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From Monday, the United Kingdom’s statutory sick‑pay system will shift to pay employees from the first day of illness, a change that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) says will benefit up to 9.6 million workers. The reform is part of the first tranche of the Employment Rights Act 2025, which also introduces new safeguards on sexual harassment, parental leave and trade‑union recognition. Under the new rules, roughly 8.4 million employees who already receive statutory sick pay will see their entitlement start on day one rather than after a three‑day waiting period. In addition, about 1.2 million workers previously excluded because they earned less than the £125‑a‑week threshold will now qualify for the benefit. The expansion is expected to aid groups that are over‑represented in low‑paid or part‑time roles – notably women, disabled staff, and younger or older workers. The TUC argues that the measure will ease the financial pressure on lower‑income households, which often face a choice between extending their illness or forfeiting essential income. A TUC‑commissioned poll found that 76 % of respondents support sick pay from day one, indicating broad public approval across party lines. Business representatives, however, warn that the policy adds to a string of cost pressures already hitting firms. Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, highlighted that employers are simultaneously coping with higher national‑minimum wages, increased payroll taxes and rising energy costs linked to the ongoing war with Iran. He cautioned that the new sick‑pay rules could force some companies to cut staff or raise prices, describing the situation as a "tipping point". Carberry also warned of potential abuse, saying a small minority of workers might attempt to exploit the system unless clear guidance is issued quickly. "The changes to statutory sick pay introduced this week will also cause chaos if not coupled swiftly with better guidance for firms," he said.

Iranian drone attacks on Sunday inflicted serious damage on two of Kuwait's power and water desalination plants and sparked a fire at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex, though no injuries were reported.Fatima Abbas Johar Hayat, spokesperson for Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, described the incident as “criminal aggression” that caused “serious material damage” and forced the shutdown of two electricity‑generating units.Al Jazeera’s Malika Traina highlighted the strategic importance of the facilities, noting that around 90 % of Kuwait’s drinking water is produced by these desalination plants, making the disruption a critical blow to the nation’s water security.The strikes come as Gulf states bear the brunt of Tehran’s retaliation to recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have become the epicentre of these assaults, according to Al Jazeera’s Victoria Gatenby in Doha.Gatenby warned that if President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follow through on threats to intensify pressure on Iran, Tehran may target similar civilian and energy infrastructure across the Gulf.Bahrain also suffered drone attacks, with its Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co reporting damage to several operational units and Bapco Energies confirming a hit on an oil storage tank. Both incidents caused fires that were quickly extinguished, and no casualties were reported.In Abu Dhabi, authorities responded to multiple fires at the Borouge petrochemical plant, attributing them to falling debris from an interception. Operations were suspended pending a damage assessment, but no injuries have been confirmed.Saudi Arabia announced the interception of missiles early Sunday, underscoring the heightened military alert across the region.Gatenby noted that while Iran claims it is only targeting US military assets, the pattern over the past five weeks shows a broader focus on civilian and critical energy infrastructure. Gulf nations have exercised “incredible restraint,” yet their leaders caution that patience is not unlimited and that Saudi Arabia is invoking its right to self‑defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.The escalating series of attacks highlights the fragile security environment in the Gulf and raises concerns about the resilience of essential services such as power and water supply amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Inter Miami celebrated the launch of its brand‑new 26,000‑seat Nu Stadium on Saturday, but the opening ceremony quickly turned into a competitive showdown as the MLS champions were held to a 2‑2 draw by Austin FC.Co‑owner David Beckham addressed the crowd before kickoff, describing the stadium’s completion as “a dream come true” after more than a decade of searching for a permanent home.The pre‑match festivities featured a ribbon‑cutting ceremony with Beckham alongside billionaire managing owner Jorge Mas, setting an upbeat tone that Austin soon disrupted.Just six minutes into the game, Austin’s Guilherme Biro capitalised on a pass from Facundo Torres to give the visitors an early lead, shocking the home supporters.Inter Miami responded swiftly when right‑back Ian Fray surged down the flank and delivered a cross that found Lionel Messi, who headed the ball into the net for a rare headed goal and restored parity four minutes later.Miami dominated possession thereafter, creating several chances, including two close attempts by Mateo Silvetti, but Austin’s disciplined defence and quick counter‑attacks kept the score level.The visitors reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute after Joseph Rosales stole the ball in Miami’s half, set up Myrto Uzuni, whose pass found substitute Jayden Nelson for a clinical finish.Needing a spark, coach Javier Mascherano introduced veteran striker Luis Suarez in the 73rd minute. Suarez seized the moment eight minutes later, tapping in from close range after a Messi corner was flicked on by German Berterame, leveling the match at 2‑2.Suarez appeared to have secured a dramatic winner when his follow‑up struck the woodwork and rebounded, but the goal was ruled out for off‑side, leaving the game dead‑locked as the final whistle blew.

