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Ben Roberts‑Smith, a former Australian special‑forces operative, was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced he faces five separate war‑crime counts linked to the killing of five individuals in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. The charges, each punishable by life imprisonment, allege that the victims were unarmed civilians who were not engaged in hostilities at the time of their deaths. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters that the prosecution will argue the victims were shot either directly by Roberts‑Smith or by subordinates acting on his orders while he was present. Barrett emphasized that the accusations stem from a "complex" investigation conducted jointly by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, a probe that began in 2021. The New South Wales Local Court has scheduled a bail hearing for Roberts‑Smith on Wednesday, where he will appear before a magistrate. This arrest follows a high‑profile legal defeat for Roberts‑Smith: an Australian judge in 2023 ruled that journalists who reported he was "complicit in and responsible for the murder" of unarmed Afghan men had not defamed him, a decision upheld by the Full Court of the Federal Court in May of the previous year. Rawan Arraf, executive director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, described the development as a "significant and long‑awaited step for victims and affected communities" in Afghanistan. She added that prosecuting alleged war crimes by Australian special‑forces personnel is essential for delivering justice and for Australia to meet its international law obligations. Since the 2001 NATO‑led intervention, roughly 39,000 Australian soldiers have served in Afghanistan, supporting operations against the Taliban and other armed groups. Roberts‑Smith, who previously received the Victoria Cross for his fifth tour, was regarded as the most‑decorated living Australian war veteran before the charges. The case also revives attention on former army lawyer David McBride, who remains incarcerated for disclosing information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. In response to Roberts‑Smith’s arrest, Senator David Shoebridge posted a brief message on X urging the release of McBride.

Karim Baksh of Dasht, a remote Balochistan village, once relied on a diesel‑powered pump to irrigate his watermelon fields. After the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war drove diesel prices sky‑high, he could no longer afford the fuel, forcing him to cut back his cultivated area. In 2023 he took a gamble: borrowing 300,000 Pakistani rupees (≈ $1,075) from relatives and installing a modest row of solar panels. Three years later, the panels run his pump without diesel, letting him water his crops even as global oil markets tumble amid the US‑Israel war on Iran and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of world oil and gas normally flows. Baksh’s experience reflects a broader national shift. Pakistan imports about 80% of its oil via the Hormuz chokepoint and sources 99% of its LNG from Qatar and the UAE. A Council on Foreign Relations report warns that a prolonged closure could trigger severe power shortages, factory shutdowns, and transport disruptions. Yet a quiet solar revolution is building resilience. Since 2018, rooftop solar installations have saved Pakistan over $12 billion in fuel imports, and at current prices the sector is projected to save another $6.3 billion this year alone. According to the independent think‑tank EMBER, solar’s share of the national energy mix surged from 2.9% in 2020 to 32.3% in 2025. This growth is not the result of a single government plan but of millions of individual decisions—farmers swapping diesel pumps, businesses installing panels, and households seeking reliable electricity. In urban centres such as Lahore and Karachi, solar rooftops are commonplace. Homeowners typically recoup installation costs within a few years, enjoy free electricity thereafter, and can even sell surplus power back to the grid through net‑metering. By 2025, 25% of Pakistani households use solar in some form, up from 15% in 2023, with over 280,000 consumers now participating in net‑metering schemes. However, the benefits are uneven. The upfront cost of a 3 kW system—about 450,000 rupees ($1,610)—and larger commercial setups costing up to 2.2 million rupees ($7,874) remain out of reach for many low‑income families. Analysts warn that non‑solar users, largely poorer households, are subsidising the grid usage of solar owners. Net‑metering has already shifted an estimated 159 billion rupees (≈ $570 million) of costs onto other consumers, raising concerns about a two‑tier energy system. The rapid expansion is powered largely by imports from China, which controls roughly 80% of the global solar supply chain. Chinese lithium‑ion batteries, now 20% cheaper than in 2024, enable storage for nighttime use, further reducing reliance on the national grid. Solar panel prices have plummeted: from 100‑120 rupees per watt in the early 2010s to about 30 rupees per watt today. This price collapse, combined with electricity shortages and rising tariffs after the 2022 oil price spike, made solar an attractive alternative for those able to invest. Government policy has been mixed. A 2015 net‑metering scheme encouraged adoption by offering roughly 25 rupees ($0.090) per kilowatt‑hour for exported power and by reducing import taxes on panels. More recently, concerns over the financial strain on the power sector led to a cut in the buy‑back rate to about 10 rupees ($0.036) per kilowatt‑hour. For Baksh, the policy shifts matter little. His solar‑powered pump guarantees water for his watermelons regardless of diesel price swings or geopolitical turmoil. He plans to expand his solar array, increase production, and ship his harvest to larger markets in Quetta and Karachi. In a region where temperatures can soar to 51 °C (124 °F), the sun has become a reliable ally—ensuring that, for farmers like Baksh, “the water keeps flowing no matter what.”

