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On the third anniversary of Sudan's civil war, international donors have pledged $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the conflict. The pledges were made during a conference in Berlin, attended by about a dozen foreign ministers and over 60 delegations.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the anniversary as a 'tragic milestone in a conflict that has shattered a country of immense promise.' He emphasized that the consequences of the war are not confined to Sudan, but are destabilizing the wider region.The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, when fighting erupted between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after a long-simmering power struggle. The war has resulted in nearly 34 million people needing humanitarian assistance and over 4.5 million being forced to flee their homes.Guterres also highlighted the dire situation for women and girls in Sudan, who have been terrorized and subjected to systematic sexual violence. The conference aimed to not only rally donors but also to help revive stalled negotiations to end the fighting, although the two sides fighting the war were excluded.Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the meeting as a 'colonial tutelage approach,' accusing Western leaders of trying to impose their agenda and vision without consulting or coordinating with Khartoum. The ministry stated that it 'will not accept that countries and regional and international organizations convene to decide on its affairs and bypass the Sudanese government under the pretext of neutrality.'German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that his country pledged 212 million euros ($250m) in humanitarian aid and thanked donors for their pledges. He emphasized that the aid will help alleviate the suffering of the people in Sudan, save lives, and show that the conflict has not been forgotten.

Iranian Major General Ali Abdollahi stated that if the US continues its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, it would be seen as a prelude to violating the ceasefire. The blockade has completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea. Abdollahi emphasized that Iran's armed forces will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea. The US military's actions have significant implications for Iran's economy and regional stability.The current ceasefire was declared a week ago, and US President Donald Trump hinted at a second round of face-to-face talks with Iran in Pakistan in the coming days. However, Iranian authorities have maintained a defiant approach, with parliament's deputy speaker, Ali Nikzad, stating that Iran will never give concessions to its enemy.Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, emphasized that Iran has not and will not seek a nuclear weapon but insists on its right to pursue nuclear energy for civilian purposes under United Nations safeguards. The level and type of enrichment can be negotiated.Iranian authorities have continued to announce the enforcement of death sentences, as well as a large number of arrests and asset confiscations. The judiciary has said some of the executions were linked to nationwide protests in January, during which thousands of people were killed during an internet blackout.

Haiti has entered a period of national mourning following a tragic stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferriere in the northern part of the country. At least 25 people lost their lives in the chaos that erupted at the entrance of the citadel on Saturday, as a mix of visitors attempted to exit and enter the site.The Ministry of Culture and Communication has taken swift action, firing two government officials in the aftermath of the disaster. One, a director at the Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage, was accused of 'serious negligence,' while the other, a Ministry employee, was criticized for 'biased passivity.'The government has stated that it believes the tragedy was the result of administrative negligence and has vowed to 'fully assume its responsibilities.' The event has sparked widespread outrage and highlights the multiple crises facing the Haitian government ahead of its general elections later this year.The stampede was exacerbated by stormy weather conditions, with heavy rain battering northern Haiti and prompting event participants to seek shelter. The inclement weather also caused flooding in other parts of the country, resulting in approximately 12 additional deaths and 900 homes being inundated.This tragedy is the latest challenge for Haiti, which has been grappling with gang violence and political instability, particularly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The situation has led to 16,000 deaths and 1.5 million displaced since 2022, according to UN reports.

Israeli military forces have launched a series of strikes across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 Palestinians, including two children, a three-year-old and a 14-year-old. These attacks occurred despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on October 10 last year.The violence escalated in the northern part of the Gaza enclave on Tuesday, with Gaza's Civil Defence authorities and the Reuters news agency confirming the deaths. Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defence, reported that four people were killed, including the three-year-old, in a strike targeting a police vehicle in Gaza City. The Ministry of Interior stated that Israeli warplanes had targeted the police vehicle, causing several deaths and injuries, with a police officer among those killed and at least nine bystanders wounded, some critically.Further violence was reported in the northern Beit Lahiya area, where another person was killed by Israeli fire earlier in the day. Later on Tuesday evening, Civil Defence reported that another Israeli strike killed several people near an intersection in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. Medics at Al-Shifa Hospital confirmed receiving five bodies from an Israeli drone bombing involving two missiles that hit a group of people in the Shati refugee camp.Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces continue to carry out daily strikes on Gaza, resulting in almost 760 Palestinians killed since the truce was agreed upon. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that an additional 2,111 Palestinians have been injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced, while a total of 72,336 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of Israel's war on the territory on October 7, 2023.

