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‘Departures’ arrives in UK and Irish theatres on 17 April, offering a sharply observed portrait of a man navigating the aftermath of a breakup. The story centers on Benji, a thirty‑something who, after parting ways with his charismatic trainer Jake, plunges into a haze of parties, substance use and fleeting encounters in an attempt to dull the ache of lost love. The film tackles weighty subjects—body‑image insecurity, familial rejection and the pressures of toxic masculinity—yet it avoids sentimentality by leaning into a darkly comic tone and a poppy visual palette. Its elliptical editing stitches together present‑day self‑destruction with fragmented memories of Jake, creating a nonlinear rhythm that mirrors the disorienting experience of a broken heart. Ey​re‑Morgan not only co‑writes and co‑directs but also embodies Benji, delivering a performance that feels both self‑deprecating and raw. His on‑screen chemistry with David Tag’s Jake provides the emotional anchor of the film, allowing the audience to glimpse the genuine connection that fuels Benji’s subsequent turmoil. Despite its strengths, the movie leans heavily on voice‑over narration, which at times hampers momentum, especially during emotionally charged scenes. The tendency to verbalise feelings rather than let the cinematography speak can feel redundant, and the multiple flashbacks occasionally drift into over‑exposition. Overall, ‘Departures’ stands as a thoughtful exploration of love, identity and the search for authenticity, while also showcasing the burgeoning talent emerging from northern England’s film scene.

Rescuers are frantically digging through the rubble in south Lebanon after a series of deadly Israeli strikes hit the region. The attacks have left a trail of destruction, with many lives lost and communities affected.The situation on the ground remains dire as emergency responders work tirelessly to search for survivors and recover the bodies of those killed. The impact of these strikes has been severe, exacerbating tensions in an already volatile region.International concern is growing over the escalation of violence, with calls for restraint and a return to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The incidents have sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

The Israeli military's invasion of southern Lebanon has resulted in the demolition of entire villages, with homes rigged with explosives and razed to the ground in massive remote detonations.Videos posted by the Israeli military and on social media show Israel carrying out mass detonations in the villages of Taybeh, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan along the Israel-Lebanon border. Lebanese media has reported more mass detonations in other border villages.The demolitions came after Israel's minister of defence, Israel Katz, called for the destruction of 'all houses' in border villages 'in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza' to stop threats to communities in northern Israel. The Israeli military destroyed 90% of homes in Rafah, in south Gaza.The tactic of mass destruction of homes in Gaza, where Israel has been accused of committing genocide, was described as domicide by academics, a strategy that is used to systematically destroy and damage civilian housing to render entire areas uninhabitable.The Israeli military has said they are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure such as tunnels and military facilities, which it claims the armed group has embedded in civilian homes, through these demolitions.Israel has said that it will occupy vast swathes of south Lebanon, establishing a 'security zone' in the entire area up to the Litani River, and that displaced people would not be allowed to return to their homes until the safety of Israel's northern cities is guaranteed, prompting concern there will be long-term displacement.Rights groups, however, have said these mass remote detonations could amount to wanton destruction: a war crime. The laws of war prohibit the deliberate destruction of civilian homes, except when necessary for lawful military reasons.'The possibility that Hezbollah may use some civilian structures in Lebanon's border villages for military purposes does not justify the wide-scale destruction of entire villages along the border,' said Ramzi Kaiss, the Lebanon researcher for Human Rights Watch.

An Iranian rabbi has made public statements regarding the alleged destruction of a synagogue in Tehran by Israel. This incident has brought renewed attention to the complex and often strained relationship between Iran and Israel.The rabbi's account provides a unique perspective on the situation, emphasizing the religious and cultural implications of such an act. While details remain scarce, the incident underscores the longstanding geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Argentina's glacier law has been in effect since 2010, and was the first legislation in Latin America to protect glaciers. It has been a point of contention for mining companies and provincial authorities ever since.The law bans 'any activity' that can affect the 'natural condition' of a glacier or the periglacial frozen land surrounding it, or that results in 'its destruction, movement or interferes with its advance'. That includes the construction of infrastructure not for scientific purposes and any industrial activity. Mining companies, including Barrick, have previously sought to have the law deemed unconstitutional, but the supreme court rejected the challenge.However, a recent reform to the glacier law driven by the far-right government of Javier Milei will relax restrictions, paving the way for mines in high-altitude areas blanketed with ice and snow, which are sources of water. The new law, approved on Wednesday by 137 votes to 111, with three abstentions, will enable provincial authorities to decide which glaciers are protected and which are open for development based on whether they represent a 'relevant water function'.Environmentalists and community members such as Zeballos, a 51-year-old accountant turned activist, have long alleged that Veladero, owned by Canada-based Barrick Mining Corporation and China's Shandong Gold, is operating illegally in an area considered off-limits by Argentina's Ley de Glaciares – or glacier law. The reform has sparked a wave of protests, with Greenpeace activists staging a demonstration on the steps of the National Congress.'What is at stake is the protection of key water reserves in Argentina,' says Andrés Nápoli, a lawyer and executive director of the Foundation of Environment and Natural Resources (Farn), an environmental and human rights NGO. 'Saying that you have to destroy glaciers to guarantee the energy transition is an oxymoron.'About 7 million people, 16% of the population in Argentina, live in areas that depend on glaciers, according to environmental organisations. Glaciers don't just feed rivers; they balance fragile ecosystems hit hard by a heating planet. In Argentina's northwest, scientists say they have shrunk by 17% in the past 10 years.

