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Virgil van Dijk openly criticised Liverpool’s performance after a crushing 4‑0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter‑final, saying the side effectively "gave up" and offering a direct apology to the club’s supporters. The Dutch defender described the loss as the most severe under manager Arne Slot, noting that the timing of the defeat makes it especially hard to rebound for the Champions League first‑leg against Paris Saint‑Germain on Wednesday. Van Dijk pointed out that Liverpool allowed four goals in an 18‑minute spell around the break, a collapse that has contributed to the club’s tally of 15 defeats across all competitions this season (excluding the Community Shield). "It’s on us," he said, expressing remorse for the second‑half display and acknowledging the mental strain of a difficult campaign. He also took personal responsibility for the penalty that gave City the lead, marking his fourth spot‑kick conceded this season after 319 appearances for Liverpool. Regarding the manager, Van Dijk stated, "Slot is responsible as the manager, but we are the ones on the pitch." He added that the team let both the fans and themselves down, especially after the penalty incident. Looking ahead, the captain warned that the upcoming match in Paris will be "very difficult", but stressed that Liverpool must fight in the remaining three games to salvage the season. Van Dijk also reflected on a perceived loss of the "togetherness" that defined his years at the club, attributing it to a major squad overhaul and a transitional period that hampers consistency.

The former boss of the Co-op collected almost £2m before her sudden departure last month despite a difficult year when the retailer was pushed into the red by a damaging cyber hack.Shirine Khoury-Haq’s total annual pay package amounted to £1.9m in 2025, including a £165,000 “rewarding growth” bonus that was approved by the mutual’s board despite falling sales and the slide to an underlying loss of £125m.Khoury-Haq and other executives did not receive their regular annual bonus as the board said the company had not met an “affordability underpin” to make the payout. However, Khoury-Haq’s total pay did include a long-term performance bonus linked to earlier years.In the Co-op Group’s annual report, the remuneration committee said it had decided to pay out 10% of the three-year potential total for the new “rewarding growth” incentive plan, which goes to all staff. Full-time, frontline workers, such as shop floor staff, who were employed for all of 2025 received £100 each under the scheme.The report did not say if Khoury-Haq would receive any compensation for loss of office on her departure but did make clear she would not receive any more from the “rewarding growth” scheme. Kate Allum, a board member and former boss of the dairy group First Milk, will step in as the interim chief executive while a permanent replacement is sought.Khoury-Haq’s departure after four years heading the company, and almost seven at the business, came a month after reports of concerns about the culture at the top of the group. Last week, Khoury-Haq denied that her resignation was linked to the allegations of a toxic culture. “My decision to leave was very much a personal decision,” she said. “The reason is I want to go and do something else.”

The historic Artemis II mission is on track to reach the far side of the moon on Monday, with NASA reporting satisfaction with the progress made since the team's launch on Wednesday. The crew, comprising three Americans and one Canadian, will break the record for maximum range from Earth.The astronauts, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen, are the first to bound for the moon in over half a century, picking up where the Apollo program left off in 1972. The mission aims to establish a permanent lunar base, with NASA targeting a landing by two crew members near the lunar south pole in 2028.During their journey, the crew has reported persistent issues with the Orion capsule's toilet, which has been malfunctioning since liftoff. Despite this, morale remains high, with the astronauts describing their experiences and sharing images of the moon's surface.The next significant milestone is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, when the astronauts will enter the lunar sphere of influence, where the moon's gravity will have a stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth's. If successful, the Artemis II crew will have traveled further from Earth than any human before.The mission promises breathtaking views of the moon's far side, which was too dark or difficult to see for the 24 Apollo astronauts who preceded them. The crew will observe the celestial body with their naked eyes and cameras onboard during the flyby, which will last approximately six hours.

Palestinian Christians in Gaza are observing Good Friday, a day of solemn reflection and prayer, as they navigate the complexities of their lives in a conflict-ridden area.The Good Friday celebrations in Gaza are a testament to the resilience and faith of the Palestinian Christian community, who continue to practice their traditions despite the difficulties they face.

