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The Proposed Suspension of Carbon Tax Ministers are in discussions about suspending a carbon tax on fertilisers, due to come into effect early next year, in an effort to curb food inflation. The move would be part of a package of measures, including the suspension of import tariffs on a range of foods including bread, biscuits and bananas. Impact on Farmers and Food Inflation Government sources said they were looking at suspending tariffs on a range of fertilisers in order to discourage farmers from leaving fields fallow. Farmers have been considering leaving their fields fallow because rising costs mean they risk selling their 2027 crop at a loss. This would increase food inflation, which is already expected to rise sharply as the conflict in Iran raises fuel and fertiliser prices. Fertiliser Costs and Global Supply Chain Fertiliser costs have soared since the beginning of the Iran conflict, during which the strait of Hormuz has been closed. About 35% of the world’s fertiliser passes through the waterway and, since the conflict broke out in late January, about 1m tonnes of fertiliser have been stranded in the Gulf. Fertiliser producers said they expected the new tariffs, which were being put in place to match an existing EU scheme, could add £100 per tonne to costs. The Future Outlook Ministers are also cutting fuel taxes for farmers. The rate for red diesel and rebated biodiesel has been cut by more than a third, which the Treasury said made it the lowest in more than two decades. According to analysis from the Central Association for Agricultural Valuers, a 500-acre wheat farm could make a loss of £70,000 in 2027 because of higher costs caused by the Iran war. With farmers making decisions about 2027 cropping now, the economic outlook means they could be making difficult decisions such as leaving fields fallow.

The LeadBaseball's unexpected new danger has emerged in the form of a bat dog, leading to the suspension of the Tulsa Drillers' popular program after top Dodgers prospect Kendall George suffered a freak knee injury. The incident highlights the fine line between entertaining fans and ensuring player safety in minor league baseball.The Bat Dog IncidentDuring a home game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Monday, George, known for his blazing speed, injured his knee when he jumped out of the way of a bat dog while coming home to score. The 21-year-old first-round pick from 2023 looked frustrated by the dog's commitment to its retrieval duties, according to reports. The Drillers, like many minor league teams, use dogs to retrieve discarded bats and entertain fans, a program they've utilized for the last five seasons.The Impact on a Rising StarGeorge was having an impressive season, batting .333 with 26 stolen bases in 43 games before the injury. ESPN reported that his initial MRI revealed no ligament damage, potentially allowing him to avoid surgery and return to action sooner rather than later. For a prospect considered one of the Dodgers' best, this setback comes at a crucial point in his development as he works his way toward the major leagues.Team Response and Fan ReactionsThe Drillers' decision to suspend the bat dog program indicates they are taking the incident seriously. Previously, players like first baseman Brandon Lewis had expressed enjoyment of the dogs, noting that they give the animals time to retrieve bats before players approach. This sudden shift in policy suggests the organization is prioritizing player safety over fan entertainment in this specific instance.Future OutlookAs George recovers, the Dodgers organization will be monitoring his progress closely. For the bat dog program, this incident may lead to revised protocols or permanent discontinuation, depending on how the team evaluates the risks versus rewards. Minor league teams often rely on unique attractions to draw fans, making this a challenging decision that could set a precedent for other organizations with similar programs.

The LeadThe West Bank is grappling with a critical youth unemployment crisis that threatens economic stability and social cohesion in the region. With limited job opportunities and political uncertainties, young Palestinians face an increasingly challenging future.The Economic LandscapeYouth unemployment in the West Bank has reached alarming levels, with estimates suggesting that nearly 40% of young people aged 15-29 are without formal employment. This crisis is exacerbated by restricted movement, limited access to international markets, and an economy heavily dependent on foreign aid.The Social ImpactThe prolonged unemployment crisis has profound social consequences, including increased poverty rates, brain drain as educated youth seek opportunities abroad, and heightened social tensions. Young people report feelings of hopelessness and frustration about their future prospects.Policy ResponsesVarious international organizations and local authorities have attempted to address the crisis through vocational training programs, small business initiatives, and foreign investment projects. However, these efforts have been hampered by political instability and resource constraints.Future OutlookWithout significant intervention and political progress, the youth unemployment crisis in the West Bank is expected to worsen, potentially leading to increased social unrest and further economic decline. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated efforts to improve the business environment, create sustainable jobs, and resolve underlying political issues.

