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The Plan for World Cup Glory As co-hosts, Canada enter the World Cup with high expectations, despite never winning a match at a previous tournament. Since a Concacaf Nations League semi-final defeat to Mexico in March 2025 the team have lost one of 15 matches at the time of writing, a run that has included some excellent opponents such as Colombia, Ecuador, Ukraine and the USA, whom they have defeated twice in the past two years, including their first win on US soil in 57 years. The coach, Jesse Marsch, has maintained a consistent 4-4-2 with the emphasis on pressing from the front and pace in wide positions. "Some teams press to win the ball back, we press to punish and think about scoring immediately when we recover the ball," said Marsch, who is American, but has captured the hearts of many Canadians since he took the job in May 2024 and guided the team to the semi-finals of the Copa América. Canada's World Cup Schedule 12 June v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Toronto (3pm local, 8pm BST) 18 June v Qatar, Vancouver (3pm local, 11pm BST) 24 June v Switzerland, Vancouver (noon local, 8pm BST) Success at that tournament, and subsequently in friendlies, is based on a defensive structure Marsch worked on immediately when taking the job and playing against the Netherlands and France in his first two matches in charge. Nine clean sheets in 13 matches before the pre-tournament friendlies is even more impressive considering Moïse Bombito, their star centre-back from Nice, and Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies did not play in any of those matches because of injury. The Coach's Vision Jesse Marsch's first venture into international management has been a successful one, but not one he found easy to adjust to. "From the moment I worked with this group of players in the first camp, I knew I was going to fall in love with these guys," he says. "They are a unique group of really good people, who are very talented, and when I said goodbye to them it was different from what I was used to as a head coach in the club game." Marsch has enjoyed those gaps in his schedule, using time to visit Canadian players across the world and spending a lot of time in the country at the provincial level to help bring a more united approach to the way the game is developed and governed. Star Player's Return Questioned The captain, Alphonso Davies, has not played for Canada since tearing his ACL against USA in the Nations League third-place match last March. Whether to play him at left-back or on the wing has been one of the biggest questions for years, but under Marsch the Bayern Munich man has predominantly been used at the back and has been excellent. However, another injury setback, against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-final second leg – his third in the past three months – has put his participation for the opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in doubt. He has started 12 of 29 internationals in the Marsch-era at the time of writing. One to Watch Few players have received more work and attention from his national coach than the midfielder Ismaël Koné, who was dropped during the Copa América as he struggled to make an impact. Since then he has been excellent for Sassuolo in Serie A and has turned into a dynamic box-to-box midfielder for Marsch, learning valuable lessons defensively in Italy, where his discipline and tactical concentration has improved significantly. Expected to start next to the excellent Stephen Eustáquio in a key double-pivot tandem for Canada. Unsung Hero Norwich's Ali Ahmed has become a favourite of Marsch's because of his selfless work on the pitch. Ahmed is asked to lead the press on the left wing, often cutting inside to increase the midfield numbers and bring intensity and energy off the ball. One of the reasons Marsch has not deployed Davies further forward is because he views his team without the ball more than with it and in that vision the former Vancouver Whitecaps man is crucial. Probable Starting XI Canada's likely formation for the World Cup matches will be based on the 4-4-2 system that Marsch has consistently employed, with specific attention to defensive structure and pressing from the front. Fan Expectations Canada is ready to host the world, but the attention is more on this team than other games happening in the country. Being the only side to start on the east coast and move directly to the west coast allows fans in Toronto and Vancouver to watch their team in the group stages. The supporters group The Voyageurs will lead the noise with their flags and chants of "Ooh, Ahh Canada". Canada is known for its cosmopolitan population and cultural diversity, with people from all over the world, and should benefit from playing three group opponents with relatively diverse fan bases.

