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The war against Iran has cost the United States $25bn since it was launched in late February, a senior Pentagon official said yesterday. “We’re spending about $25bn on Operation Epic Fury. Most of that is in munitions,” acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told lawmakers, using the official name for US operation. Related Story
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This year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be keenly watched as US President Donald Trump is said to be one of the contenders. Some 287 candidates will be considered for the 2026 prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, including 208 individuals and 79 organisations. Here is a look at how the award works. The Norwegian Nobel Committee consists of five individuals appointed by the Norwegian parliament. Members are often, but not always, retired politicians. The current committee is led by the head of the Norwegian branch of PEN International, a group defending freedom of expression. Another member is an academic. They are all put forward by Norwegian political parties and their appointments reflect the balance of power in Norway’s parliament. The short answer is: whoever fits the description set out in the 1895 will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel. It says the prize should go to the person “who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses”. The more complicated answer is that the prize “needs to be placed in the current context”, according to Kristian Berg Harpviken, the award committee’s secretary, who prepares the work for the award body. He participates in the deliberations but does not vote. “They will look at the world, see what is happening, what are the global trends, what are the main concerns, what are the most promising processes that we see,” he told Reuters last year. “And processes here can mean anything from a specific peace process to a new type of international agreement that is under development or that has recently been adopted.” Does the Norwegain government decide who gets the prize? No. Once the political parties appoint their respective candidates to the committee, they do not get involved in its work. Only the five members of the committee and its secretary participate in the meetings. No minutes are kept. The government finds out the name of the laureate, or laureates, at the same time as everyone else, when the chair announces it in October. Thousands of people worldwide can propose names: members of governments and parliaments; current heads of state; university professors of history, social sciences, law and philosophy; and former Nobel Peace Prize laureates, among others. Nominations closed on January 31. Members of the committee can make their own nominations too, no later than at their first meeting in February. The full list is locked in a vault for 50 years. The leaders of Cambodia, Israel and Pakistan have said they nominated US President Donald Trump for this year’s prize. Their nominations, if made, would have been done in spring and summer 2025 so they are valid for the 2026 prize. There is no way of verifying they have done as they have said. The committee discusses all the nominations, then establishes a shortlist. Each nominee is then assessed and examined by a group of permanent advisers and other experts. The committee meets roughly once a month to discuss the nominations. The decision tends to be taken in August or September, said Harpviken. The committee seeks to reach a consensus on its selection. If it cannot, the decision is made by majority vote. The last time a member quit in protest was in 1994, when Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat shared the prize with Israel’s Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin. A gold medal, a diploma, 11mn Swedish crowns ($1.18mn) and immediate global attention. The announcement will take place on October 9 at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo and is made by the committee’s chair. The ceremony takes place at the Oslo City Hall on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
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Out-of-service fuel nozzle is seen at a gas station in Les Sorinieres, near Nantes, France, April 30, 2026. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe Concerns are growing that shortages of diesel and jet fuel due to supply problems caused by war between Iran and the United States could ruin summer vacations. The chief executive of French energy giant Patrick Pouyanne warned that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed another two or three months all of the world will face “energy shortages like those certain Asian countries are facing”. Since the start of the war at the end of February travel through the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies normally pass, has been closed by Iran. Some 11mn barrels of oil per day are thus shut out from the market, according to the International Energy Agency. Gulf refineries also produce considerable amounts of diesel and jet fuel. Pouyanne said the world can’t make do without these supplies and not suffer serious consequences. Several nations in Africa and Asia -- which were more dependent upon Middle East supplies -- have already had to ration fuel or electricity. Both the European Commission and member states have sought to reassure consumers about supplies, at least in the short term. Summer is traditionally the peak driving season as families pack their cars to drive to their vacation destinations or hop on a plane. When supplies dwindle competition for them intensifies between the two major importing regions: Asia and Europe. This happened in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and is shaping up to happen again. “Asia rations, switches to coal and can experience shortages in places” while “Europe pays very high prices to avoid shortages,” said an energy industry insider on condition of anonymity. That means Europe is first and foremost exposed to the risk of a price shock but shortages could emerge if supplies from the Gulf remain choked off. “Multiple cases point towards a shortage of diesel and jet fuel in Europe as the summer evolves, as imports from vital supply lines in the Middle East and Asia have waned with the current disruption,” said Janiv Shah, vice-president of Oil Markets and Downstream Analysis at Rystad Energy. Airlines have raised ticket prices and cut back on their flight schedules to cope with high jet fuel prices, with warnings of shortages in jet fuel just weeks away. “Unfortunately, it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets,” the EU’s energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Sky News last week. Most nations have strategic oil reserves and those part of the International Energy Agency have already tapped those reserves to help contain surging prices earlier in the war. The could do so again in order to ensure no shortages develop. EU nations are trying to boost refinery production as much as possible, and in some cases boost production of diesel and jet fuel for which the bloc depends on imports. Encouraging working from home and carpooling are also options to reduce consumption in the short term. Over the longer-term, the electrification of transport and home heating aim to reduce reliance on imported fuels. Price also has an impact on consumption.