Linguist George Lakoff warned that metaphors can kill, noting how euphemistic language in the Gulf War concealed harsh realities. He argued that framing conflict with business‑like cost‑benefit analogies or heroic narratives masks civilian suffering. Historically, the U.S. military has preferred sanitized terms such as “collateral damage” and “surgical strikes” to describe civilian casualties. In stark contrast, President Donald Trump has resorted to overtly hostile language, issuing a series of threats that culminated this week with the claim that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” unless Iran accepts a deal. The threat emerged amid a fragile two‑week ceasefire that the United States helped broker after the conflict it ignited six weeks earlier. While the ceasefire offered a brief respite, its stability was immediately questioned, and upcoming talks in Islamabad faced similar uncertainty. At the same time, Israel intensified its campaign in Lebanon, launching a ten‑minute strike—dubbed “Operation Eternal Darkness”—that killed dozens of civilians, including children, a poet, and journalists. In Gaza, despite a ceasefire declared six months ago, Israeli forces have continued to kill hundreds of Palestinians, accompanied by rhetoric that borders on annihilation. Legal experts stress that Trump’s ultimatum would compel the U.S. military to carry out clearly illegal acts. Although soldiers are obligated to obey only lawful orders, the administration’s erosion of institutional checks has left them with few avenues to refuse. Political philosopher Mathias Risse observed that the language of civilizational destruction is not merely a symptom of atrocity but a tool of it, effectively making the threat itself a war crime. Scholars note that such an explicit declaration of intent is rare, and pursuing accountability through international law may seem futile. Nevertheless, the editorial argues that any attempt to hold Trump accountable is essential; allowing the threat to go unchecked would further undermine the rules‑based international order. The Pope and a prominent Hollywood actor have publicly condemned the president’s statements, underscoring the moral urgency of the issue. Failure to challenge this rhetoric, the piece warns, could erode legal and normative standards worldwide, leaving Iran and other populations exposed to heightened peril.

The recent threat by the US President to commit genocide against Iran is a stark reminder of the dangers of normalizing violence and aggression. This threat comes on the heels of Israel's continued bombing in Lebanon, which has resulted in the killing of over 200 people in a single day.The connection between these events and the situation in Gaza is clear. The destruction of Gaza, which has been described as a "civilization wiped out", has been normalized by western politicians and media outlets. The killing of thousands of Palestinians, including 20,000 children, has been met with relative silence and inaction.The article highlights the role of lobbying and strategic interests in shaping western policy towards Israel and Palestine. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has spent $221m since December 2021, influencing political campaigns and shaping public opinion.The author argues that the normalization of genocide in Gaza has paved the way for the current war with Iran. The use of similar rhetoric and tactics, such as the targeting of critical infrastructure and the dehumanization of enemies, has created a template for violence that is now being applied to Iran.The article concludes that the price of cowardice and complicity in these atrocities will be paid by innocent civilians in the Middle East and beyond. The normalization of genocide and violence has created a world where barbarism is accepted and the line between the permissible and the unthinkable is constantly shifting.

Residents of Sidon are recalling the traumatic experience of Israeli airstrikes that targeted their area, following a recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The strikes had caused significant fear and destruction, leaving a lasting impact on the local community. The ceasefire has brought a sense of relief, but the memories of the intense violence and fear for their safety continue to linger among the residents. The incident has underscored the fragile nature of peace in the region and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.

A fresh assessment released after the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes confirms that Beirut has endured extensive structural damage. The report, sourced from local authorities, outlines the breadth of destruction across residential districts and key infrastructure.While precise casualty figures remain unconfirmed, officials emphasize that the scale of the devastation will require substantial reconstruction efforts and could exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the capital.International observers note that the heightened damage underscores the escalating intensity of the conflict in the region, raising concerns about further destabilisation and the need for coordinated relief responses.