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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.

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 first signs of spring are emerging on Dartmoor, with the sun's warmth bringing life to the granite landscape. A young naturalist, Henry, ventures out onto the moor, binoculars in hand, to catch a glimpse of returning migrants. As he scans the valley, he's rewarded with the sight of a wheatear, one of the first birds to return to the UK after spending winter in sub-Saharan Africa. The wheatear's distinctive white rump, which gives it its name, is a striking feature. The name 'wheatear' originates from an old English phrase, literally translating to 'white arse'. For Henry, spotting this bird is a big milestone, signaling the arrival of spring. As he observes the wheatear, Henry notes its dashingly dressed appearance, with a soft slate grey back, warmer peach-colored chest and stomach, and of course, its notable white rump. The sighting fills him with excitement, as it's a sure sign that spring has finally arrived on Dartmoor.

In the hallway at the Portuguese federation's base in Oeiras near Lisbon, Roberto Martínez stands with arms outstretched, embodying the warmth of welcome that has defined his coaching career. Seventy-five days before the World Cup begins, the man whose favorite goal was against Scunthorpe at Springfield Park now leads one of football's most formidable nations, with matches against Mexico and the United States serving as final preparation for the tournament.Martínez's journey to this moment defied conventional expectations. Arriving in England in 1995 as a 21-year-old unknown who didn't speak English, he recalls the cultural shock: 'You've spent your whole life learning you have to look after the ball, then you get there and the first thing they say is: 'Second ball'.' The Spanish midfielder, who would later be dubbed one of the 'Three Amigos' at Wigan, embraced the challenge with an attitude that has defined his career: 'Why not?'From his humble beginnings at Wigan, where he helped win the Third Division and Football League Trophy, Martínez has carved an extraordinary path through football. His coaching career took him through Swansea, Belgium—where he led the team to the world's No. 1 ranking—and now Portugal, where he has inherited a squad filled with exceptional talent. 'Portugal is a football school,' he explains, 'Ten million people and yet they fill the world's best dressing rooms.'Central to Portugal's World Cup aspirations is Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary forward who has given 21 years to the national team. Martínez dismisses the notion that Ronaldo's pursuit of 1,000 career goals defines his motivation, instead emphasizing the 40-year-old's unwavering commitment: 'Cristiano's attitude is always: 'I'm here for the national team, whatever you need.' The coach reveals that despite a current hamstring injury, Ronaldo's absence is merely a two-week pause before his return to action.Portugal enters the World Cup as one of the favorites, with a squad boasting captains from Manchester United, Porto, Manchester City, and four key players from European champions Paris Saint-Germain. 'Winning the Nations League was very good for us,' Martínez notes, referring to their victory against Spain, the world's No. 1 team and European champions. 'I wouldn't say there's an anxiety in Portugal to win the World Cup; I would say it's excitement, hope.'The coach's meticulous preparation extends to every detail, including playing at altitude in closed stadiums to simulate World Cup conditions. His selection process reflects both compassion and pragmatism: 'I'll choose a list of 26 and four others who know they are on standby.' This approach, he believes, creates a more positive environment when injuries occur.Martínez acknowledges the unique challenges of a 48-team World Cup spanning 50 days, noting: 'No scientific study would deny a human is changed by that.' Yet he remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from Portugal's football history and the numerological significance of 2026—sixty years since Eusébio's World Cup performance. 'It's all sixes. Let's dream. Why not?' he concludes, embodying the philosophy that has taken him from Spanish unknown to Portugal's World Cup dreamer.

A light-up C-3PO head used in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back has fetched more than $1 million at an auction. The prop was part of a collection of film and TV memorabilia that went under the hammer on Wednesday as part of the Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at Propstore auction house in Los Angeles.It is the only known example of the fictional droid’s head to appear on the collector market and sold for $1,058,400 (£790,440 or A$1,519,259), having received a pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $700,000.The C-3PO head was the top lot at the auction, which also saw the harpoon gun used by the actor Robert Shaw in Jaws, accompanied by its original case, fetch $327,600.Elsewhere, a Wilson volleyball used by Tom Hanks in 2000’s Cast Away sold for $189,000 after receiving a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $300,000.The auction also featured broken pieces of a sword used in The Lord Of The Rings, which sold for $252,000.The first day of the auction fetched $6.5 million and also included items such as a golden ticket from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, said: “We’ve seen a strong start to the auction, with competitive bidding right from the outset.“At Propstore, Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors and the C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back was a real highlight of the day.“The Jaws collection also delivered an impressive overall result, coming just after the film’s 50th anniversary and reflecting its enduring appeal with collectors.“With such a diverse lineup of material still to come, we’re excited to see how the rest of the auction unfolds.”The final day of bidding, 27 March, will be dedicated to animation, with more than 200 lots celebrating the artistry of animation in film and television.

