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The Evolution of VAR in World Cup Football The 2026 World Cup will see significant changes to the role of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). VAR will now be used to check every decision that results in a corner, as well as decisions leading to the award of a second yellow card and thus a sending-off. This expansion aims to reduce wrong decisions affecting high-profile matches. Enhanced VAR Protocol for Set Pieces In addition to its existing responsibilities, VAR will also assess fouls before set pieces. If an incident occurs before a set piece and has a direct impact on the outcome, VAR can intervene. This change targets issues like grappling in the box before corners and free kicks. Tougher Discipline: New Red Card Offenses Two new incidents have led to the introduction of additional red card offenses. Players or officials who leave the field in protest at a referee's decision can now be given a red card. Similarly, players who cover their mouths in a confrontational situation will also face the same sanction. Cracking Down on Tactical Timeouts To prevent tactical timeouts, outfield players will be required to leave the field for treatment and stay off for 60 seconds before rejoining. Goalkeepers will continue to receive treatment on the field, but with the added requirement that other players retreat to the center circle during treatment. Speeding Up the Game Referees will implement countdowns to speed up goal kicks and throw-ins. A five-second countdown will be used, and failure to comply will result in the opposition being awarded the throw-in or a corner. Player Substitutions and Time Management Players being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds of their number being raised. Failure to do so will result in the replacement player being kept off the field for an additional minute.

The Bridge Between Art and ScienceWhy do we find things beautiful? More precisely, why do some paintings of coloured dots in rippling patterns inspire in me something like revelation? The idea that beauty is the feeling you get when encountering truth is unfashionable in the arts, but lingers in the sciences. The physicist Paul Dirac once proposed that it is more important that a formula is beautiful than that it can be proven: when a perfectly beautiful theory produces results that cannot be real, he argued, then we should not discard the theory but reconsider what is real.Since the 1970s, Terry Winters has been rebuilding that bridge between art and science. Taking inspiration from disciplines including botany – his early paintings, particularly, evoke sprouting pods and tangled roots – engineering, computer modelling and cybernetics, his paintings might be understood as diagrammatic approximations of the patterns that govern everything from the division of cells to the constellation of stars. If every era has to renew its standards of beauty to reflect new understandings of how the world is constructed, then Winters comes as close to providing that model as any living painter.Mathematical Patterns in Visual ArtThese eight new works take their titles from the language of geometry and mathematics: Area, Array, Field, Locus, Point, Scope, Sequence and Set. Each is composed of overlapping patterns that pull each other out of shape according to invisible laws of attraction and repulsion. Field is indicative: on a sooty pink ground, a dense grid of dusty blue cells bends inwards like a trampoline beneath a bowling ball, while an intersecting arrangement of larger circles swells outwards. The disorienting effect of this push-pull is exaggerated by an optical illusion, created by ragged phosphorescent orange haloes around the blue circles, that makes them appear to be craters sunk into the crust of paint. You have to walk up to the surface to be reassured that it is flat.Point shows a teeming landscape of cells bulging outwards at the centre, as if a scum of frogspawn had been skimmed off a pond and placed under a paperweight microscope. In Sequence, a storm of pink interference skims through a yellow circle split like a brain into hemispheres, while a nebulous weather system sweeps in from the right. In Scope, vaguely symbolic arrangements of freshwater blue and desert orange nodules move across the familiar circle-within-a-square geometry of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man. Where that famous demonstration of sacred geometries exudes stillness and calm, the systems that run through Winters' worlds are wild and strange. Here, as much importance is given to the subjective factors of perception and consciousness as the objective principles of logic and