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President Donald Trump's aggressive pursuit of fossil fuels, particularly in the context of the Iran conflict, has exposed the volatile nature of the fossil fuel era, according to critics. The ongoing tensions have resulted in significant economic and environmental costs, including a spike in global energy costs and a substantial humanitarian toll.The conflict has led to a humanitarian and environmental crisis in Iran and southern Lebanon, with threats of further escalation likely to exacerbate these issues. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil transportation, has had far-reaching economic implications, with consumers worldwide paying over $100 billion extra to fossil fuel companies since the conflict began. In the US, the average national cost of gasoline has risen to nearly $4 a gallon.Experts, such as Alice Hill from the Council on Foreign Relations, have expressed concerns about Trump's reliance on fossil fuels, stating that it is a risky strategy. Hill emphasized that countries investing in clean energy like solar and wind power will be better positioned to weather such crises. However, Trump's administration has actively sought to undermine clean energy projects, including banning them from federal land and waters and removing their subsidies.The Trump administration's actions have been contrasted with the growing global investment in renewable energy. Despite the declining cost of wind and solar power, the administration has taken steps to promote fossil fuel extraction, including attempting to seize oil supplies from Iran and Venezuela. This approach has been criticized for its potential to exacerbate climate change and undermine global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.The ongoing dependence on fossil fuels has been highlighted by recent environmental disasters, including toxic black smoke from missile strikes on oil depots in Iran and an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These incidents have underscored the need for a shift towards cleaner energy sources to mitigate the risks associated with fossil fuel extraction and consumption.

The recent arrival of US ground invasion forces in the Middle East has raised concerns about a potential military confrontation with Iran. With 5,000 marines and 2,000 paratroopers deployed, the US may attempt to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil trade passes.Iran's control over the strait gives it significant leverage, and any US action could lead to severe escalation. The US president, Donald Trump, has stated he is prepared to give diplomacy a chance, but he also expressed a desire to 'take the oil in Iran'. The situation is precarious, with experts warning of a high risk of casualties and escalation.There are two possible military options for the US to open the strait: seizing territory or deploying a massive naval presence. However, both options carry significant risks. Iran has threatened to carpet bomb its own territory to kill any American soldiers on its soil, and the US would need a substantial force to hold any territory.The deployment may be a show of force to strengthen the American negotiating position, but it could also lead to a more significant conflict. The challenge could be multiplied if Iran-allied Houthi forces in Yemen enter the conflict, potentially attacking vessels passing through the southern end of the Red Sea.

Skye Edwards reflects on the song's impact: 'To me, 'The Sea' always felt very evocative and now whenever we perform it, I tell the audience to close their eyes and imagine they’re at the beach.' The song has taken Morcheeba on a journey around the world, performing at festivals in beautiful places by the sea or lakes.

In a 1926 diary entry, Janet Case vividly describes a moment of natural beauty in New Forest. As she cycled down the Manor drive, flanked by towering rhododendrons, she caught glimpses of the woodland beyond. The green walls of foliage ended abruptly, revealing the sunlit forest floor starred thick with white anemones.The sight was breathtaking, with the white stars of anemones lifting above their green, deep-cut leaves, maintaining their individuality much like stars in the sky. Case noted that unlike primroses or bluebells, which form a uniform carpet or sea of color, wood anemones create a crowd of distinct flowers.The description paints a serene picture of springtime in New Forest, highlighting the unique beauty of wood anemones and their ability to retain their individual charm even in large numbers. This century-old account offers a timeless appreciation for nature's simple yet profound beauty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Jordan as part of his tour to strengthen defence ties in the Gulf region, amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Security is the top priority, and it is crucial that all partners make necessary efforts toward it, Zelenskyy emphasized.Zelenskyy's visit comes after Ukraine has agreed to cooperate on defence with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Kyiv's anti-drone experts have also been deployed to these countries as Iran targets infrastructure there using drones that Russia has also used during its war with Ukraine.The Ukrainian president has been seeking support from the Gulf states as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, with no end in sight. More than four years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion, Kyiv is struggling to cover its budget deficit and fund domestic weapons production.Ukraine has intensified retaliatory attacks on Russian infrastructure, including refineries, oil depots, and ports, arguing that they were justified targets to sever revenues funding Russia's offensive. A drone strike triggered a fire at Russia's Baltic port of Ust-Luga, which was hit for the second time in several days.According to the Russian regional governor, Alexander Drozdenko, damage was sustained at the port, the fire is now under control, and there were no casualties from the attack. He added that 36 drones were destroyed overnight in the region.

