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A temporary 32‑hour ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine started at 4:00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday and will run until midnight on Sunday, according to the Kremlin. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed Kyiv’s commitment to honor the pause provided Moscow does the same. President Vladimir Putin ordered the ceasefire to align with Orthodox Easter celebrations, more than a week after Zelenskyy first proposed the truce. Both sides have publicly confirmed their intention to observe it. Zelenskyy posted on social media that Ukraine will “adhere to the ceasefire and respond strictly in kind. The absence of Russian strikes in the air, on land, and at sea will mean no response from our side.” The Ukrainian army added it stands ready to react immediately if the truce is breached. Hours before the truce began, Russian forces launched at least 160 drones against Ukrainian targets, killing four civilians in the east and south and wounding dozens. The southern Odesa region suffered two fatalities and damage to civilian infrastructure. In the Russian‑occupied parts of Donetsk and Kherson, Ukrainian drone attacks killed four people, according to officials installed by Moscow. Public confidence in the ceasefire remains low. Last year’s Easter pause saw numerous accusations of violations from both sides, and similar doubts persist this time. Despite the tension, the warring parties completed a reciprocal exchange of 175 prisoners of war each on Saturday. The United Arab Emirates facilitated the swap, as confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Prisoner exchanges have become one of the few tangible outcomes of the stalled U.S.-brokered peace talks, which continue to falter over territorial issues. Ukraine has reiterated its proposal to freeze the conflict along the current front lines, a suggestion Russia rejected, insisting Kyiv relinquish all territory it holds in the Donetsk region—an offer Kyiv deems unacceptable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia did not discuss the Easter proposal with the United States in advance and did not signal an immediate revival of the three‑way peace negotiations. Fighting on the front has largely stalled. While Russia has achieved modest territorial gains at a high cost, Ukrainian forces have recently pushed back in the southeast, and Russian advances have slowed since late 2025, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Moscow now occupies just over 19 percent of Ukraine, most of which was seized in the early weeks of the conflict.

Match details: Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 12 April, 4:30 pm BST (15:30 GMT). Live coverage and pre‑match analysis will be available on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:30 GMT. City sit second in the Premier League, trailing league leaders Arsenal by nine points after Arsenal played one more game. A win at Chelsea could shrink the gap to six points, and a victory for Arsenal over Bournemouth on Saturday would widen the gap to twelve, putting immense pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side to collect maximum points. Chelsea, currently sixth, are desperate to reignite their push for a top‑five finish that guarantees Champions League football next season. They sit just one point behind Liverpool, who occupy the final European spot. Guardiola warns of zero‑margin for error Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola admitted City’s season has been “inconsistent” and stressed that the squad must win every remaining match to retain any chance of clinching the title. He highlighted the demanding run of fixtures ahead, beginning with the Chelsea trip and followed by a home clash with Arsenal on 19 April. “We need to win all of them; otherwise we won’t have a chance to fight until the end,” Guardiola said, acknowledging points dropped earlier in the campaign. Bernardo Silva’s future remains uncertain Midfielder Bernardo Silva, a six‑time Premier League champion with City, is in the final year of his contract. Guardiola expressed a personal desire to keep the Portuguese international at the club but admitted he does not know the player’s decision. “I’m a bit grumpy because I wasn’t informed of his plans,” the manager said, praising Silva’s competitiveness and importance in big‑match moments. Enzo Fernández excluded despite apology Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernández will remain on the bench for the Sunday fixture, even after the Argentine apologised for comments that questioned his future at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior emphasized the club’s collective values, stating, “Football is a team sport, not about individuals,” and hinted that Fernández could feature again after this match. Chelsea’s Champions League ambition Rosenior reiterated confidence in his squad’s ability to secure a top‑five finish, noting that despite a recent dip in form, the team has consistently created problems for opponents. Historical head‑to‑head The two clubs have met 181 times in competitive fixtures: Chelsea have won 71, City 68, with 42 draws. Notably, Chelsea have not beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final. Recent encounters (last 10): 04 Jan 2026 – Man City 1‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 25 Jan 2025 – Man City 3‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 18 Aug 2024 – Chelsea 0‑2 Man City (Premier League) 20 Apr 2024 – Man City 1‑0 Chelsea (FA Cup semi‑final) 17 Feb 2024 – Man City 1‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 12 Nov 2023 – Chelsea 4‑4 Man City (Premier League) 21 May 2023 – Man City 1‑0 Chelsea (Premier League) 08 Jan 2023 – Man City 4‑0 Chelsea (FA Cup third round) 05 Jan 2023 – Chelsea 0‑1 Man City (Premier League) 09 Nov 2022 – Man City 2‑0 Chelsea (League Cup third round) Team news – Chelsea Rosenior confirmed centre‑back Levi Colwill has returned to training after a serious knee injury, though he remains a selection risk. Right‑back Reece James is training after a hamstring issue. Defender Trevoh Chalobah and winger Jamie Gittens are still sidelined. Predicted starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Pedro. Team news – Manchester City Defender Rúben Dias continues to recover from a muscle problem and is unavailable. Josko Gvardiol remains out with a tibial fracture sustained in January. Predicted starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. The outcome of this clash could dramatically reshape the Premier League title race and determine whether Chelsea can keep their Champions League aspirations alive.