In December and January, researchers from the Bob Brown Foundation recorded the unmistakable call of the swift parrot – the world’s fastest bird – in a section of the Wielangta forest, southeast Tasmania, that had already been earmarked for clear‑felling.Dr Charley Gros, a lead scientist on the project, described the call as “tiny but very loud, sharp and quick,” making it easy to distinguish from other forest sounds. Over a two‑month period, the team – assisted by volunteer citizen scientists – logged 68 separate observations, which were later vetted by a government scientist and uploaded to the state environment department’s database.Gros argued that the frequency of detections indicated the area was being used for foraging and nesting, not merely as a fly‑by corridor. “If they’re there every day, that is their habitat,” he said.When the recordings were submitted, the Forest Practices Authority dispatched an ecologist to the site (identified as coupe WT003E) on 10 February. The official report stated that “no swift parrots were observed breeding in the harvest area.” By that time, the forest patch had already been cleared, which Gros noted made the absence of birds unsurprising.The logging operation was carried out by Sustainable Timber Tasmania (formerly Forestry Tasmania). The agency maintained that it operated “within Tasmania’s strict forest‑practice framework” and that “nesting trees are retained and harvested areas are regenerated as native forest,” asserting compliance with environmental regulations.The incident revives a broader debate over whether existing legislation adequately safeguards threatened species. Critics point to the swift parrot’s precipitous decline – a CSIRO‑published guide in 2021 estimated the population at about 750 individuals, down from roughly 2,000 a decade earlier – and warn that without stronger protection the bird could be extinct by the early 2030s. Forestry remains identified as the greatest threat, though government officials have historically downplayed the link.The Bob Brown Foundation accused both state and federal governments of “blatantly ignoring scientific advice” and allowing logging that drives the species toward extinction. A Tasmanian government spokesperson countered that the state’s “science‑based forest practices system” prohibits deforestation of swift‑parrot habitat, emphasizing that regenerated forests will provide future flowering eucalypts.At the federal level, a spokesperson for the Albanese government noted that a regional forestry agreement places responsibility for habitat protection on Tasmania, but an exemption for state‑run forestry from national environmental law expires in 2027. After that date, any logging that significantly impacts threatened species would require approval from Canberra.Environmental campaigners, including the Wilderness Society, have intensified pressure on retailers such as Bunnings to stop sourcing timber from the contested coupe. The society argues that the forest‑certification program awarded to logs from WT003E does not guarantee sustainable practices. Alice Hardinge, the Wilderness Society’s Tasmanian campaigns manager, warned that “customers don’t want to be sold timber that destroys unique forests and pushes the swift parrot to extinction.”Bunnings responded that an internal review found “no evidence to indicate non‑compliance with Tasmanian environmental or logging laws at this site,” reaffirming its commitment to sourcing wood from compliant, well‑managed operations.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has promised that a large number of Leeds fans will travel to London for the team's FA Cup semi-final match against Chelsea. The team secured their spot in the semi-finals after a thrilling penalty shootout win against West Ham on Sunday.The match at the London Stadium saw West Ham mount a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down, forcing extra time with stoppage-time goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi. However, Lucas Perri's saves in the penalty shootout sealed a 4-2 win for Leeds.Farke expressed his pride in the team's achievement, highlighting the significance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1987. He emphasized that the team's journey has not been easy, but they are on a positive path after being promoted to the top flight.The Leeds manager also acknowledged that Chelsea is a top team with top players and that his side will need an outstanding performance to succeed. Despite this, Farke is confident that over 30,000 Leeds fans will travel to London to support their team.In contrast, Nuno Espírito Santo, the West Ham manager, was disappointed with the loss, stating that it will be tough for his team to recover quickly. He urged his players to prepare for their upcoming Premier League match against Wolves.

