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US President Donald Trump has stated that his 'preference would be to take the oil' in Iran, sparking concerns about the potential for a US invasion or occupation of the country. Iran is one of the world's biggest oil producers, holding around 24 percent of the Middle East's and 12 percent of the world's proven oil reserves, with about 157 billion barrels of proven crude oil.The Trump administration has threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure, including oil wells, if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been under a de facto Iranian blockade for weeks, triggering a global energy crisis. The US has also unveiled plans to prepare for limited ground operations in Iran, potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz.Seizing Iranian oil would not be easy, as the US would have to occupy Iran's oil production sites and refineries, essentially occupying mainland Iran. However, if the US were to lift sanctions on Iranian oil after seizing it, it could lead to a flow of more Iranian oil into global markets, bringing down oil prices.The US-Israeli war on Iran has already sent global oil prices soaring, with benchmark Brent crude rising to more than 3 percent on Monday to $116 a barrel – the highest level in nearly two weeks. The oil price was about $65 per barrel before the war.In 2023, Iran's gross domestic product (GDP) was around $457.5bn, according to World Bank data. Iran's net oil export revenues were estimated at $53bn, equivalent to roughly 12 percent of Iran's GDP.This is not the first time the US has shown an interest in Iranian oil. In 1953, the government of Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran's first democratically elected prime minister, was toppled in a CIA-orchestrated coup after he nationalised the British-controlled firm Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), the predecessor of modern-day BP.

Oliver Bearman's terrifying crash at the Japanese Grand Prix has sent shockwaves through the Formula One community, prompting an urgent need for solutions to mitigate such incidents in the future. Bearman's Haas car was traveling at a staggering 307km/h (191mph) when he was forced to swerve off track to avoid a collision with Franco Colapinto's Alpine car.The closing speed between the two cars was 50km/h, highlighting the risks associated with the current engine regulations. The deployment of electrical energy and its recovery has become a critical aspect of F1, but it also poses significant challenges. Bearman's car crashed into the barriers with a 50G impact, from which he remarkably escaped with only bruising.F1 and the FIA are under intense scrutiny to find solutions to this complex problem. The McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, emphasized that 'a simple solution does not exist,' while Haas team principal, Ayao Komatsu, stressed the need for a calm and collective approach to address the issue. The sport has a month to work on potential fixes before the next Grand Prix in Miami.The safety concerns are compounded by the varying approaches teams take to managing energy recovery and the intricate relationships between engine manufacturers, teams, and the governing body. Any changes to the regulations, such as altering the power distribution or fuel flow, would require significant adjustments and may not be feasible until next season.Despite the challenges, there is a genuine commitment to finding solutions, driven by the collective will of the F1 community and the urgency highlighted by Bearman's crash. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved and the need for swift and effective action to ensure safety in the sport.

China's economy is heavily reliant on oil refining, particularly in Shandong province, where independent 'teapot' refineries play a crucial role. These small refineries, often operating on thin margins, have been vital in keeping China's economy stable amidst the global energy crisis. The crisis began with US-Israel strikes on Iran, causing chaos in the Middle East and prompting Tehran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil and gas flows. However, Iranian oil has continued to flow to China, with imports reaching about 1.6 million barrels per day. China's teapot refineries are now facing significant challenges due to rising crude prices. Iranian light crude, which was previously $11 cheaper than Brent crude, now has a discount as low as $2 per barrel. This has reduced the refineries' profits, with some workers fearing salary cuts. The impact is being felt across the industry, with Luqing Petrochemical, one of Shandong's prominent teapots, allegedly sanctioned by the US for buying Iranian oil. The company has started pressuring employees to quit by cutting salaries and relocating them to difficult work sites. The economic shock is also affecting ordinary people in China, with the government intervening in the retail fuel market to reduce a planned increase in petrol and diesel prices. However, if prices continue to rise, some teapot refineries may go bust. The long-term threat to the industry is not just the war but also the rise of electric vehicles, according to Uncle Wang, a petrol station owner in Weifang. As China transitions to cleaner energy sources, the demand for oil is expected to decline, posing a significant challenge to the teapot refineries and the thousands of people they employ.

