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Lachie Kennedy has once again outshone his fellow Queenslander, Gout Gout, in a captivating display of athleticism at the Maurie Plant Meet on Saturday. The 200m Peter Norman Memorial race saw Kennedy claim victory with a time of 20.38 seconds, despite challenging weather conditions.Gout Gout, just 18 years old and four years Kennedy's junior, put up a formidable fight but ultimately finished second, five hundredths of a second behind the winner. The young athlete expressed his determination to improve, stating, 'Today he got the win, but next time I’ll be better for sure.'Kennedy's win was a testament to his skill and strategy, as he managed to hold off Gout's late surge. The Queenslander had already impressed in the 100m event earlier in the evening, securing a time of 10.03 seconds despite blustery conditions.The rivalry between Kennedy and Gout has become a highlight of the Australian athletics season, drawing comparisons to iconic sporting duels. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, their formative battles are set to captivate audiences in the lead-up to the Games.The event, attended by nearly 9,000 fans at Lakeside Stadium, showcased not only the prowess of Kennedy and Gout but also remarkable performances from other athletes. Cam Myers recorded the fastest 1500m time in Australia, while Claudia Hollingsworth and Nina Kennedy also delivered standout results in their respective events.

Senegal's national football team took to the pitch at the Stade de France with the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy, defiantly displaying their claim to the title despite being stripped of it earlier this month. The team, led by coach Pape Thiaw, paraded the trophy before their World Cup warm-up game against Peru, which they won 2-0.Nicolas Jackson scored four minutes before half-time and Ismaïla Sarr added a second in the 54th minute as Senegal secured their first win since January's Cup of Nations final. The team's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, and his teammates came out on to the pitch with the Afcon trophy for a lap of honour after a pre-match concert by the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour.Senegal have launched a legal battle against the decision to strip them of the trophy and award it to Morocco. The Caf appeal board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory on 17 March because Senegal staged a 14-minute walk-off during January's final in Rabat in protest against the award of a penalty to the hosts in added time immediately after Senegal had had a goal ruled out.Coach Pape Thiaw emphasized that his team considers themselves African champions, stating, 'We know we're African champions. We're going to keep working to win more trophies. It's clear in our minds that competitions and trophies are won on the pitch.'Thiaw also highlighted the importance of not getting distracted by the controversy, saying, 'The most important thing is not to get distracted.' Senegal lodged an appeal this week with the Swiss-based court of arbitration for sport.In a related development, Morocco drew 1-1 against Ecuador on Friday in a friendly in Madrid, their first match since the final and the controversial decision to punish Senegal. Morocco's coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, expressed satisfaction with the draw against the 'African champions,' highlighting the strength of his team.

In the northern rivers of New South Wales, many waterholes remain hidden from view, tucked away on private land. But for the author, one waterhole holds a special place in her heart – a place of solace, laughter, and lifelong friendships.The author's waterhole, nestled in a creek system, has been a gathering spot for her and her friends since their teenage years. Over time, the creek has undergone constant change, shaped by flooding and seasonal shifts. Yet, its allure remains strong, drawing the author and her friends back year after year.The waterhole, with its pebbled bank, swing-rope, and old cement staircase, is more than just a natural spot – it's a symbol of enduring friendship. Despite the passage of time, the author and her friends still converge on the waterhole, reunited by memories of laughter, adventure, and shared experiences.As they gather, their bodies bear the scars of life – a testament to the journey they've shared. In the water, they find solace and freedom, their troubles flowing away with the creek's gentle current. The experience is hypnotic and soothing, a moment of stillness in the midst of life's chaos.The author's reflection on the waterhole is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, friendship, and transformation. As she notes, 'We've been rearranged. Same but different. Ravaged by time but still shining.' In this waterhole, she and her friends have found a timeless sanctuary, one that continues to nourish their souls.

A tragic incident has unfolded off the coast of Greece, where 22 people hoping to reach Europe from North Africa have died after six days at sea in a rubber boat. Survivors told the Greek coastguard that the bodies of those who had died were thrown into the Mediterranean Sea.The coastguard reported that 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a European border agency vessel off the island of Crete. The survivors included 21 Bangladeshi, four South Sudanese, and one Chadian citizen.According to the coastguard, the boat had left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21, and was bound for Greece, a common gateway for those seeking asylum in the EU. During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water.The Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers, and are investigating them for "illegal entry into the country" and "negligent homicide".This incident highlights the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis, with the number of people who have died trying to reach European soil more than doubling in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. According to the International Organization for Migration, 559 people died in the Mediterranean during January and February, compared to 287 for the same period last year.

