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Discover Which Teams Secure Their Spot in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite 8

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Discover Which Teams Secure Their Spot in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Elite 8


This year’s tournament showcases an intriguing blend of high-ranking teams making impressive strides and underdogs reaching milestones not seen in decades.

WASHINGTON — As March Madness charges into its second weekend, it has certainly delivered on all the excitement it promised!

The tournament features a captivating mix of top seeds advancing predictably alongside lower-seeded teams causing unexpected upsets, creating a thrilling narrative.

This 2026 event continues the pattern of mid-major teams struggling to advance beyond the Sweet 16. The last mid-major team to reach the championship game was San Diego State in 2023. Since 2010, only six mid-major teams have broken through to the Elite 8, with Butler achieving it in 2010 and 2011, and Gonzaga following suit in 2015 and 2017.

The Elite 8 matches are set to unfold in four cities: Washington D.C., Houston, San Jose, and Chicago.

Who advanced to this year’s Elite 8?

No.1 Duke

The Blue Devils have done it again. They advanced to their 26th Elite 8 after ending St. Johns’ reunion tour in the Sweet 16. Duke’s 26 Elite 8 appearances are the third most by any school behind Kentucky and North Carolina. Since 2018, the Blue Devils have advanced to the Elite 8 a whopping six times.

No. 2 UConn

UConn has done it again. They are Elite 8-bound after knocking off Michigan State on Friday. The win secures the Huskies 14th trip to the Elite 8. One unique stat about UConn is that the last four times they have made it this far in the tournament, they eventually won the National Championship. This most recently happened when they went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.  

No. 9 Iowa 

Coming off an upset win over Nebraska in the Sweet 16, Iowa is heading to the school’s fifth-ever Elite 8 appearance. However, their last appearance was in 1987, 39 years ago. Iowa’s other trips to the Elite 8 were in 1955, 1956, 1980 and 1987. The Hawkeyes will take on No. 3 Illinois on March 28 at 6:09 ET.

No. 3 Illinois 

The Illini punched their ticket to the Elite 8 after upsetting the two-seed Houston Cougars. 2026 will mark the 11th time Illinois has made it to the Elite 18. Before 2026, their most recent run to the round of eight was in 2024. The Illini will take on fellow Big-10 member, the Iowa Hawkeyes, on March 28 at 6:09 ET.

No. 1 Arizona

The Wildcats secured their berth in the Elite 8 after knocking off No. 4 seed Arkansas by 21 points. The Wildcats are making their 12th-ever appearance in the Elite 8 in 2026. The Wildcats are back in the Elite for the first time since 2015. Arizona will take on No. 2 Purdue on March 28 at 8:49 ET.

No. 2 Purdue

 The Boilermakers are in the Elite 8 after knocking off No. 11 Texas by two points in a game that was close wire-to-wire. The win secured Purdue’s seventh-ever trip to the Elite 8. Purdue has been no stranger to the Elite 8 recently; over the last seven years, they have made this round three times. Purdue will take on No. 1 seed Arizona on March 28 at 8:49 ET.

No. 1 Michigan

 The Wolverines are back in the Elite 8 after holding off Alabama in their Sweet 16 matchup. The Wolverines punched their ticket to the round of eight for the school’s 16th time. Their most recent appearances happened in 2018 and again in 2021.

No. 6 Tennessee 

Good ol’ Rocky Top! The Tennessee Volunteers upset Iowa State on Friday to clinch their berth in the Elite 8. This will be Tennessee’s fourth trip to the Elite 8, but it is their second consecutive year making it this far in the NCAA tournament.

Could the Middle East Conflict Become a Pivotal Moment for Australia Similar to COVID-19?

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IN BRIEF

  • From work from home calls to supply chain strain, echoes of COVID-19 have emerged during the war in the Middle East.
  • However, experts have told SBS News that the current economic crisis differs from the pandemic in numerous ways.

Australians may be feeling a sense of déjà vu as they once more encounter disruptions to travel and supply chains, a surge in panic buying, and increasing calls to work remotely.

This time, the catalyst is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The fallout from this crisis echoes the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when similar measures were taken to curb the virus’s spread.

The situation has prompted federal politicians to draw parallels with the pandemic, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has compared the potential economic impact of the Middle East conflict to that of COVID-19.

“In the last two decades, we’ve already faced four major shocks: the global financial crisis, a severe pandemic, a worldwide inflation surge, and rising trade tensions. This oil shock could very well be the fifth,” Chalmers remarked during a pre-budget address on March 19.

Oil prices have soared since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, igniting a regional conflict. In response, Iran has significantly curtailed shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel on its southern border that handles roughly 20% of global fuel transport.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also invoked the COVID-19 pandemic as a cautionary example, saying it exposed gaps in coordination and decision-making that should not be repeated in responding to the current crisis.

So, are we really going through a COVID 2.0 moment, or does the current crisis only share superficial similarities with those of the global pandemic that began to shake the world from 2020?

Working from home

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson questioned on Wednesday whether MPs, senators and their staff from outside the ACT should return in-person to Canberra for the upcoming sitting week.

He suggested that, to reduce demand for petrol and aviation fuel, parliament should return to measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which systems were installed so business could be carried out remotely.

While acknowledging the many differences — the main one being a public-health measure versus a fuel-saving measure — he said it “feels like it’s a similar crisis now” and that politicians needed “to lead by example and show the Australian people that if we can do it, you can do it too.”

So far, there’s no signs that his advice is being taken up, or that any WFH options would be provided for senators and MPs — something that Industry Minister Tim Ayres recently recommended to the general public and businesses.

“Work from home is a viable option for many, many people, and they’ll make that call,” he told ABC News on Monday.

Pressed by David Speers on ABC Insiders on Sunday, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the International Energy Agency’s recent recommendation for more WFH where possible was a “sensible thing to do in any environment”.

However, there are no signs at this stage that governments will introduce any form of work from home mandates — a clear difference to the numerous work from home public health orders issued by state governments to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.

A close-up portrait of a Chris Bowen, a middle-aged man with glasses and grey-flecked hair, wearing a dark suit and patterned tie, set against a blurred background with a green, black, and blue flag.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen also told ABC Insiders that there were those for whom WFH is “not an option” and that reducing fuel use is “a lot harder” for some people than others. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

These mandates issued by state governments, through their chief health officers and premiers, issued work-from-home (WFH) mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic under public health orders.

It’s currently unclear how many companies are voluntarily increasing WFH allowances, but Professor Paula Brough from the Griffith University’s Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing said she believes “some organisations are encouraging workers to do that [work from home]”.

She added that she believes there are “some discussions happening about both domestic and international travel requirements for work for businesses and how those requirements could be reduced”.

For example some organisation were considering whether international conferences could be converted from in-person to online events, or whether companies “really have to send a representative” to such events, she said.

She also highlighted that COVID-19 had accelerated the take-up of work from home-enabling technology and the social acceptance of more hybrid work arrangements, echoing comments by Bowen on Sunday that WFH had already “become an important part of Australian working life”.

“I think that horse has bolted, totally,” Brough said, adding that many workers already expected to WFH several days a week and were doing so with the support of “most organisations”.

