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Cape Town's iconic Bo-Kaap neighborhood, known for its brightly colored houses and rich cultural heritage, is under threat from rising property prices and foreign investment. The area, situated at the foot of Table Mountain, has long been a hub for the city's Muslim community, with its historic mosque, Auwal Masjid, dating back to 1794.However, the neighborhood's growing popularity with tourists and investors has led to a surge in property prices, making it increasingly difficult for long-time residents to afford to stay. Foreign buyers have accounted for around $168m in property sales across Cape Town's prime property market in the past year, according to data from the Seeff Property Group.Residents say the consequences are unfolding inside the neighborhood itself, with homes that once housed generations of the same families being sold to foreign investors or converted into short-term rentals like Airbnb. Younger residents are finding it hard to remain in the neighborhood, with many being priced out of the market.The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association has expressed concerns about the impact of gentrification on the community, with chairperson Sheikh Dawood Terblanche stating that residents are being displaced due to rising property prices and municipal rates.The City of Cape Town has acknowledged the challenges facing neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap, citing rapid population growth and economic conditions as contributing factors. However, residents say more needs to be done to protect the community's cultural heritage and ensure that long-time residents are not priced out of their ancestral homes.

The military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 24th day, bringing the region to a precarious juncture. As US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches its expiration at 23:44 GMT on Monday, Tehran has issued stern warnings regarding the potential targeting of its electricity grid. In response, Iran has vowed to strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbors, raising fears of a broader regional energy crisis.The conflict is already having tangible repercussions on the global economy. Financial markets are reacting sharply to the escalating tensions, with stocks in China and Hong Kong on track for their worst performance in nearly a year. The uncertainty has fueled stagflation fears, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to convene an emergency meeting to address the mounting economic fallout.In Iran, the situation remains volatile. The Israeli military has conducted a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran, resulting in powerful explosions reported in the central, southern, and eastern parts of the capital. Verified footage shows massive columns of fire and smoke rising over Karaj following an air attack. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has retaliated by threatening attacks on power plants in Israel and those supplying electricity to US bases, while also targeting a turbine engine production site in Qom used for drone components.The conflict has also spilled over into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that two ballistic missiles were launched toward Riyadh, with one intercepted and the other falling in an uninhabited area. The UAE reported debris injuries in the al-Shawamekh area, while Bahrain confirmed attacks on the US Fifth Fleet. In Qatar, seven people were killed in a helicopter crash, and Kuwait has formally protested airspace violations to the International Civil Aviation Organization.The human toll continues to rise. In Israel, alerts were triggered across Jerusalem and central Israel following explosions, with the casualty toll from attacks on Dimona and Arad climbing to at least 180 injured. In Lebanon, authorities report that at least 1,029 people have been killed since March 2, with over 100 of the victims being children. In Iraq, at least 60 people have been killed, primarily among pro-Iran Popular Mobilisation Forces.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a significant risk by retaining Brendon McCullum as men's head coach and Rob Key as team director following a dismal Ashes series. The pair's contracts and the board's decision have sparked widespread criticism.McCullum's contract runs until the end of 2027, and terminating it would come at a substantial cost. The ECB appears to have opted for continuity, despite England's 4-1 defeat in Australia, which exposed several issues with the team's approach and strategy.The Test team holds a special place in the hearts of English cricket fans, and the recent performance has left many feeling frustrated. The ECB's decision to stick with McCullum and Key is seen as a bold move, but it also means that the duo must now work to regain the trust and support of the public.Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, and Richard Thompson, the ECB chair, have acknowledged that the decision will not be popular. However, they seem committed to their strategy, citing a 25% increase in Test viewership over the past four years.The ECB's plans to revamp the team include introducing a bowling guru and a new selector. However, some critics argue that these changes do not go far enough to address the team's shortcomings. Rob Key emphasized the need for greater accountability for poor performance, but the specifics of how this will be implemented remain unclear.The team's performance under McCullum and Key has been inconsistent. While there have been some notable victories, the team has struggled in major Test series against Australia and India. The Ashes campaigns, in particular, have been approached with a casual attitude, with England only becoming more determined after falling behind 2-0 in 2023.To regain the public's trust, England must demonstrate improvement in several areas, including better engagement with the domestic game, more merit-based selection, and a clearer understanding between Ben Stokes and McCullum. The team's ability to adapt and evolve will be crucial in the coming months.

