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Demonstrators took to the streets of cities across the United States for the first 'No Kings' protest since the joint US and Israeli war against Iran began one month ago. The protests, which mark the third round of nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations, saw over 3,300 events planned across all 50 states, with large crowds expected in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.The main event was scheduled for the Minneapolis-St Paul area in Minnesota, known as the Twin Cities, which became a focal point for Trump's hardline immigration crackdown in December. More than 3,000 federal immigration agents descended on the Twin Cities, leading to accusations of excessive force during deportation raids.In January, agents shot and killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, prompting nationwide outrage and calls for reform. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed as a result of the operation, which was wound down in February.Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders addressed attendees, and rock icon Bruce Springsteen performed at the event, along with folk singer Joan Baez. Actor Robert De Niro told the crowd in Minnesota in a pre-recorded address, 'You've shown bravery in the face of armed attack by government thugs, and you stood together and ran them out of town'.The previous two 'No Kings' marches took place in June and October and drew millions of people. Trump responded to the October protest by posting an AI-generated video depicting himself dumping faeces on the protesters. The US is currently in the midst of campaigns for its pivotal midterm elections in November, which will see Trump's Republican Party seek to defend its majorities in both chambers of Congress.Democrats are hoping to gain seats as Trump's popularity droops. Sanders was among the speakers who reminded protest attendees of the importance of the upcoming vote, saying, 'We will not allow this country to descend into authoritarianism or oligarchy. In America, we the people will rule'.

The UK's food self-sufficiency has been on a downward trend, falling from 78% in 1984 to 62% in 2024. This decline is largely attributed to the loss of farmland to non-farming uses such as buildings, roads, and conservation schemes. To address this issue, experts suggest that increasing food production on UK farms is crucial. However, promoting a more plant-based diet, while beneficial for health and environmental reasons, may not necessarily use fewer resources than traditional livestock farming. Beef cattle and sheep are often raised on extensively managed grasslands and mountain heath, which account for 38% of the UK's land area. This land receives minimal fertilizer and chemicals, and the animals are primarily fed on grazed and conserved grass. To improve food security, individuals can make a difference by making informed choices when shopping and cooking. Opting for local, organic, animal-friendly, and fairtrade products can contribute to a more sustainable food system. Additionally, growing one's own food, using seasonal products, and supporting local ventures can also help. Experts emphasize that it is essential to utilize the UK's existing food production resources efficiently, rather than wasting them on unsustainable practices. By adopting a more sustainable approach to food production and consumption, the UK can work towards a more secure food future.

A humpback whale, approximately 10 metres long, has become stranded for the third time on Germany's Baltic coast. The mammal, believed to be male, appeared weakened and sick on Sunday, struggling to find a route back to the Atlantic.**The prognosis for the whale's survival is grim**, according to Burkard Baschek, a marine scientist. The whale's breathing frequency has reduced, and it no longer exhibits reactions to nearby vessels.Till Backhaus, the environment minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, established a 500-metre restricted area around the animal to give it a chance to rest and hopefully free itself. However, **the chances of success are relatively slim**, according to Baschek.The whale was first spotted in the Baltic on 3 March and reported stranded on a sandbank last week. Authorities used an excavator to deepen a channel and boats to create waves to help free the mammal, which was nicknamed Timmy. Despite being freed once, it became trapped again on Sunday.**The whale's respiratory rate has dropped considerably**, and it is not moving, according to Stephanie Gross of the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research. Even if the whale frees itself again, it would need to navigate narrow straits and approximately 310 miles to reach relative safety.Humpback whales are not native to the Baltic, and experts suspect that the young whale followed a shoal of fish or became disoriented by the noise of a submarine. **The lack of salt concentration and nutrition in Baltic waters makes it difficult for humpbacks to survive in the long term**.