The US-Israel war on Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for materials used in the production of various everyday products. As the conflict enters its fifth week, global oil shortages are forcing countries to take severe measures to conserve their reserves. While US gas prices have surged to their highest level in years, the impact of rising oil prices extends far beyond drivers. Oil is a crucial component in the supply chain, powering machines that manufacture goods and fueling trucks that transport them to stores. The price increases come at a time when many Americans are already strained by rising housing costs, grocery bills, and electricity statements. A recent Gallup poll found that a third of Americans have had to skip meals and forego other needs to afford their healthcare. Oil and Gas The average cost of gas in the US has jumped about 30% over the last month, with the national average hitting $3.97, the highest since 2023. Diesel, which fuels many trucks transporting goods, has increased by about 50%, or $1.69 more than it did a year ago. Higher diesel costs could soon affect transportation costs and grocery prices, as roughly 85% of agricultural goods are transported by trucks. The impact of oil and gas shortages on the supply chain can be categorized as first-order effects, such as higher prices at the gas pump, and second-order effects, including potential price increases for crops, semiconductor chips, and medical devices. Fertilizer Farmers are struggling as the spring growing season approaches, facing higher fertilizer costs and falling commodity prices. A third of global urea trade, a solid nitrogen fertilizer, passes through the Middle East region, with about 20% of imported fertilizer to the US coming from Qatar. Nitrogen fertilizer is critical to grow corn, which is cultivated by about 500,000 farmers in the US. The White House has promised to minimize disruptions to the US economy, with alternative sources of fertilizer being sought from around the world. Helium The conflict has disrupted the global helium supply after Iranian attacks in Qatar, the second-largest producer of helium after the United States. Helium is a key import used in aerospace, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and semiconductor chips that power AI. Jet Fuel Increases in oil prices could result in higher airfare and shipping costs. The price of jet fuel has doubled since the start of the war, according to the International Air Transport Association. United Airlines announced last Friday that it would have to cut flights due to the surging cost of fuel. < h2>Mortgage Rates Just as US mortgages were starting to fall in February, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate ticked up to its highest level in months, reaching 6.22%. Mortgage rates are closely tied to the overall state of the economy, and the US Federal Reserve's decision to leave rates unchanged last week cited uncertainty in the economy, particularly with conflict in the Middle East.

Retailer Next has reported a £1.16bn pre-tax profit for the full year, with the Middle East conflict expected to add only £15m to fuel and air freight costs. This amount, which assumes a three-month disruption, is considered minimal and can be offset by savings elsewhere.Chief Executive Simon Wolfson added £8m to this year's profit forecast as a mechanical read-through from last year's outcome, indicating that trading had been “encouraging” in the UK and “strong” overseas until late February.The main concern for Next is the potential long-term impact of the conflict on supply chain resilience, freight rates, factory gate prices, and consumer demand. Wolfson emphasized that the company has no insight into the duration and implications of the conflict, stating, “As yet, we have no feel for the medium-term effects”.If higher costs persist, Next may put up prices, but this remains “a contingency, not a plan”. The company will provide a clearer view in its first-quarter update in May.Wolfson also offered nuanced insights, suggesting that consumer confidence may not have collapsed as much as some, like the British Retail Consortium, have claimed. He noted that UK consumers tend to react to actual higher prices, not the threat of them.Additionally, Next's spring-summer ranges are already in stores, online, and warehouses, minimizing the immediate need for adjustments. Any increases in fabric costs or production disruptions in Asian factories would mostly affect autumn-winter ranges.The stock market responded positively, with Next's shares rising 5% to £125.40. This resilience could indicate potential for a profit upgrade in May if the £15m in extra costs turns out to be the worst of it.However, no retailer will be immune if the energy price shock persists and the OECD's prediction of UK economic growth of just 0.7% this year materializes.

As spring arrives, the natural world comes alive with a vibrant mix of joy and discipline. A pair of ravens perform their shuttling flight in glorious sunshine, while a charm of chaffinches flash white wing-bars through the shadows of mossy willows around the pond.A queen red-tailed bumblebee orbits a hedgebank boundary stone, then buzzes off to feed on gorse flowers or prospect for possible colony chambers below. The sounds of nature are filled with the lesser-spotted woodpecker hammering out rapid bursts of drumbeats and chiffchaffs finding their rhythm in the oaks.The article reflects on the discipline of seasonal labors and joys, where creatures return to their routines after a period of dormancy. This cycle of life is contrasted with the passage of time and the impact of suffering in the world.The author, Paul Evans, weaves in cultural references, such as an eighth-century Chinese poem by Meng Chiao, to illustrate the timeless nature of these cycles. The article concludes with a sense of hope and renewal, as the natural world awakens from its winter slumber.

The V&A; Museum's lavish spring show, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, is a surrealist's dream come true. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life and work of Elsa Schiaparelli, a fashion designer who defied conventions and pushed the boundaries of art and fashion.Schiaparelli's designs are a whimsical and witty blend of art, culture, and fashion. From a shoe that becomes a hat to a telephone dial that transforms into a compact mirror, each piece is a testament to her innovative spirit and creative genius.The exhibition features collaborations with famous artists like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau, showcasing iconic pieces such as the lobster telephone and the skeleton dress. These works demonstrate Schiaparelli's ability to merge fashion and art, creating something truly unique and groundbreaking.Elsa Schiaparelli was a trailblazer in her own right, launching her fashion career in Paris in the 1930s and quickly gaining recognition for her trompe l'oeil sweaters and shocking pink designs. Her legacy continues to inspire designers today, including Daniel Roseberry, who has been spearheading the brand's revival since 2019.The exhibition also features modern pieces that showcase the brand's continued commitment to innovative design and artistic collaboration. From a golden breastplate worn by Bella Hadid at Cannes to a robot baby made from old flip phones and circuit board shards, these works demonstrate the brand's ongoing dialogue with art and culture.Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in fashion, art, and culture. It challenges visitors to think differently about the relationship between fashion and art, and showcases the enduring legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist designs.