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Venice, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, is facing an unprecedented threat from rising sea levels. The Mose flood defence system, which was launched in 2020, has saved the city from potential flooding 154 times. However, despite its success, the city authorities are already seeking a plan B due to the accelerating sea level rise.The Mose system, which stands for modulo sperimentale elettromeccanico (experimental electromechanic module), was designed to protect Venice from frequent acque alte (high waters) caused by storm surges. The system consists of massive, luridly coloured flood barriers sunk into the seabed at three inlets between the lagoon and the Adriatic. The barriers have been effective in preventing flooding, but their frequent use is damaging the lagoon's ecosystem.Rising sea levels due to the climate crisis mean engineers are forced to raise the flood barriers more frequently, which encourages an excess growth of algae. When the algae die, they decompose, sucking out all the oxygen in the water and killing off fish and other marine flora. The tides create a natural exchange of water and sediment between the Venice lagoon and the Adriatic, but the raised flood barriers block the flow of water, leading to a deterioration of the lagoon's ecosystem.Andrea Rinaldo, the head of the scientific committee of the newly appointed Lagoon Authority, warns that an estimated extra metre of sea level rise by the end of the century represents a 'death knell for the city'. He stresses that immediate action is necessary to prevent the city's destruction. 'You won't have a lagoon. You won't have a city. And all of this could happen in a timeframe that is comparable with the time that we had to design and build the Mose.'The city authorities are exploring alternative solutions, including redirecting Venice's economy away from its reliance on tourism, which is a major threat to the city. Rinaldo plans to put out a global call for ideas from leading thinkers across various disciplines to devise a proposal for the city's future.

The US blockade of Iran has significant implications for global oil supplies and regional stability. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a substantial portion of the world's oil exports, has been impacted by the blockade. Iran has urged the international community to pressure the US to lift the blockade, which has been in place for several years. The blockade has led to increased tensions in the region and has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, with nearly 20% of global oil exports passing through it. Any disruption to the flow of oil through the strait could have severe consequences for the global economy. Iran's call for the lifting of the blockade highlights the need for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing tensions in the region. The international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensure the stability of the region.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful homily to an estimated 120,000 worshippers at the Japorma stadium in Douala, Cameroon’s largest economic centre. Speaking in both English and French, the pontiff urged the city’s young people to turn away from violence and corruption, emphasizing that true wealth lies in values such as faith, family, hospitality and diligent work.Security measures were stringent for the Friday Mass, and many attendees camped overnight despite harsh conditions, determined to witness the historic event. One pilgrim, Kevin Kaegam, told Reuters that the cold and mosquitoes were a small price to pay for the chance to see the “supreme pontiff”.Following the Mass, the Pope was scheduled to visit a local Catholic hospital and later travel to Yaoundé to meet students at the Catholic University of Central Africa. This stop follows a previous visit to Bamenda, a city at the heart of Cameroon’s nearly decade‑long English‑speaking separatist insurgency, where he also called for peace and condemned the exploitation of religion for political gain.Cameroon, with roughly 30 % of its population identifying as Catholic, is grappling with multiple crises, including the Anglophone conflict and lingering unrest from last year’s post‑election protests. The bishop of Obala, Leopold Bayemi Matjei, described the papal visit as a moment of great joy and a hopeful sign of divine blessing for the nation.In a more forceful tone than usual, Pope Leo criticized “neocolonial” powers for violating international law and warned that the whims of the rich and powerful threaten global peace. His comments on the war in Iran drew ire from U.S. President Donald Trump, who labelled the pontiff “weak” and “terrible for foreign policy”. Leo responded that he harbors “no fear of the Trump administration”.The Douala gathering marks the second stop of a four‑country African tour that began in Algeria and will also include Angola and Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the Pope’s broader mission to address social and political challenges across the continent.