“Obviously, there’s some workers who are front line who can’t work from home, and they’re often excluded from these discussions. So I think it’s important to acknowledge those.”

Brough didn’t entirely rule out the possibility of work from home directives for some workers, saying that “we have to wait and see really how bad it’s going to get” in terms of fuel supply and price shocks.

If the government was to consider such directives, it would certainly face pushback from parts of the private sector, with the Business Council of Australia (BCA), which represents more than 100 of Australia’s biggest companies, urging Australia to avoid COVID-style mandates for white-collar jobs.

The BCA’s chief executive Bran Black said on Monday that work from home arrangements should only be considered for those unable to commute on public transport or afford fuel.

Meanwhile, at least one trade union — the Financial Services Union — has called for its members’ employers to suspend “office attendance requirements,” saying it was “a reasonable and practical measure that your employer can take right now to help keep your costs down”.

Travel and tourism

When it comes to how the war in the Middle East has affected travel and tourism, Avlaw Aviation Consulting chairman Ron Bartsch said that, while there were some similarities, nothing in recent weeks “can equate to what happened to the international aviation industry during COVID”.

“Borders were completely closed for certain times in certain countries. Certainly in Australia, we had our borders completely closed to international operations,” said Bartsch, who is also a former head of safety for Qantas Airways.

“Certainly it has affected a lot of operations and people travelling to and from, say, Europe, which has gone through the Middle East and through those important hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi and the like.”

“During COVID, both supply and demand were restricted because of the sanctions imposed on aviation and the closure of borders. Here, the demand is still there, but the supply has been significantly reduced,” he said, especially for the airlines that are domiciled in the Middle East, such as Emirates and Etihad Airways.

University of Queensland Professor Sara Dolnicar agreed, telling SBS News that, while the war has led to significant disruptions to travel and tourism, these are “very different in nature” to those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, also highlighting that “people were legally limited from moving” during the pandemic, while at present borders remained open and only “certain routes” had been affected.

“So, people are rethinking the way, the mode, of travel. They’re not limited, however, in where they want to travel. State borders aren’t closed, Australian borders aren’t closed,” Dolnicar said.

“It’s absolutely more difficult and there’s no doubt flight prices will go up … but still you can [travel internationally]. If you want to fly to Europe today, and you have the money to do it, you can. You just need to change your routes.”

“So the situation is quite different, but no doubt it will affect people’s vacation behaviour,” she said, adding that there were already reports of a drop in demand throughout the tourism sector more broadly.

She also said there was another “big parallel” between COVID-19 and now, in which travel disruptions or restrictions “led to a dramatic change of how people undertook vacations”.

“So, during COVID, people had to be creative. They had to say, ‘Well, I still want a holiday, so what am I going to do? I’m going to do a road trip in my state’,” she said, adding that current petrol prices would also be a major discouraging factor for many Australians to travel domestically.

Both Bartsch and Dolnicar also said that one of the reasons airline prices were going up was because aviation fuel is refined from crude oil, and the price of crude has spiked dramatically since the beginning of the war.

“I remember back in 2008, when the price of crude oil went up to US$150 a barrel. I was in head of safety in Qantas at the time, and that was drastic to our operations because it necessarily meant passing on those increase in prices to the travelling public.”

‘Hoarding toilet paper’s one thing, hoarding petrol …”

While the product might have changed — from toilet paper to petrol — panic buying is another COVID-19-era phenomenon that has reemerged since the war in the Middle East broke out.

The motivation for the behaviour is also similar, with people fearing that supply chain disruptions may lead to the products becoming either unaffordable or unavailable.

University of Sydney economist Luke Hartigan said there were some concerning differences when it came to the safety of majorly stocking up on petrol.

“The thing about hoarding is, well, hoarding toilet paper’s one thing, hoarding petrol is quite dangerous.”

He said he’d heard an anecdote of someone bringing jerry cans into their apartment and his immediate reaction was to think: “Oh my God, that’s a fire hazard.”

Hartigan added that he agreed with the federal government’s repeated statements that, so far, petrol shortages in some areas of the country were caused by panic-buying rather than supply issues.

“I think that’s been more to do at this point with people buying more than they usually do, and that fits in with the panic buying thing, less so then there’s been reduction in the ships coming in,” he said.

“It makes sense because if you think prices are going to rise, you buy now and you think, ‘Well, if I just buy a little bit extra, it’s okay.’ But if everyone starts doing that … the system’s not designed for that, so you end up with the shortages.”

“It makes sense for people to do that on an individual level. It’s just a problem if everyone does it at once.”

However, he said that his main concern was that, if the war spiralled further out of control, and the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked, then the government could introduce petrol rationing.

If that happened, he said, “then there will be issues with supplying of other things, so truck deliveries for groceries, and my concern would be that we may see return of panic buying of grocery items”.

“If [the war] was to go on and we were to see fuel rationing, then it’s a very open-ended question where it could go. It could be quite bad.”

On Thursday, Opposition defence spokesperson James Paterson called on the government to use far-reaching emergency powers that would grant the energy minister direct control over the oil market, including the ability to implement fuel rationing.

The government has not unequivocally ruled out invoking such powers but has said the situation would need to significantly worsen before it seriously considered doing so.

Supply chain shocks

Hartigan said that, under a scenario in which “Trump does bomb [Iran’s] energy infrastructure [and] the Iranians then start bombing the infrastructure in the other Arab countries around them”, it was likely that it would trigger “a global recession, high inflation, and energy prices, and particularly oil prices, could go to unseen levels”.

Bartsch also said said that, if the war continues and oil prices remain high, it could cause “supply chain issues, that will have a multiplier effect on all the cost of services” that could lead to “worldwide recession”.

This is one way in which the current situation is comparable to COVID-19, which caused a global recession that is generally recognised as the most significant economic downturn since the Great Depression between world wars one and two.

However, while supply shocks and increasing freight costs are in some ways redolent of those experienced during COVID-19, logistics disruptions at that time had different causes, such as border closures, lockdowns in countries with large manufacturing sectors, labour shortages and congestion at ports as demand for certain goods plummeted.

Furthermore, in 2020, as COVID‑19 mitigation measures caused a drop in demand for fuel, the world faced a global oversupply of oil, rather than the potential undersupply triggered by the war in the Middle East.

Four large oil tankers are positioned across a calm, hazy sea, with the closest vessel prominently displaying the word "CAPITAL" on its hull.
The sharp drop in oil demand caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic led oil tankers essentially being used as floating storage vessels, remaining anchored at sea for long periods of time. Source: Getty / Mario Tama

As Professor Rico Merkert from the University of Sydney Business School points out, the current cause of the supply shocks is more specific, and in some ways the polar opposite of what occurred in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The other thing that is happening or that’s different to COVID-19, where the oil price decreased dramatically in the first few weeks after the lockdowns came into effect, we now have the opposite with the oil prices being very volatile, but increasing rather than decreasing,” he told SBS News.

“So oil prices have become extremely expensive and so have jet fuel prices. And that’s one problem — that the fuel price has become really elevated,” he said, adding that this wasn’t just an issue for passenger air travel, but also for air freight.