Pep Lijnders revealed that Bernardo Silva will depart Manchester City this summer, urging the club to give the veteran a proper send‑off as his contract runs out in June.The Portuguese international, now 31, has enjoyed an impressive campaign but, according to the assistant manager, this will be his final season in the Sky Blue jersey.Speaking candidly, Lijnders said, "When he is not playing you will see how he is missed – that’s one game. Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well."Silva arrived from Monaco in July 2017 for a reported £43.5 million fee and quickly became integral to Pep Guardiola’s era of dominance, collecting six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, a Champions League trophy and two FIFA Club World Cups. He was also appointed captain for the current season.Lijnders, who previously served under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool before joining City, praised Silva’s footballing intellect: "I didn’t like him before. Now I love him. The way he feels the game, what’s needed – there aren’t many like him. He knows when to drop, when to make a move 20 metres away from Rodri."He added, "Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, moves, receives the ball and leads is unparalleled. You never replace a player of his type because they simply don’t exist." Lijnders emphasized the club’s focus on nurturing academy talent to fill midfield roles rather than seeking a direct replica.Silva, who has previously spoken of wanting to end his career at Benfica, will become a free agent this summer. Barcelona have reportedly shown interest, though neither the player nor Manchester City have issued an official statement regarding his next move.

PSV Eindhoven were crowned Dutch champions for the 27th time on Sunday, with five matches left in the season. This came after second-placed Feyenoord drew 0-0 with Volendam. The Eindhoven-based team bounced back from successive defeats with a 4-3 victory against Utrecht on Saturday, solidifying their position at the top of the table with a 17-point lead. Under the management of Peter Bosz, PSV quickly took control of the title race this season, dropping just four points before the winter break. This victory marks their third successive title for the first time since 2008. Feyenoord, the previous champions in 2023 under Arne Slot, now managing at Liverpool, were unable to catch up. Meanwhile, Dutch giants Ajax, who sit fifth this season, have gone four years without lifting the trophy. PSV's latest title guarantees them a place in the Champions League league phase next season.

When screenwriter Daisy Goodwin examined Prince Albert’s habit of selecting Victoria’s bonnets, she wondered whether the gesture signified tender devotion or a more unsettling dominance. The question becomes the backbone of her new stage drama, which recasts the iconic Victorian marriage as a case of coercive control rather than a model partnership. Set in the waning days of Victoria’s reign at Windsor, the production opens with Amanda Boxer portraying an aging monarch—a weary, self‑pitying figure cloaked in black bombazine. Her character, a compulsive diarist, fears that her candid journals might be released after her death, a concern that fuels the play’s tension. Designer Alex Berry creates a slanted, reflective ceiling that acts like a distorted mirror of memory, underscoring Victoria’s claim that her diaries are “the only place where I could be completely honest”. Yet the presence of Albert, played by Rowan Polonski, suggests that even these private pages were never truly safe. Jessica Rhodes brings youthful Victoria to life, initially buoyant as she waltzes with Albert. The romance quickly darkens as Albert’s behavior shifts to manipulating her ambitions and curbing her joy. He pressures her into motherhood—she dismisses the children as “invincibly tedious”—and intrudes on her official duties, from speeches to industrial tours. In a biting line, she accuses him of making “the monarchy so boring that no one was awake enough to start a revolution”. The play’s narrative moves from teasing banter to overt control, with intimate moments on the sofa devolving into fierce arguments over gifts (“You gave me a brooch made of teeth, Albert!”). A poignant scene where Victoria reads from Jane Eyre hints at a gothic destiny that Goodwin imagines Albert may have plotted. While Goodwin’s empathy clearly leans toward Victoria, the production also raises contemporary expectations of royalty, suggesting that public service—not romantic idealisation—should define modern monarchs. Director Sophie Drake’s brisk pacing navigates the play’s contradictions, ultimately unsettling the long‑held myth of a contented, untroubled royal household. The production runs at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury until 9 May, offering audiences a fresh, critical lens on a celebrated historical partnership.