IPO Overview Confidential Form F‑1 filed, targeting the second half of 2026. Proposed raise: $10 billion to $14 billion, equivalent to issuing roughly 2 % of existing shares. Current market cap: about $440 billion. Issuing 2 % of a $440 billion company would normally generate ~$8.8 billion; the higher $10‑14 billion range implies a modest premium, helping lift the share price toward U.S. peer multiples. Valuation Gap & Peer Comparison SK hynix trades at a discount to U.S. listed peers such as Micron despite comparable HBM capacity. Analyst notes that geography, not fundamentals, drives the gap. Cross‑listing could mirror TSMC's experience, where U.S.‑listed shares command a premium during AI‑driven demand spikes. Shareholder Structure Largest shareholder SK Square holds 20.07 % (Dec 2025), just above Korea’s 20 % holding‑company floor. The IPO design allows SK Square to retain its stake while still raising capital. Capital Deployment Plans Target net cash: $75 billion (≈100 trillion KRW) to fund AI‑era growth. Long‑term investment: $400 billion by 2050 for a semiconductor cluster in Yongin, South Korea. New facilities: $25 billion in South Korea and $3.3 billion in Indiana, USA. EUV lithography acquisition from ASML: $7.9 billion deal slated for completion by 2027 to boost HBM output. Industry Ripple Effects Investors urging Samsung Electronics to consider a similar U.S. ADR listing. Major shareholder Artisan Partners cites valuation uplift and broader U.S. retail access as benefits. Memory shortage dubbed “RAMmageddon” could persist through 2027, pressuring all AI‑focused chipmakers. Tech firms like Google are tackling the bottleneck with software solutions such as the TurboQuant memory‑compression algorithm. Strategic Implications The IPO not only provides immediate funding but also signals SK hynix’s intent to align its market valuation with global peers, potentially reshaping capital flows into the AI‑chip supply chain. If successful, the move may set a precedent for other Korean semiconductor firms seeking U.S. market exposure.

An active oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has spread across seven nature reserves, covering an area of more than 600km (373 miles). The spill, which originated from an unidentified vessel and two natural sources, has had devastating effects on local wildlife and ecosystems.Mexican authorities have confirmed that the spill has killed sea turtles, a manatee, and various fish species. Additionally, reports from communities in the area indicate that approximately 17 reefs have been damaged. Oceana, an international organization focused on ocean conservation, highlighted these findings, emphasizing the severity of the environmental impact.The sources of the spill have been identified as a vessel docked off the coast of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz, a geological site known as a 'chapopotera' 8km from the Coatzacoalcos port, and another natural leak site in the Bay of Campeche. The Navy Secretary, Admiral Raymundo Morales, confirmed that the spill point remains active, with a greater flow of contaminants observed in the last month.Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Mexico, have denounced the alleged inaction by state authorities, calling for faster communication and mitigation of the damage. The Gulf of Mexico has been treated as a 'sacrifice zone for the oil industry,' according to Greenpeace, which urged the government to design and implement effective protocols to prevent and respond to environmental risks associated with oil activities.At least six species, including sea turtles, birds, and fish, have been contaminated so far. The incident has also raised concerns about the potential impact on oysters in the connected Mecoacan lagoon and the fishermen harvesting them, particularly after an explosion occurred at the Olmeca refinery on March 17, resulting in five fatalities.

