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Two long-lost episodes of Doctor Who from the William Hartnell era, which had not been seen since 1965, have been released after being discovered in a private film collection. The episodes, 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Devil’s Planet', are parts one and three of a mostly lost 12-part adventure called The Daleks’ Master Plan, written by Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks, and broadcast as part of the third series of Doctor Who in November 1965.The episodes feature Peter Purves as the Doctor’s companion, Stephen. They were recovered by Film is Fabulous, a charitable trust dedicated to securing and preserving private film collections. The original 16mm telerecordings of the two Dalek episodes have been restored and made available on iPlayer in the UK.This discovery marks a significant milestone for fans, as it includes the first appearance of Nicholas Courtney in the show, playing Bret Vyon. Courtney later became a regular character, playing Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, known as the Brigadier of Unit. 95 episodes of Doctor Who from the 1960s remain missing from the archives, having been wiped or junked by the BBC during the 1970s.

Britain is confronting the most severe energy shock since the early 1970s, as exports of oil, gas and fertiliser from the Middle East have abruptly stopped. The government says a response plan exists, but details remain vague. It is unclear whether the UK is better prepared for the fallout from Donald Trump’s war with Iran than it was for the pandemic six years ago. Ministers are sending a "we have your back" message to the public while simultaneously signalling to financial markets that any assistance will be limited and targeted. Contingency planning is especially difficult when dealing with an unpredictable leader like Trump. Britain’s heavy reliance on imported energy and food means that reassurance can only hold for a short time. The economy entered the conflict already on shaky ground: unemployment rose steadily throughout 2025 and growth stalled to a virtual standstill in the final quarter of that year. The sudden loss of Middle‑East energy and fertiliser supplies now adds a colossal supply shock. Last year, Trump’s “liberation day” tariff hikes served as a dry run for a far more serious confrontation. This time, the war is taking place in a region that is both volatile and crucial to the global economy. In the past two weeks, the repercussions have been felt across Asia – the Philippines declared a state of emergency, Sri Lanka introduced a four‑day work week, and South Korea announced budget measures to help households cope with soaring energy bills. The continent is the most dependent on Gulf‑exported energy, making the impact there the sharpest. The International Monetary Fund warned that the shock will drive higher prices and slower growth worldwide. Shortages push fuel and food prices up, eroding disposable income, prompting businesses to cut staff, and increasing the risk of recession. The UK, already projected to be one of the poorest‑performing major economies in 2026, could see its fresh graduate cohort face a brutal job market. Trump’s claim that the war could end within two or three weeks appears desperate. Even a rapid cease‑fire would leave substantial collateral damage, creating a stagflation scenario that could hurt Republican prospects in the upcoming mid‑term elections. British officials hope a swift resolution will limit economic damage, allowing a short‑term inflation spike to subside and the Bank of England to resume interest‑rate cuts. Treasury plans include scrapping the planned autumn fuel‑duty rise and providing targeted help for the poorest households, though the path is unlikely to be that simple. Currently, the Treasury is hesitant to act boldly for fear of unsettling bond markets. History – the 2008 banking collapse and the 2020 pandemic – shows that governments can act decisively without triggering a market backlash, using tools such as aggressive rate cuts, increased borrowing, and quantitative easing. The Bank of England has warned of a "substantial negative supply shock" and is expected to soften markets for future rate cuts, which are inevitable. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves could mitigate labour‑market pain by reversing recent increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions, subsidising public transport, and even lowering speed limits to conserve energy. The war, like the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, underscores the fragility of global supply chains and the need for greater British self‑reliance. Investing heavily in renewable energy is essential, but the UK also imports roughly 40% of its food and has not run a manufacturing trade surplus since 1982. In a world of disrupted supply lines, a robust plan for economic self‑sufficiency is more urgent than ever. Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist.

