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The film 'DJ Ahmet' tells the story of a 15-year-old boy from an isolated farming community in North Macedonia who becomes an unlikely star on TikTok after a video of him chasing his sheep through an illegal rave goes viral. The movie, directed by Georgi M Unkovski, is a charming coming-of-age tale that tackles serious issues with kindness and a sunny worldview.The protagonist, Ahmet, played by Arif Jakup, is a teenager who had to quit school to care for his sheep. His life is tough, but he finds solace in music and becomes a DJ to impress his neighbor, Aya, played by Dora Akan Zlatanova. The film's cast, including non-professional actors, deliver natural and lovely performances.The movie explores themes of patriarchal oppression and the challenges faced by young people in conservative communities. However, it approaches these issues with generosity and sensitivity, offering a hopeful and uplifting message. The film's tone is warm and moving, with a standout moment featuring the imam at the local mosque.'DJ Ahmet' is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas from March 27, and is a must-watch for fans of coming-of-age stories and charming, feel-good cinema.

Egil Johansen, the landlord of the Kenton pub in Hackney, east London, describes recent incidents involving children as "like the wild west." He has now banned children entirely after a three-year-old fell down a cellar hatch while parents sat elsewhere, a five-year-old crashed into staff carrying drinks, and six parents brought 10 hyperactive children after a birthday party while ignoring their behavior."In every case, the parents blame us when something goes wrong or get really angry when we ask them to control their children," says Johansen, who has run the pub for 17 years. "I'm legally obliged to keep children safe on my premises and if the parents let their children run riot, the only answer is to not allow them in at all."Johansen initially tried banning children only after 5pm, but this interim measure failed to address the underlying issues. Despite online criticism framing him as the "baddie," he expresses sadness about the situation: "I'm a publican; I'm a people-person. It gives me no joy to ban anyone, but it's just not safe: parents don't control their children and our other customers were beginning to go elsewhere. I had no choice."The Kenton's decision reflects a growing trend among UK pubs seeking to differentiate themselves from establishments that "resemble soft play centres without the ball pit." While some welcome this shift, others view it as unwelcoming to families, creating a culture war in the pub industry.Lee Jones, landlord of the Brewers Arms in West Malvern, Worcestershire, reversed a previous child ban: "We're dog-friendly, child-friendly, adult-friendly. We're just friendly – we don't distinguish. Pubs are for the community and I don't see bans in the spirit of what we're here for." Jones reports that when children become rowdy, staff can address the issue with parents, though this is rarely needed.Stephen Boyd, who runs the Alma in south London, took a different approach after attempting to attract young families. He found families with children consumed disproportionate time and resources with special requests for diluted drinks, heated beverages, and customized meals, while adult customers waited longer for their orders."You just need a couple screaming, banging on a table or running up and down, and it dictates the whole atmosphere of the pub," Boyd says. "Parents would take massive umbrage if staff asked them to stop their children doing something." After implementing a child ban, he describes the change as "a fucking revelation" with staff retention improving and takings doubling.Despite the positive results, Boyd faced significant backlash: "I got a lot of online hate. Mainly from people who had never been to the pub but felt I was doing something morally hateful."Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, acknowledges the debate is "very live" but emphasizes: "But you do have to look at the responsibility of the parents in these situations, not just at the pubs. They're the ones responsible for making sure that their children behave."Financial considerations also drive some decisions. Mandy Keefe, landlady of the Wheel Inn in Ashford, banned children partly for behavioral reasons but also financial ones: "If a third of my Sunday customers were children eating from a reduced-rate child's menu and not drinking any alcohol, that wouldn't be financially viable."Across the UK, pubs are making individual decisions based on their specific circumstances, but as Johansen's experience demonstrates, it only takes one serious incident to settle the question for good.

Marcelo Bielsa, the charismatic and intense manager of Uruguay, returns to England for a friendly match against the host team on Friday. This visit comes four years after he left Leeds United, where he had a hugely successful stint, earning promotion to the Premier League and restoring the fanbase's faith in football. Bielsa's managerial style, known for its radicalism and emphasis on playing the right way, has been both admired and criticized. His teams are known for their high-intensity performances, but also for the physical and mental toll it takes on players. His departure from Leeds United was marked by a boom-bust pattern, where his teams initially perform well but eventually suffer from fatigue and decreased results. During his time at Leeds United, Bielsa was praised for his commitment to social responsibility, having players pick up litter to instill a sense of community and responsibility. His approach to football extends beyond the pitch, emphasizing the role of the sport in society. Uruguay's recent performances have been inconsistent, with a 5-1 friendly defeat to the USA in November 2023 being a significant low point. Luis Suárez, a key player, publicly criticized Bielsa, accusing him of isolating players and creating a culture of fear. Suárez's retirement from international football and subsequent comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding Bielsa's tenure. The upcoming friendly against England provides an opportunity for Bielsa to address these concerns and work towards restoring confidence in his team. Getting key players back in form, such as Darwin Núñez, who has not scored an international goal in 11 games, will be crucial. Bielsa's third World Cup may be his last chance to make a significant impact on the global tournament, and he will be looking to make a strong impression.

