British national in court over 1.4kg Bali cocaine haul

 A 52-year-old British national appeared before the Denpasar District Court on Thursday (April 23) to face serious drug trafficking charges following the seizure of more than 1.4 kilograms of cocaine in a Legian hotel.

During the initial hearing at the Denpasar District Court on Thursday (April 23), Public Prosecutor Finna Wulandari detailed that the defendant, identified as Baath Jarnail Singh (52) or BJS, was apprehended on February 14, 2026.

Authorities seized a total of 1,419.79 grams of a white solid substance confirmed to be cocaine from the defendant's hotel room. 

Other evidence presented in court included electronic scales, a gray suitcase with a security lock, and multiple mobile devices.

Prosecutors have leveled multiple charges against Singh under Indonesia’s stringent narcotics laws. He is primarily charged under Article 114 of Law No. 35/2009, which targets the distribution of Class I narcotics.

"The defendant is accused of offering, selling, buying, brokering, exchanging, delivering, or receiving Class I narcotics in a non-plant form weighing more than 5 grams," Wulandari told the court.

Under Indonesian law, the scale of the seizure carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, alongside a fine of up to Rp10 billion (around US$578,000). 

The trial, presided over by Chief Judge Ketut Somanasa, was marked by several disruptions from the defendant. 

Singh reportedly protested against media coverage of the proceedings and formally requested a closed-door trial, which is rarely granted in such cases.

Additionally, he dismissed his former legal counsel, requesting new representation for the remainder of the trial. 

His new defense team stated they intend to file a formal exception (legal challenge) to the charges during the next hearing.

The case dates back to a targeted sting operation by the Denpasar Police Narcotics Investigation Unit.

Denpasar Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Leonardo David Simatupang, previously explained that officers acted on a tip-off regarding a drug transaction on Jalan Lebak Bene.

During the investigation, police became suspicious of the suspect's movements in front of the hotel where he was staying, Simatupang said. 

While an initial body search yielded no evidence, a subsequent raid of his hotel room uncovered the cocaine stashed inside a suitcase hidden in a wardrobe.

Deputy minister presses for ethics in Indonesia's AI development

 The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie stressed that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Indonesia must be grounded in ethical principles.

She stated in a statement on Thursday that the human capacity for abstract thinking is a core advantage that must be preserved in the AI era.

According to the official, while AI relies heavily on massive datasets, humans possess the unique ability to understand concepts through limited experience.

"Our ability to create abstractions and grasp concepts from minimal data is something we must not lose. This must be safeguarded in education and daily life, as it is our competitive advantage over AI," she remarked.

Christie underscored that the education system serves as a vital pillar for developing critical and conceptual thinking rather than just technical skills.

She pointed out that AI did not emerge from an immediate practical need, but from the critical question: “Can machines think?”

Citing technologies like GPS, which originated from fundamental research rather than immediate practical needs, she encouraged the younger generation to nurture an interest in science as a long-term investment.

"It is essential that we continue learning how to think and contribute to new knowledge for the sake of humanity. This is the primary mandate of higher education," she emphasized.

While the use of AI has both positive and negative impacts, the deputy minister noted that development is being directed toward addressing Indonesia’s specific needs.

The government aims to use AI as a tool to solve complex problems and close the development gap across the nation.

Amid the advancement of AI, the Indonesian government is currently preparing the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap for 2026 to 2029.

The roadmap will serve as a guideline for ministries and agencies in formulating policies and programs for national AI development.

This strategic document encourages the ethical, safe, inclusive, and responsible utilization of artificial intelligence across all sectors.

Ange Postecoglou visits Anfield after officially taking new job

 Football never really lets you walk away from it – and for Ange Postecoglou, the feeling appears to be very much mutual.

The 60-year-old Australian, who has had a turbulent ride through English football in recent years being sacked by the likes of both Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, was spotted at Anfield last week.

Postecoglou was in the stands as Liverpool hosted Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, a night that ended in a 0-2 defeat for the Reds and completing a 4-0 aggregate exit from Europe’s premier club competition.

So, what was he doing there? The answer is more straightforward than the rumour mill might suggest.

Postecoglou is currently serving as a UEFA Technical Observer — a role he took up in January 2026 – which tasks him with analysing matches from a coaching perspective, identifying tactical trends and developments across UEFA club competitions.

He’s in distinguished company too, with the panel also featuring the likes of former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate, Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

His report on the Liverpool vs PSG tie did offer one small silver lining for the Reds. Postecoglou singled out Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai for praise, noting the pair “did a really good job of closing down the midfield space” and denied PSG the central areas they prefer to operate in.

Still, the timing of his appearance added an extra layer of intrigue.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have endured a difficult second season — sitting fifth in the Premier League, 15 points off leaders Arsenal, and now eliminated from all knockout competitions without a trophy to show for their record summer spend. Calls for change have grown louder in some corners, though Sky Sports News reports that Slot is expected to remain in charge heading into next season.

For his part, Postecoglou has made no secret of his love for Liverpool, having described himself as a childhood Liverpool fan.

On this occasion, however, his presence was strictly professional with his eyes not on the dugout, but firmly on the game itself.

Michelle O’Neill criticises ‘militarisation agenda’ after defence sector deal

 First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she did not attend the launch of a £50 million boost for Northern Ireland’s defence sector because she does not support the “militarisation agenda”.

Ms O’Neill, the Sinn Fein vice president, said the money could have been spent in areas that are “really crying out for support”.

The Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal, launched by the UK Government, will see money invested in tech companies and start-ups to make it easier for them to enter the defence supply chain.

The Government said the initiative will support hundreds of jobs.

Ms O’Neill and her party colleague Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald did not attend the launch event in Belfast on Wednesday.

She told the Press Association: “I chose not to be there because I don’t agree with this as a policy choice.

“Obviously, this is a decision that’s been taken in London… a very clear political decision to prioritise a militarisation agenda, weapons of war over people is how I feel about it.”

The First Minister said she wanted to create jobs and opportunities for people in the local economy.

She added: “But this is a very distinct policy difference that I have with decisions being taken in London.

“I would much prefer, if I had £50 million, to be spending it in other areas that are really, really crying out for support right now, whether that be people through the cost-of-living crisis or our health service or education or child care.

“There are many competing challenges.

“I just don’t prioritise the militarisation agenda over all those other areas that I think need much-needed investment.”

Man Utd deserve 'battering' but not for bargain signing – Ferdinand

 Ro Ferdinand feels Manchester United recruitment rightfully takes a “battering” but feels a bargain signing is not one of the reasons for that, as he has “delivered” again.

United bounced back from defeat at the hands of Leeds on Monday night by beating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday. Matheus Cunha scored the only goal as the Red Devils maintained third position with the victory.

It was something of a makeshift United backline, with right-back Noussair Mazraoui partnering with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven in the centre-back positions, and keeping a clean sheet.

Prior to the match, United boss Michael Carrick said Heaven is “in a good place” and ahead of schedule in terms of his development.

That he helped keep a clean sheet shows Carrick’s faith in Heaven is not misplaced, and former Red Devils centre-back Ferdinand also had good things to say about the teenager, especially within the context of some of the club’s other recruits in recent years.

He wrote on X: ‘The recruitment has taken a battering at Manchester United over the last 10 years & rightly so…. But we need to shout out… Ayden Heaven – £1m.  Still lots to learn but called upon once again & delivered!’

Per FotMob stats, Heaven’s 7.7 rating was the best on the pitch bar Bruno Fernandes, who assisted the only goal, and Senne Lammens, who made three important saves.

Heaven played the full 90 minutes at centre-back, where he made two passes into the final third, as well as two tackles – one as the last man – four blocks, four clearances and one clearance with his head.

With Harry Maguire back available after a two-match ban, for the games against Leeds and Chelsea, Heaven might not be used from the start, but there’s certainly a chance of that given how effective he was against the Blues.

Carrick has suggested it’s normal for the 19-year-old to play some games and miss out in others, but after as good a performance as he put in last game, it would be great for his confidence if he was able to build on that against Brentford.

I’m trapped on an oil tanker in Hormuz – Trump is putting us in danger

 After a series of announcements and counter-announcements from Iran and US President Donald Trump over the status of the Strait of Hormuz, chief officer James Perez* still has no idea when he will be able to go home after almost two months in the Persian Gulf.

“The strait is open. The strait is open with caveats. The strait is kind of open. The strait is closed,” he said. “It’s insane.”

The guidance is not just confusing, but dangerous. Several ships made a run through the strait after Trump declared it open on Friday, despite the threat of mines and Iranian attacks. Some were fired upon.

Shipping companies are pressuring crews to run the gauntlet based on the President’s announcements, says Perez, the second-most senior officer on an oil tanker that has been trapped since the Iran war broke out on 28 February.

He fears that his employer, a major shipping firm, is preparing to give the order to go. “If I refuse, I don’t believe I will have a job at the end of this.”

Perez, who has worked Gulf routes for two decades, is an EU resident who speaks under a pseudonym to avoid professional repercussions. The i Paper has verified his identity and the location of the tanker.

When the Iran war began, the ship was caught in the crossfire. Perez’ crew were loading barrels when they heard the first explosions overhead, and then came word that ships were being turned back from the Strait of Hormuz.

“We found a place to drop anchor,” he recalled “Far enough from shore, safe from navigation routes, and – in the beginning – with not so many vessels. Now, we have a lot of neighbours.”

Almost two months later, the crew are still there, among an estimated 20,000 seafarers on 1,600 ships left in limbo by the war and then a chaotic ceasefire that has seen Trump respond to Iran’s blockade with a counter-blockade. But for now at least, the explosions have stopped.

“In the first days, the drones and missiles were non-stop,” said Perez. “Day and night, we would see things we never saw before.”

The officer describes warplanes shooting down drones “just miles from us, and the drones exploding mid-air”, the “hissing” sound of missiles streaking through the sky and surveillance drones buzzing around the ship.

As Donald Trump urged seafarers to “show some guts” and cross the strait, Perez heard warnings over the radio from Iranian soldiers telling ships to turn back. At the time it was unclear what ships were targets, he said.

He recalls seeing a Kuwaiti tanker, the Al-Salmi, after a direct hit. “You really cannot unsee that. A vessel on fire,” said Perez. The crew were rescued.

Dozens of ships have been attacked during the war and at least 10 seafarers have been killed, according to the UN.

Life under fire “started with panic, but quickly became such a normal occurrence that we kind of got used to it,” Perez said. “But it never stopped being scary.”

As a senior officer, he was responsible for trying to keep the crew, as well as the boat, afloat. There have been tears, clashes and meltdowns under the stress, with no end in sight.

“People need to vent their fears and frustrations,” he said. “Work was reduced, but not stopped, because you still have to have some routine.”