Senegal's recent enactment of a harsh anti-gay law has sent shockwaves through the country's LGBTQ+ community and healthcare system. The law, which doubles the maximum prison term to 10 years for same-sex activities and criminalizes the 'promotion' of homosexuality, has led to a surge in arrests and a climate of fear.Over 60 people have been detained since February on charges related to same-sex relations, with many facing forced HIV testing and additional penalties for those who test positive. This has resulted in a significant decline in HIV healthcare services, with a 34.5% drop in consultations recorded at 22 treatment sites across the country.The law's broad framing also risks criminalizing legitimate human rights activities, including those of lawyers, health workers, journalists, and NGOs. This has led to organizations like UJEC (Union des Jeunes Engagés pour Notre Communauté) suspending their services, leaving vulnerable populations without access to essential support and healthcare.Senegal's HIV prevention system, which had been considered one of Africa's most resilient, is now under threat. The country's HIV prevalence among MSM is alarmingly high at 27.6%, and the new law is expected to exacerbate this issue by driving key populations underground and making them more reluctant to seek treatment or testing.The international community has expressed concern, with UNAIDS urging the president not to sign the legislation and highlighting that new HIV infections in Senegal rose by 36% between 2010 and 2024. The situation is further complicated by funding cuts and the US freeze on foreign assistance, which have already weakened the HIV response in the country.As the situation continues to unfold, there are reports of people fleeing Senegal for neighboring countries or seeking asylum in France. The Senegalese Ministry of Justice and supreme court have declined to comment, leaving many to wonder whether the country's HIV prevention system can survive this new legislation and the fear it has instilled.

Sea-level rise has transitioned from a distant threat to an immediate and intimate health crisis, affecting not just infrastructure but human bodies, minds, livelihoods, and cultures. The crisis is manifesting in various ways, including saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, flooding of sanitation systems, and inundation of farmland, leading to a range of health issues.The impact of sea-level rise extends beyond physical health, causing emotional, financial, and cultural harm, particularly to Indigenous peoples who face the loss of their ancestral lands and way of life. The crisis is also deeply intertwined with issues of inequality, colonialism, and economic exclusion, with those facing the harshest consequences being those who contributed the least to the problem.Efforts are underway to address the crisis, including the establishment of the Lancet Commission on Sea-Level Rise, Health and Justice, which aims to bring together expertise from various disciplines to explore the interconnections between health, justice, and climate impacts. Additionally, legal actions, such as the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, are helping to clarify the responsibilities of states in addressing climate change and its impacts.The shift towards renewable energy and the growing recognition of the need for accountability from polluters are seen as critical steps in addressing the crisis. While the challenge is significant, there is a growing sense of determination and resilience among communities and individuals working to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and promote a more sustainable future.

Amid growing international focus on the Iran‑Israel conflict, Israel is pressing ahead with a systematic annexation of the West Bank, centred on the contentious E1 settlement project. The plan envisions the construction of 3,400 new homes on Palestinian land, a move designed to split the territory and undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly condemned the annexation drive, labeling the E1 scheme illegal. Although the war in Iran and Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon have delayed the release of construction tenders, officials confirm that the tenders will be issued on 1 June. Criticism from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy has so far failed to deter the Israeli government, which appears accustomed to rhetorical rebukes without concrete repercussions. As former EU officials note, the Union has yet to leverage its economic and diplomatic weight to stop the settlement expansion. The British Prime Minister has reaffirmed the stance of the International Court of Justice, declaring the 1967 occupation of Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank unlawful. This follows the United Kingdom’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine last year, alongside France, Canada and Australia. Given its historic ties and recent diplomatic recognitions, the UK is uniquely positioned to galvanise European and Commonwealth partners. Experts propose a three‑pronged approach: first, issue a clear warning that any contractor involved in designing, building or financing the E1 settlement jeopardises its commercial interests with the UK; second, impose a comprehensive ban on UK trade in goods, services and investment linked to the settlements; and third, suspend the trade concessions granted under the UK‑Israel trade and partnership agreement for breaching its human‑rights provisions. New Prime Minister Keir Starmer is urged to embed these measures within a broader strategy to strengthen European cooperation, champion equal rights, and secure mutual security for Israelis and Palestinians. Without enforceable consequences, the illegal settlement programme is likely to expand, heightening the risk of further violence. Vincent Fean – former consul‑general in JerusalemDavid Hannay – former UN ambassadorAnn Grant – former high commissioner to South AfricaEmyr Jones Parry – former UN ambassadorDavid Manning – former US ambassadorDavid Richmond – former FCO director generalPeter Westmacott – former US ambassadorJeremy Greenstock – former UN ambassadorFrances Guy – former Lebanon ambassadorPeter Millett – former Jordan ambassadorDerek Plumbly – former Egypt ambassadorEdward Clay – former Kenya high commissionerTony Brenton – former Russia ambassadorWilliam Patey – former Afghanistan ambassadorColin Budd – former Netherlands ambassadorAnthony Cary – former Canada high commissionerAlan Charlton – former Brazil ambassadorEdward Chaplin – former Iraq and Jordan ambassadorPeter Collecott – former Brazil ambassadorRichard Dalton – former Iran ambassadorMichael Hone – former Iceland ambassadorNicholas Hopton – former Iran ambassadorPeter Jenkins – former UN (Vienna) ambassadorRupert Joy – former EU ambassador to MoroccoRobin Kealy – former Tunisia ambassadorRobin Lamb – former Bahrain ambassadorAnthony Layden – former Morocco ambassadorRichard Makepeace – former UAE ambassadorMark Matthews – former Chad ambassadorRichard Northern – former Libya ambassadorChristopher Segar – former Iraq ambassadorAdrian Sindall – former Syria ambassador

