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The Journey of a Reject to Liverpool LegendThere was the Barcelona comeback on the night he ruffled Lionel Messi's hair, the Champions League triumph in Madrid, winning Liverpool's first league title in 30 years and pressing five Manchester City players in one career-defining run at Anfield when 4-1 up. But the best feeling Andy Robertson experienced at Liverpool was "climbing the mountain" with Jürgen Klopp's all-conquering team. Nobody climbed higher or harder.The boy who was rejected by Celtic at 15 and tweeted: "Life at this age is rubbish with no money" after his debut for Queen's Park aged 18 became the man many consider to be Liverpool's finest left-back, and arguably the best in the world at his peak. With 377 fiercely committed appearances in a Liverpool shirt behind him, Robertson will say goodbye on Sunday. The 32-year-old Scotland captain leaves "with no regrets, no bitterness" and "glad that one of our Egyptian friends might take a bit more of the limelight. I can just sneak underneath that."The Climbing of the Mountain Together"We were on the most amazing journey ever, all together," he reflects. "When we started out Mo Salah didn't sign as the best player in the world or the best winger in the world. Virgil van Dijk had the potential to be but wasn't the best centre-back in the world. Alisson wasn't the best goalkeeper in the world. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] wasn't the best right-back in the world. Hendo [Jordan Henderson] was still trying to find his feet as captain. We were all just on this journey from the bottom to the very top together and climbing that mountain was the best feeling ever."Every day we came in knowing we were getting better and better and starting to click as a team. We'd beat teams in the tunnel. Genuinely. When I speak to my Scotland teammates, they were lining up in the tunnel and looking over thinking: 'We're going to need to run our socks off today to get anything.' And more often than not they didn't get anything."We had an unbelievable environment to express ourselves, to play with freedom, but in our minds we knew we had to work at 100%. That was obviously from the manager, from the coaches, and I think then all the staff and people behind the scenes bought into it and you had the whole training ground determined to achieve all our dreams. Everyone was on the same page and we just made magical things happen thankfully."The Impact of Tragedy and TransitionRobertson's reminiscence prompts an inevitable follow-up. Why does Liverpool not feel like that now? His reply stops everyone in their tracks, and brings home the tragic reality of what this season has entailed for the now deposed Premier League champions. "In terms of the club I am leaving behind I think we are not at the 2017 stage, we are at the transition stage," begins one of Diogo Jota's closest friends. The Liverpool forward's death in a car crash alongside his brother in north-western Spain last July cast a dark pall over the campaign."This year hasn't worked out for a variety of reasons. We can't hide away from it, and it is not an excuse, but what we went through in the summer no team will ever go through. No member of staff will go through. I hope they never go through it because the devastation we went through … football didn't matter. We didn't care about football for weeks. None of us wanted to train. You were getting treatment off physios and physios didn't want to treat you. That is the reality of it."As footballers we of course have a duty, we have to move on and we managed that. We started the season fairly well although it was still an emotional time for us. The [season-opening] Bournemouth game was ridiculously emotional with all of Jots' family being there. I think after the 20th minute you saw a real dip in performance because of the emotional impact that it had on all of us.The Future of Liverpool FC"But then the season has been inconsistent. We bought players that we all got excited about, and they will all have an unbelievable career at Liverpool. I have no doubt about that. But they are also young. The one thing I get annoyed about in football is that footballers do not control their price tag. The market controls it. These players will be successful for Liverpool but they probably need a bit of time."Then some players who have played at a ridiculously high level haven't played to that level. If you add all that in then we have had an inconsistent season and that is the huge frustration for us. We have been too easy to play against. There is no hiding away from that but I believe they have more than enough in that changing room to be successful for Liverpool again."

