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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued new guidelines urging bird enthusiasts to take down their bird feeders during the summer months to help prevent the spread of avian diseases. This move aims to protect bird species such as the greenfinch, whose numbers have drastically declined due to the outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasitic disease.According to the RSPB, garden birds should not be fed seeds and nuts between May and October, as this can lead to the clustering of birds around feeders, facilitating the transmission of diseases. Instead, bird lovers are advised to offer small amounts of protein-rich food sources like mealworms, fat balls, or suet, which tend to attract fewer birds and are beneficial for their health.The greenfinch population has plummeted by 67% since 1979, with an estimated 6 million birds dying from trichomonosis in recent years. The RSPB's guidance also includes recommendations for bird-friendly garden planting, such as sunflowers, teasels, and ivy, which provide natural sources of food and encourage insects that are crucial for many garden birds.The RSPB emphasizes that feeding birds can still be beneficial if done safely and seasonally. During the winter months, seeds and peanuts can be offered, but bird tables and flat-surfaced feeders should be avoided, as they can collect contaminated food. Regular cleaning and maintenance of feeders and water sources are also crucial in preventing the spread of diseases.The Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 results show that the house sparrow remains the most-seen bird, followed by the blue tit and starling. The greenfinch, however, has seen a significant decline in its population and now ranks 18th in the survey.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has urged NATO allies to stand united in defending international law, following US President Donald Trump's recent comments about the Arctic island. Trump's remarks described Greenland as a 'big, poor, poorly run, piece of ice.'Nielsen firmly rejected this characterization, stating, 'We are not some piece of ice. We are a proud population of 57,000 people, working every single day as good global citizens in full respect for all our allies.'The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining the post-war geopolitical order, including NATO's defence alliance and globally respected international law. 'Those things are being challenged now, and I think all allies should stand together to try to maintain them. I hope that will happen,' he said.NATO allies had been scrambling earlier this year to keep the alliance together after Trump revived his push to seize Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member. The White House in January said Trump was weighing the use of military force in Greenland, prompting Germany, France, and other European nations to send troops to the island in a show of solidarity and deterrence.Trump later backed down after talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, stating that 'the framework of a future deal' had been formed and moving the Greenland dispute to a diplomatic track. Diplomatic talks between Greenland, Denmark, and the US are ongoing, with more meetings scheduled.Despite the talks, Nielsen made it clear he did not believe Trump had abandoned his ambitions regarding the island: 'I cannot see that his desire to either take over or control Greenland has been taken off the table,' he said.

Millions of Indians have cast their votes in local elections in two states and a federally-governed territory, marking a crucial test of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The elections, held in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, are part of five key contests scheduled this month. Voting was held on Thursday, with results due on May 4. Prime Minister Modi appealed to people to exercise their franchise in large numbers, stating, “I hope that the state’s youth and women voters participate enthusiastically and make this election a celebration of democracy and public duty.” In Assam, a BJP-led alliance has ruled the northeastern state for two successive terms and is expected to retain power. However, the BJP did not field any Muslim candidate in Assam, where the community constitutes more than 34 percent of the state’s population. In Kerala, parties opposed to the BJP are set to win, as power traditionally alternates between alliances led by the Indian National Congress and the communist parties. Modi’s party has struggled to gain ground in the state but has invested heavily to expand its presence. The elections are also crucial for opposition parties seeking to build a sustained challenge to the BJP’s dominance across the country. The outcome could show whether Modi’s party can extend its dominance by making inroads into opposition strongholds.

The conflict that erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces has driven the country’s humanitarian situation to catastrophic levels, according to the international non‑governmental organisation Humanity & Inclusion.Three years on, the NGO warns that civilians are enduring a deepening crisis, while people with disabilities are confronting extreme challenges as violence continues, essential services crumble, and unexploded ordnance spreads across former battle zones.Humanity & Inclusion estimates that 11.6 million Sudanese have been displaced by the fighting, and that **more than 33 million people now require humanitarian assistance**—roughly half the nation’s population. By the end of January 2026, over **3 million displaced individuals had begun returning home**, including **700,000 who had fled abroad**. Most of these returns have been to states where hostilities have eased, such as Khartoum, the Blue Nile and Gezira regions.The organisation highlights that **4.6 million Sudanese—about 16 % of the total population—live with disabilities**. In conflict‑affected areas this proportion is likely higher due to war‑related injuries, trauma, and deteriorating health conditions. The NGO stresses that disabled persons “face extreme challenges in fleeing violence, accessing aid, and protecting themselves from harm,” and are often among “the first to be left behind,” exposing them to heightened risks of violence, abuse, discrimination and exclusion.Adding to the peril, Humanity & Inclusion points to the lingering presence of **explosive remnants of war**, describing them as a “new and deadly danger” for millions returning to their homes. Unexploded ordnance—including antipersonnel mines—has contaminated former front lines, residential areas, schools, hospitals, places of worship and roadways, severely restricting access to essential services and livelihoods.These findings underscore the urgent need for intensified humanitarian response, targeted protection measures for people with disabilities, and comprehensive clearance of explosive hazards to prevent further civilian casualties and enable the safe return of displaced populations.