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Vice-President for Student Affairs at Qatar University (QU) Dr Mohammad Diab said the institution’s 49th graduation ceremony, scheduled for the coming week, will mark a qualitative milestone with the graduation of the first cohort from the College of Nursing, reflecting the evolution of academic programs in line with national priorities, particularly in healthcare. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), he noted that this year’s class includes 4,024 graduates, 3,122 women and 902 men, underscoring the university’s societal impact. More than 2,500 are Qataris, highlighting its central role in developing national talent, alongside nearly 1,500 non-Qatari graduates, reinforcing academic and cultural diversity. He added that 3,587 graduates are at the undergraduate level, with 437 completing postgraduate studies, noting that the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest by number of graduates, exceeding 1,000. Diab stressed that the graduation ceremony is not treated as a standalone event but as a reflection of the university’s identity and national role, with early preparations and extensive co-ordination to ensure a seamless experience for graduates and their families. He reiterated that the graduation of the first nursing cohort marks a significant qualitative step aligned with state priorities. He highlighted the extensive organisational efforts behind the ceremony, describing it as a large-scale event requiring high-level co-ordination across multiple sectors to accommodate thousands of graduates and attendees, ensuring a smooth and dignified experience that reflects the university’s stature. He emphasized that graduation is not merely celebratory but a yearly benchmark translating the university’s outputs into the labour market, with each cohort contributing qualified talent to meet national sector needs. In another context, he said the diversity of disciplines and the high proportion of Qatari graduates strengthen the university’s role in building human capital aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. He added that Qatar University operates within a clear strategic framework placing people at the core of education, aiming to produce graduates capable of contributing to the knowledge economy and adapting to rapid development, through an integrated system linking education with research and national needs. He noted that the university experience extends beyond the classroom, with a comprehensive approach to personal development that enhances students’ skills and engagement with society, including leadership, volunteer, and professional experiences that shape their readiness for the future. On the mechanism used to prepare QU graduates for the labour market, Dr Diab said the institution prepares students not only for existing roles but for jobs yet to fully emerge, by emphasizing adaptable skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and initiative. He stressed the importance of linking students to the labour market through training and practical experience, enabling graduates to enter the workplace with confidence and sustain continuous learning and development. Diab underscored that the university operates in close alignment with employers, building strategic partnerships across sectors to provide tangible opportunities for students and graduates, including internships, government scholarships, and post-graduation employment pathways, while deepening their understanding of market needs to ease their transition into professional life. He added that the Student Affairs sector mobilises all resources to support this direction, noting that the Career Development Center has partnered with more than 231 entities across sectors, playing a key role in delivering quality career opportunities and preparing students and graduates for the job market. The centre also equips students through specialised training, including CV writing and interview preparation, alongside workshops focused on soft skills development, aiming to produce graduates with the competencies required for effective workforce integration. He emphasized that the university’s relationship with students extends beyond graduation into a broader phase of engagement and partnership. Diab also highlighted the Qatar University Alumni Association’s role in building a sustainable global network that connects graduates, facilitates knowledge exchange, and engages them in professional and community activities, while linking alumni with current students through mentorship to enhance career readiness and long-term value. Concluding his statements to QNA, he congratulated the Class of 2026, describing graduation as the beginning of a new phase of responsibility, where the knowledge gained forms a foundation, but its true value lies in how it is leveraged in service of the nation and society.
