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Pope Leo XIV touched down in Algiers on Monday morning, becoming the first pontiff ever to set foot in Algeria, a nation of roughly 48 million people where Catholics number fewer than 10,000. The United‑States‑born pontiff, now 70, arrived at about 09:00 GMT aboard his papal aircraft, according to an AFP journalist on the scene. The historic landing opens a 11‑day, four‑country African itinerary that will see Leo travel to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea after two days in Algeria. Over the course of the tour he will cover nearly 18,000 km on 18 flights, addressing audiences in Italian, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. During his stay in Algeria, the pope will pay homage to the victims of the 1954‑1962 war of independence from France and will visit both the Great Mosque of Algiers – home to the world’s tallest minaret – and the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa overlooking the Bay of Algiers. He will also pray privately at a chapel dedicated to the 19 clergy murdered during Algeria’s 1992‑2002 civil war, though he will not visit the Tibhirine monastery, site of the 1996 monk kidnapping. The Vatican has scheduled 25 speeches for the 11‑day journey, covering topics such as natural‑resource exploitation, Catholic‑Muslim dialogue, and the dangers of political corruption. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni highlighted that the four nations face a “diverse set of challenges,” from authoritarian rule to human‑rights concerns. One of the tour’s marquee events is expected in Cameroon’s coastal city of Douala, where the Vatican anticipates a crowd of roughly 600,000 for a mass on Friday. Both Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have long‑standing presidents who have faced accusations of rights abuses, underscoring the diplomatic nuance of Leo’s visit. According to recent Vatican statistics, Africa supplied more than half of the 15.8 million new Catholics baptized worldwide in 2023 – that’s 8.3 million new African Catholics. The continent also increasingly exports clergy, with Angola and Cameroon consistently ranking among the top producers of seminarians. Archbishop Jean‑Paul Vesco, head of the Algiers archdiocese, framed the trip as an effort to “build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.” The pope’s broader African outreach follows a limited overseas record since his May 2025 election, which includes trips to Turkey, Lebanon and Monaco. By embarking on this unprecedented journey, Pope Leo XIV seeks to reinforce the Vatican’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, highlight Africa’s growing influence within the global Catholic Church, and encourage political leaders across the continent to address corruption and promote peace.

Jorginho, the Flamengo footballer, has clarified his comments on last month's incident between his 11-year-old stepdaughter and a security guard in Brazil, calling his previous claims against Chappell Roan “a misunderstanding”.“I made my initial statement in the heat of the moment, after hearing that my child and wife had been approached by an adult male security guard in an intimidating way,” Jorginho wrote on Instagram. “I reacted as any father would. My priority is, and always will be, protecting my family, and that is exactly what I did.”Chappell Roan was in Brazil to perform at Lollapalooza festival, two years after reportedly drawing one of the biggest crowds in the festival’s history.“At the time, we acted on the information that was available to us,” Jorginho said. “Since then, I have become aware of new information that has changed my understanding of parts of what happened. Chappell Roan made a public statement, reached out privately to [my wife] Catherine, and our teams also spoke directly. It became clear that she had no knowledge of what took place at breakfast and had not asked anyone to approach them. She was understanding and sympathetic to what had happened to our child.”Previously, the ex-Chelsea player had said that his stepdaughter was “extremely shaken and cried a lot” after Roan’s security spoke “in an extremely aggressive manner” to her and his wife when they saw the singer at a São Paulo hotel. Roan denied that the security guard was part of her team, saying: “No one came up to me, no one bothered me, I was just sitting at breakfast at my hotel.”Following Roan’s response, security guard Pascal Duvier spoke up about the events, saying: “I take full responsibility for the interactions on March 21st. I was at the hotel on behalf of another individual, and I was not part of the personal security team of Chappell Roan.”Noting Duvier’s comments, Jorginho said: “While we still do not know what prompted him to approach them, and do not believe an 11-year-old at breakfast could reasonably be seen as any kind of security threat, it is now clear that he was not acting on behalf of Chappell.“It was, ultimately, a misunderstanding in that respect, and I am glad to set the record straight. It’s important to me that this is clarified fairly and accurately. I regret the impact this situation has had on Chappell Roan, Catherine Ada, and our family.”Jorginho ended his statement by drawing a line under the incident. “As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed.”

