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Nexstar, Tegna merger closes after winning regulatory approval
Pavlo Gonchar | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Nexstar Media Group closed its acquisition of fellow broadcast station group owner Tegna after sealing regulatory approval, despite antitrust lawsuits filed against the deal in recent days.
Nexstar’s $6.2 billion merger with Tegna brings together more than 260 local broadcast TV affiliate stations across the U.S.
Nexstar and Tegna, like other broadcast station group peers, have been looking to consolidate as the industry faces the same challenges as its cable and entertainment media counterparts — namely the drop in pay-TV customers due to the rise of streaming and tech options.
“This transaction is essential to sustaining strong local journalism in the communities we serve. By bringing these two outstanding companies together, Nexstar will be a stronger, more dynamic enterprise—better positioned to deliver exceptional journalism and local programming with enhanced assets, capabilities, and talent,” Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said in a statement.
“We are grateful to President Trump, [FCC] Chairman Carr, and the DOJ for recognizing the dynamic forces shaping the media landscape and enabling this transaction to move forward.”
In February, President Donald Trump endorsed the merger between Nexstar and Tegna in a TruthSocial post after months of criticism about the potential effects of the deal.
The proposed acquisition, which was announced in August, had been expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Broadcast station owners run the affiliate stations of the major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, and are known for airing local news, sports and other broadcast content. The companies remain profitable due to hefty fees they receive from pay-TV distributors, and have argued that consolidation would preserve local TV news.
However, decades-old laws have prevented such mergers from happening in recent years.
The greenlight from the FCC and DOJ allows the deal to go through by waiving law that prevents any one company from owning broadcast stations that reach more than 39% of the U.S. TV households.
However, in recent days two federal antitrust lawsuits were filed in a move to block the merger — one from attorney generals in eight states, including California and New York, and another from satellite and streaming TV provider DirecTV.
The lawsuits each argue that the combination is anticompetitive and would drive up customer costs, reduce competition, lead to the closure of local newsrooms and cause TV blackouts of stations due to carriage fights with distributors over pricing.
“DIRECTV supports the action taken by the states and has determined it is necessary to join this effort to protect competition and consumers,” said Michael Hartman, general counsel and chief external affairs officer at DirecTV in a release. “We have consistently made clear that this merger is anti-competitive and not in the public interest and, if it goes forward, will trigger a wave of similar consolidation.”
Later life mortgages to be put under spotlight by City regulator
The City regulator is putting later life mortgages under the spotlight to help make sure the market evolves in a way that meets people’s needs.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that in the coming years, older homeowners may increasingly have to use their housing wealth to achieve financial security and comfort in later life.
Launching a market study on later life mortgages, it also said that according to recent government analysis of future pension incomes, 43% of people are undersaving for retirement.
Lifetime and retirement interest only (RIO) mortgages could play a greater role, the regulator said.
Products allow consumers to access equity in their property, with a lump sum payment or drawdown facility, without having to repay any of the capital until a specified life event, such as on the death of the customer.
Innovative products, comparable to these types of mortgages, may also emerge, the regulator said.
The FCA said it wants to understand if the market will develop to meet the increased and differing needs of people in the future.
In a speech on Friday to the JP Morgan pensions and savings symposium 2026, FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi said: “For homeowners, choices around downsizing, equity release or later life borrowing can interact directly with how their pension savings are used.
“And as mortgage terms extend further into later life, and pensions savings gaps persist for some groups, housing wealth will play a larger role in supporting retirement living standards.
“Products like lifetime mortgages and retirement interest-only mortgages – currently more niche – may become more prominent parts of the retirement landscape.
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“This raises important questions.
“How straightforward is it to understand the trade-offs between pension drawdown and borrowing to utilise housing wealth?
“And does the market currently provide the advice and support people need to navigate those choices with confidence?
“These are just a couple of the questions behind the market study we are running this year.”
He said the regulator will be looking at whether the later life mortgage market “can and will develop in a way that meets consumers’ evolving needs, and what changes might be required”.