The US Strikes on Bandar Abbas The United States has carried out strikes near Bandar Abbas, the second attack in less than a week on Iran’s strategically important port city, escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz despite a fragile ceasefire that has been in place between Washington and Tehran since April 8. Details of the Attack Reuters and The Associated Press, quoting unnamed US officials, reported that US forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck a ground control station for drones on Wednesday in Bandar Abbas. The strikes followed explosions in Bandar Abbas on Tuesday. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Washington of violating the ceasefire through “aggressive acts” in Hormozgan province, where the port city is located. Significance of Bandar Abbas Bandar Abbas, home to key Iranian naval forces, occupies one of the most strategically sensitive positions in the Gulf. Its location on the Strait of Hormuz has made it central to both Iran’s military position and the wider confrontation with the US. Bandar Abbas lies on Iran’s southern coast, on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The city had a population of more than 526,000 people at the time of Iran’s 2016 census. Military Significance Bandar Abbas is the headquarters of both Iran’s conventional navy and the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The conventional navy has used it as its base since 1977 when Iran moved much of its fleet from Khorramshahr at the western edge of Iran’s Gulf coastline, to Bandar Abbas, transforming the city into the country’s main southern naval command centre. According to the Middle East Institute, the IRGC navy later relocated its headquarters from Tehran to Bandar Abbas to improve operational control along the Strait of Hormuz. Economic Importance The Strait of Hormuz is not just a military chokepoint but also an economic lifeline. Analysts estimated that more than 90 percent of Iranian crude shipments transit through the strait. That makes Bandar Abbas and nearby Gulf infrastructure critical to government revenues, including the trade networks that help Iran circumvent sanctions, particularly by exporting oil to China. Impact on Peace Negotiations Diplomatic and military operations are unfolding simultaneously as Iran and the US have exchanged a volley of proposals and counterproposals for peace since the ceasefire began. “This is unfolding on parallel tracks. There is a military track and a negotiating track all unfolding at the same time,” said Samir Puri, a visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London. “The negotiators can only present the leverage they have from the field of battle.

The LeadUnited States President Donald Trump has threatened longtime ally Oman with military force if it gets involved in the dispute over shipping access to the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington's war on Iran once again risks engulfing the Middle East. Trump's threat to "blow up" Oman came as Muscat reportedly held talks with Iran about overseeing passage through the strategic waterway that handles more than 20 percent of the world's global oil traffic.Trump's Unprecedented Threat Against a Key Ally"Nobody is going to control it," Trump said of the strait during a cabinet meeting in Washington. "It's international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up." This direct threat against a country with which Washington has had relations for more than 200 years has sent shockwaves across the region and drawn international criticism.While Hormuz is an international strait, most of it is located solely in Iranian and Omani territorial waters – not international waters – with parts of its outlying areas reaching United Arab Emirates (UAE) territorial waters. This geographical reality complicates Trump's assertion that the waterway is purely international.The Strategic Importance of the Strait of HormuzAs the only route for Gulf oil producers to ship exports to the open ocean, the strait has served as a free international maritime route for decades. Following the US-Israeli joint attacks on Iran on February 28, however, Tehran closed the waterway and began to assert sovereignty over it, including charging tolls of as much as $2m per ship at times.Under international maritime law, countries are not permitted to charge tolls to shipping passing through natural straits such as Hormuz, even where they are not in international waters. Countries can, however, provide services to shippers, such as insurance, maintenance and docking assistance.Regional Implications of Trump's ThreatShortly before Trump's comment, Iran's state television reported that Iran and the United States were close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which Tehran and Muscat would jointly control the strait. The proposal designates payments for passing vessels, framed as "fees for services" rather than "tolls."While the Trump administration has called the claims of such an MoU "a complete fabrication," analysts say his threat suggests that an understanding between Iran and Oman is precisely what the US president is trying to avoid."What Washington wants to prevent is the normalisation of Iranian control over Hormuz, dressed in administrative and legal clothing and given Arab cover by a US ally," Muhanad Seloom, non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, told Al Jazeera.International Reaction and Legal ConcernsCritics called the threat reckless. Raed Jarrar, the advocacy director at the US-based rights group DAWN, likened the US president's comments to those of a "mafia boss.""The UN Charter prohibits the threat of force against any state, and that prohibition binds the United States exactly as it binds everyone else," Jarrar told Al Jazeera. "Threatening to 'blow up' an Arab country because its waters happen to sit along an oil route Washington wants reopened is the same lawless logic that produced this war in February."Samir Puri, a visiting lecturer in war studies at King's College in London, said Trump's threat to