proportion.Optical Illusions and Sensory ExperienceAll of this should not distract from the pure sensory pleasure afforded by these pictures. In Locus, another optical illusion seems to lift the red edge of the painting off the canvas like a clumsy wooden frame, squeezing the pockmarked sphere at its centre so that it balloons outwards, threatening to burst. The same cadmium red, so sandy that the pigment seems barely to have been suspended in oil, turns carmine pockets into rock formations that climb off the surface of Set. These sleights of hand evoke the more secular movement of op art, in which patterns are manipulated to exploit the idiosyncrasies of human perception rather than to uncover deeper truths. Which begs the question: is this all just a conjuring trick?Rediscovering the Renaissance ApproachThere is something magical about these works. Even though Winters is generally credited with having extended the lineage of modernist American painting into the present, his practice is in this sense pre-modern. In its rejection of the idea that art should be separated from science, it resembles the Renaissance attitude according to which painting is no less a tool for understanding the world than mathematics, and magic is just the name for things we don't yet understand. His commitment to synthesising diverse spheres of knowledge, his alchemist's commitment to materials, and his sheer technical ability certainly mark him out in a scene recently overwhelmed by chancers and charlatans, bandwagoners and snake-oil salesmen. That his work is enjoying a revival might be taken as an encouraging sign.Beauty as a Path to TruthDirac, incidentally, was proved right. He formulated a theory that was so beautiful it couldn't possibly be wrong, even though it implied the existence of phenomena that everyone agreed must be impossible. He stood by it, and a few years later, someone else discovered anti-matter. Winters' paintings likewise offer a flash of those secret patterns that underpin the physical world, and which science has yet to illuminate. Which is to say, they're beautiful.Exhibition DetailsTerry Winters: Along the River is at Modern Art, London, until 11 July

Across the AI ecosystem, firms from Uber to Priceline are confronting token bills that dwarf their original forecasts, sparking a rush to build visibility, auditability, and guardrails around AI spend. Tokenomics Foundation Aims to Impose Cost Discipline on AI Tokens The Linux Foundation announced the creation of the Tokenomics Foundation, a standards body designed to codify metrics, definitions, and best practices for AI token usage—mirroring the FinOps movement that tamed cloud spend. Executive director J.R. Storment described the climate as an "existential crisis" for many enterprises, with budgets blown out by 3‑fold in early 2026. Escalating Bills Highlight the Scale of the Problem Uber exhausted its entire 2026 AI coding budget by April. Microsoft revoked Claude Code licenses for developers after a rapid cost surge. A Priceline employee reported a routine Cursor contract renewal that was 4‑5× more expensive than prior terms. One unnamed firm allegedly incurred a $500 million Claude bill after failing to set usage limits. Developer surveys from Faros AI show per‑developer token consumption rising 18.6× in nine months. Goldman Sachs projects global token usage to multiply 24‑fold by 2030. Emerging Market of AI Spend Management Tools Start‑ups and established vendors are racing to fill the visibility gap: Pay‑i offers granular tracking, measurement, and optimization of GenAI investments. Paid provides developer‑level cost dashboards and value‑based billing. Platforms such as Jellyfish, Waydev, and Faros AI deliver AI‑agent monitoring to prove ROI. Legacy cloud‑cost players like Ramp, Datadog, and New Relic are adding token‑level observability and GPU monitoring. At the upcoming FinOps X conference, AWS is expected to unveil new financial‑management features for enterprise AI spend. Standardization and Optimization Expected to Shape AI Economics The Tokenomics Foundation plans to release a canonical definition of “tokenomics,” open specifications, and novel metrics such as cost‑per‑intelligence and tokens‑per‑watt. Early adopters like OpenRouter-style model routers already shift queries to cheaper models, a practice that could become industry‑wide. Analysts argue that the greatest ROI will come from moving the broad middle tier of users from low to moderate token consumption rather than encouraging heavy‑use outliers. As Nishant Gupta of Salesforce notes, AI token economics demand a new operational muscle set, and the coming standards may provide the assembly line the industry still lacks.

