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Saudi Arabia has urged the US to ramp up attacks on Iran, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it is weighing a decision on whether to join the fight directly. The Saudi source confirmed reporting that the kingdom’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has urged Donald Trump not to cut short his war against Iran, and that the US-Israeli campaign represented a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East.The intelligence source said Riyadh was not just calling for the military campaign to be continued, but to be intensified. Trump appeared to confirm the report about the crown prince’s role, telling journalists on Tuesday: “Yeah, he’s a warrior. He’s fighting with us.”There are no reports of active Saudi military involvement in the nearly four-week-old war so far, but a Saudi political analyst said the kingdom was likely to take that step if current peace efforts led by Pakistan failed.“What matters now is Iran’s decision,” Mohammed Alhamed, a Saudi geopolitical analyst, said. “If Iran engages seriously, there is still a path to contain escalation. If it rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed.”Alhamed added that Saudi Arabia “is not reacting impulsively”.“It is calibrating its response and preparing for a scenario where escalation, if it happens, will be deliberate and decisive,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia “has not been pushing for war.”“It has been trying to avoid being drawn into it, while keeping all options on the table,” he said.Saudi Arabia has come under Iranian drone attack, as part of Tehran’s response to the US-Israeli attack on 28 February. One drone strike a week ago hit an oil refinery in Yanbu on Saudi Red Sea coast.The attack on Yanbu signalled an Iranian warning that it could also threaten that economic lifeline.“I believe that Saudi Arabia still maintains cautious neutrality in the Iran-Israel-US war,” Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi defence expert told Agence France-Presse. But he added: “If the Houthis strike Saudi assets, Riyadh may shift toward defensive coalition support or limited retaliation.”The crown prince solidified his hold on power by cultivating a close relationship with Trump, but will now have to rethink Saudi reliance on the US for its security, observers have argued.“MBS [Mohammed bin Salman] has lost the bet on all his investments over the last several years,” Ellie Geranmayeh, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations said. “He financially invested in Trump and Trump’s family and his corporation and his White House, but at the end of the day the views of the Saudis and of the whole Gulf have been sidelined by the wishes of Benjamin Netanyahu.”

Brazil and France, ranked fifth and third in the world respectively, are gearing up for the FIFA World Cup with a high-profile friendly match in the United States on Thursday. The match at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, Massachusetts, marks the first meeting between the two teams in 11 years. The friendly comes as both teams finalize their preparations for the World Cup, with Brazil hoping to capitalize on the appointment of coach Carlo Ancelotti to boost their chances of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title. Ancelotti's impact on the team will be closely watched, especially with key players like Vinicius Junior leading the charge. For France, the focus is on Kylian Mbappe, who has overcome a knee injury to return to action. Mbappe's fitness had been a concern, but he expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the team during the international break. Brazil's form has been inconsistent, with six defeats in 18 World Cup qualifying games. However, Ancelotti's arrival has brought renewed optimism, and the team will look to build momentum ahead of the World Cup. Neymar's absence has been a significant talking point, with Ancelotti citing physical issues as the reason for the star player's exclusion from the squad. The match also provides an opportunity for younger players like Rayan, an uncapped 19-year-old, to make their mark. As both teams aim to peak at the right time for the World Cup, Thursday's friendly will offer valuable insights into their preparations and potential strategies.

Senegal's football governing body has vowed to mount a crusade against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip the country of its African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The CAF's ruling was made after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco in the final.The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision, with its legal team warning that the case could reshape the world of football and undermine the principle that refereeing decisions are final."This decision cannot even be considered a true sporting justice ruling – it is so crude, so absurd, so irrational," lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez, representing Senegal's ruling body, told a news conference on Thursday.The FSF president, Abdoulaye Fall, said: "In the face of this administrative robbery, the FSF refuses fatality. We will fight a moral and legal crusade."Senegal's legal team has gathered international lawyers from Switzerland, Spain, France, and Senegal to plead the case, with lawyer Seydou Diagne saying the country suffered a "betrayal" and that they are asking CAS to speed up the process.

Nantes Women's Football Team is creating a stir in French football, with a remarkable season that's putting them in contention for a top-four finish and a potential Champions League spot. Under the guidance of head coach Nicolas Chabot, the team has adopted a unique playing style focused on combinations and teamwork, which has yielded impressive results.The team's success can be attributed to a combination of experienced players and new recruits, including Imane Saoud from Morocco, Mélissa Bethi from Algeria, and Léa Khelifi, a France international. The team's 7.5 million euro budget is dwarfed by other top teams, but they've managed to punch above their weight.Nantes' recent 3-0 win against Strasbourg showcased their skills, with a notable goal that involved eight players and took only 18 seconds to score. The team's 17,491-strong crowd for a match against Marseille also broke their attendance record.With four matches remaining, Nantes are well-positioned to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the playoffs. A second- or third-place finish would guarantee them a spot in the Champions League. The team's success has not gone unnoticed, with fans and the club's men's team taking notice.

