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Al Jazeera issued a forceful statement denouncing the recent Israeli operation that resulted in the death of a journalist, labeling the act a "heinous crime" and a direct assault on press freedom.The media outlet called for an immediate and transparent investigation, urging both Israeli authorities and international bodies to hold those responsible accountable. It emphasized that attacks on journalists undermine the public’s right to information, especially in volatile regions.In its condemnation, Al Jazeera highlighted the growing dangers faced by reporters covering conflicts, noting that such incidents exacerbate tensions and erode trust between media organizations and state actors.The statement concluded with a plea for the protection of journalists worldwide, urging the international community to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding those who document the truth in war zones.

Atletico Madrid stunned Barcelona 2-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match, with Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scoring crucial goals at Camp Nou on Wednesday.The La Liga leaders dominated the game after Pau Cubarsi was sent off for bringing down Atletico's Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal. Alvarez whipped home a free kick, and Sorloth doubled their advantage with 20 minutes remaining, giving Atletico a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Diego Simeone's side, who have never won the competition, reached the 2014 and 2016 finals but were beaten by rivals Real Madrid on both occasions. Barca, semifinalists last season, need a huge comeback next Tuesday in Madrid to stand a chance of lifting the trophy they last won in 2015.Barcelona started well, with Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, their main threat down the left. However, Atletico's defense held strong, and they capitalized on Cubarsi's red card to secure the win.Atletico knocked Barca out of the Copa del Rey in the semifinals in March, and this was the second of three meetings between the sides in a space of two weeks. The win gives Atletico a significant advantage ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, finding ways to lower your grocery bill has become more important than ever. Retail workers are sharing their insider knowledge on how to save money at supermarkets, street markets, and charity shops.Be Savvy About Store DiscountsMany supermarkets offer yellow-stickered items that are reduced in price due to nearing their expiration dates. These discounts can be significant, with reductions of up to 75% off. Alasdair Baker, who runs The Penny Pincher, advises shopping for these items in the late afternoon or early evening when the biggest reductions are typically applied.View image in fullscreenTiming matters … you’ll find the biggest reductions on yellow-sticker items in the late afternoon and early evening. Be AppySome grocery stores use apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio to offer discounts or free food to avoid food waste – but it can be a gamble as to what you get.Use Common SenseIf you buy something reduced on the day it is expiring, that doesn’t mean you need to eat it that day. There is a difference between “best before” dates, which are about food quality and the more important “use by” dates, which are about food safety.Be Cautious About ‘Bogof’ Deals“There aren’t as many buy one, get one free [bogof] deals now, because of new rules that came into place last year,” says Baker. These restrict promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt.Avoid Big BrandsThe ends of supermarket aisles often feature big brands, says Baker. “They are not placed there randomly: the companies pay an awful lot of money. The idea is to try to coax people into buying those products more often.”Sign Up for a Store Card“It’s sad that we now have to essentially sell our data to the supermarkets in exchange for affordability – but such is life in 2026,” says Jenny Rogers. “If you have a store card, it is also worth getting the supermarket app, as a lot of stores will give you one or two personalised offers a week, or periodic free delivery for members.

