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Tracy Kidder, an award-winning narrative nonfiction writer, has passed away at the age of 80. Kidder was known for his ability to transform unlikely subjects into bestsellers, captivating readers with his in-depth research and storytelling skills. Throughout his career, Kidder immersed himself in various worlds, producing richly researched books on topics that may not have seemed like light reading. His work included The Soul of a New Machine, which explored the inner workings of a fledgling computer company in Silicon Valley and earned him the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award in 1981. Kidder's other notable works include Among Schoolchildren, which highlighted the dedication of an inner-city teacher in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and Old Friends, which chronicled the lives of two friends in a nursing home. His book Mountains Beyond Mountains, about a doctor's efforts to bring healthcare to Haiti, introduced his work to a new generation of readers and inspired numerous universities to add it to their reading lists. Kidder's approach to storytelling was rooted in his belief that small things can have a significant impact. He avoided focusing on his personal interests, such as fishing or baseball, to maintain his objectivity and enthusiasm for his subjects. Kidder saw himself as a storyteller, not a 'literary journalist' or 'creative nonfiction' writer, and believed that nonfiction should not be limited by traditional techniques. Born in New York City in 1945, Kidder attended Harvard University and served in Vietnam, where he documented his experiences in My Detachment, a memoir that offered insights into the lives of support troops.

Wales coach Craig Bellamy has urged his team to stay calm and focused ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt's approach to high-pressure situations, Bellamy emphasized the need for his players to remain relaxed and composed under pressure.Bellamy, who has been in charge of Wales for nearly two years, believes that his team has the ability to perform at their best when they are calm and focused. He cited their seventh-ranked possession statistics in European countries since he took over, highlighting their ability to control games. The team has also shown resilience, with Ethan Ampadu deputizing for injured captain Ben Davies.The prize for success in the playoff is a spot at successive World Cups, which would not only bring prestige but also a significant financial boost and a positive impact on grassroots football in Wales. Bellamy is aware of the challenges posed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, having researched their background, culture, and squad composition. He noted that 11 of their 35-man squad were born in Bosnia, while the others come from the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.Bellamy expressed his confidence in his team's abilities, stating that “there won't be any regrets” regardless of the outcome. He emphasized that his team will give their all and that he is prepared for all possible outcomes. The coach also highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and not letting pressure get to them, saying, “If you can't enjoy this and you only feel pressure, you ain't made for elite sport.”Wales' last experience in a playoff ended in pain, with Wojciech Szczesny being Poland's hero. However, Bellamy is determined to build a team capable of competing for top spot in qualifying and avoiding the need for playoffs in the future.

The London Marathon is in advanced talks to host a two-day event in 2027, dubbed the Double London Marathon, which could see a record 100,000 amateur runners participate over the weekend of April 24-25. The proposed event, if approved, would allow 50,000 runners to take part each day. The elite men's and women's races would be staged on separate days, showcasing both top-level and grassroots sport. Last year, a record 56,540 finishers raised £87.3m for charity, making London the world's largest annual one-day fundraising event. The goal for 2027 is to raise more than £130m for charity and deliver a significant boost to London's wellbeing and economy. The plan has garnered support from the mayor's office and could provide a unique opportunity to promote unity and community across the country. Over 1.1m people entered the public ballot to run in 2026, with many left disappointed due to the event's soaring popularity. The London Marathon's chief executive, Hugh Brasher, stated: “The TCS London Marathon is the world's most popular marathon, and we are always exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part and to deliver positive benefits for London.”

A newly launched green thinktank, Verdant, proposes that a 'Doge of the left' could save UK taxpayers up to £30bn annually by rooting out waste, fraud, and tax avoidance. This initiative is part of a broader effort to influence the future manifesto of the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski.The thinktank, co-chaired by James Meadway, a former adviser to Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and civil society campaigner Deborah Doane, argues that a crackdown on waste could free up significant resources. This approach differs from the ideologically driven methods of Elon Musk's former Department of Government Efficiency in the US.Meadway emphasized that the political right has monopolized discussions about savings in government spending, leading to disastrous effects. He stated that a 'Doge of the left' would focus on eliminating tax avoiders, profiteers, and fraudsters, ultimately delivering high-quality public services.The report suggests several measures, including:Appointing a 'chief savings officer' to identify waste and fraud.Granting the National Audit Office the power to halt overspending projects.Opening public procurement to more transparent competition.Establishing an internal consultancy function to reduce reliance on costly private consultants.The proposed £30bn in savings is largely based on independent estimates of annual losses due to fraud, waste, under-collection of tax, and lack of competition in procurement. Additionally, Verdant recommends scrapping £3.6bn in tax reliefs and government support for oil and gas producers.Polanski's economic policy speech last week highlighted sweeping changes, including rent caps and a new wealth tax. He also emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from rising energy prices and expressed skepticism about using GDP as a measure of economic performance.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran in a show of support for the government. The rallies, which were reportedly well-organized and peaceful, featured participants waving flags and chanting slogans in favor of the administration. The events highlight the government's strong grassroots support and its ability to mobilize large crowds.The rallies in Tehran are a significant display of public backing for the government, demonstrating its popularity and influence in the capital city. While specific details about the turnout and organization of the events are not provided, the fact that they were able to draw large crowds suggests a high level of public engagement and support.

