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Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in at least six fatalities, according to state media reports. The Israeli military claims to have surrounded the main town of Bint Jbeil, a strategic location in the conflict with Hezbollah.The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that one person was killed and nine others injured in an airstrike on the town of Bazouriyeh. Additionally, Israeli air strikes killed one person in Nabatiyeh El Faouqa and three others in Sir el Gharbiyeh and Choukine.The Israeli military also struck a centre of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Tyre, resulting in one injury that later died. Several Red Cross vehicles were damaged in the attack.The Israeli army announced it will have full operational control of Bint Jbeil within days, after claiming to have killed more than 100 Hezbollah fighters there over the past week. Hezbollah has been engaged in fierce fighting with Israeli forces in Bint Jbeil, a town that has been a symbolic and strategic flashpoint in confrontations between the two.Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict are underway, with Israeli and Lebanese officials set to hold talks in Washington to end the war. Lebanon's culture minister, Ghassan Salame, emphasized the government's focus on securing an immediate halt to hostilities before any peace talks with Israel.Since Israel expanded its offensive in Lebanon on March 2, at least 2,055 people have been killed and over 6,550 others injured. The escalation in Bint Jbeil comes as Hezbollah continues to engage in clashes with Israeli forces, with the group reporting intense clashes on Sunday.

The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions between the two countries. The blockade, announced by President Donald Trump, aims to restrict Iran's access to international trade and oil exports.Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, criticized the move, stating that it would only harm the international economy. "Can an illegal 'war of choice' be won through a 'revenge of choice' against the global economy?!" he posted on social media.Trump warned Iranian military ships against approaching the blockade zone, stating that they would be "immediately ELIMINATED" if they came close. The blockade, which came into effect on Monday, risks setting the stage for a major escalation that could fray a two-week ceasefire between the two countries.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre announced that the US blockade would apply "without distinction" to ships engaging with Iranian ports and oil terminals. The restrictions encompass the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including the ports and energy infrastructure.Iranian officials have accused the US of violating the truce by allowing Israel to continue to bomb and conduct a ground invasion in Lebanon. Pakistan, which mediated the ceasefire, had said all regional fronts – including Lebanon – were part of the deal.While Trump's move to blockade Iran's ports could hamper the already ailing Iranian economy, it is unlikely to loosen the Iranian grip on Hormuz or bring down energy prices. The average price of one gallon of petrol in the US is now more than $4.12, up from less than $3 before the war began.Iran has promised to defend its territorial waters, saying the naval siege amounts to "piracy". The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRG) also warned that if fighting were to resume, Iran would introduce new capabilities to the battlefield.

Marie‑Louise Eta will take the touchline for Union Berlin’s upcoming Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, becoming the first woman to coach a men’s team in one of Europe’s top‑five leagues. The 34‑year‑old was promoted on an interim basis after the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked following a 3‑1 defeat to bottom‑placed Heidenheim.Union sit seven points clear of the relegation‑playoff zone with five games remaining, but a dismal run of two wins in 14 matches has left the club teetering near the drop‑zone. Club officials turned to Eta, citing her continuity and proven tactical acumen, to halt the slide.Eta’s appointment is the latest milestone in a rapid rise through Union’s ranks. In the 2023‑24 season she became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant manager under Nenad Bjelica, and earlier in 2024 she briefly commanded the men’s side, overseeing a win, a draw and a loss while Bjelica served a suspension. Her prior success with Union’s under‑19 men’s squad further cemented her reputation as a forward‑thinking coach.Speaking in a 2023 interview, Eta emphasized that she wants to “convince with quality and substance” rather than rely on tokenism. Former England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman hailed her as a “trailblazer”, noting that such progress reflects football’s broader societal shift toward gender equality.Germany is already seeing more women in senior coaching roles: Sabrina Wittmann leads third‑tier side FC Ingolstadt, while Corinne Diacre previously managed Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot in France. In England, Hannah Dingley made history as caretaker of Forest Green Rovers before moving to Manchester City’s academy.Eta’s current stint with the men’s team is expected to be short‑lived. She has already signed a contract to become head coach of Union Berlin’s women’s side next season, where she will continue to develop talent in the Frauen‑Bundesliga. Nonetheless, her presence on the technical area this weekend offers a powerful visual for aspiring female coaches worldwide.Social media reactions have been mixed. While a minority of users resorted to sexist trolling, Union’s official X account defended Eta vigorously, dubbing her a “football goddess” and firing back at detractors. Eta, a former Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, said she draws motivation from messages sent by young women and girls she has inspired.The upcoming match will not only test Union Berlin’s fight against relegation but also serve as a symbolic moment in the ongoing effort to break the “grass ceiling” in professional football.