Much of this is routine maintenance work, but closer to the accommodation quarters in case there is a need to swiftly take shelter. Perez says he still works 12 hours a day. He hasn’t slept through a night since the ship anchored.

But his crew are among the luckier Gulf captives. Perez’s colleagues watch films, play video games and fish in leisure time, and the ship is equipped with a gym. “We are all trying to stay longer together, no one spends so much time alone as in normal times,” he said.

Desalination facilities keep them supplied with fresh water, and a new three-month supply of food arrived from the shore at the start of April. Salaries are still being paid.

When satellite connections allow, the crew speak to friends and families. They also compulsively follow the news in the hope of an end to the crisis, although Perez says the stream of contradictory claims from Iran and the White House add to the confusion and anxiety.

There is also camaraderie between the trapped ships, with messages exchanged over radio. That has revealed some of the bleaker circumstances, with crews approaching others for water as their supplies ran out.

Some crew members report that they are not being paid. Many of the trapped ships are under flags of convenience, exempt from regulations on safety and labour standards, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

Medical emergencies became fraught while it was too dangerous for helicopters to airlift patients ashore, leaving them to rely on slow boats. Tanker Captain Rakesh Ranjan Singh, 47, died of a reported cardiac arrest in mid-March as his crew struggled to get him off the ship.

Perez says anxiety comes from not knowing if and when the ordeal will end, or if there could yet be a new nightmare ahead. He fears the company could order the crew to cross the strait, or the ceasefire could collapse. “Will the attacks resume, and will they be worse,” he wonders.

Everyone on the ship has gone beyond their contracted spell, with some approaching a year at sea. But – like most crews trapped in the Gulf – they are forbidden from abandoning ship, and must wait for the company to find replacements. For obvious reasons, other sailors are reluctant to take the job.

The ITF says it has received 1,800 requests from seafarers for support during the war, with around half related to their rights, a further 20 per cent requesting repatriation and one in 10 expressing concerns over low provisions or fuel.

The Persian Gulf was declared a “warlike operations area” during the war, which entitles sailors to additional pay, to request repatriation and to refuse a dangerous journey.

But in practice, the difficulties of sourcing new crew members and safe transit out of the area are preventing them from leaving.

ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton said the body has “been working with industry, the International Maritime Organisation and Gulf states to do all we can to ensure that the 20,000 seafarers stuck near the Strait of Hormuz have as much support and protection as possible”.

“These are civilian workers, caught up in a conflict not of their own making. Every day they are reaching out to us for support, and every day many of them are forced to endure the psychological toll of being trapped in a war zone, simply for doing their jobs.”

Perez says the crisis is unlike anything he has experienced before, with the closest comparison being the pandemic that left him stranded at sea for seven months. “This is Covid 2.0 with missiles and drones,” he said.

Asked if he would consider a career change when the ordeal is finally over, he says it is difficult to say.

“This situation has given me a lot to think about,” he said. “Do I want to feel this unsafe again? Do I want to feel like the vessel is a prison because I’m not allowed to leave? Do I want to trust this or another management with my basic human rights? I don’t have the answer yet.”

New map reveals Iran's plan to surround the US as Strait of Hormuz enters new chaos

 As the U.S. implements a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following tanked peace talks with Iran, the Islamic Republic is clapping back.

In an X post on Tuesday morning, the Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad, India, posted a map revealing plans for Iran to start a blockade of its own - a blockade of the blockade, of sorts.'

"You know what!! Iran will block the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz," the post says, with an explosion emoji and a laughing emoji. It comes as China humiliatingly defied Trump's blockade and gave him an alarming warning.

The map features a red line, indicating the position of the U.S. blockade, as well as two pink lines showing the locations of the newly proposed Iranian blockade - one directly in the strait, and the other at the end of the Gulf of Oman near the Arabian Sea.

It's not clear whether the blockade proposal is facetious.

The map posted by the Iranian Consulate comes after Trump threatened any Iranian ships that approach the U.S. blockade of the strait, vowing to have them "immediately ELIMINATED."

"Iran's Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, 'fast attack ships,' because we did not consider them much of a threat," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday.

"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea," he added. "It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT."

The standoff between the United States and Iran deepened Tuesday as the U.S. declared it had blockaded Iran's ports, Tehran threatened to strike targets across the region, and Pakistan said it was racing to bring the sides together for more talks.

Though last week's ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the region-wide war's economic fallout.

Talks aimed at permanently ending the conflict - which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran - failed to produce an agreement last weekend, though Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round in the coming days.

Two Pakistani officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter with the media, said that the first talks were part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic negotiations, said on Monday that discussions were still underway about a new round of talks. They said that the venue, timing and composition of the delegations hadn't been decided, but that talks could happen Thursday.

The war, now in its seventh week, has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as a great deal of shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,000 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

Xi says world order 'crumbling into disarray' as war takes toll

 Chinese President Xi Jinping lamented a world in “disarray,” using some of his strongest language yet to describe a collapse of the Western-led international order as he vowed to play a constructive role in the Middle East.

“The international order is crumbling into disarray,” Xi told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday in Beijing, using a Chinese phrase indicating not only chaos but also moral decay.

The comments, part of Xi’s first public statements on the Iran war since the conflict began more than a month ago, followed a flurry of visits by world leaders to Beijing and fresh economic data on Tuesday showing the war took a sharp toll on Chinese exports in March. Xi has framed his country as a stabilizing force in a world thrown into turmoil by Donald Trump’s erratic approach to trade and foreign policy.

