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Several Premier League clubs are struggling to find new shirt sponsors ahead of next season, with nine clubs yet to secure front-of-shirt commercial deals and 12 having not signed contracts. The imminent ban on shirt advertising from gambling companies is having a significant impact on clubs' commercial returns, with the collective loss of income from shirt deals potentially as high as £80m next season.Gambling operators, particularly those serving Asian markets, have been willing to pay more than other companies to sponsor Premier League clubs. However, the removal of gambling firms from the market has led to intense competition among clubs at lower prices. Of the 10 top-flight clubs with gambling sponsors this season, only Bournemouth have announced a replacement, with the club's stadium sponsor Vitality moving on to the shirt in a cut-price deal.Brentford are close to announcing that their existing training kit sponsor, the job search website Indeed, will be on their shirt next season, while Everton and Fulham appear set to buck the trend as they are in advanced negotiations with the foreign exchange trader CMC markets. However, seven clubs with gambling companies' backing remain in the market, including Chelsea and Newcastle, who are still seeking new sponsors.The ban on gambling sponsorships has exacerbated the divide between the big six clubs and the rest of the Premier League in terms of the sponsors they can attract. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United are locked into long-term deals worth between £50m and £60m a year, while Leeds and Brighton have long-term contracts with Red Bull and American Express respectively.

Brighton pulled off a major upset in the Women's FA Cup quarterfinals, defeating Arsenal 2-0 at Borehamwood. The win extended Arsenal's wait for their first Women's FA Cup title in over a decade. Fran Kirby, a former Chelsea forward, played a crucial role in the victory, providing two assists.Madison Haley opened the scoring shortly after halftime with a superb finish into the top corner, and Caitlin Hayes sealed the win with a header from a deep Kirby corner. Arsenal, who had recently knocked out Chelsea in the Champions League, looked disjointed and below their best.In another match, Liverpool secured a semifinal spot with a scrappy 115th-minute goal from substitute Zara Shaw against Charlton Athletic. Shaw's goal came after a scramble in the box, marking her return to competitive action after a 12-month knee injury.Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor praised Shaw's determination, saying, 'What a story, Zara Shaw, eh? The way people speak about her at the club, it couldn’t have happened to a better person.'Charlton's head coach, Karen Hills, expressed pride in her team's performance, stating, 'I’m so proud of the group. The way they performed today, they were outstanding.'

James, the Manchester‑originated nine‑piece, have turned a five‑decade career into a living testament to longevity, headlining arenas while celebrating the surprise success of their 2024 album Yummy, which finally secured a UK No.1 spot 42 years after the band first formed.The group continues to defy conventional touring formulas. Frontman Tim Booth describes their shows as “crazy, idiosyncratic,” with nightly set‑list revisions and unreleased songs that often lack finished lyrics. One such piece, the eight‑minute “Nantucket,” features a wordless chorus, an electro‑violin groove and verses that proclaim a mission to inspire, embodying the band’s experimental spirit.Rather than relying solely on a greatest‑hits marathon, the two‑hour, 21‑song performance weaves in moody interludes, deep‑cut selections, and influences ranging from Brian Eno’s ambient textures to the pulsating beats of Italian house. Lyrical barbs aimed at billionaires and organized religion sit alongside anthemic warmth, creating a communal atmosphere. The opening number “Come Home” subtly nods to Booth’s Leeds roots, while trumpeter Andy Diagram sports a “No more war” T‑shirt, and Booth often reaches out to audience members, reinforcing the show’s inclusive vibe.Driving the rhythm is veteran drummer David Baynton‑Power, complemented by recent additions Chloe Alper and Debbie Knox‑Hewson, who inject fresh sonic layers. Booth, now 66, remains the band’s charismatic talisman, occasionally appearing on a balcony for “Born of Frustration” and the soaring “Say Something,” moments that feel almost ritualistic. Arena‑sized sing‑alongs erupt during “Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)” and the classic “Sit Down,” and when Booth finally dives off the stage, he is hoisted aloft by a sea of hands, underscoring the band’s unique connection with fans.The concert at P&J Live in Aberdeen on 7 April exemplified why James remains a special, brilliant force in live music, continuing a tour that proves their relevance and humanity endure across generations.

On April 4, 2026, Lebanese Christians marked Good Friday, a significant day in the Christian calendar, under challenging circumstances. The observance comes as the region faces escalating Israeli attacks, adding to the complexity and tension in the Middle East.The situation in Lebanon remains volatile, with ongoing concerns about regional stability and the impact of external conflicts on local communities. As Christians in Lebanon and around the world reflect on the significance of Good Friday, the events unfolding in the region underscore the delicate balance between religious observance and geopolitical realities.

Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday, April 5, at 9pm (19:00 GMT), in a critical La Liga encounter. This match serves as a precursor to their Champions League quarterfinal series, with the two Spanish giants set to clash three times in 10 days.The Catalan club will be without winger Raphinha due to a hamstring injury, placing additional pressure on teenage star Lamine Yamal to deliver. The 18-year-old has been in impressive form, scoring six times in his last seven matches across all competitions.Yamal has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and has been a key player for Barca, helping the team win Euro 2024 and a domestic treble last season. His maturity and skill on the pitch have been notable, especially in big games.Barcelona currently leads La Liga and will look to maintain or extend their lead against Atletico, who have little to play for in the league but will aim to build momentum for their Champions League quarterfinal against Barca.The match is a rematch of their Copa del Rey semifinal encounter in February and March, where Atletico advanced to the final 4-3 on aggregate. Barcelona is seeking to reach the Champions League semifinals for the second consecutive season, while Atletico aims to return to the last four for the first time since 2017.In terms of team news, Atletico Madrid will be without Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso due to suspensions, as well as Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza due to injuries. Barcelona is likely to be without Frenkie de Jong but may see the return of Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde from injury.

Farmers in India and Sri Lanka are bracing for a potential food crisis as the conflict in Iran disrupts global fertiliser supplies. The war has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil and gas supplies from the Gulf states, causing a shortage of natural gas and fertilisers.In India, farmers like Gurvinder Singh are worried about the impact on their crops. 'If we don't get fertilisers, there will be less yield. That will affect my entire family and the entire region, because we are completely dependent on agriculture.' India is the world's second-largest fertiliser consumer, using over 60 million tonnes annually, with most of its imports coming from Gulf countries.The World Food Programme has estimated that an extra 45 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity if the conflict does not end by June. Experts warn that South Asian countries, including India and Sri Lanka, are particularly vulnerable due to their heavy reliance on imported fertilisers and gas.In Sri Lanka, the situation is dire, with farmers facing massive price increases and warning of a potential food crisis. The Sri Lankan government has attempted to control prices and ration fertiliser, but the chairman of the National Agrarian Unity warns that the fertiliser crisis is even bigger than the fuel crisis and poses a threat to national security.The conflict has already begun to strain supply chains, with gas supplies to fertiliser factories cut by 30%. Farmers are stocking up on fertiliser in advance, but many small-scale farmers are already operating with heavy losses and are crushed by debt.

UCLA secured a hard-fought 51-44 win over Texas on Friday night, advancing to the national championship game of the women's NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Bruins, with a stellar season record of 36-1, were led by Lauren Betts, who scored 16 points and made a pivotal block in the final minutes to thwart Texas's late surge.The Bruins dominated their way to another national semi-final, boasting the best season in program history. Their path to the title game had to go through Texas, the only team to beat them this season. UCLA turned the tables on Texas, shutting down All-American Madison Booker and building a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.Despite Texas's strong defensive showing, which included a 12-2 run that cut UCLA's lead to 47-44, Betts's crucial block with 20 seconds left halted the Longhorns' momentum. Kiki Rice then hit two free throws, securing the win and sending coach Cori Close's team into the title game.The grinding win earns the Bruins a spot in Sunday's title game against South Carolina, the three-time national champions who ended reigning champion UConn's undefeated season. This sets up an exciting matchup, especially after Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley had a tense postgame exchange following South Carolina's shock win over UConn in the Final Four.For Texas, Madison Booker had a tough finish to an otherwise stellar season, hitting her first shot, missing her next 17, and finishing with six points on 3-of-23 shooting.

The conflict between the US and Israel against Iran has taken a devastating toll on the country's healthcare system. At least 2,076 people have been killed and 26,500 wounded in Iran since the US and Israel first launched strikes on the country on February 28.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly condemned the attacks, appealing to international health organizations to respond to the crisis. On Thursday, he wrote on X: “What message does attacking hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and the Pasteur Institute as a medical research center in Iran convey?”The Pasteur Institute, a key center for medical research and vaccine production in Tehran, has been targeted. The institute, founded over 100 years ago in collaboration with the Institut Pasteur in Paris, conducts research on infectious diseases, produces vaccines, and provides advanced diagnostics.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 20 attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran have been verified since March 1, resulting in at least nine deaths, including an infectious diseases health worker and a member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.Some of the facilities hit include:Red Crescent warehouse in Bushehr province, which was destroyed by a drone strike on Friday morning.Tofigh Daru Research and Engineering Company, one of Iran’s largest pharmaceutical companies, which was hit on March 31.Delaram Sina Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, which was significantly damaged on March 29.Ali Hospital in Andimeshk, which sustained damage from an explosion on March 21.Gandhi Hospital in Tehran, which was damaged during attacks on a nearby television communications tower on March 2.International humanitarian law states that health establishments and units, including hospitals, should not be attacked. The United Nations Security Council resolution 2286 was adopted unanimously in 2016, condemning attacks on healthcare and calling on nations to respect international law.The attacks on healthcare facilities are not limited to Iran. Israel has also targeted healthcare facilities in Lebanon and Gaza, resulting in significant damage and loss of life.

The film 'Palestine 36' delves into the 1936 Palestinian revolt, a pivotal moment in history that nearly changed the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Director Annemarie Jacir sheds light on the often-forgotten roots of today's crisis and why this history still feels painfully present.Before the Israeli occupation, there was British colonialism. The film provides a unique perspective on the events leading up to the current situation, offering insights into the complex and tumultuous history of the region.Key aspects of the film include its exploration of the revolt's impact on the region and its people, as well as its relevance to contemporary issues. The director's work aims to bring attention to the historical context that has shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The episode also features recommended stories related to the topic, including discussions on the 'Greater Israel' project, Iran's stance on the US, and the significance of universities in the region.