Critical Situation Develops at International Space StationIn a dramatic turn of events, NASA has issued an emergency directive to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), instructing them to take shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for potential evacuation. The order comes in response to a worsening air leak detected in the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory, creating a critical situation that requires immediate attention.Deteriorating Air Leak Triggers Emergency ProtocolsThe air leak, which has been identified in the Russian portion of the ISS, has reached a point where NASA considers it a significant threat to crew safety. While the exact nature and severity of the leak have not been fully disclosed, the decision to order astronauts to prepare for evacuation indicates the situation is serious. The crew has been instructed to remain in their spacecraft, which serve as lifeboats in case a rapid departure becomes necessary.SpaceX Crew-12 Astronauts at the Center of EmergencyThe four astronauts affected by this emergency are part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which has been operating at the ISS since February 2026. The crew consists of American astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos. This international team has been conducting scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aimed at preparing humans for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.Operational Impact on Space Station ResearchThe potential evacuation, while necessary for crew safety, would significantly impact ongoing research at the ISS. The station has served as a microgravity laboratory for decades, with thousands of experiments conducted across various scientific disciplines. A sudden evacuation would require the suspension of these activities, potentially leading to the loss of valuable data and experimental samples. Additionally, the ISS relies on continuous crew presence to maintain critical systems, and an uncrewed station would face significant operational challenges.Future Outlook for International Space OperationsThis incident highlights the inherent risks of human spaceflight and the delicate balance between scientific research and crew safety. While the ISS has experienced air leaks before, this particular situation appears more severe, prompting the evacuation preparation. The coming hours will be critical as NASA and its international partners assess the leak and determine whether evacuation is truly necessary or if the situation can be stabilized. Regardless of the outcome, this event will likely lead to enhanced safety protocols and possibly accelerate plans for next-generation space stations with improved redundancy and safety features.

The Enchantment of The Sorcerer's ApprenticeIf you catch a young audience member at just the right moment, when they are old enough to be fully engaged but not so old that the sharp edges of teenage cynicism have begun to slink into view, you can make them truly believe in the magic of theatre. The Sorcerer's Apprentice is the kind of show that will make them – and possibly some adults – believe in magic.A Master Magician's Theatrical VisionTo begin by praising the lighting design may seem odd, but this is one of the most effectively lit pieces of theatre you might see. Lighting designer Simon Bond's barn doors, gels and gobos are integral to creating the many illusions on the stage. Director Paul Bosco McEneaney was a magician before turning his hand to theatre directing and he empties out a bag of tricks on to the stage of the jewel-like Buxton Opera House.Gunda (Philippa O'Hara), our narrator, begins by conjuring a village of 100 wooden houses out of thin air, the village stretching up into the darkness, the first of many impressively created stage images from designer Diana Ennis. Much of the story is simply told by Gunda; when it is occasionally sung, Fiona O'Kane and Neve Hutchinson's score adds to the mystical quality of the storytelling.The Technical Wizardry Behind the MagicThe production showcases an impressive array of technical achievements that bring the story to life. The sorcerer appears in the form of an owl – you will believe he flies on to and around the stage with actual wind in his wings before taking on human form. For fans of the Disney version of this story, there is a moment in which an army of brooms fly around the stage.But there is so much more to this stage adaptation, a co-production between the Northern Irish company Cahoots and Buxton Opera House. The tricks include levitation, shape shifting, things – and people – appearing out of nowhere. Entrances and exits provide little challenge for this director. Holding it all is a simply told, effective narrative.The Revival of Traditional Theatre MagicIn an era dominated by digital effects and high-tech spectacles, The Sorcerer's Apprentice represents a return to traditional theatrical magic. The production demonstrates that with clever design, skilled performers, and imaginative direction, live theatre can create illusions that captivate audiences in ways that digital media often cannot.This collaboration between Cahoots and Buxton Opera House highlights the growing trend of regional theatres partnering with specialized companies to create unique productions that might not otherwise be possible. Such partnerships are breathing new life into the regional theatre scene across the UK.The Future of Theatrical IllusionAs The Sorcerer's Apprentice continues its run at Buxton Opera House until June 6, it sets a high bar for future productions seeking to blend storytelling with technical wizardry. The success of this production suggests that there is a significant appetite for theatre that celebrates the art of illusion and magic.We can expect to see more productions that blur the line between magic and theatre, as directors with backgrounds in magic bring their unique skills to the stage. This fusion of disciplines represents an exciting frontier in theatrical innovation that could redefine what audiences expect from live performance.