In an earlier meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, Xi reiterated that China would continue to play a “constructive role” in the Middle East. While a readout of those talks didn’t mention the Iran war specifically, it noted that the two sides “exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region.”

China has criticized the military action against Iran and warned it risks plunging the Middle East into deeper instability. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the international community to step up efforts to promote peace talks between Iran and the US, warning that the current truce remains fragile and must be preserved.

The durability of the ceasefire that began earlier this month is now being tested, with the US president ordering a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took effect Monday. The US and Iran are in discussions about holding another round of face-to-face negotiations after meetings in Islamabad over the weekend ended in failure, Bloomberg reported earlier, citing people familiar with the matter.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called the blockade “dangerous and irresponsible” and vowed to take countermeasures if the US raises tariffs on Chinese exports over the Iran conflict. It didn’t directly address a question on a China-linked tanker sailing out of the waterway, only urging for an end to the war to ensure unimpeded passage.

The meeting between Sánchez and Xi is their fourth in just over three years as Spain positions itself as one of China’s closest friends in Europe. Spain has been among the European countries most strongly opposed to the US-Israeli war in Iran, which Sánchez has described as “illegal.” 

Ahead of the meeting, Sánchez urged China to leverage its global influence to help bring the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine to an end.

“Both China and Spain are nations of principle and integrity,” Xi said, adding that the two sides should “enhance communication, consolidate mutual trust, and cooperate closely to resist any regression toward the law of the jungle.”

Spain has closed its airspace to US warplanes involved in the conflict and is barring Washington from using its two military bases on Spanish territory for that purpose. At the same time, Spain has condemned Iran’s response to the US and Israeli strikes and warned of regional destabilization. 

During opening remarks at the meeting on Tuesday, Sanchez said he was in Beijing so the two countries can “contribute to providing solutions to the various trade tensions, the difficulties and geopolitical complexities of today’s world, the wars, and the environmental and social challenges affecting the world.”

Sánchez defended establishing “an even stronger bond between China and the European Union.” Despite the skepticism of some other European countries regarding China, the Spanish premier said that cooperation between both blocs “will benefit their societies and also contribute to the stability, peace, and prosperity of the world.”

In his meeting with Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Xi put forward a four-point proposal for maintaining peace in the Middle East, including upholding the principles of peaceful coexistence, sovereignty, rule of international law and the pursuit of development and security, according to the readout. 

Sheikh Khaled, 44, is the eldest son of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and has taken on more prominent national security and economic roles over the past year. That includes being appointed to oversee the UAE’s newest wealth fund, called L’imad Holding Co.

The UAE has been hit by Iranian strikes as Tehran targeted energy infrastructure across the region, crippling refineries, petrochemical and liquefied natural gas facilities, and forced some of the world’s biggest oil producers to slash production.

Indonesia pushes export diversification via I-EAEU FTA

  Indonesia is pushing to diversify export markets by accelerating the implementation of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA) amid rising global protectionism.

The push was discussed at the 7th Indonesia-Russia Working Group on Trade, Investment, and Industry (WGTII) meeting in Jakarta 

Deputy for Economic Cooperation and Investment Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Edi Prio Pambudi said there is significant untapped potential in Indonesia-Russia cooperation.

He said the 76th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026 can be used to deepen collaboration, including by accelerating the implementation of the I-EAEU FTA.

Both countries are also seeking to expand cooperation in priority sectors, including trade, industry, investment, and food security.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Illichev stressed the importance of implementing outcomes from previous meetings, including the FTA.

He also highlighted progress in strategic sectors such as the halal industry and Surabaya-Vladivostok logistics connectivity, which has been operational since 2023.

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus Jose Tavares said the liberalization of over 90 percent of tariffs under the agreement is crucial amid global protectionism.

He noted that bilateral trade reached nearly US$5 billion in 2025, with further growth potential through diversification and stronger industrial cooperation.

"We need to encourage closer engagement between our business communities to strengthen trade and investment ties," he said.

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergey Tolchenov said economic cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations.

He highlighted potential collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, IT, infrastructure, and mining.

Govt targets end of open dumping by July 2026

 The government has set a July 2026 deadline for regional governments to end open dumping practices, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said 

"In 2026, we will end all open dumping activities. We are giving regional governments until July 2026 to close open dumping sites," he said.

He added that the government will take legal action to ensure all waste management operators comply with the policy.

Hanif stressed that closing open dumping sites is crucial, warning that the practice could trigger disasters, citing a recent landslide at the Bantargebang landfill that killed seven people.

He said the measure is also aimed at meeting waste management targets under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

Currently, the national waste management rate stands at 26 percent, but could rise to 57.75 percent if open dumping practices are eliminated this year.

Data from the ministry shows that daily waste generation reaches 141,926 tons, of which 37,001 tons are managed.

Most managed waste is sent to landfills at 15,189 tons per day, while 9,450 tons are handled by the informal sector. The rest is processed through composting facilities, 3R sites, and waste banks.

Separately, Hanif said the government is strengthening efforts to eliminate illegal landfills, particularly in major cities.

He added that the government is developing waste-to-energy (PSEL) plants in 33 locations as part of efforts to address the waste crisis, alongside technologies such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and composting.

