration protests, in which 16 people were arrested and 12 police officers were injured.Hilary Benn said during the violence, which followed a serious knife attack on Monday, people were stopped in their cars to be asked where they come from and were targeted because of the colour of their skin. Continue reading...

‘If you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin how else can you describe them?’ said Hilary BennFull report: Police use water cannon against rioters in Northern IrelandGavin Robinson MP, DUP leader, has said borders into the UK need “protecting” more. Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, he also said that he believed that there was “less” violence last night than on Monday.Of the violence, he said: “You cannot raise your concerns about damage to British values and then behave in such an unBritish way, Continue reading...

Mike Ashley retail group made near-€2bn takeover bid for fashion house, in which it already has 26% stakeBusiness live – latest updatesShares in Hugo Boss jumped nearly 7% on Thursday after it said it would “thoroughly examine” a near-€2bn takeover offer from Sports Direct owner Frasers Group.Mike Ashley’s fashion and sportswear group has pounced on the German fashion house, of which it already owns just over 26%, saying late on Wednesdaythat it was offering to pay about €1.98bn (£1.73bn) to take full control of the rest of the business. Continue reading...

New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon is among the witnesses expected to appear at the six-week trial in July next yearTwenty five people who were charged after they protested against the visit of the Israeli president will face a six-week joint trial next July.The protesters had their matters heard before Downing centre local court on Thursday after their lawyers made a successful application for the joint hearing after arguing there were common legal issues across the cases. Continue reading...

Home secretary also urged to force tech firms into sharing data on stolen devices and if they are reactivatedThe Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has asked the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to force all phone companies to make stolen devices “unusable bricks” in order to make them harder to sell on and less desirable to steal.London is widely regarded as the phone-snatching capital of Europe, with between 200 and 300 devices stolen each day. The city accounts for up to three-quarters of all mobile phone thefts in England and Wales. Continue reading...