Only one team has ever overcome a 2-0 defeat at home to go through in the history of the Champions League, but a Barcelona player was involved in a notable exception: Marcus Rashford scored the winner as Manchester United knocked out PSG in the round of 16 in March 2019. However, Atlético Madrid have never lost in 20 knockout stage games at the Metropolitano and their former home at the Vicente Calderón.

World champion boxer Terence Crawford was found guilty of careless driving on Monday and ordered to pay a $75 fine stemming from a traffic stop last year that led to a gunpoint incident. The incident occurred on September 28, hours after Crawford's hometown of Omaha held a parade to celebrate his unanimous-decision victory over Canelo Álvarez in a super middleweight championship fight.Crawford was stopped by police after officers observed his vehicle driving recklessly. During the stop, Crawford's head of security informed an officer that he was carrying a legal firearm, and seconds later, another officer spotted a gun on the floorboard. With guns drawn, officers ordered everyone out of the vehicle. Crawford claimed he had leaned over to tell the officer that he also had a legal firearm, but the officer didn't hear him. Police confirmed that all occupants of the vehicle were legally permitted to carry firearms.The traffic stop led to an internal investigation by the Omaha police chief into the officers' actions, which was found to have been lawful. In addition to the $75 fine, Crawford was ordered to pay $49 in court costs. This incident comes after Crawford announced his retirement in December with a 42-0 record and 31 knockouts, making him the first male boxer to capture three unified division titles.

Tottenham Hotspur have lost their captain Cristian Romero for the remainder of the 2025‑26 Premier League campaign after sustaining medial knee‑ligament damage in a clash with Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. The injury, expected to require around eight weeks of rehabilitation, forces Romero off the pitch for the final six matches that will decide whether the club remains in the top flight.Romero left the Stadium of Light in tears after 70 minutes of a 1‑0 defeat, the goal coming from his own goalkeeper Antonín Kinský following the collision. The Argentine defender’s absence adds to an already extensive injury list that includes James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Mohammed Kudus. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also sidelined after a hernia operation, leaving Kinský as the starter.Spurs sit 18th after a season that has seen them lose 16 league games and fail to register a domestic win in 2026. Manager Roberto De Zerbi admitted the blow could be “a big problem” but stressed the need for the squad to rally: “He’s a good guy, a top player, and we need him to finish the season and achieve our goal.”The incident also sparked a backlash against Brobbey, who was targeted with racist abuse on social media. Sunderland issued a statement pledging full support for the striker and confirming that the matter has been reported to the Premier League, relevant platforms and the police.With the relegation battle intensifying, Tottenham’s ability to replace Romero’s defensive leadership will be crucial as they fight to stay in the Premier League.

