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Israeli settlers have set fire to several vehicles in a town near Hebron in the West Bank, according to reports. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for escalating violence in the region.The town, located in a sensitive area, has been a focal point for tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents. The cause of the attack is not specified, but it has contributed to an already volatile atmosphere.Authorities and local residents are likely to investigate the incident and assess the damage. The event may impact regional stability and could influence relations between Israel and Palestine.

Submersible hydroelectric systems are emerging as a pivotal component of North America’s clean‑energy strategy, especially as the Trump administration eliminates key subsidies for solar and wind. The technology, already proven in Alaska and Maine, is now being deployed in the densely populated Great Lakes corridor, where electricity demand and prices are climbing sharply. Last month, Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) announced its first urban installation on the St Lawrence River in Montreal, slated to launch two carbon‑fiber turbine units later this year. ORPC’s CEO Stuart Davies highlighted the river’s “consistent, high‑velocity water” and estimated a 60‑90 MW resource potential for the Montreal area alone. In parallel, ORPC is preparing a second project on the Niagara River near Buffalo, New York, and plans a future deployment on the lower Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The timing coincides with record electricity price spikes across the Great Lakes. New York’s public service commission approved substantial rate hikes in September, and further increases are scheduled for 2027, while Michigan and Ohio face similar pressures driven by data‑center expansion. These economic pressures are driving interest in marine‑based power. Unlike traditional hydropower, ORPC’s devices resemble “push‑lawn‑mower blades” and can generate between 0.5 MW and 5 MW continuously, offering a potential baseload for industrial users and a reliable backup during grid outages. Environmental considerations remain central. While Quebec benefits from long‑standing, low‑cost hydropower, U.S. projects endure an average eight‑year licensing timeline. Critics worry about impacts on fish and wildlife, though ORPC cites its Alaska deployment—operating since 2019 without recorded fish injuries despite massive salmon migrations—as evidence of minimal ecological risk. Researchers are also expanding the technology’s reach to slower‑moving waters. University of Michigan professor Michael Bernitsas demonstrated the Vivace system on the St Clair River, capable of harvesting energy from currents as low as 0.5 m/s, suggesting broader applicability across the Great Lakes watershed. Operating in fresh water offers a distinct advantage: the absence of salt eliminates corrosion, extending turbine lifespan and reducing costs compared with ocean‑based projects. Some European tidal installations have even anchored devices to riverbeds to avoid ice damage, a practice ORPC may adopt. Financially, the sector benefits from a 40‑50 % investment tax credit that remains intact, even as the Trump administration phases out Biden‑era subsidies for solar and wind. The National Hydropower Association confirms that marine‑energy tax incentives will stay in place through at least 2033, reshaping the competitive landscape and attracting inquiries from entities in over 70 countries. As electricity bills rise and policy shifts favor alternative renewables, submersible hydropower could become a cornerstone of the Great Lakes’ energy mix, delivering resilient, low‑carbon power while navigating regulatory and environmental hurdles.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is embroiled in a desperate bid to avoid a financially ruinous slide into the Championship. The club's current predicament is a result of internal sabotage, leadership burdens, and immense dissatisfaction among the rank and file. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Spurs are searching for their third head coach of the season, having already seen off Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. The club's hierarchy appears to be acting with a sense of urgency, but their approach has been chaotic and improvisational, with one ill-judged managerial appointment following another. Roberto De Zerbi, currently managing Brighton, has emerged as a potential candidate, despite reservations from three separate fan groups due to his public backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille. De Zerbi's managerial CV is marked by occasional incidents of insubordination, making him an unconventional choice for a team in crisis. However, he is believed to be interested in taking over at Spurs, albeit preferring to do so in the summer. The club is reportedly offering him tempting financial inducements to take the reins immediately and navigate the team through the relegation battle. The stakes are high, with Spurs currently hovering just one place and point above the drop zone. A winless season so far in 2026 has put the club on the brink of disaster. The next managerial appointment will be crucial in determining the club's fate, and fans will be anxiously waiting to see if the hierarchy can make the right decision.

