Breaking AI & Tech News Analyzed

Israel stands as the sole nation where overwhelming public support exists for the conflict with Iran, despite the profound impact on daily life. At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds injured by Iranian missiles since the war began in February, with school closures and missile warnings becoming routine. Polling indicates that more than 90% of Jewish Israelis back the war, a figure that sharply contrasts with international sentiment.The global perspective reveals a dramatically different picture. Nearly a month into the fighting, polling shows that 60% of the US public opposes the war with Iran, and just one in four Americans backed the initial strikes. In the Gulf, Europe and Asia, the conflict is widely unpopular as severe economic consequences begin to manifest.According to Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem, many Jewish Israelis view themselves as under siege in a hostile world since the October 2023 massacre. This perception has led many to conclude that an aggressive security policy is the only way to ensure safety, regardless of international reaction.There's a prevailing sentiment in Israel that short-term suffering will lead to long-term security, despite security experts questioning whether Israel has a clear strategy to convert tactical achievements into lasting security. Life in Jerusalem remains restricted, with many working from home and limitations on businesses from cafes to gyms.The public support for the war has not translated into improved political fortunes for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who currently lags in polls for the upcoming general elections. While there is majority support for Netanyahu's decision to launch the war and his handling of it, even among those who don't want to give him another term, his coalition faces challenges in securing enough seats to return him to power.Some Israeli supporters of the war worry that Netanyahu's push to attack Iran has jeopardized the country's crucial relationship with the United States. Historically, Israel's foreign policy has been based on bipartisan ties, but Netanyahu has effectively abandoned that approach to cultivate an extremely close relationship with Trump.Israel's isolation is becoming increasingly apparent as the conflict continues. Unlike historical precedents where Israel achieved security through negotiated agreements with Jordan and Egypt, the current approach emphasizes military power above diplomatic solutions. This isolation is reflected in the fact that Israel may be the only place in the world with broad support for this war, with populations in Lebanon and Iran experiencing the conflict as horrific.

As Israeli settlers intensify violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, often while Israeli forces stand by, a notable shift is occurring in US political circles. Even staunch supporters of Israel within the Democratic party are now publicly denouncing the escalating violence.In recent days, dozens of settlers have engaged in apparently coordinated attacks, torching homes and vehicles while targeting Palestinian civilians. Since the beginning of the month, Israeli settlers and police have killed at least 10 Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory, including two young brothers and their parents who were returning from a Ramadan shopping trip.Among the voices breaking ranks is Ritchie Torres, a New York Democratic representative and one of Israel's most ardent supporters in Congress. In a statement this week, he declared that "the crisis of extremist settler violence in the West Bank must be confronted, and the perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." He called for "zero tolerance for violent extremism, no matter what form it takes."Another pro-Israel Democrat, Daniel Goldman of New York, condemned the violence as an "outrage" and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring to vote proposed legislation seeking to impose sanctions against those "undermining prospects for a two-state solution by committing illegal violent acts." He also criticized the Trump administration for rescinding sanctions against violent settlers that had been issued under the Biden administration.Several other Aipac-backed politicians have joined the condemnation, including Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, who called on the Israeli government to "stop being complicit," and Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, who labeled the attacks "acts of terrorism." Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Shontel Brown accused Trump of "green-lighting settler violence," while Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen stated that "violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank is a national security threat to Israel and must be treated as such."The political shift comes as US public support for Israel has plummeted. An NBC News poll found that two-thirds of Democrats now say their sympathies lie with Palestinians over Israelis—a dramatic reversal with significant implications for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, 68% of Republicans continue to express stronger support for Israel.A Guardian analysis revealed that Israel has not prosecuted any of its citizens for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank since the start of the decade. The UN has warned that the Israeli government has accelerated illegal settlement expansion, forcibly displacing approximately 36,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past year.Political analysts suggest these pro-Israel Democrats are "trapped between the money they've relied on to make their campaigns work and the voters they actually need to win," with condemnation of settler violence offering a way to express discontent without challenging the Israeli state itself.

