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LIV Golf is shifting its focus from recruiting individual stars to securing whole tournaments, with the Saudi‑funded circuit now eyeing the possibility of hosting traditional national open championships. This strategic pivot could reshape the ongoing power tussle in elite golf. The proposal threatens the DP World Tour—formerly the European Tour—which already boasts a dense calendar of national opens across Europe and emerging markets like China, India and Australia. Adding more of these marquee events to LIV’s roster would intensify competition for the most coveted tournament slots. Although the recent exodus of top players from established tours to LIV appears to have stalled or even reversed, the battle for prime tournament markets is far from settled. Securing historic national opens would give LIV a foothold in events that carry deep cultural and commercial weight. To date, LIV has built a largely international schedule, staging events in Australia, South Africa, Mexico City, Hong Kong and Singapore for the 2026 season. While these locations broaden the circuit’s global reach, none possess the longstanding prestige of a national open. By contrast, the DP World Tour has successfully leveraged national opens to expand its brand beyond Europe, tapping audiences in Asia and the Pacific. This experience underscores the strategic value of such tournaments for sponsors and broadcasters. Meanwhile, the DP World Tour is engaged in high‑level negotiations with the PGA Tour to extend a strategic alliance that currently runs until the end of 2027. The PGA is reportedly pushing for a reduced annual financial underpin for DP World prize funds, and the emerging threat from LIV is a key bargaining chip in those talks. Recent player movements have added nuance to the rivalry: the PGA Tour welcomed back Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed after their departures to LIV, yet the Saudi Public Investment Fund shows no sign of scaling back its ambitious golf project. On the player front, Jon Rahm, who remains with LIV, is slated to address the media at Augusta National ahead of the Masters. Having lost an appeal over fines imposed for playing on LIV, Rahm is currently barred from the Ryder Cup and has refused to settle the penalties, leaving him in strained relations with the DP World Tour. His comments are expected to dominate the pre‑Masters press conference.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen described the new space‑thriller Project Hail Mary as “a real treat” after watching it with his family and fellow Artemis II crew members ahead of their upcoming lunar fly‑around.During a live broadcast organized by the Canadian Space Agency, Hansen highlighted how the film exemplifies the synergy between art and science, noting that it “inspires people to imagine the sacrifices required to save humanity.”Co‑star Ryan Gosling, who shares Hansen’s Canadian roots in London, Ontario, sent his best wishes to the four astronauts before the mission’s scheduled launch on Wednesday.Hansen’s participation marks a milestone: he is the first non‑U.S. citizen to travel to the Moon. If the mission proceeds as planned, Artemis II will travel more than 250,000 miles from Earth, surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.The crew’s ambition echoes past cinematic portrayals of space, recalling the acclaimed 1995 film about Apollo 13, and underscores the growing cultural interplay between Hollywood storytelling and real‑world exploration.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

The weekend's sports action kicks off with FA Cup quarter-final matches and the start of the county cricket season. In the FA Cup, Manchester City hosts Liverpool at the Etihad, with both teams seeking to advance to the semi-finals. Chelsea takes on Port Vale at Stamford Bridge, while Southampton faces Arsenal at St Mary's. In county cricket, Nottinghamshire begins their title defense against Somerset at Taunton. The season's early rounds will also see Surrey, the 2022, 2023, and 2024 champions, in action with a strong lineup including Alec Stewart, Ollie Pope, and Jamie Smith. Additionally, the 197-year-old Boat Races on the Thames between Oxford and Cambridge will take place, with the women's race followed by the men's. This event has moved to a new TV home on Channel 4 as part of a five-year broadcast deal. On Sunday, a bumper Easter Sunday schedule features multiple FA Cup matches, including West Ham vs Leeds and Livingston vs Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Channel 4 is poised to shake up the traditional Boat Races with its debut coverage of the event, bringing a fresh perspective and new talent to the table. The network has acquired the broadcasting rights from the BBC, signaling a significant change in the event's media landscape. The Boat Races, a storied competition between Oxford and Cambridge universities, has been a staple of British sport since 1829. This year's event promises to be exciting, with Oxford's Heidi Long, a bronze medalist in the women's eight at Paris 2024, leading the charge against Cambridge's dominant women's team. Clare Balding, previously the face of the BBC's coverage, will continue as presenter, joined by newcomers Jamie Laing, a reality TV star and Radio 1 DJ, and Ade Adepitan, a TV presenter and Londoner. The on-screen team aims to bring a new dynamic to the event, appealing to a younger demographic. The production company, FilmNova, brings four years of experience from BBC broadcasts and has planned several innovations, including relatable comparisons and humanizing the rowers. One highlight is a 'fantasy boat' featuring well-known sportspeople, such as Serena Williams and Frankie Dettori. The Boat Races also shed light on pressing issues like Thames Water's mismanagement and sewage pollution in Britain's waterways, adding a layer of depth to the event. As Channel 4 takes the reins, the athletes can focus on their goals, with Long and her Oxford teammates striving to end Cambridge's eight consecutive wins. Heidi Long's remarkable story, balancing rowing with medical studies and personal loss, exemplifies the dedication and resilience of the athletes. Her leadership and experience are seen as key factors in Oxford's bid for victory.

