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Criterion Capital, a property company established by billionaire Asif Aziz, has strongly denied allegations of attempting to mass-evict tenants in the weeks leading up to the implementation of England's no-fault evictions ban on May 1. The controversy began when Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, wrote to Criterion seeking urgent answers about its plans after reports emerged that the company had issued section 21 notices to a large number of tenants. These notices inform tenants of proposed eviction. According to reports, Criterion issued 87 section 21 notices across its property portfolio, which accounts for fewer than 5% of its total tenants. The company insists that this is not a case of mass eviction but rather 'routine and lawful tenancy management'. The company emphasized that more than a third of households who received these notices had chosen to move, describing these as 'tenant-led decisions.' Pennycook expressed concern that Criterion's actions, if true, would be those of a 'thoroughly unscrupulous landlord,' especially with the Renters' Rights Act set to ban no-fault evictions in England. He requested a transparent account of Criterion's actions regarding periodic tenancies at Britannia Point and other buildings in south London. In response, Criterion accused politicians of spreading 'inaccurate and politicised narratives' and claimed that tenants were being used as 'cannon fodder for political campaigning.' The controversy highlights the tension between property management practices and upcoming legislative changes aimed at protecting renters' rights in England.

Isis Sio, a 19-year-old junior flyweight boxer, has made a significant recovery after being placed in a medically induced coma following a knockout loss in her fourth professional fight. According to her promoter and family, Sio is now awake and breathing on her own.Although still in intensive care, Sio has been weaned off the ventilator, as announced by ProBox TV on Monday. Her camp expressed hope for her continued progression and mentioned that she is under the care of three specialized medical divisions closely monitoring her condition.The knockout loss occurred just 78 seconds into her bout against Jocelyn Camarillo at San Bernardino’s National Orange Show Event Center last Saturday. Camarillo, a three-time amateur national champion with a previous record of 5-0, secured the win.Sio, born in North Dakota and the state’s only active female boxer, has faced challenges in her professional career, having lost three of her four bouts since her debut last September. Her previous fight also ended in a knockout loss due to a series of heavy body blows.Camarillo expressed her respect for Sio, stating, “Nothing but respect. Keeping her in my prayers and wishing her healing and a full recovery,” on Instagram after the fight.

The Anatomy of the DarkSword LeakSecurity researchers have uncovered a significant escalation in iPhone vulnerabilities following the public release of the DarkSword exploit kit on the code-sharing site GitHub. Unlike sophisticated zero-days that require specialized knowledge to deploy, the leaked files are uncomplicated HTML and JavaScript scripts that can be hosted on a server in a matter of minutes. This accessibility has turned a tool previously associated with state-sponsored actors into a potential weapon for any criminal actor.The toolkit specifically targets iPhones and iPads running older versions of Apple’s operating system, such as iOS 18, which have not yet been updated to the latest iOS software. The code is designed to work "out of the box," meaning no iOS expertise is required to execute the attack. Researchers note that the leaked samples share infrastructure with previous campaigns analyzed by iVerify and Google, indicating a continuity in the threat landscape.The Scale of the VulnerabilityThe implications of this leak are vast, given the sheer number of devices potentially affected. According to Apple’s own data, approximately one-quarter of all iPhone and iPad users are still running older operating systems. With over 2.5 billion active devices globally, this suggests that hundreds of millions of users are currently exposed to the capabilities of DarkSword.Targeted Data: The exploit is capable of exfiltrating forensically relevant files, including contacts, messages, call history, and the iOS keychain (which stores Wi-Fi passwords and secrets).Historical Context: DarkSword was previously alleged to be used by Russian government hackers against Ukrainian targets, linking this new leak to geopolitical cyber warfare.From State-Sponsored to Criminal PlaygroundThe ease with which DarkSword can be repurposed has raised alarms within the cybersecurity community. Matthias Frielingsdorf, co-founder of mobile security startup iVerify, described the situation as "bad" and warned that the tool cannot be contained. The transition of such advanced spyware from a restricted government tool to a public commodity lowers the barrier to entry for cybercriminals.Kimberly Samra of Google and security hobbyist matteyeux have independently confirmed that the leaked code is trivial to use. Matteyeux successfully demonstrated the exploit on an iPad mini running iOS 18, proving that the threat is immediate and actionable for malicious actors.The Future of iOS Security and Lockdown ModeApple has responded by issuing an emergency update on March 11 for devices unable to run recent versions of iOS. The company emphasizes that keeping software up to date is the "single most important thing" for security and notes that devices with updated software are not at risk.Furthermore, Apple highlighted that Lockdown Mode would block these specific attacks. As the industry moves forward, the reliance on software updates and hardening features like Lockdown Mode will become increasingly critical in defending against the commoditization of exploit kits like DarkSword.