The Global Sports LandscapeThe world of sports is buzzing with exciting events across multiple disciplines. From the World Cup kick-off to tennis grand slams, cricket history, cycling races, and basketball finals, this quiz tests your knowledge of the latest happenings in the sporting world.World Cup Kick-Off and Player OriginsThe World Cup begins with Mexico playing South Africa in Mexico City, a rerun of the first game in the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. Interestingly, France is the country where 98 of the 1,248 players in the 48 World Cup squads were born, with twelve different national teams having players born in France.Champions League Final SurprisesIn a surprising turn of events, PSG beat Arsenal in the Champions League final, but PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov didn't make a single save throughout the 120 minutes of play or the penalty shootout.Challenge Cup DominanceWigan showcased their dominance by winning all three Challenge Cup finals at Wembley - the men's, women's, and schools finals - all held on the same day.Historic FA Cup TrebleManchester City made history by winning the men's FA Cup, women's FA Cup, and Youth FA Cup in the same season. They join Chelsea as the only clubs to have achieved this feat, with Chelsea accomplishing it in the 2017-18 season.Serena's Grand Slam ReturnTennis legend Serena Williams is making a comeback at the age of 44. Her last grand slam singles title came in 2017, adding to her remarkable collection of 23 grand slam titles won between 1999 and 2017.Epsom Derby ContendersHorse racing enthusiasts are looking forward to the Epsom Derby, where horses with intriguing names like Item, Action, Christmas Day, and Poker will compete, with Benvenuto Cellini as the favorite.French Open Ranking SurpriseMaja Chwalińska has made waves at the French Open by reaching the women's final despite being ranked No. 114 in the world. The 24-year-old has earned more prize money this week than in the rest of her career combined.IPL Young Star Recognition15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won the player of the tournament award in the IPL and received a car as a prize. While he can't drive it yet, he'll be able to in three years' time.Lord's Cricket HeritageAs England hosts New Zealand at Lord's for the 150th Test match at the venue, it's worth noting that the ground is named after cricketer Thomas Lord, with the first Test there held in 1884 when England beat Australia.NHL Stanley Cup FinalsThe Stanley Cup final is visiting Raleigh and Paradise this week, with the Carolina Hurricanes (based in Raleigh, North Carolina) taking on the Vegas Golden Knights (based in Paradise, Nevada).Giro d'Italia DisqualificationLorena Wiebes won the opening stage of the women's Giro d'Italia but won't complete the race after being disqualified because her bike weighed 6.78kg - just 20 grams shy of the 6.8kg minimum weight limit.NBA Finals HistoryThe New York Knicks are trying to win the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973, facing opponents the San Antonio Spurs, who have won the championship five times since then.International Team ConnectionsTahith Chong scored for Curaçao in a friendly against Scotland, but he's unique in Dick Advocaat's squad as the only player born in Curaçao, with all other squad members born in the Netherlands.Ice Hockey World Championship SurpriseIn a stunning upset, Hungary shocked Canada to win their first medal at the men's ice hockey world championship, marking a historic achievement for the Hungarian team.

