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Paris Saint-Germain proved too efficient for Liverpool, sealing a 4‑0 aggregate victory that ended the English club's European campaign and reminded fans that even Anfield cannot conjure miracles on demand. Despite a spirited second‑leg effort, Liverpool could not overturn the deficit. Early rain and a rousing rendition of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" created an electric atmosphere, yet the home side fell short of the two‑goal comeback that seemed plausible after their 2019 comeback against Barcelona. Key moments swung the tie in PSG’s favour: goalkeeper Matvey Safonov denied Milos Kerkez, and defender Marquinhos produced a crucial block on Virgil van Dijk. A minute earlier, Liverpool’s promising youngster Hugo Ekitiké suffered an Achilles injury, forcing his removal on a stretcher and further destabilising the Red Side. The match also highlighted Liverpool’s strategic disarray. Summer signings—forward Alexander Isak, midfielder Florian Wirtz and striker Mohamed Salah—cost the club a combined £320 million but have logged barely two hours together on the pitch. Their limited chemistry was evident as Isak was withdrawn at halftime after a tentative first half. When the game reached its climax, PSG’s forward Ousmane Dembélé finished the tie, underscoring the French side’s decisive edge in front of goal—a quality Liverpool has lacked all season. For manager Arne Slot, the defeat offers little respite. While Liverpool showed flashes of resilience, the loss eliminates any realistic route to the quarter‑finals and intensifies scrutiny over his tactical direction. In the end, Anfield’s roar could not compensate for a disjointed Liverpool squad, and PSG’s clinical performance reaffirms their status as European champions.

Nissan announced a sweeping overhaul that places AI‑defined vehicles at the core of its revival strategy. Chief executive Ivan Espinosa said the automaker will eventually embed autonomous‑driving technology in 90% of its cars, positioning the brand for a future where self‑driving functions become standard. As part of the same initiative, Nissan will reduce its lineup from 56 to 45 models, redirecting capital toward higher‑margin offerings. The move follows a painful restructuring that has already seen seven factory closures and the loss of 20,000 jobs since Espinosa took the helm last year. Speaking at Nissan’s Yokohama headquarters, Espinosa warned that “structural challenges have compounded over time,” noting that the company’s portfolio has aged faster than the market and that fixed costs remain high despite declining scale. The Japanese automaker also unveiled its new battery‑electric Juke, a crossover SUV that will be built at the Sunderland plant in northern England. This model is a keystone of Nissan’s broader electrification push in Europe. While accelerating its EV agenda, Nissan reaffirmed a commitment to hybrid technology, unveiling a new hybrid Rogue (known as the X‑Trail in some markets) aimed at the US, where recent policy shifts have reduced incentives for fully electric cars. To fuel growth, Nissan set ambitious sales targets: an additional 550,000 units in Japan by 2030 and one million units each in the United States and China. The rapid rollout of autonomous capabilities is expected to boost demand for the technology, benefitting partners such as Wayve, the British AI startup that signed its first deal with Nissan a year ago. Bernstein analyst Masahiro Akita called the plan “reasonable” but cautioned that “ongoing macro uncertainty makes it unclear whether Nissan can sustain top‑line growth and achieve a genuine turnaround.”

