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European intelligence agencies have gathered evidence suggesting that Russia is on the verge of supplying drones to Iran for use in its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. This development could significantly escalate tensions in the region.According to a senior European official, Russia has already been providing intelligence sharing with Tehran to help target US forces. The upcoming delivery of explosive-laden drones would be the first instance of lethal support from Russia to Iran since the start of the war.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report by the Financial Times that western intelligence found Russia was close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine, and food to Iran. Drone deliveries could be completed by the middle of next week.In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “There are a lot of fakes going around right now. One thing is true – we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership.”Russia and Iran have signed a strategic partnership agreement and Moscow has sent over 13 tonnes of medicine to Iran through Azerbaijan. Moscow's growing involvement could expand and escalate the conflict, which has been criticized for its ill-defined objectives and resulting geopolitical and economic chaos.European foreign ministers have expressed concern over Russia's support for Iran, with German foreign minister Johann Wadephul accusing Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets. “Putin cynically hopes that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine,” he said.

Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt have brought their talents together for a 25th-anniversary concert of Jason Robert Brown's two-hander musical, 'The Last Five Years', at the London Palladium. This poignant production explores the complexities of a disintegrating relationship through alternating solos, with one character recounting their story in reverse while the other tells it chronologically. The musical mastermind behind the production, Jason Robert Brown, directs and conducts from the piano, accompanied by a band of eight musicians. The set design by Bretta Gerecke effectively captures the urban spaces where the story unfolds, complete with central staircases and positioned windows. Rachel Zegler shines as Cathy, delivering a powerful performance that conveys the frustration and pain of a partner struggling to cope with the end of the relationship. Meanwhile, Ben Platt brings his signature energy to the role of Jamie, capturing the whirlwind of his character's rising success and its impact on their relationship. The concert format creates a jumble of joy and pain over an interval-free 90 minutes, with the band adding a sparkle to the performance. The chemistry between Zegler and Platt is undeniable, even when they're not sharing the stage, making their characters' bond convincing despite their limited time together. The production runs at the London Palladium until March 29, followed by performances at the Hollywood Bowl on April 3 and Radio City Music Hall on April 6-7.

Fears of economic strain are mounting across Europe as the United States-Israel conflict with Iran approaches its one-month anniversary. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has described the situation as an economic 'catastrophe' for global economies, with impacts already becoming evident.Speaking during a meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Pistorius emphasized Germany's willingness to contribute to peace efforts. He stated that Germany is 'ready to secure any peace' and would discuss operations to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire were implemented.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has further exacerbated concerns by revising global growth projections. The international body cut its 2026 forecast for British economic growth by half a percentage point to just 0.7 percent, while downgrading the eurozone by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, the US received a 0.3 percentage point upgrade to its growth forecast.Addressing reporters in Canberra, Pistorius criticized the lack of consultation with Germany before the commencement of hostilities. 'Nobody asked us before. It's not our war, and therefore we don't want to get sucked into that war,' he stated, adding that there is no clear strategy, objective, or exit plan from the conflict.The economic repercussions are particularly severe in energy markets. Natural gas prices in the European Union have surged by more than 30 percent since the conflict began, with prices spiking following Israel's attack on Iran's critical South Pars gasfield and subsequent Iranian retaliation against Qatar's Ras Laffan facility.European leaders are increasingly vocal about the economic dangers. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has called for negotiations with Iran and an end to hostilities, while urging member states to accelerate preparations for meeting winter gas storage targets. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has described the situation as 'far worse' than the 2003 Iraq invasion, warning of broader and deeper potential impacts.The economic consequences extend beyond Europe, with the OECD noting that the global economy, previously on a path toward growth, has now veered from that trajectory. Planned fiscal tightening and higher energy prices are expected to keep growth subdued in the United Kingdom, though somewhat mitigated by lower policy rates anticipated for the following year.

A California jury has ruled that Meta and Google are liable for $3m in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit. The case, which began over a month ago, accused the companies of designing features intended to hook young users, including notifications and autoplay features.The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman referred to as KGM or Kaley, claimed that she became addicted to social media at a young age, which exacerbated her mental health issues. She began using YouTube at age six and Meta-owned Instagram at age nine.The jury deliberated for over 40 hours across nine days before reaching a verdict. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified in the case, although YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan was not called to testify.The verdict is the latest in a wave of lawsuits targeting social media companies. There is a looming federal social media addiction case slated to begin in June in Oakland, California. On Tuesday in New Mexico, a jury found that Meta violated state law by misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and by enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms.Legal experts say the verdict will shape future litigation. 'The fact the jury found Meta and Google liable represents that these cases have real exposure to the social media giants, and are going to frame how future litigation will proceed,' entertainment lawyer Tre Lovell told Al Jazeera.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a temporary waiver allowing the sale of a higher-ethanol fuel blend, known as E15, in an effort to alleviate soaring gas prices that have been exacerbated by the ongoing Iran war.E15, which contains a higher percentage of ethanol than standard gasoline, has been prohibited during warm weather months due to concerns over its potential to worsen smog. However, the EPA's decision, supported by the US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, aims to provide relief to consumers at the pump.“President Trump is unleashing American Energy Dominance, and today’s action will directly lower prices at the pump and gives a clear demand signal to our domestic biofuels producers,” Rollins stated.The summer waiver for E15 has become a recurring measure in recent years, with both Republicans and Democrats advocating for its permanent implementation to reduce fuel costs. Currently, E15 is already permitted in several states, including Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, and most of South Dakota.However, not all experts are convinced that the move will significantly lower gas prices. Kenneth Gillingham, a professor at the Yale School of the Environment, pointed out that E15 is not widely available in all states, and some areas lack the necessary infrastructure or sufficient ethanol supply to support increased use.Gillingham also highlighted potential risks associated with E15, particularly for older vehicles, boats, and all-terrain vehicles, due to its higher corrosive ethanol content. Additionally, increased corn usage for ethanol production could lead to higher costs for animal feed and, subsequently, grocery prices.“I think it’s difficult to see when the ledger’s settled how this is a benefit for US consumers,” said Jason Hill, a professor at the University of Minnesota.The decision has also drawn criticism over its potential environmental impacts, with concerns about increased ozone issues, respiratory problems, and even premature deaths.While the oil industry has generally opposed the expansion of E15, citing costly biofuel blending and potential price increases, the American Petroleum Institute has expressed support for the temporary waiver, emphasizing its role in ensuring affordable and reliable energy for American consumers.