Breathing Earth's Ancient PastMore than 2bn years ago, during the Paleoproterozoic era, the Earth's atmosphere began to fill with free oxygen, enabling the rise of aerobic life and, ultimately, humans. This Great Oxidation Event is now being experienced firsthand by visitors to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Tasmania, where French-Swiss conceptual artist Julian Charrière has created an extraordinary installation that allows people to inhale oxygen that has been trapped in iron ore since that ancient time.When Charrière came up with the concept for what would become 'Breathe,' Mona's owner David Walsh not only approved the project but created a bespoke space for it, recognizing the unique intersection of science, art, and human experience that the installation represents.The Science Behind the Ancient OxygenThe installation is a marvel of scientific ingenuity and artistic vision. Charrière has sourced ancient iron ore from Australia's Pilbara region, which is processed daily in an on-site laboratory. The water is extracted from the ore using specialized machinery, then put through a Hofmann apparatus—a piece of scientific equipment that electrolyzes water—to liberate the trapped oxygen molecules.This pure, ancient oxygen is then released into a specially designed room where visitors can breathe it in, creating a direct connection to the beginning of life on Earth. As Charrière explains: 'I want people to get all the way back to the beginning of the earth. It's like a time machine.' The installation is designed as a solitary experience, with visitors accessing a vault-like corridor reminiscent of a mining drift, flanked by raw sandstone and lined with deep red rocks from the Pilbara.The Immense Timescale of the InstallationThe timescale involved in 'Breathe' is almost incomprehensible. The oxygen visitors inhale has been trapped in iron ore for over 2.4 billion years—since the Great Oxidation Event that transformed Earth's atmosphere and enabled the development of complex life forms. This installation literally connects each visitor to the primordial beginnings of our planet's atmosphere.As visitors walk through the tunnel, the temperature drops as they approach a high-ceilinged cylindrical room, an underground windowless tower where lighting depends on the amount of sun that can be reflected through a small opening above. Walking over tiles made of polished ancient tiger ore, they circle a floor-to-ceiling clear glass tube that houses the Hofmann apparatus. It is here, at a small opening, that visitors have their closest access to Charrière's pure, ancient oxygen.Redefining the Art-Science Experience'Breathe' represents a groundbreaking fusion of scientific methodology and artistic expression, challenging traditional boundaries between disciplines. The installation creates a profound personal experience that connects visitors not just to art, but to the very essence of life on Earth.What makes this installation particularly powerful is its claim that each visitor is the first human being to ever inhale that specific oxygen. As Charrière explains: 'You are breathing something which is so pure and has not been touched by any being before you... And the beauty of the piece is you will carry it until you die. You're going to become a small part of this installation and you become a big part of the great oxygen cycle, and you will only finally free this oxygen once... once you're going in the other world.'This installation is part of a broader trend in contemporary art that incorporates scientific processes and concepts, creating works that are both intellectually stimulating and viscerally impactful.The Future of Scientific Art Installations'Breathe' is opening alongside Charrière's major new exhibition 'Hard Core,' which showcases both the ambition and scientific curiosity of the Berlin-based artist. Individual elements of 'Hard Core' have been exhibited elsewhere in the world, including at the Venice Biennale, but the full exhibition finds its perfect home at Mona, with its exposed rock, industrial aesthetic, and fusion of science with art.As museums and galleries continue to seek innovative ways to engage audiences, installations like 'Breathe' point to a future where art and science are not just displayed together but are fundamentally intertwined in the creative process. This approach has the potential to create more immersive, educational, and thought-provoking experiences that challenge visitors to see the world—and their place in it—in new ways.Charrière's work demonstrates how art can make abstract scientific concepts tangible and personal, creating connections across vast stretches of time and space. As our understanding of the universe expands, art installations like 'Breathe' will play an increasingly important role in helping us process and relate to these profound concepts.