David Ignatius: US demand has shifted from "unconditional surrender" to negotiating on Iran's terms

 Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said Wednesday morning on MS NOW's "Morning Joe" that while a ceasefire between Iran and the US/Israel is welcome for world markets, but the possibility of a permanent deal remains ambiguous.

DAVID IGNATIUS, THE WASHINGTON POST: Without question, there is a sigh of relief around the world that we've moved from this extraordinary threat to wipe out a civilization to a process of discussion that's set to begin Friday in Islamabad-and acceptance by both sides of basic terms.

The problem, as always in negotiation, is the ambiguity of the two sides' positions. President Donald Trump has said that the Iranian ten-point proposal for resolving this conflict-for a ceasefire-is a workable basis for negotiation. But when you look carefully at it, there are a number of items that the U.S. is going to have trouble with.

And it's striking-40 days into this conflict, the U.S. has gone from demanding unconditional surrender from Iran to basically working on the Iranian term sheet for a settlement. That's going to lead to a lot of bumps in the road ahead.

There's also going to be so much discussion about whether Donald Trump's rhetorical style-his wild threats-ended up harming the U.S. position in global opinion. Pope Leo XIV called it totally unacceptable in the last hours before Trump decided to accept negotiation, or whether-as I'm sure in Trump's mind-it was part of forcing Iran into finally accepting a negotiated structure.

And then lastly, what exactly has happened in terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz? That's the key issue in terms of the global economy. Iran is saying that it will work with Oman across the strait on a system to allow shipping in and out, but it also talks about the two of them collecting tolls and revenues. That's going to be something very hard to negotiate.

The details now are to be worked out. This is the kind of negotiation that could easily collapse because of the differences you can already see. But again, the financial markets are telling us there's generally a sense of enormous relief.

Why Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea were celebrating Arsenal’s Champions League win

 Arsenal’s victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday has guaranteed that fifth place in the Premier League will qualify for next season’s Champions League, which comes as a major boost to the teams chasing down that position.

The expansion of Europe’s three club competitions in 2024 came with the promise of more qualifying spots dished out according to the performance of each nation. Every win and draw across the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League earns points which are pooled together by domestic league.

As Premier League clubs dominated the league phase of the Champions League—five of the top eight were English—while Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are all still in Europe, England’s top flight have led the coefficient table for the entire season.

A mass exodus of clubs in the Champions League round of 16 caused a minor existential crisis among the division, sparking talk of winter breaks, scrapping the Carabao Cup and berating the weather. However, it wasn’t enough to undo all that good work from the autumn.

Heading into the quarterfinals, the Premier League needed just one draw from any of the five clubs left in European competition to guarantee that bonus spot. Arsenal delivered with a nervy 1–0 win over Sporting CP which will have been celebrated by several clubs outside of north London.

The Race for Fifth Place in the Premier League

Most Premier League clubs had been working on the assumption that fifth place would, much like last season, guarantee Champions League qualification. Now those hypotheticals have been confirmed.

As it remains highly unlikely that either Arsenal or Manchester City get dragged out of the division’s top two, this leaves three remaining tickets on to the continent. Manchester United’s surge under Michael Carrick has put them in a strong position while Unai Emery appears to have arrested the wobble at Aston Villa.

Liverpool are precariously perched just one point above Chelsea with seven games of the campaign remaining, yet the race could theoretically stretch all the way down to Fulham in ninth. Even Everton’s determinedly pessimistic manager David Moyes is willing to open himself up to a European sojourn for the Toffees next term.

“I’d love to say it was [a possibility] as I’m trying to be more positive than I would normally be,” Moyes mused last month, “but for Everton to even be in the mix for Europe is unbelievable, whether it is Conference League or Champions League.”

Which Other League Will Benefit?

The two leagues which have the best performing clubs are granted a bonus European ticket under the new format. England’s spot is already secured because Spain are the only other nation that can possibly overtake them this term.

La Liga is naturally well placed to get that fifth-placed spot—especially as six different clubs are still in the mix—but Germany and Portugal are also in the mix. It would take an almighty turn of events for Italian clubs to avoid the failings of their national team while France have already been ruled out of the race.

How 11 Premier League Teams Can Qualify for Europe in 2026–27

As many as nine Premier League clubs qualified for some form of European competition in the 2025–26. That could very conceivably happen again this year, while there is a scenario where a swollen pot of 11 gatecrash the continent next term.

Nine clubs in Europe

Nottingham Forest win the Europa League

Man City or Chelsea win the FA Cup and finish in the top six

This familiar outcome is entirely possible. The top five are already in the Champions League and could be joined there by Nottingham Forest should they win the Europa League. If Manchester City or Chelsea win the FA Cup (they are on opposite sides of the semifinal draw) and finish in the top six, then seventh place in the Premier League qualifies for the Europa League.

As Carabao Cup champions City are also set to finish in the top five, their Conference League qualification spot will be transferred to eighth in the Premier League table.

Champions League: 1st–5th, Europa League winners (Forest)

Europa League: 6th–7th

Conference League: 8th

Ten clubs in Europe

Nottingham Forest win the Europa League

Man City or Chelsea win the FA Cup and finish in the top six

Crystal Palace win the Conference League

It’s pretty straightforward to go from nine to 10 European qualifiers. All of the above must happen and then Crystal Palace simply need to lift the Conference League, which brings the reward of qualifying for the Europa League.