In the final moments of January 29, 2024, five-year-old Hind Rajab’s desperate pleas for help were cut short as she remained trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of six relatives. Despite obtaining clearance from the Israeli military, a Red Crescent ambulance dispatched to rescue the child was struck by tank fire, killing two paramedics and leaving the vehicle abandoned for over a week.Two years after the tragedy, the global campaign group Avaaz has released a report alleging that this incident was a deliberate 'double-tap' strike. This tactic, often used in warfare, involves a first attack followed by a second strike targeting civilians or emergency responders attempting to assist victims of the initial assault.The Avaaz analysis, shared exclusively with Al Jazeera, documents over 40 alleged human rights violations and argues that the attack contravenes international combat law, specifically the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. The report suggests that the Israeli military possessed full situational awareness of the rescue mission but deliberately targeted the ambulance.Forensic evidence contradicts the Israeli military's initial claims that the family car was destroyed during an exchange of fire. Analysis by Forensic Architecture at Goldsmiths, University of London, found no evidence of combatants in the vicinity, only the presence of Israeli Merkava tanks. The report highlights that the ambulance was fired upon with 120mm tank rounds without warning, a finding supported by the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has identified 24 potential perpetrators.'I am absolutely convinced that this is another case of double tap,' said Sarah Andrew, legal director of Avaaz. 'The kind of weaponry used on the ambulance, the timing, and the fact that no warning was given – it immediately triggered a question in my mind.'The Avaaz brief urges the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the matter. The group notes that more than 1,500 healthcare workers have been killed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, raising serious concerns about the safety of medical personnel in the region.

Israeli military operations have escalated significantly with the destruction of the Qasmiyeh Bridge, a critical infrastructure link connecting southern Lebanon to the rest of the nation. President Joseph Aoun characterized the strike as a “prelude to ground invasion,” suggesting a strategic shift in the ongoing conflict.The assault follows a directive from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to dismantle all crossings over the Litani River and demolish homes in border villages. Analysts note that this strategy mirrors tactics employed in Gaza, aiming to create buffer zones by clearing territory near the border.Aoun argued that the attacks are designed to sever the geographical connection between the southern Litani region and the central government, a move he described as part of a scheme to establish a permanent buffer zone and facilitate Israeli expansion within Lebanese territory.Israeli military leadership has signaled that the operation against Hezbollah is far from over. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that the campaign would be “prolonged” and that preparations for targeted ground operations are underway.Diplomatic tensions remain high as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed reservations to his Israeli counterpart regarding a potential ground operation of significant scale and duration.Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarms over the widening conflict. Ramzi Kaiss of Human Rights Watch warned that wholesale destruction of homes and bridges constitutes wanton destruction, a potential war crime. He emphasized that isolating the southern region would create a humanitarian catastrophe, cutting off access to essential supplies like food and medicine.The conflict has already claimed significant lives, with Lebanon's Health Ministry reporting 1,029 deaths and over one million displaced civilians in just three weeks. On the Israeli side, the first civilian death linked to fire from Lebanon was recorded, alongside the deaths of two Israeli soldiers.