The Shifting Tides of Trump's Iran Policy In a week that began with Donald Trump revealing he was just an hour away from 'making the decision' to resume attacks on Iran, the United States president has oscillated between expressing hope for a lasting ceasefire and threatening military escalation. Diplomacy and Threats Trump's mixed messaging has also coincided with a renewed flurry of diplomacy, with Iran as of Thursday saying it had received and was reviewing Washington's response to Tehran's latest ceasefire proposal. The Hawkish Advisers Trump, meanwhile, appeared to indicate an appetite for a third option: a prolonged, grinding conflict. On Thursday, he reposted a New York Post op-ed by Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a pro-Israel think tank that has long supported military action against Tehran. Trump's Statements This Week The Trump administration has continually sent broad and at times contradictory messages on Iran, even preceding the war. On Sunday, Trump threatened that the 'clock is ticking' for Iran, the latest instance of the US signalling an end to the current halt to fighting, which has run parallel to an ongoing naval blockade of Iran's ports. The Strategic Dilemma While Trump's supporters have characterised his everything-on-the-table approach as part of a wider 'mad man' foreign policy approach, others have said it reflects the president's entrenched dilemma as he tries to claim a convincing victory in the conflict.

The LeadIn a remarkable display of resilience and community spirit, a Lebanese woman displaced by war has taken it upon herself to bake 3,000 loaves of bread daily to feed her war-hit community. Her selfless act has become a beacon of hope amid the ongoing conflict that has displaced thousands and disrupted daily life across the region.Baking Through AdversityThe woman, whose identity has not been fully disclosed, has transformed her baking skills into a lifeline for those affected by the conflict. Working from a makeshift kitchen, she rises early each morning to prepare dough, bake bread, and coordinate distribution to families in need. Her operation has grown from a small effort to a community-wide initiative, supported by volunteers who help with distribution and sourcing ingredients.The Scale of GenerosityProducing 3,000 loaves daily is no small feat. This represents approximately 1,500 kilograms of flour, 750 liters of water, and countless hours of labor. The bread, typically simple flatbreads that are a staple in Lebanese cuisine, provides essential nutrition to families who may otherwise go without. The scale of this operation highlights both the severity of the food crisis and the extraordinary response from ordinary citizens.Community ImpactThe bread distribution has become more than just a food program; it's a gathering point for the community. Families line up daily, not just for sustenance, but for human connection and a moment of normalcy in otherwise chaotic circumstances. The baker has created a network of mutual support, with some recipients helping to distribute bread to those unable to travel, and others contributing what little they have to keep the operation running.Humanitarian ResponseWhile international aid organizations are present in the region, this grassroots effort fills critical gaps in the response. Large-scale aid often takes time to reach those in need, and bureaucratic hurdles can delay assistance. The woman's bakery operates on a neighborhood scale, ensuring that help reaches those most quickly and efficiently. Her work has drawn attention from larger aid groups, who are now exploring ways to support and scale her efforts.Future OutlookAs the conflict continues, the need for such community-based initiatives is likely to grow. The woman has expressed determination to continue baking as long as needed, and has begun training others to take over should she be forced to relocate again. Her story has inspired similar efforts in other displaced communities, suggesting a potential model for grassroots humanitarian response in crisis situations.

The Met's AI Dilemma: Efficiency or Surveillance?The row over the £50m Palantir contract for the Metropolitan Police hits the heart of how public services will be delivered in the coming years. Facing a £125m funding shortfall, the Met is under immense pressure to cut 1,150 posts. To survive, the force is turning to AI to automate the analysis of human intelligence reports, email caches, and phone records left by 21st-century crime.The Fiscal Reality Behind the AI PushThe adoption of AI in policing is not merely a technological upgrade but a desperate fiscal measure. The Home Office, under Shabana Mahmood, has explicitly called for police to adopt AI "at pace and scale." This directive comes as the government lacks its own systems and relies on private contractors to manage critical infrastructure. The £50m contract represents a significant investment in technology intended to replace human labor and maintain operational capacity despite severe budget cuts.Public Trust and the "Big Brother" FactorThe implementation of this technology faces significant internal and external resistance. The rank and file have expressed alarm, describing the AI surveillance system as "Big Brother" and a tool that causes "sleepless nights." Furthermore, the deal has been blocked by Sadiq Khan, who cited a "clear and serious breach" of procurement rules and concerns about funding firms that contradict London's values. Palantir's controversial history, including contracts with ICE and the US defense department, has tainted the company in the eyes of many politicians and the public.Future Outlook: Dependency on US Tech GiantsDespite the backlash, the UK is likely to remain dependent on US tech giants like Palantir. Experts suggest that British firms currently lack the scale and government backing to compete with Palantir's comprehensive toolset. As AI becomes part of critical infrastructure, the UK faces a difficult choice between developing domestic capabilities or accepting a reliance on controversial external providers to maintain public safety standards.

