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The latest film from Chloé Robichaud, 'Two Women', is a remake of the 1970 French-Canadian sex comedy of the same name. Unfortunately, it hasn't aged well, coming across as silly, clumsy, and dated in its modern retelling.The story follows two unsatisfied women, Florence (Karine Gonthier-Hyndman) and Violette (Laurence Leboeuf), who live next door to each other in a suburban condo development. Both are unhappy in their marriages – Violette's husband Benoît (Félix Moati) is often away, supposedly on business, but actually having affairs, while Florence has a bland, sexless relationship with David (Mani Soleymanlou). The two women form a friendship and, without explicitly planning it, begin having sex with men they invite into their homes for repairs or odd jobs while their partners are away.The film's sex scenes feel both cynical and naive, lacking the eroticism of softcore erotica and the plausibility of drama. The movie attempts to draw comparisons to the 'Confessions of a Window Cleaner' series but falls short. One notable moment includes a discussion on how Tinder promotes addiction rather than love, but such insightful moments are few and far between.Overall, 'Two Women' is a tiring and mediocre film that fails to deliver on its promise of a modern take on female desire and infidelity. It is set to release in UK cinemas from 3 April.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has ordered a British diplomat to leave the country within two weeks, alleging economic espionage activities. The UK has strongly rejected these claims, labeling them as 'completely unacceptable' and an attempt at intimidation.The FSB claims that Albertus Gerhardus Janse van Rensburg, the second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, was involved in intelligence and subversive activities that threaten Russia's security. According to the FSB, the diplomat attempted to obtain sensitive information during informal meetings with Russian experts in economics.The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has delivered a protest to Britain's charge d'affaires over the alleged spy. In response, the British Foreign Office stated that it would not tolerate intimidation of its embassy staff or their families.This development highlights the escalating tensions between Russia and the UK, particularly in the context of Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The UK supports Ukraine with financial and military aid, viewing Russia as its primary immediate threat due to alleged cyberattacks, killings, and sabotage campaigns.Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities have sought to suppress opposition to the war while rallying support among Russian citizens. This latest diplomatic expulsion underscores the deteriorating relations between Russia and Western nations.

Islamabad became the focal point of a new diplomatic track when the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt arrived this weekend, joining Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The quartet pledged to channel U.S. and Iranian confidence in Pakistan’s ability to host direct talks aimed at a comprehensive settlement. At the close of the meeting, Dar announced the creation of a Committee of Four—senior officials from each foreign ministry tasked with ironing out the procedural details of the peace process. The gathering marks the evolution of a broader Arab‑Islamic consultative effort that began in Riyadh on March 19 into a focused four‑nation push, with Pakistan positioned as the primary conduit between Washington and Tehran. In a candid interview with the Financial Times, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his “favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran,” hinting at a possible seizure of Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90 % of Iran’s crude exports. He reiterated an April 6 deadline for Tehran to accept a deal or face U.S. strikes on its energy infrastructure, yet on Air Force One he added, “I do see a deal in Iran, yeah. Could be soon,” describing the negotiations as “extremely well” progressing. Analysts stress that these mixed signals underscore the central tension confronting Pakistan’s initiative. While Islamabad and its partners are building a multilateral framework to curb escalation, Israeli strikes continue and the U.S. military presence in the region expands. Key diplomatic insights came from former Pakistani officials. Former information minister Mushahid Hussain Sayed highlighted the meeting as the first institutional Muslim‑world effort to open a dialogue pathway, noting that Pakistan and Turkey are among the most credible interlocutors—one a nuclear power, the other a NATO member. He cautioned, however, that the steps are “baby steps” in a war that is rapidly complicating. Former ambassador Masood Khan described the Committee of Four as a structured back‑channel enabling a “step‑by‑step, layered, and calibrated process.” He outlined four potential stages: trust‑building measures, cease‑fire negotiations, direct talks on the nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz, and finally reciprocal commitments. Khan warned that Iran’s demands for war reparations and sovereignty over the Strait could prove the toughest hurdles. High‑level outreach extended beyond the region. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a 90‑minute call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged full backing for the initiative. A senior Pakistani diplomat confirmed Dar’s planned visit to China on March 31, underscoring the strategic weight of the Pakistan‑China relationship. On the economic front, Iran’s agreement to allow 20 Pakistani‑flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz represents the most immediate confidence‑building measure. The strait remains effectively closed to regular shipping, prompting the International Energy Agency to label the disruption as the “worst oil shock in history,” surpassing the crises of 1973 and 1979. Brent crude surged above $116 per barrel, up more than 50 % since the war began on February 28, while WTO Director‑General Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala warned of the “worst trade disruptions in the past 80 years.” Nevertheless, experts argue that the Strait should not become the centerpiece of any settlement. The long‑term resolution will likely involve all eight littoral states under UNCLOS and established legal precedents, with the immediate priority being a broader halt to hostilities. Military dynamics remain volatile. U.S. Central Command reported that an amphibious task force of roughly 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the USS Tripoli arrived in the region, with an additional 2,200 Marines and 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division slated to deploy. Trump affirmed that military options are still on the table, and reports suggest the Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations. Iran’s leadership remains skeptical. A spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the U.S. 15‑point plan—calling for a one‑month cease‑fire, handover of highly enriched uranium, a halt to enrichment, missile curbs, and an end to proxy support—as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.” Tehran’s counter‑proposal, aired on Press TV, demands a halt to aggression, concrete guarantees against recurrence, reparations, and formal recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts such as Reza Khanzadeh of George Mason University argue that the burden of compromise falls on Washington, noting that Iran will not sacrifice regime survival. Meanwhile, former diplomat Masood Khan identified the most decisive confidence‑building measure as a U.S. commitment to halt Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon—a step he admits is “easier said than done.” In sum, Pakistan’s diplomatic corridor offers a glimmer of hope, but deep mistrust, divergent demands, and an accelerating military buildup render the path to a lasting settlement precarious.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that millions of victims of the country's car finance scandal will receive payouts this year. The regulator has unveiled a long-awaited industry-wide scheme to compensate people who were treated unfairly when taking out motor finance to buy a new or second-hand vehicle. The scheme, which will put £7.5bn back into people's pockets, is expected to result in a likely total bill of £9.1bn for lenders. The FCA had previously estimated that 14.2m loan agreements would be considered unfair and therefore due compensation, but this number has been cut to 12.1m. The average payout is expected to be around £830 per agreement, up from the previously estimated £695. The scheme will largely focus on people whose deal included a 'discretionary commission arrangement' (DCA), a type of car finance banned in 2021. Millions of claims will be paid out later this year, with the vast majority settled by the end of 2027. The FCA has advised people to 'complain now to get compensation sooner' and has provided a template letter on its website for those who want to make a claim. Lenders will have three months from the end of the implementation period to let people know whether they are owed compensation and, if so, how much. The payout timings vary, but for a post-April 2014 agreement, a lender must confirm if someone is owed money, and how much, by 30 September this year. The individual has a month to accept or challenge the offer, by 31 October. Then compensation is paid within one month, by November.

