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The sports world is reeling from the news that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is pulling back its financial support for LIV Golf, a rebel tour that has been a key vehicle for the kingdom's ambitious attempts to become a leading global sports destination.Conservatively estimated to have cost Saudi Arabia over $10bn in the past five years, the slowdown in lavish spending on sport was expected, but the withdrawal of PIF's support has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. This move was first communicated to LIV executives on Monday, leaving many employees fearing for their jobs.The uncertainty is not limited to golf, with other sports administrators worried that similar cuts could be coming their way. LIV Golf's future is now in doubt, with the tour's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, failing to address the possibility of PIF's withdrawal in an email to staff on Wednesday evening.Sports executives outside golf have expressed concerns about the future, stating, 'We all went running to Saudi for a quick payday and are now wondering what the future holds.' The PIF's investment strategy now focuses on domestic benefits and building real businesses, with LIV Golf being seen as vulnerable due to its lack of profitability.The PIF's financial strategy for 2026-2030 emphasizes 'value realisation through performance, innovation, and private sector engagement.' While sport is not listed as one of PIF's six investment pillars, it will be included under the tourism, travel, and entertainment portfolio.The move towards privatization is evident, with PIF selling a 70% stake in Al-Hilal, one of its Saudi Pro League clubs, to a private company owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud. Other sports, such as Esports, boxing, and mixed martial arts, are expected to continue receiving investment due to their popularity and potential for growth.The implications of PIF's shift in strategy extend beyond golf, with Newcastle United and other sports organizations potentially affected. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in certain sports, the future of others, like LIV Golf, remains uncertain.

Hull FC's fans and players came together in a heartfelt display of unity and support for coach John Cartwright following the team's loss to St Helens. The emotional show of solidarity came as Cartwright's future with the club hangs in the balance after a tumultuous 10 days.The match saw St Helens secure a 24-14 victory at the MKM Stadium, but the focus was on Cartwright as the game ebbed into its closing moments. The big screen inside the stadium panned to the coach, prompting a stadium-wide round of applause from the fans, despite Hull FC heading for a fifth league defeat in eight games.At full time, hundreds, if not thousands, of fans stayed to applaud Cartwright once again as he conducted his media duties. This display of unity from Hull FC's fans towards their coach mirrored the spirited performance from Cartwright's players on the field.The reason for such emotion was clear: this had all the hallmarks of Cartwright's last stand in charge of Hull after a tumultuous 10 days. The Black and Whites confirmed last week that Cartwright would leave at the end of the season, with the club already understood to have agreed a deal to bring in Steve McNamara next year.Cartwright responded on Monday by expressing his feelings of being 'betrayed and disrespected' by the club's lack of communication over that decision. With time to consider whether an early parting of the ways is the best course of action, Cartwright may have actually coached Hull for the final time.“I honestly don’t know,” Cartwright said when asked what happens next. “I’ll let the dust settle on that. I’ve got a couple of meetings early next week and then we’ll find out. They’re very passionate fans and they’ll have their opinion on something and they’ll make it known. It means a lot to me to see it.”Despite the loss, Hull were superb in the first half, leading 12-6 by the break thanks to tries for Logan Moy and Amir Bourouh. However, St Helens, led by coach Paul Rowley, showed their resilience and navigated an emotionally charged evening to go top of the table.The final act of this night belonged to Cartwright, who, after his media duties, walked down the tunnel with his players in one last show of unity. His players have displayed how they feel; now it is down to Hull’s hierarchy to show their hand.