Rory McIlroy, the world's No 2 golfer, secured his second Masters win at Augusta National, a triumph he largely attributes to the support of his parents, Rosie and Gerry McIlroy. In a heartwarming display of family devotion, McIlroy had to convince his parents to attend the tournament, as they feared their presence might jinx his title defense. The McIlroy family has a remarkable story of sacrifice and dedication. Rory's parents worked multiple jobs, including graveyard shifts, to support their son's golfing ambitions. Gerry, 66, managed a bar and worked as a cleaner, while Rosie, 65, worked late nights at a factory. Their unwavering support and refusal to pressure Rory into playing golf have been instrumental in his success. During his final round, McIlroy admitted to thinking about his parents and fighting back tears. After securing his win, he turned to his family, including his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, and expressed his gratitude to his parents. 'Mum and Dad, I owe everything to you. You’re the most wonderful parents,' he said, visibly emotional. This victory cements McIlroy's stature as one of golfing's greats, with his sixth major win. His parents' presence at the tournament made the moment even more special, with Rosie sporting a handbag adorned with newspaper reports from his 2025 win. As McIlroy looks to the future, he hopes to emulate his parents' example, stating, 'If I can be half the parent to Poppy as you were to me then I’ll know I’ve done a good job.'

Scientists at London's Institute of Cancer Research and the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin have announced a new AI-driven approach to identify how patients with advanced bowel cancer will respond to bevacizumab, a drug recently introduced by the NHS. The method uses PhenMap, an AI tool that integrates complex data on the genetic makeup of tumors, allowing researchers to track patterns of how different patients react to the drug. This development aims to spare potentially thousands of patients from being given drugs that would be ineffective in fighting their cancers. In the UK alone, nearly 10,000 cases of advanced bowel cancer are identified every year, with young adults seeing a particular rise in diagnoses. Bowel cancer has the second-highest mortality rate of any cancer, behind only lung cancer. While survival rates can be as high as 98% when caught early, the five-year survival rate for advanced bowel cancer can be as low as 10%. The study tracked 117 European bowel cancer patients who had been treated with chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Researchers identified a group of patients who all had the same gene mutation and were at a high risk of having negative reactions. The scientists behind the tests now hope to expand the number of patient samples and see if the results can be used in treatments for other types of cancer. Anguraj Sadanandam, a professor in stratification and precision medicine at the ICR, said: “Once bowel cancer spreads to other parts of the body, there are very few treatment options available for patients. It is therefore positive that patients can now access the targeted drug bevacizumab on the NHS. However, we know that the majority of patients won’t benefit from the drug, meaning thousands of people in England could be facing unpleasant side effects unnecessarily.” Sadanandam added that while the findings were encouraging, the tool would need to be tested on a larger cohort to be validated. “In future, I hope this approach will lead to a test that can be used by clinicians, to ensure patients receive personalised care that has the highest chance of working against their cancer.”

Scotland staged a late comeback to beat Wales 27‑22 in what was hailed as the best match of the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations, played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The game attracted 10,569 spectators, the highest ever attendance for a Wales‑Scotland women’s clash on Welsh soil, though the venue’s 74,500‑seat capacity meant the atmosphere fell short of the stadium’s potential. Wales, led by head coach Sean Lynn, fought back from a 24‑12 halftime hole, narrowing the gap to five points in the closing minutes. Despite a valiant effort from their own try line, a mishandled line‑out in the dying seconds denied them a first Six Nations win since their 22‑20 victory over Italy in 2024. Scotland’s triumph was especially significant for new head coach Sione Fukofuka, who secured his inaugural win since taking the reins in December. Fly‑half Helen Nelson, named player of the match, praised the team’s defensive resilience and the blend of experienced and emerging talent. The match formed part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s strategy to showcase the women’s game in the national stadium, with plans to host at least one fixture there each season, hoping larger crowds will follow. Across the tournament, England set a new attendance benchmark with 77,120 fans at Twickenham for their 33‑12 win over Ireland, while upcoming fixtures promise further milestones: Scotland will play a standalone game at Murrayfield before heading to Dublin, and France, after a strong second‑half display against Italy, now sit atop the table on points difference. Looking ahead, Wales will face France at Cardiff Arms Park, where two of the three stands are already sold out, as the team aims to build on the “fight and character” displayed in Saturday’s encounter.