Energy crises do more than lift household bills; they can reshape an entire economy. In the 1970s the United Kingdom responded to oil shortages by expanding North Sea extraction and becoming a net energy exporter. Today, with a 10 million‑barrel‑per‑day supply deficit and a fifth of global LNG trade under strain, that strategy no longer offers security.The UK is now acutely vulnerable to volatile gas prices. Inflation expectations are rising, markets anticipate higher interest rates, and borrowing costs have surged to levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. The ripple effect is already evident in food markets, where inflation hit 3.3 % in February and could climb sharply within three months.New data reveal that the hundreds of North Sea licences granted since 2010 have added merely 36 days of extra gas production. Major oil majors such as BP are re‑emphasising oil and gas to reassure investors, while Shell continues aggressive share‑buy‑backs. The reality is clear: fossil‑fuel giants cannot be the rescue plan.Gas should no longer set the price floor for electricity. As the grid leans more on wind and solar, gas must be treated as a backup resource, compensated with a fixed or regulated price rather than wholesale market volatility. Research from University College London and Common Wealth outlines a practical model for this approach.Beyond market reforms, households need a safety net. An essential energy guarantee—a capped, affordable band of consumption for every home—mirrors schemes adopted in Austria, the Netherlands and Poland after the 2022 crisis and would be more targeted than the current blanket price‑support guarantee.Similarly, a protected basket of staple foods, backed by long‑term procurement and direct support for domestic producers, could stabilise prices. France’s 2023 anti‑inflation shopping‑basket experiment offers a template, and the UK already supplies over 60 % of its own food, though it remains dependent on imports for fruits, vegetables, rice and fertilisers.The long‑term solution lies in renewable power. Record wind generation this year has already reduced gas‑fired output, while consumer interest in solar panels, batteries and heat pumps is soaring. A typical solar‑plus‑battery system can slash a household’s electricity bill to under £2 per month, and electric‑vehicle owners can save more than £1,000 annually on fuel costs.To unlock these savings, the government must back financing mechanisms such as zero‑interest loans, subscription‑style purchases for solar and heat‑pump kits, and leasing schemes for electric vehicles. On a larger scale, a dual‑interest‑rate policy—standard rates for the broader economy and preferential, low‑cost funding for clean‑energy projects—could mirror the green‑lending models already used by China’s central bank and the Bank of Japan.In short, the United Kingdom faces a decisive moment. The 1970s taught that energy shocks can remake a nation; the question now is whether the UK will seize this crisis to protect living standards and build a resilient, low‑carbon energy system for the decades ahead.

The latest documentary about Paul McCartney, 'McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass', tells the story of the 1961 Höfner bass guitar that McCartney bought for £30 in Hamburg and became an iconic part of the Beatles' image. The instrument went missing after the band split and was finally recovered in 2024 thanks to the efforts of Nick Wass, a Höfner employee, and Steve Glenister, an ambulance service worker.The film is an amiable tale with a happy ending, but it struggles to fully absorb the sadness and shame associated with the theft. The documentary reveals that the bass was stolen from the back of a Wings roadie van in Ladbroke Grove, London, in the early 1970s. McCartney only recently recalled the incident and revealed that he wasn't particularly bothered at the time, having owned a second Höfner bass.The investigation into the theft took several paths, including suspicion falling on the band Hawkwind and their roadie Michael 'DikMik' Davies. However, the true culprit was someone who stole the bass out of opportunity and later gave it to a pub landlord, leading it to end up in Hastings. McCartney reflects on the theft, saying that he and his friends might have done similar things in their youth.The documentary will be released in UK cinemas on April 2 and 4, and on BBC Two and iPlayer on April 11.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully thwarted a plot to assassinate prominent Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder of the activist group Within Our Lifetime. According to authorities, a suspect, Andrew Heifler, 26, was taken into custody for allegedly planning to throw Molotov cocktails at Kiswani's home in New York City.Kiswani, 31, was informed by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force on Thursday of a threat against her life. The arrest was the result of an undercover law enforcement operation. Heifler was reportedly part of an offshoot of the far-right Jewish Defense League (JDL), an extremist group known for violent attacks against Arab American activists during the 1970s and 1980s.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the incident, stating, 'We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy.' Heifler had planned to flee to Israel after carrying out the attack. Authorities recovered eight Molotov cocktails from his residence during a search.The incident highlights the increasing harassment and surveillance faced by Palestinian rights activists in the US, both from government authorities and far-right pro-Israel groups. Kiswani had previously reported receiving threats, stating that 'Zionist organizations like Betar and politicians like Randy Fine have encouraged violence against my family and me' for several months.This foiled plot is part of a broader pattern of heightened tensions and threats against Muslim and Palestinian communities in the US, with advocates noting an increase in hateful rhetoric from US lawmakers.

David Chase, the creative mind behind HBO's groundbreaking series The Sopranos, recently shared insights into how the show transformed both his life and television history. The 80-year-old creator revealed that his seminal work was born from personal pain, particularly stemming from his complex relationship with his mother.While in London promoting HBO Max's UK launch, Chase reflected on how The Sopranos elevated HBO from a little-known network focused on sports and standup comedy to a powerhouse of prestige television. Despite the show's monumental success, Chase remains characteristically modest, attributing much of the achievement to luck rather than his own genius."I'd been taking network notes and eating network shit for however many years, and I was done with it," Chase explained of his decision to create The Sopranos after years working on network television shows like The Rockford Files and Northern Exposure. The creative freedom offered by HBO proved transformative, with the network providing minimal notes throughout the series' run.Chase revealed that the show's central premise—a mob boss seeking therapy—was directly inspired by his own difficult family dynamics. "In 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war, my mother said to me, 'I'd rather see you dead than avoid the draft,'" he shared. "I had to create a whole TV series to get over it."The interview also touched on Chase's complex relationship with James Gandolfini, who portrayed Tony Soprano. While acknowledging their creative tensions, Chase defended Gandolfini's commitment to the role, emphasizing that the actor never refused to perform scenes despite his struggles with the character's darkness.When asked about his legacy nearly two decades after The Sopranos concluded, Chase offered a simple yet profound reflection after a long pause: "God is in the details."Looking ahead, Chase discussed his upcoming limited series about MKUltra, the CIA's experimental program that sought to weaponize LSD. The project will explore scientists Sidney Gottlieb and Jolly West, who became consumed by their research into psychedelic substances. "They all went crazy and it became like the big party drug of the 1970s," Chase noted of the scientists' descent.The creator also expressed disappointment about a previously announced project, "A Ribbon of Dreams," about early cinema, which was ultimately shelved after HBO insisted on filming in western Canada. "I thought, 'What are you talking about? I don't even want to go into this,'" Chase recalled of the network's decision.