The comedy film 'Balls Up' has landed on Prime Video, and it's a ribald delight that's sure to entertain football fans looking for an escape from the doom and gloom of the host nation's World Cup. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film stars Mark Wahlberg as Brad, a hotshot salesman who closes a deal with the Brazilian travel ministry, only to blow it by seducing a cabinet minister.The film's R-rated humor is on full display from the start, with Paul Walter Hauser playing Elijah, a sheepish product designer exec behind a revolutionary male prophylactic. The chemistry between Wahlberg and Hauser is undeniable, recalling Wahlberg's best work alongside Will Ferrell in 'The Other Guys'. The supporting cast, including Molly Shannon, Benjamin Bratt, and Sacha Baron Cohen, add to the film's humor and charm.The article praises the film's layered humor, spicy dialogue, and compounding stakes, making it a juvenile entertainment handled by professionals. The film's composer, Dave Palmer, is also commended for adding vintage samba and bossa nova sounds to the film. Overall, 'Balls Up' is a comedy that's sure to appeal to fans of raunchy humor and buddy comedies.

The future of the LIV Golf series hangs in the balance after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) signaled a possible withdrawal of its multi‑billion‑dollar support. Executives were summoned to a high‑stakes meeting in New York this week, a development that follows growing speculation that the rebel tour could be shut down. While the fifth season’s sixth event in Mexico City is set to proceed on Thursday, the tournament is being eclipsed by reports that PIF intends to cut the tour’s funding. The tour has already faced challenges securing a merger with the PGA Tour despite a three‑year “framework agreement,” and the funding pull would exacerbate its financial strain. According to the PIF’s newly released five‑year economic strategy, the fund is prioritising sustainable domestic investments and has omitted sport from its seven key focus areas. This shift signals a move away from the “free‑spending, disruptive internationalism” that characterised the launch of LIV Golf in 2021. Since its inception, PIF has poured over $5 bn into the tour, but this year prize money and bonus payouts have already been slashed. High‑profile players such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Sergio García and Bryson DeChambeau initially defected from the PGA and DP World Tours, yet recent defections back to the PGA—including Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed—highlight the tour’s precarious position. DeChambeau has yet to sign a new contract. A source familiar with the Saudi Ministry of Sports confirmed that the fund is redirecting its sports budget toward football and esports, with golf no longer a priority. The same source noted that PIF is ending its partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association, and the three‑year WTA Finals deal in Riyadh will not be renewed after its November expiry. The rumours ignited on Tuesday after journalist Ryan French posted on X that multiple sources warned of a “bombshell announcement” on LIV’s future, later suggesting the tour might be shutting down. LIV officials and players have not received any formal update. In Mexico, Sergio García told reporters they have only heard the same message from PIF chief Yasir al‑Rumayyan at the start of the year: that the project is a long‑term commitment, and that rumours are inevitable. Technical glitches, including an alleged power failure at the venue, forced the cancellation of pre‑tournament press conferences on Tuesday. Nevertheless, the pro‑am competition resumed on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. local time, indicating that day‑to‑day operations continue despite the uncertainty. The outcome of the New York meeting could determine whether LIV Golf survives as a viable alternative to traditional tours or becomes another casualty of shifting Saudi investment priorities.

