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The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a 43-point blow to the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating them 139-96 in a game that will be remembered for its one-sidedness and the injury to Luka Doncic. The Thunder's fourth consecutive win and 16th victory in 17 games showcased their dominance, while the Lakers' four-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, complemented by Luguentz Dort's all-around performance and Jalen Williams' impressive stats of 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Thunder controlled the game from the outset, building a double-digit lead within four minutes that never dipped below nine points thereafter.The game's most concerning moment came when Luka Doncic suffered a strained left hamstring in the second half. The Lakers' star player will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the extent of the injury. Doncic's night was already off, as he missed his first four field goals and finished with just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, tied for his second-lowest scoring game of the season.The Lakers' worst loss since November 2023 was compounded by the fact that they were outplayed in every facet. Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 points, but it was a night to forget for the team as a whole. The Thunder's 139 points were the most surrendered by the Lakers this season, highlighting their defensive struggles.

Liverpool's season has reached a critical juncture, with five matches in 16 days set to determine the fate of manager Arne Slot's vision for the team. The Reds face a daunting schedule, including cup quarter-finals against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, as they seek to salvage a disappointing campaign.The team's inconsistent form has raised concerns about their ability to secure Champions League qualification, a crucial aspect of the club's business model. Liverpool's recent performances have been marred by defeats to Wolves and Brighton, highlighting issues with fitness levels, efficiency in front of goal, and organisation.The return of Alexander Isak to team training could provide a much-needed boost, but the striker will have to prove himself upon his return to competitive action. Isak's partnership with Florian Wirtz has been limited due to injuries, and the duo will need to deliver to justify Liverpool's £125m investment in the striker.Liverpool's hierarchy, including owner Fenway Sports Group and sporting director Richard Hughes, are aware of the challenges faced by Slot this season, including the death of Diogo Jota and injuries that have hindered the team's performance. However, the club's supporters are growing increasingly disillusioned, with ticket price increases and a record revenue of £703m failing to translate to on-field success.A positive note was struck by Jürgen Klopp's return to Liverpool, which drew a sellout crowd of 60,482 and raised over £1m for the LFC Foundation. Nevertheless, the adoration for Klopp contrasted with the frostiness towards Slot, highlighting the challenges faced by the current manager in reviving the team's fortunes.

On a cobbled lane in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the Kindred of Ireland boutique draws shoppers with oversized butter‑yellow linen blouses and Donegal mulberry tweed jackets accented by rose‑pink linen bows, signalling a fresh commercial pulse for a fabric that once defined the city.Linen earned Belfast the nickname “Linenopolis” when, at its height, the industry employed about 40% of Northern Ireland’s workforce. After a post‑war collapse, the trade faded, but today it is re‑emerging as a marker of local identity and sustainable fashion.Designer Amy Anderson, whose grandmother worked as a mill‑hand in Moygashel, says the fibre remains deeply personal for many families. Her modern, Japanese‑inspired silhouettes rely on linen’s natural structure to balance avant‑garde volume with comfort.Reviving a near‑extinct industry is daunting, yet Belfast’s history of turning adversity into opportunity—exemplified by the Titanic Quarter’s tourism boom—has attracted an eclectic coalition of supporters. Among them are former blacksmith Charlie Mallon, who has converted his 150‑year‑old Magherafelt farm into a regenerative flax operation, and fashion heavyweight Sarah Burton, former creative director of Alexander McQueen.Mallon’s restoration of heritage machinery aims to keep flax “field‑to‑fibre” in Ireland, preserving the long fibre length that makes linen less prone to creasing. He contrasts this with most modern linen, which is “cottonised” in China, shortening fibres and increasing wrinkles.Burton’s two‑day field trip to Northern Ireland inspired the spring 2020 Alexander McQueen collection, featuring a beetled linen gown with a pearl‑like sheen that debuted on the Paris runway.In autumn, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Mallon Farm, expressing a rare interest in sustainable fashion and regenerative agriculture. The Princess, who usually avoids media focus on her wardrobe, asked detailed questions about the Andersons’ brand, underscoring the royal endorsement of Belfast’s textile renaissance.The city’s fashion resurgence is also celebrated at the Ulster Museum’s “Ashes to Fashion” exhibition, which juxtaposes historic silk ballgowns with contemporary pieces by Irish designers, including Kindred of Ireland.Looking ahead, Kindred of Ireland plans a temporary boutique in central London, building on a successful six‑week Mayfair pop‑up that the brand describes as “commercial rocket fuel.” The Andersons note that Northern Irish firms benefit from full access to the UK market while still aligning with certain EU single‑market rules under the Windsor framework, offering a strategic advantage for product‑focused businesses.

Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra have returned Handel’s Messiah to Dublin, the city of its 1742 debut, with a landmark recording that is the first period‑instrument rendition by an Irish ensemble. The project seeks to echo the original performance at the Fishamble Street music hall, where audience etiquette was so strict that women were asked to forgo hoop skirts and men to leave their swords at home.The album features a cast of historically informed singers. Helen Charlston delivers the contralto arias once associated with the scandal‑ridden Susannah Cibber, her voice described as firm, slightly metallic and unflaggingly expressive. A rare duet‑and‑chorus version of “How Beautiful Are the Feet,” originally written for two Dublin cathedral countertenors, showcases Alexander Chance in buoyant form, while soprano Hilary Cronin provides a sweet‑sounding contrast.Whelan draws a fleet‑footed performance from a modest 13‑member choir and the orchestra, resulting in vocal lines that are light, precise, and at times almost conversational. Formerly a bassoonist with the orchestra, Whelan is poised to succeed Nicholas McGegan as music director of San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque, cementing his status as a rising star in the baroque world.Listeners can stream the recording on Apple Music or Spotify.

The recent visit of Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei to Canberra has sparked a critical examination of the role of AI in society. Amodei, known for his 'progressive' approach to AI, has been promoting a vision of a future where AI transforms the economy and improves lives. However, the author of the article argues that this vision may not be as progressive as it seems. The risks associated with AI, such as job displacement, cultural homogenization, and potential harm to individuals, cannot be ignored. The article highlights the concerns of experts like Toby Walsh, who notes that AI is both good and bad, and that its impact depends on how it is used and regulated. The author, Peter Lewis, questions his own progressive credentials and argues that the unchecked development of AI threatens to undermine the very notion of progress. He suggests that the government should slow down the development of AI and establish guardrails to prevent its negative consequences. The article cites examples of experts and politicians, such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who are calling for a moratorium on the development of new datacenters. The author argues that this cautious approach is necessary to ensure that AI is developed in a way that benefits society as a whole, rather than just a select few. Ultimately, the article concludes that the future of AI must be shaped by a nuanced and informed discussion about its potential risks and benefits. The author argues that only by slowing down the development of AI and establishing clear regulations can we ensure that its impact is truly progressive.

Korean culture is taking Latin America by storm, with K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean skincare products leading the charge. In Santiago, Chile, a group of young girls can be seen dancing to the beat of Blackpink's 'How You Like That', a song with over 1.3 billion views on YouTube. The phenomenon, known as hallyu or the 'Korean wave', has been spreading rapidly across the region, with Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil being key markets. Online personalities like Sujin Kim, known as Chingu Amiga, have become incredibly popular, sharing their love of K-dramas and skincare products with millions of followers. In Colombia, K-pop fan Zion Hwang has set up a string of karaoke restaurants to capitalize on the trend, while in Brazil, Korean-Brazilian influencers like Arthur Paek are promoting Korean culture and cuisine to their millions of followers. The Korean wave has also led to an increase in interest in Korean language and culture, with universities offering Korean studies programs and language classes becoming increasingly popular. Dr. Jinok Choi, director of the Universidad Central's Rey Sejong Institute in Santiago, notes that young Chileans are showing a 'real commitment to learning about Korea beyond just its culture'. The growth of Korean culture in Latin America is also being driven by a decline in the US's international appeal, with some observers suggesting that the US's flagging popularity under Donald Trump has led to a shift in interest towards Asian culture. Brazil's health minister, Alexandre Padilha, notes that 'perhaps the US is no longer, in people's imagination, the place they want to go'. As the Korean wave continues to sweep across Latin America, it's clear that Korean culture is here to stay. With K-pop concerts and K-drama fan events becoming increasingly popular, it's likely that the trend will only continue to grow in the coming years.