The possibility of US ground troops being sent into combat on Iranian soil is growing, driven by President Trump's desire to avoid being personally and politically humiliated in a war he started, mismanaged, and cannot end. Such a self-serving escalation could prove catastrophic for Trump and the American people, given the history of US military interventions in the region.Trump insists that the war is all but won, Iran is suing for peace, and talks are making good progress. However, in the real world, Iran is still fighting on all fronts, Israel is still bombing, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, and the Iran-allied Houthi militia in Yemen has joined the war, attacking Israel and potentially blocking Red Sea trade routes.The US and Iran have each issued maximalist demands, but there is no sign of actual negotiations. They are even further apart than they were before Trump, egged on by Benjamin Netanyahu, abandoned diplomacy last month. Sometime soon, Trump will be forced to confront the huge gap between what he wants and what's on offer. At that point, he could turn to the troop buildup in the Gulf and order ground attacks.It's incredible to think that after all the mortal agony and anguish of Iraq and Afghanistan, a US president is once again seriously contemplating boots on the ground in the Middle East. Trump's stumped, hoist by his own petard, stuck between a rock and a hard place, and up the creek without a paddle. The creek in question is, of course, the Strait of Hormuz.Trump is increasingly isolated and out on a limb. His wealthy Arab business cronies no longer trust him. US bases on their territory now resemble a liability, not a defence. When he demanded NATO's help, Europe said: we'll let you know. Likewise, Iran's ethnic Kurds are less than keen to die for a muppet. Support for the war among the US public and the Maga right, always weak, is a fast-vanishing mirage.If Trump were to order ground attacks – both he and Netanyahu have publicly discussed the possibility – the targets would most likely be the coastal batteries, missile defences, and concealed armed speedboat bases dotting the northern flank of the Hormuz strait. An attack on the Kharg oil export terminal further up the Gulf is also predicted.The inherent, inescapable military risks are daunting. Casualties would be inevitable. Even if operations went well in the short term, questions would immediately arise about potential escalation when Iran counterattacked, expansion of the operational area, and duration of the occupation.

The childcare system in England is failing to meet its social purpose, with 75,000 childminders lost since the 1990s. While nurseries are often touted as the default childcare solution, they tend to concentrate in wealthier areas, leaving low-income families with limited options.Childminders, on the other hand, can operate in any neighborhood and provide flexible, wraparound care that suits parents working shifts. They have lower overheads and can be a more affordable option in deprived areas. However, without a plan to rebuild this vital workforce, children who need early years care the most will struggle to access it.The article argues that childminders are a crucial part of the solution to England's childcare crisis, but they have been overlooked in discussions about early years care. By supporting childminders, policymakers can help ensure that disadvantaged children receive the care they need to thrive.

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.

Nepal's police have arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protesters last year.The detentions on Saturday came a day after Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet were sworn in after the first elections since the 2025 uprising that toppled Oli's government.According to The Kathmandu Post, Oli, 74, was taken into custody from his residence in Bhaktapur, a suburb of the capital, Kathmandu. Images later showed Oli walking into a hospital, dressed all in white, and surrounded by police officers.Lekhak was also detained on Saturday from another area of Bhaktapur, his personal secretary Janak Bhatta told the Post.In a statement on Facebook, new Home Minister Sudan Gurung wrote, "promise is a promise: No one is above the law"."This is not vengeance against anyone, it is simply the beginning of justice. I believe the country is now headed in a new direction," said Gurung.Oli has yet to issue a statement regarding the arrest.At least 77 people were killed in the anticorruption uprising on September 8-9, 2025, which began over a brief social media ban but tapped into longstanding fury over economic hardship.At least 19 young people were killed in the crackdown on the first day of protests.The demonstrations spread nationwide the following day as parliament and government offices were set ablaze, resulting in the government's collapse.During the caretaker administration, a government-backed commission into the deadly uprising recommended the prosecution of Oli and other senior officials.Its report said it was "not established that there was an order to shoot", but said "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives".Oli has previously denied ordering security forces to open fire on protesters. During his failed bid for re-election in the March 5 poll, he blamed "infiltrators" for the violence.Prime Minister Shah, 35, a rapper-turned-politician, and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections this month on a platform of youth-driven political change.Shah challenged and defeated Oli in the four-time ex-prime minister's own constituency.At Shah's first cabinet meeting on Friday, it was decided to implement the recommendations made by the investigative commission.

Reports are emerging of multiple explosions occurring in the Iranian cities of Tehran and Isfahan. The incidents have resulted in a heightened state of alertness and concern among local authorities and residents. The source of the bombings and the extent of the damage remain unclear. However, eyewitnesses describe the scenes as chaotic, with emergency services quickly responding to the affected areas. Iran has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions in recent years, and these bombings are likely to exacerbate existing concerns about regional stability. As more information becomes available, it is expected that there will be a significant impact on international relations and security measures in the area.

A powerful Israeli airstrike has struck the suburbs of Beirut, causing significant smoke to rise over the area. The incident has heightened tensions in the region, reflecting the ongoing Middle East conflict between Israel and Lebanon.The airstrike is a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Beirut, being the capital of Lebanon, is a critical location in these tensions.The situation remains fluid, with international attention focused on the developments in the region. The Israeli airstrike on Beirut suburbs underscores the complex and volatile nature of Middle East relations.