Rory McIlroy's sixth major victory at the Masters Tournament has cemented his status as a golfing great, drawing comparisons to Seve Ballesteros and other legends of the sport.McIlroy's achievement is not just about the numbers; it's about the style and excitement he brings to the game. His thrilling performances have captivated audiences, making him a must-watch for fans and a key figure in golf's popularity.The Northern Irish golfer's journey to success has been inspiring, from his humble roots in Belfast to his rise as a global superstar. His relatable personality and dedication to hard work have endeared him to fans worldwide.McIlroy's comeback at the Masters was nothing short of remarkable. Despite struggling with consistency, he managed to secure a dramatic win, showcasing his resilience and creativity on the course.His influence on golf extends beyond his own performances. McIlroy is a key figure in shaping the sport's future, and his involvement in high-profile events like the Ryder Cup has made him a leader in the golfing world.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia served as a high‑profile platform for Vladimir Putin, showcasing his nation and bolstering his personal legitimacy. The tournament was effectively a diplomatic bow to the Kremlin’s ambitions.Fast‑forward to the summer of 2026, and the buildup to the event has taken on a distinctly American flavour, with the competition becoming a backdrop for Donald Trump’s political narrative.The next edition, slated for 2034 in Saudi Arabia, presents a fresh set of challenges. Despite the kingdom’s controversial human‑rights record, the event offers Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman an opportunity to polish his and the nation’s image. FIFA’s current reluctance to enforce independent oversight of migrant‑worker conditions raises fears that construction could be as deadly as the 2022 Qatar experience.These developments underscore a pressing need to insulate the World Cup from the whims of powerful leaders. One proposed solution is to fragment the tournament—treating it like a monopoly that has become too dominant.Evidence that this approach is feasible already exists: the 2026 World Cup will be co‑hosted by three nations, and the 2030 edition is set to span six countries across three continents (Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay).Building on that, the author suggests a radical redesign: allocate each group stage to a different global city—Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Sydney, Johannesburg, London, the Basque Country, and so on. Knock‑out rounds could be broken into three‑match clusters and scattered worldwide, with the semi‑finals, final, and third‑place match awarded to the highest‑bidding venue.Carbon‑footprint concerns are addressed by noting that teams already travel long distances to a single host nation; distributing groups based on the median distance to participating teams would not significantly increase emissions.Financially, the cost of staging a traditional, single‑host World Cup has ballooned, limiting the pool of viable bidders to those seeking political or economic leverage. A decentralized format would dilute any single leader’s ability—whether Trump, Putin, or the Saudi crown prince—to manipulate the event for personal gain.Decentralisation would still align with FIFA’s stated objectives: expanding the sport’s reach, creating a truly global spectacle, and bringing football closer to fans worldwide.While FIFA claims a fiduciary duty to maximise revenue for its 211 member associations—justifying steep ticket prices and controversial sponsorships—the proposed model could actually enhance revenue by turning each small cluster of matches into premium, high‑value events.Precedent exists in the form of Euro 2020, which, despite being postponed by the pandemic, successfully unfolded across 11 European cities, delivering record‑breaking goal tallies and strong attendance figures.In sum, the most effective way to protect the World Cup’s cultural significance and prevent its exploitation by authoritarian figures may be to deconstruct and disperse it globally, turning a single‑host behemoth into a series of interconnected, locally hosted celebrations of the sport.

World Aquatics, the governing body for swimming, diving, and water polo, has lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their own flag and anthem for the first time since 2022. This decision has been met with outrage in Ukraine and joy in Russia, adding momentum to Russia's bid to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Ukrainian athletes have expressed their disappointment and anger over the decision. Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton star, described the move as 'unacceptable and disgraceful', highlighting the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its impact on Ukrainian athletes and sports facilities. The decision by World Aquatics follows a similar move by judo last year and comes as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international events. The IOC recommended allowing Russians to compete under national flags in December, while the International Paralympic Committee has already permitted Russians to compete under their own flag and anthem. Russia has welcomed the decision, with Dmitry Mazepin, head of the Russian Aquatics Federation, stating that competing as a neutral athlete was 'an insult'. This development has significant implications for international sports and the participation of Russian athletes in future competitions.