A recent investigation has exposed a vast illegal casino network targeting UK gamblers, operating with impunity in jurisdictions like Curaçao. The network, linked to Santeda International, includes brands such as MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet, which have attracted an average of 2.3 million monthly unique visitors from the UK.The investigation reveals that these illegal casinos are not licensed by the UK's Gambling Commission, a legal requirement for serving UK customers. They offer a range of games, from football betting to classic casino games and slot machines, and have been linked to fraud, financial harm, and even suicide.The network's digital trail leads to Santeda International BV, a company with a licence from Curaçao, and Upgaming AG, a Swiss-based business. Georgian businessmen, including Tornike Tvauri, Alexander Makashvili, and Mikheil Merebashvili, appear to be involved in the operation.The UK's Gambling Commission has been criticized for its limited success in stopping these illegal casinos. The regulator has targeted affiliates recommending these sites and sent takedown requests to Google. However, the vast majority of these sites remain easily accessible from the UK.The Labour MP Alex Ballinger has called on the Gambling Commission to take urgent action, stating that these sites deliberately target vulnerable people trying to stop gambling. The Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith has also urged the regulator to liaise with authorities in countries where these operators are based.The investigation highlights the significant economic costs of gambling harm in the UK, estimated to be between £1bn and £2bn. The chancellor has allocated an extra £26m over three years to tackle illicit gambling sites.

England's preparations for the 2026 World Cup are underway, with manager Thomas Tuchel working to finalize his squad. Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed No 1 goalkeeper, while Harry Kane is irreplaceable up front. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson look certain to start in midfield.The team's recent friendlies against Japan and Uruguay have provided some insights into Tuchel's plans. Marc Guéhi wore the captain's armband during the loss to Japan and is emerging as the senior centre-back. However, there are still many questions about the team's composition, particularly in defense and midfield.John Stones and Anthony Gordon face uncertain futures due to injuries and inconsistent form. Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to be overlooked by Tuchel, despite his exceptional talent. The manager has been experimenting with different players and formations, including Cole Palmer and Phil Foden in various roles.The article also mentions several players who are likely to miss out on the World Cup, including Fikayo Tomori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ivan Toney. On the other hand, young players like Max Dowman and Archie Gray could be considered for wild-card picks.Tuchel's squad selection will be crucial in determining England's success in the 2026 World Cup. The team's predicted squad includes:Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.Defenders: Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Lewis Hall, Reece James, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento.Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, James Garner, Morgan Rogers.Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hailed Mohamed Salah as a club legend ahead of his departure at the end of the season. Salah announced his exit last week, and Slot believes he will leave the club a legend.Salah's professionalism and commitment to the club have impressed Slot, who highlighted his hunger to prove himself every three days. Slot expressed his hope that Salah can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months.The pair appear to have patched up their differences, which had led to tensions earlier in the season. Slot is looking forward to Salah signing off with a flourish, and he encouraged supporters to give him a great farewell.In other news, Liverpool's bid for Champions League qualification has been boosted by the news that Alexander Isak is set to return to training on Thursday after more than three months out with a broken leg. The £125m British-record signing could make the squad for next week's European away leg in Paris.Slot expressed his excitement about having Isak back, citing his incredible abilities as a striker and the team's ability to generate chances. While Isak may not start immediately, Slot believes his return will be very helpful for the team in the last two months of the season.