“One thing that happened during COVID-19 was that, while air passenger services were really badly affected, the freight rates for air cargo helped airlines to get through that crisis. So because both on the shipping side of things, but also in aviation, air freight rates went through the roof.”

However, he said that if “there’s a further escalation [in the war], then I’m not so sure if those [oil] vessels will come through to an extent that will help with that supply chain issue in terms of jet fuel”.

“So we may get a situation where it’s no longer the price only; it’s also the availability of jet fuel, which will become a problem for airlines. And so you will see airlines cutting flights,” he said.

“If the freight rates for commodities are high, the freight forwarders and then shippers, they will pass those costs onto the consumers,” he said, clarifying that he was talking about both oceanic shipping and air freight.

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Zelenskyy Accuses US of Linking Ukraine Security Promises to Donbas Concessions; White House Refutes Claims

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Zelenskyy Accuses US of Linking Ukraine Security Promises to Donbas Concessions; White House Refutes Claims

In a recent interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States is linking its security assurances for Ukraine to Kyiv’s potential concession of the eastern Donbas region to Russia. This proposal is part of ongoing discussions for a peace agreement. Zelenskyy expressed concerns that such a move could jeopardize Ukraine’s defenses and have broader implications for European security.

“The Americans are ready to formalize these guarantees at a high level if Ukraine agrees to withdraw from Donbas,” Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the delicate balance of commitments involved. However, there are conflicting accounts of this claim’s accuracy. A U.S. official, speaking to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity, has refuted the assertion, suggesting a discrepancy in the narratives being presented.

The statements from Zelenskyy underscore the mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to bring an expedient resolution to the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for four years since Russia’s 2022 invasion. This urgency comes amid a backdrop of global tensions, including the persistent unrest involving Iran, which may be influencing the U.S. administration’s strategy.

Zelenskyy’s comments point to growing pressure from President Donald Trump to reach a swift end to the war, now in its fourth year following Russia’s 2022 invasion. 

Zelenskyy suggested the administration’s approach is influenced in part by competing global crises, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Kyiv.

U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine are being tied to Kyiv ceding the eastern Donbas region to Russia as part of a potential peace deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.  (Pavlo Bahmut/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump,” Zelenskyy said. “President Trump, unfortunately, in my opinion, still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side.”

Talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine have taken place in Abu Dhabi and Geneva in 2026, but key issues remain unresolved, including how Ukraine’s future security would be guaranteed and who would fund its long-term defense.

Zelenskyy warned that abandoning Donbas would hand Russia heavily fortified Ukrainian defensive lines, weakening Kyiv’s position and potentially enabling future aggression.

“I would very much like the American side to understand that the eastern part of our country is part of our security guarantees,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that abandoning Donbas would hand Russia heavily fortified Ukrainian defensive lines.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long insisted that full control of Donbas is central to Moscow’s war aims. While Russian forces have made gains, analysts cited by Reuters say progress has been slow, and capturing the remaining territory could take significant time and manpower.

Zelenskyy also warned that Moscow is betting Washington will lose interest if negotiations stall. 

“Russia is counting on the fact that the United States will not have the strength or patience to bring this to an end,” he said.

Despite tensions over negotiations, Zelenskyy thanked the Trump administration for continuing deliveries of Patriot missile defense systems, which Ukraine relies on to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. 

“Deliveries to us were not stopped. I’m very grateful to President Trump, and to his team,” he said, while adding that supplies remain insufficient.

In parallel with the diplomatic push, Zelenskyy signaled a broader strategy to expand Ukraine’s role as a security provider, particularly in the Middle East, where countries are seeking solutions to large-scale drone and missile threats.

Ukraine Russia conflict

A cemetery worker prepares a burial vault at military cemetery outside of the city of Dnipro, Ukraine, May 25, 2023. (Seth Herald/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

“The United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries,” Zelenskyy wrote on X Thursday, adding that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait have also approached Ukraine.

He said Ukrainian teams are already on the ground sharing operational experience, particularly in countering mass drone attacks. 

“No matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough,” he wrote. “There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes.”

Zelenskyy also indicated Ukraine is exploring defense trade arrangements, offering to sell surplus systems and expertise while seeking access to air defense missiles it currently lacks. 

“Funding is the scarcest resource today,” he wrote, noting Ukraine’s defense industry is operating at roughly half capacity and needs additional financing to scale drone production.

Ukrainian Armed Forces control an FPV drone

Ukraine is exploring defense trade arrangements, the country’s president said.  (Iryna Rybakova/Press Service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Reuters)

In separate posts tied to an address at a Joint Expeditionary Force summit, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s battlefield experience could play a broader role in European and global security.

“We have this experience. … Let’s bring all of this together even more,” he wrote, calling for deeper cooperation with European partners and warning that the continent must build its own capacity to produce air defense systems rather than rely on external suppliers.

Reuters contributed to this story.

Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.

Dubai Influencers May Encounter £5M Tax Liabilities Upon Returning to the UK

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Dubai Influencers May Encounter £5M Tax Liabilities Upon Returning to the UK

You don’t need to be a social media aficionado to notice the flood of influencers flaunting their opulent lifestyles in Dubai, all while the US-Israel conflict with Iran rages on in the background.

As vacationers scrambled to catch flights back to the UK, a surprising number of individuals have chosen to remain, a decision that initially puzzled many observers.

The reason has become clearer: there’s a fear that returning to the UK might result in hefty tax bills. Thousands of expatriates could face significant financial liabilities if they were compelled to return.

Amidst the turmoil, many influencers have remained silent on their opinions about the conflict. This comes after the UAE authorities issued stern warnings via mass texts, advising Westerners against posting about the unfolding terror.

At one time, celebrities flocked to Dubai for the allure of tax-free earnings. While some have discreetly returned home, others have decidedly chosen to stay.

Stars such as Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Luisa Zissman and Petra Ecclestone have chosen to leave their UAE lives behind, but others such as Arabella Chi, Kady McDermott and Hofit Golan are holding out… for now. 

Dubai influencers could face tax bills of up to £5million if they returned to the UK due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, as stars including Arabella Chi (pictured) have stayed put... for now

Dubai influencers could face tax bills of up to £5million if they returned to the UK due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, as stars including Arabella Chi (pictured) have stayed put… for now

Expats have called for clarity from HM Revenue & Customs over tax regulations they would face if they decided to leave Dubai and fly home.

Accountants are now thought to be telling some clients that taking a holiday in another country until the new tax year starts on April 6, could help them avoid a ‘massive’ tax bill. 

Nikita Cooper, who is a tax director at accountants Price Bailey’s Mayfair office, told The London Standard: ‘Clients are facing unexpected capital gains tax liabilities of between £1 million and £5 million in relation to sales which were done within the last five years while being non tax resident.’

Price Bailey are also warning clients they could fall victim to the UK’s five-year temporary non residency rule, a measure designed to stop individuals leaving the UK briefly to dispose of assets tax-free in low tax jurisdictions, such as Dubai, before returning soon after.

These rules state that if an individual becomes a UK resident again within five full tax years, capital gains realised while abroad are eligible for tax charges.