The LeadSpotify has introduced a new AI-powered audiobook creation tool in partnership with ElevenLabs, allowing authors to self-publish audiobooks without exclusivity. The platform is expanding to support 10 more languages and aims to generate $100 million in annualized recurring revenue from its Audiobook+ subscriptions.AI Audiobook Creation Platform LaunchAlongside tools for AI-generated podcasts, Spotify on Thursday introduced a new, ElevenLabs-powered AI tool for self-publishing audiobooks within the Spotify for Authors platform. The company said at its Investor Day event that the feature will launch in beta this June on an invite-only basis, initially with support for the English language only.The AI-powered audiobook generation won't bind authors to an exclusive contract, meaning they are free to publish their generated audiobooks anywhere. This approach contrasts with some other platforms that require exclusivity for audiobook distribution.The news builds on Spotify's previous partnership with ElevenLabs, which allowed writers to submit audiobooks created on the voice AI startup's platform to Spotify. The audio streaming platform also already had a partnership with Google Play Books to allow for digitally narrated content. However, it may have wanted authors to access newer voice models that sound more expressive and human-like, like those offered by ElevenLabs. Notably, ElevenLabs had released its own self-publishing platform for authors in 2025.Financial Performance and Growth MetricsSpotify has increased its focus on audiobooks heavily in the last few years and has managed to build its catalog to 700,000 titles. Through these initiatives, the company has managed to bump up listening hours by 60% year-on-year, the company claims. Spotify also said that more than half of its audiobook listeners started in the last year.To date, Spotify has clocked in over a million Audiobook+ subscriptions, and it is on track to generate $100 million in annualized recurring revenue for the platform. The company will expand its Audiobook+ plans this year to allow for higher listening limits and will add new options for students and families in the future.Industry Transformation and Market ExpansionSpotify is also expanding its "Spotify for Authors" platform to support 10 more languages, including French, Canadian French, German, Dutch, Latin American Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic, Danish, and Norwegian. This expansion will significantly broaden the platform's reach and accessibility to authors and listeners worldwide.The company brought the program to international markets, made an investment in non-English titles, enabled in-app purchases, and released audiobook charts. This year, it also started a program for authors to sell physical books in the U.S. and the U.K., creating a comprehensive ecosystem for content creators.Future Outlook and User Experience EnhancementsAt the event, the company introduced a new way for users to ask questions using natural language for audiobook discovery. This summer, Spotify will also expand a feature that allows users to create prompt-based playlists for podcasts and music to include audiobooks, it said.These enhancements reflect Spotify's strategy to leverage AI not just for content creation but also for improving user discovery and engagement. The integration of natural language processing for audiobook discovery could potentially revolutionize how users find and consume audiobooks, making the platform more intuitive and user-friendly.

Queen’s 2001 Push for Prince Andrew as a Trade EnvoyThe late Queen Elizabeth II expressed strong enthusiasm in 2001 for her second son, Prince Andrew, to assume a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests” as a trade envoy. The appointment was intended to give the “spare” heir structure, purpose, and a public‑service narrative after his naval career and early hero status following the Falklands conflict.Absence of Measurable Trade ImpactThe article provides no financial figures or trade statistics linked to Andrew’s brief envoy tenure, indicating that the role failed to generate quantifiable economic benefits. Without data on export growth, investment inflows, or diplomatic agreements, the appointment remains a symbolic gesture rather than a measurable policy success.Repercussions for Monarchical ReputationPublic perception shifted as Andrew’s later scandals, including the 2019 Newsnight interview and ties to Jeffrey Epstein, contrasted sharply with the queen’s early support.Royal commentators suggest the queen’s “blinkered” favoritism may have deepened the family’s vulnerability to criticism.Even after Andrew stepped down as a working royal, the queen continued to offer personal support, such as riding beside him at Windsor Castle.These actions reinforced the view that the monarchy was willing to protect a controversial figure, potentially eroding public trust.Future Outlook for Royal Patronage and Public RolesWith King Charles III now overseeing the family, the precedent set by the queen’s 2001 decision highlights the need for clearer criteria when assigning public duties to senior royals. Analysts anticipate a more cautious approach, limiting official roles to individuals with unblemished records to safeguard the institution’s relevance.