Leinster have booked their 17th semi-final appearance in the Champions Cup with a dominant performance against Sale, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Toulon at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks' time. The Irish side, despite struggling to impress, managed to secure a convincing victory over a Sale team missing several key players. Four tries in the last 30 minutes sealed the win, but Sale's determination kept them in the game for a respectable 50 minutes. The match began with Sale causing problems for Leinster, particularly at the set piece, where they held their own at the scrum and lineout. However, their efforts were hindered by two crucial yellow cards, one on either side of halftime, which shifted the momentum in Leinster's favor. Dan Sheehan opened the scoring with a try in the 10th minute, but it wasn't until the second half that Leinster truly took control. Two yellow cards for Sale players – Dan du Preez and Si McIntyre – proved pivotal, as Leinster capitalized on their numerical advantage. The turning point came when Harry Byrne's beautiful pass sparked Leinster's second try, scored by Hugo Keenan. From there, Leinster's superior firepower took over, with tries from Rieko Ioane, Garry Ringrose, Tommy O'Brien, and Jamie Osborne securing a comfortable victory. Despite Sale's first meaningful attack leading to a try for Alex Wills, it was too little, too late. Leinster's 23-point lead with 10 minutes remaining ensured a stress-free finish. While Leinster celebrated their semi-final berth, they remain aware that Toulon will pose a significant challenge in their upcoming match. The French side, known for their physicality, will look to exploit any weaknesses in Leinster's game.

The proposed gold mine in Northern Ireland's Sperrins area has become a contentious issue, with environmental concerns clashing with the promise of economic benefits. The mine, valued at £21bn, is backed by US-owned Dalradian Gold and could bring hundreds of jobs and significant tax revenue to the area.Fidelma O'Kane and Cormac McAleer, a retired social worker and community worker, are leading the opposition to the mine. They argue that it would desecrate an area of outstanding natural beauty, pollute local rivers, and harm the health of their children. The couple has been rallying support from other locals, with over 50,000 letters of objection submitted to the planning process.Dalradian Gold claims the mine will be carbon neutral and support a supply chain worth £1bn. The company says it will create 1,000 jobs and contribute £3bn in taxes. However, opponents dispute these claims and point to the potential risks to local wildlife, including otters, pine martens, and freshwater pearl mussels.The public inquiry into the mine's planning application will begin on April 13, 2026, and will run until early June. The inquiry's outcome will be crucial in determining the fate of the mine and the future of the Sperrins area.

Celtic overtook rivals Rangers to sit second in the Scottish Premiership after a narrow 1‑0 win against St Mirren, while Hearts preserved their lead at the top with a late‑filled 3‑1 triumph over Motherwell.At Celtic Park, Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. After a blocked attempt from Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney delivered a precise cross that Oxlade‑Chamberlain struck into the bottom corner, giving Celtic a comfortable first‑half advantage.St Mirren dominated possession in the second half but failed to create clear chances, allowing Celtic to hold onto the solitary goal.The encounter marked the first meeting between the sides since St Mirren’s surprise 3‑1 cup win over Celtic in December, a result that proved difficult to repeat.For the first time since November, the Green Brigade were welcomed back to Celtic Park, adding a vibrant backdrop to what many view as a dress rehearsal for next week’s Scottish Cup semi‑final.At Tynecastle, Motherwell took an early lead through Emmanuel Longelo. Hearts responded quickly when Cláudio Braga equalised with an overhead kick. The match seemed poised for a draw until Lawrence Shankland converted a penalty after Stephen Welsh was judged to have fouled Landry Kaboré. Kaboré then added a third in stoppage time, sealing the three‑point win for Hearts.In the north, Stephen Robinson ended his winless streak since moving from St Mirren to Aberdeen, guiding his side to a 2‑0 victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie, with Kevin Nisbet scoring in each half.At Tannadice, Zac Sapsford rescued Dundee United with a late penalty, completing a dramatic 3‑2 comeback against Livingston. The hosts had led through a first‑half goal by Will Ferry, but Livingston responded with a quickfire double from Lewis Smith before United equalised via substitute Krisztian Keresztes.Meanwhile, Kelle Roos produced a crucial stoppage‑time penalty save against Dundee striker Joe Westley, earning Kilmarnock a vital point in their relegation battle. The decision followed a lengthy VAR check that delayed the penalty by six minutes.Kilmarnock’s earlier clash with Dundee saw a roller‑coaster finish: Joe Hugill opened the scoring, Simon Murray equalised for Dundee, Michael Schjønning‑Larsen restored the lead for Kilmarnock before Scott Wright’s late goal forced extra‑time drama.

