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Iran has strongly denied allegations of launching a missile attack on a joint US-UK military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the claim as an 'Israeli false flag' attack, accusing Israel of spreading disinformation. The denial comes after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance could not confirm Israel's claim that the projectiles used were Iranian intercontinental ballistic missiles. This development has raised questions about the credibility of Israel's allegations and the potential motives behind them. Iran's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, wrote on X that the accusations reflected a pattern of 'disinformation' and criticized NATO's support for the US and Israel. He emphasized that the world has grown tired of 'false flag' storylines, suggesting that such claims are becoming increasingly discredited. Earlier, US media outlets reported that missiles were launched between Thursday night and Friday morning but failed to hit the Diego Garcia base. If Iran were confirmed to be behind the attacks, it would imply that it possesses ballistic missiles with a range of over 4,000km, capable of reaching as far as London. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously stated that Iran had intentionally limited its missile range to below 2,000km to avoid being perceived as a threat by other countries. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned what she called 'reckless Iranian threats' but emphasized that London would not be drawn into a wider conflict in the Middle East. The UK-US military airbase on Diego Garcia is home to nearly 2,500 mostly American personnel and has supported various US military operations over the years. Israel's military chief, Eyal Zamir, claimed that Iran used a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000km to target the base. Israel has long considered Iran's missile and nuclear programs a threat and has lobbied the US for military intervention.

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.

UK MPs have called on the government to halt a contract with Palantir, a US-based spy-tech company, after it was revealed that the firm will gain access to a vast trove of highly sensitive UK financial regulation data. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the watchdog overseeing thousands of financial bodies, has hired Palantir to apply its AI systems to two years' worth of internal intelligence data to help tackle financial crime. However, the Liberal Democrats and Green party have raised concerns over Palantir's ties to Donald Trump and the potential risks to national and economic security. The Liberal Democrats have called for a government investigation into the contract, citing concerns that it could be "a huge error of judgment". Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, a billionaire supporter of Trump, has built up over £500m in contracts in the UK, including with the NHS, police, and Ministry of Defence. The company supports the US and Israeli militaries and the ICE immigration crackdown. Insiders at the FCA have questioned whether there are sufficient safeguards in place to prevent the data from being exploited. There are concerns about the potential for data about sensitive FCA investigations into high-profile figures to be accessed during Palantir's work. The FCA has insisted that Palantir will be a "data processor", not a "data controller", meaning it can only act on instruction from the regulator. The FCA will retain exclusive control over the encryption keys for the most sensitive files, and the data will be hosted and stored solely in the UK. Despite these assurances, MPs have expressed concerns over the risks associated with the contract. Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats' Treasury spokesperson, called for an investigation into the FCA's Palantir contract, citing concerns over Palantir's ties to Trump. The Green party MP Siân Berry has called for the government to "step in immediately and protect our national and economic security by blocking this contract award". Palantir has denied claims that it may "use customer data for our own purposes", stating that this is "something that we have no business interest in, and that we are legally and contractually prevented from doing".

The Orange Tree theatre in London is currently hosting a captivating production of Nicholas Wright's 2002 play, Vincent in Brixton. This poignant piece imagines a lesser-known chapter in the life of Vincent van Gogh, who spent a year in south London pursuing a career as an art dealer and possibly had a romantic relationship with his landlady or her daughter.In Georgia Green's tender production, the play blossoms into more than just a footnote in art history. The story revolves around Vincent, portrayed by Jeroen Frank Kales, and his landlady Ursula, played by Niamh Cusack. Their characters share a deep mental perturbation, uncovering a kinship in misery that eventually blossoms into romance.The setting, designed by Charlotte Henery, is a cozy kitchen on the Orange Tree stage, perfect for quiet confidences. The sound design by Donato Wharton adds a sensory layer with birdsong, the sound of pans on the stove, and the rush of Vincent's blood during his first kiss. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, with Cusack's rich-layered voice conveying Ursula's distraught emotions.The play is remarkable for its non-judgmental writing, allowing the characters to express their feelings in personal and poetic ways. The cast delivers full-hearted performances, including Rawaed Asde as the other lodger and Ayesha Ostler as Ursula's vigilant daughter. The relationship between Vincent and Ursula is portrayed as a brief, radiant interlude, offering a glimpse into Van Gogh's life before he found his vocation as an artist.This production of Vincent in Brixton runs at the Orange Tree theatre, London, until 18 April, offering audiences a chance to experience a unique and emotional exploration of restless souls.