Sandra Jeevan, partner and head of private client and trust at accountants UHY Hacker Young, told the publication that, for example, someone returning from the Gulf who became UK tax resident could face thousands in tax bills.

She explained someone who became UK tax resident with £100,000 of employment income, £200,000 of investment income and £1million of capital gains, where their lifetime entitlement to Business Asset Disposal Relief has already been fully utilised, could see their ‘tax exposure exceed £350,000’.

Accountants are also warning some could face huge tax charges if they were return to the UK for a period longer than the exceeded ‘count’ of 183 days spent in the UK during this financial year, which ends in April.

As many influencers have already had to spend long periods in the UK, they are increasingly close to the 183-day limit, and could see their income eligible for the British tax net.

Sandra Jeevan, who is a partner at the accountancy company UHY Hacker Young, told The Times: ‘We are hearing from many families who never intended to return to the UK this year but now have had no choice. They could face exposure to UK tax simply because their emergency return alters their UK residence position.

‘When you are trying to move your family to safety, you are not focused on day‑count rules or technical residence tests. 

Stars such as Rio and Kate Ferdinand have decided to flee Dubai in the wake of the conflict, with the couple now holed up at their villa in Portugal

Stars such as Rio and Kate Ferdinand have decided to flee Dubai in the wake of the conflict, with the couple now holed up at their villa in Portugal

Luisa Zissman has also returned to the UK despite declaring on social media she felt 'safe' in Dubai, with some influencers accused of pumping out 'propaganda' to support the state

Luisa Zissman has also returned to the UK despite declaring on social media she felt ‘safe’ in Dubai, with some influencers accused of pumping out ‘propaganda’ to support the state

‘While [HM Revenue & Customs] has updated its guidance to acknowledge that the outbreak of war can qualify as an ”exceptional circumstance” for residency purposes, the rules remain highly restrictive and are strictly limited in scope.

‘HMRC maintains a very narrow view of what qualifies. Choosing to stay in the UK to be with family after the initial crisis has passed typically does not count as ”exceptional”.’

HMRC’s complex tax system can disregard up to 60 days spent in the UK by individuals due to ‘exceptional circumstances’. 

A representative told The Times: ‘The existing rules provide the right protection while following the basic principle that individuals living in the UK should pay tax in the UK. Exceptional circumstances, such as being affected by a war, are taken into account.’

Some wealthy Brits fleeing the conflict in the Gulf are heading to Ireland and France to avoid huge tax bills, as many residents living overseas had already ‘spent’ the number of days on British soil they are allowed to without paying tax.

Nimesh Shah, the chief executive of advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, said he had received ‘a disproportionate number of calls’ from those fleeing the UAE in recent weeks.

Shah has urged them not to rely on the ‘exceptional circumstances’ provision, as he says HMRC view UAE expats as having moved in order to not pay tax in the UK, and are therefore unlikely to give the ‘green light’ for them to stay on British soil without paying.

One wealthy business owner, who is staying in Dublin until the end of the financial year on April 5, told The Guardian: ‘I’m happy to pay income tax and tax on investments next tax year, but I don’t want the sale of a business that I sold years ago to fall within UK capital gains tax.

‘I paid for my own travel home, by the way.’

Meanwhile, another British entrepreneur, who was previously based in the UAE, said he would be residing in France for the time being.

Another British UAE-based business owner said they would spend some time in France for now.

The number of days a person who claims they are a non-resident for tax purposes can stay in the UK depends on several factors, including their links to the country, whether they have a spouse or children here and whether they have accommodation.

Many who decided to emigrate over the last few years can stay in the UK for 45 days before they fall back under the country’s domestic tax rules and regulations.

It’s thought that up to 300,000 British nationals live in the Middle East and many have relocated for tax reasons.

Around 50,000 influencers were residing in Dubai, with many enticed to relocate due to the promise of a safe residence and low taxes through initiatives such as Creators HQ and the 1 Billion Followers Summit.

Last year, the state even opened a so-called ‘Influencer Academy’ – a school for influencers – part of a broader strategy to recruit, train and incentivise content creators to promote the city globally.

More than 63,000 Britons have returned home from the region since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, according to Government figures.

But influencers who have stayed put have faced claims they’re being paid to pump out ‘propaganda’, after continuing to boast they’re safe and well in Dubai despite the conflict raging on.

Content creators with droves of followers have been sharing videos of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the words ‘I know who protects us’, in the midst of Iranian attacks.

Meanwhile, 45 people of ‘various nationalities’ have been arrested by police in Abu Dhabi for ‘spreading misinformation and filming and sharing event locations’ over alleged footage showing attacks.

Kate and Rio Ferdinand were among the stars who have fled their homes in Dubai, but are now holed up at their luxury villa in the Algarve, raising questions of whether they are also keen to avoid a hefty tax bill.

Former Apprentice star Luisa, who has been vocal in her support for the Dubai government, revealed she had returned to the UK for work with her children.

When the crisis erupted in Dubai earlier this month, Luisa avidly informed followers she was in the ‘safest country in the world’ and ‘everything was fine’, before scarpering back to the UK to her £8million countryside mansion.

Despite insisting her return was planned, Luisa stated she was ‘in her refugee era’ and revealed that her dog, Crumble, is currently stuck in Dubai – leading to her plea for a companion. However, she later added that the flight had been cancelled.

Despite vocally advocating for how safe they felt in Dubai, Petra Ecclestone and her husband Sam Palmer also jetted out of the city earlier this month.

However in contrast, Notorious social media star HSTikkyTokky, has insisted all is well in Dubai, claiming that there were ‘no bombs’ flying over the city – hours after another drone attack suspended flights at Dubai airport. 

Arabella has been continuing with her day to day life in Dubai despite reports of ‘rising panic’ among other expats rushing to flee the Gulf state, and even travelled to Saudi Arabia to celebrate her birthday.

Israeli socialite Hofit Golan moved to Dubai in December and revealed she was left terrified and hiding in her bath when the war broke out.

However, days later she insisted Dubai ‘still feels like a very safe place’, before sharing a glimpse of the ‘quiet and calm’ neighbourhood, as fellow expats returned to the beach. 

Fergie’s Fascinating Journey: From LA Guest House to Luxurious Wiltshire Mansion

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Fergie’s Fascinating Journey: From LA Guest House to Luxurious Wiltshire Mansion

Sarah Ferguson’s disappearance from the public eye since her departure from Royal Lodge has been nothing short of remarkable.

Not since the enigmatic departure of Lord Lucan to Newhaven, East Sussex, five decades ago has the world been so captivated by a vanishing act.

Ferguson, last publicly sighted on December 12 during her granddaughter Athena Mapelli Mozzi’s christening at St James’s Palace, has seemingly vanished amid the ongoing repercussions of her association with Jeffrey Epstein. Apart from a few rumored appearances in Dubai, Switzerland, and Ireland, she has retreated from the limelight.

As speculation about her whereabouts reaches a crescendo, could there be subtle hints left behind by Ferguson herself that reveal her location?

The Daily Mail recently uncovered that the 66-year-old still enjoys the support of a worldwide network of steadfast friends who are eager to embrace her.

