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Turkiye's football team has finally qualified for the World Cup after a 24-year wait, marking a significant milestone for the nation's football history. The team's 1-0 playoff win against Kosovo on Tuesday secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans. The winning goal was scored by Kerem Akturkoglu in the 53rd minute, with Kenan Yildiz and Orkun Kokcu playing crucial roles in setting up the goal. This victory has brought immense joy to Turkish fans, with many taking to the streets to celebrate, waving flags and honking cars. Coach Vincenzo Montella expressed his pride and gratitude towards the players, stating, 'I am incredibly proud... I wouldn’t change my players for a thing. Anyone who does this job dreams of the World Cup.' Montella's sentiments were echoed by Kerem Akturkoglu, who said, 'We always dreamed of moments like this... Now we will give the next generation something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup.' Turkiye will be part of Group D in the World Cup, alongside Australia, Paraguay, and cohosts the United States. This will be Turkiye's third World Cup appearance, following their previous participations in 1954 and 2002, where they achieved a notable third-place finish.

Turkey's football team has qualified for the World Cup under the leadership of coach Vincenzo Montella, achieving a milestone that had eluded them for two decades. Montella's team secured a win against Kosovo in a playoff match, with Kerem Akturkoglu scoring the decisive goal in the 53rd minute.The Turkish team's journey to the World Cup has been marked by progress and determination, with Montella's guidance playing a crucial role in their success. The team's performance has been characterized by a disciplined midfield and a solid central defense, marshaled by Abdulkerim Bardakci.Montella expressed his excitement and pride in the team's achievement, stating that they will continue on a beautiful path together. The team's star player, Kenan Yildiz, shone in the match against Kosovo, showcasing his burgeoning talent.The World Cup group stage draw has pitted Turkey against USA, Australia, and Paraguay. While the team's chances are uncertain, Montella's macho approach and the team's steadiness and toughness could make them a formidable opponent.Kosovo, despite their valiant effort, were unable to secure a spot in the World Cup. However, their rising football development and young talent make them a promising team to watch in the future.

Glamorgan's cricket team is gearing up for their biggest season in years, back in Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2005. A key player to watch is Asa Tribe, who had a standout performance last season, scoring a thousand runs and earning a spot on the Lions tour in the winter.Tribe's impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with England managing director Rob Key taking note of his unbeaten 129 against Australia A in the unofficial Test. His captain, Kiran Carlson, praises Tribe's work ethic and talent, comparing him to another Glamorgan star, Marnus Labuschagne.Tribe's journey to the top has been swift, moving from the Glamorgan second team to the first team, the Lions, and then a franchise gig with Paarl Royals in the South Africa T20 within a year. He remains focused on his goals, saying, 'There's a bit of talk around it and it's quite easy to get sucked up into that thinking, but if I don't put in performances like I did last season, it becomes irrelevant whether there's hype or not.'With his sights set on Test cricket for England, Tribe is determined to continue improving and making a name for himself in the cricket world. His teammate, Carlson, has no doubt that he'll achieve his goal, saying, 'I have no doubt that he'll play a lot of Test cricket for England. His ceiling's incredibly high.'

British tennis star Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from next week’s Linz Open as she continues to recover from an illness she contracted in early February. This development comes on the heels of her previous withdrawal from the Miami Open as she deals with post-viral symptoms.Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has also opted out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Australia. Her last competitive appearance was in the third round at Indian Wells on March 8, where she suffered a 6-1, 6-1 defeat to Amanda Anisimova. Raducanu attributed her lackluster performance to a lack of power and acknowledged the need to regain her aggressive gameplay.Following her split from coach Francisco Roig in January, Raducanu has been working informally with Mark Petchey. Her next potential appearance is expected at the Madrid Open, which begins on April 21.

The film 'Fuze' is a London heist thriller that promises to deliver a wild ride with its intricate plot and high-stakes action. Written by screenwriter Ben Hopkins and directed by David Mackenzie, the movie boasts a talented cast, including Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Major Will Tranter, a bomb disposal officer who becomes embroiled in a daring heist. The plot thickens when a crew of bank robbers, led by Theo James and Sam Worthington, use a giant unexploded WWII device as a diversion to tunnel into a safe-deposit vault.The film's tense moments include a three-second bank transfer of millions of illicit dollars, which can be monitored on a smartphone in real-time. The reviewer notes that the movie's chutzpah and athletic plot contortions help to make up for its innate silliness.The movie features a star-studded cast, including Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the Met's chief superintendent. With its action-packed plot and high-stakes heist, 'Fuze' is set to thrill audiences when it hits cinemas on April 3 in the UK, April 16 in Australia, and April 24 in the US.