Unleashing Inner Rage and Satire Bob Odenkirk, known for his role as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul, recently opened up about life, satire, and his journey as an action hero. In an interview, he expressed his views on the power of satire and his personal experiences that have shaped his career. The Shift to Action Hero Odenkirk discussed how he transitioned from comedy to action roles, citing his age and desire for a change. He mentioned that at 63, he found it challenging to fit into traditional romantic comedies, leading him to explore action movies. His role in Normal, alongside Henry Winkler, marked a significant shift in his career. Working with Henry Winkler Odenkirk praised Henry Winkler, describing him as the "sweetest guy alive." He noted that working with Winkler influenced him to adopt a more patient and kind approach to life's challenges. Odenkirk highlighted the contrast between Winkler's on-screen and off-screen personas, emphasizing Winkler's genuine kindness. Reflections on Saul Goodman Odenkirk shared insights into his portrayal of Saul Goodman, describing the character as earnest but misguided. He discussed how Saul's talents are used for destructive purposes due to his inner resentment. Odenkirk also speculated on what Saul's next move would be if he were to escape prison, suggesting he would continue his schemes but with more caution. Music and Personal Projects Odenkirk touched on his upcoming album, which features comedy Broadway-style songs. He expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the creative process and collaboration with songwriter Mark Nutter. Physical Challenges and Triumphs Odenkirk compared his experiences hiking the West Highland Way and the Inca Trail, noting that the latter was significantly more challenging due to its demanding terrain and high altitude. He also reflected on his performance in Nebraska, appreciating the opportunity to work with Bruce Dern.

The Deportation Process Israel has begun deporting the hundreds of activists abducted by Israeli forces who stormed a Gaza aid flotilla earlier this week, according to the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah. The rights group told Al Jazeera on Thursday that most of the roughly 430 abducted activists were being transported to Ramon Airport in southern Israel, from where they would be deported. The rest will be deported from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Global Condemnation The abductions have been widely condemned, with the foreign ministers of 10 countries, including Spain, Brazil and India, slamming Israeli forces’ actions as “blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”. Israel’s treatment of the activists has since been condemned by more countries, including several key allies, after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on X on Wednesday of him taunting activists who were kneeling on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs. International Repercussions In response, several countries, including France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to express their outrage. Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa said he was “appalled” by Ben-Gvir’s behaviour, calling it “completely unacceptable”. “It really goes to show how much Israeli authorities wanted to make a show out of [this] and how it’s very much an extension of the Israeli treatment towards Palestinians, which obviously gets a lot less of a public outcry,” Miriam Azem, the international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, told Al Jazeera. The Future Outlook Earlier, Turkiye announced it was sending chartered flights to Israel to repatriate some of its citizens and those of third countries, including Spanish nationals. Jordan has confirmed that two of its nationals have returned home via the southern crossing with Israel. Reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim said the ongoing deportations were the fastest Israel has ever carried out, as it scrambles to contain the public relations damage caused by Ben-Gvir’s video. Ibrahim added that many Palestinians believe the incident has gained more international attention because those mistreated were from foreign countries.

