A prolonged war could do calamitous damage to the global economy. Iran war latest: Netanyahu predicts timeline In just one day and night, Iran has hit energy targets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel. So much for its military being defeated, or its leadership decapitated after almost three weeks of bombardment. One attack alone, on the Ras Laffan gas plant in Qatar, using just a handful of missiles, did an estimated $26bn worth of damage and will, we're told, take years to repair. Even less liquid natural gas will now get to market, jacking up prices. The cost of gas for European consumers has already leapt 30%. Cue a pell-mell chorus of apocalyptic predictions from analysts and economists, and that's after just 24 hours of escalated energy attacks. Imagine what weeks of the same could do. I sat down with one of Iran's most senior diplomats, Esmail Baghaei, in the foreign ministry in Tehran to ask him if this was a new policy of escalation from his government. "You cannot expect a country that is under military aggression to exercise restraint. You have to direct your call to those aggressors, they started this…" he told me. Oil and gas facilities have been hit before in this war, but the targets struck over the last day or two are of a different order of significance. The attacks were not unprovoked. Israel had taken its attacks on the Islamic Republic to a new level with airstrikes on Iran's south Pars gasfield and Iran responded without hesitation. No wonder Donald Trump issued what looked like a rather panicky post ordering Israel not to attack gas fields again and warning Iran against the same in no uncertain terms. I asked Mr Baghaei if rising concern globally would provide some opportunity for diplomacy to prevail and for all sides to step back. Is there any kind of olive branch Iran could offer to its enemies? "Do you think it would be realistic to offer an olive branch to those who want to behead you? They are killing our elites. They are targeting our leaders. We are facing acts of aggression and terrorism and this is unprecedented," he said. But the US president is also reported to be seriously considering sending in troops to secure the Strait of Hormuz. That would raise the spectre of weeks, if not months, more war. If Iran can maintain the potency of its missile arsenal that could spell disaster for the Gulf's precious energy installations with all that means for the global economy. It would be as wise as a shootout in a warehouse of crystal. The prices of oil, gas, helium, plastics and fertiliser have been sent soaring already. But we may have seen nothing yet and if the doomsday scenario unfolds as predicted we will all feel the pain.

Trials were due to start in October this year, but will now not go ahead, after all the separate lawsuits were halted earlier this month due to an undisclosed agreement being reached by the parties. A court order published on Thursday and dated 13 March said that case judge Christina Lambert ordered the proceedings paused, saying all sides had "agreed to the terms of the settlement". The judge added: "By consent, it is ordered that all further proceedings against the defendant in these actions be stayed upon the terms set out in this order and in the confidential schedule." No details regarding the nature of the settlement between Spacey and the accusers have been released. The three men, who lodged their cases in London's High Court, alleged the Hollywood actor abused them between 2000 and 2013. Two of them also gave evidence in a criminal trial at Southwark Crown Court in 2023, which saw the actor acquitted on all charges. The 66-year-old has repeatedly denied accusations of sexual misconduct, insisting that the incidents were consensual or did not happen. Sexual assault allegations against Spacey, who is an Oscar-winner and one of Hollywood's biggest stars, first surfaced in 2017. The barrister representing the three men told the High Court in a hearing earlier this month that seven other people who allege they were sexually assaulted by Spacey wished to give evidence. One of the three claimants, who waived his right to anonymity, Ruari Cannon, alleges Spacey assaulted him in 2013 at an event related to a production of the Tennessee Williams's play Sweet Bird Of Youth. Spacey's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while a spokesperson for the claimants' lawyers declined to ⁠comment following the settlement. Read more from Sky News:Plans to let AI firms use music axed by governmentAI-generated Val Kilmer to star in new movie after death Another civil lawsuit against Spacey in the US was dismissed by a ⁠jury in 2022. The actor ​stood trial in London the following year, charged ​with sexually assaulting four men in Britain, but was acquitted of all nine ‌charges. The allegations against Spacey, who was artistic director at The Old Vic theatre in London between 2004 and 2015, included an accusation from a former aspiring actor that he drugged and performed a sex act on him while he slept. Spacey, who won Oscars for the films American Beauty ​and The Usual Suspects, was dropped from the ​TV drama House of Cards and removed from the ​movie All the Money in the World after the first ⁠allegations of sexual assault emerged.