Cooper Lutkenhaus, a 17-year-old high school student from Texas, made history on Sunday by winning gold in the 800m at the world indoor athletics championship. He finished with a time of 1min 44.24sec, 0.14 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Eliott Crestan.Lutkenhaus, who turned 17 in December, broke the previous record for youngest champion held by Ethiopian Mohammed Aman, who was 18 years and 61 days when he won gold in the 800m in 2012.“I came into this knowing I probably wasn’t the favourite, but anytime I step into a final, I believe I have a chance to win,” Lutkenhaus said after his victory. He attributed his win to his youth, saying it gave him the confidence to make a defining move on the third lap.Crestan, who led at the halfway point, praised Lutkenhaus's acceleration, saying he is an incredible talent who could emulate the greats of middle distance running, including David Rudisha.Lutkenhaus's gold was Team USA's fifth of the championships, putting them top of the medal table ahead of Great Britain, who won four.

The recent meningitis outbreak in Kent has tragically claimed the lives of two young people, with 18 confirmed cases and 11 others being investigated. The outbreak, which has affected four schools and two universities in the Canterbury area, has disrupted thousands of lives and understandably instilled fear among many.The public health response, including contact-tracing, treatment with preventive antibiotics, and localized vaccinations, appears to have been effective in limiting the spread of the disease. The NHS has administered about 2,500 vaccines and issued almost 10,000 precautionary doses of antibiotics.The meningitis B (MenB) strain of bacteria behind this outbreak has caused septicaemia and infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Despite scientists not fully understanding what causes meningococcal bacteria to become invasive, the public health system has been able to manage the situation.The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining effective public health systems and the need for evidence-driven decision-making in responding to outbreaks. The UK's success in tackling infectious diseases, including a dramatic reduction in meningococcal disease deaths, is a testament to the effectiveness of prevention, vaccination, and improved treatment.As the risk of future pandemics remains, it is crucial that politicians and the public are reminded of the vital role of public health systems in preventing and managing outbreaks. The abolition of NHS England and its impact on the existing structure overseeing infection prevention and control will require careful consideration.

Chuck Norris, a former world karate champion turned action movie star, has died at the age of 86. His family announced his passing on social media, stating that he was surrounded by his loved ones and at peace.Norris's career spanned several decades, beginning with his appearance in Bruce Lee's 1972 film The Way of the Dragon. He went on to star in numerous action films, including Invasion USA and The Delta Force, as well as the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris also gained a level of political profile for his outspoken support for right-wing causes.Tributes from fellow action stars and celebrities poured in, with Sylvester Stallone describing Norris as "all American in every way" and Dolph Lundgren calling him "the champ". Stephen King also paid tribute, saying Norris was "great" and that his film Silent Rage had scared him and his children.Norris's impact on popular culture extends beyond his film career, with the internet meme "Chuck Norris facts" becoming a testament to his enduring legacy. He is survived by his wife, Gena O'Kelley, and his five children.

The decision by CAF to strip Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title has left fans and officials reeling. Senegal won the final 1-0 in extra time, but a controversial walk-off by Senegalese players in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco led to a 3-0 default win for Morocco by a CAF disciplinary panel.Senegalese fans and officials are outraged by the decision, calling it 'unjust and ridiculous'. 'This decision doesn’t give a very good image of African football,' said Alhassan Hann, a 23-year-old Dakar university student. Senegal plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.The CAF decision has sparked allegations of corruption and favouritism, with many pointing to the large number of incidents involving Moroccan teams in African football competitions. 'It’s corruption … when you’ve already ‘eaten,’ you have to deliver to satisfy the one who gave you the money,' said Pape Ousmane Ba, a 32-year-old entrepreneur.Senegal’s captain Sadio Mané and his teammates are determined to clear their name and have the trophy returned. 'We won with dignity, we celebrated with dignity … this is sick,' said Ba. Football is won on the pitch. That is where we beat them. Out there, 11 against 11.

The online gaming industry has become a cutthroat world where success is fleeting. Developers are under pressure to create games that generate immediate and significant returns, making it difficult for them to sustain player engagement. Consider the case of Highguard, a free-to-play game that launched with a peak of 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. However, 90% of players abandoned the game within a week, and the developer, Wildlight Entertainment, announced that it would end service on March 12, after fewer than 50 days online. The game's failure can be attributed to several strategic errors, including a refusal to conduct public play tests before release and a complex structure that was difficult for players to understand. However, the main reason for its failure is the increasingly demanding expectations for immediate returns in the live-service game market. Live-service games are investments that are meant to deliver endless revenue, and developers are under pressure to emulate the success of genre juggernauts like Fortnite. However, executives and developers have different priorities, and the online commentariat is often negative about these types of games. Sony, for example, has greenlit several live-service games, but most of them have been canceled before release. One of its few successes is Helldivers 2, which sold 20 million copies and still has a healthy player base. Bungie's new game, Marathon, has also received critical acclaim, but its fate is uncertain due to the high expectations for returns. The game's developers have spent years maintaining Destiny, a trailblazing online shooter, which gives Marathon a significant advantage. However, the pressure to generate profits is still a major challenge, and the game's success is not guaranteed. In conclusion, the online gaming industry is becoming increasingly challenging, and developers are under pressure to create games that generate immediate returns. While some games, like Marathon, show promise, the existential threat facing them is the same: profit margins.