Oman was "really surprising" and warned that it would "send shockwaves across the region."Oman's Diplomatic Role in the US-Iran ConflictOman has played a unique role in the region as a mediator between the US and Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi was a key mediator in US-Iran nuclear talks before the war on Iran began. Just before the US-Israeli joint attack on Tehran in February, Albusaidi had been meeting US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, to facilitate negotiations about the future of Tehran's nuclear programme.Unlike other US allies in the Gulf, such as Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, Oman does not host US forces. It was nevertheless dragged into the conflict when Iran launched attacks on US military assets and energy infrastructure across the Gulf region in the early days of the war.Future Outlook for the RegionSeloom, from the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said Oman is "one Gulf state that is simultaneously a US security partner and Iran's most trusted Arab interlocutor.""In peacetime, that ambiguity is an asset. In wartime, it becomes a liability, which is precisely the inversion now playing out," he told Al Jazeera.The analyst argued that joint Iran-Oman control over Hormuz was "more posture than probability." "Oman's real interest is not co-owning Iran's blockade; it is brokering the strait's reopening," he said.Still, according to Seloom, the prospect of Iran and Oman jointly shaping the future of the Strait of Hormuz alarms the US president for three reasons: "It would turn Iran's grip on the chokepoint into a permanent post-war fact rather than a temporary act of war; it would set a precedent that littoral states can metre and monetise an international waterway, eroding the freedom-of-navigation principle the United States underwrites worldwide; and it would hand Tehran a strategic win that outlasts any ceasefire."

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the UK to scrap its 2050 net‑zero goal and ramp up North Sea oil and gas drilling, prompting a swift backlash from climate experts who label the suggestion “bizarre” amid a historic heatwave and rising energy costs. Blair’s Call to Re‑Open North Sea Oil and Gas E3G programme director Ed Matthew warned that abandoning net zero during the “worst May heatwave on record” would be a “massive setback” for the UK, emphasizing that clean energy is cheaper and has near‑zero operating costs. Economic Stakes: £200 million Heatwave Losses and Fossil‑Fuel Costs Heat stress on livestock and crops is projected to cost the UK economy over £200 million this year. The International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol notes that new oil fields would have “little impact” on domestic fuel prices. Renewable‑energy growth, especially record‑breaking solar generation, is already reducing household energy bills. Why Renewables Outperform Fossil Fuel Revival in the UK Analysts such as Jess Ralston (Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit) argue that expanding solar and other clean‑power technologies shields consumers from volatile fossil‑fuel markets and supports energy security as the North Sea declines. Comparisons to Spain’s renewable‑driven price stability reinforce the case for electrification as the “obvious route” to lower bills. What the Next Steps Mean for UK Energy Policy Government spokespersons confirm that no new exploration licences will be granted, focusing instead on managing existing fields for the remainder of their lifespan while accelerating the clean‑power mission championed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. If the current trajectory holds, the UK is likely to cement its position as a leader in renewable deployment, rendering calls to revive North Sea drilling increasingly marginal in policy debates.

The Economic Dilemma Facing Jamaica's Energy Future Jamaica stands at a critical juncture in its energy policy, with preliminary tests off the south coast suggesting the presence of crude oil in the Walton-Morant basin. This potential discovery comes at a time when the island is grappling with the dual pressures of post-pandemic recovery and the escalating costs of climate adaptation. Testing the Waters in the Walton-Morant Basin United Oil & Gas, a UK-based company, holds the exclusive exploration license for the 22,400sq km block. Recent seabed sampling has identified hydrocarbons, a development that energy minister Daryl Vaz has described as "very positive." However, experts caution that even with confirmation, commercial production is unlikely until the mid-2030s. Balancing the Books: Fuel Imports vs. Climate Costs The financial calculus behind this potential shift is stark. Jamaica currently imports all its fuel, a cost that fluctuates between $1.5bn and $2bn annually. While the island generated $4.3bn from tourism in 2024, the economic strain is compounded by the $12bn bill for damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. This financial vulnerability is driving the government's cautious optimism toward oil exploration. The Regional Race for Fossil Fuels Jamaica is not alone in this pursuit. The Caribbean and Latin America are witnessing a resurgence in fossil fuel interest, following Brazil's deep-water discoveries in the 2000s. The region is now joined by Suriname and Guyana as emerging producers, creating a competitive landscape where nations are weighing immediate economic relief against long-term environmental stability. A Green Pledge at Odds with Survival? The environmental implications are significant. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie of the Jamaica Environment Trust argues that pursuing oil exploration contradicts the island's moral standing to demand climate assistance. "If we want to have any kind of moral high ground... we cannot be considering expanding the fossil fuel industry," she stated. As Jamaica navigates this complex path, it faces the challenge of reconciling its Paris Agreement commitments with the immediate economic survival of its population.