Speaking to Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, the veteran Labour peer said Ms Rayner had offered just "one criticism after another" rather than "positive proposals". Politics Hub: Follow the latest "It's so easy to be popular when you are not in the hot seat, and whoever took over from Starmer would face all the same problems," Baroness Harman said. In a speech at an event hosted by campaign group Mainstream on Wednesday, the former deputy prime minister warned Labour was "running out of time". "I'm a big fan of Angela Rayner. I think she's a remarkable woman. I think she energised the party when we were in opposition building up into government," Baroness Harman said. But speaking about Ms Rayner's speech on Wednesday evening, she added: "It didn't have any proposals about what should be done. "I just don't think she should be doing this. I think it's wrong for her and it's certainly wrong for the party and the government. "It's the sort of things that are said by Nigel Farage, by Kemi Badenoch, by the Greens, by the Lib Dems. "I think it's best for you to come forward with positive proposals rather than just criticise a government, which is dealing with a very difficult situation." Read more:Labour's left unit behind 'major reset' call 'Is she saying immigration doesn't matter?' Baroness Harman also said the former deputy prime minister should not "wave" immigration "away" as an issue. "The other thing that I would take issue with Angela Rayner on this is that immigration is now, if you look at the opinion polls and just listen on the doorstep, it's the second most important issue to people after the cost of living," she said. "To just wave it away as an issue and say it's un-British to exercise extra controls… what is she suggesting instead? "Is she saying it doesn't matter that people are concerned about immigration or this is the wrong policy and we should be trying something else?" Baroness Harman said. "It's just a negative intervention."

We asked our reporters and journalists to rank a longlist of 40 of the best players in the competition right now and took an average of their answers to produce the Sky Sports top 25. The list includes players from nine different clubs, with leaders Arsenal the best represented, accounting for seven of the top 25. But which player takes top spot? And how do the rankings below compare to our last vote at the start of the season? How we ranked the top 25 at the start of this seasonGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺25th: Casemiro Casemiro clinches a place in our top 25 having enjoyed a resurgence at Manchester United this season. His total of seven league goals is the highest of his illustrious career. 24th: Enzo Fernandez Described by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League earlier this season, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez comes in at 24th. 23rd: Marc Guehi His outstanding performances for Crystal Palace earned him a January transfer to Manchester City, where he immediately became an important player for Pep Guardiola. 22nd: Bryan Mbeumo The summer signing from Brentford has looked comfortable in his new surroundings ever since his arrival at Manchester United and ranks as their joint-top Premier League scorer with nine goals. 21st: Bernardo Silva A player considered by Pep Guardiola to be one of the best he has coached. Bernardo Silva was one of few Manchester City players to deliver consistently last season and continues to be key. 20th: Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest' Elliot Anderson has excelled in difficult circumstances this season, underlining his status as one of the Premier League's best all-round midfielders. 19th: Martin Zubimendi Martin Zubimendi clinches a top 20 place having become a key figure for Mikel Arteta in the heart of Arsenal's midfield following his arrival last summer. 18th: Reece James Injuries remain an issue but Reece James has had ample opportunities to show his outstanding quality for Chelsea this season, excelling both at right-back and in central midfield. 17th: Moises Caicedo Moises Caicedo is one of seven Chelsea players to have seen red this season but he still ranks as one of the Premier League's best midfielders, according to our reporters and journalists. 16th: Hugo Ekitike One of the Premier League's best newcomers this season, Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike comes in at 16th having stepped up in the absence of injured team-mate Alexander Isak. 15th: Bruno Guimaraes Bruno Guimaraes remains Newcastle's heartbeat in central midfield, bringing outstanding quality and leadership and continuing to make a huge contribution even in a testing season for the club. 14th: Bukayo Saka The goals and assists haven't flowed as freely as in previous seasons but Bukayo Saka remains crucial to Arsenal's attack. 