The regulator will explore how people might be better supported to access more holistic advice and guidance on later life lending.
Mr Rathi said decisions “are rarely straightforward – often spanning housing, inheritance and long-term care planning considerations all at the same time.
“And we can never lose sight of ensuring vulnerable consumers get the support they need and are not exploited.”
Mr Rathi said that for renters, “the absence of housing assets materially changes the retirement equation”.
He said: “Analysis from Standard Life suggests people who expect to rent during retirement could need an additional £398,000 in savings.
“With home ownership falling, this will only become a more pressing issue.
“Our interim pure protection study is looking at the structure of markets for products like life insurance and income protection, where take-up remains low despite the crucial role these can play in managing risk over the longer term.
“These different elements must work much better together to support consumers in making decisions about their financial futures.
“So that retirement is a glide path, not a cliff edge.”
The FCA said it would welcome views on the scope of the market study and the issues it will explore by April 17.
2026 men’s NCAA hockey tournament Bubble Watch
With conference tournaments underway and selection day for the men’s NCAA hockey tournament about two weeks away, we look at the contenders for the field of 16, from teams on the bubble to those playing for No. 1 seeds.
Six automatic bids to the NCAA tournament will be awarded to the winners of the six conference tournaments, with championship games scheduled for March 20 and March 21. Ten more teams will earn at-large spots determined by the NPI formula, which replaces the PairWise rankings this season. Every game can impact the NPI rankings, which factor in strength of schedule, home/road splits and overtime results.
Once the NCAA field is set, the four regional brackets will be announced March 22. Regional games will be played March 26-29; the sites are Albany, New York; Loveland, Colorado; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Worcester, Massachusetts. The Frozen Four will be held April 9 and April 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Every game of the NCAA tournament, and the selection show, will be available on ESPN networks and the ESPN App.
Here’s a look at the NCAA contenders, listed with their NPI rankings, key results and remaining schedules.
NPI rankings, team records through games of March 14.
Frozen Four or bust
The top two teams in the top two conferences — North Dakota and Western Michigan in the NCHC and Michigan State and Michigan in the Big Ten — have been at or near the top of the rankings all season. Despite a few hiccups along the way, they continue to be the teams to beat.
No. 1 Michigan
Record: 28-7-1, 19-6-1 Big Ten
Key results: Michigan split two games with Minnesota to close its regular-season schedule and move past Michigan State into the No. 1 spot in the NPI rankings. The conference tournaments will determine if the Wolverines, Spartans or Fighting Hawks are the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA field.
Remaining schedule: Big Ten tournament — Final vs. Ohio State on Saturday
No. 2 North Dakota
Record: 27-9-1, 19-7-1 NCHC
Key results: NoDak split two games against Western Michigan to secure the top seed in the NCHC tournament and dispatched Omaha in the quarterfinals before losing to Minnesota Duluth in the semis.
Remaining schedule: TBD
No. 3 Michigan State
Record: 25-8-2, 16-7-2 Big Ten
Key results: The Spartans lost in overtime to Ohio State in the Big Ten semifinals, falling to 0-2-1 in their last three games against the Buckeyes. They clinched the Big Ten regular-season title with a win over Minnesota and before their struggles with Ohio State had won nine of their previous 10 games.
Remaining schedule: TBD
No. 4 Western Michigan
Record: 26-10-1, 18-8-1 NCHC
Key results: The defending national champs took care of business in sweeping Colorado College in the NCHC quarters before falling to Denver in OT in the semis. They are 16-4-1 since Christmas, including wins over Boston College and Wisconsin in the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off and a two-game sweep at Denver.
Remaining schedule: TBD
Rock-solid
The teams in this tier will be playing the last weekend of March, although there’s still a lot of fluidity in terms of NCAA seeding.
No. 5 Denver
Record: 24-11-3, 20-6-1 NCHC
Key results: Denver is unbeaten in its past 12 games (11-0-1), emerging as the hottest team in the country, which is nothing new for the Pioneers in March. They have rebounded well after opening January with a 1-5-1 stretch against Maine, Western Michigan and North Dakota.
