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Rory McIlroy has joined an elite club by defending his Masters crown at Augusta National, becoming just the fourth golfer ever to win the tournament back‑to‑back. The Northern Irish star edged out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by a single shot, marking his sixth major championship and cementing his place in golf history. Speaking after the victory, McIlroy emphasized that the win is a stepping stone, not a final destination. “I just won my sixth major and I feel like I’m in a really good spot with my game and my body,” he said. “I still have things I want to achieve and I want to enjoy the journey.” His parents, Rosie and Gerry, who missed the 2025 ceremony, were present this year, adding a personal dimension to the triumph. “It’s amazing to have them here,” McIlroy remarked, noting that their presence reinforced his motivation and gratitude. Despite the celebratory mood, McIlroy’s performance was far from flawless. He hit only 55% of fairways and recorded 48 of 72 greens in regulation over four rounds. A six‑shot lead after 36 holes evaporated by the 54‑hole mark, and a wayward drive into the trees on the final tee underscored the pressure he faced. Reflecting on the difficulty of the feat, McIlroy admitted, “I don’t make it easy. I used to win by eight shots in my early 20s. This year I realised it’s just really difficult to win the Masters.” He described the moment of uncertainty on the 18th tee as “the greatest stress,” highlighting the thin margin between victory and defeat. Looking ahead, McIlroy signaled that his ambitions extend beyond the Masters. While he plans to take a brief break, he dismissed the notion of a post‑victory lull, stating, “I don’t think I’ll go through that lull of motivation… I still want to enjoy it as well.” With his back‑to‑back Masters titles now secured, the golfer’s next targets remain speculative, but his confidence suggests a continued push for further major victories and possibly a career Grand Slam.

Pope Leo issued a clear message to the international community, calling on all world leaders to reject war and focus on peaceful negotiations. In his appeal, the pontiff emphasized the moral and practical necessity of resolving disputes through dialogue rather than violence, urging governments to pursue diplomatic pathways for lasting stability.

Two planes of Iranian negotiators, many from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, arrived in Pakistan to confront a 21‑hour deadline for talks that span two decades of nuclear tension and new strategic concerns such as control of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. compensation for past attacks.The United States responded with a delegation that included Vice‑President JD Vance and roughly 300 officials, signaling a recognition that Iran’s seasoned team—featuring figures like Ali Bagheri Kani and former chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi—was well‑prepared.During the marathon, Vance held multiple conversations with former President Donald Trump and, notably, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iranian officials claimed the Netanyahu call hardened the U.S. stance, underscoring the delicate diplomatic balance.Veteran negotiators Robert Malley and Aaron David Miller warned that the time frame was either too long for a mere reiteration of rejected demands or far too short for genuine negotiation, highlighting a strategic misreading of Tehran’s position.Vance concluded the session by presenting what he described as a “best and final offer,” leaving the door open for further dialogue pending Iranian acceptance.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled an intention to impose a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a move that could inflate global oil prices and further destabilize the region.Iran’s objectives included drafting a memorandum of understanding to extend a tentative ceasefire and address three core issues: an end to Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, a governance framework for Hormuz shipping, and the disposition of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, whether through UN‑supervised down‑blending or export to a third party.Vance emphasized the need for an affirmative Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon or the rapid pathways to one, a demand that intersects with ongoing debates about Iran’s sovereign right to enrich uranium—a capability currently null after recent U.S. strikes.In practice, Iran is already exercising selective control over Hormuz traffic, allowing 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil and 4 million barrels of Saudi oil to pass, a tactic described by an Iranian parliamentarian as a “continuous atomic bomb” that provides strategic depth.Beyond the diplomatic impasse, Iran confronts severe domestic challenges: hyperinflation approaching triple‑digit levels, an internet blackout threatening economic activity, and a political climate marked by assassination threats. These pressures compound the difficulty of achieving a sustainable peace settlement.