Some of them can be found in an extensive and effusive ‘acknowledgements’ list at the back of Finding Sarah, the aptly-named memoir the feckless ex-royal wrote the last time she hit rock bottom, after being caught in 2010 offering to sell access to the then Prince Andrew.

Now that’s she in hiding, the question on everyone’s lips is: ‘Where’s Fergie?’ 

And, more importantly, who might be hiding her in the midst of her secret sofa-surfing world tour?

Last seen out in public in London in December for the christening of her youngest granddaughter, Sarah Ferguson (pictured, in County Donegal in Ireland) has disappeared from view amid the ongoing fallout from her links to Jeffrey Epstein

Last seen out in public in London in December for the christening of her youngest granddaughter, Sarah Ferguson (pictured, in County Donegal in Ireland) has disappeared from view amid the ongoing fallout from her links to Jeffrey Epstein

UNITED STATES

From ranches in Arizona to condos in California, via the swanky apartments of her wealthy New York pals, Fergie has often headed across the Pond in times of dire need.

An associate in New York, who spoke to her via email just weeks ago, told the Daily Mail Fergie was ‘under a lot of stress’.

One potential hideout could be the Beverly Hills mansion of Olivier de Givenchy, a scion of the French fashion house, and his wife Zoe.

In 2018 Ferguson posted a photo of a sunny harbour on Instagram, thanking the pair for their ‘kindness’ and sparking speculation she was staying with them either at their $9million modernist home in Beverly Hills or at their seven-bedroom Malibu ocean-front property. 

A third possible hideout is the couple’s 16th-century chateau in France’s Loire Valley.

Another ‘dear friend’ of more than three decades is holistic healer Anamika Neitlich who put Fergie up for two weeks at her home in Montecito after her 2010 crisis and helped ‘calm the rough waters of my mind and soul’.

Fergie might find herself in an awkward spot, however, if she crossed paths with fellow residents Prince Harry and Meghan, who are not thought to be fans.

Alternative US boltholes include the Big Sky Ranch in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona where Fergie has previously taken comfort from ‘equine therapy’, or the zen-like Hall Center in Santa Monica, California, run by another pal, menopause guru Prudence Hall.

Three months on, the question on everyone's lips is: 'Where's Fergie?' As the Daily Mail discovered this week, the former Duchess of York (pictured, at the Mayrlife resort in Austria, in 2023) has a global coterie of still loyal chums who could have welcomed her with open arms

Three months on, the question on everyone’s lips is: ‘Where’s Fergie?’ As the Daily Mail discovered this week, the former Duchess of York (pictured, at the Mayrlife resort in Austria, in 2023) has a global coterie of still loyal chums who could have welcomed her with open arms

Perhaps the most intriguing theory about her whereabouts is she's shacked up with Elvis Presley's widow, Priscilla, at her lavish Los Angeles home. Fergie (left) was a close friend of Priscilla and Elvis's late daughter Lisa Marie (right) and spoke at her 2023 funeral

Perhaps the most intriguing theory about her whereabouts is she’s shacked up with Elvis Presley’s widow, Priscilla, at her lavish Los Angeles home. Fergie (left) was a close friend of Priscilla and Elvis’s late daughter Lisa Marie (right) and spoke at her 2023 funeral

Palm Beach in Florida has also been mentioned by sources. Aside from her friendship with Epstein who had a home there, she’s made frequent visits in recent years in support of the Cancer Alliance and a charity called Hope & Help. 

During a speech last year, she told the audience: ‘Palm Beach feels like home. That’s why I’ve come back to see you all.’

Perhaps the most intriguing theory about her whereabouts is that she’s shacked up with Elvis Presley’s widow, Priscilla, at her lavish Los Angeles home. 

Fergie was a close friend of Priscilla and Elvis’s late daughter Lisa Marie and spoke at her 2023 funeral.

An insider told US gossip magazine Heat World: ‘Priscilla won’t ever forget how kind Sarah was to Lisa Marie when she was deep in her addiction struggles. 

‘She’s happy to be able to offer her some support. She’s given her the keys to her guest house and she’s been giving her a pep talk. 

‘She has a lot of sympathy for her and is insisting that she’ll get through this.’

Another source told entertainment site RadarOnline: ‘At the moment, she doesn’t have anything resembling a settled home base, so she’s leaning heavily on the goodwill and support of a small circle of trusted friends just to get through day-to-day life. 

‘She’s in hiding like some kind of fugitive, moving discreetly between locations and trying to keep a low profile.’

One reason for giving the US a wide berth, however, could be growing demands for Fergie to testify over her ties to Epstein.

This week US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam wrote to the former Duchess asking her to give evidence as part of a US government investigation into the paedophile financier’s sex-trafficking operations.

EUROPE

A family friend has told the Daily Mail that Fergie travelled to Zurich in December and stayed for at least a month at her favourite £13,000-a-day lakeside wellness clinic, Paracelsus Recovery. She previously took refuge there last July.

‘Nobody would know she was there apart from staff. It could not be more private,’ said the friend.

‘She always feels at home at Paracelsus, especially when she feels at her most vulnerable.’

In February she was also briefly sighted at Cork airport, apparently while visiting Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa in Donegal, a family-run hotel which offers views of the famously scenic Wild Atlantic Way.

Fergie visited the wellness retreat twice in 2024, saying in a TikTok video that she visits Donegal when life gets ‘overwhelming’.

Another strong tip as to her whereabouts is a Spanish finca in Sotogrande near Marbella belonging to close family friend Edwina Heyes. 

In Finding Sarah, Fergie wrote about how, during a previous crisis trip, she felt as if she had returned to ‘the old life I once knew’ when ‘I had no reputation and I could simply be myself’.

A family friend has told the Daily Mail that Fergie travelled to Zurich in December and stayed for at least a month at her favourite £13,000-a-day lakeside wellness clinic, Paracelsus Recovery (pictured)

A family friend has told the Daily Mail that Fergie travelled to Zurich in December and stayed for at least a month at her favourite £13,000-a-day lakeside wellness clinic, Paracelsus Recovery (pictured) 

In February she was also briefly sighted at Cork airport, apparently while visiting Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa in Donegal. Fergie visited the wellness retreat twice in 2024, as she said in a TikTok video (pictured) at the time

In February she was also briefly sighted at Cork airport, apparently while visiting Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa in Donegal. Fergie visited the wellness retreat twice in 2024, as she said in a TikTok video (pictured) at the time 

Austria could also represent a safe haven. Two years ago, after being diagnosed with a malignant melanoma, she booked into the Mayrlife resort on Lake Altaussee, which charges up to £6,700 for a two-week stay. 

Posting a photograph of herself on Instagram on a lakeside walk, she thanked staff for ‘taking gentle care’ of her.

Portugal, where her youngest daughter Princess Eugenie lives with her family in a £3.6million coastal villa in Melides, is another option, although Eugenie and Beatrice are said to be trying to keep their distance from both parents in a bid to keep their own reputations intact.

A source close to Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank told the Daily Mail: ‘Eugenie and Jack are resisting any suggestion from the mother that she should come and live with them. 

‘Because, to be frank, Sarah is difficult to live with and they don’t want the responsibility of looking after her at the moment.’