Barcelona secured a 2‑0 advantage over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, setting up a high‑stakes Champions League quarter‑final second leg. The win followed a 2‑1 league victory against the same opponents, where Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski scored late goals to clinch the La Liga title. After the match, Diego Simeone approached Hansi Flick with a reminder to return, underscoring the rivalry that will see the teams clash three times in ten days. The upcoming return fixture at Camp Nou promises a tougher battle than the opening encounter. Rashford’s performance was described by Spanish outlets as “hyperactive” and an “exhibition of speed.” He generated seven shots in the first hour alone, including a disallowed goal, multiple attempts saved by goalkeeper Juan Musso, and a free‑kick that struck the bar. His relentless wing play forced the opposition to defend deeper, highlighting his impact beyond the scoreboard. Statistically, Rashford has become Barcelona’s most prolific loanee this season: five goals and four assists in ten Champions League games, and he has reached double figures for both goals and assists across all competitions – a first for any player in Spain this campaign. The loan, secured for €30 million (£26 million) with an option to buy, was initially motivated by Barcelona’s need for a versatile forward who could operate across the front line. The club previously pursued Nico Williams and Luis Díaz, but Rashford’s deal offered a quicker, more economical solution amid La Liga’s salary‑cap constraints. While he started the season as a backup, injuries to Raphinha and form dips from Ferran Torres and Lewandowski opened opportunities. Coach Flick has primarily deployed Rashford on the left flank, though he was briefly positioned as a centre‑forward during the Atletico match. Despite his contributions, Flick cautions that Rashford must improve his defensive work‑rate, a point emphasized by the coach before the game: “We know Marcus is fantastic with the ball, but defending is also part of the game.” Historically, overturning a 2‑0 first‑leg deficit in the Champions League is rare – only one team has succeeded. This reality adds pressure on Barcelona to protect their lead, while Simeone’s side will aim to exploit any complacency. Looking ahead, the club faces a strategic decision: whether to activate the €30 million buy clause and secure Rashford permanently. United have labelled the fee as non‑negotiable, but Barcelona’s limited budget and the desire to convert a successful loan into a long‑term asset make the negotiation critical. Rashford himself remains optimistic, stating he enjoys the new environment and culture in Catalonia. As the second leg looms, his “hyperactive” energy and willingness to take responsibility could prove decisive for Barcelona’s quest to reach the Champions League semi‑finals.

Britain has weathered a succession of crises since the 2008 financial collapse— austerity, Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war and recent political turbulence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the war in Iran must become a turning point, forcing the country to build lasting resilience at home and with its European partners.Starmer stresses that the UK’s response to the Iranian aggression has been guided by de‑escalation, diplomacy and the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. While Britain avoided direct offensive action, it intercepted drones, shot down missiles and protected British lives and interests alongside allies who share the same stance.The government’s approach, he explains, is to reduce escalation, work with allies and safeguard economic stability. In a world that is “more volatile and dangerous than at any other point in my lifetime,” such a strategy is presented as essential for protecting British interests.Starmer links global instability to domestic pressures, noting that the same tensions that threaten security also drive up energy prices, disrupt supply chains and strain household finances. To counter this, his administration has capped energy bills and invested heavily in homegrown energy sources, aiming to free the UK from reliance on external gas suppliers.On the defence front, the UK has announced the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, reinforcing European alliances and expanding military capacity. Parallel to these security measures, the government has launched an ambitious industrial strategy, strengthened workers’ rights and pledged to lift more than half a million children out of poverty through a new child‑poverty programme.Starmer argues that these policies are not isolated reactions but part of a broader shift toward long‑term resilience. By building secure, domestic energy, robust alliances and a stable economy, Britain can “shape its future and deliver on priorities that matter to working people.”He concludes that Britain will not attempt to recreate the pre‑2008 world; instead, it will forge a stronger, more secure, and more resilient nation capable of withstanding future shocks.

The UK government is calling for Lebanon to be included in the recent US-Iran ceasefire agreement, as divisions deepen between the UK and US over how to implement the truce. UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper have emphasized the need for a comprehensive ceasefire that covers Lebanon, following Israel's intensified bombing campaign in the country, which has resulted in at least 254 people killed. Healey warned that imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as suggested by US President Donald Trump, would set a dangerous precedent for international shipping. The UK is advocating for the strait to remain open and free, consistent with international navigation laws. Cooper is expected to stress that Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire and that there must be no return to conflict. The UK's stance has been communicated to both the US and Israel. The escalation in Lebanon has prompted Iran to halt the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a rise in global fuel and fertilizer prices. The UK is working to support the reopening of the strait, which is a critical artery for the global economy. Cooper will emphasize that freedom of navigation is crucial for global trade and that no country can close these routes without violating the law of the sea.

Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, has begun his title defense on a high note, dominating Augusta National with a big grin and a hell of a swing. His first shot as champion was a 332-yard drive that soared over the hill and into the gallery.McIlroy's approach has changed, as he now embraces an aggressive style, similar to what Phil Mickelson once described. He is no longer hesitant, instead choosing to hit drivers and get close to the green, even if it means risking a miss.On Thursday, McIlroy hit a 377-yard shot at the 2nd hole, well over the big fairway bunker and into the pine straw. At the 8th hole, he clobbered a 361-yard shot into the second cut at the foot of the hill. Although he didn't hit many fairways, his strategy paid off.McIlroy's ability to problem-solve on the course is matched by his knack for getting out of difficult situations. From a challenging spot on the 17th fairway, he managed to pop his second shot between the trees and onto the bank, just 12 yards from the pin for a well-earned up-and-down par.As the day progressed, McIlroy's birdies started to come, with notable shots at the 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, and 15th holes. He finished the day five under par, a testament to his strong play.McIlroy's performance is a far cry from his previous struggles at Augusta, where he often overthought and played cautiously. Now, with the confidence of being a champion, he is playing freely and aggressively, making him a formidable opponent in the tournament.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his concern over Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon, emphasizing that they 'shouldn't be happening' and must stop immediately. During his visit to the Middle East, Starmer called for the Iran conflict to be a turning point for the UK's future security. In an article for the Guardian, Starmer outlined the need for a fundamental reset in the UK's approach to make the country more resilient, including boosting defense and strengthening ties with Europe. He highlighted the importance of not being drawn into offensive military action, while rebuilding European alliances and increasing defense capacity. Starmer's comments echo those of Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, and John Healey, the defense secretary, indicating a potential divergence between the UK and the US under Donald Trump over the Iran conflict. The UK has been adamant that the Strait of Hormuz must remain free of tolls or levies, contrary to Trump's suggestion of a 'joint venture' between the US and Iran. Starmer criticized Israel's intensified bombing in Lebanon, which has resulted in over 250 deaths. He emphasized that the issue is 'a matter of principles' and not a technical one, dismissing arguments that the attacks are not part of the ceasefire agreement. The UK's stance has been to support the ceasefire and advocate for the inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement. Starmer also emphasized the need for the UK to be closer to the EU on defense, security, trade, and energy to strengthen the economy and make it more resilient. He highlighted that the war in Iran must be a 'line in the sand' and that the UK's response will define its future for a generation.

A 47‑year‑old woman who had endured three life‑threatening autoimmune diseases for more than a decade is now living a near‑normal life after an experimental CAR‑T cell therapy reset her immune system at University Hospital Erlangen in Germany.Before the procedure she had exhausted nine different treatments with no lasting benefit, relying on daily blood transfusions and continuous anticoagulation to manage her illnesses.Within weeks of the infusion, doctors observed rapid improvement in all three conditions—a world‑first outcome. She has remained in treatment‑free remission for 14 months and has largely returned to everyday activities.Prof Fabian Müller, who led the team, called the speed and depth of the response “remarkable” and said the therapy “significantly improved her quality of life.” He emphasized that clinical trials are required to determine how durable the effect is and whether it can help other autoimmune patients.The patient suffered from three distinct disorders: autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), where rogue immune cells destroy red blood cells; immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which depletes platelets and raises bleeding risk; and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which promotes dangerous blood clots. All three stem from malfunctioning B‑cells.With no conventional options left, doctors turned to CAR‑T therapy, a technique that has revolutionised treatment for certain cancers. They harvested her white‑blood cells, isolated the T‑cells, engineered them to recognise the CD19 protein on B‑cells, and reinfused the modified cells.The engineered T‑cells swiftly eliminated the pathogenic B‑cells. She received her last blood transfusion a week after treatment and was able to perform routine tasks within two weeks. Follow‑up tests showed a reconstituted, healthy B‑cell population, suggesting an immune reset. The findings were published in the journal Med.She still exhibits a mildly low white‑cell count and slightly elevated liver enzymes, which researchers attribute to the cumulative impact of prior therapies rather than the CAR‑T product.Rheumatology expert Prof Ben Parker of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust described the case as encouraging, noting that “the prolonged response off normal therapy suggests there has been an immune reset.” However, he warned that case reports alone cannot confirm efficacy and highlighted ongoing trials for lupus, myositis, multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, and other autoimmune conditions.