The US State Department has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to crack down on individuals with ties to the Iranian regime, revoking the green cards of three Iranian nationals. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to prevent foreign nationals with connections to anti-American terrorist regimes from residing in the United States. The individuals affected include Seyed Eissa Hashemi, whose mother was a key figure in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, known as 'Screaming Mary' for her role as a leading propagandist for the violent Islamists. The State Department also revoked the green card statuses of Hashemi's wife and son. According to the department, Hashemi entered the US in 2014 on a visa and was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2016 through the diversity immigrant visa program, which the Trump administration has since ended. The arrests and green card terminations are part of a series of actions against those the State Department deems to have ties to the current or former government of Iran. This is particularly significant given the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, with Washington DC and Tehran recently reaching a two-week ceasefire agreement. The US has been waging war against Iran since late February, and these actions are seen as part of the US efforts to counter Iranian influence. Recent actions also include the arrest of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, the niece of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military general assassinated by the US in 2020, and her daughter. The State Department has also revoked the green card status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Iranian national security council secretary Ali Larijani, and her husband. The situation remains complex, with US Vice-President JD Vance dispatched to Islamabad to broker peace talks, though Iranian leadership has stated they will not participate until Israel agrees to stop bombing Lebanon. The international community remains watchful as diplomatic efforts continue to navigate the intricate landscape of US-Iran relations.

Israeli air strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people in southern Lebanon, sparking fears that the ongoing violence could jeopardize the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. The strikes have targeted various areas, including a government building in the city of Nabatieh, where 13 security personnel were killed.Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks, stating that targeting state institutions would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty. The death toll is expected to rise as civil defense teams continue to search for survivors in the rubble.The violence has prompted a response from Hezbollah, which has fired rockets into northern Israel. The group has stated that its attacks will continue until Israeli and American aggression against Lebanon ceases. Hezbollah also claimed to have targeted Israel's Ashdod naval base with missiles.The conflict has significant humanitarian implications, with the UN children's agency, UNICEF, warning of a devastating impact on children. The agency reported that 33 children have been killed and 153 injured in recent attacks, adding to a total of 600 children killed or injured in Lebanon since March 2.The situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts underway to broker a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon, but the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.

Egypt and Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy has been banned for four games and fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($942) for assaulting a referee during a recent match.The incident occurred after Al-Ahly's appeal for a penalty was denied in a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra. El-Shenawy, who was on the bench, was incensed and struck the referee on the head.The Egyptian Pro League announced the ban, which will sideline El-Shenawy until the final week of the league playoffs. This is significant as El-Shenawy is expected to be Egypt's starting goalkeeper at the upcoming World Cup in North America.Al-Ahly currently sits third in the league with 41 points, five points behind leaders Zamalek.

The play Good Golly Miss Molly! is a joyous tribute to community spirit, set in the 1970s in Tunstall, where residents resisted a council plan to demolish their houses. The show, written by Bob Eaton, uses rock'n'roll standards to tell the story of a community coming together.Eaton's show has taken a hold of the audience, with its insinuatingly woven narrative of social history, pop, and politics. The story revolves around the residents of Hawes Street, who fought against the council's slum clearance programme and successfully argued for home improvements instead.The director cleverly uses music as the glue that binds the community together, telling the story through a band reuniting for a nostalgic knees-up in a social club. The play's protagonist, Molly, played by Shirley Darroch, evolves from a belligerent schoolgirl to a lead singer, NUM staffer, and residents' association chair, finding self-fulfilment along the way.The company's performance is tremendous, with doo-wopping, harmonising, and swapping instruments, making the angst and yearning of the songs a perfect expression of the working-class struggle.While the conflict could be more fully explored, the play gives a joyful sense of the music pulling the audience into the action, providing an exuberant lift to the company's 40th anniversary season.The play is showing at the New Vic theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until 2 May.