The Scope of the UK’s Youth Exclusion CrisisAlan Milburn, the Blair-era cabinet minister turned social mobility adviser, has delivered the first part of his government-commissioned report on why increasing numbers of people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training (Neet). The 217-page document paints a damning picture of a 'record of failure' that is letting down a generation.The report highlights that about 1 million young people across the UK are not in jobs, training or education—roughly one in eight. It notes that the UK’s Neet rate is now worse than all but one EU nation, with only Romania ranking lower. The issue is also becoming more entrenched, with six in 10 Neet young people having never held a single job.Economic Cost and Regional DisparitiesMilburn warns of a 'lost generation' with severe economic consequences. The cumulative cost of this issue is estimated at £125bn. The report also reveals stark geographical divides; for example, 1% of 16- and 17-year-olds in Barnet, north London, are Neet, compared to 21.5% in Dudley, West Midlands. Of the top 10 local authorities with the highest Neet rates, eight are in the north or Midlands.Structural Inequality and the Health CrisisThe analysis identifies structural inequality as a primary driver, linking Neet status to background, geography, and ethnicity. Health issues, particularly mental health, are described as central to the problem. Young people in this state are now more likely to be economically inactive (53%) than unemployed (47%). The report criticizes the NHS for categorizing young people as unable to work rather than helping them return to it, singling out the 'fit note' system as a failure.Systemic Reforms Needed to Break the CycleThe report suggests that the social security system is failing to support reintegration, noting that for every £25 spent on benefits, only £1 goes toward helping young people back into work. Furthermore, the labour market is becoming hostile to young entrants due to AI recruitment filters and a lack of entry-level roles. To prevent a permanent underclass, the government must address the fragmented support system and housing instability.

A fire ripped through the dormitory of Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, central Kenya, killing at least 16 students and injuring 79 others, officials said on Thursday.Fire Breaks Out in Gilgil Dormitory, Leaving 79 InjuredThe blaze started overnight in the girls’ boarding facility. Police and education authorities responded quickly, deploying roughly 50 officers to search the surrounding area for students who may have fled the flames. The cause of the fire has not been immediately identified.Casualty Figures and Response ResourcesDeaths: 16 studentsInjured: 79 (including several serious cases)Police personnel on scene: ~50 officersLocation: Utumishi Girls School, Gilgil, about 120 km northwest of NairobiFootage from Citizen Television showed shattered windows and smoke‑stained walls, confirming the intensity of the fire.Recurring School Fires Highlight Systemic Safety GapsKenya has a documented history of school fires. Government data recorded more than 60 arson cases in public secondary schools in 2018 alone, often linked to student protests over harsh discipline and poor living conditions. Notable past incidents include:2024 – A fire at a primary boarding school in Nyeri County killed 21 students.2017 – Ten students died in a Nairobi school fire, leading to a murder charge against a student.These patterns suggest deeper issues related to infrastructure, fire safety standards, and student‑staff relations.What Policy Changes Could Prevent Future Tragedies?Education Minister Julius Ogamba and senior police commander Masoud Mwinyi are likely to face pressure to strengthen safety protocols. Potential measures include:Mandatory fire‑safety audits for all boarding schools.Installation of functional smoke detectors and fire‑extinguishing equipment.Improved emergency evacuation training for students and staff.Addressing underlying grievances that may lead to arson, such as discipline policies and dormitory conditions.How quickly these steps are implemented will determine whether Kenya can break the cycle of deadly school fires.