Remaining schedule: NCHC tournament — Final vs. Minnesota Duluth on Saturday
No. 6 Minnesota Duluth
Record: 23-13-1, 14-12-1 NCHC
Key results: The Bulldogs posted their third win of the season over North Dakota in the conference semis, so they can play with anyone. They also have a win over Western Michigan on their résumé.
Remaining schedule: NCHC tournament — Final vs. Denver on Saturday
No. 7 Providence
Record: 23-10-2, 18-6-1 Hockey East
Key results: Entering the postseason, the Friars were the class of Hockey East, winning the first regular-season title in program history and 14 of their last 16 games. They lost in the quarterfinals to No. 8 seed Merrimack, but remain in line for a 2-seed in the NCAAs.
Remaining schedule: TBD
No. 8 Dartmouth
Record: 21-7-4, 15-5-4 ECAC
Key results: Dartmouth bumped up into this category after a 7-4 victory over Quinnipiac on Feb. 27, then swept Colgate in the ECAC quarters. The Big Green have been sitting pretty since an 11-0 start to the season.
Remaining schedule: ECAC tournament — Semifinal vs. Clarkson on Friday
No. 9 Cornell
Record: 22-9-1, 17-7-1 ECAC
Key results: The Big Red essentially locked up an NCAA berth with wins over St. Lawrence and Clarkson, which came on the heels of a 6-1 rout at Quinnipiac on Feb. 20. Cornell then rallied to beat Harvard in the ECAC quarterfinals after losing Game 1.
Remaining schedule: ECAC tournament — Semifinal vs. Princeton on Friday
No. 10 Penn State
Record: 21-12-2, 13-10-2 Big Ten
Key results: Penn State ended the regular season headed in the wrong direction, falling six spots in the NPI after being swept at home by Wisconsin (combined score: 12-5). The Nittany Lions beat Minnesota 6-2 in the Big Ten quarterfinals before losing to Michigan in the semis.
Remaining schedule: TBD
No. 11 Quinnipiac
Record: 26-9-3, 17-6-1 ECAC
Key results: The Bobcats were the top seed in the ECAC but got swept out of the quarterfinals with a pair of losses to Clarkson. They also showed some cracks the last two weekends of the regular season, suffering a 7-4 loss at Dartmouth and a 6-1 defeat to Cornell.
Remaining schedule: TBD
In the field — for now
The cutline in the NPI rankings for making the NCAA field for our purposes is at No. 15, as the Atlantic champ will earn an automatic bid and claim the 16th seed. But life for these teams is made much more tense with potential bid thieves lurking in the ECAC (Princeton or Clarkson), Hockey East (Merrimack or Boston College) and the Big Ten (Ohio State). For now, these teams are on the right side of the bubble, but their positions are far from secure and the margins are extremely tight.
No. 12 Wisconsin
Record: 21-12-2, 14-11-0 Big Ten
Key results: Although the Badgers got drubbed by Ohio State in the Big Ten quarterfinals, they posted a huge two-game sweep at Penn State to close the regular season. Combine that with a 4-1 win over Michigan on Feb. 20 — and earlier wins over Michigan and Michigan State as part of a 15-3-2 start — and Wisconsin is still in good shape barring a rash of bid stealers.
Remaining schedule: TBD
No. 13 UMass
Record: 22-12-1, 15-9-1 Hockey East
Key results: UMass’ last-season surge continued with a quarterfinal win over Northeastern as the No. 2 seed in Hockey East. The Minutemen began 2026 in last place in the conference and at No. 39 in NPI, but now have at-large hopes if they don’t win the Hockey East tournament. However, a semifinal win over Merrimack is critical.
Remaining schedule: Hockey East tournament — Semifinal vs. Merrimack on Friday
No. 14 St. Thomas
Record: 21-11-5, 18-7-4 CCHA
Key results: St. Thomas is listed here based on its NPI ranking, but most likely needs to win the CCHA to make the NCAA field. A key semifinal win over Augustana on the heels of a two-game sweep of Lake Superior State in the CCHA quarters put St. Thomas back on track after going 2-4-2 in its last eight regular-season games.
