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In a unique display of environmental activism, a group of artists from Wiveliscombe, known as artistsformallyknownasWiveyXR, recently gathered at Hurstone nature reserve in Exmoor national park to symbolically 'marry' the River Tone. The event, held on World Water Day (March 22), was a creative response to the call to action by Extinction Rebellion. The group, dressed in elaborate costumes and papier-mache masks, including Frog, Badger, and Barn Owl, made their way to the river's edge, accompanied by music and chanting. The ritual was inspired by a similar event in Bristol, where a young activist Megan 'married' her local river, the Avon, in 2023. The River Tone, located just seven miles from its source, was described as 'sparkling and clear' during the ceremony, a stark contrast to the polluted state of many rivers in England. According to the Rivers Trust, 0% of the 3,553 river stretches in England assessed were in good overall status. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting waterways and the alarming state of river health in the country. During the ceremony, a participant, Eileen, dressed as a salmon, paddled downstream on her hands and knees, committing to 'love and honour' the River Tone and protect it 'in sickness and in health'. The event was a powerful expression of the community's commitment to environmental activism and the preservation of natural resources.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has stated that he will respect and implement the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Senegal's appeal against being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The controversy began after Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the final, following a disputed penalty.Motsepe emphasized that his personal opinion on the matter is irrelevant and that the appeal board consists of independent judges and lawyers. The CAF president plans to visit Senegal and Morocco to stress the importance of 'working together to grow African football' and implement changes to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated.In a related development, CAF official Veron Mosengo-Omba has resigned as general secretary, citing his decision to devote himself to more personal projects. Mosengo-Omba had been a divisive figure at CAF, accused by some employees of creating a toxic work environment.Motsepe also announced that Nigeria-born CAF official Samson Adamu will become the caretaker general secretary of the organization. The changes come at a turbulent time for African football, with CAF implementing changes to strengthen trust and confidence in referees, VAR operators, and judicial bodies.

Pakistan has become a key player in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the US and Iran, hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan in Islamabad. The two-day consultations aim to align regional positions and prepare the ground for possible direct US-Iran engagement, with Pakistan acting as the central interlocutor between the two nations. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a 90-minute phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, focusing on de-escalation and trust-building measures. Pezeshkian stressed that confidence-building measures are required before Tehran can consider direct dialogue. The Islamabad meeting is not a negotiation, but rather preparation for potential talks. Its goals are to consolidate regional backing for de-escalation and harmonize positions on ceasefire sequencing. Iran has transmitted its response to the US proposal via Islamabad, with demands including an end to hostilities, reparations for damages, guarantees against future attacks, and recognition of its strategic leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. The next 48 to 72 hours will determine whether this diplomatic push produces a meeting between US and Iranian officials. If successful, it could provide the political cover both Washington and Tehran need to enter talks without appearing to concede.

Meta's attempt to shift the blame for a young user's mental health issues away from its platforms and onto her family and offline social problems has backfired in a landmark social media addiction trial. The company, parent of Facebook and Instagram, employed a aggressive defense strategy that included highlighting the plaintiff's complaints about her mother in her teenage text messages and personal writings.The jurors, however, were not convinced by Meta's arguments and decided 10-2 in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $4.2m in damages from Meta and $1.8m from co-defendant YouTube. This verdict could set a precedent for thousands of similar trials already in the works against social media companies.Meta's defense strategy drew backlash from parental advocates, who argued that the company was attempting to shift the blame away from its own design choices and onto parents and users. "For the biggest tech executives, I want to say something: stop blaming the parents. It's on you," said Julianna Arnold, a co-founder of advocacy group Parents Rise!.The trial's outcome reflects a growing distrust of social media companies and their impact on society. A Pew Research Survey found that around 64% of US adults believe that social media platforms have a negative impact on the country, and around two-thirds of Americans have a negative view of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.The verdict has been celebrated by advocates for reining in big tech, who see it as a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for their role in shaping societal harms. "This trial was proof that if you put CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg on the stand before a judge and jury of their peers, the tech industry's wanton disregard for people will be on full display," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project.