Kano’s bustling Sabon Gari Market has turned into a frontline for Nigeria’s growing e‑waste dilemma. Residents like Marian Shammah, a 34‑year‑old cleaner, purchase second‑hand refrigerators for as little as 50,000 naira (≈ $36), only to see them fail within weeks, forcing them back to the market for another replacement. For many Nigerians, imported used appliances are perceived as more durable than locally produced models, despite the fact that a substantial portion arrives already defective. UN data indicate that roughly 60,000 tonnes of used electronics reach Nigeria each year, with at least 15,700 tonnes damaged on arrival. A 2015‑2016 UN tracking study found that over 85 % of these imports originated from Germany, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, China, the United States and Ireland. These shipments frequently breach the Basel Convention, the international treaty that restricts the export of hazardous e‑waste to countries with weaker environmental safeguards. Yet, exporters exploit loopholes—labeling cargo as “personal effects” or “for repair”—to evade thorough inspections. Health experts warn that the fallout is severe. E‑waste contains substances such as mercury, lead, and banned refrigerants (R‑12, R‑22) that persist in the environment for decades. Informal recyclers in Kano dismantle appliances without protective gear, inhaling toxic fumes and handling heavy metals, which leads to chronic respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even reproductive issues. A recent study by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health linked these symptoms to long‑term toxic exposure among workers and nearby residents. Local medical professionals echo these concerns. Dr. Ushakuma Michael Anenga of the Benue State Teaching Hospital highlighted that heavy‑metal contamination and refrigerant gases jeopardize both respiratory and renal health, especially for children and pregnant women. Economically, the trade offers a false bargain. While a second‑hand fridge may cost half the price of a new unit, failures within months impose hidden costs—spoiled food, repeated purchases, and lost income for small business owners. Vendors such as Umar Hussaini admit that many items are sold “as is,” without warranties or functional testing, and that a significant share of imports arrive with faults. Nigeria’s regulatory body, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), asserts that imports are permitted only when they meet strict functionality criteria. In practice, however, traders often declare goods as household items to bypass scrutiny, and enforcement remains uneven. Industry observers argue that the profit margins for exporters and local brokers—who capitalize on the price differential between costly recycling in Europe and high demand for affordable “tokunbo” goods in Nigeria—are driving the continued influx. Ibrahim Adamu of the NGO Ecobarter calls for reinforced border inspections and extended producer responsibility schemes to shift the financial burden of safe disposal back onto manufacturers. With estimates that up to three‑quarters of imported electronics may be essentially junk, the situation underscores a broader systemic issue: wealthy nations offload hazardous waste while developing economies bear the environmental and health consequences. Until comprehensive enforcement and international accountability mechanisms are established, Nigerian consumers like Shammah will remain caught between the need for affordable appliances and the risk of repeated loss.

Mohaddeseh Fallahat recalled the ordinary morning of February 28 when she prepared her children for school, never imagining it would be the last time she would see them alive. That simple morning routine now haunts her as she struggles to cope with the devastating loss of her two children.Speaking through tears to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva via videolink, Fallahat described the unbearable pain of sending her children off with a smile, only to be met with silence. "My heart burns with pain," she shared, as the memory of their final words—"Mum, come pick us up after school"—repeats endlessly in her mind.Her children were among more than 170 people killed when United States Tomahawk missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, southern Iran, during the initial hours of the US-Israeli assault. The majority of victims were schoolgirls, marking one of the deadliest attacks on educational facilities in recent memory.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the council with strong condemnation, asserting that the attack was no mere miscalculation. "No one can believe that the attack on the school was anything other than deliberate and intentional," he stated, pointing to the advanced precision technologies claimed by American and Israeli forces.Araghchi accused the US and Israel of "slaughtering [victims] in cold blood" and committing "the worst humanitarian crimes with impunity." He called on UN member states to denounce what he described as a "blatantly unjustified" war on Iran, warning that indifference would bring no lasting security or peace.UN special rapporteur on the right to education, Farida Shaheed, presented evidence suggesting the school was "each struck individually by precision munition," indicating intentional targeting. However, ongoing investigations suggest the attack may have resulted from "outdated intelligence" used by the US military.Shaheed emphasized that "the killing of children can never, ever be justified" and highlighted the broader impact on education in Iran, where more than 600 schools and education facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged by US-Israeli attacks, with at least 230 children and teachers confirmed dead.UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk reinforced that targeting schools constitutes a grave violation of international law, stating: "Whatever differences countries have, we can all agree they will not be solved by killing schoolchildren."

Al Jazeera recently had the opportunity to visit a historic palace in Iran that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace, which suffered significant damage during a war, offers a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage and the impact of conflict on its architectural treasures.The palace, a testament to Iran's architectural prowess, stands as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges posed by war, the site continues to attract visitors and serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage.Al Jazeera's visit to the palace provides a unique perspective on the intersection of history, culture, and conflict in the region. The palace's story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to protect and preserve cultural sites for future generations.