Remaining schedule: CCHA tournament — Final vs. Minnesota State on Saturday
No. 15 UConn
Record: 19-11-5, 12-9-3 Hockey East
Key results: UConn closed the regular season 1-4-2 in its last seven games, but posted a key quarterfinal win over Boston University to stay on the right side of the bubble. But the Huskies seem to need a semifinal win over BC to keep any at-large hopes alive.
Remaining schedule: Hockey East tournament — Semifinal vs. Boston College on Friday
Bentley/Atlantic champ
Record: 21-11-5, 19-6-4 Atlantic; No. 25 in NPI
Key results: The 16th spot in the NCAA field most likely will be filled by the Atlantic Hockey champion. We’ll keep Bentley in this slot at the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament, but it will be either the Falcons or Sacred Heart, the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic, that moves on.
Remaining schedule: Atlantic tournament — Final vs. Sacred Heart on Saturday
Hanging by a thread
The at-large drama has centered on the CCHA and Hockey East. At-large hopes aren’t great for anyone here, particularly with the potential for lost bids, but there may be a glimmer of hope.
Augustana
Record: 22-12-4, 16-10-4 CCHA; No. 16 in NPI
Key results: The Vikings traded places with St. Thomas after falling to the Tommies in the CCHA semifinals, leaving them on the outs and needing several results to go their way — namely no bid stealers, and UMass and UConn both losing in the Hockey East semifinals. But Augustana is still in the at-large picture.
Remaining schedule: TBD
Minnesota State
Record: 21-10-7, 17-8-5 CCHA; No. 17 in NPI
Key results: The Mustangs’ at-large hopes took a major hit with a bad quarterfinals loss to Ferris State. Minnesota State rallied to win Game 3 and advance, then beat Michigan Tech in the semis but it’s CCHA title or bust in terms of the NCAA tourney.
Remaining schedule: CCHA tournament — Final vs. St. Thomas on Saturday
Boston College
Record: 21-14-1, 15-11-0 Hockey East; No. 18 in NPI
Key results: BC closed the regular season with four straight losses before beating Maine in the Hockey East quarterfinals. But it seems the Eagles need to win the conference tournament to extend their season.
Remaining schedule: Hockey East tournament — Semifinal vs. UConn on Friday
How to grow hollyhock flowers at home and achieve a vibrant summer garden | – The Times of India
A garden in the midst of summer can look dull, dry, and lifeless, especially under the scorching sun. However, with the right choice of flowers, even the most neglected corner of the garden can look vibrant and eye-catching. One such flower that can do wonders in your garden is the hollyhock, which is famous for its tall spikes of flowers that look cheerful and vibrant. Hollyhocks can add a regal look to your garden with very little effort, whether you have a huge backyard or a small corner of the garden. This flowering plant can surely make your space look colourful and eye-catching, which will surely be appreciated by people in the neighbourhood.
Grow hollyhock flowers at home easily: A step-by-step process
Follow these simple steps:
- Sow the seeds directly into the soil during spring or early summer.
- Choose a sunny spot with good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
- Water them moderately, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
- Keep slightly alkaline conditions.
- Plants should be spaced in order to reduce the risk of diseases.
- A stick should also be placed among the plants in order to keep them upright, especially during windy conditions.
Research published on ResearchGate by the University of Minnesota Extension indicates that hollyhocks should be grown in
Tips to keep hollyhock flowers blooming bright
To have continuous blooms, there are a few simple care tips that can really make a big difference.
- For instance, one should deadhead, i.e., remove faded flowers.
- Hollyhocks may sometimes be affected by rust, a very common fungal disease. The Royal Horticultural Society suggests removing affected leaves and ensuring good air circulation for the plant to control rust effectively.
- One can feed the plant with a balanced fertiliser once a month.
With little care, these plants will reward you with long-lasting colour.