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked manager Igor Tudor after just 44 days in charge, with the club struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Tudor managed the team for seven games, securing only one point from his five league matches.The final straw came with last Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, which left Tottenham one point and one place above the bottom three. A potential demotion to the Championship would be catastrophic for the club's prestige and revenues.Tudor's departure comes amid a backdrop of human tragedy, with the manager informed of the death of his father, Mario, after the Forest game. The club aimed to handle the situation with sensitivity towards the Croatian manager.Tudor's brief tenure included two Champions League matches against Atlético Madrid, with Tottenham ultimately losing 7-5 on aggregate. His time at Spurs began with a difficult period, including league defeats to Arsenal, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.The club has gone 13 league games without a win, their worst run since 1934-35 when they were relegated from the old Division One. Tudor's approach and tactics were questioned, particularly his decision to substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes in the first leg against Atlético Madrid.Tudor had been tasked with bringing organisation, intensity, and competitive edge to the squad, but ultimately failed to achieve this. The club is now searching for a new manager, with Bruno Salter set to take training in the interim.

Max Verstappen, the Dutch Formula One driver and four-time world champion, expressed his frustration with his Red Bull car after qualifying 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix. The car has been struggling with new regulations that split power 50-50 between conventional and electrical sources.Verstappen described the car as 'undriveable', citing issues with turning mid-corner and oversteering on entry. 'The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it's just oversteering a lot on entry. It's really difficult, unpredictable,' he told Sky Sports F1.In contrast, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured pole position with a fastest lap of 1min 28.778sec, followed by teammate George Russell and McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Antonelli, 19, became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks ago in China and has now secured back-to-back poles.Russell, who leads the early championship standings, was 0.298sec behind Antonelli and acknowledged struggling with his car during qualifying. 'I've been really comfortable with the car this whole weekend, it's just in qualifying something didn't quite feel right,' he said.The Japanese Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with Mercedes showing dominant form in dry conditions at Suzuka. Verstappen, who has won at Suzuka for the past four years, will look to bounce back from a difficult start to the season.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has concluded defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, focusing on joint expertise in countering threats from missiles and drones. The agreements were made during Zelenskyy's visit to Doha and the UAE earlier in the day. The defence pact with Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. This move comes as Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours, with Tehran insisting it targets only US assets in retaliation for the US-Israeli war on Iran. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones. Kyiv has proposed swapping its interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf countries to down Iranian drones. Ukraine needs these missiles to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks. The agreements highlight Ukraine's growing role as a leading producer of sophisticated, battlefield-proven drone interceptors. The country's expertise in downing Russian drones, which have been attacking Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, is seen as a cost-effective solution for Gulf nations. For instance, Ukraine's interceptors cost around $2,000 each, compared to the $4 million cost of a Patriot missile. Zelenskyy's diplomatic tour aims to secure funding and technology in return for Middle East support. The US-Israeli war on Iran has depleted Patriot missile stocks, which concerns Ukraine as it needs these missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

Russian forces have launched deadly strikes on two Ukrainian cities, killing at least four people and wounding over a dozen others. The attacks, which hit Odesa and Kryvyi Rih, damaged residential areas, a maternity hospital, and an industrial site.In Odesa, one person died in hospital from injuries sustained in the strikes, according to Serhiy Lysak, head of the city's military administration. He reported that 11 people were wounded, including a child, and that the strikes caused damage to a maternity hospital roof, high-rise buildings, and homes in several districts.In Kryvyi Rih, two men were killed and two wounded in a morning strike that hit an industrial site, said Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipro regional administration. He reported that fires erupted at the facility.The latest deadly strikes come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and reach a ceasefire deal remain entangled, dimming hopes of a quick resolution. There are currently no talks underway between Russia and Ukraine.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying about US demands, and voiced openness to diverting weapons to Kyiv to support the joint US-Israel attack on Iran. Zelenskyy had claimed that the US is pressing Ukraine to give up the eastern Donbas region to Russia before finalizing any post-war security guarantees to Kyiv.Rubio denied these claims, stating that security guarantees are not going to kick in until there's an end to the war, and that there was no condition attached to giving up territory.