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The reintroduction of beavers in Dorset has shown promising results, with the animals building a 35-metre dam and creating a deep, wildlife-rich pool. By coppicing trees, they have allowed more light in and improved habitats for plants, insects, amphibians, birds, and bats.Trail cameras have captured footage of an otter fishing in the pond, as well as a barn owl hunting there. Volunteers have spotted birds including redpolls and water rails. The cameras also captured footage of two of the beavers mating, indicating they have settled in their new home and that there could be kits this summer.Despite some hitches, including the death of a male beaver and the relocation of a female, the western pair of beavers has been busy doing their engineering work. The National Trust, which is in charge of the project, said it was thrilled with the progress, highlighting the astonishing effect on the ecosystem in a relatively short time.Gen Crisford, the National Trust's wetlands project officer, said setbacks were inevitable but expressed hope for a 'happy ever after moment' with the western pair. The project allows for the release of 10 to 25 adult beavers, with the next release expected to take place this autumn.

The UK's physics community is reeling from a devastating blow as the government slashes funding for particle theory research. Grants from 2026 to 2030 have been cut by nearly 70%, leaving fewer than 20 postdoctoral researchers to work in the field across the country. This drastic reduction has sparked fears that some physics departments may close and that the UK's reputation as a hub for physics research could be irreparably damaged.Brian Cox, a prominent TV scientist and professor at the University of Manchester, described the impact as 'unquantifiable' and warned that it amounts to the 'destruction of the future'. The cuts have been criticized by scientists around the world, with over 600 international researchers signing an open letter in support of the UK's physics community.The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has defended the cuts, citing 'particular pressures' due to inflation and higher operating and staffing costs. However, many scientists argue that the cuts are a shortsighted move that will ultimately harm the UK's scientific progress and reputation. The UK's physics community has a rich history, with notable figures such as Stephen Hawking, Peter Higgs, and Paul Dirac making groundbreaking contributions to the field.The cuts have also sparked concerns about the impact on young researchers, who are the lifeblood of scientific progress. Prof Jeff Forshaw, also at Manchester, described the cuts as 'annihilating' a field of research that inspires young people into physics and fires up the public imagination. The situation has prompted alarm around the world, with Prof Ed Witten, considered one of the greatest physicists since Albert Einstein, expressing concern that the UK is following in the footsteps of the US, which has also made major cuts to science funding.

The UK music industry is facing a significant disparity in executive roles, with black professionals underrepresented in senior positions despite black music generating £24.5bn out of £30bn in revenue over the past 30 years. A recent report by UK Music found that 80% of UK music revenue has been generated by black music, but industry figures are highlighting that black people are still excluded from top executive roles. According to the 2024 UK Music Diversity Report, 22% of the music industry workforce identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic, compared with 46% of London's population. Eunice Obianagha, head of diversity at UK Music, emphasized the need for investment in genres such as "grime, garage and lovers rock" to support black music innovation. Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music, noted that racial pay gaps and barriers to career progression are preventing black professionals from gaining executive roles. Industry experts, including Zeon Richards and Jasmine Dotiwala, stress that ensuring black people secure higher industry positions is crucial for driving cultural understanding and nuance. Mykaell Riley, professor of black music at the University of Westminster, argued that black music should be taught in schools to recognize its significant influence on popular music.

The United Nations has taken a significant step towards acknowledging the atrocities of transatlantic slavery, adopting a resolution that labels it as the 'gravest crime against humanity'. The resolution, proposed by Ghana, was passed with 123 countries in favor, 3 opposed, and 52 abstaining.The resolution is not legally binding but carries substantial political weight. It calls for reparations and urges member states to engage in dialogue on the issue, including issuing formal apologies, returning stolen artifacts, providing financial compensation, and ensuring guarantees of non-repetition.Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, a key architect of the resolution, hailed its adoption as 'a route to healing and reparative justice'. The resolution's passage is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the ongoing impacts of slavery, which saw at least 12.5 million Africans abducted and sold between the 15th and 19th centuries.Despite the progress, there is growing backlash from Western leaders who oppose discussing reparations, arguing that today's states and institutions should not be held responsible for historical wrongs. The EU and the US expressed concerns that the resolution could imply a hierarchy among crimes against humanity.The Netherlands remains the only European country to have issued a formal apology for its role in slavery. The resolution comes after the African Union set out to create a 'unified vision' among its 55 member states about what reparations for slavery may look like.

Barcelona have taken a commanding 6-2 lead over rivals Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League quarterfinals, putting them on the brink of the semifinals. The Catalan side dominated the match, with Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts scoring within the first 13 minutes.Despite Linda Caicedo pulling one back for Real Madrid, Irene Paredes quickly restored Barcelona's two-goal lead. Pajor and Vicky Lopez added to the tally in the second half, with Caicedo scoring again for Madrid. Alexia Putellas sealed the win with a late penalty.Barcelona, now unbeaten in 25 games across all competitions, are on the verge of their eighth consecutive semifinal appearance. They have won all four matches against Real Madrid this season, scoring 16 goals to Madrid's two.Real Madrid face a tough task to progress, needing only their second-ever victory against Barcelona in 23 encounters. The second leg will take place next week, with Madrid also set to face Barcelona in Liga F at the weekend.