Rangers seized a 4-2 win against Dundee United, lifting them to the summit of the Scottish Premiership for the first time in more than two years. Goals from Ryan Naderi, Dujon Sterling, Thelo Aasgaard and substitute Bojan Miovski proved decisive, while Dundee United replied through Amar Fatah and Zac Sapsford. Manager Danny Rohl, who took charge in October when Rangers were 13 points adrift of Hearts, praised his squad’s mindset, urging them to stay "on the front foot" as the season enters its final stretch. With six games remaining, Rangers now lead Hearts on goal difference, though the Jambos can reclaim the lead when they travel to Livingston on Sunday. Celtic, five points behind, face Dundee later the same day. Rohl emphasized that the club must remain "the hunter" despite the newfound top‑spot, insisting that a consistent run of six wins will secure a trophy. He also warned that the upcoming away match at Falkirk will be "very, very difficult" and that the team must take the season "step by step". In a parallel storyline, Hibernian thumped Kilmarnock 3-0 at Easter Road, moving within three points of fourth‑placed Motherwell. Early strikes from Owen Elding and Felix Passlack set the tone, with substitute Ante Suto adding a late goal. Meanwhile, St Mirren secured a 2-0 victory over Aberdeen, with Jonah Ayunga opening the scoring and Alex Gogic heading home the winner, keeping the Dons three points clear of the relegation‑playoff zone. At Fir Park, Falkirk earned a historic top‑six finish by beating Motherwell 3-2. Early header by Barney Stewart set the pace, and despite a volley from Elliot Watt that levelled the match, Falkirk restored their lead before halftime and held on for the win, marking their first top‑half finish in 31 years. These results tighten a fiercely contested title race and underline the volatility of the Scottish top flight as the campaign heads into its decisive phase.

In Lebanon, the war with Israel has severely impacted the traditional funeral process. Normally, the deceased are given a final procession through their hometown before burial. However, due to Israel's expanding ground invasion in south Lebanon, families are being forced to abandon these customs.In Tyre, temporary graves have been established with brief epitaphs marking the deceased. The burials are conducted using a special Islamic rite called wadiaa, which allows for the casket, but not the body, to be exhumed later. This practice is usually reserved for exceptional circumstances like war.Rabih Koubaissi, who oversees burials in Tyre, noted that people have an emotional attachment to burying their loved ones in their ancestral land, reflecting their sense of belonging and heritage. The brutality of war has made it impossible to follow traditional washing and preparation of bodies, sometimes only collecting pieces of bodies for burial.Families face the heartbreaking reality of having to bury their loved ones twice. The Israeli military's plan to occupy areas south of the Litani River indefinitely raises fears that reburials may not be possible for months or even years. This situation has left the deceased with few visitors, as most families have been forced to leave Tyre due to increased attacks.Hecham Reda, a medic, expressed his fear of not being able to rebury his friend Hadi back home, reflecting the anxiety many people from south Lebanon are experiencing. Koubaissi finds it difficult to comfort grieving families, trying to convey sympathy without revealing the harsh realities of the situation.

Israel’s military announced plans to bomb the Sohmor and Mashghara bridges spanning the Litani River in the western Bekaa Valley, stating they are being used by Hezbollah. The threat comes as Israeli forces intensify a ground invasion that began in early March. Al Jazeera reporter Obaida Hitto described the two spans as “the main arteries for goods, for people, for movement” between the rest of Lebanon and the western Bekaa. He warned that their destruction would effectively isolate the western Bekaa, making it extremely difficult for residents to reach the hub of Chtoura, hospitals, and other essential services. According to the same source, Israel has already demolished at least six other bridges over the Litani River since the offensive escalated in early March, signalling a systematic effort to sever transport links. Human‑rights organisations have condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, arguing that the strategy appears designed to isolate the region and contravene international humanitarian law. The deepening ground operation, announced last week, also includes plans to raze “scores of residential homes,” raising further concerns about the scale of civilian displacement. On Friday, the South Lebanon Water Establishment reported that Israeli strikes damaged critical water facilities in Ibl al‑Saqi and al‑Maysat, and impaired solar‑power installations at several stations. The authority called the attacks a “clear and explicit violation of all international conventions and norms” protecting civilian services. In the same wave of violence, the National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that four people were killed across Lebanon on Friday, including two worshippers exiting a mosque in the western Bekaa town of Sahmar. Since the conflict erupted on 2 March, more than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes, according to UN data. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health cites a death toll of 1,345 and over 4,000 wounded nationwide. The fighting has also claimed the lives of at least three United Nations peacekeepers this week, with two additional peacekeepers seriously injured after an explosion near a UN position in al‑Adaissah. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel urged all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers, emphasizing that combat activities must not endanger UN personnel.

