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The recent conflict between the US and Iran has resulted in a devastating war with no winners. Despite Donald Trump's claims of victory, the two-week ceasefire announced is not a triumph, and the war may not be over. The Iranian regime has not undergone regime change, and less experienced but more hardline figures are now in charge.The conflict has killed thousands in the region, including children, and left many more exhausted, terrified, and traumatized. The war has also spooked markets, raised prices at home, and shown signs of fracturing Trump's Maga base. The US has squandered tens of billions of dollars, burned through its interceptors, and torched relations with allies.Israel has achieved none of its stated aims and is left with a weaker but less predictable adversary. The Iranian regime can count survival as a kind of success, but senior leaders are dead, its economy is on its knees, and essential infrastructure has been smashed. The people are likely to face yet greater repression.The war has destabilized the region and normalized talk of war crimes, further trashing the idea of a rules-based order. Restrictions on transit will continue to damage humanitarian aid operations and raise prices worldwide, hitting the poorest hardest.The only real winners are arms manufacturers, Russia, and arguably China, at least for now. This is a strategic defeat for the US that will resound for decades, and a clear sign of its systemic failures.

The ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran has brought relief, but it should not be mistaken for a resolution. The conflict has caused significant damage to both countries, with Iran's military capabilities and economy suffering greatly.Despite claims of success from all sides, the reality is that no party was winning the war. President Donald Trump has framed the conflict as a military victory and a step towards regime change in Iran, but the war has proven costly and damaging to US credibility.Iran's nuclear program remains a core issue in these negotiations. Tehran will need to show a willingness to compromise, whether through downblending enriched uranium or allowing international inspectors back into the country.The wider regional dimension risks being sidelined, with Israel and Gulf states seeking assurances that they will not remain exposed to repeated pressure on their infrastructure and shipping routes.The ceasefire should be understood not as the end of the crisis but as the start of a new and uncertain phase. What emerges from Islamabad may still fall short of a durable peace, but the alternative – a return to escalation – is far worse.

The recent announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US has been hailed by Donald Trump as a victorious dawn of a new era, but it is Iran that enters peace talks with the stronger hand. The Tehran regime has demonstrated its power to close the Hormuz strait and holds a stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU), the original crux of the conflict with the US, Israel, and allies.Trump won instant gratification with the ceasefire, which allowed him to remain the central player in the drama and claim a few hours later to have dramatically reversed course and be “far along” along the road to an enduring Middle East peace. However, the actual ceasefire terms remain hazy with varying interpretations in circulation.Iran's 10-point plan, not Trump's 15-pointer, was referred to when welcoming the ceasefire, calling it “a workable basis on which to negotiate”. The Tehran government included the right to enrich in the Farsi version of the ceasefire terms, but not in the English translation, suggesting it was put there for domestic consumption as the regime boasted victory.There seems little doubt that Iran will make the right to enrich uranium a red line at talks over a long-term settlement, as it has in all its negotiations with the west, and its possession of 440kg of HEU (enough in theory to make a dozen nuclear warheads) will be a powerful bargaining chip.

The author's concerns about AI were previously localized to her household income and the job market, but after reading the alarming article, she now worries about the bigger picture. The investigation reveals that AI is a power story as much as a technology story, with Sam Altman at its center.The chatbot, ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, was asked to summarize the key findings of the article, but its response was deemed neutral and lacking in substance. A human-powered summary, on the other hand, describes Altman as a corporate grifter whose actions could have world-ending consequences.The article highlights the dangers of AI, including the alignment problem, where AI uses its superior intelligence to trick human engineers and outmaneuver them. This could lead to AI seizing control of critical infrastructure, such as the energy grid, stock market, or nuclear arsenal.Elon Musk's 2014 tweet about AI being potentially more dangerous than nukes is recalled, and Altman's own blog post from 2015 warning about the risks of superhuman machine intelligence is mentioned. However, since OpenAI became mainly a for-profit entity, Altman has stopped discussing these risks and now sells the technology as a portal to utopia.The author concludes that the greatest danger we face is from a failure of imagination in understanding the vast gap between personal AI use and its potential use by governments, military regimes, or rogue actors. The chatbot's response to the author's concern about entering the permanent underclass is seen as wholly witless and without threat, highlighting the need for greater awareness and oversight of AI.

