A French officer has reportedly revealed the location of an aircraft carrier deployed towards the Middle East by publicly logging a run on the sports app Strava. The vessel's location was visible on a map created by the app, sparking concerns about security and privacy. The French Ministry of Armed Forces has confirmed the incident and stated that appropriate measures will be taken if the report is true. The carrier was deployed as part of a carrier strike group recently deployed to the eastern Mediterranean by France, amid ongoing tensions in the region due to the Iran war.

Thousands of clients of the UK financial services giant Hargreaves Lansdown have reported problems logging into digital services and making transactions, with the company confirming there are 'technical issues' affecting their website and mobile app. The issues come at a busy time for many getting their business affairs in order, as the financial year draws to a close. Some clients have accused the company of a lack of diligence while others have threatened to move their business to a rival firm. Hargreaves Lansdown is the UK's largest direct-to-consumer investment platform, allowing customers to buy and sell investments such as shares, as well as providing financial advice and offering accounts like cash ISAs. The company has apologized for the inconvenience caused and pledged to get its services working fully again as soon as possible. Any updates to the situation will be posted on the status page of its website.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been accused of disloyalty and blackmail by European Union leaders after he blocked a €90bn loan for Ukraine. Orbán cited a feud over a damaged pipeline that transports Russian oil to Hungary, saying 'no oil = no money.' European leaders have described his actions as 'a gross act of disloyalty' and 'blackmail,' and have vowed that the loan will be delivered 'one way or the other.' Orbán has maintained close ties with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has made hostility towards Ukraine a key issue ahead of elections on April 12. Hungary depends on Russian energy, and Orbán has accused Ukraine of disrupting these supplies by failing to repair a Soviet-era pipeline. Kyiv says the repair will take weeks, but lifting sanctions on Moscow would be equivalent to restoring the flow of oil.

The portrait of Lily Allen from the cover of her hit album 'West End Girl' has gone on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The painting, by Spanish artist Nieves Gonzalez, shows the singer sitting on a stool wearing a polka dot puffer jacket and boots, revealing a tattoo on her left leg. Allen described the portrait as 'a savage and startlingly detailed portrait of a marriage being torn apart'. The National Portrait Gallery's collection includes likenesses of famous figures from William Shakespeare to Queen Elizabeth II, and from Charles Darwin to Adele.

A 19-year-old Mexican man died while being held in detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a detention center in Florida. ICE confirmed the death, which is being investigated as a presumed suicide. The Mexican government has requested more details about the death and called it 'unacceptable'. According to Detention Watch Network, there have been over 42 migrant deaths in custody since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. Under President Biden, only 24 deaths were reported in ICE custody during his entire four-year term, according to ICE statistics.

BBC Radio 1's Greg James completed a 1,000km tandem cycling challenge for Comic Relief, raising over £4m for charity. The challenge took place across England, Wales, and Scotland, with special guests including Prince William. James, who said he would 'never cycle again', was emotional as he finished the final leg of his ride at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The challenge saw huge support from listeners and famous faces, with a record-breaking total raised for Radio 1's annual charity challenge.

In an exclusive interview with NRK, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has spoken publicly for the first time since it was revealed that she exchanged hundreds of emails with late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She admitted to being manipulated and deceived by Epstein and expressed regret for not checking his background more carefully. The crown princess also discussed her decision to stay in Epstein's Florida house when he was not there, saying she was a 'private contact' and did not inform everyone about her private contacts. She maintained that she did not know Epstein was a sex offender or a predator at the time of their acquaintance, despite evidence to the contrary. The interview comes after intense scrutiny and pressure to explain herself, including from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

UK scientists have successfully transplanted fully functioning food pipes grown in a lab into mini pigs, offering hope to young patients like two-year-old Casey Mcintyre who was born with 11cm missing from his oesophagus. The breakthrough, reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology, uses the animals' own cells and does not require anti-rejection drugs. Eight pigs had the transplants and recovered well, developing working swallowing muscles to squeeze food down towards the stomach. Five survived to the six-month end point of the trial and their grafts had functional muscle, nerves, and blood vessels. The team hopes to offer the treatment to children within the next five years.

Nigel Farage has stopped offering personalized videos on the Cameo site after reporting by the Guardian revealed he had recorded clips supporting a man convicted of violent disorder and a Neo-Nazi event. According to a Reform spokesperson, Farage's activity has been 'paused for security reasons'. The leader of the party has earned over £80,000 through Cameo since 2024. Critics have denounced Farage's actions as 'a gross insult to the people of Wales' and 'a shameless cash grab'.

Iran is developing a new vetting and registration system for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as it transitions to a 'selective' blockade of the strategic waterway. Several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia, and China, are in direct talks with Tehran to transit through its territorial waters. The new system is reportedly under development by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and requires extensive details regarding vessel ownership and destination of cargo to be communicated in advance. While the blockade has resulted in a 95% decline in traffic through the Strait, a small number of ships have managed to transit, mainly flagged to Pakistan, India, or China. However, numbers have slowed recently due to an increased risk of attack. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has signaled a de-escalation from earlier remarks by the IRGC, stating that the Strait is 'open, but closed to our enemies'. Maritime data indicates that a new 'safe' corridor running through Iran's territorial waters has emerged, and at least nine ships have passed through. The development of the vetting system offers a short-term solution for some countries, but it may not make economic sense in the long run.

Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Friday, marking the end of Ramadan. The holy month was marked by physical moon sightings in some countries, while others observed the festival a day earlier due to differences in timing. The celebration is distinct from Eid al-Adha and typically involves congregational prayers and festivities. However, the festival arrives this year amid conflicts and instability in many Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Lebanon, and Sudan. Over one million people are displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks, while the war in Sudan enters its third year.

Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele are the two uncapped players named by Thomas Tuchel in an expanded 35-man England squad. The squad sees recalls for Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, while AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is back for the first time since October 2023. Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns after more than five years since his last call-up and Dominic Solanke makes his first squad since October 2024. However, there is no place in Tuchel's squad for Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott or Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins. Chelsea's Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, who were named in the last squad, miss out through injury. The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

Typical annual household energy bills are expected to increase by £332 in July, according to energy consultancy Cornwall Insight. The forecast reflects the surge in oil and gas prices due to the ongoing US-Israel war in Iran. While the figure is likely to change, Ofgem will set the July cap on energy bills for households on May 27 based on wholesale prices in March, April, and May. Cornwall Insight's latest forecast predicts that a dual-fuel household using a typical amount of gas and electricity would pay £1,973 per year, up from the current £1,641. Political pressure is building on the government to provide support for households if bills rise sharply in July, with a debate over whether it should be universal or targeted at vulnerable and low-income houses. The energy industry has called for a more targeted approach to cover next winter if prices remain high.

During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Donald Trump made a controversial comment referencing the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The remark drew laughter from journalists and others present in the room, while Takaichi appeared uncomfortable. This incident highlights the complex history between Japan and the US, including their alliance since 1952 and the devastating consequences of World War II.

The Eid al-Fitr celebration is being marred by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with millions of people displaced and struggling to find shelter. In Lebanon, Syrian refugee Alaa is homeless and unable to find a tent, while in Iran, economic crisis and bombing damage have made it difficult for people to afford holiday items. In Gaza, Israeli restrictions on the entry of goods have driven up prices, making it hard for Palestinians to celebrate. Khaled Deeb, a 62-year-old living in a partially destroyed home, is unable to afford fruit and vegetables, and Shireen Shreim, a mother of three, feels incomplete joy in Eid due to the ongoing hardship. Karim Safieddine, a political researcher and organiser, plans to celebrate with his extended family despite the difficult circumstances.