England Test captain Ben Stokes has moved to play down suggestions of a disagreement between himself and Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, despite the challenging Ashes series that raised questions about their tactical alignment.In a recent video released by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes stressed that he and McCullum share the same overall vision for the team, but acknowledged that their approach might look 'different' this summer. He emphasized that agreeing on every single thing would be 'unhealthy' and that their discussions are crucial to achieving their goals.Stokes highlighted that he and McCullum are 'similar' but also 'dissimilar' in certain areas, which leads to constructive discussions about their strategy. He confirmed that they agree 95% of the time, and the remaining 5% is addressed through open dialogue.The England captain was keen to retain McCullum as head coach after the 4-1 Ashes defeat and has publicly expressed confidence in their ability to work together effectively. Despite reports suggesting they criticized each other during the ECB's internal review, Stokes and McCullum have maintained a united front.Looking ahead, the team's approach to cricket will be closely watched during the upcoming visits by New Zealand and Pakistan this summer, followed by tours to South Africa and Bangladesh next winter, and the home Ashes in 2027.Stokes concluded that he and McCullum are committed to making the team as good as possible and that their alignment towards winning is unwavering, even if their methods might evolve over time.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in at least six fatalities, according to state media reports. The Israeli military claims to have surrounded the main town of Bint Jbeil, a strategic location in the conflict with Hezbollah.The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that one person was killed and nine others injured in an airstrike on the town of Bazouriyeh. Additionally, Israeli air strikes killed one person in Nabatiyeh El Faouqa and three others in Sir el Gharbiyeh and Choukine.The Israeli military also struck a centre of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Tyre, resulting in one injury that later died. Several Red Cross vehicles were damaged in the attack.The Israeli army announced it will have full operational control of Bint Jbeil within days, after claiming to have killed more than 100 Hezbollah fighters there over the past week. Hezbollah has been engaged in fierce fighting with Israeli forces in Bint Jbeil, a town that has been a symbolic and strategic flashpoint in confrontations between the two.Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict are underway, with Israeli and Lebanese officials set to hold talks in Washington to end the war. Lebanon's culture minister, Ghassan Salame, emphasized the government's focus on securing an immediate halt to hostilities before any peace talks with Israel.Since Israel expanded its offensive in Lebanon on March 2, at least 2,055 people have been killed and over 6,550 others injured. The escalation in Bint Jbeil comes as Hezbollah continues to engage in clashes with Israeli forces, with the group reporting intense clashes on Sunday.

A 27-year-old woman, Sana, living in western Tehran with her roommate, Fatemeh, has survived two wars in the past year. The latest conflict began on February 28, when missiles hit Tehran at 9:40 am. Sana had already experienced the 12-day war in June 2025 and was determined not to leave the city again.As the war intensified, Sana and Fatemeh learned to anticipate strikes during certain windows: early morning, afternoon, and after 11 pm. They relied on supermarket deliveries and made frantic dashes to shops when necessary. The internet was often down, and they used virtual private networks (VPNs) to stay connected.On March 16, Sana experienced one of the worst nights of her life when a massive explosion occurred near Mehrabad airport. She and Fatemeh sprinted down the fire escape to the parking garage, fearing for their lives. The war had turned her daily life into a grim routine.Despite the challenges, Sana tried to maintain a sense of normalcy. She kept her job while many others were laid off, and she booked an appointment for a haircut and nails after the ceasefire was announced. These small acts helped her feel human again in the midst of chaos.

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has severely criticized England's Test team for their tumultuous Ashes tour, labeling their campaign as 'feckless, reckless and legless'. The criticism comes after England suffered a 4-1 defeat in Australia.The editor of Wisden, Lawrence Booth, expressed his dismay at England's performance, stating it is 'hard to think of a privilege so carelessly squandered, a chance so blithely spurned'. Booth highlighted several factors contributing to the team's downfall, including poor preparation, lurching tactics, and an unprofessional approach off the field.The Ashes tour was marred by incidents such as Harry Brook's altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand and a mid-series break in Noosa, which drew significant criticism. In contrast, Australian bowler Mitchell Starc was praised for his discipline, choosing to abstain from alcohol during the series, which helped him secure 31 wickets and earn the title of Wisden's leading men's cricketer in the world.The awards section of Wisden showed a strong Indian flavor, with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj recognized for their performances. Haseeb Hameed was the sole Englishman among the five players of the year.