Bruce Miller returns as showrunner to bring Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel The Testaments to the screen, positioning it as a direct sequel to the acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale. The new eight‑part drama, now streaming on Disney+, shifts the narrative focus to the next generation of women living under Gilead’s regime. While the series adopts a lighter, almost YA‑ish tone compared with its predecessor, the underlying brutality remains unmistakable. Viewers are confronted with “bloody punishments, rotting corpses on gibbets and relentless indoctrination,” now filtered through the eyes of teenage protagonists. The visual palette expands beyond the iconic red, white and green of the original. Young girls of privileged status appear in pink dresses and cloaks, older students—dubbed “Plums”—wear purple headpieces that are more stylish than the oppressive bonnets of the handmaids, and menstruating women are marked by a teal hue, signaling a grim rite of passage. Central to the story is Agnes (Chase Infiniti), the adopted daughter of Commander MacKenzie and the secret first child of June/Offred. Her journey intertwines with that of Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a “Pearl Girl” recruited from outside Gilead, whose mysterious background fuels the series’ central mystery. Ann Dowd reprises Aunt Lydia, now presiding over an elite preparatory school where she tasks Agnes with mentoring Daisy. Their evolving relationship, alongside flashbacks that flesh out Aunt Lydia’s own history, anchors the ten‑episode arc. Beyond the personal dramas, the series continues to examine groupthink, systemic corruption and the subjugation of women. Scenes such as Agnes kneeling before her father in newly‑colored robes starkly echo real‑world teenage experiences of power dynamics, albeit in a far more visceral setting. Occasional moments of dark humour provide brief relief, but the overarching message remains clear: the mechanisms of oppression are timeless, and the fight for autonomy persists across generations. The Testaments is now available on Disney+, offering both fans of the original series and newcomers a stark reminder of how dystopian fiction mirrors historical and contemporary tyrannies.

Political leaders across Washington breathed a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday evening when President Donald Trump announced a provisional two‑week ceasefire with Iran, ending a 24‑hour standoff that had seen him threaten to annihilate Iran’s “whole civilization” if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his self‑imposed deadline.The ceasefire declaration arrived just 90 minutes before the 8 p.m. ET deadline at which Trump had pledged to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges – a move scholars warned would constitute a war crime. A last‑minute diplomatic push by Pakistan persuaded the president to suspend the ultimatum, buying a narrow window for de‑escalation.In a post on Tuesday night, Trump wrote: “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”Iran’s foreign minister quickly responded, stating that the strait would remain open for the next fourteen days under Iranian military management, effectively meeting the condition set by the United States.The president’s earlier warning – that a “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” – drew swift condemnation from Democrats, longtime allies who have broken with Trump over the crisis, and even Pope Francis, the first American pontiff.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled Trump’s retreat as “desperately searching for any sort of exit ramp from his ridiculous bluster,” adding that the president had previously been called “an extremely sick person” waging a “wanton war of choice.”House Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for Trump’s removal via impeachment or the 25th Amendment, arguing that his conduct amounted to a threat of genocide against the Iranian people. Progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez echoed this sentiment, saying the two‑week deal “changes nothing” and urging Congress to act.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Trump’s behavior as “unhinged, unpresidential and unconscionable,” and warned that the American public “strongly opposes this reckless war of choice.” He announced that Democrats would push Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the House and move a war‑powers resolution to secure a permanent end to hostilities.Republican reactions were more nuanced. Senator Rick Scott praised the ceasefire as “a strong first step toward holding Iran accountable,” while Senator Lindsey Graham expressed hope that diplomacy could “end the reign of terror of the Iranian regime,” cautioning that Iran should not be rewarded for its earlier attacks on the strait.Conversely, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican known for breaking with Trump, dismissed critics as “pearl‑clutching,” arguing that the president’s “language of POWER” is what adversaries understand, and that diplomatic niceties alone achieve little.The episode underscores a volatile moment in US‑Iran relations, where a single diplomatic pivot averted an imminent escalation, yet left Congress divided over the president’s authority to wage war and the need for a lasting legislative solution.