What makes Hollyhocks a perfect addition to your summer garden
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are tall plants that produce flowers that can reach a height of 6 to 8 feet. This makes them a great addition to a garden because they can be used to create height. The colours of the flowers are also attractive because they are available in a range of colours, including pink, yellow, red, and purple.According to the Royal Horticultural Society, hollyhocks can be grown in well-draining soil under full sun. This makes them a great addition to a garden in a warm environment. The RHS states that “hollyhocks are short-lived perennials or biennials that are easy to grow from seed.”Hollyhocks are a great addition to a garden because they can produce flowers during the summer when many plants are unable to produce flowers because of the heat.Why Hollyhocks add a royal touch to your gardenHollyhocks have been used for many years in traditional cottage-style gardens, which are appreciated for their stature and beauty. These tall flowers add depth and dimensionality to any small garden, making it look fuller and more planned out.According to botanical literature from Kew Gardens, hollyhocks not only add beauty to a garden but also help attract pollinators like bees. This makes them not only aesthetically pleasing but also good for the environment.Having hollyhocks instantly gives your garden a touch of sophistication and class, making it look structured and almost like a palace.Hollyhocks are a prime example of the fact that you do not need to break the bank on landscaping to have a stunning outdoor area. With very little maintenance, they provide height, colour, and charm during the summer.With the right placement and a few simple steps, you can transform a quiet garden into a vibrant, colourful haven. And before you know it, you might be the talk of the town, with people asking you for the secret to your blooming summer wonderland!
Sadhguru Quote: Quote of the day by Sadhguru: “Do not waste your time and Life on things that do not matter…” | – The Times of India
Sadhguru, whose real name is Jaggi Vasudev, is believed to be among the most powerful spiritual masters we have today. He is known for his clarity of thinking and his practical approach to life. He has touched the lives of millions of people through his lectures and writings, as well as through his Isha Foundation and similar initiatives. He has been successful in bridging the divide between yogic values and modern living without compromising our responsibilities in life.What sets Sadhguru apart from others is that he is able to simplify complex truths and present them in a practical manner. Sadhguru does not advise us to live in isolation from life. Instead, he advises us to live in life and become a part of it. His words inspire us to think deeply about how we spend our time, energy, and attention on this planet.
The quote, “Do not waste your time and Life on things that do not matter. What truly matters to you, commit to it one hundred percent – today, not tomorrow,” is widely attributed to Sadhguru and reflects the essence of his teachings.
What this quote conveys
Essentially what this quote is trying to convey is that, at our core, there is a need for discernment. This is particularly important in today’s hectic world, where people have a tendency to become sidetracked by distractions, social media, petty concerns, and what society expects of them, as opposed to what is truly important. This quote by Sadhguru is encouraging people to take a step back and reflect on what is truly important to them. Once one is able to discern what is important, then there is a need for commitment. This is where one is not just able to recognize what is important, but is able to put time, energy, and dedication into what is important.The second part of the quote is “today, not tomorrow.” This is important as procrastination is one of the biggest challenges one will ever have. There is a tendency for people to put off what is truly important to them, such as pursuing one’s passion, one’s relationships, and one’s goals, as there is always tomorrow.Furthermore, the concept of “one hundred percent” is a measure of quality. How can one achieve fulfillment or success if one is only half-hearted about it? Whether it is a career, a love life, or self-enlightenment, one must give one hundred percent of one’s attention and dedication to it in order to feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Sadhguru’s teaching is not only about productivity, but it is also about being fully alive and fully present in all that one does.In conclusion, the quote is a powerful call to wake up and assess the manner in which one is living one’s life. It is a call for clarity and decisiveness in all that one does. By being fully focused only on the things that matter and acting on them immediately, one can live a life that is not only successful but is also filled with a sense of fulfillment. Sadhguru’s teaching is simple and powerful: one should not waste their precious life on things that do not matter, one should make the right choices, and should do it now.