US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days to April 6, 2026. The decision comes as talks between the US and Iran are described as 'going very well'.In a social media post, Trump stated: 'As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time.'Trump also mentioned that despite 'erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media,' talks with Iran are ongoing and progressing well. He had previously urged Iranian leaders to negotiate an end to the near-month-long war or face further assassinations of senior officials.The conflict has resulted in significant escalation, with Israel conducting strikes on Iranian targets, including the killing of Alireza Tangsiri, the Revolutionary Guards' naval commander. Iran has retaliated with strikes across the Middle East, including in Tel Aviv, Modi'in, and Jerusalem.Trump has claimed victory in the war, stating, 'In a certain sense, we have already won.' He has also criticized NATO allies and described Iran as producing 'great negotiators' but 'lousy fighters.'The US and Israel have destroyed much of Iran's naval capabilities, but Tehran still possesses smaller boats capable of laying mines and launching anti-ship cruise missiles. These could render the Strait of Hormuz impassable to shipping.Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the US of 'double standards,' citing the US support for Israel's actions in Gaza while condemning Iran's defense in the Strait of Hormuz.The conflict has resulted in a significant death toll, with over 1,900 people killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further escalation and potential ground invasion.

Italian authorities have seized €20m (£17.3m) of assets in Tuscany, including property, vineyards, and olive groves, allegedly bought with money embezzled from the actor Ursula Andress.Andress, 90, had filed a complaint in her native Switzerland alleging a “progressive and significant depletion of her assets” by individuals charged with managing her finances, Italy’s financial crimes police said in a statement on Thursday.Prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Vaud built a picture of a “systematic misappropriation of financial resources” worth about 18m Swiss francs carried out through multiple, opaque transactions, the police said. The money was traced to Italy, where prosecutors in Florence took up the case and police began following the paper trail.They tracked it to San Casciano in Val di Pesa, near Florence, and a real-estate complex consisting of 11 units and 14 plots of land used as vineyards and olive groves, as well as works of art and other assets, the statement said. The judge for preliminary investigations of the court of Florence ordered the seizure of the entire illicit profit, up to the amount of CHF 18,000,000, to be enforced against the identified assets.No suspects were identified in the statement. Andress surged to fame thanks to a scene in the 1962 James Bond movie Dr No, in which she emerged from the sea on to a Caribbean beach in a white bikini, knife at her hip and a seashell in each hand.

The United States Department of State has approved a significant arms deal worth $16.5 billion to Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan. This move comes as tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify. The deal includes $8.4 billion worth of arms to the United Arab Emirates, which will be used to purchase drones, missiles, radar systems, and F-16 aircraft. Additionally, the US has approved roughly $8 billion for air and missile defense radar systems to Kuwait. Jordan will receive an additional $70.5 million to cover aircraft and munition support. The State Department stated that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner. The UAE is considered a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This arms deal comes amid ever-increasing tensions between the US and Iran. The administration of US President Donald Trump joined Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, prompting fears of a protracted regional conflict. The war has also caused energy prices around the world to surge. Iran has largely choked off tanker shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas travels. Gas prices in the United States have jumped from $3.10 per gallon ($0.82 per litre) on average this time last month to $3.88 ($1.02 per litre) on Thursday, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The principal contractors in Thursday’s proposed sales will include RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Despite the deals, all three companies’ stocks are trending downward on Wall Street. The Pentagon is seeking more money to fund the war, with the US Department of Defense seeking an additional $200 billion, according to The Associated Press. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that he was seeking a significant spending boost from Congress.

A recent Australian Senate inquiry has concluded that the country's climate change and energy 'information ecosystem' is fuelling conflict in communities, with misinformation and disinformation confusing the public, slowing renewable energy projects, and undermining policy responses to the climate crisis.The inquiry's final report, released on Tuesday evening, recommended that the government do more to make tech companies liable for 'psychosocial harms' spread on their platforms. It also suggested strengthening media literacy through the national curriculum and greater oversight when corporations engage with classrooms.The committee recommended more funding for research into mis- and disinformation, with a funding model to be developed for an independent effort to 'track hidden digital influence systems'. The Australian government should also sign a UN declaration, launched in Brazil in 2025, promising a series of actions aimed at combating climate mis- and dis-information.The use of artificial intelligence by groups looking to block progress on climate change was likely to further threaten the integrity of information the public received, the inquiry heard. The committee's Greens and Labor members endorsed the report, but some members felt it did not go far enough in addressing the issue.The inquiry's findings have significant implications for Australia's renewable energy future and its ability to address the climate crisis. As climate disinformation continues to evolve into a national security challenge, the Australian government must take urgent action to protect the integrity of information and promote a safe climate future.