A group of 32 former UK ambassadors and high commissioners has urged the UK government to take action against companies bidding to build an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank. The planned E1 settlement, which would involve the construction of 3,400 houses on "Palestinian soil," is part of Israel's "systemic West Bank annexation."The letter, published in the Guardian, calls for a UK trade ban on settlement products and services, as well as "suspending trade concessions with Israel for its breach of the human rights provision in the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement."The E1 plan, which has been on hold for two decades, poses an "existential threat" to the future of the two-state solution. Critics argue that it would extend the existing Jewish settlement of Ma'ale Adumim towards Jerusalem, further cutting occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank, and further separating the north and south of the territory.Keir Starmer has stated that the Israeli settlements, including the E1 settlement, are a "flagrant breach of international law" and threaten the viability of a two-state solution. The UK government has recommended that "settlement products are labelled so that consumers are informed."The letter calls for Britain to lead the way in taking action against the Israeli settlement plans. "Britain is ideally fitted, both by that decision and its historic responsibilities in the region, to give a lead to like-minded European and Commonwealth partners," it states.

Waitrose faces mounting pressure after a reader highlighted the dismissal of former employee Walker Smith, who intervened to stop a shoplifter taking Easter eggs. The writer argues that senior management should step off their "ivory tower" and experience the shop floor to grasp the daily shoplifting epidemic confronting staff.The same contributor suggests a grassroots campaign: a “Don’t‑shop Wednesday” at Waitrose locations to demonstrate public solidarity with Smith and to force senior executives to address the issue directly.Other letters shared in the edition range from a heart‑warming story about a Labrador named Beau rescuing its owner after a cardiac arrest, to light‑hearted observations about shared birthdays of political figures and the challenges of spelling uncommon surnames. These personal reflections underscore the diverse voices that populate the Guardian’s letters section.Collectively, the submissions illustrate a broader concern: retail workers’ safety and morale are being tested by rising theft, and public support may be pivotal in shaping corporate responses.

The word 'marmalade' has a rich history that spans across cultures. It originates from the Portuguese fruit 'marmelo' (quince), which was used to make a sweet jam that was exported to England at the end of the 15th century. Over time, the English adopted the term 'marmalade' and applied it to orange jam, making it their own.Mónica Joyce Moniz, a Portuguese-British citizen, shares her perspective on the matter, highlighting the connection between her two countries. She notes that in Portugal, marmalade is still known as quince jam.Tony Batcup, a reader from Chile, suggests that marmalade should be correctly named as 'bitter orange marmalade', given its origins from Citrus x aurantium. He humorously proposes that the EU and UK can save their differences for more important issues.Mark de Brunner jokingly remarks that Brexit represented 'jam tomorrow', which has surprisingly come true in a literal sense.

In the heart of Buxton lies a remarkable wood, a self-willed and entangled haven of willows and birch, teeming with life. This site, boasting a species list of 870, primarily composed of insects, has become a beacon of biodiversity. The wood's diversity is largely attributed to the presence of willows and birch, two pioneer trees known for their invertebrate-friendly nature.The connection between insect abundance and birdsong is well-established, as the music of birds is fueled largely by invertebrate protein. A recent dawn-chorus walk in the area revealed 20 early spring vocalists, including song and mistle thrushes, dunnocks, wrens, bullfinches, and greenfinches, many of which are red- or amber-listed by the British Trust for Ornithology.However, the term 'dawn chorus' can be misleading, as the songs begin as early as 3:40 am and reach their peak around 4:30 am, long before the first light of dawn. The birds sing to proclaim territories and entice partners, leading to a complex harmony of competing voices. This phenomenon is beautifully described by Bernie Krause in his book The Great Animal Orchestra, which explores how the soundscape of any place reflects a kind of collective harmonizing among its inhabitants.It is disheartening, therefore, that High Peak borough council's plans threaten to disrupt this harmony. Despite declaring a nature emergency, the council appears unwilling to protect Hogshaw wood, instead considering it for a 'land bank' for development. This decision is particularly concerning given that the site is largely owned by the council and is one of the richest in nature in the area. The question remains: what is the meaning of declaring a nature emergency if it is not backed by concrete actions to protect and preserve our natural treasures?