The Rise of Heated Rivalry: From Canadian TV to NYC StageWalking into the Culture Club in West Chelsea, New York, for a performance of Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody last week, I was met by three ghosts left over from when the space was called the McKittrick hotel and it hosted the immersive spookfest, Sleep No More. The first was the phantom of clever detail: cans of Athletic IPAs for sale, a cute, non-alcoholic nod to the mega-popular series' hockey setting. The second was of unnerving fright, as I realized there would be no booze at this singing satire. Would I be able to make it through 90 minutes of jokes about an overexposed Canadian gay sports romance, with zero quality guarantee and an even lower blood alcohol concentration? At least at the downtown premiere of the popular parody Titanique, long before it proved itself worthy of a handful of Tony nominations, you could stand up and order a bucket of White Claws.But then the third specter materialized, the ghost of immersion and surrender, as this very funny production completely won me over. (I've since learned that a liquor license is forthcoming.) Heated Rivalry, for the uninitiated, is a television show adapted from a series of gay romance novels by Rachel Reid, a straight woman who unwittingly launched a thousand discussions about who gets to be horny over whom, how and when. Fans of the books petitioned for a wider release of the show produced for the Canadian streamer Crave, last November and, some six months later, its formerly unknown stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are in easy contention for the most photographed people alive. Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody is the latest addition to New York City's musical parody cottage industry, which has led me to a theater lobby where a woman in a branded hockey jersey is telling the stranger next to her that she's seen the series "probably not as many times as you think, but still a lot".The Unauthorized Musical: A Masterclass in ParodyThere was a communal giddiness as everyone filed into the unassuming performance space, where less than 200 folding chairs were arranged around a small stage. Super-fans were giddy that their dreams were coming true, and the more reserved types, perhaps blushing at what they deemed beneath them, were still clearly enjoying themselves. I liked the TV show just fine, a bit underwhelmed at what was broadly discussed as "softcore smut" but felt more in line with the twee "naughtiness" of the romance world. I had worried a musical parody put together in a few months would be a cash-grab; plain fan service for those who can't get enough of those six novels or episodes, not jabbing at the culture so much as stroking its ego. Impressively, as written by Dylan MarcAurele and directed by Alan Kliffer, it satisfies all three camps.Framing is everything, and this romp begins with a faux earnest number, à la Waitress, where three suburban Susans detail their newfound pastime: putting their husbands to bed with some iPad time, knocking back an "Ambien margarita" and reveling in their favorite televised "boy aquarium". From there, "Main Susan" (Ryann Redmond, glorious) recaps the years-long flirtation between the feuding players, innocent Japanese-Canadian "Shane Hollander" (Jimin Moon) and brusque Russian "Ilya Rozanov" (Jay Armstrong Johnson).The obligatory double entendres (a song titled Shane Hollander, Slap that Stick! or a line, by Shane's mom, about the "heavy load" her obviously gay son carries) are expertly delivered right between earnestness and tongue-in-cheek, but it's MarcAurele's ability to mock the story's sillier elements that clinched it for me. Shane, whose thumb-twiddling submissiveness often grated me in the TV show, is played by Moon as a dopey bottom with a hopeless romantic complex. What the series plays out as a forbidden romance writ epic across timelines and borders, MarcAurele presents as Shane's borderline delusion in dealing with an uncaring dom for years on end. "I keep replaying things he said," Shane beams after a hookup, "like, 'Ass up, little whore.'" The score's best number, certainly the one best primed for cabaret nights anywhere, is Liza Minnelli's Maybe This Time send-up where Shane croons, "This fuck felt different from the last fuck. This fuck, he asked if I would stay."If reading that inspires eyerolls – totally – Moon (and the rest of the cast, which includes Cherry Torres and Ryan Duncan) are so winning in their deliveries, so in on the joke without reducing their project into one, that it's impossible to resist. As the icy-hot Ilya, Johnson has the less showy role and plays it mostly straight, which makes his song about an outcast childhood made tragic by his impossibly "big ass, cold heart" that much funnier. And, well, let's face it: Johnson and Moon are sexy as hell, and charming to boot. Kliffer's inventive staging, with choreography by Brooke and Tiffany Engen on a resourceful set by Sully Ross, goes long on bunny-hopping glee.The Off-Broadway Parody Boom: A New RenaissanceThe Canadian Kliffer, previously artistic director of famed improv spots like Second City and Asylum NYC, where he helped launch Titanique's improbable boom, later told me that these parodies rarely come together with such speed, let alone quality. He'd loved MarcAurele's Pop Off, Michelangelo! in London and M3gan spoof stateside, and had just bought into Heated Rivalry, courtesy of its amorously optimistic fifth episode, when the writer texted him with the idea. The resulting work fits attractively between the out-and-out bawdiness of the Titanic send-up and the relentless Millennial nostalgia of Ginger Twinsies, which parodied the 90s Parent