Lonely lives, falling between the gaps, are at the heart of this 1935 psychological thriller by Rodney Ackland, adapted from Hugh Walpole's novel. It's an atmospheric period piece, but isn't entirely a stretch to reflect on our own concerns about solitude in an ageing population.The three ladies in an English cathedral town are without partners, families or much of an income. They eke out their genteel poverty in a rickety boarding house. They weren't raised to work; Miss Beringer, in desperate need of a job, can only imagine becoming a paid companion or, possibly, flower arranging.In Brigid Larmour's finely etched production, irritable passions ferment beneath the frowsty knits and beads. The characters are prey to spite and greed, nerves and night terrors. Voices are tremulous; eyes glance at a fearful future.Beringer is the new lodger: Catherine Cusack, whittled by anxiety, timidly nibbles on a scallop-edged biscuit. She is welcomed by Julia Watson's Mrs Amorest, flustered but keeping up appearances. Down to her last £10, she writes into the void to a long-absent son.The third lady is Agatha. Fruitily overblown in the novel, that's how Edith Evans played her in 1935. Abigail Thaw makes her disconcertingly eccentric: forbidding in jet black, she mocks and snaps at quivering Miss Beringer. She covets Beringer's one cherished possession – a translucent chunk of amber from a beloved female friend.It's a play of cross-hatched conversations and melodramatic plotting. Larmour's design team help turn the screw: the dank-toned house and clothes in tones of moth and cobweb, a bitter wind blowing.Ackland's plays about rackety lives are increasingly revived. He, Walpole and John Gielgud, the play's original director, were all queer artists, and it's tempting to imagine them drawn to these lives on the margins of British society. Though these ladies don't so much rage against the dying of the light as wait, fearfully, to be snuffed out.

Alim Beisembayev, the Kazakh-born winner of the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, presented a compelling piano recital that traversed the Romantic era, from Schubert to Liszt. His performance was marked by intimacy and conviction, bringing to life the passionate surge of Romanticism over three decades.Beisembayev's approach to Schubert's Moments Musicaux, D780 was characterized by calmness and understatement, effectively highlighting the vast contrast with the Liszt that followed. He skillfully utilized the fine acoustic of the Dora Stoutzker hall to create an intimate atmosphere, where Schubert's characteristic slipping between major and minor modes was quietly evocative.In his rendition of Chopin's Fantaisie, Op49, Beisembayev demonstrated a strong affinity with the composer, shaping long arching melodies and capturing their particular melancholy. His keyboard manner was both composed and contained, yet fired volleys of notes with fierce conviction. This approach seemed to embody Schumann's observation that Chopin's works were 'cannon buried in flowers.'The program's coherence was further underscored by the key of F minor, which also pointed to the interval of a diminished 5th, perceived as the Diabolus in Musica in Liszt's Sonata in B minor. Beisembayev's precise management of Liszt's transitions from apocalyptic turmoil to serene melody spinning, punctuated by moments of silence, showcased his technical assurance and deeper interpretative insights.The recital concluded with a Debussy encore that seamlessly transitioned into the 20th century, offering liquid balm beautifully delivered.

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.

The Houthi rebels have escalated their conflict with Israel, expanding their military campaign to target the Jewish state directly. This development raises concerns about the security of Red Sea shipping lanes, which are vital for international trade.The Red Sea is a key route for global commerce, with many ships passing through the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Any disruption to shipping in this area could have significant economic implications, affecting the flow of goods and commodities worldwide.The Houthi rebels' actions have already impacted the region's stability, with various countries closely monitoring the situation. The international community is watching closely to see how this conflict will unfold and what measures will be taken to ensure the safety of shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route in the Middle East, has been at the center of geopolitical tensions. Calls have been made for US President Trump to deploy ground forces to secure the area and ensure the free flow of oil and other goods.The region has been a flashpoint for conflict, with various nations vying for influence and control. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, with a significant portion of the world's oil passing through it.The suggestion for Trump to take action with ground forces highlights the complex and often contentious nature of international relations in the region.

Iranian politicians are pushing for the country to exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the conflict with the US and Israel escalates. The country's national security commission spokesman, Ebrahim Rezaei, stated that remaining a signatory to the treaty has been 'meaningless' and provided no benefits to Iran.Malek Shariati, a representative from Tehran, has introduced legislation to withdraw Iran from the NPT, revoke a law linked to the 2015 nuclear deal, and support a new international treaty with aligned countries to develop peaceful nuclear technologies. The proposed law must be approved by the parliament and the Guardian Council before implementation.The move comes as the US and Israel have ramped up their attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, steel factories, and a university. Recent air strikes have targeted key infrastructure, including a yellowcake facility in Yazd and the Khondab Heavy Water Complex near Arak. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned about the potential for a major radiological incident.Iranian authorities have accused the IAEA of taking a politicized stance and being complicit in attacks against Iranian nuclear sites. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has been criticized by Iranian officials, with one adviser to the Supreme Leader labeling him a 'partner in crime.'The conflict has also had significant economic impacts, with thousands of jobs at risk due to damage to Iran's steel giants. The country's economy is struggling with an energy crisis and inflation rates of about 70 percent. The internet has been blocked for a month, limiting the flow of information to state-run outlets.