The Lead: International Outrage Over Ben-Gvir's Video Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has posted a video of himself taunting foreign activists abducted from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla at a makeshift holding pen in Israel's city of Ashdod. The activists, abducted by Israeli forces in international waters, are seen cable-tied and kneeling while Israel's national anthem blares in the video, which was released on Wednesday. Several countries, including Italy and France, have summoned Israeli ambassadors to explain the stunt. As well as a global backlash, the video has even been met with sharp rebukes from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and staunch ally, United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Who is Ben-Gvir: The Far-Right Minister at the Center of Controversy The 50-year-old lawyer and politician has led the far-right Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party in Israel since 2019. He was sworn into the cabinet after the 2022 elections and was later appointed as national security minister and given control of Israel's Border Police division in the occupied West Bank. A settler in Kiryat Arba, one of the most radical settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank – all of which are illegal under international law – Ben-Gvir has convictions for incitement to racism, destroying property, possessing a "terror" organisation's propaganda material and supporting a "terror" organisation – Meir Kahane's outlawed Kach group, whose founder advocated for expelling non-Jews from Israel and which Ben-Gvir joined when he was 16. He frequently carries out anti-Palestinian acts, including regularly storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, Islam's third holiest site, alongside Israeli settlers and under the protection of Israeli forces. The Flotilla Activists: International Aid Efforts to Gaza This refers primarily to the Gaza aid flotillas – groups of boats carrying activists from different countries which have set out across the Mediterranean in an attempt to deliver aid and raise awareness at various times since October 2023, when Israel launched its brutal assault on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians. The modern flotilla movement emerged in 2006 during Israel's war on Lebanon and expanded after Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza in 2007. Since then, hundreds of vessels organised by international solidarity groups have attempted to reach the territory, carrying humanitarian aid and activists. In 2008, two boats from the Free Gaza Movement became the first to successfully reach Gaza by sea despite the blockade. But since 2010, Israeli forces have intercepted nearly every flotilla in international waters. On Tuesday, at least 430 activists from more than 46 countries were abducted during Israeli interceptions of the latest flotilla. The Video: Ben-Gvir's Taunting of Detained Activists In the video released on Wednesday, a woman approaches the minister and says in English, "Free Palestine!" before masked security officers put their hands on her head as they snap it down and push her away. "Good job," Ben-Gvir says to the officers, before stating, "Welcome to Israel. We are the landowners here; that is how it should be." Activists are then seen on their knees with their heads on the ground and arms tied behind their backs in "stress positions" as the figures of armed Israeli security officers look down on them from atop shipping containers. Ben-Gvir, waving an Israeli flag and heavily protected by security personnel, can be seen weaving in between the activists, appearing to relish the moment as he taunts them. International Response: Global Condemnation of Israel's Actions Several countries, including Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada, have summoned Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to express their "indignation" over Israel's treatment of the abducted Gaza flotilla activists and to demand the release of their citizens. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also denounced Ben-Gvir's actions as "unacceptable", calling for the release of French citizens "as soon as possible". Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called the incident "deeply troubling". United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed "totally disgraceful scenes". "The images of Israeli Minister Ben Gvir are unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these protesters, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates their human dignity," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement on X. Previous Treatment of Activists: A Pattern of Controversy In May 2010, when Israeli commandos stormed the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, 10 activists were killed and dozens were wounded. Allegations of mistreatment by activists who have been brought to Israel after naval interceptions have been common, and organisers say they fear sanctions and accusations of Hamas links are being used to justify further crackdowns. The concerns come amid previous allegations by activists of abuse, including sexual abuse, during past interceptions by Israeli officials. Organisers have also accused Israeli naval forces of firing "rubber bullets" at activists during the latest interception, which occurred in international waters. Many activists who have previously been detained have been eager to point out that the focus should be on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who are subjected to torture and do not have the option to be deported. In 2025, high-profile activist Greta Thunberg, who was on board a previous flotilla, told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that activists had been beaten, kicked and threatened with being gassed in cages. Palestinian Prisoners: The Broader Context of Detention Nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons in Israel and in the occupied territory, according to the prisoners' rights group Addameer. Some 3,532 of them are administrative detainees – people held without charge or trial – while 342 are children. Israel is the only country in the world that tries children in military courts, often denying them their basic rights. Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons suffer near-constant dehumanising treatment by guards and soldiers. Under a new law passed this year and spearheaded by Ben-Gvir, military courts are now able to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in acts of "terror". This law will not impose the same penalty on Jewish Israelis convicted of killing Palestinians, which reinforces the legal inequalities that grant privileges to Jewish citizens while targeting Palestinians.