Good evening. The US and Iran have begun their highest-level diplomatic talks in five decades as Vice President JD Vance leads negotiations to end a war that's created a global energy crisis and severely damaged Middle Eastern oil production. However, the talks have hit a stalemate over control of the Strait of Hormuz, even as two American warships successfully passed through the contested waterway for the first time since fighting began. The outcome of these negotiations will be crucial for global energy markets, with both Saudi Arabia and Qatar suffering significant damage to their production capacity during the US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran.
On a brighter note, NASA's Artemis II mission has concluded with a perfect splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after nine historic days that took four astronauts further from Earth than any humans before them. Meanwhile, in sports news, I Am Maximus has made history by becoming the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to win the Grand National twice, capturing the 2026 race at Aintree for trainer Willie Mullins. And while we're celebrating achievements, England's women's rugby team beat Ireland in front of a record Women's Six Nations crowd, though Arsenal fans might be less cheerful as questions mount about whether they're blowing another title chance.