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President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric on Thursday, stating that the United States has yet to begin a full‑scale campaign against Iran’s remaining infrastructure and hinting that bridges and electric power plants could be next targets. The comment followed the release of video showing a U.S. strike on the newly completed B1 bridge that connects Tehran to Karaj, an attack that Iran reports killed eight people and injured 95. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike on civilian infrastructure, describing it as evidence of the “defeat and moral collapse” of the aggressor. In a statement posted on X, he warned that such attacks would not force Iran to surrender. The conflict, now entering its fifth week, has begun to ripple through regional and global markets. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for oil and gas—has prompted nations to scramble for alternative shipping routes. Satellite images this week captured smoke over Iran’s Qeshm Island, underscoring the heightened risk to infrastructure near the strategic waterway. Amid stalled negotiations with Iran’s new leadership, Trump’s intensified language comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote on a resolution that could authorize member states to use “defensive means” to keep the strait open. Araghchi warned that any provocative action in the Council would only worsen the situation. Iranian media have begun listing potential retaliation targets, naming major bridges in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan as possible future strike points. The semi‑official Fars News Agency highlighted these crossings as vulnerable following the Karaj bridge attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for recent strikes on U.S.-linked industrial sites in the Gulf, including steel facilities in Abu Dhabi and aluminium plants in Bahrain. The IRGC warned that if attacks on Iranian industries continue, “the next response will be much more painful” and will focus on the occupier’s core infrastructure. Health infrastructure has also suffered. Iran’s Health Ministry reported that U.S. and Israeli raids severely damaged the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a key research center for diseases such as cholera and COVID‑19. Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour called the strike “a direct assault on international health security.” WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the condemnation, noting that the institute is now unable to deliver health services. The WHO has documented more than 20 attacks on Iranian healthcare facilities since the start of March. In a separate claim, Iranian officials said air defenses downed a second U.S. F‑35 fighter jet over central Iran, suggesting the pilot’s survival was unlikely. The United States has not responded to the allegation. Israel’s military reported a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, which triggered air‑defence alerts and caused damage to homes, vehicles, and a train station in Tel Aviv. The widening hostilities, combined with threats to critical energy and health infrastructure, highlight the growing regional volatility and its potential to disrupt global markets.

Eric Overmyer, a highly influential figure in the world of television, has died at the age of 74. He succumbed to complications from Parkinson's disease, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking work in the industry. Overmyer was best known for his collaborations with David Simon, creator of 'Homicide: Life on the Street', 'The Wire', and 'Treme'. His work on these series, along with 'Bosch', an Amazon Prime series based on Michael Connelly's novels, cemented his reputation as a masterful showrunner. Overmyer's versatility in television was evident in his extensive portfolio, which included roles as a writer and producer on shows like 'St Elsewhere', 'The Slap Maxwell Story', 'The Cosby Mysteries', and 'Law & Order'. His ability to drive complex narratives with sharp dialogue was a hallmark of his work, influenced by his background as a playwright and poet. His best-known play, 'On the Verge', continues to be frequently produced and showcases his unique storytelling style. Overmyer's impact on television was not limited to his own creations; he also worked with other notable writers, including George Pelecanos and Dennis Lehane. Throughout his career, Overmyer remained busy, working on various projects, including the miniseries 'Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis' and the series 'The Affair' and 'The Man in the High Castle'. His legacy in the television industry is undeniable, and his contributions will continue to be celebrated by audiences and creators alike.

The Guardian’s investigation has revealed that the company responsible for the unauthorised partial felling of a 500‑year‑old oak in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, was Ground Control, a maintenance business that reports a turnover of £190 million. The tree was cut down in September 2025 on behalf of Mitchells & Butler Retail (MBR), the owner of the Toby Carvery restaurant chain. MBR initially defended the action, claiming its contractor warned that the oak was diseased and posed a safety risk. However, a coalition of experts – including a Forest Commission investigator and ancient‑tree specialist Russell Miller – found the tree to be healthy with no imminent danger. Miller described the alleged “hazard” as an old, semi‑occluded wound that did not justify felling the entire tree. According to Dr. Ed Pyne of the Woodland Trust, the delay in identifying the contractor highlights a broader lack of transparency: "What evidence exists that the tree was dangerous? What qualifications did the operatives have?" He added that the justification for the removal remains unsubstantiated. Ground Control’s own documentation shows the work was assigned to its grounds‑maintenance team rather than its specialist arborists, a detail that fuels further criticism of MBR’s decision‑making process. Sources close to the firm say an internal review was conducted by a contracts manager, not a tree expert. Enfield Council, which owns the park, has launched legal action to evict Toby Carvery after MBR refused to apologise or offer compensation. The council also referred the incident to the police, but officers declined to investigate, deeming it a civil matter. Complicating the dispute, MBR is majority‑owned by investment group Enic, which holds strong financial ties to Tottenham Hotspur. The football club plans to develop a women’s training academy on 17 hectares adjacent to the park, a proposal opposed by the local campaign group Guardians of Whitewebbs. The group has secured a judicial review of the planning permission, set for June. In a statement last April, MBR asserted that its “specialist arboriculture contractors” deemed the split and dead wood a serious health‑and‑safety risk. A Toby Carvery spokesperson declined further comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The revelation of Ground Control’s involvement adds a new layer to the controversy, raising questions about corporate responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the adequacy of legal protections for historic trees in urban green spaces.

