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In the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine, a unique theatre has emerged as a beacon of hope and healing for those affected by war. The Veterans' Theatre, founded in 2024, provides a platform for soldiers, their wives, and widows to share their experiences and find catharsis through performance.One of the theatre's most poignant productions is 'Twenty One', a play that explores the struggles of a soldier's wife, Maryna, as she waits anxiously for her husband's return from the front line. The play, written by Olha Murashko, is an autobiographical account of the emotional toll of war on those left behind.The theatre's approach is rooted in the idea that sharing one's experiences can be a powerful tool for healing. By dramatizing their stories, participants are able to process their emotions and find a sense of closure. The theatre's director, Kateryna Vyshneva, believes that this collective catharsis is essential in helping individuals cope with the trauma of war.The Veterans' Theatre serves as a therapeutic outlet for its participants, providing a safe space for them to express their emotions and connect with others who have gone through similar experiences. As the theatre continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that its impact will be felt for generations to come.

Eritrea's hopes of participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been thrown into doubt after seven local footballers disappeared in South Africa following their team's victory over Eswatini last month.The players were part of a 24-member squad that participated in the qualifying tie, with only 10 being locally-based players. Of these, only three returned to Eritrea, while the whereabouts of the other seven remain unknown.The incident occurred when the national team arrived in South Africa en route from Eswatini to Eritrea via Egypt. A Confederation of African Football (CAF) official told the AFP news agency that the disappearance is a mystery and that no one seems certain what happened to the players thereafter.Eritrea's coach, Hesham Yakan, had chosen 24 players, including 14 based abroad, for the two-leg preliminary qualifier against Eswatini. The team's victory over Eswatini proved a surprise success, considering they had not played an international match for six years.The disappearance of the players has raised concerns about the country's football future and the well-being of its players. Indefinite military service after completing schooling is cited as the main reason for the defections from the East African country.Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as “highly repressive”.The incident has also highlighted the dire situation in Eritrea, with George Ghebreslassie, an Eritrean exile, saying that “it shows the kind of situation we have in Eritrea. We thought things would change, but nothing has changed”.

Lebanon has declared a national day of mourning following a devastating wave of Israeli attacks that killed at least 254 people and injured over 1,165 in a single day. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has mobilized 'all of Lebanon's political and diplomatic resources to stop the Israeli killing machine.'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, a position echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who said, 'We never made that promise.'Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the ceasefire, claimed the deal included a pause in fighting in Lebanon. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington must choose between a ceasefire or 'continued war via Israel,' emphasizing that it 'cannot have both.'Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon was a key condition of Iran's 10-point plan for securing an end to the Middle East war. However, a US official stated that Iran's published ceasefire plan is not the same set of conditions agreed on by the White House.US Vice President JD Vance will lead the country's delegation for talks with Iran in Pakistan, while French President Emmanuel Macron has urged that Lebanon be included in the ceasefire as the 'best path to peace.'The conflict has also affected the Gulf region, with Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain reporting damage and disruptions from Iranian strikes. The situation remains volatile, with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that Israel is prepared to 'return to battle' if necessary.

Residents of Tehran and much of Iran are breathing a sigh of relief after a two-week ceasefire was announced, bringing an end to daily bombardments. The ceasefire, agreed upon by Iran and the US with mediation from Pakistan, has allowed some traffic to return to the streets of the Iranian capital during daylight hours.Despite the temporary reprieve, Tehran remains far from its usual bustling state, having been targeted by several thousand munitions since February 28. The Iranian capital is home to more than 10 million people. Air defence systems were activated for short periods several times since the ceasefire was announced overnight, but there were no reports of impacts or any official explanation for the activations.People across Tehran are debating whether the ceasefire will hold and what the future may hold for them. A young man noted, “Looks like the ceasefire will continue. I heard the Israelis are opening up their airspace more,” referring to an announcement by Israeli authorities that flights will resume from Ben Gurion Airport.However, others are more pessimistic, especially after two critical islands off southern Iran were attacked on Wednesday morning, hitting oil facilities. It is unclear who was behind the attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down a drone in the southern province of Fars.Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain also reported attacks on their territories by missiles and drones from Iran, with Iranian state television confirming this was in retaliation for the post-ceasefire oil attacks. Tehran said it was ready to restart military operations if attacked again.On Tuesday, Iranians had been worried about the targeting of critical civilian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, after a threat from US President Donald Trump to end “civilisation” in a country with one of the world’s oldest civilisations. The ceasefire was announced shortly before the midnight GMT deadline that Trump had set for an agreement to be reached.The Israeli military intensified its attacks in the hours preceding the ceasefire, hitting electricity outposts, bridges, and the railway network. Warplanes also struck the Iranian Aluminium Company in Arak, damaging the country’s largest aluminium production facility.Even after the ceasefire, Israel continued attacking Lebanon, killing more than 250 people in a devastating day of attacks on Wednesday. Israel said it was targeting Iran’s ally Hezbollah, but civilian locations across Lebanon were hit.Trump hailed what he described as a decisive victory against Iran while announcing the ceasefire, but his top general emphasised that the deal only signifies a pause and combat operations could start once again if no final deal is reached. The US military said it struck 13,000 targets across Iran in less than six weeks of war.In Iran, similar proclamations of victory and celebrations were broadcast from Iranian state television. A statement from the Supreme National Security Council urged supporters of the government to trust in the system and refrain from making “divisive commentary”.The council also stressed that affairs were being overseen by Mojtaba Khamenei, who was declared Iran’s supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war on February 28.

