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The LeadMadagascar has taken significant diplomatic and legal actions against French nationals, detaining a former French serviceman and expelling a French embassy agent over allegations of a destabilization plot against the island nation. The move has escalated tensions between Madagascar and France, the country's former colonial power.The Event DetailsAccording to Deputy Prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa, the former French national serviceman, Guy Baret, has been placed in pretrial detention at Tsiafahy maximum-security prison. A Malagasy army officer, Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy, and other alleged accomplices have also been implicated in the plot.The suspects are accused of planning actions initially set for April 18, targeting the stability of Madagascar's government led by President Michael Randrianirina, who seized power in October 2025 following protests against his predecessor.The Legal ChargesProsecutors have formally charged the suspects with several serious offenses:Spreading false information to disturb public orderPlotting to sabotage infrastructure including power lines and thermal plants operated by state utility JiramaHarboring wanted individualsCriminal conspiracyRakotomamonjy is awaiting presentation before an investigating judge, while two other suspects have been placed under judicial supervision, with prosecutors indicating they were not the masterminds of the conspiracy.The Diplomatic ResponseFrance has strongly rejected the accusations, summoning the charge d'affaires of the Madagascan embassy in Paris "to vigorously protest" the expulsion of the diplomatic official. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux stated that France "categorically rejected any accusation of destabilising the Refoundation regime of the Republic of Madagascar," calling the accusations "unfounded" and "incomprehensible."In response, Madagascar's Foreign Ministry confirmed that French Ambassador Arnaud Guillois had been summoned and informed of the decision regarding the embassy agent, though the agent's identity and specific alleged acts were not disclosed.The Regional ContextThe incident occurs against a backdrop of political instability in Madagascar, a former French colony that maintains close political ties to France. The country has experienced multiple power changes in recent decades, with President Randrianirina taking control after youth-led protests forced his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina, from power in October 2025. Notably, France assisted Rajoelina's departure during the escalating protests over water and energy shortages.This diplomatic confrontation adds to regional tensions in the Indian Ocean and Africa, where former colonial powers and African nations continue to navigate complex post-colonial relationships.

The LeadTwo decades after the original film captivated audiences, The Devil Wears Prada 2 emerges as a timely sequel that captures the dramatic transformation of the fashion and publishing industries in the digital era. The film brings back familiar faces while introducing new challenges that reflect contemporary tensions between luxury and accessibility, tradition and innovation.The Fashion EvolutionThe sequel masterfully portrays how the fashion world has shifted since the mid-2000s. Runway magazine, once the epitome of high-fashion excess, now faces budget constraints, ethical dilemmas about sweatshop labor, and the pressure to adapt to digital metrics and click-driven content. The film highlights the tension between maintaining artistic integrity and chasing online engagement, with characters forced to navigate body positivity initiatives and inclusive language policies that were nonexistent in the original film.The Character ReturnsThe film reunites key characters from the original, with Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly showing no signs of aging, maintaining her formidable presence in the industry. Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, now a more seasoned journalist who finds herself back at Runway after being laid off from a traditional publication. Emily Blunt reprises her role as Emily, now the powerful head of Dior who represents the new guard of luxury fashion. The sequel introduces new dynamics, including Andy's lackluster romance with an Australian real estate magnate and Miranda's relationship with a string quartet violinist played by Kenneth Branagh.The Modern Media LandscapeThe sequel effectively satirizes contemporary media challenges, portraying how traditional fashion publications struggle to remain relevant in an era dominated by social media influencers and Gen Z consumers with different values. The film depicts the industry's scramble for digital relevance, with characters forced to confront uncomfortable truths about their complicity in fast fashion and the environmental impact of luxury goods. Miranda's character, in particular, undergoes significant development as she's forced to fly coach and adapt to workplace norms that would have been unthinkable in the original film.The Legacy ContinuesDespite the changed industry landscape, The Devil Wears Prada 2 maintains the spirit of the original while offering fresh commentary on contemporary issues. The film revisits iconic moments from the first movie—Andy's cafeteria conversations with Nigel, fashion emergencies, and high-stakes corporate maneuvers—while updating them for the current media environment. The sequel manages to balance nostalgia with relevance, offering both longtime fans and new viewers an entertaining exploration of how power, fashion, and media have evolved in the twenty years since the original film's release.

