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In a disturbing incident, ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish community charity in north London's Golders Green neighbourhood, were set ablaze overnight. British police are treating the act as an anti-Semitic hate crime.The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a fire early on Monday morning. Fortunately, no one was injured in the attack, which damaged four ambulances and shattered the windows of nearby homes.The London Fire Brigade reported that multiple gas cylinders on the vehicles exploded, causing windows to break in an adjacent apartment block. As a precautionary measure, nearby homes were evacuated.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident, stating it was 'deeply shocking' and that 'antisemitism has no place in our society.'Police are investigating the cause of the fire and are looking for three suspects, although no arrests have been made. The incident has sparked concern within the community, with Police Superintendent Sarah Jackson assuring that officers remain on the scene to carry out urgent enquiries.This recent attack follows a similar incident in October 2025 where an attacker drove into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue, resulting in fatalities.

US President Donald Trump has taken to social media to mock UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, sharing a Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit that depicts Starmer panicking at the prospect of a call with Trump. The skit, which aired on the premiere of the new British version of SNL, shows Starmer, played by George Fouracres, trying to avoid a call with Trump.The video was shared on the same evening that Trump and Starmer spoke about the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the US-Israel war on Iran. During their call, the two leaders focused on the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Iran since the US and Israel launched strikes on February 28.The closure of the strait has sent oil prices soaring, creating the biggest energy crisis since the 1970s. Trump has repeatedly criticized Starmer for not doing enough to support the US efforts to break the blockade, accusing him of being a 'coward' and saying he is 'disappointed' in him.Starmer has asserted that any attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz needs careful consideration and a viable plan, and that his number one priority is to protect British interests and de-escalate tensions. The UK government has given authorization for the US to use its military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 24th day, bringing the region to a precarious juncture. As US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches its expiration at 23:44 GMT on Monday, Tehran has issued stern warnings regarding the potential targeting of its electricity grid. In response, Iran has vowed to strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbors, raising fears of a broader regional energy crisis.The conflict is already having tangible repercussions on the global economy. Financial markets are reacting sharply to the escalating tensions, with stocks in China and Hong Kong on track for their worst performance in nearly a year. The uncertainty has fueled stagflation fears, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to convene an emergency meeting to address the mounting economic fallout.In Iran, the situation remains volatile. The Israeli military has conducted a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran, resulting in powerful explosions reported in the central, southern, and eastern parts of the capital. Verified footage shows massive columns of fire and smoke rising over Karaj following an air attack. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has retaliated by threatening attacks on power plants in Israel and those supplying electricity to US bases, while also targeting a turbine engine production site in Qom used for drone components.The conflict has also spilled over into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that two ballistic missiles were launched toward Riyadh, with one intercepted and the other falling in an uninhabited area. The UAE reported debris injuries in the al-Shawamekh area, while Bahrain confirmed attacks on the US Fifth Fleet. In Qatar, seven people were killed in a helicopter crash, and Kuwait has formally protested airspace violations to the International Civil Aviation Organization.The human toll continues to rise. In Israel, alerts were triggered across Jerusalem and central Israel following explosions, with the casualty toll from attacks on Dimona and Arad climbing to at least 180 injured. In Lebanon, authorities report that at least 1,029 people have been killed since March 2, with over 100 of the victims being children. In Iraq, at least 60 people have been killed, primarily among pro-Iran Popular Mobilisation Forces.

Cambodia's limestone caves have long been a mystery, hiding secrets beneath their rugged exteriors. Recently, a team of explorers ventured into these karst formations and uncovered new species that have shed light on the country's rich biodiversity. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems, which are home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Cambodia's limestone caves are a prime example of the karst ecosystem, a type of landscape formed from soluble rocks like limestone. The new species found in these caves are a testament to the region's incredible natural heritage. As researchers continue to explore and study these ecosystems, they are gaining a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between species and their environments.

The Albanese government is likely to introduce an extra levy on gas producers' high profits in response to the Iran crisis driving up energy costs for Australians. The prime minister's department has requested Treasury modelling of additional levies on gas companies, stating that energy producers 'should not benefit from high international prices at the expense of domestic customers'.Australia's gas industry is reaping extraordinary profits while households and businesses struggle with high fuel prices. This has sparked calls for a fair share levy to ensure gas companies pay their fair share of tax. The levy, based on Norway's taxation model, would see Australia share around 50% of profits, much more in line with world standards.Currently, Australia shares only 27% of fossil fuel profits, with some estimates as low as 18% when profit is defined in cashflow terms. In contrast, other major fossil fuel exporting countries typically share between 75% and 90% of profits.The fair share levy would provide significant and immediate cost-of-living relief if some of the revenue raised was returned to households. Research shows 87% of voters support a fair share levy, with only 3% disagreeing.Despite potential outrage from the gas industry, the levy is designed to not increase gas prices or deter investment, as seen in Norway's successful implementation. A stable, long-term commitment to the fair share levy would provide investment certainty.

