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United Nations experts have issued a strong appeal to Israel, demanding the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, a Palestinian physician from Gaza. According to reports, Dr. Abu Safia has been subjected to severe torture and other forms of abuse while in Israeli detention.The UN special rapporteurs, Tlaleng Mofokeng and Ben Saul, expressed grave concern over Dr. Abu Safia's health condition, which they described as dire. They alleged that he has been systematically denied critical medical examination and treatment, and deprived of essential care, putting his life, health, and wellbeing at grave risk.Dr. Abu Safia, the former director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained by Israeli forces in December 2024. His arrest and detention have been widely condemned, with Amnesty International describing it as a reflection of Israel's systematic targeting of Palestinian health workers and the decimation of the healthcare system in Gaza.The UN experts also highlighted the broader context of Israel's war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 930 attacks on the healthcare sector since October 2023, according to World Health Organization (WHO) figures. All 36 hospitals in the Strip have suffered damage, and only half are partially functional.The situation for Palestinian healthcare workers has been particularly dire, with at least 1,722 medical workers killed between October 2023 and October 2025, an average of more than two killed every day.The UN experts urged the international community, including countries with influence on Israel, to take action to ensure prevention, recourse, and justice. They emphasized that Israel must release Dr. Abu Safia and all healthcare workers, and ensure they have access to appropriate medical care.

The UK's Environment Agency is facing criticism for its inability to effectively tackle the growing issue of illegal waste dumping. A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has highlighted that the agency lacks the necessary powers and intelligence to deal with the problem, which is costing taxpayers £1bn a year.The committee found that there are at least 8,000 illegal dumps across the country, with several large-scale tips containing between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of household rubbish and other waste. The problem is attributed to organised criminals who are heavily involved in illegal waste dumping.The PAC chair, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, stated that the committee's report found that regulators were not sufficiently resourced to follow through with recommendations and carry out their responsibilities towards the environment. The report calls for closer cooperation and intelligence sharing between the Environment Agency, local authorities, police, and other agencies to tackle illegal waste dumping risks.In response, a Defra spokesperson stated that the report was out of date and did not reflect the significant reforms already underway, including publishing a waste crime action plan and investing in the Environment Agency to boost monitoring and investigations.

Partridge Boswell's poem, 'The Gathering', has been crowned the winner of this year's National Poetry Competition, a prestigious award that attracted over 21,000 entries from poets across 113 countries. The poem delves into themes of language, love, and the struggle to make sense of global suffering, state violence, and war.Boswell's work is a reflection of his attempt to process the emotional burden of following distressing global events. He describes how he wrote elegies, parodies, and rants to cope with his discomfort and disbelief. The poem specifically addresses the challenge of maintaining language's potency in the face of the relentlessness of the news cycle and the difficulty of resisting false narratives.The judges praised 'The Gathering' for its ambition, emotional stakes, and philosophical perspicacity. They noted that the poem reflects on the tensions between personal grief and state violence, particularly in Gaza. The poem questions how to preserve the potency of language amid the overwhelming nature of global events.Boswell, who is also the author of the Fool for Poetry prize-winning chapbook Levis Corner House and the Grolier prize-winning collection Some Far Country, will receive £5,000 for his winning poem. His work, along with the runner-up and third-place poems, will be published in the spring 2026 issue of The Poetry Review.The National Poetry Competition, founded in 1978, has a history of recognizing talented poets. Past winners include Carol Ann Duffy, Sinéad Morrissey, James Berry, and Tony Harrison. This year's competition saw seven commended poets receive £500 each, while Damen O'Brien's poem Axe secured the runner-up position with a £3,000 prize.

In a significant move, Meta has been ordered to pay $375m in a landmark case. This development is being seen as part of a broader big tech reckoning, with regulatory bodies taking a closer look at the practices of major technology companies. The case against Meta, formerly known as Facebook, highlights the growing scrutiny of big tech firms and their handling of user data and advertising practices. The $375m penalty is a substantial one, reflecting the seriousness with which regulators are approaching these issues. Meta's financial obligations in this case are a reminder of the regulatory risks facing big tech companies. As governments and regulatory bodies around the world continue to examine the practices of these firms, significant penalties and fines are likely to become more common. The image of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, is a reminder of the high-profile nature of this case and the scrutiny that big tech leaders are under.

