As fighting in the Middle East entered its third week, focus has shifted to Tehran\u2019s closure of a key maritime passage, and the potentially huge global economic impact.<\/p>\n
For our big story this week, Jillian Ambrose<\/a> explains how the war in Iran has effectively blocked the Gulf states from exporting a fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply through the strait of Hormuz. Peter Beaumont<\/a> sets out the significance of the route and the possible options to counter the blockade, while Hannah Ellis-Petersen<\/a> reports on the building anger and resentment in the region over being dragged into a war they did not start and had diplomatically tried to prevent.<\/p>\n Peter also looks at \u201cthe escalation trap\u201d that lies ahead for both sides in the conflict, and we have on-the-ground reports from Jason Burke<\/a> in northern Israel and William Christou<\/a> in southern Lebanon, as well as a stark account of day-to-day life from inside Tehran.<\/p>\n Get the Guardian Weekly delivered to your home address<\/a><\/p>\n Five essential reads in this week\u2019s editionSatellite data suggests targeted attacks on farms by Rapid Support Forces were intended to prevent villages producing food. Composite: Getty\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Spotlight | \u2018Extraordinary cruelty\u2019 Technology | Star fruit Feature | Feminism\u2019s not dead! Opinion | The British right\u2019s Maga obsession Culture | One win after another What else we\u2019ve been readingCooking on Chesil Beach, from the Bibby Boys exhibition at Photofusion in Brixton, London, until 4 April. Photograph: Theo McInnes<\/p>\n The mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, England, UK, to provide shelter for vulnerable asylum seekers sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum back in 2023. Negative stories dominated the headlines but a new photo exhibition in London \u2013 about a group of locals that formed a welcome party \u2013 reveals a different, softer side to the story<\/a>. A perfect antidote to the negative news cycle. Emily Elnusairi, deputy production editor<\/p>\n As someone who avoided tequila for years after too many traumatic encounters with it in shot form on university nights out, it was a pleasure to read about its more civilised comeback<\/a>. These days I\u2019m very happy to meet it again in a picante. Jade Lovitt, business manager<\/p>\n Other highlights from the Guardian website<\/p>\n Audio | Access denied: why Muslims worldwide are being \u2018debanked\u2019 \u2013 podcast<\/a><\/p>\n Video | Could Trump blow up Nato over Iran war?<\/a><\/p>\n Gallery | A total hoot! Beautiful birds<\/a><\/p>\n Get in touch<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear your thoughts on the magazine: for submissions to our letters page, please email weekly.letters@theguardian.com<\/a>. For anything else, it\u2019s editorial.feedback@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Get the Guardian Weekly magazine delivered to your home address<\/a><\/p>\n
Kaamil Ahmed<\/a> and Alex Clark<\/a> examine the evidence that starvation is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan<\/p>\n
As Apple reaches its half-century, Chris Stokel-Walker<\/a> rounds up its biggest triumphs and flops<\/p>\n
In a stirring riposte to all those who have declared the death of the women\u2019s movement, Rebecca Solnit<\/a> outlines the advances that have been made and argues it\u2019s no time to give up the fight<\/p>\n
UK conservatives were once hostile to the US, but now are keen to emphasise loyalty to Trump above all else, writes Kojo Koram<\/a><\/p>\n
After 11 nominations without a single win, film-maker Paul Thomas Anderson deservedly struck gold at the Oscars with One Battle After Another, says Xan Brooks<\/a><\/p>\n