In the midst of escalating tensions, a heart-wrenching story emerges from Gaza. Inaam al-Dahdouh, a 62-year-old mother, sits in her makeshift tent with her six grandchildren, clinging to a photograph of her three sons, who have been detained by Israeli forces for two years. As Palestinian Prisoners' Day is marked on April 17, Inaam's anguish deepens. Her sons, Mahmoud, Alaa, and Diaa, were arrested during an Israeli attack on al-Shifa Hospital in December 2023. They were bound, blindfolded, and taken away, leaving behind a family torn apart. The situation worsens with the recent approval of an Israeli law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners convicted of killing Israelis. This move has sparked international condemnation and fears among families like Inaam's. Over 9,600 Palestinians are currently imprisoned, a nearly 83% increase since the war began, with 350 children and over 3,530 administrative detainees held without charge. Inaam's sons are civilians; Mahmoud is a father of six, Alaa had completed his law degree, and Diaa was about to start life after high school. Despite reassurances that the new law targets specific categories of prisoners, Inaam cannot shake off the fear that her sons might be affected. “They can endure hunger … we tell ourselves they can endure it. But execution? Not to that extent,” Inaam says, fighting back her emotions. She urges a global stance to pressure Israel to reverse its decisions against prisoners, emphasizing that a prisoner has the right to live and dignity. Inaam tries to fill the void by caring for her grandchildren and teaching them the Quran, a gift for her imprisoned sons. Her story highlights the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the desperate need for a resolution to protect the rights and lives of Palestinian prisoners.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his side to view the forthcoming clash with Manchester City as a "huge privilege" rather than a source of pressure, stressing the importance of character in what could be a title‑defining encounter. The Gunners currently enjoy a six‑point lead over Pep Guardiola’s City ahead of the Sunday showdown at the Etihad Stadium, but City hold a game in hand that could swing the balance in their favour during the season’s final weeks. Recent form adds drama: Arsenal have dropped three of their last five matches across all competitions, including a League Cup final defeat to City, a shock FA Cup quarter‑final loss to second‑tier Southampton, and a home league loss to Bournemouth. In Europe, Arsenal scraped past Sporting Lisbon, drawing 0‑0 to clinch a 1‑0 aggregate win in the Champions League quarter‑finals, yet their domestic performances have been below the standards expected of a title challenger. Addressing criticism of the squad’s mental resilience, Arteta told reporters, "We have earned the right to be in this position and to be challenging, with an opportunity to win against arguably the best team and best manager this league has ever seen. That is a huge privilege." He added, "Who is more privileged to be in this position? I feel very privileged to have earned the right to play such a big and great game." Arsenal are chasing their first English league title since 2004 after finishing runners‑up for three consecutive seasons. In both 2023 and 2024, they squandered substantial leads, allowing City to overtake them. Artura believes a victory at the Etihad would place Arsenal in a "virtually unassailable" position. "Winning at this stage brings us a bit closer," he said, noting there are six games remaining and the match is "really important for both teams." Reflecting on the recent League Cup loss, Arteta urged his players to channel that pain into motivation: "The pain we felt afterwards, we need to use the right way on Sunday. Learn from that game and the things we want to change for the next one." He also dismissed rumors of a motivational fire‑lighting stunt at the training ground, explaining that the club employs varied themes to prepare for each match, with the players' own initiative being the most valued. Statistically, Arsenal have failed to win any of their last ten league visits to the Etihad, losing seven of those encounters—a barren run that stretches back to 2015. When asked whether he might advise his side to settle for a draw to protect their six‑point cushion, Arteta was unequivocal: "We prepare every game to win, that is why we are where we are, and we are going to continue to do the same."

London, 17 April 2026 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Bank of England (BoE) to keep its policy rate at 3.75% for the remainder of the year, warning that the ongoing Iran war is fuelling inflation and could shave 0.5 % off euro‑area growth.Alfred Kammer, director of the IMF’s European Department, told reporters in Washington that the BoE should maintain “a restrictive monetary policy stance” and keep the rate unchanged, stating: “That means keeping the policy rate unchanged for the remainder of the year, i.e., not proceeding with the expected cuts.”BoE Governor Andrew Bailey echoed a cautious tone, saying the bank would not “rush to judgments” on how to respond to an inflation shock driven by higher energy prices – a shock the central bank cannot directly offset with rate moves. Money markets are already pricing in at least one quarter‑point rate rise later in 2026, despite the current hold.The IMF also signalled a similar stance for the European Central Bank, urging a “neutral monetary policy stance” that would involve two quarter‑point hikes in 2026, with the possibility of reversal in 2027 if conditions improve.These monetary‑policy warnings come as the live‑blog highlighted broader economic stress: Chicago wheat futures have surged 4.5 % this week, the biggest weekly jump since February, driven by dry weather in the U.S. Plains and the Iran war’s impact on fertilizer and diesel costs. Humanitarian group Mercy Corps warned that fuel, fertilizer and shipping disruptions are already locking in food‑insecurity risks for fragile economies in Somalia, Ethiopia and Pakistan.Analysts note that the IMF’s advice underscores the delicate balance the BoE faces between curbing inflation and avoiding a premature rate cut that could undermine credibility. With inflationary pressures from energy and food still elevated, a hold‑and‑monitor approach may preserve policy flexibility, but markets will watch closely for any shift toward tightening if inflation proves stickier than anticipated.