How paint-and-sip events became the worst thing to happen to our social lives
Women of the UK, brace yourselves. As springtime approaches, we are hurtling into one of the most financially and emotionally draining portions of the year: hen-do season. It’s a time to live, laugh and love. A time to resign yourself to wearing a comedy sash. And a time to sit in the basement of an underwhelming bar and attempt to drunkenly paint a masterpiece while a disgruntled, mic-ed up art student shouts step-by-step instructions into your headset.
If you’ve attended any sort of hen event over the past few years, you will be all too familiar with the concept of “paint and sip”, which has somehow become a ubiquitous and vaguely gendered way to socialise in the years since the pandemic. As a trend, it pre-dates 2020, but I’m convinced that the boom in paint-by-numbers kits during lockdown has a lot to answer for in terms of priming us for the peak paint-and-sip era in which we now find ourselves.
The idea is simple. You’re presented with a blank canvas, a palette and some splodges of acrylic, then guided through the process of recreating a painting that’s been slapped all over the event’s marketing material, all while knocking back a few wines.
The pictures are designed to be easy enough to be accessible but just about zeitgeisty enough to look good on social media. Scroll through the listings and you will see Aperol-spritz-themed inspiration images, along with Matisse-style abstract flowers, and wine bottles depicted in the style of your favourite Instagram artist. Mamma Mia!-inspired images seem to be particularly popular, too, in a canny bit of cross-pollination (girls, and I say this from the bottom of my heart, just wanna think about ABBA at all times).
It’s not just bars that are offering them. Cafés and restaurants host them as well, with Galentine’s Day (the celebration of female friendship that is now celebrated the day before Valentine’s) and Mother’s Day acting as a sort of early warm-up for hen-do season.
They’ve become such a fixture for hens, I reckon, because it’s a little bit edgier than pottery painting, another inescapable crafty trend seemingly precision-engineered to appeal to large groups of women and to fill our shelves with tat, but not as “out there” as life drawing (although you’ll be glad to hear some companies do offer vaguely “sexy” prompt images). They are a crowdpleaser, in the sense that they are so inoffensive that even the fussiest maid of honour would struggle to come up with a reason to properly veto them.
As a particularly ominous addendum, many events include a warning that you must take your finished picture home once the session has finished. It’s the sort of admonition that clearly stems from experience (probably of a rowdy gang of penis-straw-waving huns forgetting to pick up their paintings before being frogmarched to the next stop on the itinerary by a particularly terrifying bridesmaid). If a disclaimer imploring you not to cast aside your artwork moments after completion isn’t a winning endorsement, then I don’t know what is.
They aren’t exclusive to pre-wedding celebrations, though. I’ve seen adverts for networking paint-and-sips for arty girlbosses. Paint-and-sips prefixed by a pilates class, where the drinking is very much of the iced matcha variety. Mother-and-baby fingerpaint-and-sips. The possible contexts in which you can paint and sip are seemingly endless – if you’re prepared to hand over the requisite cash. And painting and sipping doesn’t come cheap.
In Liverpool, the city where I’m based – which also happens to be one of this nation’s hen-do capitals – the cost of the average paint-and-sip shindig tends to hover around the £40 mark. Meanwhile, in London, the capital city premium means that handing over £50 for two hours of sub-par sploshing around with acrylics isn’t uncommon.
These prices, I should add, don’t tend to actually include the drinks you’ll be sipping on, so that’s an additional expense – one that also allows you to experience the chastening sensation of queueing up for a gin and tonic in some anonymous chain bar while wearing a branded apron. Unless, of course, you’ve opted for a slightly pricier bottomless-brunch-style package, promising unlimited prosecco in an unholy fusion of two hen-friendly activities.
Perhaps the free-flowing fizz stimulates creative sensibilities. Perhaps it makes you exponentially more likely to accidentally dip your paint brush into your drink, and dye it some radioactive shade of pink.