Iraq has clinched a historic spot at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the final nation to qualify and ending a 40‑year absence from football’s biggest stage. The Epic Journey to Mexico and Qualification Twenty hours on a bus, a charter plane out of the Middle East, and a one‑off game carrying the expectations of 48 million people defined Iraq’s road to the tournament. After a two‑year, 21‑match qualification marathon, the Lions of Mesopotamia travelled overland to Jordan, endured a 24‑hour flight delay, and finally landed in Monterrey for the inter‑continental playoff against Bolivia. Coach Graham Arnold gave his squad three days to recover before the decisive match, insisting they “don’t use it as an excuse.” The plan worked: a 2‑1 victory, sealed by a corner‑kick goal from 24‑year‑old forward Ali Al‑Hamadi, booked Iraq’s place at the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Numbers Behind Iraq’s Historic Qualification 21 matches played over more than two years 48 million Iraqi fans cheering the campaign Travel itinerary: 20‑hour bus ride → charter plane → 24‑hour flight delay → 3‑day recovery period Playoff result: Iraq 2 – Bolivia 1 First World Cup goal scorer: Ali Al‑Hamadi (on loan at Luton Town) What Iraq’s Return Means for Middle‑East Football The qualification marks a symbolic victory for a nation scarred by decades of conflict, sanctions and political instability. Football has become a “vehicle for happiness” for Iraqis, offering a rare moment of unity and pride. The success also revives the legacy of the 2007 Asian Cup triumph, reminding the region that Iraqi football can still compete on the continental stage. Beyond national morale, the achievement may inspire investment in grassroots programs across the Middle East, encouraging other war‑torn nations to view sport as a pathway to global recognition. Looking Ahead: Iraq’s Group‑of‑Death Challenge and Prospects With only a short preparation window, the squad will train in Spain and face friendlies against Spain and Andorra before heading to the United States. Drawn in a “group of death” with France, Norway (featuring Erling Haaland) and Senegal, Iraq’s path is steep. Arnold’s experience—guiding Australia to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022—provides tactical know‑how, but success will hinge on the team’s “mindset of shocking the world.” Midfielder Aimar Sher, born in Iraq but raised in Sweden, epitomises the blend of diaspora talent and home‑grown determination that could fuel an upset. If the Lions can translate their fighting spirit into disciplined performances, they may not only spoil a party but also rewrite the narrative of Middle‑East football on the world stage.

The New Zealand national football team, the All Whites, have secured a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ranked 85th, they face a daunting Group G line‑up of Belgium, Egypt and Iran, but a professional‑era squad and a seasoned coach give them a realistic shot at reaching the knockout stage for the first time. All Whites' Road to the 2026 World Cup After winning Oceania’s sole qualifying spot, New Zealand entered the tournament with a markedly different profile from the part‑time side that appeared in South Africa 2010. Coach Darren Bazeley emphasises possession‑based football, a style that served them well in qualifiers but will be tested against higher‑rated opponents. Group G fixtures: 15 June vs Iran (Los Angeles), 21 June vs Egypt (Vancouver), 26 June vs Belgium (Vancouver). Recent warm‑up results: 2‑0 loss to Finland, 4‑1 victory over Chile – the latter marking New Zealand’s first win against a South American nation. Key squad notes: Chris Wood (captain, 89 caps, 45 goals) returning from a serious knee injury; Eli Just (26‑year‑old attacking midfielder) highlighted as a breakout talent. Key Numbers Shaping New Zealand's Chances FIFA ranking: New Zealand 85th – the lowest among qualifiers. Opponents' rankings: Belgium 9th, Egypt 29th, Iran 21st. Recent form: 10 friendlies since qualification – 1 draw, 7 losses, 2 wins (including the Chile win). Defensive record in OFC qualifiers: 14 wins, 1 draw, 4 goals conceded, 64 goals scored. Chris Wood: 45 international goals; his fitness is a decisive factor according to commentator Paul Ifill. What Qualification Means for New Zealand Football Qualifying for a third World Cup marks the culmination of a decade‑long professionalisation drive. The tournament offers a platform to showcase the growing depth of New Zealand talent, attract higher‑profile overseas contracts, and inspire grassroots participation across the country. Success would also narrow the historic gap between New Zealand and other Oceania nations, reinforcing the All Whites as the region’s benchmark. Projected Path Through Group G and Beyond Analysts suggest that a disciplined defensive setup combined with swift counter‑attacks could earn New Zealand a point against Iran and a potential upset versus Egypt. A win or draw against Belgium appears unlikely, but a narrow loss would still leave the team in contention for a third‑place finish and a possible advancement on goal difference. Best‑case scenario: 1 win (vs Iran), 1 draw (vs Egypt), finish 3rd, advance on goal difference. Most‑likely scenario: 1 point (draw vs Iran), finish 4th, exit at group stage. Key variables: Wood’s fitness, midfield cohesion (Joe Bell, Eli Just), and Bazeley’s tactical flexibility. Regardless of the outcome, the All Whites’ participation will be a milestone for New Zealand football, offering valuable experience that could fuel future World Cup cycles.