Sir Paul Marshall, the co-owner of GB News and a self-described 'committed' Christian, has been criticized by a group of 100 church leaders over the TV channel's attacks on climate science and action. The leaders, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, argue that Marshall's statements on climate change are misleading and that his hedge fund's £1.8bn investments in fossil fuels present a conflict of interest.Marshall has stated that the UK has been infected by 'climate derangement syndrome' and that efforts to cut planet-heating emissions are 'impoverishing people.' In response, the church leaders emphasized that 100% of global heating since 1950 has been caused by human emissions and activities, according to the world's climate scientists. They also noted that decarbonization is a huge growth opportunity that will save trillions of dollars in the long term.The leaders, in an open letter, urged Marshall to be transparent about any personal conflicts of interest and to declare his financial interests in fossil fuels. They cited research that found GB News broadcast 953 attacks on climate science and climate action in the period immediately before and after the 2024 general election.Marshall responded that 'the Gospel entreats us to look after the vulnerable' but argued that pursuing an 'ideological' net zero policy was 'a path of unilateral economic disarmament and self-harm.' He also stated that he was not involved in the editorial decisions of GB News, which has lost £131m since its launch in 2021.The Christian leaders' criticism of Marshall and GB News highlights the ongoing debate over climate change and the role of media outlets in shaping public discourse on the issue. As more than 100 countries have net zero policies and the UK's net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024, the pressure on media outlets to provide accurate and responsible reporting on climate issues continues to grow.

The United States has recently presented a 15-point plan as part of its ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. This proposal is seen as a significant move in the complex and often tense relationship between the two nations. While specific details of the plan have not been disclosed, it is understood to cover a range of critical issues that have been points of contention between the US and Iran. These may include nuclear negotiations, economic sanctions, and regional security concerns. The proposal comes at a time when diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran have been intensifying, with both sides seeking to find common ground to address their differences. The Iran nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew in 2018, remains a central point of discussion, with the US pushing for stricter controls on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. The international community has been closely watching these developments, given the potential impact on global security and energy markets. A successful negotiation could lead to a more stable Middle East and lower oil prices, while a failure could exacerbate tensions and lead to further instability.

The escalating tensions between the US and Israel against Iran have created a lucrative market for arms manufacturers. As the conflict continues to intensify, defense companies are reaping significant benefits from the increased demand for military equipment and technology.The geopolitical landscape in the region remains volatile, with the US and Israel maintaining a strong stance against Iran. This has resulted in a surge in defense spending, with arms manufacturers capitalizing on the opportunity to supply the necessary equipment.The thriving arms industry is a testament to the enduring demand for military hardware and technology in the face of global conflicts. As tensions persist, it is likely that defense companies will continue to experience significant growth and profitability.

Liverpool FC has officially announced that Mohamed Salah will depart the club at the end of the season. The news was shared in a statement released on Tuesday, with the club citing Salah's desire to be transparent with the supporters about his future.In a video message on his social media accounts, Salah expressed his gratitude to the club, city, and fans, highlighting the significant impact Liverpool has had on his life. He described Liverpool as more than just a football club, but a passion, history, and spirit.During his time at Liverpool, Salah has achieved immense success, helping the team secure two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, two League Cups, and an FA Community Shield. He has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him the club's all-time third-highest goalscorer and winning the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions.Salah joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017 and has since established himself as one of the best players in the club's history. His departure marks the end of an era for the Egyptian star, who has been an integral part of the team's success over the past few years.

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 Gran Chaco forest in Argentina, spanning across parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil, is facing a critical threat from deforestation. Small farmers, enticed by the promise of quick money from selling timber, often contribute to this environmental degradation. However, a collaborative effort between conservationists, NGOs, and international organizations is underway to support small-scale landowners and Indigenous communities in establishing alternative income sources. This initiative aims to enable them to resist the pressures of agribusiness and the timber market. Jorge Luna, a 55-year-old farmer, has taken a significant step towards preserving his 40-hectare land in Chaco province. He rejected an offer to cut down the trees and instead embarked on a second career as a forest tourist guide with Fundación Rewilding Argentina, a non-profit organization working to restore parts of the Gran Chaco forest. Luna now rents out a small campsite to visitors and takes tourists on kayak tours along the Bermejito River. "At first, you didn’t give the plants value. It was a lack of knowledge of what they meant. Now, every leaf that sprouts has an added value," he says. Created in 2010 by Tompkins Conservation, Rewilding aims to protect vast tracts of territory and create economic opportunities for local communities while preserving the biosphere. The organization worked with 15 other organizations to convince the government of Chaco province to turn 128,000 hectares into the El Impenetrable national park, officially designated in 2014. Since then, Rewilding has established a network to support a budding tourism industry. It offers riverside glamping stays while promoting local and ancestral knowledge as possible sources of income. Women have returned to weaving and artisanal production, as well as providing home-cooked meals for visitors. According to Greenpeace, Argentina lost nearly 7 million hectares of native forest between 1998 and 2024, with most of it in the Gran Chaco. An estimated almost 120,000 hectares of forest were lost in northern Argentina in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year. The primary causes of forest loss are the expansion of agriculture, mainly for intensive cattle ranching and genetically modified soya, and forest fires. The Gran Chaco forest also feeds the timber industry, particularly with the quebracho tree, which produces a tannin used in leather products, and carob trees. Environmental lawyers warn that the Gran Chaco could disappear within two decades if deforestation continues at its current pace. "The Chaco does not receive the same attention as the Amazon – few people even know it exists," says Enrique Viale, an Argentine environmental lawyer and activist. For conservation efforts to succeed, projects must be co-designed with the community, ensuring their long-term objectives are considered. Community empowerment, equal distribution of benefits, and capacity building are crucial factors. Mabel Figueroa, a local weaver, has resumed her craft since the national park opened, selling scarves, blankets, and ponchos to tourists. She raises sheep and dyes their wool with tree bark and forest plants, reviving an ancestral tradition.