President Donald Trump announced a 10‑day ceasefire for Lebanon on Thursday, a move hailed as urgently needed yet fraught with uncertainty. The pause follows a wave of Israeli attacks that, on "Black Wednesday," saw 100 strikes in ten minutes and left hundreds dead. Iran and Pakistan, acting as mediators, initially believed Lebanon fell under the scope of a prior U.S.–Israel–Iran truce. However, Israel’s subsequent offensive—including the destruction of the last bridge linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country and a strike on a school—demonstrated a stark departure from that assumption. Casualty figures are grim: more than 2,100 people have been killed, among them at least 172 children, with thousands more injured. One in five Lebanese citizens are now displaced, many facing permanent uprooting as Israel reportedly erases entire villages, echoing tactics used in Gaza. Direct talks between Lebanon and Israel on Tuesday marked a "striking departure" from the conflict’s trajectory, but the Lebanese government does not control Hezbollah, the militant group driving much of the fighting. While Lebanon expelled Iran’s ambassador a month ago, the envoy remains in place, and Hezbollah did not block the recent negotiations. President Joseph Aoun rejected a U.S. request to speak directly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring the limited scope of diplomatic outreach. The ceasefire’s durability is tightly linked to broader U.S.–Iranian discussions. Israel’s baseline demand remains the disarmament of Hezbollah, whereas Hezbollah insists on a full Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu’s recent surprise visit to Lebanon’s south, where he pledged to expand a so‑called "buffer zone," signals a hard‑line stance that could jeopardize any lasting peace. Within Lebanon, public anger toward Hezbollah has surged after its rocket retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader ignited the war. Simultaneously, the relentless Israeli bombardment has eroded confidence in the Lebanese state, pushing vulnerable communities toward the militant group and deepening social fissures that harken back to the country’s civil‑war era. Internationally, even long‑standing allies of Israel, notably the United States, are expressing growing unease over the conduct of the campaign. Critics argue that any pause must be genuine and sustained, not a superficial lull that leaves civilians exposed to continued violence. The fragility of the current ceasefire is evident, especially as Israel continues strikes in Lebanon despite a prior truce and as its military actions in Gaza have already resulted in hundreds of Palestinian deaths.

South Korea is seeking to capitalize on the Iran crisis to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, with a focus on expanding its 'solar income village' program. The initiative, which aims to reach 2,500 villages by 2030, has already shown promising results in rural areas like Guyang-ri, where a one-megawatt solar installation generates $6,800 in net profit monthly. The village uses this revenue to fund communal benefits, including free meals for residents and a 'happiness bus' for elderly people. This approach has strengthened community bonds and improved quality of life, demonstrating the potential for renewable energy to drive social and economic development. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the need for a faster clean energy transition, citing South Korea's heavy reliance on imported energy, including crude oil from the Strait of Hormuz. The government has increased funding for renewable energy projects, allocating a supplementary budget of about 500bn won to energy transition, which includes grid infrastructure upgrades and support for renewable energy projects. However, challenges persist, including the country's reliance on Chinese supply chains for solar panels and the need to address grid capacity limitations. Environmental groups have expressed concerns that the government's response to energy transition falls short, citing the allocation of 5tn won to absorb fossil fuel price hikes, including direct subsidies to oil refineries. Despite these challenges, experts believe that the window for transformative change is open, and the government's institutional courage will be crucial in defining South Korea's energy future.

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Silva, who joined Manchester City from Monaco in July 2017 for £43.5m, has been a key member of Pep Guardiola's team, contributing significantly to their success.During his nine-year tenure, Silva has won an impressive array of honors, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, the Champions League, and two Fifa Club World Cups. He has made 451 appearances for the club, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists. This season, Guardiola made him captain, highlighting his importance to the team.Silva expressed his gratitude to the club, stating, “When I arrived 9 years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things. This city and this club gave me much more than that. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.”He also thanked the fans for their support, saying, “To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life.”The club has announced that Silva will be given an official farewell. As he departs, Silva urged the fans to continue supporting the young team, expressing confidence that they will bring new memories in the future.

The Scotland women's rugby team encountered significant contract uncertainty before their 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance. According to former Scotland international Beth Blacklock, the situation was stressful for many players, with some having contracts that ended in October after the World Cup.In the lead-up to the tournament, talks took place between players and the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU). While 21 of the 32 players in the World Cup squad received contracts, 11 did not. Blacklock, who was one of the players without a new deal, described the process as 'difficult' to see teammates struggling with uncertainty.The SRU stated they engaged with the Scotland Women playing group over several months, including face-to-face and online meetings, to work through the contracting process ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Despite this, Rachel Malcolm, the Scotland captain, described the talks as 'disruptive' to their preparations.Blacklock, who has since retired from international rugby and is pursuing a career in data engineering and aviation, expressed excitement about the new era for Scottish women's rugby under coach Sione Fukofuka. She praised Fukofuka's organized plan and the team's potential for growth.The next significant test for the team will be their first standalone match at Murrayfield against the defending champions, England, with nearly 30,000 tickets sold.