Israeli settlers have made a record number of attempts to smuggle animal sacrifices into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Jewish Passover festival. A total of seven incidents were documented, the highest number since the Israeli occupation began in 1967.The attempts took place while the 144-dunum (36-acre) compound, along with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was sealed off for 40 consecutive days due to security concerns linked to the US-Israel war on Iran. Despite the restrictions, settlers successfully reached the borders of the Old City with their sacrifices on at least two occasions before being stopped.Experts argue that the incidents are part of a long-term strategy by far-right 'Temple Mount groups' to encroach on Al-Aqsa, with the aim of taking it over. The groups view the sacrificial rituals as highly symbolic, signifying a transition from waiting to actual field action.The Palestinian Authority has warned that the push for animal sacrifices represents the 'peak of weaponising religious rituals as a colonial tool' to Judaise the mosque. Suhail Khalilieh, a political analyst and expert on Jerusalem affairs, described the Israeli police's detention of settlers as a 'theatrical play' designed to absorb local and international anger while allowing gradual changes on the ground.The use of artificial intelligence-generated images has also been employed by settler groups to rally support and normalise the practice of animal sacrifices within Israeli society. Khalilieh warned that this poses a 'real strategic threat', as it shifts the idea from being a limited, fringe concept to a full popular demand.

Djibouti, a one‑million‑strong nation perched on the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, is set to hold its presidential election on April 10. All signs point to incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh securing a sixth term with little genuine opposition. The country’s strategic location—linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden—makes it a linchpin for global trade and a magnet for foreign military installations. The United States, France, China, Italy and Japan all maintain bases there, earning Djibouti the reputation of hosting the highest concentration of overseas military sites. Officially, Djibouti recognizes French and Arabic, while Somali and Afar are widely spoken among the two main ethnic groups, which together comprise roughly 95% of the population. Islam is practiced by about 94% of residents, and the Djiboutian franc remains the national currency. According to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, 243,471 citizens—about a quarter of the population—are registered to vote, up from roughly 215,000 in the 2021 poll. Historical turnout averages around 67%. IGAD’s eight‑nation bloc has dispatched 17 observers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda to monitor the process, with a post‑vote statement slated for April 12. Ismail Omar Guelleh, 78, leads the ruling People’s Rally for Progress. After parliament lifted the 75‑year age ceiling in November and abolished term limits back in 2010, Guelleh is now eligible for another term. Critics label his rule as authoritarian, yet they also acknowledge the relative stability he has maintained in a volatile region. Guelleh’s administration has turned Djibouti’s lack of natural resources into a revenue engine by signing infrastructure deals with China and leasing military facilities to Western powers. In 2017, Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh estimated that the bases generate roughly $125 million annually, with the United States contributing nearly half of that sum. The U.S. installation, Camp Lemonnier, remains the only permanent American base on the continent. The sole challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, runs under the Unified Democratic Centre after breaking away from the ruling party. His campaign slogan—“another Djibouti is possible”—has resonated only modestly, and observers such as Horn‑of‑Africa expert Sonia le Gouriellec describe the contest as a “token competition”. Human‑rights advocates echo this sentiment, calling the election a “masquerade” and a foregone conclusion. Key issues dominate the discourse. Democratic freedoms have eroded; opposition parties have boycotted elections since 2016, and Guelleh captured over 90% of the vote in 2021. The country ranks 168th out of 180 in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders press‑freedom index, and allegations of corruption and nepotism persist, including speculation that Guelleh’s stepson, Naguib Abdallah Kamil, is being groomed for succession. Economically, Djibouti’s reliance on Chinese financing is creating fiscal strain. By 2026 the nation owed China roughly $1.2 billion in loans, prompting the IMF to label its debt profile “in distress and unsustainable”. Massive infrastructure projects—most notably a railway to Ethiopia—have failed to curb poverty, with 73% of the youth unemployed. The country’s lifeline is its port system, which handles virtually all of Ethiopia’s maritime trade, amounting to about $2 billion in annual revenue. Ethiopia’s recent flirtation with a Somaliland port deal threatened Djibouti’s monopoly, though a Turkey‑mediated agreement in late 2024 redirected Ethiopia toward a “reliable and sustainable” sea corridor with Somalia. In sum, the upcoming election is less about a competitive political showdown and more about reaffirming a status quo that intertwines Djibouti’s geopolitical leverage, foreign‑military income, and mounting debt challenges.

Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in supplying illegal drugs to Matthew Perry, the actor from the popular TV show Friends. Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine' in 2023.In a court appearance, Sangha expressed regret for her actions, stating, 'I take full responsibility for my actions. These were horrible choices that ultimately proved tragic.'Sangha pleaded guilty to five felony drug counts linked to Perry's death, including distributing ketamine resulting in death. Her defence lawyers had requested a sentence limited to time already served, but District Judge Sherilyn Garnett handed down a harsher sentence, citing Sangha's continued sale of ketamine after Perry's death as a lack of remorse.Perry had struggled with substance abuse and prescription painkillers, sharing his experiences in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Federal officials reported that Perry became addicted to ketamine during infusions at a clinic, and when doctors declined to increase his dosage, he turned to alternative sources.Sangha, referred to as the 'Ketamine Queen', admitted to selling 51 vials of ketamine to a go-between, who then sold them to Perry through his personal assistant. Prosecutors stated that this led to Perry's death from ketamine overdose.

Israel's heaviest and deadliest air attacks on Lebanon in years have left the country reeling, with at least 254 people killed and over 1,160 injured. The strikes, which occurred in dozens of locations across Beirut, its suburbs, the south, and the eastern Bekaa Valley, have sparked fears of a rising toll as more victims are recovered from the rubble.The attacks came hours after a Pakistani-negotiated ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect, but Israel and the US argued that Lebanon was not included in the agreement. US President Donald Trump described Lebanon as a 'separate skirmish,' while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon.'Netanyahu's goal appears to be taking advantage of the fluid situation to maximize operational achievements in Lebanon, according to Dania Arayssi, a senior analyst at New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. 'He must take into account that a US-Iran deal might include ceasing the war on Iranian proxies, which would greatly complicate the Israeli war effort against Hezbollah in Lebanon.'The conflict escalated in early March when Israel intensified its war on Lebanon, following a salvo of rockets launched by Hezbollah. Since then, over 1,700 people have been killed and more than 1.2 million displaced. Hezbollah has claimed its right to respond to the attacks, affirming that it will resist occupation and respond to aggression.The airstrikes, which included over 100 attacks in fewer than 10 minutes, targeted Hezbollah headquarters and military targets, but many strikes were in densely populated residential areas. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and people were forced to flee their homes, with some attempting to return to their homes in the south amid confusion over Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire.'People are afraid,' said Najib Merhe, owner of a restaurant in the Manara neighborhood. 'This kind of situation no one can afford nor endure.'

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, finding ways to lower your grocery bill has become more important than ever. Retail workers are sharing their insider knowledge on how to save money at supermarkets, street markets, and charity shops.Be Savvy About Store DiscountsMany supermarkets offer yellow-stickered items that are reduced in price due to nearing their expiration dates. These discounts can be significant, with reductions of up to 75% off. Alasdair Baker, who runs The Penny Pincher, advises shopping for these items in the late afternoon or early evening when the biggest reductions are typically applied.View image in fullscreenTiming matters … you’ll find the biggest reductions on yellow-sticker items in the late afternoon and early evening. Be AppySome grocery stores use apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio to offer discounts or free food to avoid food waste – but it can be a gamble as to what you get.Use Common SenseIf you buy something reduced on the day it is expiring, that doesn’t mean you need to eat it that day. There is a difference between “best before” dates, which are about food quality and the more important “use by” dates, which are about food safety.Be Cautious About ‘Bogof’ Deals“There aren’t as many buy one, get one free [bogof] deals now, because of new rules that came into place last year,” says Baker. These restrict promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt.Avoid Big BrandsThe ends of supermarket aisles often feature big brands, says Baker. “They are not placed there randomly: the companies pay an awful lot of money. The idea is to try to coax people into buying those products more often.”Sign Up for a Store Card“It’s sad that we now have to essentially sell our data to the supermarkets in exchange for affordability – but such is life in 2026,” says Jenny Rogers. “If you have a store card, it is also worth getting the supermarket app, as a lot of stores will give you one or two personalised offers a week, or periodic free delivery for members.