The United Kingdom's prohibition on single-use vapes, implemented last June as part of efforts to address environmental concerns and curb youth vaping, is showing mixed results. 5.4 million adults in Great Britain now vape daily or occasionally, according to official figures, making these devices an inescapable part of modern British life.The ban, which carries penalties including fines up to £200 for initial violations and potential jail time for repeat offenders, was designed to tackle two significant issues: the environmental impact of millions of plastic devices with lithium-ion batteries ending up in landfills, and the rising popularity of vaping among young people.Recent data from the recycling campaign group Material Focus indicates that 6.3 million vapes and pods are still being discarded weekly, representing a nearly 25% decrease since the ban's implementation. While this suggests some impact, waste management companies report that the devices remain a major problem, with their batteries frequently causing fires in disposal facilities."It is quite a small reduction, really," said Sarah Marsh, the Guardian's consumer affairs correspondent and former vaper. "What we are hearing from Biffa and other waste companies is that they still have a massive problem with the waste, and that has not really changed. There are still fires and people still dump rechargeable vapes and the pods."Waste companies emphasize that the ban has not adequately addressed their concerns, noting that rechargeable vapes remain too inexpensive and appear disposable to many users. The lack of sufficient effort toward changing consumer behavior has limited the ban's effectiveness."If you introduce a ban like this but you don't put the support in place to achieve your goals, like making it easy for people to recycle, the ban isn't necessarily going to work," Marsh explained. "A ban in isolation is ineffective."The environmental challenges persist alongside concerns about youth vaping. The World Health Organization has warned that e-cigarettes are driving a new wave of nicotine use among children, who are nine times more likely than adults to vape. At least 15 million children vape globally according to WHO figures.While the UK government is conducting a large-scale study on vaping's impact on children, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried vaping, there is not yet clear evidence on whether the disposable vape ban has affected youth usage patterns."In short, disposables have driven the surge in youth vaping, and banning them should bring numbers down, but it won't fix everything," Marsh noted. "Big tobacco companies are already set up to adapt fast and keep the next generation using nicotine. It won't be easy."Waste management companies are calling for more comprehensive solutions, including potential deposit reward schemes and changes to vape design and pricing that would discourage disposal. The UK government maintains that the ban was necessary to address the environmental blight and youth nicotine addiction caused by single-use vapes.