Richard Wagner’s near‑death at sea in 1839 inspired the legend of the cursed ghost ship that underpins The Flying Dutchman. The Welsh National Opera (WNO) brings this myth to life in a fresh production that treats the libretto as a poetic meditation on birth, love, and mortality. Directed by Jack Furness, the opening scene intertwines a woman’s labor with the overture’s turbulent surges, symbolising the birth of Senta—destined to lose her mother and become haunted by the Dutchman’s promise of redemption, which can surface only once every seven years. Visual motifs—circling movements, blood‑red dresses echoing the ship’s sails—reinforce the cyclical fate of both protagonists. Designer Elin Steele and lighting designer Lizzie Powell conjure stormy seas and mist without literal ships, allowing the audience to focus on the raw emotions conveyed by the singers. Minimalist set pieces, occasional gold‑dust flourishes, and precise costume changes keep the drama tight and immersive. The cast delivers a musically rewarding performance. James Creswell shines as Daland with crystal‑clear German diction, while Simon Bailey portrays the tormented Dutchman with a compelling blend of menace and sympathy, especially in the final act. Rachel Nicholls as Senta offers a believable, passionately deluded love, delivering bel canto lines with immaculate pitch. Tenors Trystan Llŷr Griffiths (the Steersman) and Leonardo Caimi (Erik) make strong impressions, though the opera’s numerous choruses feel over‑extended. The WNO orchestra, under the authoritative baton of outgoing music director Tomáš Hanus, creates a convincing tempest that underpins the drama. Facing a thin 2026/27 season, the company is eager to prove its vitality, making these performances a must‑see—though audiences should not anticipate a conventional resolution. Staging dates include the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (19 April), Theatre Royal Plymouth (24 April), Birmingham Hippodrome (7 May) and Milton Keynes Theatre (15 May).Review by Rian Evans, The Guardian, 17 April 2026.

Equity’s Choreographers and Movement Directors Network (CMDN) says that theatre’s physical storytellers are still marginalised by awards bodies and should receive dedicated recognition.At the recent Olivier Awards, Fabian Aloise secured the best theatre choreographer prize for "Evita" at the London Palladium. While the network welcomed the visibility, it pointed out that the movement directors behind the nominated productions were omitted from any specific category, sparking a broader debate about the language used to credit theatrical creation.CMDN highlighted several movement directors whose work shaped this season’s most impactful shows, naming Leanne Pinder ("Punch"), Sarah Golding ("Kenrex"), Imogen Knight ("Dead Man Walking"), Jenny Ogilvie ("Into the Woods"), Sung Im Her ("The Glass Menagerie"), Lucy Hind ("Inter Alia") and Kloé Dean ("The Boy at the Back of the Class").Movement direction, the network explains, is not always dance but is essential to a production’s physical language, characterisation and dramatic flow. "If we celebrate the impact of physical storytelling, we must also evolve how we acknowledge the artists behind it," CMDN said.The network praised the Black British Theatre Awards for expanding their choreography category in 2022 to include movement direction, but noted that the UK Theatre Awards and Critics’ Circle Awards still lack dedicated categories for either choreography or movement direction.Founded in 2023 by movement director and choreographer Polly Bennett, CMDN now counts over 200 members. In a 2025 interview, steering‑group member Ellen Kane asked, "Why aren’t there Oscars or BAFTAs for choreography? Why aren’t we being credited?"Last month, more than a hundred theatre professionals signed a petition urging the Olivier Awards to create a separate video‑design category, arguing that the current system lumps video designers with other disciplines. This year’s Olivier winners illustrate the overlap: Tom Pye (set) and Ash J Woodward (video) shared the best set‑design award for "Paddington: The Musical", while Aideen Malone (lighting) and Roland Horvath (video) shared best lighting‑design for "Into the Woods".