Pakistan's attempts to facilitate peace talks between Iran and the US are encountering substantial obstacles. The intensification of Israeli bombing campaigns on civilian targets in Iran and an expanding US military presence in the Gulf region are casting a shadow over these efforts.Pakistan, maintaining relative neutrality with good relations with both Iran and the US, had hoped to provide a venue for negotiations. However, the conflict is widening, trust is scarce, and the stated positions of Tehran and Washington are far apart. Pakistani officials believe Israel's actions pose a significant risk to any potential talks, particularly given recent attacks on civilian nuclear sites and steel plants.Iran's core concerns include ensuring an end to the war and preventing future attacks by the US and Israel. Former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Maleeha Lodhi, expressed skepticism about US President Donald Trump's reliability, citing his unpredictable nature.Despite these challenges, Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts. The country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has been in communication with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to hold talks in Islamabad to discuss ending the conflict.The situation remains complex, with US troop buildup suggesting that peace talks may not align with US plans. Iran has expressed distrust towards previous US interlocutors, but there is consideration for US Vice-President JD Vance to represent the US in talks, an idea supported by Iran.

The possibility of US ground troops being sent into combat on Iranian soil is growing, driven by President Trump's desire to avoid being personally and politically humiliated in a war he started, mismanaged, and cannot end. Such a self-serving escalation could prove catastrophic for Trump and the American people, given the history of US military interventions in the region.Trump insists that the war is all but won, Iran is suing for peace, and talks are making good progress. However, in the real world, Iran is still fighting on all fronts, Israel is still bombing, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, and the Iran-allied Houthi militia in Yemen has joined the war, attacking Israel and potentially blocking Red Sea trade routes.The US and Iran have each issued maximalist demands, but there is no sign of actual negotiations. They are even further apart than they were before Trump, egged on by Benjamin Netanyahu, abandoned diplomacy last month. Sometime soon, Trump will be forced to confront the huge gap between what he wants and what's on offer. At that point, he could turn to the troop buildup in the Gulf and order ground attacks.It's incredible to think that after all the mortal agony and anguish of Iraq and Afghanistan, a US president is once again seriously contemplating boots on the ground in the Middle East. Trump's stumped, hoist by his own petard, stuck between a rock and a hard place, and up the creek without a paddle. The creek in question is, of course, the Strait of Hormuz.Trump is increasingly isolated and out on a limb. His wealthy Arab business cronies no longer trust him. US bases on their territory now resemble a liability, not a defence. When he demanded NATO's help, Europe said: we'll let you know. Likewise, Iran's ethnic Kurds are less than keen to die for a muppet. Support for the war among the US public and the Maga right, always weak, is a fast-vanishing mirage.If Trump were to order ground attacks – both he and Netanyahu have publicly discussed the possibility – the targets would most likely be the coastal batteries, missile defences, and concealed armed speedboat bases dotting the northern flank of the Hormuz strait. An attack on the Kharg oil export terminal further up the Gulf is also predicted.The inherent, inescapable military risks are daunting. Casualties would be inevitable. Even if operations went well in the short term, questions would immediately arise about potential escalation when Iran counterattacked, expansion of the operational area, and duration of the occupation.

The literary world is grappling with a new challenge: detecting AI-written books. Kate Nash, a literary agent, recently discovered an AI prompt at the top of a submission letter, which raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in book writing. The controversy surrounding Mia Ballard's 'femgore' horror novel Shy Girl, which was suspected to be up to 78% AI-generated, has forced literary agents and publishers to reevaluate their ability to detect AI-generated work. Hachette halted US publication of Shy Girl and removed it from online retailers after an internal review. Experts warn that AI detection tools are not foolproof and that the technology is advancing rapidly. Prof Patrick Juola, a US computer scientist, likens the failure of AI detection tools to antibiotic resistance, stating that AI is a learning system continually upgraded by its manufacturers. Mor Naaman, a professor of information science at Cornell Tech, agrees that publishers won't stand a chance in detecting AI-generated books soon. He notes that AI learns quickly how to avoid detection and that the line between human and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly blurred. The debate raises questions about the role of AI in creative writing and the importance of trust between readers and writers. Anna Ganley, of the Society of Authors, launched the Human Authored scheme to identify works written by humans, but it relies on trust, a value that is inherently vulnerable. Amelia Hill, the author of the article, highlights the importance of preserving the human element in literature, stating that AI may flood the market with content, but it cannot replace the messy, difficult work of being human.