The Forensic Technology BreakthroughCo-op is secretly marking commonly-stolen items including alcohol, laundry detergents, and sweets with invisible "forensic spray" to track them, in the latest crackdown on shoplifting as a new law on retail crime kicks in. The grocer uses a spray containing a unique forensic code for a particular location where the items were sold, allowing police to identify which Co-op store the items originated from when investigating physical shops or online stores suspected to be selling stolen goods.The technique has been tested in Manchester and London since last year and is now being rolled out across the country. Police forces have previously used similar tactics to track down stolen bikes and valuables, and to protect domestic abuse victims.The Security Investment AnalysisThe Co-op has invested approximately £250m in security measures including body-worn cameras for staff, additional security guards, reinforced kiosks for high-value products such as spirits and tobacco, and special shelving that prevents large amounts of goods being swept into bags. The retailer has also implemented AI technology to help identify unusual activity via CCTV cameras in stores and alert staff so they can intervene.These measures have yielded significant results. The Co-op reported that crime in its stores decreased by a fifth last year, while physical attacks on staff fell by almost a third year-on-year. The retailer has also partnered with police in 20 areas to share evidence such as CCTV images, resulting in 500 prolific offenders receiving custodial sentences collectively amounting to more than 100 years.The Industry-Wide ImpactThis initiative is part of a broader industry response to rising retail crime. The Co-op's approach represents a shift from merely preventing theft to actively disrupting the resale networks that drive organized retail crime. Paul Gerrard, policy director at the Co-op, emphasized: "We have made it harder to steal things and now we are making it harder to sell."The retailer's efforts align with new legislation under the crime and policing bill, which passed into law with measures including a new standalone offense of assaulting a retail worker and easier action for thefts of items worth less than £200. Police are collaborating with retailers through the "Opal project" in an attempt to tackle retail crime more effectively.The Future OutlookIndustry experts predict that technology-based solutions like forensic marking will become increasingly common as retailers seek innovative ways to combat theft. The Co-op's success in reducing crime by 20% through these measures may encourage other retailers to adopt similar technologies.Prime Minister Keir Starmer has noted that "the tide could be turning" on shoplifting, pointing to a 17% rise in people charged for what has become a hot political issue. He emphasized that CCTV footage should be shared more immediately with police and that "the hope of technology" could make a significant difference in addressing retail crime.Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. The Co-op reports that approximately 100 staff members still face abuse in one day, with up to four being physically attacked. Gerrard noted that while progress is being made, continued investment and collaboration between businesses, police, and government will be essential to create safer retail environments.

The Impact of US Sanctions on Iran's Economy Iran's national currency has plunged to new lows as authorities mobilise to dampen the impact of the naval blockade enforced by the United States. The Iranian rial shot above 1.81 million to the US dollar on the open market by early afternoon on Wednesday before partially recovering. The Freefall of the Rial The embattled currency changed hands for about 1.54 million earlier this week, and its rate was about 811,000 per US dollar a year ago. The rial had remained relatively stable over the past two months after experiencing an earlier drop as US forces amassed in the lead-up to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began at the end of February. Economic Consequences of the Blockade The latest freefall follows on from unchecked inflation, which has been increasingly plaguing the Iranian economy as a result of mismanagement and sanctions, and continues to ravage households. Washington now has three aircraft carriers in the region and is bringing in more troops and equipment as Israel expresses readiness to restart fighting, three weeks after a ceasefire began. Non-Oil Trade Takes a Hit According to customs data released by state media, Iran's non-oil trade has been negatively affected after commercial ties were disrupted or cut off as a result of the war, and critical infrastructure was bombed. Iran's customs authority put the total value of non-oil trade in the Iranian calendar year that ended on March 20 at close to $110bn, with $58bn going to imports. Oil Exports in the Crosshairs The US is using its military capabilities and economic chokeholds to drive down Iran's oil exports, a goal that it has also pursued over recent years through sanctions. Since mid-April, the US military has been deploying its soldiers to take over or inspect ships transiting through waterways near Iran, in addition to targeting what is known as a shadow fleet of tankers used by Iran to circumvent sanctions and ship its oil.