Champions League: 1st–5th, Europa League winners (Forest)

Europa League: 6th–7th, Conference League winners (Palace)

Conference League: 8th

Eleven clubs in Europe

Man City or Chelsea win the FA Cup and finish in the top six

Crystal Palace win the Conference League

Liverpool win the Champions League and finish sixth or seventh

Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish sixth or seventh

This is where things get unrealistic. A very specific set of scenarios have to unfold for more than half the division to qualify for some form of European competition (which is perhaps only just).

Liverpool and Aston Villa would both have to finish in sixth or seventh while winning the European competition they are already in, bumping them into the Champions League while shifting Europa League qualification down to eighth and ninth in the table. Thanks to City’s Carabao Cup triumph, 10th place would then get Conference League qualification.

Champions League: 1st–5th, Champions League winners (Liverpool), Europa League winners (Villa)

Europa League: 8th–9th, Conference League winners (Palace)

Conference League: 10th

Man Utd receive release clause twist in $115 million transfer hunt

 RB Leipzig have reportedly opened negotiations with their sought-after forward Yan Diomande regarding a new contract which could include a release clause that will interest his long list of suitors.

Manchester United are chief among the clubs circling Leipzig’s exciting starlet. The Red Devils are openly in the market for a new left winger after Ruben Amorim drove out all of the club’s natural wide men during his painful implementation of the 3-4-2-1 system.

After failing with a winter pursuit of Antoine Semenyo, Diomande has emerged as a potential target amid a spectacular debut season in the Bundesliga. However, Leipzig have made it abundantly clear that they would demand a fee in the region of $115.3 million (£87.3 million, €100 million) to be tempted to part ways with the 19-year-old.

It appears unlikely that United would stump up that sum—which would make Diomande the second-most expensive signing in club history—for a player with barely more than one full year of senior soccer to his name. Nevertheless, the prospect of a lower release clause which would remove any need to negotiate with Leipzig could appeal to those at Old Trafford.

Diomande finds himself at a crossroads. By Fabrizio Romano’s estimation there is a “50-50” chance he takes one of two paths: cash in and leave this summer or sign a new deal which gives him more power over his future in the years to come.

The player’s new agents are thought to be in discussions with Leipzig regarding a new contract on a much improved salary. After signing for the Bundesliga side last summer in a $23 million deal with just 10 appearances for Leganés under his belt, Diomande was in no position to negotiate a hefty wage. With half of Europe now sniffing around following a burst of 10 goals and seven assists in Germany’s top flight, there is scope for a considerable jump.

On top of the pay-hike, Diomande’s new contract would come with the promise of staying Saxony for at least another year as well as the “potential inclusion” of a release clause.

This is exactly the path which United striker Benjamin Šeško took while at Leipzig. After receiving intense interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer of 2024, the Slovenian forward penned a new deal one year before actually moving to Manchester United.

Man Utd Face Stiff Competition for Yan Diomande

No player putting up Diomande’s numbers will be short of admirers. As is typical for any Bundesliga talent to rise above their peers, Bayern Munich have been billed as very keen suitors.

The perennial German champions are not short of attacking outlets on the flanks and only recently agreed a contract extension with Serge Gnabry, who struggles to dislodge first-choice starters Luis Díaz and Michael Olise. There will be wariness in the Bayern hierarchy about blocking pathways to the first team for homegrown prodigy Lennart Karl while Jamal Musiala can also operate out wide.

However, Bayern rarely turn down the chance to stockpile the Bundesliga’s best players. Much like the Bavarians, Paris Saint-Germain are said to be “really attentive” to Diomande’s situation.

Beyond the European elite, United have more local competition in the form of Liverpool. The Reds are searching for Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor and have already had any hopeful talk of convincing Olise to leave Bayern emphatically shut down, potentially prompting an approach for a different Bundesliga star.

All of Diomande’s suitors may have to wait until 2027 to sign him if he goes through with this contract renewal. Yet, the process next summer may be more straightforward if a release clause is included in the fine print.

A crude awakening for the global economy

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Trump’s Fork in the Road

President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the war with Iran on Saturday unless the country’s leaders rapidly reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Publicly, Trump and Iran’s leadership appear far apart on terms for a ceasefire, and the war may be about to intensify. Yet both sides also have good reasons to seek off-ramps.

What comes next? Giles Alston, senior analyst at Oxford Analytica, outlines three routes the president could take:

Declare victory and withdraw. This would ease concerns about another “forever war,” but would likely leave Iran in control of the Strait of Hormuz.Escalate attacks. Trump could follow through on threats to attack Iranian power plants, risking further Iranian retaliation against Gulf states and infrastructure. If the gambit works, Iran could be forced to reopen the strait. The cost: an extended conflict with greater damage to the global economy.Occupy southern Iran. The U.S. could bomb and occupy parts of southern Iran to secure the strait. This would involve significant U.S. casualties and an extended campaign without an obvious exit strategy.

“Economic problems persist in any scenario, but escalation is worse,” Alston notes, adding that the cost to the global economy would be steep. Trump’s domestic standing would also take a hit. For those reasons, Alston believes Trump will opt to declare victory and withdraw.

Even the path of least resistance, however, has economic repercussions. Withdrawing soon raises the risk that Iran will continue to control the strait, leaving many shippers and insurers unwilling to risk passage and keeping energy prices high.

Oxford Analytica analysts Sarah Fowler and Tatia Bolkvadze estimate that the war will shave about a percentage point off global economic growth, taking it down to 2% this year. Growth forecasts for large, developed economies—Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom—were modest before the war at around 1%. If the conflict extends past June, GDP growth for these countries could evaporate, while inflation keeps rising.