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This picture taken last month shows Christopher Okello Onyum escorted by Uganda Prison guards during his trial at the Ggaba Community Church Grounds in Kampala. AFP A Ugandan court has sentenced a man to death for killing four young children this month at a nursery school, in an attack that sparked public outrage and concern for pupils' safety in the East African country.The judge said an investigation of Christopher Okello Onyum's phone and laptop had found searches including "schools near me" and "ISIS beheading", a reference to the Islamic State group.However, it was not clear if there was any political or religious motivation for the attack.In the attack, which took place on April 2 at a nursery school in the capital Kampala, 39-year-old Onyum stabbed his four victims – toddlers aged two and three years old – before a guard subdued him, police said.Angry parents tried to lynch him before he was detained.Prosecutors said Onyum, who holds Ugandan and US citizenship, confessed to the crime, believing the "human sacrifice" would help him become rich, although he eventually pleaded not guilty in court.The court earlier heard chilling testimony, including from a staff member at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre."At first I thought he was beating a child. When I asked him why he was beating our children, before he responded I saw Kaisha (one of the victims) against a wall in the pool of blood," she told the court at the start of the trial."He got up and he had a knife in his hand. He was so quick that he immediately grabbed another child."I got one of the bicycles the children used. I threw it at him."When I threw the bicycle at him he left the child and started running after me. I ran but I later fell down. When I got up I found out he had cut the second child."The victims' parents also gave evidence, describing their last morning with their children before taking them to kindergarten, the phone call informing them of the attack and the discovery of the bodies at the hospital.One of Onyum’s lawyers had argued that he should be acquitted because he had long been mentally unstable and had been committed to a psychiatric hospital."I have no doubt in my mind that the search for 'ISIS beheading' prepared the accused person to launch this fatal attack," Judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha said while delivering the sentence.She rejected his lawyer's assertion that Onyum was insane, saying that his attack, which took less than seven minutes, had been carefully planned.Onyum was seen laughing in the dock during his trial, which his lawyer said showed he was mentally ill.Although Uganda still hands down the death penalty for serious offences such as murder, the last execution was carried out roughly two decades ago. Related Story
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Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new contract at Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2031, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over his future.The 21-year-old, who joined United's academy in 2014, has already made 98 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals, including in the FA Cup final win against Manchester City in 2024.Mainoo fell out of favour under former boss Ruben Amorim and had a request to leave on loan in August rejected.He started just one game all season - the League Cup loss to Grimsby on penalties - under the Portuguese, who was sacked in January.That led to growing speculation that the future of the boyhood United fan could lie away from Old Trafford.But Mainoo has been rejuvenated under Michael Carrick, who was appointed as head coach until the end of the season after Amorim was fired.The midfielder has started all but one game since then, playing a key role as United have climbed to third in the Premier League, all but securing a return to the Champions League.'Manchester United has always been my home - this special club means everything to my family,' said Mainoo.'I have grown up seeing the impact that our club has on our city, and I relish the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.'He added: 'We can all feel the momentum building inside the club. I am determined to step up and play my role in helping Manchester United to regularly fight for major trophies in the years ahead.'Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, hailed Mainoo as one of the most 'naturally gifted young footballers in the world'.'His technical ability, dedicated professionalism and humble personality make him the perfect role model for our young players and a true credit to our outstanding academy system,' he said.'We are delighted that Kobbie has extended his stay here and have full confidence that he will develop into one of the best players in the world, ready to play a pivotal role in a Manchester United team challenging for the biggest honours.'Mainoo has also regained his place in the England set-up under Thomas Tuchel, featuring in friendlies in March against Uruguay and Japan.
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Burnley's English manager Scott Parker reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on September 27, 2025. Scott Parker
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His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar Olympic Committee, officially declared the conclusion of the 6th Asian Beach Games during the closing ceremony held at Yasha Park in Sanya.In his closing remarks, HE Sheikh Joaan described the Sanya edition as exceptional, emphasizing that Asia’s unity had created a historic moment. “Together, as one Asia, we made history. Through our love of sport and our shared dream, we have showcased the very best of our continent,” he said.HE Sheikh Joaan praised the host city’s success in rising to the occasion and establishing itself on the global stage. He commended the efforts of the organizing committee, the Chinese Olympic Committee, and the government of the People's Republic of China.“I have no doubt this will be the first of many major sporting events that Sanya will host. As this edition concludes, the spirit of Sanya will remain with us - reminding us that when Asia unites, anything is possible,” he added. The ceremony also featured the traditional handover of the Olympic Council of Asia flag. The Mayor of Sanya presented the flag to the President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, who then handed it to Sheikh Joaan. His Excellency subsequently passed it to Abraham Tolentino, symbolizing the transfer to Cebu City, host of the next edition in March 2028.Qatari delegation celebrates national achievementsUnder the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman al-Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, hosted a banquet honoring the Qatari delegation’s participation and achievements. The event was attended by Ali Ghanem al-Kuwari, President of the Qatar Volleyball Federation, and Mohammed Saad al-Mughaisib, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation, along with administrative staff and national team athletes. During the banquet, the delegation celebrated gold medal victories in beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball, and handball, as well as a silver medal achievement. The evening reflected a strong sense of pride and appreciation for the teams’ outstanding performances throughout the Games. Related Story
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Senator Katie Britt Hot Date with Jacob in the Works!!! Published April 29, 2026 1:55 PM PDT Play video content Our own Jacob is both bold and beautiful, because with a new haircut, he mustered
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Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with US counterpart Donald Trump, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday, adding the two leaders discussed the Middle East war and Ukraine.The call lasted more than 90