The United Kingdom's prohibition on single-use vapes, implemented last June as part of efforts to address environmental concerns and curb youth vaping, is showing mixed results. 5.4 million adults in Great Britain now vape daily or occasionally, according to official figures, making these devices an inescapable part of modern British life.The ban, which carries penalties including fines up to £200 for initial violations and potential jail time for repeat offenders, was designed to tackle two significant issues: the environmental impact of millions of plastic devices with lithium-ion batteries ending up in landfills, and the rising popularity of vaping among young people.Recent data from the recycling campaign group Material Focus indicates that 6.3 million vapes and pods are still being discarded weekly, representing a nearly 25% decrease since the ban's implementation. While this suggests some impact, waste management companies report that the devices remain a major problem, with their batteries frequently causing fires in disposal facilities."It is quite a small reduction, really," said Sarah Marsh, the Guardian's consumer affairs correspondent and former vaper. "What we are hearing from Biffa and other waste companies is that they still have a massive problem with the waste, and that has not really changed. There are still fires and people still dump rechargeable vapes and the pods."Waste companies emphasize that the ban has not adequately addressed their concerns, noting that rechargeable vapes remain too inexpensive and appear disposable to many users. The lack of sufficient effort toward changing consumer behavior has limited the ban's effectiveness."If you introduce a ban like this but you don't put the support in place to achieve your goals, like making it easy for people to recycle, the ban isn't necessarily going to work," Marsh explained. "A ban in isolation is ineffective."The environmental challenges persist alongside concerns about youth vaping. The World Health Organization has warned that e-cigarettes are driving a new wave of nicotine use among children, who are nine times more likely than adults to vape. At least 15 million children vape globally according to WHO figures.While the UK government is conducting a large-scale study on vaping's impact on children, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried vaping, there is not yet clear evidence on whether the disposable vape ban has affected youth usage patterns."In short, disposables have driven the surge in youth vaping, and banning them should bring numbers down, but it won't fix everything," Marsh noted. "Big tobacco companies are already set up to adapt fast and keep the next generation using nicotine. It won't be easy."Waste management companies are calling for more comprehensive solutions, including potential deposit reward schemes and changes to vape design and pricing that would discourage disposal. The UK government maintains that the ban was necessary to address the environmental blight and youth nicotine addiction caused by single-use vapes.

Spain has taken a firm stance against the US-Israel war on Iran by closing its airspace to US military aircraft involved in attacks. This decision, confirmed by Defence Minister Margarita Robles, underscores Spain's position as a leading critic of the conflict in Europe. The move forces military planes, including those based in the UK and other European countries, to bypass Spain when heading to targets in the Middle East, except in emergency situations. This development comes after Spain denied the US permission to use its military bases for operations related to the war. “We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” Robles stated, emphasising Spain's clear stance. She described the war as “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been vocal in his opposition to the war, calling for the US, Israel, and Iran to cease hostilities. His statements have previously drawn criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who threatened to cut off trade with Spain. The decision to restrict airspace access could potentially worsen Spain's already strained relations with the White House. However, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo reiterated that Spain's stance is part of its broader refusal to participate in or contribute to a war initiated unilaterally and against international law. While US military aircraft can still use Spanish bases for logistics support under a bilateral agreement, 15 American KC-135 refuelling planes were recently diverted from bases in Spain to those in France and Germany.