The situation puts central banks in a bind on inflation and interest rtes. They could raise rates preemptively, risking a deeper downturn; if they wait for prices to rise more, they risk falling behind the inflation curve.

Among developed markets, the U.S. is in a better spot. The country has a domestic surplus of natural gas and oil that should help offset rising energy prices. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said this week that U.S. interest rate policy was “in a good place” and that the Fed could wait for oil prices to come down.

The economy’s underlying strength is likely why U.S. equities have fared slightly better than other developed markets’ since the war broke out. The S&P 500 is down 4.3% since Feb. 27, while the iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF is off about 7%.

Many strategists see a snapback rally on signs of real progress in ending the war. “When resolution comes, and it will come, in some form, because it always does, the snapback in quality will be VIOLENT and fast,” wrote Mark Malek, CIO at Siebert Financial, in a note.

The drawdown presents an opportunity to buy high-quality tech names such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Apple, and Alphabet, he notes. David Bianco, Americas chief investment officer at DWS, maintains a 7,500 target for the S&P 500, acknowledging that while the war presents downside risk, the index is “resilient against an oil shock.” The S&P 500 closed at 6,583 on Thursday.

Eurozone and Asian countries dependent on Gulf oil face more pressure. European Central Bank officials have hinted that rate hikes are on the horizon. Markets are pricing in an 88% probability of the ECB raising rates by a quarter percentage point at its April meeting.

A more hawkish ECB will limit the scope for a sustained rally in long-term European bonds, according to Gavekal Research. That makes U.S. bonds—and the dollar—a more attractive option than other developed markets. Yields dipped slightly last week after spiking in March, an encouraging sign.

Eric Fine, head of emerging markets active debt at VanEck, sees opportunity in emerging market bonds.

Latin America is well positioned, he says. Many countries in the region are net oil exporters, which could help them benefit from higher oil prices. VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF emphasizes government debt from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia, among others.

While Latin American countries have some oil revenues to offset economic damage, an extended conflict would be more harmful for developing economies that depend on imported energy and external debt—especially those with large debt vulnerabilities, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zambia, Ghana, and Senegal, according to Oxford’s Fowler and Bolkvadze.

In the Spotlight

NATO’s Latest Defense Crisis

Trump’s disdain for NATO got louder with the president saying he was “absolutely” considering pulling the U.S. from the treaty. A major gripe: European leaders denying the U.S. military support in Iran.

Trump can’t easily pull the U.S. out of NATO on his own. A 2023 law requires the president to get congressional approval to withdraw from the treaty. Administration officials have said the president has the executive authority, but any move would likely face legal challenges.

That said, there are a “whole range of things” Trump could do to undermine the alliance, short of withdrawing, such as shifting troops from member bases or curtailing military exercises with NATO states, says Byron Callan, manager at Capital Alpha Partners.

Trump’s threats will be top-of-mind as European nations begin discussing their 2027 budgets. With the U.S. making moves to scale back support for Ukraine as the war in Iran rages, countries close to Russia’s border may push for more military spending, says Callan. That could mean more upside for military contractors.

European military spending aims to reach 5% of countries’ GDP by 2035. If the U.S. were to withdraw from the alliance, Europeans will have to spend a higher share of GDP to make up for a U.S. funding shortfall, Callan says.

The U.S. troops and weapons buildup in the Middle East is also shifting priorities. The Pentagon needs to restock ammo, and American defense companies may need to prioritize production over profit margins. European defense companies don’t face that kind of pressure.

The Bottom Line: European defense stocks may have more to gain. One way to invest would be through the Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF. Launched in February, the fund owns big European industrials and defense suppliers such as Rhinemetall AG, BAE Systems PLC, Airbus SE, and Safran SA. The ETF is down 4.4% since the war started on Feb. 27, but it’s holding up better than the iShares U.S. Aerospace and Defense ETF, down about 9%.

Trump Makes Another Tariff Push. Markets Are Moving On.

One year after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff blitz, the market is looking very different. Worries about tariffs have been displaced by the Iran war and global energy shock. While the president keeps making tariff threats, the market is prioritizing other issues.

Trump’s latest tariff push, on the anniversary of Liberation Day, targeted the pharmaceutical industry; the president unveiled a 100% tariff rate on imported patented pharmaceuticals unless companies pledge to bring manufacturing to the U.S.

Investors largely yawned. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, and 10 other big drugmakers companies were already working out agreements to lower prices and invest in U.S. manufacturing in exchange for lower tariffs temporarily. The stocks barely reacted.

The pharma tariffs come after legal setbacks for Trump’s first round of levies. Many of them—instituted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—were deemed illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling ordered the government to reimburse roughly $175 billion that importers had paid over the past year, though the refunds are stuck in legal wrangling.

None of this means tariffs are going away. Duties remain higher, on net, than they were a year ago, made up of Section 232 tariffs, China-specific levies under Section 301, and the 10% global tariff the Trump administration announced after the court ruling.

But like the pharma industry, companies in other sectors are striking deals with the administration or taking steps to insulate themselves from tariff costs. DWS’s Bianco points to Tesla, which has invested heavily in U.S. plants.

Steel manufacturing is also seeing a renaissance. That’s partly because of tariffs on imported metals but also because of rising demand for data centers and electrification.