Trap remake last summer, and Kliffer notes that this very queer, very funny moment downtown – which also includes Cole Escola's Oh, Mary! – points to "a little bit of an Off-Broadway renaissance."This particular renaissance seems to be defined by parodies that are loving but not saccharine, willing to mock their source material while still celebrating what made it appealing in the first place. The success of these shows suggests a hunger for theater that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers genuine theatrical craft. In a city where Broadway ticket prices can be prohibitive, these intimate, affordable productions offer a different kind of theatrical experience – one that feels more accessible and immediate.Cultural Impact: Beyond the ParodyHeated Rivalry exists at the intersection of several cultural conversations. The original series, based on novels by Rachel Reid, sparked discussions about who gets to tell LGBTQ+ stories and how those stories should be represented. The parody doesn't shy away from these questions but instead uses humor to explore them. By exaggerating certain elements of the original series, the musical actually highlights what made it compelling in the first place.The show also represents the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ stories in mainstream entertainment. What began as niche content has become a cultural phenomenon, with the original series gaining international attention and its stars becoming unlikely celebrities. The musical parody capitalizes on this popularity while simultaneously commenting on it, creating a meta-narrative that appeals to both fans and newcomers.Moreover, the success of Heated Rivalry reflects a broader trend in entertainment where audiences are increasingly drawn to content that acknowledges and plays with its own artificiality. In an era of heightened awareness about media consumption, audiences seem to appreciate works that don't pretend to be anything other than what they are – crafted, performed, and enjoyed.The Future of Parody Theater: What's Next?As the Off-Broadway scene continues to evolve with these clever parodies, we can expect to see more adaptations of popular TV shows and movies hitting the small stage. The success of Heated Rivalry, following in the footsteps of Titanique and other parody hits, suggests that there's a sustainable market for this type of entertainment.What's particularly interesting is how these parodies are pushing the boundaries of traditional musical theater. They're more immediate, more self-aware, and more willing to break the fourth wall than many conventional productions. This approach seems to resonate with younger audiences who are accustomed to interactive media and meta-commentary.Looking ahead, we might see parodies of other recent cultural phenomena – perhaps streaming hits, viral social media trends, or even political events. The key to success, as demonstrated by Heated Rivalry, will be balancing genuine affection for the source material with sharp, intelligent humor that offers something new to the conversation.

Interviewing Mouse on Mars: A Conversation Like No Other Interviewing Mouse on Mars is no easy feat. Not because the duo are hard to find, even though their current studio is hidden in a courtyard deep in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. Nor because they continue to be notoriously busy, particularly since one half of the band, Jan St Werner (born Jan Stephan Werner), is now a professor in pop music, at the Folkwang University of the Arts in the western German city of Essen. The Collaboration with Lee 'Scratch' Perry After a five-year silence, they are about to release Spatial, No Problem, a collaboration with Lee “Scratch” Perry recorded during the late dub and reggae legend’s whirlwind visit to their former Berlin studio in 2019, two years before his death aged 85. The meeting had been set up by mutual friends, though it was not clear whether it would really happen until Perry arrived at Berlin’s airport – the former Bob Marley producer had a reputation for unpredictability, and dates kept shifting. The Making of Spatial, No Problem The result is a collage-esque fever dream of a record, marrying Perry’s signature free-flowing vocals with a strange, yet warm mix of countless instruments played by friends, all held together by glitchy electronics. They had the idea to record the session as spatial audio, a technology used to mimic a more “natural” hearing experience in 3D. Asking about his familiarity with the technique, Perry answered with a wide grin, and the sentence “Spatial? No problem”. The title to the album was born, which includes recordings that are said to be some of Perry’s last. The Impact of the Collaboration Their reverence for Perry is obvious, every attempt to steer the conversation towards other topics brings the trio back to their time with him. They paint a picture of a creative frenzy: technicians installing microphones whichever corner Perry ended up standing and performing in, friends popping in and out of the sessions, NKishi being proclaimed “God” by Perry in a graffito on the studio’s walls, a general sense of a meeting of minds between artists with a similarly anarchic approach to life and craft. The Future of Mouse on Mars At a moment when the music industry is becoming ever more algorithmic, more optimised, more relentlessly targeting fickle attention-spans on social media, Mouse on Mars remain a genuinely anomalous proposition: a band whose greatest asset is their refusal to be legible. And they have been doing this for 30 years, ending up somewhere entirely different than originally planned – and making it sound, against all odds, exactly where they meant to be.