In a picturesque woodland setting, a remarkable partnership between a 12-year-old mare named Etty and her handler, Toby Hoad, showcases the effectiveness of horse logging. This traditional yet sustainable method of extracting tree trunks causes minimal disturbance to the environment compared to mechanized approaches. Etty, a stocky chestnut mare, works in tandem with Toby, requiring a deep understanding and trust between them. Toby explains that building a strong relationship with his equine partner is crucial: 'You've really got to build up a relationship; you've got to build up trust. I can drop the reins, and she will pull out the log for me if it's in a tight spot.' The use of horsepower for logging offers several advantages. Equines are more maneuverable, can work in restricted spaces, don't compact the ground, and cope well with wet conditions without damaging the forest floor. These benefits make horse logging an attractive alternative to traditional methods. Toby, one of only a handful of professionals doing this job full-time, uses the French Comtois draught breed for their strength and suitability for the task. The breed's compact size and robust nature make them ideal for navigating woodland terrain. Toby notes that traditional UK heavy horses, such as shires, would be too large for this work. As the seasons change, Toby and Etty are nearing the end of their current project, removing diseased ash trees from a coppice. The work will resume in September, with the team taking a break to participate in agricultural shows and engage in other activities like bracken rolling, a non-chemical method of controlling fern growth.

Ministers are rewriting planning rules to make it easier to approve intensive livestock farms, despite ongoing concerns about water pollution, air quality and local opposition.Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have been discussed in response to lobbying by the country’s leading chicken producers for at least two years.The British Poultry Council (BPC) told farming minister Angela Eagle last autumn that “access to more growing space is the number one priority for the poultry meat sector.”In a submission to the government’s farm profitability review, the BPC argued that the need for a solution—whether through planning reform or land‑use policy—“dwarfs all other issues currently facing us.”Ahead of a January round‑table with Eagle, the BPC urged the government to “develop national planning direction and oversight for food production … to safeguard the UK’s long‑term food security.”Eagle responded that the government has “announced proposals to reform the planning system to more quickly unlock food and farming infrastructure,” emphasizing that “planning should enable ambition, not stifle it.”Her briefing notes directly linked the proposed changes to industry lobbying, describing planning reform as one of the sector’s “biggest asks” and noting that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are working to “find solutions to planning barriers to poultry sheds and other infrastructure necessary for food production.”The draft NPPF includes several measures that could ease approval of new intensive livestock developments: a higher threshold for refusing applications on environmental grounds, reduced scope for local authorities to adopt tougher rules, greater weight given to “domestic food production,” and a new emphasis on “better accommodation for livestock.”The industry says it needs extra space to house chickens because of voluntary commitments to lower stocking density. Critics point out that these welfare commitments are not legally binding and that planning conditions do not guarantee long‑term compliance. Recent withdrawals by restaurant chains from the Better Chicken Commitment underscore the controversy.Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the BPC, said the reforms are needed to accommodate welfare improvements rather than to expand production, noting a voluntary reduction in stocking density from 38 kg to 30 kg per square metre.Griffiths warned that failing to support domestic production could increase imports, and the BPC has called for food production to be classified as “critical national infrastructure.”Prof. Paul Behrens of the University of Oxford countered that the food‑security case for intensive poultry is “illusory” because the sector depends on imported feed and vitamins and is vulnerable to disease outbreaks such as avian flu.Opposition to poultry megafarms is organised, with local residents raising concerns over water pollution, air quality and the climate crisis. The Environment Agency estimates agriculture accounts for roughly 70 % of nitrate and 25‑30 % of phosphorus pollution in UK waterways, and runoff from intensive poultry units contributes to that burden.Last year, Norfolk councillors rejected Cranswick’s plan for a 900,000‑bird chicken farm after the company failed to demonstrate that the development would not cause “significant adverse effects on protected sites.”The BPC has also urged early intervention by the Planning Inspectorate to minimise delays, arguing that centralised oversight would bring objectivity to a system where “naysayers, particularly via social media, have a disproportionate sway in the decision‑making process.”Campaign group Communities Against Factory Farming warned that the proposed regime “risks embedding decades of industrial livestock land use in rural and green‑belt locations without adequate scrutiny,” giving “substantial weight” to the economic benefits of intensification.A government spokesperson rejected claims that the NPPF proposals are driven by lobbying, stating that they have been carefully considered to balance sector support with broader priorities such as food security and environmental protection.

Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, renowned for his satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong, has been tried in China on charges of 'defaming national heroes and martyrs'. His wife and a human rights group reported the trial.Gao, 69, was detained in 2024 during a visit to China from the US. He faces a maximum three-year prison sentence. The trial took place behind closed doors in Hebei province and ended without a verdict.Gao is known for his sculptures criticizing the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution, a period of social turmoil and political persecution in China. His works include 'Miss Mao', featuring Mao with a Pinocchio nose and breasts, and 'Mao's Guilt', a bronze statue of Mao kneeling remorsefully.Gao's wife, Zhao Yaliang, and their seven-year-old son, a US citizen, are under exit bans and cannot leave China. Gao suffers from malnutrition and various health conditions, including lumbar spine disease and chronic knee and eye conditions.The trial highlights China's strict control over artistic expression and its efforts to suppress dissent. EU diplomats attempted to attend the trial but were blocked from entering the court.

A groundbreaking analysis has revealed that 37% of conventional California produce contains toxic Pfas pesticide residues. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted the study, which coincided with the introduction of California legislation aimed at banning Pfas from being used as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035.The analysis of California department of pesticide regulation residue testing records found that about 90% of peaches, plums, and nectarines contained Pfas residues, while 80% of strawberries and grapes showed contamination. These findings are particularly alarming as children are most at risk from the toxic effects of Pfas, and commonly eat fruits like grapes and strawberries.Pfas are a class of at least 16,000 compounds used to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not naturally break down and accumulate, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects, and other serious health problems.The EWG analyzed records for 930 samples across 78 types of non-organic, California-grown fruits and vegetables. The results showed that 348 samples, or 37%, contained Pfas residues, with at least half of all produce varieties treated with Pfas pesticides.The proposed legislation in California would ban the use of Pfas as an active ingredient in pesticides by 2035 and place a moratorium on approvals of new Pfas pesticides. The bill's author, California assemblymember Nick Schultz, stated that he doesn't want his kids "eating strawberries contaminated with chemicals that will stay in their bodies for decades."The pesticide industry is expected to mount a strong campaign against the legislation, but Maine and Minnesota have already passed similar bans, making it more likely to pass in California.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the country's population to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians suffering and nearly a quarter of the population displaced. The conflict, which began four weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, has resulted in 1,094 deaths and 3,119 injuries in Lebanon, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health.The displaced are extremely frustrated and fatigued, with many feeling the pressure of deadly Israeli attacks, increasing petrol prices, and a general slowdown in business. The crisis has hit the most vulnerable populations, including migrant workers, Syrians, and those with chronic diseases.The humanitarian situation is dire, with women, children, and those with psychological issues suffering the most. The mass evacuation orders have resulted in a massive displacement crisis, with at least 1.2 million people displaced, according to the Lebanese government. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the country's healthcare system, with many women displaced from their healthcare networks.The never-ending trauma of the conflict has also taken a toll on the mental health of the population, with three in five people in Lebanon screening positive for depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The National Lifeline in Lebanon (1564) for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention Hotline has seen a substantial increase in calls, with almost 50 calls a day, up from 30 a day during the 2024 Israeli attacks.

The UK government's recent announcement to make significant cuts to direct aid to Africa and the Middle East has been met with deep disappointment. This move is seen as a moral dereliction of duty, betraying the world's most marginalised, and a false economy that will bring greater instability to the world and make people less safe. The cut in aid to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) from 2027 breaks Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to restore development spending at the level of 0.7% of GNI “as soon as fiscal circumstances allow”. The UK is making the steepest proportion of aid cuts among G7 nations. As James Mattis, Donald Trump's defence secretary, once said: “If you don’t fund the state department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately.” This highlights the shortsightedness of cutting aid, which could lead to more conflict, famine, and persecution. The UK itself benefits materially from these investments. The recent inquiry by the all-party parliamentary group on global health and security on international health worker recruitment highlights the extent to which the NHS and wider economy rely on the skills, expertise, and partnerships rooted in the global south. The UK has saved £14bn in training costs through international recruitment and continues to depend on globally trained health professionals. Investment in global vaccination, disease surveillance, and research helps stop outbreaks before they spread internationally and place pressure on health systems. Preventing disease at source is one of the smartest investments we can make to protect patients in Britain. The situation in Somalia, on the edge of famine, underscores the importance of sustained investment in global development. Two consecutive failed rainy seasons have left 6.5 million people in crisis, more than double the number a year ago. The UK's humanitarian relief in Somalia is welcome, but the scrapping of nature funding and cuts to climate aid risk compromising its own strategy of preventing crisis before it takes hold.