The US conflict in Iran, with its wide-reaching consequences for the Middle East and global economy, is being portrayed by the Trump administration in a strikingly detached and simplistic manner. The war is being likened to a video game, a spectator sport, and a social media event, complete with memes and AI-generated content.A week into the conflict, the White House uploaded a series of social media clips featuring montages of popular movies like Top Gun, Braveheart, and Breaking Bad, with captions like 'Justice the American way.' Another clip, titled Touchdown, showed NFL players tackling each other, culminating in an explosion labeled 'unclassified.' Even SpongeBob SquarePants made an appearance, asking, 'Wanna see me do it again?' followed by an explosion.A senior White House official described their approach as 'grinding away on banger memes, dude,' highlighting an 'entertainment factor' in their strategy. This approach reflects Donald Trump's and his MAGA base's tendency to view politics as a competition, where scoring, winning, and humiliating the opponent are paramount. The conflict is thus framed not in terms of death, destruction, or economic fallout but as a game of scoring points.The use of AI in the conflict has been unprecedented, with Adm Brad Cooper, Centcom commander for Operation Epic Fury, noting that AI played a crucial role in the over 5,500 strikes on Iran. AI tools can accelerate processes that used to take hours or days into mere seconds, streamlining the 'kill chain' and reducing human involvement in target selection.This detachment is further exacerbated by the remote nature of the conflict and the current information ecosystem, where events are flattened into social media feeds, making it difficult to discern reality from fiction. The glut of information, including fake footage and AI-generated content, has dulled our sensitivity to the true stakes of the conflict.The article concludes with a call to retain empathy and humanity in the face of political leaders who benefit from dehumanizing conflict and platform owners who profit from it. The challenge is to understand the human cost of the war and exercise pressure on those responsible for the suffering.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reaffirmed its support for head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director of cricket Rob Key, despite the team's dismal 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. This decision, while potentially unpopular among fans, is seen as the right course of action by the ECB.According to Richard Gould, the ECB's chief executive, the board's choice to stick with McCullum and Key is guided by 'good judgment and objective views,' rather than public sentiment. Gould emphasized that the leadership duo has shown a willingness to 'adapt' and 'evolve' their approach in the wake of the Ashes debacle.The ECB's internal review of the Ashes series highlighted several key areas for improvement, including better use of the performance system, enhanced long-term planning, and a more professional culture within the senior men's setup. These findings were presented to the media in the form of two slides with bullet points.One of the major talking points from the review was the team's culture and environment, which came under scrutiny following a mid-Ashes break in Noosa that generated headlines about player behavior. The situation escalated when Harry Brook was disciplined for a drunken altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.Gould described the incident as 'significantly unprofessional,' while Key noted that Brook was given a second chance due to his previous clean record and the decision to prioritize England commitments over the Indian Premier League.In response to these challenges, the team has introduced a midnight curfew to formalize McCullum's stance on the importance of rest and discipline. Key also highlighted the recent appointment of Troy Cooley to oversee fast-bowling development as a positive step forward.Looking ahead, Key emphasized that the team will not undergo a major philosophical shift under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who have different but complementary outlooks. The focus will be on refining their existing approach rather than implementing drastic changes.

The horror film The Mortuary Assistant, based on Brian Clarke's popular indie video game of the same name, stands out for its convincing practical effects. The movie recreates embalming techniques with remarkable accuracy, much like the game, which allows players to learn about these processes in detail.The film's strength lies in its simulation element, effectively placing viewers in the shoes of someone preparing a body for cremation. However, this aspect may appeal to a more niche audience compared to mainstream horror movies.Unfortunately, the film lacks balance in its narrative, with the characters of Rebecca and Raymond being portrayed as dark and tormented, leaving little room for contrast or character development. The introduction of demonic possession adds a familiar horror element, but it feels somewhat disconnected from the rest of the story.Despite its well-crafted direction and impressive practical effects, The Mortuary Assistant falls short in delivering a well-rounded horror experience. A potential sequel could explore more complex characterisation or a schlockier, more formulaic approach to create a more engaging narrative.The Mortuary Assistant is available on Shudder and AMC+ from 27 March.

Hummus has become an integral part of British cuisine, joining the inflation basket as a staple food item. The dip's popularity has grown exponentially since its introduction to British supermarkets in the late 1980s.Waitrose was the first British supermarket to stock hummus in 1987, marking the beginning of its journey from an exotic curiosity to a mainstream favorite. Today, hummus is a ubiquitous presence in British supermarkets, with Tesco offering 18 different versions of the dip.The success of hummus can be attributed to its versatility, with Ramona Hazan's eponymous brand producing 80-100 tonnes of hummus a week. Hazan started her company in her London flat in 2004 with a £25 Kenwood blender and now has a brand valued at £24m.The UK's changing dietary habits have played a significant role in hummus's popularity, with consumers increasingly opting for healthier alternatives. Middle Eastern cuisine has become increasingly mainstream, with chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi and Claudia Roden contributing to its popularity.The addition of hummus to the inflation basket reflects the significant impact of healthier lifestyle choices on consumer spending. Alcohol-free beer will also be included in the basket for the first time, highlighting the shift towards healthier alternatives.

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has apologized for his recent comments downplaying the seriousness of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and asthma. In an appearance on the Bring the Juice podcast, Skattebo called CTE an 'excuse' and claimed that asthma is 'fake', suggesting that people should 'just breathe air'. After receiving widespread backlash for his comments, Skattebo offered a retraction on social media, stating that his remarks were a 'tasteless joke' and that he never intended to downplay the seriousness of head injuries or asthma. He sincerely apologized to anyone who was offended by his remarks and assured that he will be more mindful and respectful going forward. CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, which can cause mood swings, depression, suicidal thoughts, and memory loss. A 2017 study found CTE in 110 of 111 former football players. The condition can only be diagnosed after death, and the NFL finally acknowledged a link between football and CTE in 2016. Asthma affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and can lead to death in extreme cases. Skattebo's mother, Becky Skattebo, replied to her son's post, saying she was asthmatic and that his comments were made in jest. Skattebo was a popular figure with Giants fans in his rookie season in 2025 due to his physical running style, scoring seven touchdowns and running for 410 yards before an ankle injury ended his season.

Chuck Norris, a former world karate champion turned action movie star, has died at the age of 86. His family announced his passing on social media, stating that he was surrounded by his loved ones and at peace.Norris's career spanned several decades, beginning with his appearance in Bruce Lee's 1972 film The Way of the Dragon. He went on to star in numerous action films, including Invasion USA and The Delta Force, as well as the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. Norris also gained a level of political profile for his outspoken support for right-wing causes.Tributes from fellow action stars and celebrities poured in, with Sylvester Stallone describing Norris as "all American in every way" and Dolph Lundgren calling him "the champ". Stephen King also paid tribute, saying Norris was "great" and that his film Silent Rage had scared him and his children.Norris's impact on popular culture extends beyond his film career, with the internet meme "Chuck Norris facts" becoming a testament to his enduring legacy. He is survived by his wife, Gena O'Kelley, and his five children.