Iraq secured the final spot in the World Cup by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in a crucial intercontinental playoff held in Mexico. The match saw Iraq's Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein score goals that sealed their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The Iraqi team's preparations were disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite these challenges, they showed resilience and determination. Ali Al-Hamadi opened the scoring for Iraq in the ninth minute, with a well-taken goal from a corner kick. Bolivia equalized in the 38th minute through Ramiro Vaca's shot, which was controlled and finished by Moises Paniagua. However, Iraq regained the lead in the second half when Aymen Hussein scored a crucial goal eight minutes into the second half. Iraq's Australian coach, Graham Arnold, had initially requested a postponement of the match due to the disruptions caused by the conflict. The team's journey to Mexico was also arduous, with most players taking a three-day overland trip from Baghdad. The win ensures Iraq's participation in Group I of the World Cup, where they will face France, Senegal, and Norway. This marks a significant achievement for Iraqi football, with their last World Cup appearance being in 1986.

Cricket Australia released its 21‑man contract roster for the 2026‑27 season, rewarding most Ashes‑winning players but leaving out Sam Konstas and veteran all‑rounder Glenn Maxwell as the board prepares for an unusually dense calendar. Fast‑bowler Brendan Doggett, who debuted in the opening Ashes Test at Perth last November, secured his first national contract. Meanwhile, opener Jake Weatherald retained an upgraded deal despite a modest series average of 22.33 runs. Both Michael Neser and spinner Todd Murphy were again awarded full contracts, reflecting the board’s focus on depth ahead of a schedule that kicks off with a two‑match home Test series against Bangladesh in August. Following the Bangladesh series, Australia will embark on ODI tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, a home white‑ball series versus England, and a marathon stretch of 10 Test matches in 14 weeks. The latter includes contests against New Zealand, India and the historic 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG. Konstas, who burst onto the scene with a memorable 60‑run debut against India on Boxing Day 2024, failed to build on that promise, accumulating only 103 runs across nine further Test innings for an average of 16.30. The lack of consistency cost him a place on the new list. Despite the setback, selector chair George Bailey stressed that the 20‑year‑old’s journey is far from over. “He is highly talented and still on a development path,” Bailey said. “We saw encouraging signs toward the end of the season, with more consistent starts in the Sheffield Shield.” Bailey added that Konstas could feature in the upcoming Australia A tour to India, noting the board’s continued interest in his progress. Alongside Konstas and Maxwell, the contract cuts also affected Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Matt Short. Long‑time opener Usman Khawaja remains absent following his retirement. Weatherald’s contract renewal signals the selectors’ confidence in his potential to open the batting against Bangladesh, although Bailey cautioned that final selections will be made closer to each series, with extensive camp periods in Brisbane to fine‑tune the squad. Current contracted players: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa.

Brandy's highly anticipated memoir, Phases, co-written with Gerrick Kennedy, provides an intimate look at the singer's life, detailing her formative years, meteoric rise to fame, and struggles with addiction, bullying, and trauma.Brandy, known as the 'Vocal Bible,' has been in the music industry for over 30 years, with a discography that includes undeniable classics like 'Sittin’ Up in My Room', 'The Boy Is Mine', and 'What About Us?'. Despite her success, she has often been underrated, and her memoir aims to set the record straight.The book delves into Brandy's early life in Mississippi and California, where she developed her singing skills in church choirs and youth groups. It also explores her experiences as a teenage superstar, including her role on the hit sitcom Moesha and her struggles with addiction.Brandy shares stories of bullying, including being targeted by a bully named Shanice, and her complicated relationships with musical idols like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. She also opens up about a toxic relationship with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men and her side of the story about her highly publicized feud with Monica.The memoir also touches on Brandy's involvement in a fatal car accident in 2006, which left her with survivor's guilt and a deep sense of responsibility. Through it all, Brandy's love for music remained a constant, and she reflects on her journey to becoming one of the most respected vocalists in the industry.Phases is now available on HarperCollins in the US and will be released in Australia on April 1 and in the UK on April 23.

The Australian government has accused major tech firms, including Meta, TikTok, and Google, of failing to comply with a landmark ban on under-16s using social media. The ban, which came into effect last December, aims to protect children from the potential harms of social media.A survey of 900 Australian parents found that around a third (31%) said their children still had one or more social media accounts after the ban, compared to 49% before the laws. Specifically, the survey revealed that 70% of under-16s who had accounts on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok before the ban maintained access.The eSafety Commission claimed that the technology being used by these companies, such as facial age estimation, was not effective enough. The commission alleged that the firms had lax guardrails which allowed teens to repeatedly attempt age verification until they were successful. 'None of this is impossible. None of this is even difficult for big tech who are innovative billion-dollar companies. What this update shows is unacceptable,' said Australia's communications minister, Anika Wells.The social media minimum age laws specify that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick, and Reddit are 'age-restricted platforms', banning under-16s from holding accounts and requiring those companies to take reasonable steps to prevent children from opening or holding accounts. The laws carry a maximum A$49.5m (US$33.9m, £25.7m) penalty.In response, Meta said it was committed to complying with the social media ban and working with eSafety and the government. The company highlighted the challenge of accurately determining age online, particularly at the age-16 boundary. 'The most effective, privacy-protective and consistent approach is to require robust age verification and parental approval at the app store and operating system level before a teen can download an app or create an account,' Meta stated.TikTok and Google were contacted for comment but did not respond by publication time. The government said in January that more than 4.7m social media accounts were deactivated, removed, or restricted in the first days after the ban came into effect.