The pictures are designed to be easy enough to be accessible but just about zeitgeisty enough to look good on social media
What’s arguably more alarming is the way that paint and sip seems to have made ingress into the dating landscape. Thanks to the nefarious and all-pervasive influence of Organised Fun, sitting down for a drink has been deemed, in some quarters at least, to be too stilted a way to get to know someone. Instead, we should all be throwing axes, playing adventure golf, completing puzzles in escape rooms or, in this case, showing off our artistic skills by copying a printout of a Santorini-esque blue dome swaddled in bougainvillea.
Is paint and sip a dating red flag? I couldn’t possibly say, though I will put forward the tentative theory that it tends to be suggested by the sort of bloke who wants you to think he’s a sensitive, thoughtful type who listened really carefully to your comments about wanting to get off your phone and be more creative… but then planned your date using some lowest-common-denominator suggestions from ChatGPT.
Then there’s the question of what you do with your masterpiece once you’re done. Toting a damp painting around a city centre on a Saturday night isn’t massively conducive to romance (oh, I would try to hold your hand, but alas, it’s gripped around the edges of an A4 canvas!).
And what about when you’re done done, and you’re left with a naff piece of “art” that only brings back memories of an equally naff relationship? In the process of writing this, I was reminded of one such unloved dating relic that’s still lurking face-down underneath a cupboard, where it continues to fester, exuding bad vibes, like the portrait of Dorian Gray for the Hinge era.
But whether or not your finished picture reminds you of failed forays into dating apps, once the booze-induced buzz wears off, the chances are high that you’ll be left with a poorly executed picture of, say, a croissant – and one that you have precisely zero desire to display on your walls for public consumption.
It’s the visual equivalent of a hangover that never leaves – and who wants that? So if you’ve been conscripted for bridesmaid duty this summer, spare a thought for your cynical and creatively challenged hens. Just book the bottomless brunch instead, no aprons required.
Who are the Gulf’s military allies, and how are they helping in Iran war?
Gulf countries are coming increasingly under attack from Iranian strikes as the United States-Israeli war on Iran continues to escalate.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple waves of Iranian drones and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery had been targeted by several early-morning drone attacks, leading to some units being shut down.
Gulf countries have repeatedly insisted that their defences are sufficient to repel these Iranian strikes. However, they also have military partnerships and agreements in place with other countries which could potentially provide more assistance as tensions escalate.
In this explainer, we look at what these partnerships are, how they are helping the Gulf and whether they could do more.
What military partnerships do the Gulf countries have?
The Gulf countries have a handful of military partnerships of different kinds.
Qatar
Qatar is home to the largest military base hosting US assets and troops in the region – Al Udeid.
The 24-hectare (60-acre) base, located in the desert outside the capital Doha, was established in 1996 and is the forward headquarters for US Central Command, which directs US military operations in a huge swath of regional territory stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east.
It houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the US Air Force, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, as well as other foreign forces.
Qatar is the second largest Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner to the US after Saudi Arabia. FMS is the official, government‑run channel the US uses to sell weapons, equipment and services to other governments.
In January, the US State Department said that “recent and significant” sales to Qatar included the Patriot long-range missile system, the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System, early warning systems, radars and attack helicopters.
On September 9, 2025, Israel struck a residential area of Qatar’s capital, Doha, targeting senior leaders of Hamas including negotiators for a ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
On September 29, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order reaffirming support for Qatar, saying: “The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.”
On Wednesday, Israel struck Iran’s critical South Pars gasfield. Soon after, Iran retaliated, hitting a major gas facility at Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant.
In response, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post guaranteeing that Israel would not attack the South Pars field again unless Iran again “unwisely” attacked Qatar.
Trump added that, if it did, the US “with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before”.
There is also a Turkish military base in Qatar as the two countries collaborate via defence cooperation agreements and joint training.
In recent years, Qatar has also strengthened ties with the United Kingdom through joint training and exercises and with France from which it buys weapons.
Earlier this month, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would send four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar to help with defence.
Despite initially stating that the UK would not permit the US to use UK bases for strikes on Iran, Starmer partially relented on March 1 when he granted a US request to use UK bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian capabilities.