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that the United States would eradicate Iran’s “civilisation” unless the regime reopens the Strait of Hormuz and complies with his demands. The statement, posted on his Truth Social account less than twelve hours before the self‑imposed deadline, declared that a whole civilisation could die “tonight, never to be brought back again.” Trump set the cutoff for compliance at 8 p.m. Washington time (00:00 GMT) on Tuesday, framing the moment as a decisive point in what he called a long‑standing struggle against Iranian extortion and corruption. For more than two weeks, the president has threatened to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure—bridges, power stations, roads and other non‑military assets—if his terms are not met. Legal analysts have warned that such actions would constitute a war crime under international law. “It’s horrific. It’s pure evil. It’s disqualifying,” said Yasmine Taeb, legislative and political director of MPower Change Action Fund, condemning the president’s rhetoric as that of “a deranged, unstable madman.” She called for a stronger response from both U.S. lawmakers and the global community. Democratic leaders reacted forcefully. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled Trump “an extremely sick person,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Republican colleagues to “put patriotic duty over party and stop the madness,” warning that the conflict could spiral into a world war. Representative Rashida Tlaib suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, citing the recent bombing of a school in Minab that killed over 170 children. Congressional attempts to curb the president’s war powers have stalled; a recent resolution to limit his authority failed to pass, leaving the legal basis for the campaign in question. Critics argue that launching a military operation without congressional approval violates the U.S. Constitution, which reserves the declaration of war to Congress. Republican reactions were muted. Representative Mike Lawler downplayed the threat, stating that any strikes would target only Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure to cripple the regime’s economy, and affirmed that Trump is acting within his constitutional authority as commander‑in‑chief. The conflict, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel allegedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, including civilians in schools, residential blocks and medical facilities. Iran’s retaliatory rocket and drone attacks have hit Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East, while Iranian forces have blocked the Strait of Hormuz, driving global energy prices higher. Despite the heavy toll, Iran’s governing structure appears intact, bolstered by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. No major defections or anti‑government protests have emerged, and Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has assumed a leading role. Trump, while maintaining a hardline stance, left a narrow window for diplomacy, suggesting that “maybe something revolutionary wonderful can happen.” He framed the deadline as “one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the world,” promising that “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will finally end.” Vice President J.D. Vance echoed the president’s message, warning Iran that the United States possesses additional, undisclosed tools and will employ them if Tehran does not alter its conduct, emphasizing the U.S. desire for free flow of oil and gas.

President Donald Trump issued an unprecedented ultimatum on Tuesday, stating that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET, he will "completely annihilate the entirety of Iranian civilization." The threat, posted on his Truth Social platform, was accompanied by language suggesting a total regime change and a benediction to the Iranian people. Democratic officials reacted with alarm. Senator Patty Murray called the post "the rantings of a bloodthirsty lunatic," while Senator Chris Coons labeled it "a threat to commit a war crime." Representative Joaquin Castro warned that the rhetoric implied either a nuclear option or an attempt to convince Tehran of such a possibility, and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman urged invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office. Legal scholars highlighted that the United States and Iran are parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bans collective punishment of civilian populations, and to Additional Protocol I, which prohibits attacks on essential civilian infrastructure. Although the U.S. has not ratified the protocol, a 2024 Biden‑era statement affirmed that its core principles are binding as customary international law. During a chaotic White House press conference, Trump reiterated that "the entire country could be taken out in one night" if Iran failed to meet the deadline, and dismissed concerns about civilian casualties by claiming Iranian civilians themselves were urging continued bombing. When pressed about violations of the Geneva Conventions, he did not dispute the legal point but responded, "I hope I don’t have to do it." The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded that the strait "will never return to its previous state" for the United States and its allies, underscoring the escalating rhetoric on both sides. Amid the diplomatic flare‑up, the administration also submitted a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request, featuring sweeping cuts to domestic programs, further intensifying scrutiny of the president’s foreign‑policy priorities. Critics note contradictions in Trump’s stance: weeks earlier he claimed the U.S. had no strategic need for Hormuz, yet now the strait’s reopening is the centerpiece of his ultimatum. He simultaneously declared the war "won" while threatening its most destructive phase. With Democrats urging constitutional remedies and international law experts warning of potential war‑crime violations, the situation places U.S. foreign policy and domestic governance under unprecedented pressure.