Iranian footballer Mona Hamoudi had one ambition when she boarded the flight to Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup: to play well. However, the tournament became a test of her skills, patience, and ability to make difficult decisions under enormous pressure.Hamoudi, a 32-year-old midfielder, was part of the Iranian national squad that travelled to Australia in early March. The trip unravelled into one of the most scrutinised episodes in the history of Iranian women’s sport. The squad had remained silent during the national anthem ahead of their Asia Cup opener against South Korea on March 2, two days after the United States and Israel went to war with Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Their silence was perceived by some as a protest against the Iranian government, and Iran’s state television branded the women as “traitors”. The players sang the anthem at their next two matches, but fears for their safety grew further after it was reported in the media that they were being monitored by Iranian government and football officials.Following Iran’s elimination at the group stage, five players – Hamoudi among them – claimed asylum and were granted humanitarian visas by the Australian authorities. However, after the rest of the squad left Australia on March 10, five of the seven later reversed course and said they would return to Iran – including Hamoudi.Hamoudi and teammate Zahra Sarbali describe the decision to return to Iran as inseparable from a sense of duty; to family, teammates, and “national obligation”, rather than a purely free choice made in calm and safety. They faced harassment and constant following from media and social media, and the expectations and pressure from the Iranian-Australian community.The journey back to Tehran was marked by fear and tension, with the media attention that had followed them throughout the tournament only intensifying once they were back in Iran. The football federation offered formal support, and the players appeared on national television after their return and resumed training as normal.On March 19, the team were met in Tehran with a hero’s welcome from the public, with several thousand people gathering in Valiasr Square, many holding Iranian flags. However, fears remain over the consequences for their careers and how their every future action might be interpreted.Maryam Irandoust, a former head coach of the Iranian women’s national team, said these experiences will carry a psychological weight onto the pitch, directly affecting performances in training and in matches. Adel Ferdosipour, a veteran Iranian sports journalist, warned that any punishment of the players could deter future footballers from representing Iran.

Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea’s upcoming FA Cup quarter‑final against Port Vale and the Premier League clash with Manchester City, after manager Liam Rosenior announced a two‑match suspension for the Argentine midfielder. Rosenior said Fernández had “crossed a line” during the international break by questioning his future at Stamford Bridge and expressing a desire to live in Madrid – comments widely interpreted as a hint toward a move to Real Madrid, a club he has long been linked with. “It’s disappointing to speak in that way,” Rosenior added. “The sanction protects our culture; the door remains open for Enzo, but a line was crossed during the break.” Despite the ban, Fernández will continue training with the first‑team squad. The midfielder joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a British record fee of £107 million. His agent, former Argentine international Javier Pastore, condemned the punishment as “completely unfair”, arguing that the two matches are crucial for Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes and that Fernández never indicated a desire to leave the club. Fernández’s remarks were not the only source of controversy during the break. teammate Marc Cucurella sparked headlines by suggesting he might be open to a return to Barcelona, prompting Rosenior to reassure that Cucurella remains fully committed to Chelsea. Chelsea entered the break on a four‑match losing streak, having suffered an 8‑2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League last‑16 – a period Rosenior described as “the most difficult ten days of my career as a player or a coach”. Head coach Pochettino insisted there is no division in the dressing room, urging the squad to unite and regain form after the international hiatus. Rosenior also hinted that other senior players, including captain Reece James, may soon reaffirm their commitment by signing new contracts, signalling a push to stabilise the club’s project. Injuries also loom: James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are unavailable for the Port Vale tie, while newcomers Estêvão and Jamie Gittens are fit to feature.