Nevertheless, Starmer has stated that the UK will not send its own assets or troops or otherwise become involved in the ongoing war.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia hosts US military assets and personnel at the Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), located near Al Kharj, southeast of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia is also the largest Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner of the US.
There is no formal mutual‑defence treaty between the US and Saudi Arabia, similar to NATO’s Article 5. Instead, there are defence cooperation agreements between Riyadh and Washington.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have had a decades-long security partnership. This was strengthened in September 2025, when the two countries signed a formal mutual defence pact.
The extent to which Pakistan, which shares a 900km (559-mile) border with Iran in its southwest, can and will intervene is unclear, however.
On March 3, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference he had personally reminded Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Pakistan’s defence obligations to Saudi Arabia.
“We have a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, and the whole world knows about it,” Dar said. “I told the Iranian leadership to take care of our pact with Saudi Arabia.”
An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 Pakistani troops are stationed in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE also hosts US assets and personnel at its Al-Dhafra airbase, including advanced aircraft such as F-22 Raptor stealth fighters and various surveillance planes, drones and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).
On Thursday, the US announced an $8.4bn arms deal with the UAE, for the Gulf nation to buy drones, missiles, radar systems and F-16 aircraft.
Recently, the UAE has bolstered its military partnership with India. In January this year, the president of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited India.
During this meeting, India and the UAE reaffirmed the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Established in 2017, this is a bilateral agreement focused on defence cooperation, energy security and technology exchange.
The UAE and India do not have a mutual defence-style agreement in place, however.
Oman
The US has long-term access agreements for key air and naval facilities in Oman, notably the Port of Duqm and Port of Salalah, both of which have been subject to Iranian strikes over the past three weeks.
The UK and Oman also have a defence cooperation agreement and conduct regular joint exercises.
Pakistan and Oman also have military ties where they hold regular joint naval exercises.
However, there are no mutual defence commitments in place.
Bahrain
The US operates the Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Bahrain. Home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, the base provides security to ships, aircraft, detachments and remote sites in the region.
Bahrain and the UK also have a comprehensive security pact. Earlier this month, Starmer held talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and confirmed that the UK would send aircraft to bolster Bahrain’s security.
Kuwait
Kuwait hosts Camp Arifjan, a major US Army installation that functions as the main logistics, supply and command hub for US military operations across the Middle East, especially within the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
On Thursday, the US announced an $8bn arms deal with Kuwait – for air and missile defence radar systems.
In 2023, Kuwait signed an agreement on military cooperation with Pakistan, focusing on joint training and military exercises.
These are not mutual defence agreements, however.
What could these partners be doing to better assist Gulf countries?
Experts say military allies of Gulf nations could provide naval escorts to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies are shipped through this route in peacetime from Gulf producers.
On March 2, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that the Strait of Hormuz – through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas is transported – was “closed”. This has contributed to the recent surge in oil prices, which have surpassed $100 a barrel, compared with the pre-war Brent crude price of about $65.
In recent days, countries have been individually scrambling to negotiate safe passage for ships with Iran. A handful of mainly Indian, Pakistani and Chinese-flagged ships have been able to get through as a result.
“Pakistan and India are working with Iran to ensure of safe passage of tankers for their markets,” David Roberts, a senior academic in international security and Middle East studies at Kings College London, told Al Jazeera.
Roberts said that theoretically, the countries could also offer a naval escort for their tankers and other tankers.
“As neutrals, this might be a plausible gambit, but would need the acquiescence of Iran. Support establishing a shipping channel from the monarchies to China, Pakistan, India is plausible with concerted pressure from the three states, but Iran will be reluctant to give up that pressure point.”
Roberts said that European countries on the other hand, are “stretched thinly” when it comes to offering any such military support in the Strait of Hormuz.
He suggested the UK could send “another plane or two” to Qatar to join their joint Typhoon squadron. However, he added that it is difficult to make predictions about what support is likely to be forthcoming.
“Gulf states clearly need support. But it’s not clear what can be offered by anyone,” Roberts said.
He added they likely need more munitions for missile defence but stocks are tight everywhere.