Islamabad has re‑emerged as a pivotal conduit between Washington and Tehran, delivering a U.S. 15‑point cease‑fire proposal on March 25, 2026, as the US‑Israeli campaign against Iran enters its second month. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan is transmitting the proposal, with Turkey and Egypt offering additional diplomatic backing. Chief US negotiator Steve Witkoff later verified Pakistan’s role as a messenger, and President Donald Trump announced a 10‑day pause on planned strikes against Iranian power plants, citing a request from Tehran. Iran has denied direct talks, yet the pause marks the second deferment of Trump’s original threat, underscoring Pakistan’s function as a key diplomatic facilitator in a high‑stakes conflict. The pattern is not new. In August 1969, President Nixon tasked Pakistan’s military ruler Yahya Khan with opening a channel to Beijing. Two years later, a secret flight carried U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger from Islamabad to China, paving the way for Nixon’s historic 1972 visit and the eventual U.S. recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Analysts note that Pakistan’s unique position—maintaining working ties with both Washington and Beijing—made it the only trusted intermediary capable of handling such a sensitive mission, a view echoed by former ambassador Masood Khan. Beyond the Cold‑War episode, Pakistan has repeatedly leveraged its geography and Muslim‑world connections. It served as the primary conduit for U.S., Saudi and Chinese support to the Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s, helped broker the 1988 Geneva Accords that ended the Soviet occupation, and hosted the 2015 Murree talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. During the 2020 Doha Agreement, Pakistani pressure on the Taliban was cited by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad as instrumental, though the rapid U.S. withdrawal and subsequent Taliban takeover left Pakistan’s long‑term interests ambiguous. Efforts to mediate Saudi‑Iran tensions have been less fruitful. In 2016, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s shuttle diplomacy failed to produce a formal agreement, and a 2019 outreach by Prime Minister Imran Khan, prompted by President Trump, yielded no concrete outcome. When China facilitated the 2023 Saudi‑Iran rapprochement, Pakistan’s foreign office claimed it had laid the groundwork, but analysts still view the result as a Chinese‑led success. Pakistan’s brief 2005 overture to Israel, led by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, similarly collapsed under domestic opposition, illustrating the limits of its diplomatic reach when internal politics intervene. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury—the US‑Israeli air campaign that began in late February 2026 and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Pakistan’s leadership has intensified back‑channel activity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held multiple calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke directly with President Trump. Both officials have also visited Saudi Arabia, where Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025. Former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi observes that Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative is often eclipsed by conflict, yet a “quieter, more consistent thread” persists: the state’s effort to turn its strategic location and Muslim‑world ties into a lever for peace. Whether the current cease‑fire talks will yield a durable settlement remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Pakistan enjoys a rare blend of trust from Washington, Tehran and Gulf capitals—a leverage few regional actors possess.

The documentary 'Keir Starmer: Where Did It All Go Wrong?' presents a critical analysis of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, highlighting his historically low approval ratings and the public's perception of him as 'incompetent', 'useless', and 'weak'. The program, presented by political broadcaster Lewis Goodall, explores the reasons behind Starmer's unpopularity, including his lack of clear political strategy and vision.According to the documentary, Starmer's promise of change was a key factor in his election campaign, but little has changed for ordinary citizens. A survey conducted for the program revealed that a majority of respondents believe Starmer should resign, citing his slow pace of change and lack of a clear plan. The documentary also examines Starmer's shift to the right during his leadership campaign, which may have opened up space for the Greens to attract progressive voters.The program features interviews with various politicians, including Alan Johnson and Bridget Phillipson, who defend Starmer, while John McDonnell and Kim Johnson offer a more critical perspective. The documentary concludes by questioning whether Starmer can find the qualities needed to turn his leadership around and restore public trust.However, the article suggests that the documentary may be avoiding a deeper analysis of Starmer's ideology and the potential reasons behind his actions, including the possibility that he may be intentionally maintaining the status quo. The article also notes that Starmer's dealings with Donald Trump and his stance on Iran have been presented as positive aspects of his leadership.