Israel's heaviest and deadliest air attacks on Lebanon in years have left the country reeling, with at least 254 people killed and over 1,160 injured. The strikes, which occurred in dozens of locations across Beirut, its suburbs, the south, and the eastern Bekaa Valley, have sparked fears of a rising toll as more victims are recovered from the rubble.The attacks came hours after a Pakistani-negotiated ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect, but Israel and the US argued that Lebanon was not included in the agreement. US President Donald Trump described Lebanon as a 'separate skirmish,' while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon.'Netanyahu's goal appears to be taking advantage of the fluid situation to maximize operational achievements in Lebanon, according to Dania Arayssi, a senior analyst at New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. 'He must take into account that a US-Iran deal might include ceasing the war on Iranian proxies, which would greatly complicate the Israeli war effort against Hezbollah in Lebanon.'The conflict escalated in early March when Israel intensified its war on Lebanon, following a salvo of rockets launched by Hezbollah. Since then, over 1,700 people have been killed and more than 1.2 million displaced. Hezbollah has claimed its right to respond to the attacks, affirming that it will resist occupation and respond to aggression.The airstrikes, which included over 100 attacks in fewer than 10 minutes, targeted Hezbollah headquarters and military targets, but many strikes were in densely populated residential areas. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and people were forced to flee their homes, with some attempting to return to their homes in the south amid confusion over Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire.'People are afraid,' said Najib Merhe, owner of a restaurant in the Manara neighborhood. 'This kind of situation no one can afford nor endure.'

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant number of amputations, with over 6,000 adults and children undergoing amputations since October 2023, according to the WHO and Palestinian Ministry of Health. Ola Jamal, 36, is one of the many Palestinians who have been forced to flee Gaza due to the conflict. She was breastfeeding her two-month-old son, Zain, when a missile struck al-Nasr hospital in Gaza, causing her to lose her arm. Jamal and her family were forced to separate, with her children being cared for by another family. This traumatic experience has had a lasting impact on Jamal and her children, with her son Zain still experiencing nightmares and trauma two years after the event. Shadi Sharif Ayesh al-Sous, a father of two, lost his leg in a missile strike while collecting firewood. He had his leg amputated above the knee and now waits to return home to Gaza. However, many Palestinians in Egypt face significant challenges, including restricted access to healthcare and prosthetic care due to their uncertain legal status. Yousef El Deeb, a certified prosthetist at Orthomedics in Cairo, says his clinic has treated about 300 Palestinian patients since October 2023, mostly through the support of NGOs. However, the lack of documentation and uncertain legal status of Palestinians in Egypt makes it difficult for them to access long-term prosthetic care without the support of NGOs. The situation for Palestinians in Egypt is further complicated by their lack of formal residency or refugee status. Without valid residency permits, survivors are often restricted to hostels or share a flat with other families, unable to work and living under the constant pressure of temporary status. This lack of documentation makes accessing hi-tech, long-term prosthetic care almost impossible without the support of NGOs.

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.

Nottingham Forest secured a crucial draw against Porto in the Europa League quarterfinal, with a comical own goal by Porto defender Martim Fernandes giving Forest a vital equalizer. The match ended 1-1, with Forest's Chris Wood returning from a six-month injury layoff and registering 48 minutes on the pitch.The New Zealand striker was withdrawn at halftime, with manager Vitor Pereira mindful of the bigger picture and Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa. Pereira handed Wood a starting berth, and although he had a quiet game with just 11 touches in the first half, his presence on the pitch was a boost for Forest.Porto took the lead through William Gomes, who converted Gabriel Veiga's diagonal pass into the box. However, Fernandes's comical own goal leveled the score, with the Porto defender beating Diogo Costa with a blind back pass from close to halfway.Forest began sloppily, but Pereira's substitutions and tactical changes helped the team regain control. The draw sets up a tense second leg at the City Ground next Thursday, with Forest seeking to advance to their first continental semi-final since 1984.

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.