Rising energy costs stemming from the Iran war are set to deliver a sharp blow to British living standards, with the Resolution Foundation estimating that the average working‑age household could lose about £480 in income this year. Before the conflict began, the think‑tank projected a modest 0.9% rise in household earnings. Market‑driven energy price spikes have now pushed that forecast into a -0.6% decline, effectively turning a gain into a loss. Oil and gas markets have reacted dramatically: Brent crude has surged back above $100 per barrel (£74), while analysts such as JPMorgan Chase expect prices to stay elevated through the current quarter, with Goldman Sachs revising its Brent outlook to an average of $90 per barrel in Q2. For the poorest fifth of households, the outlook is equally grim. Expected income growth has been trimmed from 2.8% to 1.2%, despite a long‑overdue real‑terms increase in benefits for some low‑income families. Families with three or more children stand out as a relative bright spot. The abolition of the two‑child limit is projected to generate a 7.7% income boost for this group, contrasting with zero growth for poorer families with fewer children. Energy bills are also poised to climb this summer, erasing the £117 average savings households enjoyed after the regulator lowered the energy price cap in April, according to Jonathan Marshall, the foundation’s principal economist. In response, the Resolution Foundation is urging the UK government to fast‑track a social tariff before winter, aiming to shield the most vulnerable households from the worst of the price shock. James Smith, chief economist at the foundation, warned that “while hopes for sustained peace persist, the path of this conflict remains uncertain and energy prices stay well above pre‑war levels, meaning many households face a decline in purchasing power this year.” He added that “de‑escalation is welcome, but the damage to household finances is already largely done; the government should act now to prepare a social tariff that reaches households falling through the cracks this winter.”

How shaky is the Iran‑US ceasefire? The question underscores growing concerns among analysts about the durability of the truce that has held between Tehran and Washington since the latest diplomatic outreach.While the ceasefire has prevented direct military clashes, underlying mistrust and competing strategic interests continue to cast doubt on its long‑term viability. Observers point to recent diplomatic exchanges, economic sanctions, and regional proxy activities as potential flashpoints that could reignite hostilities.Experts caution that any misstep—whether a perceived violation of the agreement or an escalation in proxy conflicts—could quickly erode the fragile peace, prompting a renewed cycle of confrontation that would affect not only the two nations but also the broader stability of the Middle East.

Gout Gout, an 18‑year‑old sprint prodigy, delivered a historic performance at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, finishing the 200 m in 19.67 seconds. The time not only secured his victory but also established a new world Under‑20 record, surpassing the previous mark held by Erriyon Knighton. The achievement marks the first occasion an Australian has legally broken the 20‑second barrier in the 200 m, with a permissible tailwind of +1.7 m/s. Gout’s run also eclipses the age‑grade benchmark set by Usain Bolt, who recorded 19.93 seconds at 19 years old in 2004. Fellow countryman Aidan Murphy finished second, posting 19.88 seconds, making the two performances the fastest of the year. Both athletes benefited from the same legal wind assistance, underscoring a surge in Australian sprinting depth. Speaking at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, Gout emphasized the competitive environment: "Competing with world‑class athletes in Australia pushes us to new limits. Having two Australians under 20 seconds is extraordinary." The record also improves on Gout’s own national best of 20.02 seconds set the previous season, and it is his first sub‑20‑second run under legal wind conditions. Last year he had recorded 19.84 seconds with a wind‑assisted tailwind. Gout’s rise began in 2024 when he ran 20.04 seconds at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships, breaking Peter Norman’s long‑standing national record of 20.06 seconds from the 1968 Olympics. His rapid progression has drawn international attention, with analysts comparing his explosive style to that of Bolt. On the final day of the meet, Gout’s main rival, Lachlan Kennedy, withdrew from the 200 m to manage his workload, though he later claimed the 100 m title with a 9.96‑second dash, becoming the first Australian to break ten seconds on home soil. Born to South Sudanese immigrants, Gout’s background adds a compelling narrative to his athletic success, highlighting the multicultural fabric of Australian sport. With the world record now in his hands, Gout expressed confidence about his future: "Running this time legally lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m ready for the next challenges."