UK

Despite the shame she and her former husband have heaped upon the royals, Fergie still has a large circle of supporters in the UK.

Aside from rumours of a sighting in her native Hampshire where her half-brother Andrew still runs the Ferguson family farm in the village of Dummer, a royal source told the Daily Mail: ‘My hunch is that she’s hidden away in the countryside, relying on Waitrose deliveries. 

‘She always loved dressing up, so disguising herself might not be too hard. But if that’s the case, she’ll be getting bored by now. Publicity is her oxygen.’

One place she won’t be is York, where councillors this week voted to strip her of the Freedom of the City.

But another source says she’s hiding at the Wiltshire home of her old flame Paddy McNally, now 88. 

Another source says she's hiding at the Wiltshire home of her old flame Paddy McNally, now 88 (Pictured: The pair together at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1997)

Another source says she’s hiding at the Wiltshire home of her old flame Paddy McNally, now 88 (Pictured: The pair together at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1997)

While eldest daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have a sprawling £3.5million home (pictured) in the Cotswolds, they are said to be reluctant to let her move into the converted cowshed

While eldest daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have a sprawling £3.5million home (pictured) in the Cotswolds, they are said to be reluctant to let her move into the converted cowshed 

She dated the former racing driver and motorsports executive for three years before marrying Prince Andrew and the pair have remained close despite their 22-year age gap.

Fergie would no doubt be welcome in McNally’s other homes in the Swiss ski resort Verbier and in St Tropez in the south of France.

While eldest daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have a sprawling £3.5million home in the Cotswolds, they are said to be reluctant to let her move into the converted cowshed. 

Edo, say insiders, is tired of the York drama and urging his wife to ‘keep her distance’.

MIDDLE EAST

Until the outbreak of war last month, the Gulf must have seemed the perfect place for globe-trotting Fergie to go to ground.

Just days before the conflict started, there were reports she’d travelled to the United Arab Emirates where Andrew and Fergie are said to have the run of a mini palace handed to them by Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan.

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House of York, believes the Middle East remains the ideal location for the Duchess to lie low, while dodging the drones and missiles.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Most people are getting out, so what better place to stay under the radar? 

‘People in the Middle East simply couldn’t care less what Sarah has done even if she doesn’t have her Duchess of York title any more. 

‘She will still be seen as royalty and treated as such.’

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie believes Fergie will stick close to her Dubai-based good friend and PR guru James Henderson (Pictured with Fergie in 2016)

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie believes Fergie will stick close to her Dubai-based good friend and PR guru James Henderson (Pictured with Fergie in 2016)

Lownie believes she will stick close to her Dubai-based good friend and PR guru James Henderson.

While Henderson offered her crisis management back in 2010, she stood by him during his own dramatic fall from grace in 2017 when he was forced to resign as chief executive of PR firm Bell Pottinger after the company was found to have stoked racial tensions in South Africa, a scandal which saw it go into administration.

Henderson stepped in again to defend Fergie to the media last year when it emerged she had sent an email to Jeffrey Epstein in 2011, after his conviction for sex offences against a minor, in which she described him as a ‘steadfast, generous and supreme friend’.

In an interview last September, Henderson described her as ‘generous’ and ‘amazing’ and said: ‘We have both been loyal to each other. 

‘The mental impact of losing everything, and losing a reputation, is something that we could bond over.’

ASIA

When the royal chips have previously been down, Fergie has occasionally flown east to find solace.

One favourite destination has been the Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary on the Thai island of Koh Samui. 

She first went there on a ten-day retreat with her older sister Jane Ferguson Luedecke in 2010 when she went into hiding after the cash-for-access scandal involving the then Prince Andrew, which came to light as a result of a News of the World sting by a ‘fake sheikh’.

She returned a year later when she was snubbed from the extensive guest list for Prince William’s 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton.

Fergie has previously turned to her older sister Jane Ferguson Luedecke in times of trouble (Pictured: The sisters in 1998)

Fergie has previously turned to her older sister Jane Ferguson Luedecke in times of trouble (Pictured: The sisters in 1998)

She has also made several visits to India, specifically to Soukya International Holistic Health Centre in Bangalore. 

Run by Dr Isaac Mathai, the centre has also been visited by the King and Queen Camilla.

It’s not out of the question, either, that Fergie is lying low in China, another place where she has cultivated strong business ties.

In 2020, during the early months of the Covid pandemic, she offered to source personal protective equipment (PPE), telling UK officials she had contacts in the country.

The publisher of one of her recent children’s books, Flora & Fern: Kindness Along the Way (before it was withdrawn from sale), was a Chinese government-owned corporation based in Zhejiang province in south-eastern China. 

A well-placed royal source has told the Mail that the country might be ‘a back-up plan’.

CANADA

Back in 2010, when she was still reeling from the News of the World story, Fergie trekked off towards Yellowknife, Canada’s coldest city, ready to embark on what she described as ‘adventure as therapy’. 

Determined to drive the demons from her mind, she camped out in freezing temperatures and kayaked up rivers.

Stunned locals even spotted her gulping down a cup of strong Wolf’s Breath coffee and a turkey and cranberry bagel at the Javaroma cafe.

Owner Rami Kassem, 47, says her visit left ‘a big impression’ on locals. 

‘I would definitely recognise her now,’ he said, adding that, ‘Yellowknife would be the perfect place for her to recoup again. 

‘You can be on the water in five minutes, fishing or in the forest. It’s quiet and welcoming.’

AUSTRALIA

Could Fergie be on the other side of the world, hiding out with her older sister Jane, who lives with her partner in a beach-front property on a luxury gated housing estate in New South Wales?

Fergie has previously turned to her sister in times of trouble, and PR expert Jane flew to the UK last year to support her disgraced sibling.

In Finding Sarah, Fergie described her as ‘one of my staunchest supporters’, adding: ‘I know Jane has been forced to live, often uneasily and warily, in the harsh reflected glare of my endless torrent of criticism and scandal.’

Last month a source told Australian magazine Woman’s Day that while Jane is ‘very protective’ of her younger sister, her home sits beside a beachfront golf resort and would provide little protection from prying eyes.

‘She would love nothing more than to offer a haven to Sarah here in Australia,’ says the source, ‘but they both know it would become a circus with photographers and the world’s Press on Jane’s doorstep.

‘It’s far more likely that Jane will go to Sarah and try to help her decide what to do next.’

Additional reporting by Eirian Prosser, Peter Allen, Tim Stewart and Kristina Wemyss.

Discover the Mysterious Bots on Broad Street: Community on Alert for Unusual Sightings

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Discover the Mysterious Bots on Broad Street: Community on Alert for Unusual Sightings

AUGUSTA, Ga () – Strolling through downtown Augusta, you might encounter some unusual inquiries.

Have you spotted them? The bots on Broad Street?

“I haven’t seen any bots. What are you talking about?” responded Reshard Brumfield with curiosity.

To find these bots, you need to be in the right location and pay close attention. However, rest assured, these aren’t some menacing AI robots.

“No, they’re actually quite cute and on the smaller side. They can’t really cause much trouble unless you count the pain of stepping on a Lego,” remarked Nicole Rapp with a chuckle.