13th: Igor Thiago Few would have predicted a place for Brentford's Igor Thiago in this top 25 at the start of the season but the Brentford striker has scored 19 Premier League goals in a brilliant campaign. 12th: Gianluigi Donnarumma Who has the better goalkeeper between title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City? It's the former, according to our reporters and journalists. Gianluigi Donnarumma makes the overall top 10 but he's not as high as his Arsenal counterpart. 11th: Jurrien Timber Another key figure in Arsenal's title challenge, Jurrien Timber continues to add attacking threat from right-back as well as defensive solidity. His total of eight goal involvements this season is the highest by any defender in the Premier League. 10th: Morgan Rogers The highest-ranking player from a club outside the traditional 'big six', Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers comes in at 10th. He has experienced a dip in form lately but has shown himself to be one of the Premier League's game-changing talents under Unai Emery. 9th: Joao Pedro Joao Pedro's potential was clear at former club Brighton but he has hit new heights since his move to Chelsea in the summer, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in 30 Premier League appearances to earn himself a spot in our top 10. 8th: David Raya He has been pitted against Donnarumma this season but Arsenal's David Raya, on course for his third Golden Glove award, comes out on top among goalkeepers according to our vote. 7th: William Saliba When William Saliba is available, history shows Arsenal are a much stronger outfit. The French international has enjoyed another excellent campaign in the heart of Mikel Arteta's defence. 6th: Antoine Semenyo A mid-season switch from Bournemouth to Manchester City did not interrupt the explosive Antoine Semenyo's rhythm. He ranks sixth having scored five goals in nine Premier League games for City to add to the 10 in 20 he contributed for his former club. 5th: Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool's outstanding player in a difficult campaign, Dominik Szoboszlai comes in at fifth. His stunning free-kick goals have lit up the Premier League this season and they are just one part of his huge, all-round offering to Arne Slot's side. 4th: Erling Haaland Erling Haaland's scoring rate has slowed in the second half of the season but he remains in a league of his own among Premier League strikers, his total of 22 goals putting him top of this season's scoring charts. He has also chipped in seven assists. 3rd: Gabriel Magalhaes Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes is the top-rated defender in our rankings, coming at third overall as he continues to excel for the Gunners in both boxes. A dominant force defensively, he has also contributed three goals and four assists this season. 2nd: Declan Rice Declan Rice ranks as the second-best player in the Premier League right now, according to our reporters and journalists, after another stellar season for Arsenal in which he has made a huge contribution to their title charge at both ends of the pitch. 1st: Bruno Fernandes Our reporters and journalists agreed with Rooney, voting Bruno Fernandes as No 1 in the Premier League. The 31-year-old is enjoying arguably the best individual season of his Manchester United career having racked up seven goals and 16 assists in 27 games. VOTE! Who is the best PL player right now? Who are the big fallers and risers? Amazingly, the player ranked top in August does not even feature in the top 25 seven months later. Mohamed Salah's absence from the list reflects his steep drop-off this term after inspiring Liverpool's Premier League title triumph last season. Salah is in fact one of six Liverpool players to have fallen out of the top 25 this time around, with Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk having plummeted from fifth and sixth respectively. Alisson was 12th in August, while Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are also nowhere to be seen having come in at 13th, 17th and 24th respectively in the previous rankings. Other notable fallers are Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester City's Rodri, who occupied the third and fourth spots in August but do not make the top 25 this time around. Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Matheus Cunha and the 2023/24 player of the year Phil Foden have also dropped out of the top 25. The standout riser, meanwhile, is Bruno Fernandes, who takes top spot having come in at ninth in the August vote. Declan Rice has risen seven places to claim second place. The highest new entrant is Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, who ranks fifth having not made the top 25 last time, closely followed by Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo in sixth. David Raya and Joao Pedro are also new names in the top 10, with Brentford's Igor Thiago another eye-catching inclusion in 13th.