Emmanuel Gregoire, representing a coalition of the Socialist Party, Greens, and Communists, has been elected mayor of Paris, marking a significant victory for the traditional left in France's municipal elections. The 48-year-old former deputy to outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo secured the capital's top office with an estimated margin of 51 to 53 percent of the vote, defeating his conservative rival Rachida Dati. Gregoire campaigned on a platform positioning Paris as a 'city of refuge' and a 'bastion against the right and the far right.'While the left celebrated victories in major southern hubs, the far-right National Rally (RN) achieved its most significant breakthrough in decades. Despite falling short of taking control of the key cities of Marseille and Toulon, the RN secured a major win in the southern city of Nice, with former mainstream conservative Eric Ciotti elected as mayor. National Rally leader Jordan Bardella hailed the results as the party's biggest electoral success in its history, noting victories in local constituencies where the party had previously held little presence.The political landscape reflects a complex shift ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In Marseille, Socialist Mayor Benoit Payan was re-elected with 56.3 percent of the vote, a result bolstered by the withdrawal of a hard-left candidate from France Unbowed. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe delivered a better-than-expected performance in Le Havre, strengthening his potential candidacy for the presidency. The election results underscore a fragmented electorate, with low turnout—hovering just above 48 percent—suggesting voter disengagement despite the high stakes of the political battle.

The conflict in the region has intensified, with Iraq becoming a two-way battlefield between armed factions and the United States during its war with Iran. The US carried out strikes against the Shia paramilitary umbrella group, also known locally as Hashed al-Shaabi, late on Sunday after attacks on a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport.The attack was carried out after Iraqi security officials said four explosions were heard near Camp Victory, a US logistics centre at the capital’s main airport. No casualties were reported as the positions were deserted.The PMF is part of Iraq’s regular armed forces and includes some pro-Iranian groups. Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region while strikes have also targeted these groups.Economic worries also are weighing heavily after Iraq’s Ministry of Oil last week announced a case of force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign oil companies, citing disruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which have halted most of the country’s crude exports.“Iraq relies on that revenue,” said Nicolas Haque, a reporter from Iraq’s capital. “That’s 90 percent of its revenues, so that’s going to have an impact on people.”US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to attack Iran’s power plants if freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was not fully restored in 48 hours. On Monday, hours before his deadline was to expire, Trump ⁠ordered the US ⁠military to postpone ⁠strikes ⁠against the power plants for five days.

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.

The documentary 'Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China' offers a unique perspective on the US-China trade war during Donald Trump's presidency. Produced by Norma Percy, known for her work on historical diplomatic events, the film features first-hand testimonies from key figures involved in the negotiations.The documentary begins with Chinese President Xi Jinping's appearance at the Davos forum in 2017, where he positioned himself as a champion of free trade. This move was seen as a pre-emptive strike ahead of Trump's inauguration and the looming trade tensions between the US and China.The film highlights the resentment among Trump's advisers towards China's economic strength and its perceived negative impact on US commerce. Trump's comments on the campaign trail, where he accused China of 'raping' the US, set the tone for the trade war.The documentary features interviews with Trump's advisers, including HR McMaster and John Bolton, who describe Trump's leadership style as 'reflexively contrarian' and chaotic. The film also shows Xi Jinping's calm and calculated approach to negotiations, which contrasts with Trump's unpredictability.A key moment in the documentary is Trump's speech in Beijing, where he surprisingly stated that he didn't blame China for exploiting the US. The film also covers Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports and Xi's measured response, including a naval display in the South China Sea.The documentary concludes with Trump and Xi's meeting at the G20 in Buenos Aires in 2018, where Xi's systematic approach to negotiations is contrasted with Trump's improvisation. The film ends on a comedic note with Trump's comments on his relationship with Xi, highlighting the chaos and unpredictability of Trump's approach to international relations.