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has disclosed that he explored the possibility of returning to the NFL as a player, but the league was not keen on the idea. In a recent interview with CNBC Sport, Brady revealed that he had inquired about a potential comeback, but the league's response was lukewarm.Brady's last NFL game was in January 2023, when his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, lost to the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, he has transitioned into a new role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and a television analyst for Fox. A spokesperson for the league noted that if Brady were to return to playing, he would need to divest his stake in the Raiders.“I actually have inquired [about a return to playing], and [the NFL] don’t like that idea very much,” Brady said. “We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me just say that, too.”Despite his interest in a potential comeback, Brady emphasized that he is content with his decision to retire. He recently participated in a televised flag football game, where he threw a touchdown pass to receiver Stefon Diggs and appeared to be in good football shape. However, Brady insisted that the game only reconfirmed his happiness with his retirement.As a minority owner of the Raiders, Brady described his role as having no formal job description. He expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the team's success and bringing a winning culture to Las Vegas.Brady's commitment to winning is legendary, and his achievements in the NFL are unparalleled. He holds the record for most Super Bowl wins (7), career passing touchdowns (649), and passing yards (89,214).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning about a health crisis unfolding in real time across the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for a complete cessation of hostilities to mitigate the humanitarian catastrophe.Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the WHO's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stressed that hospitals and healthcare facilities must be treated as safe havens to protect patients and healthcare workers. The region, encompassing 22 countries and territories including Iran, Gulf states, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, is facing severe disruptions in healthcare services due to the ongoing conflicts.The violence has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with over 1,000 people killed in Lebanon, 1,500 in Iran, and 16 in Israel, alongside reports of numerous deaths in the West Bank and Gulf Arab states. Moreover, 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran and over 1 million in Lebanon within a month, exacerbating the crisis.Balkhy expressed deep concern about the long-term impacts on maternal mortality, mental health, and the plight of orphaned children left without education. The WHO has verified dozens of attacks on healthcare facilities in Lebanon, Iran, and Israel since the conflict began, including a recent attack on a hospital in Sudan that killed at least 70 people.The organization is also preparing for potential attacks on nuclear sites and water desalination plants, which could have catastrophic health repercussions. Balkhy urged for a significant de-escalation or a permanent pause in hostilities to prevent further humanitarian disaster.

The United States has recently presented a 15-point plan as part of its ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. This proposal is seen as a significant move in the complex and often tense relationship between the two nations. While specific details of the plan have not been disclosed, it is understood to cover a range of critical issues that have been points of contention between the US and Iran. These may include nuclear negotiations, economic sanctions, and regional security concerns. The proposal comes at a time when diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran have been intensifying, with both sides seeking to find common ground to address their differences. The Iran nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew in 2018, remains a central point of discussion, with the US pushing for stricter controls on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. The international community has been closely watching these developments, given the potential impact on global security and energy markets. A successful negotiation could lead to a more stable Middle East and lower oil prices, while a failure could exacerbate tensions and lead to further instability.

New Zealand football players have expressed their willingness to play their FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Iran outside the United States, citing the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. The match, scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles, has been put into doubt due to Iran's threat to boycott fixtures on US soil.The Iranian Football Federation has raised concerns over the fixture, following the recent escalation of tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. Despite this, New Zealand's players remain committed to the match and are prepared to adapt if necessary.Ryan Thomas, a Netherlands-based midfielder for New Zealand, emphasized that Iran has earned its spot in the World Cup and that the team would be able to manage the extra attention generated by the match. 'They deserve to be there as qualifiers,' he told Reuters. 'If we've got to play them in Mexico or Canada, then yeah, we play them there. It's not really a big deal for me.'New Zealand's team is set to be based in San Diego, California, which is close to the Mexican border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that her country would be open to hosting Iran's World Cup fixtures, should a venue switch be necessary.Kosta Barbarouses, an Australia-based winger for New Zealand, echoed Thomas's sentiments, stating that a venue switch would not disrupt the team's preparations. 'I don't think it would derail our preparation at all,' he told Reuters. 'We've got a base before our first game, anyway. So, yeah, I don't see why not.'FIFA has declined to comment on the possibility of switching venues for Iran's games but has stated that it is in contact with the Iranian Football Federation and looks forward to teams competing as per the current match schedule.