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The first signs of spring are emerging on Dartmoor, with the sun's warmth bringing life to the granite landscape. A young naturalist, Henry, ventures out onto the moor, binoculars in hand, to catch a glimpse of returning migrants. As he scans the valley, he's rewarded with the sight of a wheatear, one of the first birds to return to the UK after spending winter in sub-Saharan Africa. The wheatear's distinctive white rump, which gives it its name, is a striking feature. The name 'wheatear' originates from an old English phrase, literally translating to 'white arse'. For Henry, spotting this bird is a big milestone, signaling the arrival of spring. As he observes the wheatear, Henry notes its dashingly dressed appearance, with a soft slate grey back, warmer peach-colored chest and stomach, and of course, its notable white rump. The sighting fills him with excitement, as it's a sure sign that spring has finally arrived on Dartmoor.

Former US President Donald Trump has made a striking statement about Iran, characterizing its fighters as 'lousy' while acknowledging them as 'great negotiators'. This mixed assessment came in a recent public statement, reflecting Trump's distinctive approach to international relations and diplomacy.The comment underscores the complex dynamics between the United States and Iran, particularly during Trump's presidency. Trump's remarks often sparked controversy and debate, and this latest statement is no exception. By highlighting Iran's negotiation skills, Trump may be suggesting a potential avenue for future diplomatic engagement, despite his critical view of their military capabilities.The relationship between the US and Iran has been marked by periods of heightened tension, particularly over issues such as nuclear agreements and regional influence. Trump's comments add to the ongoing discourse about how to approach diplomatic relations with Iran, reflecting broader themes in international relations about the balance between military strength and negotiation.

Photographer Peter van Agtmael captured a striking image during his first trip to Iraq 20 years ago, which has become a defining moment in his career. The photograph shows a dejected soldier sitting in a domestic living room, highlighting the incongruity of war in everyday life.Van Agtmael, who was 25 at the time, had been embedded with the US military for six weeks. He wanted to move beyond traditional war photography, which often focuses on violence and horror, and explore the human side of conflict. This image, he says, crystallized his understanding of the US military's role in the Middle East and the absurdity of war.The photograph shows a soldier in a mundane setting, which could be anywhere in the world. Van Agtmael notes that this juxtaposition of war and domesticity reveals the complexity of human nature and the proximity of war to everyday life. He believes that war is part of the human soul and that it's essential to acknowledge this reality.Van Agtmael's experience in Iraq was formative, and he reflects on the failures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He questions the effectiveness of externally created regime change and the long-term impact of military interventions.As a war photographer, van Agtmael has grappled with the moral complexities of his work. He believes that thoughtful documentation of human violence can have a moral impact, but also acknowledges the challenges of being a witness to extreme violence.Now a father, van Agtmael has shifted his focus away from war photography. He reflects on the changing nature of his work and the importance of finding new purpose in life.

Rob Petit's documentary Underland, inspired by Robert Macfarlane's bestselling book, delves into the mysterious world beneath the Earth's surface. The film features Mexican archaeologist Fátima Tec Pool exploring cenotes on the Yucatan peninsula, theoretical physicist Mariangela Lisanti studying dark matter in an ultra-clean facility in Canada, and urban explorer Bradley Garrett navigating storm-drain tunnels in Las Vegas.The documentary intertwines these experiences with Sandra Hüller reading poetic prose about the 'nether' in a faintly Americanised accent. While the film raises intriguing ideas, it sometimes struggles to reconcile natural underground spaces with human-made ones. The most striking scenes showcase Lisanti's work searching for dark matter, highlighting the vastness of deep time and the potentially fruitless pursuit of scientific discovery.The film is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas on 27 March, offering viewers a chance to explore the hidden world beneath their feet.

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has sparked concerns about the motivations behind Donald Trump's continued military actions. Kenneth Roth, a Guardian US columnist and former executive director of Human Rights Watch, draws a striking parallel between Trump's approach and that of Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War. Nixon's quest for 'peace with honor' in Vietnam led to years of devastation, resulting in over 20,000 American soldiers killed and a significantly higher toll among Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian civilians. Similarly, Trump's conflict with Iran appears to be driven by a desire to assert dominance and protect his political reputation, rather than a clear military objective. The article questions the rationale behind Trump's continued bombing of Iran, citing claims that Iran's ballistic missile capacity has been functionally destroyed and its nuclear program 'obliterated.' With 7,000 Iranian protesters killed in January, the Trump administration's call for regime change seems unlikely to succeed. The current fixation on Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of the world's oil and gas, has led to soaring petroleum prices. Trump's threat to destroy Iran's electrical infrastructure by the end of the week, unless Tehran agrees to allow the strait to reopen, raises concerns about war crimes and humanitarian consequences. Roth suggests that a de facto ceasefire, where Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu stop bombing, could be a more fruitful path to deescalation. However, Trump's desire for 'unconditional surrender' and the Iranian regime's insistence on lifting sanctions and affirming its right to nuclear enrichment complicate negotiations. The article concludes that Trump's pursuit of 'honor' and 'victory' in the conflict may come at a significant cost to the people of Iran, the global economy, and the United States itself, echoing the lessons of the Vietnam War.