Adele Bertei's memoir, 'No New York', provides an essential slice of New York's bohemian history, particularly its no wave music scene in the late 1970s. Bertei, a relative unknown, brings a fresh perspective to the era, unencumbered by cultural baggage.Bertei's journey begins with her arrival in Manhattan in 1977, a city struggling with a municipal debt crisis and frequent fires. However, this period also saw a creative explosion, with the avant-garde art scene thriving post-Warhol. Bertei immerses herself in the alternative scene, crossing paths with future counter-culture icons like Joey Ramone and Alan Vega.Her writing vividly captures the era's spirit, describing the no wave music scene as "Dada brutalism" and a "negation of every way that had come before". As a member of the Contortions, Bertei experiences firsthand the challenging nature of the music, which was an expression of a darker collective reality. She also highlights the barriers faced by women and queers in the music industry, where sexism and homophobia were prevalent.Bertei's memoir is not without its challenges, as the focus shifts post-no wave, and she becomes a witness to subsequent cultural moments rather than a central figure. Despite this, her vivid and visceral account remains essential reading for anyone interested in alternative music.No New York: A Memoir of No Wave and the Women Who Shaped the Scene by Adele Bertei is published by Faber (£20).

Dash Crofts, the renowned musician from the soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died at the age of 85. His passing was announced by the duo's producer, Louie Shelton, on social media. Crofts succumbed to complications following heart surgery, as confirmed by a family member. Crofts and his musical partner, Jim Seals, crafted some of the most iconic hits of the 1970s, including 'Summer Breeze' and 'Diamond Girl'. Their 1972 album 'Summer Breeze' reached the top 10 in the US and featured the hit single 'Hummingbird'. The duo's gentle musical style, characterized by breezy soft rock, became a staple of the decade. The duo faced controversy with their 1974 album 'Unborn Child', which reflected their Bahá’í faith. The title track sparked a backlash and was banned by some radio stations following the landmark Roe v Wade ruling. Despite this, their music continued to resonate with audiences, and they remain celebrated for their contributions to the soft rock genre. After the duo disbanded in 1980, Crofts pursued a quieter life in Nashville, focusing on country music. Yacht rock, the genre they helped define, has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, with a 2024 HBO documentary highlighting its importance. Crofts' legacy continues to inspire new generations of music lovers.

A second set of mountain gorilla twins has been born in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking what conservationists are calling an extraordinary event for these endangered primates.Just two months after twin mountain gorillas were discovered by rangers in the Virunga massif in eastern DRC, another rare twin birth has been found by park wardens. This time, an infant male and female have been spotted in the Baraka family, a troop of 19 mountain gorillas that roam the region's high-altitude rainforests.Park rangers have placed the young primates under additional monitoring to help them through the critical initial months, as the infants face significant challenges to becoming fully grown adults. Twins are extremely rare in mountain gorillas, accounting for less than 1% of births, and place extra demands on the mother.The gorilla subspecies, found in only two isolated pockets of the Virunga massif and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda, has high rates of infant mortality, with about a quarter falling victim to disease, trauma or infanticide.In January, Virunga National Park announced that a female mountain gorilla called Mafuko had given birth to twins. The infant males are now 11 weeks old and said to be thriving, with other gorillas in the troop taking extra care of the mother to support her caregiving, according to rangers. Park authorities believe that twin births are more likely when females are in particularly good physical condition.Jacques Katutu, the head of gorilla monitoring at Virunga, said: "Two instances of twin births within three months is an extraordinary event and provides another vital indicator that dedicated conservation efforts, which have continued despite the current instability in eastern Congo, continue to support the growth of the endangered mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park."Specialist veterinary care has played a leading role in the revival of the subspecies. In Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC, organizations such as the Gorilla Doctors have prevented dozens of deaths by helping animals affected by human behavior, such as by releasing gorillas accidentally caught in poachers' traps. One study attributes half of the mountain gorillas' population increase to the vets.Barely 250 mountain gorillas were left in the 1970s, and many thought the animals faced extinction. Decades of intense conservation work helped population numbers surpass 1,000 in 2018, and conservation authorities have since downgraded the subspecies' status from critically endangered to endangered.The DRC section of the Virunga mountain range remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for wildlife rangers. Over the past 20 years, more than 220 rangers have been killed in the park, where rebel groups such as M23 and other militias, as well as bandits, operate with impunity.