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes hang in the balance as they prepare to face Manchester City on Sunday. Midfielder Declan Rice has urged his team to elevate their performance, acknowledging that their recent form has been a concern.Rice, 27, highlighted the team's inconsistent style of play, which has drawn criticism from fans. Despite being six points clear of City at the top of the table, Rice emphasized that Arsenal must improve if they are to press their title claims.The midfielder reflected on a rollercoaster few weeks for Arsenal, including a Carabao Cup final defeat against City and a sobering home loss to Bournemouth in the league. However, they have also shown resilience, progressing to the Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw against Sporting.Rice stressed the importance of performing better, particularly in terms of possession and confidence on the ball. He acknowledged that the team's recent errors have been costly, but they managed to rectify this against Sporting.“It's about doing the basics a little bit better, to a better level … just the five-, 10-yard passes that we're giving away a bit sloppily,” Rice said. “And just that confidence with the ball, just taking more touches, relaxing on the ball, not feeling under pressure.”Rice also expressed his desire for revenge against City, citing the pain of watching them lift the Carabao Cup trophy. He emphasized that the upcoming match is a significant test, but one that Arsenal is ready for.“To go there and win would be a massive statement,” Rice said. “And look, these boys are ready. We spoke as a group. We know what's required.”Arsenal have struggled to score in recent games, managing only three goals in their last five matches. Rice attributed this to the defensive strategies employed by opposing teams, particularly the low blocks they have faced.Despite these challenges, Rice remains committed to contributing to the team, having overcome illness to play against Sporting. He emphasized the importance of availability and depth, particularly with key players like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka sidelined through injury.

For the first time in Hollywood history, an authorized generative‑AI version of a major star headlines a feature film. The western As Deep As the Grave showcases a digitally recreated Val Kilmer, whose voice was synthesized by UK‑based firm Sonantic using archival recordings. The project, delayed by Kilmer’s death in April 2025, received full cooperation from his estate and his daughter Mercedes, who helped craft the visual deep‑fake of the actor. Mercedes Kilmer confirmed that her father embraced emerging technologies as a storytelling tool, a sentiment the filmmakers say they honored throughout production. At Wednesday’s CinemaCon trade show in Las Vegas, the trailer revealed that Kilmer’s character, Father Fintan—a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist—appears for roughly one hour of screen time. The footage shows the priest at different ages, including a spectral elder who advises a child, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.” Writer‑director Coerte Voorhees explained that the narrative was built around Kilmer’s heritage and his love of the Southwest. He added that the production adhered to SAG‑AFTRA guidelines and that the estate was financially compensated for the use of archival material. The film also stars Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin and Abigail Lawrie. In a March interview with Variety, Voorhees noted that Kilmer’s family repeatedly emphasized the project’s importance to the late actor. The Kilmer case follows a growing trend of AI‑generated performances. In 2022, Bruce Willis consented to a digital twin after a dementia diagnosis, while actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have licensed their voices to AI firms for approved uses. Estates of legends like Laurence Olivier, Judy Garland and James Dean have similarly partnered with the marketplace ElevenLabs. Beyond film, celebrities are exploring AI for digital meet‑and‑greets; Paris Hilton and Kendall Jenner have reportedly signed deals with Meta for AI‑powered appearances on Instagram, and users can even query an AI version of Deepak Chopra for advice on a range of topics. Nevertheless, some stars remain cautious. Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson have publicly expressed skepticism about deep‑fake replicas of their likenesses.

The BBC's sudden announcement of 2,000 job cuts has had a significant impact on staff, according to UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy. The cuts, which will affect up to 10% of the broadcaster's 21,000 staff over the next three years, have created uncertainty and frustration among employees.Nandy, who has been discussing the broadcaster's charter renewal with BBC staff, emphasized the importance of involving employees in the cost-cutting plan. She told MPs: 'Colleagues will know that yesterday, the BBC interim director-general announced that there will be significant cuts to staffing, which I know have had a very, very strong effect on the staff themselves, and are of real concern to people out in the country.'BBC staff were informed of the cuts during an online all-staff meeting led by interim director general Rhodri Talfan Davies. Many employees expressed concern about their future, with younger staff members feeling that they would bear the brunt of the cuts. Some staff members criticized the broadcaster's decision-making process, suggesting that highly paid presenters and senior staff may not be the prime targets of the cuts.The announcement has also raised questions about the BBC's financial management and the appointment of incoming director general Matt Brittin, a former senior executive at Google, who will be earning a salary of £500,000 per year. Nandy held talks with Brittin after the announcement, emphasizing the importance of putting the BBC on 'a strong financial footing.'The BBC's interim director general acknowledged that the broadcaster is facing 'significant financial pressures' and that the cuts are necessary to respond to these challenges. However, the announcement has created uncertainty and concern among staff, with some employees questioning whether a future at the BBC is a viable option.