Viktor Orban, the right-wing prime minister in Budapest, has been a constant critic of the bloc's commitment to supporting Kyiv and is seen as one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Europe. His country is a member of the EU, and he has been accused of undermining the bloc's position on the war. Brussels agreed a deal worth €90bn in December to help Kyiv keep fighting for up to two more years, but Mr Orban is blocking the money from being provided. Speaking after a summit on Thursday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused him of an act of "gross disloyalty", while the European Council's president, Antonio Costa, said his opposition constituted "blackmail". How is Orban blocking the money? The implementation of the interest-free loan requires unanimity among the EU's 27 member states. Ukraine's allies within the bloc had been keen to show they're serious about stumping up big money to help due to America's waning support under Donald Trump. The US had been a major provider of aid under Joe Biden. Mr Orban has justified blocking the €90bn package by citing a dispute over a pipeline damaged by the war. It carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Kyiv and Brussels say a Russian attack in January was the cause of the damage, and it will take another six weeks to repair. Hungary claims it's already functional and accuses Kyiv of withholding the oil. Mr Orban posted on X following the Thursday summit: "As long as Zelensky ‌does not lift the oil blockade, they will not receive any money from Brussels." Read more from Sky News:Angela Rayner under fireNicola Sturgeon's farewell advice What happens now? Some in the EU hope Hungary will change its position once the pipeline is repaired, or following the country's election next month. Mr Orban has been prime minister since 2010 and is seeking another term in office. Mr Trump has endorsed him. But Germany's Mr Merz has suggested the European Commission look into whether the loan can be implemented without relying on Budapest, which has already been excluded from even having to contribute towards the costs. Zelenskyy says loan is 'critical' EU officials have warned Kyiv could run short of cash within weeks without the loan. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the money was "critical" for his country's war effort. "It is a resource ​to protect lives," he told EU leaders in a video address. Without foreign aid, Ukraine's government would likely have to start cutting spending on things like pensions, public sector wages, and welfare in order to keep funding defence.

The company behind the movie, First Line Films, say it is the first-ever performance enabled by generative artificial intelligence. The Top Gun star was originally cast in As Deep As The Grave five years ago but had been unable to work on set due to illness. He will play Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist Father Fintan. Kilmer previously claimed Cherokee ancestry and was a vocal supporter of Native American rights. The filmmakers say they have worked closely with Kilmer's estate and his daughter, Mercedes. They said in a press release: "At the time that ⁠he was cast, Kilmer expressed that the character of Fintan spoke to him both culturally and spiritually." Written and directed by Coloradan Coerte ‌Voorhees, the film follows southwestern archaeologists Ann Morris, played by Tin Star actress Abigail Lawrie, and Harry Potter star Tom Felton. It focuses on their excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, also exploring the lives of the ​Navajo people. First Line Films, which is based in ​New Mexico, has not revealed what technology it will be using, but described it as "state-of-the-art generative AI technology". In 2021, Kilmer used the AI voice platform Sonantic to develop an AI-generated version of his voice, which was permanently damaged after undergoing a tracheostomy for throat cancer. It used archival audio Kilmer provided, and was used in the Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, in which Kilmer reprised his famous Iceman role. As Deep as the Grave uses Kilmer's voice from after his tracheostomy. The movie, which is in post-production, is expected to be released later this year. California-born Kilmer, who was one of the best-paid actors in the 1990s, had numerous spats with directors over the years, earning a reputation for being difficult to work with. He famously admitted he had not been keen to take the role that made him famous, Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise in 1986. He also portrayed Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of rock singer Jim Morrison in the 1991 movie The Doors. Last year, the launch of the first fully AI-generated actor, Tilly Norwood, created waves in the entertainment industry, as it continues to grapple with innovations in AI threatening the roles of its workforce. SAG-AFTRA, the US actors' union, recently wrapped up a month of negotiations with the major studios without reaching a new deal. Meanwhile, in the UK, members of the actors' union Equity voted overwhelmingly to refuse digital scanning on set in a bid to secure adequate AI protections. The AI debate has also impacted the music world, with plans to let AI firms use music without permission abandoned by the UK government earlier this week.

Angela Rayner has stepped back into the spotlight this week and straight into controversy. Her blunt intervention - warning the government is running out of time, criticising its record on "change", and calling parts of Labour's immigration policy "un-British" - has sparked a big question: is Rayner simply saying what others are thinking, or going too far? Harriet certainly thinks it's a bit much. She says Rayner's approach could be undermining the government at a critical moment, just weeks out from the May elections. On the elections, Beth has been in Scotland speaking to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Does he still think Starmer should resign? Plus, what support should the government be offering to help with rising energy costs because of the war in Iran? And can we even afford it as a country? Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube.