They are Tommy Bots, and they’re in ten storefront windows on Broad Street, as the objects for a scavenger hunt. You can pick up your score card at Augusta & Co. and start the search to find all ten. This wild bot chase is underway.

“This launched on Wednesday. We’ve already had about five people come in and redeem their prizes,” said Mamie McAbee of Augusta & Co.

The bots are designed by local artist, Leonard ‘Pork Chop’ Zimmerman, and some are designed to match the store they are in. It’s to provide something other than orange barrels to look at on Broad.

“A way to get people to come downtown and explore. Since there is all this construction, there needed to be something extra to bring down here,” said Pork Chop.

So, get into the swing, put on those walking shoes and search for the bots on Broad. Don’t miss it.

“Right over there, I seen one. Yep. The corner of the window, I saw it,” said Reshard.

So, somebody asking you if you’ve seen robots on Broad Street is not that weird?

“No sir, no sir,” he said.

Finding the Bots on Broad makes me happy. Out There Somewhere in Augusta, George Eskola NewsChannel 6.

Top Spots in Central Illinois to Catch the Illini’s Elite Eight Showdown

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Top Spots in Central Illinois to Catch the Illini’s Elite Eight Showdown


CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — As the Illinois men’s basketball team competes for a coveted spot in the Final Four, Central Illinois is gearing up for an exciting evening of community spirit and sportsmanship. Local venues are organizing watch parties for the thrilling Elite Eight showdown against Iowa on Saturday.

Cyclone Narelle’s Aftermath: Remote Towns Struggle Amid Widespread Devastation After Storm Downgrade

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In Brief

  • Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle was been downgraded to a tropical low.
  • It has left a “devastating” trail after lashing the Western Australian coast.

Inhabitants directly impacted by a powerful cyclone are now dealing with the “devastating” consequences after being hit hard overnight.

Initially categorized as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, the storm was reduced to a tropical low on Saturday, but not before unleashing its fury on sections of Western Australia’s coast.

It carved a path of destruction through regions like Pilbara and North West Cape, leaving its mark on Exmouth, a popular tourist destination located 1,250 kilometers north of Perth.

“Destruction is virtually everywhere you turn,” Exmouth local Craig Kitson reported to AAP.

“The town’s landscape has been radically altered.”

The town’s few thousand residents bore the brunt of the category-four storm, as it brought winds in excess of 250km/h on Friday.

Roofs were torn off buildings, power was lost, homes were flooded and about 50 people had to abandon a local evacuation centre when it sustained wind damage.

Though he lost a fence and spent the night under a leaking roof, Mr Kitson counts himself lucky.

“It was definitely a harrowing night there for a lot of people” Mr Kitson said, adding some homes had been completely destroyed.

“Some people’s lives have been drastically changed.”

While authorities are still counting the losses, locals say the storm felt as bad as any in recent memory, Mr Kitson said.

“There was a category five in 1999 that probably did more damage but that’s just because the building code has changed,” he said.

“People reckon this one was worse because it was longer and we definitely caught the bad side of it.”

Thousands of homes and businesses remained without power across Exmouth and Carnarvon on Saturday morning.

Nearly 40 Pilbara residents had requested assistance from the SES by Saturday morning, including 29 in Exmouth, a spokesperson said.

A graphic illustration showing the actual and predicted path of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Narelle reformed after leaving a trail of destruction across parts of Queensland and the NT. Source: AAP / Susie Dodds

Narelle tracked south to Coral Bay and made landfall on Friday evening just south of the tiny town before weakening to a category-three system.

It was downgraded to a category two northeast of Kalbarri and Geraldton before becoming a tropical low on Saturday morning.

Overnight, gusts above 120km/h were recorded in parts of the Gascoyne, alongside rainfall totals of up to 100mm, increasing the risk of flash flooding and road closures.

It will continue to lose intensity as it moves inland but is still producing powerful wind gusts and heavy rainfall, the bureau said.

A watch and act alert remains in place west of Onslow to Coral Bay, with advice level warnings covering much of the state.

A flood watch is in place from Exmouth as far south as Perth’s Swan River, with the system expected to pass east of the state’s capital on Saturday afternoon.

It is expected to continue moving southeast until crossing into the Southern Ocean on Saturday evening.

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Senator Rubio Engages with G7 Ministers in France, as U.S. Takes Charge on Iran Amid Criticism of Allied Responses

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Senator Rubio Engages with G7 Ministers in France, as U.S. Takes Charge on Iran Amid Criticism of Allied Responses

On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in France for the G7 foreign ministers’ summit, where he aims to articulate the United States’ strategic stance regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.

In anticipation of the gathering, the approaches taken by other nations have been noticeably varied. Most of Washington’s allies—namely Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan—have responded cautiously to the joint U.S.-Israeli military efforts. While they have voiced disapproval of Iran’s actions, these countries have refrained from engaging in offensive military operations.

Prior to his departure on Thursday, Rubio made it clear that he intends to maintain a firm position during discussions. “I don’t work for France or Germany or Japan… my focus is on serving the American people,” he expressed in a video shared on X.

This divergence has been a point of contention for President Donald Trump, who has been urging allies to increase their involvement, especially in safeguarding critical maritime passages like the Strait of Hormuz. Although some nations have shown interest in supporting defensive or maritime security initiatives, they have hesitated to join in direct combat actions.

“The U.S. is frequently called upon to assist in conflicts, and we have stepped up. But when we needed support, the response from NATO was less than enthusiastic. Some leaders argued that Iran isn’t Europe’s issue. Yet, even though Ukraine isn’t directly our battle, we’ve provided more assistance there than anyone else,” Rubio remarked.

“The Strait of Hormuz could be open tomorrow if Iran stops threatening global shipping, which is an outrage and a violation of international law. For all these countries that care about international law, they should be doing something about it,” he said before boarding his plane to France.

The remarks set the tone for a summit already marked by growing friction between Washington and some of its closest allies over how to handle the Iran conflict. Rubio has framed the stakes in stark terms. “Iran has been at war with the United States for 47 years . . . Iran has been killing Americans and attacking Americans across this planet,” he said during a White House cabinet meeting, adding that allowing Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons would be “an unacceptable risk for the world.”

But even before Rubio arrived at the meeting, European officials were signaling a markedly different approach.

“We need to exit from the war, not escalate this further, because the consequences for everybody around the world are quite severe,” Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said during a briefing on the sidelines of the G7 on Thursday.

Barrot and Rubio at G7 meeting

France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, right, greets U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he arrives at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting with partner countries in Cernay-la-Ville outside Paris, France, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

“It can only be a diplomatic solution … sit down and negotiate to have a way out,” she added.

The contrast between Rubio’s framing and Kallas’s message captures the core tension shaping the meeting.

U.S. officials say Rubio is heading into the talks with a broader agenda that goes beyond Iran.

According to a State Department spokesperson, who spoke to Fox News Digital on background, Rubio will use the meeting to “advance key U.S. interests” and push discussions on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as “international burden sharing” and the overall effectiveness of the G7.

The U.S. is also expected to emphasize maritime security, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, while urging allies to take on a greater share of responsibilities in conflict zones and international organizations, the spokesperson said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio going to G7 in France

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters before boarding a plane as he is headed to France where he will take part in the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2026.  (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via Reuters)

European officials have instead emphasized the broader risks of the conflict.