Photographer Peter van Agtmael captured a striking image during his first trip to Iraq 20 years ago, which has become a defining moment in his career. The photograph shows a dejected soldier sitting in a domestic living room, highlighting the incongruity of war in everyday life.Van Agtmael, who was 25 at the time, had been embedded with the US military for six weeks. He wanted to move beyond traditional war photography, which often focuses on violence and horror, and explore the human side of conflict. This image, he says, crystallized his understanding of the US military's role in the Middle East and the absurdity of war.The photograph shows a soldier in a mundane setting, which could be anywhere in the world. Van Agtmael notes that this juxtaposition of war and domesticity reveals the complexity of human nature and the proximity of war to everyday life. He believes that war is part of the human soul and that it's essential to acknowledge this reality.Van Agtmael's experience in Iraq was formative, and he reflects on the failures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He questions the effectiveness of externally created regime change and the long-term impact of military interventions.As a war photographer, van Agtmael has grappled with the moral complexities of his work. He believes that thoughtful documentation of human violence can have a moral impact, but also acknowledges the challenges of being a witness to extreme violence.Now a father, van Agtmael has shifted his focus away from war photography. He reflects on the changing nature of his work and the importance of finding new purpose in life.

Billy Idol: A Postpunk Icon's Life and Times are celebrated in a new documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, directed by Swedish filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund. The film offers a nostalgic look back at Idol's career, from his early days in punk and new wave to his rise to fame in the US.With a mix of humor and sympathy, the documentary examines Idol's outrageous excesses, including his struggles with drug abuse and near-fatal accidents. Idol's life was marked by a series of close calls, including a near-fatal overdose in 1984 and a second episode in the late 80s where he collapsed in a Bangkok hotel lift, much to the horror of Mel Gibson and his family.The film also explores Idol's impact on music and pop culture, comparing him to Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochran. Idol's distinctive snarl-sneer and charismatic stage presence made him a big name, particularly on MTV, which was eager for content and drawn to his self-destructive bad-boy image.At 70, Idol looks back on his life with a cheerfully gravelly voice, recalling his experiences with a mix of humor and reflection. The documentary is a nostalgic tribute to a music legend and a celebration of his enduring legacy.Billy Idol Should Be Dead is set to air on Sky Arts on March 26.

Denis Lavant delivers a captivating performance in 'Redoubt', a Swedish film directed by John Skoog. Lavant plays Karl-Göran Persson, a farmhand from rural Sweden who becomes fixated on transforming his humble shack into a public shelter, dubbed a 'redoubt', in preparation for a potential nuclear catastrophe.The film, shot in stunning monochrome, chronicles Persson's journey as he scours the countryside for materials to fortify his shelter. His obsession is sparked by an official pamphlet warning citizens of the impending threat of nuclear war. As Persson works tirelessly on his project, he faces a mix of curiosity and hostility from the local community.Lavant's portrayal of Persson is both intriguing and vulnerable, evoking comparisons to iconic characters like Quasimodo and Nosferatu. The actor also showcases his musical talents on the accordion and even appears to hypnotize a chicken. Despite the film's static nature, which may leave viewers questioning its direction, Lavant's performance is unforgettable.'Redoubt' is a thought-provoking exploration of loneliness, fear, and community. While the film's conclusion may seem ambiguous, it ultimately presents a poignant reflection on the human condition. With its unique blend of drama and social commentary, 'Redoubt' is set to leave a lasting impression on audiences when it hits UK cinemas on March 27.

The Iranian people's determination for freedom and democracy remains unshaken, even in the face of extreme hardship and oppression. Thousands have died and many more are suffering under the current regime, which continues to patrol streets with guns, beating and arresting citizens. In recent times, the situation has worsened with the outbreak of the US-Israeli war, which has restricted internet access, led to the appearance of checkpoints, and filled Tehran's prisons to capacity. Despite these challenges, the Iranian people's fight for freedom persists. Azar Nafisi, an Iranian-American writer, reflects on her experiences and the resilience of the Iranian people. She recalls the 1979 revolution and the mandatory veil imposed by Ayatollah Khomeini, which led to thousands of women protesting in the streets, chanting 'Freedom is neither eastern nor western. Freedom is universal.' Nafisi emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in preserving Iranian identity and humanity. Truck drivers across Iran display bumper stickers with poems by Hafez, Saadi, or Ferdowsi, demonstrating the enduring power of literature and art. The writer also remembers her former students in Tehran, particularly Razieh, a young Muslim girl who was imprisoned and executed for her love of literature and independence. Razieh's story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom. Nafisi concludes that even in the midst of war and oppression, there can be hope. The Iranian people's struggle for freedom is a universal fight that can benefit people worldwide, from the UK to Sudan. The preservation of freedom and democracy requires constant vigilance and a willingness to challenge oppression.

Residents of Tehran have voiced their skepticism regarding Trump's diplomatic efforts in the context of war, highlighting a deep-seated distrust towards the US approach. The sentiment among Tehran's population reflects a broader geopolitical tension between Iran and the United States.The diplomatic endeavors by Trump's administration have been met with caution by the Iranian public, who are concerned about the implications of these efforts on their country's sovereignty and regional influence.