When a Toronto reader confessed to always using "please" and "thank you" with Alexa, the Guardian invited its audience to share their thoughts on the etiquette of speaking to artificial assistants.One camp warns against treating AI as sentient beings, arguing that these systems merely mimic social cues and that confusing imitation with reality can erode our language’s power to challenge dehumanisation. As User30000 put it, we should avoid both de‑humanising language toward people and humanising language toward machines.Conversely, several contributors argue that politeness serves as a useful human default. Lauk notes that courteous phrasing may reinforce positive behavioural cues for AI that learn from user input, while also keeping the speaker grounded in genuine social norms.From an ecological standpoint, extra words translate into measurable energy and water waste. Superspartan highlights that each unnecessary token adds processing load to already energy‑intensive models, and that the cumulative effect of polite phrasing across millions of daily interactions could be substantial.Academic research supports the idea that courteous language can improve AI performance. A linked study finds that polite prompts often elicit more helpful replies, treating modern models as "statistical parrots" that mirror the tone they receive. Yet Sam Altman has publicly estimated that responding to thank‑you notes costs OpenAI tens of millions of dollars, underscoring a tangible financial dimension to the debate.Some readers take a lighter view, extending politeness to elevators, SUVs and even low‑battery iPads, while others, like Martin from Dorset, argue that the practice protects the human soul rather than the machine.There is growing concern that habitual rudeness toward AI may spill over into real‑world interactions. Poridgeoates observes that younger users, who spend more time with technology than with people, risk weakening empathy and emotional‑intelligence muscles if they treat conversational agents dismissively.Louise adds that the way we speak to objects can shape broader social behaviour, especially where power imbalances exist. While AI itself may not feel insulted, the act of being rude can reinforce undesirable character traits in the speaker.Overall, the discussion reveals a split between those who see politeness as a harmless habit that can improve AI responses, and those who view it as an unnecessary drain on resources and a potential threat to human civility.

Springtime in a typical British suburb is a chorus of birds, buzzing insects and the occasional rumble of a mini‑digger. While sparrows spar and tits clash over territory, a crew of contractors is often busy erasing hedges, bushes and trees, leaving behind a stark trench of bare earth. In one April afternoon, a once‑lush front garden was reduced to a skip full of uprooted branches and a strip of exposed soil. Despite the nation’s reputation as a garden‑loving society, the trend toward concrete is accelerating. An RHS audit published last year found that 42% of domestic garden space in the United Kingdom has been paved over, with timber fences replacing wild privet and driveways smothering mossy lawns. The loss is not merely aesthetic; it erodes habitats that support a remarkable share of the country’s wildlife. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, over 50% of Britain’s butterflies, amphibians and reptiles, and more than 40% of its bird and mammal species rely on garden habitats. The new David Attenborough series Secret Garden underscores this, describing urban gardens as “almost as diverse as a tropical rainforest.” Yet, as the series aired, another garden was being stripped to the ground, highlighting the tension between media‑driven reverence and on‑the‑ground reality. Socio‑economic factors compound the issue. One in eight households in the UK has no garden at all, and lower‑income families and ethnic minorities are disproportionately deprived of green space. Even owners of gardens often lack the time, money, or confidence to cultivate biodiverse oases, viewing gardening as a burdensome chore. Experts suggest a radical, yet simple, alternative: do nothing. Allowing dandelions, thistles, and stray grasses to flourish provides nectar for pollinators, while bare patches become nesting sites for bees and birds. Unraked leaves serve as winter shelters for insects, and dead stalks become food for aphids, which in turn feed higher‑up predators. The “negative space” of an untended garden can therefore become a hotbed of ecological activity. Conservationists argue that embracing this messiness could reverse the decline of urban biodiversity. As one commentator mused, “If Sir David Attenborough could return for a bonus episode, he might show us that a tangled, overgrown garden is not a failure but a vibrant ecosystem in its own right.” By Emma Beddington, 12 April 2026

OpenAI, a leading AI company, has recently released a 13-page policy paper titled 'Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age,' which calls for a reimagining of the social contract around 'a slate of people-first ideas.' This move is part of an aggressive effort by major AI players to reshape the narrative around their industry, as public disapproval of AI is increasing.OpenAI's paper proposes ideas such as a four-day workweek and a public wealth fund that would return profits directly to citizens. While the company presents these ideas as a starting point for a broader conversation, critics argue that they are more of a public relations ploy than a genuine policy document.OpenAI spent nearly $3m on lobbying in 2025, and its president, Greg Brockman, co-founded a pro-AI Super Pac that raised more than $125m last year. The company is also backing a bill in Illinois that would shield AI firms from liability in cases where an AI model causes serious societal harms.Critics argue that these efforts are aimed at undermining independent efforts to regulate the industry and that the company's proposals shift responsibility away from the company and towards the public and lawmakers. As public distrust of AI grows, the industry is looking for ways to reframe the debate and influence regulation.A Pew Research Center survey found that only 16% of Americans believe that AI will help people think more creatively, while only 5% of Americans believe it will help people better form meaningful relationships. An NBC News poll found that only 26% of voters had a favorable opinion of AI, with a net negative rating.