BP’s boardroom conflict intensified on Thursday when ousted chair Albert Manifold issued a lengthy statement denying allegations of aggressive behaviour and asserting that no concerns were raised about his conduct during his brief tenure.The Boardroom Standoff: Manifold’s Public RebuttalManifold challenged multiple media reports that described his interactions with colleagues as aggressive. He emphasized that “at no point in my tenure as chairman of BP has anyone raised with me any issue about my conduct or my relationship with my colleagues”. He also dismissed claims that he sought to act as an “executive chair”, labeling them “nonsense”.Numbers Behind the Conflict: Tenure Length and Office PresenceTenure: Appointed in October 2025 and departed less than eight months later (May 2026).Office days: Spent only 13 days in BP’s London office during the current year.Career span: Over 40 years in senior roles, including a decade as CEO of Irish building‑materials group CRH.Strategic Implications for BP’s Governance and Cost‑Cutting DriveThe board’s decision to remove Manifold cited “serious concerns” about governance standards, oversight and conduct. BP reaffirmed its commitment to the cost‑reduction programme launched earlier, which includes job cuts and tighter expense controls. Interim chair Ian Tyler (former Balfour Beatty CEO) will oversee the transition while CEO Meg O’Neill, hired in December, continues to steer the strategy.What Lies Ahead for BP’s Leadership and Shareholder ConfidenceBP’s statement underscored a “duty of care” to employees and signalled that the board stands by its earlier remarks. The episode raises questions about the company’s ability to manage board dynamics while pursuing aggressive cost‑cutting and performance targets. Analysts are likely to watch the interim chair’s handling of the fallout and the timeline for appointing a permanent chair, as shareholder confidence hinges on perceived governance stability.

The LeadAs temperatures soar to unprecedented levels in May, a concerning pattern emerges among swallow populations across the UK. Young chicks, unable to withstand the extreme heat, are prematurely abandoning their nests, resulting in high mortality rates and threatening the survival of this year's broods.The Event DetailsUnder the scorching tin roofs where swallow nests are typically built, temperatures have become unbearable for the young chicks. With no sweat glands to regulate body temperature, the chicks are forced to the edge of their nests, eventually making the fatal decision to leap—often before they've developed the ability to fly. The author describes finding chicks huddled on the ground, vulnerable to predators and environmental hazards, while parent birds continue to bring insects that provide both nutrition and moisture in a desperate attempt to sustain their young.The Data AnalysisThis phenomenon occurs during a record-breaking week of May heat in the UK, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels for this time of year. The heatwave represents a significant deviation from the normal climate patterns that migratory birds like swallows have evolved to rely on. These birds typically leave South Africa for the UK's plentiful insect supply and temperate spring and summer, only to encounter conditions far exceeding their evolutionary adaptations.The Impact AnalysisThe premature nest abandonment represents a broader environmental crisis as extreme weather events disrupt natural ecosystems. The heatwave is dehydrating animals, drying up soil and ponds, disrupting food chains, stressing trees, and scorching plants. For migratory species like swallows, these changes create a mismatch between their biological rhythms and environmental conditions, potentially leading to population declines and ecosystem imbalances. The situation highlights how climate change is affecting wildlife at the most vulnerable life stages.The PredictionAs climate patterns continue to shift, such extreme weather events may become more frequent, posing increasing challenges for wildlife populations. Conservation efforts may need to adapt to provide additional support for vulnerable species during extreme weather conditions. For swallows and other migratory birds, the changing climate could alter migration patterns, breeding seasons, and survival rates, potentially leading to long-term ecological consequences if adaptation doesn't occur quickly enough.