Indeed, while U.S. manufacturing “has been really tepid” this year, Bianco says, there are still bright spot in AI investment and a massive push to upgrade the grid and power generation. Those trends are fueling growth for equipment makers like Hubbell, Emerson Electric, Eaton, and Amtech Systems.

The Bottom Line: Trump’s tariffs look increasingly manageable while the economy proves resilient. Bianco notes that the S&P 500’s earnings momentum is still strong, despite the oil shock from the war. Analysts expect 17.8% earnings growth this year, higher than the prewar estimate of 14.6%. Assuming the war winds down soon, the economy should avoid a recession, while also skirting the worst of the tariffs.

Stocks Affected: Eli Lilly (LLY), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), AbbVie (ABBV), Hubbell (HUBB), Emerson Electric (EMR), Eaton (ETN), Amtech Systems (ASYS)

On the Radar

Canada, Mexico, and Prospects for a New U.S. Trade Deal

The USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) expires in July, and the Trump administration’s demands are coming into focus.U.S. access to Mexico’s energy sector appears to be a priority, according to the latest U.S. Trade Representative’s National Trade Estimate, released annually.The report describes investment barriers to Mexico’s energy sector, dominated by state-owned entities such as Mexican Petroleum (PEMEX) and the electric utility, Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). “Private companies operating in Mexico are often unable to participate effectively, if at all, in Mexico’s energy sector,” the report states.The USTR also highlights concerns about products made with forced labor making their way into Mexico. President Trump has accused Mexico of acting as a gateway for Chinese goods to circumvent U.S. tariffs.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she won’t allow USMCA reviews to become a tool for intervention in Mexico’s energy or labor laws, though she has indicated that negotiations with the U.S. are going well.For Canada, access to dairy and liquor markets are top priorities. The USTR’s report claims Canada limits U.S. exports in both industries. Other issues highlighted include greater access for U.S. exports of energy, pharmaceuticals, and seed exports, and Canadian policies like its digital services tax and “zero plastic waste” agenda.If negotiations don’t go well, U.S. officials warn that the U.S. could move to review the USMCA annually rather than renewing it through 2036 as originally planned. That arrangement would trigger more uncertainty about long-term investment plans throughout the bloc.

China-Japan Relations Get Frostier

Tensions between China and Japan are getting heated. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated in November that Chinese military action in Taiwan would be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan which could trigger its intervention. Beijing was quick to push back.Japan is now rearming; its defense budget hit a record 9 trillion yen ($56.3 billion) for fiscal 2026. The country is showing off its military might, recently deploying several long-range missiles, a move China criticized as breaching international agreements. Japan said the deployments reflect an increasingly “severe security environment” surrounding the country.Japan also provoked China by hosting Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-Tai in early March. The visit was the first from a Taiwanese premier since both countries severed formal diplomatic relations in 1972.Tensions are likely to remain elevated as Japan looks to shore up its defenses amid uncertainty over how the U.S. would react if China were to make a move on Taiwan.

Indonesia moves to secure tanker passage in Hormuz

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), has begun technical discussions to secure the release of two Pertamina tankers from the Strait of Hormuz, following a positive response from Iran to Indonesia’s diplomatic efforts.

“PIS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are currently discussing technical arrangements to ensure the safe passage of the two vessels, Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, through the Strait of Hormuz,” Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina International Shipping Vega Pita said 

She explained that Pertamina Pride operates to support national energy needs, while Gamsunoro is used for third-party energy distribution services.

Both vessels remain in the Arabian Gulf, also known as the Persian Gulf, with Pertamina prioritizing the safety of the crew as well as the protection of the ships and their cargo.

Pita also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its full support in handling the situation.

Following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, PIS has maintained close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which continues diplomatic engagement with relevant parties.

The ministry also confirmed that the Iranian government has signaled a positive response to Indonesia’s request to allow the safe passage of the two Pertamina tankers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, said his office, along with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, has been intensively coordinating with relevant parties in Iran to ensure the safety of the vessels.

“As developments progress, we have received a positive response from the Iranian side,” he said on Friday, March 27.

Following Tehran’s response, Nabyl added that relevant parties have taken follow-up steps on technical and operational aspects, although no specific timeline has yet been provided for the vessels’ safe passage.

New 'Tunas' regulation to safeguard children's privacy: minister

 Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized that the Government Regulation on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection, known as PP Tunas, is crucial to safeguarding children’s privacy and data in the digital space.

The measure is considered necessary following various studies and legal cases in other countries where children’s data and privacy have been exploited or monetized in unethical and irresponsible ways.

“We are introducing this regulation to protect children’s private data. Currently, this data is spread across various social media platforms, and children often do not know what information should or should not be shared,” she said at her ministry’s office in Jakarta 

As technology and social media become increasingly central to daily life, the responsibility of digital platforms to protect children online has grown more urgent.

Digital platforms are urged to provide equal protection for all children online, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion, or other factors.

“Children in Asia are just as valuable as those in Europe. Regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, or religion, children anywhere in the world have equal worth,” Hafid said.

To this end, PP Tunas is expected to ensure that no child is harmed due to insufficient protection in the digital space.

The regulation, which takes effect on March 28, 2026, restricts children’s access to high-risk platforms. In its initial phase, eight platforms are targeted: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

As of 9:30 p.m. on March 27, 2026, one day before the regulation takes effect, only two platforms, X and Bigo Live, were fully compliant.

TikTok and Roblox were classified as partially compliant, while the remaining platforms - Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and YouTube - had yet to meet the requirements set out in the regulation.