More than 250 players from the southern hemisphere are now integral to European rugby, fundamentally shaping the landscape of top-flight competitions across France, Scotland, England, Italy, Ireland and Wales. These athletes, drawn from 12 nations including Chile, Zimbabwe and the Cook Islands, have been drawn north by the gravitational pull of financial security and career opportunities, with over 60 hailing from South Africa and 56 from Argentina.Their presence has transformed European rugby, both in terms of quality and the development of local players who compete alongside and against them. This southern exodus continues despite the cultural and rugby significance of these nations, creating a complex dynamic where talent flows north while the sport's soul remains rooted in the south.Fiji exemplifies this tension. While 31 Fijian players currently compete in Europe, the Fijian Drua, with 40 players on their books, recently demonstrated the passion and potential of homegrown talent by defeating the ACT Brumbies 42-27 in front of 10,000 fans in Ba. The match, played despite challenging conditions including a previously flooded pitch, showcased rugby's authentic connection with its supporters.However, this authentic expression of rugby faces an uphill battle against commercial realities. When the Nations Championship brings hemispheres together later this year, Fiji's "home" fixtures will be staged offshore – against Scotland in Edinburgh, England in Liverpool and Wales in Cardiff. Despite Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Koli Sewabu's determination to "make it feel every bit like a home game," the relocation speaks to larger priorities.The financial imperative extends beyond Fiji. At a recent World Rugby meeting, representatives from New Zealand and Australia pushed for greater tempo and less emphasis on set-piece power, only to be blocked by France and South Africa, who possess the most intimidating packs. This diminished influence reflects a broader shift in power dynamics.South Africa, despite exporting more talent to Europe than any other nation and winning four World Cups, faces significant constraints. SA Rugby's chief executive, Rian Oberholzer, acknowledged that neither South Africa nor New Zealand are presently viable World Cup hosts because they "do not generate the revenue World Rugby requires." The Rugby World Cup, he explained, "is the only revenue stream for World Rugby that must fund the whole ecosystem."Argentina faces similar challenges. The Pumas, despite being a formidable international side, struggle to host major tournaments due to the absence of a professional domestic league and the fact that all but three of their most recent squad members play in Europe.This creates a fundamental tension in modern rugby: the sport's most compelling talent and authentic experiences emerge from the southern hemisphere, yet financial decisions increasingly favor northern markets. While rugby needs these financial resources to fund competitions and maintain grassroots development, the balance between authentic connection and commercial imperatives will ultimately determine the game's future trajectory.

Dario Fo, born 100 years ago, was a multifaceted genius who seamlessly blended politics and comedy in his works. As a dramatist, actor, director, and designer, he brought satire to the masses, achieving a global reach with plays like Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Can't Pay? Won't Pay!, which justly earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1997.Fo's background was marked by his involvement in wartime resistance against the Nazis in northern Italy, where he helped smuggle Allied soldiers across the border to Switzerland. His career in entertainment began with a weekly TV variety show that attracted huge audiences, but was abruptly ended due to his refusal to accept censorship.Fo's theatre company, Nuova Scena, gave the first performance of Mistero Buffo, his one-man show that satirized the Catholic Church. The show was condemned by the Vatican as 'the most blasphemous show in the history of television.'Fo's plays injected new life into political theatre, with Accidental Death of an Anarchist being a notable example. The play derived from a real-life case of a railway worker falsely accused of planting bombs and who 'fell' out of a police HQ window. The play's 2023 revival at the Sheffield Crucible, which transferred to the West End, showcased its timeless relevance, with Daniel Rigby's performance being 'breathlessly funny.'Fo's works provided actors with memorable roles, such as Griff Rhys Jones' virtuoso performance in Trumpets and Raspberries. His approach to comedy was rooted in tragedy, using laughter as a means to make audiences confront problems like cruelty, injustice, and oppression.Throughout his career, Fo faced significant harassment, including 45 prosecutions from the Italian police, and physical intimidation from both the Catholic Church and the Communist Party. Despite this, his legacy as a master of merging politics and comedy endures.

Crispin Odey, a 67-year-old hedge fund tycoon, appeared in a London courtroom on the first day of a three-week trial to challenge the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) decision to ban him from the UK's financial services industry. The ban was imposed due to allegations of sexual harassment made by several women. Odey testified that he did not recall cornering a female employee after a boozy lunch and saying to her 'I could attack you now'. However, the employee's diary entry, dated January 24, 2020, confirmed the incident, stating: 'Comes back from boozy lunch and corners me in the corridor. Him: I could attack you now. Me: Please don’t. Him: You could sue me for that.' Odey admitted to having groped a colleague's breasts without her consent in 2005, which he attributed to being under sedatives after root canal treatment. He claimed the woman accepted his apology and continued to work for the firm for another eight years. The FCA alleges that Odey showed a 'lack of integrity' by attempting to frustrate an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. Odey denied these allegations, stating that he had attempted to have the FCA rule on whether he was fit and proper first. Odey is also facing a £79m libel lawsuit against the Financial Times and civil personal injury claims by five women, including one who accused him of rape. The hearing continues.

The Trump administration has formally opposed Anthropic's legal challenge, arguing that the Pentagon's decision to blacklist the AI firm was both lawful and necessary for national security. In a court filing submitted on Tuesday, the Justice Department contended that Anthropic’s refusal to remove guardrails preventing its technology from being used in autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance constituted conduct rather than protected speech.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI assistant, a "national security supply chain risk" on March 3. This move effectively excludes the company from a limited set of military contracts. The administration’s legal team asserts that the dispute is rooted in contract negotiations and national security imperatives, not retaliation. They argue that no constitutional rights were violated because the government did not restrict the company's expressive activities.However, legal experts suggest Anthropic may have a strong case regarding potential overreach. The company is currently challenging the Pentagon's decision in California federal court. The implications of this conflict extend beyond the courtroom; Anthropic executives have warned that the blacklisting could cause billions of dollars in losses this year and severely damage the company's reputation.In a statement, Anthropic emphasized its commitment to national security while acknowledging the necessity of the lawsuit to protect its business interests and partners. The company is also pursuing a separate legal challenge in a Washington, DC, appeals court regarding a broader supply chain risk designation.