The Growing Dependence on Chinese Green TechnologyEurope is "sleepwalking" into a series of economic and national security problems because of an over-reliance on Chinese green technology, according to experts. A report co-authored by Michael Collins, a former deputy head of national security strategy at the UK Cabinet Office, described the risks of depending on China for green tech as "serious"."Europe risks sleepwalking into a series of economic and geopolitical national security problems because of over-reliance on Chinese low-carbon technology," he said.China's Dominance in European Green Tech Supply ChainThe report said Europe was heavily dependent on Chinese green technology, with China supplying 98% of the continent's solar panels; 88% of imports of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in smartphones, electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage; and 61% of imports of inverters, which integrate renewable energy with a power grid. Chinese EV brands are also increasingly popular across Europe.Security Threats and Economic ImplicationsThe report said potential threats included China using "kill switches" to remotely disable solar panels, EVs or power grids. However, the report said such an attack was "very unlikely" unless China was at war or near conflict, given the risk of inciting retaliation."The national security risks of dependency on China for low-carbon technology are not the same as dependency on fossil fuel imports – but they are serious," it said, adding: "It is striking how poorly recognised the risks and their impact appear to be."The report claimed it was "very likely" that China used green tech to conduct surveillance, such as using offshore energy infrastructure to track submarine movements or use audio and video captured by EVs.Supply chain disruption, whereby China restricts supply of low-carbon tech and components, whether deliberately or due to unforeseen events such as extreme weather, was described as "likely" by the authors. The prospect of China dependence creating long-term economic harm was characterised as "very likely", with the report saying Europe's industrial competitiveness would be eroded – as shown by Chinese dominance of solar, EVs and batteries."Where the west once led, China now dominates," said the report.Broader Industry and Geopolitical ImplicationsThe report said a host of European industries could be affected by reliance on Chinese green technology, including car and wind tech manufacturing, with AI development also potentially affected. The defence sector also relies on many of the same components and manufacturing techniques as green tech, the report added, and as a result that industry could become more dependent on China as well.As China's importance to Europe's energy systems grow, it will be able to have a greater effect on the continent's ability to stand up to the country during disagreements."Europe does not want to be forced to choose between condemning and opposing Chinese activity in the South China Sea, or keeping their energy transition on track," said the report.It added that the relationship with the US could also make dependence on China problematic, because Washington could demand removal of Chinese suppliers or components.Future Outlook for European Green Tech IndependenceThe report was commissioned by Loom, a non-profit organisation that focuses on economic, environmental and national security issues, and was funded by the New Energy Industrial Strategy Center, a US-based non-profit. It was co-authored by Michal Meidan, the head of the China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.The report highlights the urgent need for Europe to diversify its green technology supply chain and develop domestic capabilities to reduce dependence on China, particularly in critical areas like solar panels, batteries, and inverters that are essential for the continent's energy transition.

The Ruling Against Apple Epic Games has scored another procedural win in its fight with Apple over App Store fees, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has now granted the Fortnite maker’s latest motion. The decision means Apple must continue to allow developers to link to external payment options in their apps without charging commissions on those purchases, for now. Background of the Case An earlier order had let Apple pause further proceedings related to the required App Store changes while it sought Supreme Court review. Epic Games derided Apple’s move as “another delay tactic” and asked the court to reconsider the decision. Impact of the Latest Ruling The latest ruling means Apple’s request to pause the proceedings related to the changes has been reversed temporarily, swinging things back in developers’ favor and forcing the iPhone maker to keep the changes in place, at least for the time being. The Future of App Store Commissions The final outcome of the case will determine whether, and how much, Apple can charge in commissions on purchases made outside its U.S. App Store. In a post on X, Epic celebrated the court’s decision in its favor, pointing to the latest filing, which stated, “Apple has failed to show good cause to sustain our prior stay order. Apple has not demonstrated that any proceedings on remand will cause it irreparable harm if our decision is not stayed.” What's Next The District court will rule on the amount of the commission Apple can charge on link-out purchases. Any changes right now are temporary.

The Lead: A Black‑and‑White Lens on Tajik BuzkashiTodd Antony travelled to remote valleys of Tajikistan to document the centuries‑old sport of Buzkashi, capturing its raw intensity in a monochrome series that won the Sport category of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026. The images are now featured in a limited‑run exhibition at Somerset House, London, running until 4 May.Inside the Match: Horsemen, Headless Goat, and a Fog‑Shrouded ValleyBuzkashi pits up to three hundred riders on horseback against each other, each trying to seize the headless body of a goat and drag it across a goal line that can stretch the length of two football pitches. The game unfolds in mountain valleys or dried riverbeds, with spectators forced to scatter as the riders charge like a living avalanche.Numbers on the Ground: Scale, Riders, and Prize StakesPeak attendance: ~300 riders in the largest match Antony attended.Prize escalation: early winners receive modest items such as carpets, while later victories can net a camel or even a car.Exhibition dates: open until 4 May 2026 with a 15 % discount code GUARDIAN15 for Guardian readers.Cultural Resonance: Why Buzkashi Matters Beyond the SpectacleThe sport is more than a chaotic contest; it is a living link to the era of Genghis Khan and a vital expression of Tajik identity. Antony’s photographs emphasize the juxtaposition of controlled skill against absolute chaos, mirroring the photographer’s own quest for compositional order in a turbulent environment.Looking Ahead: The Photo’s Role in the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 ExhibitionAntony’s work will anchor the 2026 exhibition, drawing international attention to a niche Central Asian tradition. The visibility is likely to spur further artistic projects in the region and may inspire cultural tourism to the remote valleys where Buzkashi thrives.