The highly anticipated fifth season of the Cork-set comedy The Young Offenders premieres on BBC One at 9:30pm. The new season kicks off with Jock, played by Chris Walley, breaking out of a Colombian prison and reuniting with Conor, played by Alex Murphy, back in Ireland. Their adventures quickly take a turn as they find themselves in a hostage situation with an elderly couple while wearing floral dresses.Elsewhere on television, Rob Beckett brings his unique brand of humor to Sky One with his show Giraffe at 9pm. The comedian takes viewers on a stream-of-consciousness journey through topics like poshness, parenting, and pubes, often pushing the envelope with his audience.On Channel 4, The Last Leg continues its 34th series at 10pm, featuring presenters Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Brooker. This week's guests include Josh Pugh, Lorraine Kelly, and Steve Bracknall.In addition to these shows, BBC One also airs Extraordinary Portraits With Bill Bailey at 7:30pm, highlighting the story of Eddie, the 'Iron Gran', who became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon at 72. Meanwhile, Beyond Paradise airs at 8pm, with Humphrey solving a series of burglaries in Shipton Abbott.For film enthusiasts, The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is broadcast on BBC Two at 10pm. This financial crime caper is based on the memoir of stockbroker Jordan Belfort and features memorable performances from Matthew McConaughey and Margot Robbie.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist and CEO of Science Innovation Ltd, says the one item she would take to the lunar surface is a hand‑sewn purple‑cloth alien crafted by her daughter during a GCSE textile project. The tiny creature, made on a loom, embodies her child's love and would serve as a reminder of family ties at the farthest point from Earth. Sheila Hancock, acclaimed actor and writer, would use the trip as a cultural boot‑camp. She plans to study the complete works of Shakespeare, the epic novel War and Peace, and the full symphonies of Mahler as interpreted by Claudio Abbado, hoping the immersion will "strengthen her weakening brain" and deepen her appreciation of human genius. Michael Akadiri, a stand‑up comedian and resident doctor, imagines a lighter itinerary: a stack of old birthday cards to revisit heartfelt messages, an old‑school notepad for real‑time reflections, and a handful of puff‑puff (Nigerian doughnuts) – a cheeky nod to his fitness‑obsessed friends. Michael Rosen, children’s author and broadcaster, would bring three nostalgic comforts: giant yellow Chilean raisins from W Martyn’s shop in Muswell Hill, an oval brown pebble from the alleyway of his teenage flat, and the “furry” blanket his wife gave him during his 2020 COVID‑19 ventilator stay, each item a tactile link to his past. Athena Kugblenu, writer and comedian, opts for practicality and humor. She would pack a pair of Crocs for comfort, the guidebook Contact by Carl Sagan as a potential alien‑communication manual, and a jar of shito sauce – a Ghanaian shrimp‑tomato condiment – to introduce extraterrestrials to Ghanaian flavor before they learn English profanity. Nels Abbey, writer and broadcaster, frames his selection as a morale‑boosting toolkit. He would carry excerpts from Gil Scott‑Heron’s "Whitey on the Moon" and stand‑up routines by Paul Mooney, using their cynical wit to cope with the psychological challenges of space travel. Collectively, the panel’s choices illustrate how personal history, artistic heritage and even culinary curiosity can anchor humanity during the most extraordinary voyages. Their whimsical yet heartfelt lists underscore the idea that, even beyond Earth, we remain tethered to the stories, flavors and objects that define us.

Two long-lost episodes of Doctor Who from the William Hartnell era, which had not been seen since 1965, have been released after being discovered in a private film collection. The episodes, 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Devil’s Planet', are parts one and three of a mostly lost 12-part adventure called The Daleks’ Master Plan, written by Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks, and broadcast as part of the third series of Doctor Who in November 1965.The episodes feature Peter Purves as the Doctor’s companion, Stephen. They were recovered by Film is Fabulous, a charitable trust dedicated to securing and preserving private film collections. The original 16mm telerecordings of the two Dalek episodes have been restored and made available on iPlayer in the UK.This discovery marks a significant milestone for fans, as it includes the first appearance of Nicholas Courtney in the show, playing Bret Vyon. Courtney later became a regular character, playing Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, known as the Brigadier of Unit. 95 episodes of Doctor Who from the 1960s remain missing from the archives, having been wiped or junked by the BBC during the 1970s.

Iraq's national football team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time in nearly 40 years. Their 2-1 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday night secured their spot as the 48th and final team to qualify.The team's achievement is particularly significant given the current conflict in the region, with Iraq being drawn into the hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran. Despite the challenges, including sporadic gunfire and economic difficulties, supporters flooded Baghdad's main shopping areas at dawn to celebrate their team's triumph.“This victory is incredibly precious to us, despite the war raging,” said Ahmed, a 22-year-old supporter, highlighting the unifying effect of the team's success across different sects in Iraq. The jubilant crowd brought traffic to a standstill, with thousands waving Iraqi flags and celebrating into the night.The Iraqi team's journey to the World Cup was not without its challenges, with some players forced to travel partially overland due to suspended air travel caused by the conflict. However, Ali al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein each scored a goal in the memorable win, securing their place in World Cup Group I against France, Senegal, and Norway.In celebration of their victory, Iraqi leaders congratulated the team and promised financial bonuses for the win. A two-day holiday was also declared, with state television broadcasting nationwide celebrations.