The Manchester United captain, who has set up 16 league goals this season, is five assists away from making competition history and four from equalling it. The Premier League's most prolific creator has a chance to chip away at the gap when United go to Bournemouth for Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports. Bournemouth have not conceded a goal for more than 250 minutes, letting in just one over their last four matches, but Fernandes will fancy his chances with the form he is in. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man Utd news & transfers🔴Man Utd fixtures & scores | FREE Man Utd PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔 Already debate is brewing around the way Fernandes has amassed his tally and how, if he equals or surpasses the record, his achievement will compare with the current holders. Here, we dig into the numbers and key points of contention. Has Fernandes ever been this close? No, this is Fernandes' best assists tally in a single Premier League season. In fact, by setting up two of United's goals in Sunday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, Fernandes broke the club's record for assists in a Premier League season. The Portuguese equalled and then surpassed David Beckham's record of 15. United legend Eric Cantona hit 16 assists in 1992/93 when he moved to Old Trafford from Leeds United mid-season. When could Fernandes break the record? Fernandes is on course to at least equal the Premier League record based on his numbers across the season, his rate of 0.61 per 90 projecting him to add a further 4.9. However, nine of his assists have come in the last 10 games, coinciding with the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and Fernandes being restored to his favoured No 10 position. If he can keep up that rate, 0.93 assists per 90, he would smash the record by at least three. However, there are a few cautionary tales for Fernandes that come in the shape of Mesut Ozil and Mohamed Salah. The former Arsenal playmaker had 16 assists after 18 games in 2015/16 only to fall one short of the record, while Salah had 18 assists with six games to go last season but failed to add to his tally. Remarkably, Fernandes did not record an assist this season until October 19 when he set up Harry Maguire's late winner at Liverpool. The set-piece vs open-play debate A graphic on Monday Night Football, breaking down open-play assists and set-piece assists, has fuelled the debate around Fernandes and if he can truly be considered in the same bracket as Henry and De Bruyne. Fernandes has seven assists from open play which pales in comparison to Henry's 18 and De Bruyne's 17. In fact, Fernandes does not even have the most open play assists in the Premier League this season. Man City's Rayan Cherki is one ahead on eight while Erling Haaland is equal on seven. The purists might be minded to suggest that Fernandes' tally - even if he equals 20 or surpasses it - would not bear comparison with the current holders. Diminishing Fernandes' potential achievement based on set-piece reliance could put Arsenal fans defending Henry's record in a sticky position. Vice versa for United. Tread carefully. Fernandes, with nine, is also closing in on Steven Gerrard's 2013/14 record (11) for most assists from set-pieces in a single season. Has Fernandes benefited from easier schedule? United will play just 40 matches this season, the fewest since 1914/15 when they played 39, after crashing out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup at the first time of asking. This has afforded Fernandes lengthy breaks between racking up assists in the Premier League. The most appearances he could make for United this season is 37 across all competitions after they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby before losing to Brighton in the FA Cup third round. By comparison, Henry played 55 games for Arsenal in 2002/03 as they missed out on the Premier League to United and won the FA Cup. They crashed out of the League Cup in the third round but played 12 Champions League games when it was two group stages. Meanwhile, De Bruyne featured 48 times for City, who were runners-up to Liverpool in the title race, and lifted the Carabao Cup. Pep Guardiola's side were knocked out of the Champions League last 16 by Real Madrid and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. In defence of Fernandes Clearly, there are a few mitigating factors that suggest Fernandes' feat - if he reaches 20 - might not be as impressive as Henry or De Bruyne's. However, there is little debate around his credentials as one of the Premier League's greatest creators. Removing assists from the conversation for a moment, Fernandes is head and shoulders above everyone else when it comes to chance creation. Standing in front of a graph showing Premier League players' chances created and chances created from open play, Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones neatly summed it up. "There are some exceptional players here…and here is Bruno Fernandes." The importance of Fernandes' assists to United this season should also surely be considered. Already the United captain has won the most points (18) from assists by a single player in a Premier League season. Neither Henry nor De Bruyne feature in the top eight. Let's see how Fernandes gets on in the final eight games of the season before deciding one way or the other. Man Utd's remaining fixtures Friday March 20: Bournemouth (a) - kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports Monday April 13: Leeds (h) - kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports Saturday April 18: Chelsea (a) - kick-off 8pm Monday April 27: Brentford (h) - kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports Saturday May 2: Liverpool (h) - kick-off 3pm Saturday May 9: Sunderland (a) - kick-off 3pm Sunday May 17: Nottingham Forest (h) - kick-off 3pm Sunday May 24: Brighton (a) - kick-off 4pm Watch Bournemouth vs Man Utd on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.