The LeadAn acclaimed North Yorkshire restaurant has been ordered to stop providing free lifts to customers due to licensing laws, despite the lack of adequate public transport in the area. The restaurant owner, award-winning chef Ruth Hansom, expressed disappointment as the service was created for customer safety.The Restaurant RecognitionHansom, located in the market town of Bedale, has gained significant recognition since opening two and a half years ago. The restaurant has been featured in the Michelin Guide and received a glowing nine out of ten rating from Times critic Giles Coren, who particularly praised the savoury bread and butter pudding as "Gorgeous, sensual, full of love and truth." Ruth Hansom herself is an accomplished chef, having been the first female winner of Young National Chef of the Year in 2017 and appearing on James Martin's Saturday Morning food programme.The Transportation ChallengeBedale, known as the "Gateway to the Dales," faces significant transportation limitations. There is no evening bus service, and the nearest railway station is eight miles away in Northallerton. While taxis are available, they require advance booking, leaving many diners stranded. The situation was particularly problematic for customers from nearby villages who needed short journeys that taxi services couldn't accommodate, and those from larger cities like York and Darlington who assumed they could get an Uber back but couldn't.The Customer Safety InitiativeThe free lift service began organically when Ruth Hansom noticed customers bringing a change of shoes to walk home in the dark. "We were getting lots of people deciding to walk home in the pitch black, which obviously is not safe," she explained. "People were bringing a change of shoes and they'd say: 'Oh, we're just going to walk home.' We were like, oh gosh, let's take you home because there's no streetlights or anything down some of these roads." Her husband Mark, who has a full-time job, would provide lifts within a 10-mile radius as an informal service.The Council InterventionThe arrangement came to an end when the North Yorkshire council informed the Hansoms that they were in breach of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The council stated that even without a direct charge, the service constituted a "private hire service" that required proper licensing, including a private hire operator's license, vehicle licenses, and driver licenses. The council emphasized that these rules exist to ensure appropriate insurance, safeguarding measures, vehicle safety standards, and driver suitability checks.The Restaurant Owner's ResponseRuth Hansom expressed frustration with the council's approach, noting that they understood the law but felt there was no effort to find a workable compromise. "There's so many great restaurants in North Yorkshire that are bringing tourism to the area and helping the local economy," she said. "People come up to the restaurant, but they stay for the whole weekend." The council's corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, defended the position, stating that while they are willing to work with businesses, operating without proper licenses creates serious risks.Broader Implications for Rural HospitalityThis case highlights the challenges faced by rural hospitality businesses in areas with inadequate public transportation. The situation raises questions about whether current licensing regulations are fit for purpose in modern rural contexts, where traditional transport options may be limited. The restaurant's predicament also underscores the tension between regulatory compliance and community-oriented service, particularly in areas where businesses may need to go beyond standard offerings to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.Future OutlookGoing forward, the Hansom restaurant will need to cease providing the free lift service unless they can navigate the complex and costly licensing requirements. This may result in some customers choosing not to visit the restaurant, particularly those who rely on the lift service for their return journey. The case may also prompt discussions between local hospitality businesses and the council about finding solutions that balance regulatory requirements with the practical realities of rural transportation needs. Some observers might suggest that the council could consider exemptions or simplified licensing processes for businesses providing free, short-distance transport as a customer safety measure.

The High Court Settlement That Saved the Barclay BrothersAt a Tuesday high‑court hearing, HSBC announced it was pulling back legal proceedings against Aidan and Howard Barclay, ending a months‑long battle over more than £140 million in overdue debt.HSBC Withdraws £143.5m Legal Action in Exchange for IVAThe bank had originally sued the brothers after the collapse of Logistics Group, a venture linked to the Barclay‑owned courier Yodel. Under the agreed individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), the brothers will repay the debt and cover HSBC’s legal costs, though the exact repayment schedule was not disclosed.Financial Stakes: £143.5m Debt, £1.1m Recovered, £575m Telegraph Sale£143.5 million owed to HSBC, secured by personal guarantees.£1.1 million already clawed back by the bank during the administration process.£575 million paid by Axel Springer to acquire the Daily and Sunday Telegraph titles.Earlier in the year, the Carlyle Group purchased Very Group (owner of Littlewoods) for an undisclosed sum, ending two decades of Barclay ownership.The family also sold the Ritz Hotel for roughly £750 million.Implications for UK Media Ownership and Family‑Controlled ConglomeratesThe settlement prevents a bankruptcy order that could have forced the Barclays to relinquish control of remaining assets and face a ban on directorships. It also clears the path for new owners—Axel Springer and Carlyle—to consolidate their positions in UK media and retail, reducing the influence of family‑run conglomerates that have dominated these sectors for years.What the Future Holds for the Barclays and Their Remaining AssetsWith the IVA in place, the brothers will focus on meeting repayment obligations while navigating restrictions on future corporate leadership. Observers expect further divestments of residual holdings, and the outcome may set a precedent for how UK banks handle distressed family‑owned enterprises.