Rory McIlroy has revealed that weeks of preparation at 'home course' Augusta National played a crucial role in his successful Masters defence. The Northern Irish golfer spent considerable time at Augusta in the lead-up to the Masters, rather than participating in PGA Tour events, despite struggling with a back injury.McIlroy's preparation involved simulating a tournament by playing with a single ball, a strategy inspired by advice from golf legend Jack Nicklaus. This approach allowed him to feel comfortable with the course and make informed decisions about his shots.After securing his sixth major win, McIlroy expressed his satisfaction with his preparation, stating, “I joked last week that this place feels like my home course”. He emphasized the importance of getting to know the course and being prepared for various situations.McIlroy's victory joins an exclusive group of golfers who have retained the Green Jacket, including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. With this win, McIlroy believes he can focus on playing his game and increasing his chances of winning more majors.The article also mentions Scottie Scheffler's comments on the course conditions, particularly on Friday afternoon when McIlroy birdied six out of Augusta's closing seven holes. Scheffler suggested that the firmness of the course was not equal on Thursday and Friday, but acknowledged that the weather and wind conditions also played a role.

Los Angeles residents are facing sticker shock over the presale ticket prices for the 2028 Olympics, with many expressing frustration over the high costs. The tickets, which went on sale for local residents on April 2, range in price from $28 to thousands of dollars.Many residents found that the lower-priced tickets quickly sold out or were unavailable for popular sports like gymnastics and track and field, leaving them with more expensive options. A 24% service fee was also added to the ticket prices, which some residents found excessive.One resident, Kathy Dorn, spent around $1,200 on tickets to watch the rhythmic and artistic gymnastics preliminaries and the sailing finals. She was deterred from buying a ticket to a swimming event due to the high price of $558 per ticket for a two-hour event.Another resident, Tony Anthony, spent $11,000 on eight tickets for track and field events, with nearly $400 going toward the service fee. He noted that the lower-priced tickets were not available during his time slot.The LA Olympics committee has defended the ticket prices, stating that most of the $28 tickets went to purchasers in southern California and Oklahoma City. They also noted that the ticket prices are meant to ensure that the Games can break even without burdening the city with costs.The high ticket prices have raised concerns among residents, particularly in Inglewood, where the opening ceremony and some events will take place. Some residents are worried that they will be priced out of attending the Games and will have to bear the burden of traffic, congestion, and noise during the events.

Justin Rose secured a joint‑third place at the 2026 Masters, ending the tournament two shots behind defending champion Rory McIlroy. The result marked Rose’s third top‑six finish in his last eight major appearances. After a heartbreaking playoff loss to McIlroy at Augusta in 2025, Rose entered Sunday’s final round with the lead on the back‑nine but ultimately carded a final‑round 70 following a stumble at the famed Amen Corner. Reflecting on his performance, Rose said, "In the last two years I’ve really re‑kicked and re‑energised my career. I now have a lot of belief that there’s plenty of runway ahead." The 45‑year‑old, who claimed a PGA Tour victory in February, believes his recent form positions him to compete for future major titles. Rose emphasized that the majors are the events that drive his preparation: "These are the tournaments I focus on, the ones that make me put in that extra mile to show up and stay in these great arenas." His record at Augusta is notable, with eight top‑10 finishes and two runner‑up finishes, underscoring his affinity for the course. Rose cited veterans such as Freddie Couples and Bernhard Langer as inspirations, noting that the layout of Augusta rewards deep course knowledge and a personal playing style. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton also made headlines, posting a spectacular final‑round 66 that included six birdies and an eagle, propelling him to a joint‑third finish – his best performance in a major to date. Hatton explained his approach: "I try not to treat majors any differently – I go out every day, every round, every shot, and give it my best. I’m looking at ways to fine‑tune my preparation, perhaps more putting early in the week, to feel even more ready." Now in his tenth Masters, Hatton highlighted his steady improvement, citing recent top‑10 finishes at the U.S. Open and a rise from a tied‑fourteenth to a tied‑ninth in the last three years at Augusta.

Riki Lindhome's 'Dead Inside' is a refreshing and emotionally involving comedy that chronicles her journey to become a mother. The show is a beautifully judged hour of entertainment, tackling topics such as pregnancy loss, IVF, and surrogacy with humor and sensitivity.Lindhome's modesty and unassuming approach make the show feel less like a typical autobiographical performance. She signs off most of her songs with a demure 'that's it,' and the production values are similarly understated. The show features witty and bittersweet numbers, including a parody of Disney princesses and a song asking 'will you be my bio-dad?'The show also touches on awareness-raising dimensions, including the challenges of surrogacy and the importance of transparency in the process. Lindhome's performance is compelling and persuasive, engaging the audience's heart, head, and funny bone.'Dead Inside' is a must-see comedy that will leave you entertained and moved. It is currently running at Soho theatre, London until 18 April.