Female athletes are on the verge of a major breakthrough in insurance coverage, addressing critical gaps in support for pregnancy, contraception, menopause, and health conditions that disproportionately affect women. This development stems from the Carney review, an independent assessment of women's football led by former England international Karen Carney.The Women's Football Taskforce, established by the government to implement the Carney review's recommendations, has collaborated with Loughborough University and leading insurance providers to ensure female athletes receive appropriate insurance coverage. Loughborough University, ranked the world's No. 1 university for sports-related subjects for a 10th consecutive year, played a pivotal role in driving these changes.The changes aim to address 'blind spots' in insurance policies, particularly concerning pregnancy, contraception, menopause, and conditions like Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (Red-S), a complex syndrome caused by low energy availability. Red-S can lead to metabolic, hormonal, and physiological changes, with indicators such as stress fractures and disruptions to the menstrual cycle.Karen Carney praised the development, stating, “Seeing the recommendations being taken seriously and resulting in tangible improvements is always amazing.” She emphasized the importance of the report and thanked those involved in making these changes a reality.Stephanie Peacock, the minister for sport and chair of the Women's Football Taskforce, welcomed the positive change, highlighting the collaborative effort with insurers and Prof Jo Maher of Loughborough University.The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is working with major brokers like Aon, Willis, and Marsh to revise policies. Aon has already extended its personal accident policies to include miscarriage as a result of a sporting accident as standard. Axis and Association for British Insurers are also reviewing their products to better support female athletes.Prof Jo Maher noted, “Developing products for female athletes marks an important step in ensuring we drive world-class and equitable standards in women’s sport.” She emphasized the collaborative effort to level the playing field and support the growing success of women's sports.

Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to "obliterate" its power stations and fresh water plants if a peace deal is not reached soon. This comes as the US and Israel's joint war against Iran enters its second month, with Tehran remaining defiant in the face of US peace proposals.The conflict has already had significant repercussions, including a record monthly rise in oil prices and concerns over a potential US ground operation to seize Kharg Island. Trump's threat to destroy civilian infrastructure, such as power and water facilities, has been condemned by human rights groups as a potential war crime.The White House has also suggested that Arab countries may be asked to help foot the bill for the war, adding a new dimension to the conflict. "It's an idea that I know that he has," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.International pressure is mounting, with Spain closing its airspace to US planes involved in the conflict and the UK's prime minister reiterating that "this is not our war and we are not going to get dragged into it". Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has called on Trump to end the war, warning that "no one will be able to stop the war in our region".The conflict threatens to plunge the global economy into recession and trigger shortages of food and pharmaceuticals. The International Monetary Fund has warned that "all roads lead to higher prices and slower growth worldwide" if the conflict continues.

The US-Iran conflict, now in its fifth week, has escalated into a war of attrition with no clear strategy or end in sight. The US continues to hit Iranian targets while building up forces in the region, while Iran launches missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighboring Gulf states.The conflict has significant economic implications, with Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz causing oil prices to surge and disrupting global supply chains. The pain is likely to get worse, with shortages already felt across the world, from Asian factories to European diesel markets.The war should never have been started, with the threat not imminent, objectives unclear, and justification falling apart under scrutiny. Responsibility rests with Donald Trump and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. The delusion that force can impose a more compliant regime in Tehran has predictably given rise to a conflict that sustains itself.The only plausible exit is negotiation without preconditions. However, Mr. Trump mixes threats of escalation and claims that negotiations are progressing, with little evidence of a meaningful diplomatic track. The conflict cannot be separated from Gaza, where Mr. Netanyahu is gambling that war with Iran will restore his standing.If US ground forces are committed, the dynamic shifts, and American casualties will harden resolve among those who backed the intervention, making withdrawal politically harder. World powers can shift the incentives away from a US ground war by working together to insulate themselves from economic pain and coordinate diplomatic messaging.

Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, has announced his retirement by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following a wave of criticism for his handling of a video tribute to pilots killed in a fatal collision at New York's LaGuardia airport.The controversy began when Rousseau posted a four-minute condolence video in which he spoke only two French words – bonjour and merci. This sparked outrage and mockery from both the public and politicians, who criticized him for not speaking French, despite Air Canada's requirement to provide services in both English and French under Canada's Official Languages Act.Rousseau's inability to speak French was seen as a lack of compassion towards the victims of the crash, including Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old francophone pilot. The incident prompted over 2,000 complaints to the office of the commissioner of official languages, and lawmakers in Quebec overwhelmingly passed a motion calling for Rousseau to step down.In response to the backlash, Rousseau issued a statement apologizing for his inability to speak French and promised to continue his efforts to improve. However, the damage had already been done, and Rousseau's retirement was announced shortly after.Rousseau's history with the French language has been scrutinized in the past, including a high-profile speech in Quebec in 2021 where he only spoke English. He had reportedly spent 300 hours studying French before his video statement, but was still unable to string together a handful of rehearsed sentences.