France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said discussions at the G7 would build on a recent joint statement condemning Iran’s actions while also addressing maritime security concerns.

He said the “discussions will provide an opportunity to revisit positions already agreed at the G7 level… including the unjustifiable attacks carried out by Iran against Gulf countries … which we condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

Barrot added that ministers would also focus on securing global shipping routes.

Satellite view showing the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman

A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, vital for global energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)

“We will also have the opportunity to address maritime security and freedom of navigation … including an international mission … to ensure the smooth flow of maritime traffic in a strictly defensive posture, thereby helping to ease pressure on energy prices,” he said.

Kallas echoed that global framing. “All the countries in the world are one way or another affected by this war … it is in the interest of everybody that this war stops,” she said.

EU Kaja Kalla

Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy speaks to the press during EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium on Dec. 19, 2024.  (Photo by Nicolas Landemard/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Her remarks also pointed to the interconnected nature of the crisis. “Russia is helping Iran with intelligence … and also supporting Iran now with drones,” she said, linking the Iran conflict to the war in Ukraine.

That uncertainty is already affecting the structure of the summit, with officials dropping plans for a unified final communiqué to avoid exposing divisions, Reuters reported.

Analysts say those differences reflect deeper structural tensions in the alliance. “Europe has criticized Donald Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ strategy towards Iran while pursuing a failed diplomatic approach that has enabled the regime to expand its terrorist networks and edge closer to nuclear threshold status,” Barak Seener, senior research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital.

“This reflects a lack of European capability to project power in the region, particularly in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz.”

Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz,

FILE PHOTO: Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. (REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo/File Photo)

Seener added that years of reliance on Washington have left Europe increasingly exposed as the U.S. shifts its strategic priorities. “Years of underinvestment in defense and reliance on the United States have created a dependency that Washington increasingly views as a betrayal of the peace it has guaranteed Europe since the Second World War,” he said.

“With the U.S. placing greater value on its relationship with Israel than NATO, the result may be further erosion of the alliance, reduced support for Ukraine and rising economic pressure on Europe.”

He warned that the immediate test will come at the G7 itself. “Divisions over how to respond to Iran and to any U.S. request for support are likely to expose a deeper transatlantic split,” Seener said.

“Operation Epic Fury has showcased President Trump’s ability to assemble a coalition of allies to eliminate a common threat — in this case the Iranian regime — and stabilize international trade,” Jacob Olidort, chief research officer and director of American security at the America First Policy Institute, told Fox News Digital.

Satellite imagery shows a narrow maritime passage linking two large bodies of water.

A satellite view shows the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, on Oct. 2, 2024. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data via Getty Images)

“The failure of Western Europe to participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz is particularly egregious because those countries depend on it more than we do,” he added.

“At the same time, the historic successes of Operation Epic Fury have awakened a new confidence in our Middle East partners to eradicate the threats from the Iranian regime and to work together to shape a more peaceful and prosperous region.”

Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.

Justin Hartley’s ‘Tracker’ Shakes Up Cast: Surprising Promotions Amidst Dramatic Exits!

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Justin Hartley’s ‘Tracker’ Shakes Up Cast: Surprising Promotions Amidst Dramatic Exits!

Justin Hartley’s series Tracker has elevated one of its cast members following several departures as it gears up for its third season.

According to Deadline, Chris Lee, known for his role as Randy, has been promoted to a series regular. Lee first appeared in season 2 as the cousin of Bobby, played by Eric Graise, and his role has since expanded.

Since its debut in February 2024, Tracker has been a triumph for CBS, captivating audiences with its record-breaking ratings. The show follows the adventures of Colter, portrayed by Hartley, a survivalist who travels across the nation to resolve various missing persons cases.

As Colter receives assistance, the show’s ensemble cast has also evolved, featuring characters like handlers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma, hacker Bobby, and attorney Reenie. After appearing in the first season, Weigert’s character was written off in the premiere with Velma expressing the need for space. Velma subsequently began collaborating with Reenie, while Teddi’s storyline was not revisited in the second season.

What Has Justin Hartley Said About Tracker Losing Main Cast Members Eric Graise

As the series heads into its third season, Tracker has seen the exit of three cast members. However, what has star and executive producer Justin Hartley said about these transitions? Many fans were drawn to Tracker because of Hartley, especially following his successful six-year run on NBC’s This Is Us. […]

“[Teddi] is going to be there for a while. She is helping her mom get sorted. I was getting in the way you might say and it really wasn’t good,” Velma said at the beginning of season 2. “So I came back. Don’t you worry because I am keeping busy.”

The concerns about the show’s main characters kept coming when Graise was noticeably absent from six episodes. His cousin Randy was brought in to help Colter before Bobby returned, which caused backlash from viewers who grew used to seeing Graise on their screen.

News later broke that Graise and McEnany wouldn’t be coming back — at least for now.

Justin Hartley's Colter Confuses Randy for Bobby After 'Tracker' Absence
CBS

“I do think it’s evolving. If I can’t evolve those characters — Randy or Reenie or Bobby — they’re not just people that just pick up the phone and go, ‘OK, here is the answer.’ That’s when the show is phoning it in,” executive producer Elwood Reid exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2025. “The challenge is when you got to learn about them, which I thought was interesting. That’s the challenge of the show is not having it fall into a formula.”

Reid noted that they didn’t want Tracker to “fall into complacency.”

“The only rule I really have of the show is each week Colter is going to come to a new place and there’s going to be a new case. How he gets those answers and what he uses on the team, that’s all something that’s up for grabs,” Reid teased. “Meeting these [local] weird characters is something we’re going to try to do more of as the season goes on. Just Colter coming in and interacting with other characters. That’s fun to see Justin flex those muscles with really good guest cast members.”

Ahead of season 3, Reid defended the decision to shake up season 3.

Why Did Tracker Lose 3 Cast Members Before Season 3 Shakeups Explained

Justin Hartley’s Tracker has dealt with numerous surprise cast exits — so who is and isn’t returning for season 4? The hit CBS series, which premiered in February 2024, introduced fictional survivalist Colter (Hartley) as he travels the country to help solve various missing persons cases. The ensemble cast grew with characters such as handlers […]

“Justin has to carry so much of the show. So I don’t want the other characters that are in the show to just be phone-a-friend where whenever he’s in trouble, he just picks up the phone. The challenge in season 3 has been how do we build actual good story out of [it],” Reid teased.

Reid pointed out that Reenie and Randy are still in the picture.

“Reenie takes a lot of the guilt [from her season 2 case] on and she’s brought Randy up there to fix it. You get to see them in the office. That forms a good bond between those two. Then we’re going to bring in another character as she tries to expand her law office a little bit. That will be interesting,” he continued. “It’s just building out those story lines. The challenge we set up for ourselves this season was to build out those people’s world a little bit.”

Reid added: “It’s about trying to get a little bit of lightness [into the show] because sometimes Colter is doing some really dark and heavy stuff. It’s life or death.”

Tracker airs on CBS Sundays at 9 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Paramount+.
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