The rise of generative AI has sparked concerns about its impact on the art world. Artists are seeing their work stolen and used to train AI models without consent or compensation. This has led to a heated debate about the role of AI in creative industries and the need for regulation.In 2022, the author, an artist, first started to see knock-offs of their work generated by AI image generators. The tech industry's approach has been to move fast and break things, with little regard for the consequences. The author argues that this is the greatest art heist in history, with billions of images harvested from the internet without credit, compensation, or consent.The tech lords knew what they were doing, with venture capitalist Marc Andreessen claiming that enforcing copyright law would “kill” the entire industry. The industry's narrative of inevitability is a way of getting people to comply in advance. The author notes that people seemed utterly unprepared to question the impact of AI on creative industries.In response, journalist Marisa Mazria Katz and the author launched an open letter demanding to keep AI-generated images out of newsrooms. The letter attracted thousands of signatures from around the world. Other artists have fought back in more powerful ways, including a lawsuit against leading image-generation companies Midjourney and Stability AI.The author argues that the tech elite's anti-humanism is revealed in their attacks on art. They shun human interaction and its serendipities, annoyances, and joys. The author notes that friction is the basis of all pleasure and that learning to make art is also friction.The impact of AI on creative industries has been devastating, with many artists out of work and entry-level illustration gigs annihilated. The audience will have to get used to the fact that generative AI is a tool to discipline and eliminate the human worker. The author argues that this is sold as progress, but it is actually a dystopian future.The author draws parallels with the luddites, who fought against the “satanic mills” and were skilled artisans fighting for their way of life. Artists too are fighting for a way of life, and if they are too disorganised to triumph, that will be everyone’s loss. The author concludes that AI companies' scraping may have started with the work of illustrators, but it has grown to encompass everything else, including culture, education, sanity, and our very imaginations.

While reviewing his putting in the new player facility on Friday evening, Scottie Scheffler found himself drawn to the big‑screen coverage of Rory McIlroy’s round. The sight of McIlroy’s play sparked a shift in Scheffler’s mindset, and with 36 holes remaining he was 12 shots behind the leader but with nothing to lose.Seizing the moment, Scheffler produced a 65 (‑7), the best round of his Masters career. He carded five birdies and an eagle, turning a steady start of 70 and 74 into a decisive surge.His charge began on the long downhill 2nd, where an approach landed in the heart of the green and he sank a six‑foot putt for eagle. He continued the on‑fire stretch through the 7th, 8th and 9th, leaving the front nine five under par with putts of six, 14 and four feet respectively.The crowd swelled as his name lit up the leaderboards. By the time he reached Amen Corner, spectators were lining the fairways, and his 200‑yard tee‑shot on the 11th curled perfectly onto the green, stopping eight feet from the pin.At the 13th, a mis‑hit approach found a bunker, forcing a scramble for par – a rare blemish in an otherwise flawless round. He rebounded with a birdie on the 16th, while short‑range putts at 14 and 17 fell short, leaving him just a few inches from a potential record.When asked if the round could have been even lower, Scheffler responded sharply, yet admitted, “It definitely could have been lower.” He emphasized that he had executed the shots he needed, noting his iron play was “very sharp” and that he created ample scoring opportunities.After the round, Scheffler sat four shots back of the leader, a manageable gap given his momentum. He also reflected on the broader challenge of Augusta, citing the need to master the course, shifting conditions and personal nerves.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has granted the Trump administration a brief reprieve, extending the pause on the White House ballroom construction until April 17. The move allows officials to pursue a potential Supreme Court review of a lower‑court injunction that barred further work. In a split decision, Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia formed the majority, while Trump‑appointed Judge Neomi Rao dissented. The majority questioned the administration’s repeated claim that the construction pause creates a national‑security risk, noting that the original order already exempts work necessary for the White House’s safety. Judge Richard Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, had issued the March 31 injunction, stating that a project of this magnitude requires explicit Congressional authorization. Leon’s order included a 14‑day stay to let the administration appeal, a stay that was set to expire this week before the appeals court’s extension. The court highlighted that the administration has not demonstrated how the injunction interferes with any existing security plans. As the majority wrote, “Defendants have not, on this record, explained how, if at all, the injunction interferes with their existing plans for safety and security.” Furthermore, the judges pointed out that the ballroom—spanning roughly 90,000 sq ft (8,360 m²)—was always projected to be a multi‑year undertaking. Planning documents estimate completion nearly three years after groundbreaking, raising doubts about the claim that a short‑term delay poses additional harm. In her dissent, Judge Rao argued that the majority’s demand for further fact‑finding would cause “irreparable injury” by halting construction, asserting that the aesthetic concerns raised by critics are outweighed by the administration’s interests. The controversy stems from the decision to demolish the historic East Wing, a structure dating back to 1902, to make room for the new ballroom. Critics, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contend the demolition was executed without notice and exceeds presidential authority, prompting a lawsuit that led to Leon’s injunction. While the appeals court has sent the case back to the district court for clarification on factual disputes and the scope of the security exemption, the extension effectively keeps the construction site active for another week, maintaining the political flashpoint surrounding one of the most transformative building projects on the nation’s capital in recent memory.