The conflict in the Middle East is expected to have a significant impact on the UK's economy, with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) warning of rising inflation and downgrading the UK's growth forecast to 0.7% this year.The OECD's analysis suggests that the UK economy will grow by just 0.7% this year, compared to its last forecast of 1.2% for 2026. This downgrade is attributed to a weakening of the UK jobs market and a contraction in business investment towards the end of 2025.The UK's economy is expected to suffer higher inflation than previously expected, with the OECD citing the country's dependence on international trade and imports of fuel as a major factor. In contrast, France, Germany, and Italy are expected to suffer a more modest hit to growth of 0.2 percentage points.The OECD's chief economist noted that the evolving conflict in the Middle East will test the resilience of the global economy, which is expected to grow at an average rate of 2.9% this year. However, the organization warned of a significant downside risk to the outlook, citing persistent disruptions to exports from the Middle East and potential repricing in financial markets.UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves responded to the OECD's warning, stating that the government plans to take steps to build a stronger, more secure economy, including handing more powers to regional mayors, embracing AI and innovation, and establishing a closer relationship with the EU.

Paris Saint-Germain's highly anticipated visit to Lens in Ligue 1 has been postponed to May 13, allowing the team more time to focus on their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. The match, initially scheduled for April 11, could have significant implications for the Ligue 1 title race, with PSG currently leading Lens by a single point.The decision to reschedule the match has been met with some resistance from Lens, who expressed concerns that the French league is being treated as an adjustment variable to accommodate the European imperatives of certain teams. The Ligue de Football Professionnel justified the move by citing the strategic goal of helping France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which would secure four places in the Champions League.PSG is set to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final on April 8 at the Parc de Princes, with the second leg taking place at Anfield six days later. This extra time could prove crucial for PSG as they look to advance in the competition.In addition to the PSG-Lens match, Strasbourg's visit to Brest on April 12 has also been rescheduled to May 13, as Strasbourg prepares for their Europa Conference League last-eight games against Mainz.

Jannik Sinner remains on track to win the Sunshine Double, cruising into the semifinals of the Miami Open with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Frances Tiafoe. The Italian's impressive form continues, with 10 consecutive wins and 30 consecutive sets won at Masters 1000 events, a new record.Sinner's performance against Tiafoe was dominant, serving extremely well and overpowering his opponent from the baseline. He sealed the win with an ace down the T, showcasing his skill and precision.The world No 2 has closed the gap on Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP rankings and is now in a strong position to regain the top spot. With no ranking points to defend, Sinner has a free hit at these tournaments, allowing him to focus on gaining more points.Meanwhile, Arthur Fils staged a remarkable comeback against Tommy Paul, recovering from four match points down to reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal. Fils will face Jiri Lehecka in the next round.

A recent report backed by the United Nations has found that social media use is linked to a decline in happiness among young people in Western countries. The World Happiness Report, which covers 15 Western countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reveals a significant decline in youth wellbeing over the past two decades.The report suggests that heavy social media use is a contributing factor to this decline, particularly in countries where social media use is prevalent. However, it's noted that outside of the English-speaking world and Western Europe, the links between social media use and wellbeing are more positive and vary between platforms.Western countries dominate the overall happiness rankings across age groups, with Finland ranking as the world's happiest nation for the ninth consecutive year. In contrast, Middle Eastern and African countries had the lowest happiness scores, with Afghanistan reporting the lowest life satisfaction.The report, published by the University of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, cites concerns over social media's impact on mental health, including bullying, sexual exploitation, and worsening mental health. In response, countries like Australia have introduced social media bans for under 16s, with similar restrictions planned in Indonesia, France, and Greece.

Global markets experienced a significant shift as stock markets in Asia and Europe rose following reports that US President Donald Trump had sent a 15-point framework for peace to Iran. This development sparked hopes of a ceasefire in the Middle East, influencing market sentiment. The price of oil, which had fallen by 4% in early trading to below $100 (£75) per barrel of Brent crude, later recovered to approximately $100. This fluctuation was driven by the prospect of an end to the conflict easing the squeeze on oil supply. The straits of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which 20% of global oil supplies transit, had been effectively closed by Iran, causing a significant disruption to oil and gas shipments. Iran's announcement that it would permit “non-hostile” ships to pass safely through the strait of Hormuz helped to reopen this crucial waterway. This move, combined with the potential peace plan, contributed to the positive market sentiment. Stock markets in Asia saw notable gains, with Japan’s Nikkei rising by 2.9%, India’s S&P; BSE Sensex almost 2% higher, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up by just under 1%. European markets also saw increases, with the FTSE 100 in London up by almost 1%, Germany’s Dax trading 1.6% higher, and France’s Cac 40 climbing by 1.4%. However, Iran’s foreign affairs ministry informed the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organization that “non-hostile” vessels could pass through the strait, which also poses a risk to global food security due to the disruption of fertiliser supplies. The World Trade Organization warned that this could lead to food price shocks. The conflict's impact on gold prices was also noted, as the metal traditionally seen as a safe haven asset during troubled times experienced a 13% decline to about $4,460 per ounce. Additionally, Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, warned that a prolonged conflict could lead to oil prices rising to $150 a barrel, potentially triggering a global recession.