The US and Iran have been engaged in secretive backchannel talks, mediated by countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman, in an effort to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the region. The talks, which were denied by Iran initially, may lead to a resolution, but the path forward remains uncertain.According to reports, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have been in communication, with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry tweeting that conversations were underway on Sunday, 24 hours before Donald Trump's deadline to start attacking Iran's energy infrastructure.The talks have been chaotic, with multiple mediators jostling for the title of peacemaker in chief. Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, spoke with Trump on Sunday, while Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday.Iran's Foreign Ministry initially denied any talks had taken place, saying: “There is no negotiation whatsoever between Tehran and Washington.” However, the ministry later opened up, with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying that messages had been exchanged through friendly countries, indicating America's request for negotiations to end the war.The talks may yield a complete and total resolution in the war, according to Trump, who announced that he was holding off from attacking Iran's energy infrastructure due to the “very good and productive conversations” that had been held with Iran.A 15-point deal has been proposed, including joint control of the strait of Hormuz, no nuclear bombs, and no enrichment of uranium. However, Iran's willingness to agree to abandon its right to enrich uranium remains a major sticking point.If talks fail, Trump warned: “We'll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that the government is considering providing support for household bills next winter, as the energy price shock triggered by the Iran conflict shows no signs of abating. Speaking to the Commons liaison committee, Starmer emphasized the need to examine 'every lever that's available' to help households cope with the cost of living impact. The government is reportedly discussing contingency plans at an emergency Cobra meeting, which will be attended by the governor of the Bank of England. Starmer suggested that any support would likely be targeted at the poorest households, rather than a universal bailout, which he acknowledged would be expensive. Ministers are also exploring means-testing support when the next energy price cap comes to an end in June, as well as in the autumn when energy consumption and bills are higher. 'We're looking at in the first instance what happens when the current price cap ends, which is the end of June,' Starmer said. The prime minister warned that despite US President Donald Trump's decision to postpone airstrikes on Iran's power plants, the energy crisis could continue for months to come. 'All of our focus and energy has to be in the swift de-escalation, but we've got to plan on the basis that it could go on for some time,' he said. In addition to support for household bills, the government is considering giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) 'further teeth' to prevent companies from exploiting the crisis through price gouging or profiteering.

Alan Ritchson, the star of the hit Amazon Prime Video series Reacher, has been accused of assaulting his neighbor in a suburban neighborhood in Tennessee. A video obtained by TMZ appears to show Ritchson striking the man, identified as Ronnie Taylor, multiple times while his children watch.The alleged incident began on Saturday when Ritchson was reportedly riding his motorbike through the neighborhood at high speeds, revving the engine. Taylor claimed he responded with an obscene gesture, which Ritchson allegedly returned. On Sunday, Ritchson returned to the neighborhood with his two children on their own motorbikes. Taylor said he asked Ritchson to stop, and the situation escalated into a physical altercation.Taylor alleged that Ritchson struck him at least four times, resulting in visible bruising and swelling on his face, as shown in photos obtained by TMZ. However, other sources cited by TMZ countered that Taylor approached Ritchson in an aggressive manner and attempted to interfere with his motorbike, causing the actor to fall and sustain minor injuries.Ritchson is widely recognized for portraying Jack Reacher, a fictional former US army military police officer, in the Amazon Prime Video series. The character is known for his extensive combat experience and intense fights. The show, based on author Lee Child's bestselling crime novels, has been praised for Ritchson's physical performance and closer resemblance to the protagonist's original depiction.The Guardian has contacted Ritchson's representatives for comment.

The West's relentless pursuit of oil has been a driving force behind its involvement in the Middle East for over a century. This greed for oil has led to numerous conflicts, coups, and interventions, shaping the region's politics and economies.The 1953 coup against Iran's democratically elected government, led by Mohammad Mossadegh, is a prime example. The UK and US orchestrated the coup to prevent Iran from nationalizing its oil industry, which was controlled by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP). This event set the stage for decades of repression under the shah's dictatorship and ultimately contributed to the 1979 revolution, which was hijacked by the ayatollahs.The article argues that capitalism and 'free markets' are often misconstrued. The pursuit of profit has led to the plunder of resources, exploitation of labor, and intimidation of communities. The fossil fuel industry, in particular, has extended and empowered capitalist systems, often at the expense of human lives and the environment.The world's military power exists largely to ensure the flow of oil and other resources to banks, shareholders, and commodity traders. This has led to a concentration of power in the hands of a few, undermining democracy and fueling autocratic regimes.To address these issues, the article calls for a reduction in oil dependency and a transition to greener, cleaner energy sources. This would help to defuel dictatorships, war machines, and climate breakdown. The author argues that an emergency program to phase out fossil fuels is necessary, with the same urgency and mobilization as wartime efforts.