When Corentin Roudaut arrived in Paris a decade ago, he swapped his student‑era bike for a car, daunted by the city’s traffic and lack of cyclist protection. After a protected lane opened on Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement, he reclaimed his two‑wheel commute and now volunteers with the cycling advocacy group Paris en Selle, witnessing a city that has shed its car‑centric image.Roudaut notes that the shift “started slowly but really accelerated in the last ten years,” with a growing network of bike routes that is becoming safe and nearly complete in many districts.Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s 12‑year agenda reshaped Paris’s urban fabric. Since taking office in 2014, her administration planted 155,000 trees, created several hundred kilometres of segregated bike lanes, pedestrianised 300 school streets, and banned cars from the banks of the Seine. Former parking spaces have been turned into green plazas and café terraces, reducing the risk of children being hit while walking to school.As Hidalgo departs on Sunday, her legacy is touted as a blueprint for progressive European cities, especially as some national governments retreat from green initiatives.Nevertheless, the reforms have sparked pushback. Motorists object to the loss of road space, and recent referendums on higher parking charges for SUVs and further school‑street pedestrianisation suffered low voter turnouts. Right‑wing mayoral candidate Rachida Dati described the new public‑space regime as “anxiety‑inducing,” though she stopped short of promising a reversal.In a candid interview, Hidalgo described the Seine‑bank pedestrianisation as “a tough battle” that, once won, left residents reluctant to revert to car traffic. She highlighted a generation of children who have never known cars on those riverbanks, prompting awe‑filled reactions from visitors.Urban scholars attribute the rapid change to Paris’s tight administrative boundaries, which limit suburban influence on city transport decisions, and to groundwork laid by previous mayors. Yet they stress that political courage was essential to implement measures that inconvenienced drivers while delivering social and environmental benefits.Environmental epidemiologist Audrey de Nazelle of Imperial College London, a Paris native, praised the transformation as “fabulous” and warned that many cities lack the bravery to pursue similar legacies.A recent report placed Paris among 19 global cities that cut two major toxic air pollutants between 2010 and 2024. While Brussels and Warsaw saw faster declines in fine‑particle matter, London outpaced Paris in reducing nitrogen‑dioxide levels.By contrast, Berlin—despite opening a new inner‑city motorway and scrapping 30 km/h speed limits on key streets—still records a higher share of cyclists than Paris.Transport researcher Giulio Mattioli argues that Paris simply needed to add bike lanes to unlock latent demand, noting that the city started from a lower baseline but quickly caught up with peers.However, the transformation remains uneven. The extensive suburbs continue to be dominated by cars, hemmed in by the 35 km Boulevard Périphérique ring road. Analyst Jean‑Louis Missika of think‑tank Terra Nova stresses that “as long as this motorway encircles Paris, the Greater Paris metropolis will remain an administrative construct devoid of urban reality.” He calls for dismantling or repurposing the ring road to achieve a truly post‑car metropolis.