Iran has strongly condemned YouTube's decision to ban a pro-Iranian group, Explosive Media, which creates Lego-style artificial intelligence videos. The group was suspended for allegedly posting 'violent content', specifically a video mocking US President Donald Trump and declaring 'Iran won' after a recent ceasefire agreement. The ban has sparked outrage from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accusing YouTube of trying to suppress the truth about the US-Israel war on Iran. Baghaei questioned the ban, highlighting that YouTube hosts content from major animation studios like Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and The Walt Disney Company. Explosive Media's videos often use US popular culture to portray Trump as isolated and prone to childish tantrums. One video depicted Trump with an oversized yellow head and a flaming backside, holding a sign that read: 'VICTORY! I am a loser'. The group describes itself as independent but is widely suspected of having ties to the Iranian government. The ban has been seen as an attempt to shield the American administration's false narrative from competing voices. Iran's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that such actions could limit the free flow of information and perspectives on the ongoing conflict.

On the first day of the US blockade on Iranian ports, at least three vessels, including two US-sanctioned tankers, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf. According to shipping data, these vessels were not bound for Iranian ports, thus avoiding the impact of the blockade.A Panama-flagged medium-range tanker, Peace Gulf, was headed to Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates. Data from LSEG and Kpler showed that the vessel typically transports Iranian naphtha, a petrochemical feedstock, to other non-Iranian ports in the Middle East for export to Asia.Two US-sanctioned tankers, Murlikishan and Rich Starry, also navigated through the strait. Murlikishan, a handy tanker, was set to load fuel oil in Iraq on Thursday. The vessel, previously known as MKA, has a history of transporting Russian and Iranian oil. Rich Starry, a medium-range tanker carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol, was the first sanctioned tanker to exit the Gulf since the blockade began. The tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were sanctioned by the US for dealing with Iran.The US blockade was announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday, following the collapse of peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. The blockade aims to restrict Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments. Iran had previously halted traffic through the strait in response to US-Israeli attacks, causing a spike in global gas and petrol prices.The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the US move, calling it 'dangerous and irresponsible' and warning that it would escalate tensions and undermine the fragile ceasefire agreement. China, which imports over half of its oil from the Middle East, especially Iran, expressed concerns about the impact on oil supplies.Despite the blockade, there are still prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough. Trump indicated that Iran still has an opportunity to strike a deal, and a Pakistani official stated that the country is willing to host peace talks.

Ukraine and Germany have agreed on a strategic defence partnership that will enhance cooperation in drone production and bolster Kyiv's air defences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the deal at a news conference in Berlin.The partnership will grant Germany access to Ukraine's advanced drone technology, developed during its conflict with Russia, in exchange for additional military support from Germany. This cooperation will cover various types of drones, missiles, software, and modern defence systems.In a joint declaration, the two countries stated they will strengthen cooperation in the air defence field. Germany will support Ukraine's drone industry and establish drone co-production ventures. The German defence ministry has agreed to fund contracts for several hundred Patriot missiles from the United States, which Ukraine urgently needs to counter nightly Russian drone and missile attacks.Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov expressed gratitude to his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, for the package, which he valued at four billion euros ($4.7 billion). This funding will provide a massive boost for Ukraine's air defence, protecting its cities and critical infrastructure.Ukraine currently has the production capacity to manufacture twice as much military equipment as it is deploying but lacks the necessary funding. President Zelenskyy emphasized that financial constraints hinder Ukraine's ability to scale up production.German Chancellor Merz noted that the deal is mutually beneficial, citing Ukraine's battle-tested military as a valuable asset for European security. The agreement also includes the exchange of digital combat data for developing new weapons systems.The announcement comes as hopes rise that the European Union may soon provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro ($105bn) loan, which was blocked by Hungary last month. With the recent election of Peter Magyar in Hungary, who is expected to reverse this stance, Ukraine's financial prospects are improving.The urgency of Ukraine's need for additional arms was highlighted by a missile attack on the city of Dnipro, which killed four people and injured at least 21. Russian troops have also captured territory in the Dnipropetrovsk region and launched attacks in the city of Kherson.