Food Truck Turns Cigarette Butts into Dutch PancakesThe WasteBar food truck, spotted at the Het Vrije Westen liberation festival in Amsterdam’s Westerpark, offers a plate of poffertjes in exchange for 20 cigarette butts. The quirky payment method is designed to make people rethink litter by turning a common pollutant into a tangible reward. How WasteBar Converts Litter into Free Food at Dutch FestivalsCustomers hand over cigarette butts (or plastic pieces) at the truck.Pricing: 20 butts for a poffertje, 10 butts for a drink, 15 butts for fruit or candy.The truck appears at festivals, children’s events and business gatherings throughout the year. Scale of the Problem and Collected Butts: Numbers Behind the InitiativeGlobal production of cigarette butts exceeds 4.5 trillion each year; the Netherlands alone generates hundreds of millions.Municipalities spend roughly €36 million annually on butt cleanup.Since its 2022 launch, WasteBar has serviced > 50 events and collected > 500,000 cigarette butts.At the Westerpark festival, participants gathered 6,000 butts, enough for several hundred pancake portions. Potential Ripple Effects on Litter Behaviour in the NetherlandsBehavioural scientist Reint Jan Renes notes that the initiative leverages social norms and visible collective action, turning an abstract problem into a shared activity. By rewarding litter collection, WasteBar aims to create a “civic‑pride” mindset that could extend to other waste streams, such as dog poo, where the Netherlands has already made progress. Future Plans: Scaling Up and Recycling PartnershipsFounder Noreen van Holstein acknowledges that a single truck cannot solve the issue alone. She is seeking partners to recycle the amassed butts—currently stored in a drum with about 100,000 pieces—and to expand the model to more events. If successful, the concept could be replicated in other cities, reinforcing a broader cultural shift toward anti‑littering attitudes.

Blunkett reflects on Blair’s controversial essay and Today programme appearanceDavid Blunkett recalled a recent conversation with his former prime minister, noting that while they can argue constructively, Blair’s new 5,700‑word essay and prime‑time interview seem rooted in a bygone era. The essay urges Labour to seize AI opportunities, streamline regulation, and strengthen ties with the White House, while dismissing concerns about human‑rights implications in China and the Middle East.Polling shows limited public appetite for Blair’s counselResearch agency More in Common reports that only 34% of respondents think the government should listen to Blair, with 52% saying it is probably or definitely not worth it. Blair ranks lowest on “worth listening to” among recent prime ministers, trailing only Liz Truss. Focus‑group feedback cites the Iraq war and post‑politics financial activities as key credibility issues.Potential rifts within Labour and challenges to policy directionSenior figures such as Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting were directly criticised in the essay.Labour peers, including former welfare secretary John Hutton, defend Blair’s intervention as timely, while younger MPs show limited enthusiasm.Blunkett warns that Labour’s “soft‑left comfort zone” and recent policies—higher national insurance for businesses and a rise in the national minimum wage—may alienate voters.What Blair’s intervention could mean for Labour’s upcoming electionsBlunkett suggests Blair’s essay may provoke a counter‑argument within the party, potentially shaping campaign narratives for the forthcoming Makerfield by‑election and the next general election. If Labour fails to reconcile the technological optimism championed by Blair with the concerns of its grassroots, it risks further fragmentation and a weakened electoral outlook.