Mikaela Shiffrin is poised to make history by claiming her sixth overall World Cup title, tying the women's record held by Austrian legend Annemarie Moser-Pröll. The American skier dominated the slalom event on Tuesday, securing her ninth win in 10 World Cup starts this season, a remarkable achievement that has placed her on the brink of success.Shiffrin's victory, which came with a substantial margin of 1.32 seconds over Wendy Holdener, earned her 100 points in the overall standings. Meanwhile, Emma Aicher's third-place finish kept her within striking distance, trailing Shiffrin by 85 points with only the season-ending giant slalom race remaining.Shiffrin's impressive performance has been a highlight of the season, with her ninth win in slalom events setting a new single-season record in 60 years on the circuit. Her consistent dominance in slalom has also secured her ninth career slalom season title.The final race on Wednesday presents Aicher with a challenging task: she must win to keep her title hopes alive, while Shiffrin can seal the overall title with a top-15 finish that would earn her at least 16 points. Shiffrin's odds are significantly in her favor, given Aicher's lack of experience in World Cup giant slalom events, where Aicher's best finish is fourth place.Shiffrin's achievements extend beyond her current season; her 110th career race win on Tuesday solidifies her position as the skier with the most World Cup victories, surpassing Ingmar Stenmark's record of 86 wins.“This season has been so exciting, quite like a whirlwind,” Shiffrin reflected. “I’m grateful for it.”

An Iranian missile has struck central Tel Aviv, causing widespread damage to buildings and vehicles, and injuring at least six people. The attack has led to a significant escalation of tensions in the region, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue striking Tehran and Lebanon.“There’s more to come,” Netanyahu said in remarks that appeared to corroborate those of three Israeli officials who told Reuters they thought it was improbable that Iran would accept US demands in any new round of negotiations. This development has dimmed hopes of de-escalation after US President Donald Trump played up the chances of a deal to end the conflict.In a statement released on Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would launch heavy missile and drone attacks at Israeli troops in northern Israel and the area near Gaza “without restraint” unless Israel ceased attacks in Lebanon and Palestine. The threat has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.Police said an Iranian munition carrying a substantial explosive payload struck the central city, causing widespread damage to buildings and vehicles. At least six people were lightly injured. Several buildings were damaged across Tel Aviv, with emergency services reporting casualties at one of the impact sites. One building and the adjacent road were heavily affected, with cars set ablaze.Israel’s health ministry reports 4,829 injured people have been brought to hospitals since the onset of the war. Of those people, 111 remain in hospital and 12 are in a serious condition. The strikes were the latest in a cycle of retaliation after Israeli operations announced on Monday.About 40 minutes after Trump said he would delay action against Iran’s power infrastructure, Israel said on X that it had “just begun another wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran”. The Israel Defense Forces said energy facilities would be spared, suggesting that Israel may be aligning with Washington in suspending attacks on Iranian power plants and related sites.The US-based Human Rights Activists’ News Agency said in the previous 24 hours it had recorded at least 206 attacks across 15 provinces in Iran, resulting in at least four casualties (killed and injured, both civilian and military). At least six people were killed in strikes on homes in the city of Tabriz, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.Since US-Israeli bombs started falling on Iran, estimates of total deaths (military and civilian) in the country have exceeded 1,500, with some rights groups reporting figures as high as 3,230 as of 21 March. The escalation has also spilled beyond Israel, with Iranian strikes extending into Gulf states.

The United States' top intelligence official has identified Pakistan as one of five countries, alongside Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, whose advancing missile capabilities could eventually pose a threat to US territory. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard presented the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment before the Senate Intelligence Committee, highlighting that these countries are developing novel missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that could reach the US homeland.Gabbard specifically noted that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially includes Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with a range capable of striking the US. The written assessment also flagged Pakistan across multiple threat categories, including missile technology and weapons of mass destruction.However, experts and Pakistani officials have pushed back against these claims. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Tahir Andrabi, stated that Pakistan's strategic capabilities are 'exclusively defensive' and aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace in South Asia. Experts also point out that Pakistan's longest-range operational missile, the Shaheen-III, has an estimated range of 2,750km, which is not sufficient to reach the US.The assessment has sparked a debate over intent, with some US officials suggesting that Pakistan might be developing missiles to deter Washington from intervening in a future India-Pakistan conflict. However, Pakistani analysts argue that Pakistan's deterrence posture is India-centric and not aimed at projecting power globally.The issue comes at a complex moment in US-Pakistan relations, which have undergone a diplomatic reset over the past year. US President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and has been involved in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The situation highlights the intricate dynamics at play in South Asia and the ongoing challenges in the region.

Movsar Evloev from Russia has secured a significant victory over Lerone Murphy at UFC Fight Night 270 held at the O2 Arena. Despite receiving a point deduction for a foul, Evloev managed to edge out a majority decision win over Murphy. This triumph likely sets him up for a highly anticipated featherweight title shot against champion Alexander Volkanovski.The bout was a clash of styles, with Evloev, known for his wrestling, attempting to showcase his striking abilities, while Murphy displayed impressive defensive skills on the ground. Evloev successfully took the fight to the mat in the third round but Murphy quickly regained his footing.In the fourth round, Evloev committed a foul with a kick to Murphy's groin, resulting in a point deduction. However, Evloev intensified his grappling attack in the final round, which proved sufficient for him to secure the win, with two judges scoring the fight 48-46 in his favor and the third judge scoring it a draw 47-47 after accounting for the deduction.This victory marks a significant milestone for Evloev, positioning him for a potential title fight against Volkanovski. For Murphy, it was his first career defeat in the UFC.