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has disclosed that he explored the possibility of returning to the NFL as a player, but the league was not keen on the idea. In a recent interview with CNBC Sport, Brady revealed that he had inquired about a potential comeback, but the league's response was lukewarm.Brady's last NFL game was in January 2023, when his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, lost to the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, he has transitioned into a new role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a television analyst for Fox. A spokesperson for the league noted that if Brady were to return to playing, he would need to divest his stake in the Raiders.“I actually have inquired [about a return to playing], and [the NFL] don’t like that idea very much,” Brady said. “We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me just say that, too.”Despite his interest in a potential comeback, Brady emphasized that he is content with his decision to retire. He recently participated in a televised flag football game, where he threw a touchdown pass to receiver Stefon Diggs and appeared to be in good football shape. However, Brady insisted that the game only reconfirmed his happiness with his retirement.As a minority owner of the Raiders, Brady described his role as having no formal job description. He expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the team's success and bringing a winning culture to Las Vegas.Brady's commitment to winning is legendary, and his achievements in the NFL are unparalleled. He holds the record for most Super Bowl wins (7), career passing touchdowns (649), and passing yards (89,214).

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.

Marcelo Bielsa, the charismatic and intense manager of Uruguay, returns to England for a friendly match against the host team on Friday. This visit comes four years after he left Leeds United, where he had a hugely successful stint, earning promotion to the Premier League and restoring the fanbase's faith in football. Bielsa's managerial style, known for its radicalism and emphasis on playing the right way, has been both admired and criticized. His teams are known for their high-intensity performances, but also for the physical and mental toll it takes on players. His departure from Leeds United was marked by a boom-bust pattern, where his teams initially perform well but eventually suffer from fatigue and decreased results. During his time at Leeds United, Bielsa was praised for his commitment to social responsibility, having players pick up litter to instill a sense of community and responsibility. His approach to football extends beyond the pitch, emphasizing the role of the sport in society. Uruguay's recent performances have been inconsistent, with a 5-1 friendly defeat to the USA in November 2023 being a significant low point. Luis Suárez, a key player, publicly criticized Bielsa, accusing him of isolating players and creating a culture of fear. Suárez's retirement from international football and subsequent comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding Bielsa's tenure. The upcoming friendly against England provides an opportunity for Bielsa to address these concerns and work towards restoring confidence in his team. Getting key players back in form, such as Darwin Núñez, who has not scored an international goal in 11 games, will be crucial. Bielsa's third World Cup may be his last chance to make a significant impact on the global tournament, and he will be looking to make a strong impression.

NASA has unveiled a significant shift in its moon and Mars strategy, allocating $20bn over the next seven years to construct a base on the moon's surface. This move comes as part of a broader overhaul of NASA's long-term Moon-to-Mars strategy, aimed at supporting long-term human presence on the lunar surface.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlined the changes, which include increasing robotic missions to the moon and laying the groundwork for nuclear power on the lunar surface. The agency plans to repurpose some components of the Lunar Gateway station for use on the moon's surface instead of building the station in lunar orbit.The planned moon base will be supported by robotic missions that will help prepare the site, test technologies, and begin building infrastructure before astronauts return later this decade. Additionally, NASA disclosed plans to launch a spacecraft called Space Reactor 1 Freedom before the end of 2028, a mission designed to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space on the way to Mars.The spacecraft will deliver helicopters on Mars, similar to the Ingenuity robotic test helicopter that flew with NASA's Perseverance rover. This step aims to move nuclear propulsion technology from laboratory testing to operational space missions. The changes to NASA's flagship Artemis programme are reshaping billions of dollars' worth of contracts and come as the United States faces growing competition from China, which is aiming to land astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The Gran Chaco forest in Argentina, spanning across parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil, is facing a critical threat from deforestation. Small farmers, enticed by the promise of quick money from selling timber, often contribute to this environmental degradation. However, a collaborative effort between conservationists, NGOs, and international organizations is underway to support small-scale landowners and Indigenous communities in establishing alternative income sources. This initiative aims to enable them to resist the pressures of agribusiness and the timber market. Jorge Luna, a 55-year-old farmer, has taken a significant step towards preserving his 40-hectare land in Chaco province. He rejected an offer to cut down the trees and instead embarked on a second career as a forest tourist guide with Fundación Rewilding Argentina, a non-profit organization working to restore parts of the Gran Chaco forest. Luna now rents out a small campsite to visitors and takes tourists on kayak tours along the Bermejito River. "At first, you didn’t give the plants value. It was a lack of knowledge of what they meant. Now, every leaf that sprouts has an added value," he says. Created in 2010 by Tompkins Conservation, Rewilding aims to protect vast tracts of territory and create economic opportunities for local communities while preserving the biosphere. The organization worked with 15 other organizations to convince the government of Chaco province to turn 128,000 hectares into the El Impenetrable national park, officially designated in 2014. Since then, Rewilding has established a network to support a budding tourism industry. It offers riverside glamping stays while promoting local and ancestral knowledge as possible sources of income. Women have returned to weaving and artisanal production, as well as providing home-cooked meals for visitors. According to Greenpeace, Argentina lost nearly 7 million hectares of native forest between 1998 and 2024, with most of it in the Gran Chaco. An estimated almost 120,000 hectares of forest were lost in northern Argentina in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year. The primary causes of forest loss are the expansion of agriculture, mainly for intensive cattle ranching and genetically modified soya, and forest fires. The Gran Chaco forest also feeds the timber industry, particularly with the quebracho tree, which produces a tannin used in leather products, and carob trees. Environmental lawyers warn that the Gran Chaco could disappear within two decades if deforestation continues at its current pace. "The Chaco does not receive the same attention as the Amazon – few people even know it exists," says Enrique Viale, an Argentine environmental lawyer and activist. For conservation efforts to succeed, projects must be co-designed with the community, ensuring their long-term objectives are considered. Community empowerment, equal distribution of benefits, and capacity building are crucial factors. Mabel Figueroa, a local weaver, has resumed her craft since the national park opened, selling scarves, blankets, and ponchos to tourists. She raises sheep and dyes their wool with tree bark and forest plants, reviving an ancestral tradition.