Modern combat has been reshaped by the Russia‑Ukraine war, the Gaza clashes, India‑Pakistan skirmishes and the recent US‑Israel strikes on Iran, driving an unprecedented global appetite for drones, missiles and sophisticated air‑defence systems. Turkey, a leading military power in the Middle East, is positioning itself as a key supplier in this booming market. At the heart of Turkey’s push is Roketsan, a firm founded in 1988 to equip the Turkish Armed Forces. Today the company exports to roughly 50 nations and is counted among the fastest‑growing defence enterprises worldwide. Bypassing Western embargoes has been a catalyst for this growth. After the United States imposed CAATSA sanctions in 2020 and removed Turkey from the F‑35 programme, Ankara was forced to develop an indigenous defence ecosystem. The result is a network of nearly 4,000 small and medium‑sized enterprises that now supplies over 90 % of the components used in Turkish weapons. Financially, the strategy is paying off. In 2025 Turkish defence exports reached $10 billion. Roketsan’s General Manager Murat Ikinci told Al Jazeera the firm sits at 71st place among global defence firms and is targeting a climb into the top 50, then top 20, and ultimately the top 10 by the end of the decade. To fuel this ambition, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated a suite of new facilities last week, including: Europe’s largest warhead production plant. A new R&D centre employing 1,000 engineers. The “Kirikkale” complex dedicated to rocket‑fuel research. Infrastructure for mass‑producing ballistic and cruise missiles. The construction represents a $1 billion outlay, with an additional $2 billion earmarked for scaling up production capacity. Roketsan’s R&D engine—the third‑largest in Turkey with 3,200 engineers—draws heavily on lessons from ongoing wars. The Ukraine conflict highlighted the effectiveness of cheap FPV and AI‑guided kamikaze drones, prompting Roketsan to field systems such as the ALKA and BURC air‑defences and the laser‑guided CIRIT missile. Recent US‑Israel operations against Iran have underscored the threat posed by low‑cost Iranian‑designed Shahed drones, now upgraded with Russian “Kometa‑B” anti‑jamming modules. These swarms have overwhelmed regional defences and even struck a British base in Cyprus in March 2026, while NATO intercepted three Iranian ballistic missiles that entered Turkish airspace. In response, Roketsan is advancing the “Tayfun” (Typhoon) missile family. The flagship Tayfun Block 4 is a hypersonic ballistic missile designed to pierce advanced air‑defence layers at extreme speeds. When pressed for specifics, Ikinci declined to disclose the exact range, noting only that it is “sufficient.” Strategically, Turkey is shifting away from Western dependence toward an “Eastern” partnership model. Roketsan now offers joint production and technology‑development agreements, establishing co‑located facilities and R&D centres across the Middle East, Far East and Europe. Qatar has been cited as a flagship example of this collaborative approach. Roketsan has identified five priority product lines to meet rising global demand: Long‑range ballistic and cruise missiles. Advanced air‑defence systems, including “Steel Dome”, Hisar‑A, Hisar‑O and Siper. Submarine‑launched cruise missiles leveraging the AKYA system. Smart micro‑munitions for armed drones. Long‑range air‑to‑air missiles, a capability highlighted by the recent India‑Pakistan clash. The timing is critical. Ongoing conflicts have depleted the stockpiles of high‑end air‑defence assets worldwide. During the US‑Israel‑Iran confrontation, the United States relied heavily on Patriot and THAAD systems, raising concerns that interceptor inventories could run low. Gulf states, which have logged over 1,000 drone sightings in their airspace, are actively seeking alternative solutions—an opening that Turkey’s self‑sufficient supply chain is poised to fill. Analysts warn that even major powers like the United States will need years to rebuild their air‑defence inventories due to the complexity of production. Turkey’s claim of near‑complete domestic manufacturing positions it as a ready supplier for nations eager to diversify away from traditional Western sources. As demand for missiles and drones surges, Roketsan is reinvesting its revenues into expanding production infrastructure, aiming to cement its place among the world’s elite defence exporters.