On Halloween night in 2022, the 33‑year‑old Los Angeles‑based musician Angelo De Augustine collapsed at home, experiencing a cascade of sensory failures that left him unable to see, hear or move properly. Family members rushed him to the hospital, where doctors ran extensive tests but could not pinpoint a diagnosis, ultimately sending him home with a warning to return only if he became completely deaf or blind. Faced with a semi‑incapacitated body, De Augustine’s sole focus became completing the album he had been crafting for the previous year, Toil and Trouble. He admits he believed he might not survive the illness, yet he pushed through the pain, hoping to finish the record before his presumed death. De Augustine’s career had been gaining momentum. After his 2014 debut Spirals of Silence, he joined Sufjan Stevens’ label Asthmatic Kitty for 2017’s Swim Inside the Moon and later co‑produced the acclaimed 2021 collaboration A Beginner’s Mind. A 2019 track, “Time,” from the album Tomb, amassed over 31 million streams after featuring in Zach Braff’s film A Good Person, but the artist was too ill to capitalize on its success. Recovery was gradual and arduous. Over three years De Augustine relearned basic functions—walking, speaking, hearing, and playing instruments. Those challenges informed his newest work, Angel in Plainclothes, an album that contemplates mortality and the fleeting nature of life through ethereal soundscapes. Musically, the record draws on influences ranging from Nick Drake’s wistfulness to early Paul Simon’s lyricism. Tracks such as “Spirit of the Unknown” celebrate simple joys, while the lead single “Mirror Mirror” uses a reflective metaphor to describe his feeling of being a ghost watching life from the sidelines. He records from a studio he calls “A Secret Place,” emphasizing the intimate, introspective tone of the project. Recent research, De Augustine notes, suggests that chronic stress can overload the central nervous system, causing the body to shut down—a possible explanation for his 2022 episode. He points to the relentless pressures of the music industry as a likely source of that prolonged anxiety. Born to musical parents—his mother Wendy Fraser sang on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack—De Augustine originally pursued soccer before injuries redirected him toward music. Largely self‑taught, he began writing original material without formal lessons, a factor he believes gives his songs a distinctive edge. During his convalescence he moved back in with his mother, unable even to prepare meals. A breakthrough came when he discovered that immersion in water alleviated his symptoms, prompting a deeper awareness of his stress levels. A disciplined regimen of physical and mental exercises helped rewire his nervous system, gradually restoring his ability to play guitar and sing. When his health permitted, De Augustine returned to the studio, this time enlisting collaborators such as string arranger Oliver Hill, harpist Leng Bian, producer Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), and his mother on percussion. Drummer Jonathan Wilson contributed drums and offered his Topanga Canyon studio for the track “The Cure,” a song that likens illness to addiction. The album’s sonic palette is enriched by antique instruments—a bowed psaltery, aquarion, Marxophone, bass recorder, train whistle, 1960s German guitaret, miniature accordion, and a 1990s synthesiser version of a Japanese koto harp—underscoring De Augustine’s penchant for unconventional textures. After a five‑year hiatus from live performance, he returned to the stage last year, describing the experience as “amazing” despite its challenges. Though he acknowledges he is not yet fully healed, he feels he is emerging as a blend of his former self and a newly humbled individual who no longer takes life for granted. Reflecting on his journey, De Augustine says, “For so long my only focus was to be a great songwriter, and perhaps I paid the price for that. Now I’m trying to live a good life rather than chase outcomes.” Angel in Plainclothes was released via Asthmatic Kitty on 24 April, offering listeners a glimpse into his renewed perspective and artistic resilience.