As the conflict drags on, Iranians are attempting to maintain a semblance of ordinary life in the face of constant explosions and airstrikes. The days following Nowruz, the Persian New Year, are usually a time of renewal and celebration, but this year, the atmosphere is tense."More and more, people are starting to normalise this war", said Farhad, a photography editor in Tehran. "It's difficult, but we're adapting and trying to return to our daily lives as much as possible. There's no alternative. We're tired. We just want peace."Despite the challenges, some Iranians are finding ways to cope. Aylar, a 39-year-old human rights worker, paid for an expensive VPN to circumvent the internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities so she could stay in touch with relatives abroad. She also made time for a coffee date with friends, highlighting the complexity of life during conflict.The humanitarian toll is significant, with Iran's official death toll frozen at around 1,500, but the real figure may be more than 3,000, according to the Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency. Many more have been injured, and the psychological impact is profound.As the situation continues to unfold, uncertainty and division within Iranian society are palpable. While most Iranians oppose the war, some have welcomed it as a potential catalyst for change. The future remains uncertain, with concerns that the conflict could become a recurring reality.

Italy and Northern Ireland are set to clash in a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifier, with both teams eager to reassert their presence on the global football stage. For Italy, it's about regaining their footing after consecutive World Cup failures in 2018 and 2022, while Northern Ireland aims to return to the tournament for the first time in four decades.Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's coach, emphasized the significance of the match, stating, 'This is the most important game of my coaching career so far.' Italy's players, including Mateo Retegui, are equally determined, with Retegui asserting, 'Now is the time to show everyone exactly who we are.'Northern Ireland's manager, Michael O'Neill, faces challenges with a depleted squad, particularly the absence of Conor Bradley and Dan Ballard. Despite these setbacks, O'Neill remains optimistic, highlighting the team's youthful energy and lack of fear.The match, set to take place at Atalanta's Bergamo Stadium, promises to be intense. Gattuso noted Northern Ireland's direct playing style, saying, 'They typically 'toss the ball into the box' and thrive on latching on to second balls.' A win for Italy would likely seal their spot in the World Cup, while a loss could spell the end of O'Neill's tenure as Northern Ireland's manager.As both teams prepare for the crucial encounter, the pressure is palpable. Italy's four-time World Cup wins and football-crazed nation add to the weight of expectation. Will Italy overcome their recent struggles and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, or will Northern Ireland pull off a surprise?