Ben Jennings, a renowned cartoonist for The Guardian, has created a thought-provoking cartoon titled 'Ben Jennings on Donald Trump and the moon mission.' This satirical piece delves into the intersection of US politics and space exploration, specifically focusing on Donald Trump's involvement in the moon mission.The cartoon, published on March 30, 2026, presents a visual commentary on the political landscape and the ambitious goals of space exploration. While the exact details of the cartoon are not provided, it is clear that Jennings' work aims to stimulate discussion and reflection on the current state of affairs.Jennings' cartoons are known for their insightful and often humorous take on contemporary issues. This particular piece is no exception, offering a unique perspective on the relationship between political figures and scientific endeavors.

JP Morgan's proposed 279,000 sq metre tower in Canary Wharf, which would serve as its European headquarters, is contingent on the UK government offering a business rates discount of up to 100% over a period of years. This potential sweetener could amount to hundreds of millions of pounds, as the site is estimated to generate up to £1.6bn in rates over 25 years.The development, which would house 12,000 JP Morgan staff, is part of a £3bn investment in London. The bank's CEO, Jamie Dimon, cited the UK government's priority on economic growth as a critical factor in the decision. However, documents from the local Tower Hamlets council reveal that JP Morgan is unlikely to progress with the project without clarity on the business rates incentive.The proposed discount has sparked controversy, as it would benefit a large corporation while potentially disadvantaging small businesses like pubs and restaurants that were recently hit with increased business rates in the budget. One proposal considers creating an enterprise zone around JP Morgan's development to enable time-limited business rates discounts.The negotiation highlights the significant influence of large corporations in securing favorable deals. Despite the potential economic benefits, including 7,800 construction-related jobs and an estimated £10bn contribution to the UK economy over six years, the deal raises questions about fairness and the cost to taxpayers.

Harrods has faced criticism over its decision to close a compensation scheme for survivors of alleged sexual abuse by the luxury department store's former owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The scheme was set up in March last year and was due to close on March 31 this year.Kingsley Hayes, partner at KP Law, which is representing nearly 280 survivors, questioned why the scheme was being closed before Harrods had completed an internal investigation into what happened and who knew about it. Hayes stated that the decision appears to be driven by financial considerations rather than what is fair and appropriate for survivors.The scheme provided an alternative resolution for survivors who did not wish to pursue litigation, offering general damages of up to £200,000 and a work impact payment of up to £150,000 as well as payments for 'wrongful testing' and treatment costs. Harrods said more than 220 people had now engaged with the redress scheme, which it said had been designed in consultation with specialist barristers, survivors and their legal representatives.Harrods' decision to close the scheme has been criticized as 'neither fair nor just', with Hayes calling on Harrods to 'do the honourable thing' and delay the closure of the redress scheme and commit to publishing the findings of its long overdue internal investigation into what happened and who knew. Survivors are being asked to make life-altering decisions without access to the full picture.The Metropolitan police said last year that 111 women had made allegations against Fayed; the youngest is thought to have been 13 at the time. Harrods 'apologises unreservedly' for the sexual abuse survivors suffered and 'wants everyone who is eligible to receive this compensation'. A spokesperson for Harrods said the company 'recognises the remarkable bravery of survivors who come forward and continue to shed further light on this dark chapter to our history'.

Aarti Holla-Maini, a British lawyer with a background in the satellite business, is the director of the UN's Office for Outer Space Affairs (Unoosa). She is responsible for alerting the UN secretary general if a large asteroid is on a possible collision course with Earth.On 27 December 2024, a robotic telescope in Chile spotted a distant rock, asteroid 2024 YR4, which was initially estimated to be the size of a small building. As the asteroid's impact probability increased, Holla-Maini's team drafted a letter to the UN secretary general, triggering the first global notification since the UN established a planetary defence collaboration in 2013.The asteroid's size and speed meant an impact could release energy comparable to hundreds of times the power of the Hiroshima bomb, potentially wiping out a city or region. The asteroid reached level three on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, indicating a threat to human civilization.Holla-Maini's team worked with the International Asteroid Warning Network and other experts to track the asteroid. Although its impact probability peaked at more than 3% in February 2025, it has since dropped to a negligible level. The asteroid scare served as a useful test for Unoosa's role in planetary defence.Unoosa plays a critical role in registering satellites launched into Earth's orbit and acts as an informal 'hotline' for potential satellite collisions. Holla-Maini's small team of 35 employees punches well above its weight, managing a massive remit as governments and businesses increasingly operate in space.