The conflict between the US and Iran has entered a critical phase, with a fragile ceasefire shattering into direct military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz. The exchange of fire highlights the deepening strategic deadlock and the high stakes involved in the ongoing negotiations.Escalation Near the Strait of HormuzThe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a counterattack at 4:50 am local time, targeting an American air base in response to a US strike on a location near Bandar Abbas Airport. The US military confirmed shooting down four Iranian attack drones and striking a ground control station preparing to launch a fifth drone. This marks the third direct engagement since the ceasefire was announced, raising serious questions about the durability of the truce.Market Volatility and Oil Price ReboundGeopolitical tensions have directly impacted global markets. Following a 5% drop in oil prices on Wednesday, US crude futures rebounded by more than 3% on Thursday. Concurrently, US stocks fell and the dollar rose, signaling investor anxiety regarding the stability of energy supplies and trade routes.Trump's Diplomatic Deadlock and ThreatsPresident Donald Trump rejected a report suggesting a compromise deal with Tehran, specifically denying claims that the US would lift sanctions or allow joint management of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and Oman. Trump characterized the waterway as international waters and issued a stark warning to Oman, stating, "They understand that, they’ll be fine," implying military consequences if they do not comply.The Inevitability of a DealExperts suggest that despite the rhetoric, a resolution is becoming increasingly likely. Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute argues that Trump has inadvertently empowered Iran by closing the strait and is unwilling to risk US ships to reopen it. Consequently, analysts believe Trump is in a "very difficult position" where he will likely be forced to negotiate a settlement to Iran's satisfaction to avoid further escalation.

The Australian Government Files Record-Breaking $2 bn Lawsuit Against 3MAustralia announced on 28 May 2026 that it has launched legal action against 3M and its subsidiary 3M Australia, seeking damages exceeding $2 bn (US$1.4 bn) over PFAS contamination at defence sites.Details of the PFAS Contamination ClaimAttorney‑General Michelle Rowland said the use of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous film‑forming foam (AFFF) caused “major environmental and economic harm”. The claim targets 28 defence bases across the country where the foam was used for decades.More than 200,000 tonnes of contaminated soil must be removed and treated.Over 13 bn litres of water have been used in the multi‑year decontamination effort.Defence began phasing out PFAS‑containing foams in 2004.Financial Scale of the Claim and Related CostsThe government’s lawsuit is the largest ever brought by the federal government, with the following monetary figures cited:Claimed damages: $2 bn (US$1.4 bn).Costs already incurred by defence and taxpayers: > $1 bn for investigation, remediation and mitigation.In the United States, 3M agreed to a US$10.3 bn settlement in 2023 for PFAS water‑system clean‑ups.Environmental and Economic Implications for Defence SitesPFAS are “forever chemicals” that do not break down naturally, leading to long‑term soil and water contamination. Health risks identified include liver damage, lower birth weight and testicular cancer. Greens spokesperson Peter Whish‑Wilson warned that Australia risks becoming a global dumping ground for PFAS products if corporate responsibility is not enforced.Remediation requires expensive, specialised treatment facilities.The defence estate faces ongoing liability for future contamination monitoring.Previous class‑action settlements in Australia totalled $133 m for seven sites in 2023.What the Lawsuit Means for Future PFAS Regulation in AustraliaLegal experts expect the case to accelerate stricter regulation of PFAS, including tighter controls on import, use and disposal. The government’s stance signals a willingness to hold multinational corporations accountable, potentially prompting other industries to reassess PFAS usage.Potential for new federal legislation mandating full disclosure of PFAS risks.Increased scrutiny of defence procurement practices.Possible further litigation against other manufacturers of PFAS‑containing products.