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A 60-year-old man has received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to sending offensive messages about England international Jess Carter during the European Championship last summer.Nigel Dewale, of Great Harwood in Lancashire, was sentenced to six weeks, suspended for 12 months, after a hearing at Blackburn magistrates court. He also received a four-year football banning order and a requirement to engage in a 10-day rehabilitation programme.Dewale had admitted to sending 'malicious communications' on TikTok and was identified as the author of two posts that used both racist and misogynist language.The deputy director of the UK Football Policing Unit, Mike Ankers, welcomed the verdict and praised the determination of Carter and the rest of the Lionesses to stand up to online abuse.Ankers said he believed there continued to be substantial underreporting of the online abuse directed at athletes and called for social media companies to be held accountable for sharing identifying information of account holders suspected of hate speech.

Photographer Peter van Agtmael captured a striking image during his first trip to Iraq 20 years ago, which has become a defining moment in his career. The photograph shows a dejected soldier sitting in a domestic living room, highlighting the incongruity of war in everyday life.Van Agtmael, who was 25 at the time, had been embedded with the US military for six weeks. He wanted to move beyond traditional war photography, which often focuses on violence and horror, and explore the human side of conflict. This image, he says, crystallized his understanding of the US military's role in the Middle East and the absurdity of war.The photograph shows a soldier in a mundane setting, which could be anywhere in the world. Van Agtmael notes that this juxtaposition of war and domesticity reveals the complexity of human nature and the proximity of war to everyday life. He believes that war is part of the human soul and that it's essential to acknowledge this reality.Van Agtmael's experience in Iraq was formative, and he reflects on the failures of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He questions the effectiveness of externally created regime change and the long-term impact of military interventions.As a war photographer, van Agtmael has grappled with the moral complexities of his work. He believes that thoughtful documentation of human violence can have a moral impact, but also acknowledges the challenges of being a witness to extreme violence.Now a father, van Agtmael has shifted his focus away from war photography. He reflects on the changing nature of his work and the importance of finding new purpose in life.

The modern cricket calendar has been likened to a game of Tetris that has gone awry, with players facing an intense schedule that leaves little room for recovery or emotional processing. This has significant implications for their mental wellbeing and performance. Elite cricketers, such as New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, are expected to bounce back quickly from defeats, often playing matches just days apart. Santner's team, the Black Caps, suffered a 96-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup final on March 8, and Santner was back in action just seven days later against South Africa. Mental skills coach Maurice Duffy notes that recovery from emotional trauma can take weeks or months, but cricketers are often given only days to process their emotions. Duffy emphasizes the importance of balance and 'reset' for players to maintain their performance and mental health. The issue is not just the volume of cricket, but also the emotional demands of the game. Players are expected to process failure, challenge, and disappointment quickly and then perform at a high level. This can lead to burnout, which is not just about playing too much cricket, but also about playing without meaning. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start just three weeks after the T20 World Cup, which is a relatively generous turnaround compared to previous years. The IPL's rapid start highlights the packed schedule and the challenges it poses for player wellbeing and fan engagement. Experts argue that the constant grind of the modern calendar takes a toll on players and fans alike. With so many matches and competitions, it can be difficult for fans to keep up and invest in bilateral series that often seem inconsequential. Ultimately, finding a balance between competition and recovery is crucial. As Duffy points out, athletes need to find their 'why' – their purpose and motivation – to maintain their effort and engagement in the face of a demanding schedule.

The recent escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel has sent shockwaves through the global energy market, leading to a significant increase in oil and gas prices. The conflict has raised concerns about the potential disruption of oil supplies from the region, which could have a lasting impact on prices.Despite expectations that the price shock will be temporary, experts believe that the effects of the conflict will be felt for some time. The Iran war has already led to a significant increase in oil prices, with many analysts predicting that prices will continue to rise in the coming weeks and months.The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, which could lead to even higher prices. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the oil and gas price shock sparked by the Iran war is unlikely to fade away anytime soon.

A second set of mountain gorilla twins has been born in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking what conservationists are calling an extraordinary event for these endangered primates.Just two months after twin mountain gorillas were discovered by rangers in the Virunga massif in eastern DRC, another rare twin birth has been found by park wardens. This time, an infant male and female have been spotted in the Baraka family, a troop of 19 mountain gorillas that roam the region's high-altitude rainforests.Park rangers have placed the young primates under additional monitoring to help them through the critical initial months, as the infants face significant challenges to becoming fully grown adults. Twins are extremely rare in mountain gorillas, accounting for less than 1% of births, and place extra demands on the mother.The gorilla subspecies, found in only two isolated pockets of the Virunga massif and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda, has high rates of infant mortality, with about a quarter falling victim to disease, trauma or infanticide.In January, Virunga National Park announced that a female mountain gorilla called Mafuko had given birth to twins. The infant males are now 11 weeks old and said to be thriving, with other gorillas in the troop taking extra care of the mother to support her caregiving, according to rangers. Park authorities believe that twin births are more likely when females are in particularly good physical condition.Jacques Katutu, the head of gorilla monitoring at Virunga, said: "Two instances of twin births within three months is an extraordinary event and provides another vital indicator that dedicated conservation efforts, which have continued despite the current instability in eastern Congo, continue to support the growth of the endangered mountain gorilla population within Virunga National Park."Specialist veterinary care has played a leading role in the revival of the subspecies. In Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC, organizations such as the Gorilla Doctors have prevented dozens of deaths by helping animals affected by human behavior, such as by releasing gorillas accidentally caught in poachers' traps. One study attributes half of the mountain gorillas' population increase to the vets.Barely 250 mountain gorillas were left in the 1970s, and many thought the animals faced extinction. Decades of intense conservation work helped population numbers surpass 1,000 in 2018, and conservation authorities have since downgraded the subspecies' status from critically endangered to endangered.The DRC section of the Virunga mountain range remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for wildlife rangers. Over the past 20 years, more than 220 rangers have been killed in the park, where rebel groups such as M23 and other militias, as well as bandits, operate with impunity.

The escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have triggered a worldwide energy crisis that is affecting lives far from the conflict zones. Alagesan, 35, a small business owner in Coimbatore, India, faces the potential collapse of his roadside drink and snack shop due to an acute shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) caused by the conflict."I am far away from the Middle East, but my life is affected," Alagesan stated. "The gas cylinder is not available because of the war. I don't know what to do."The closure of the Strait of Hormuz – through which one-fifth of the world's oil travels – has created a critical supply disruption, pushing international oil prices to approximately $100 per barrel. This surge is translating into higher costs for gasoline, petrol, and numerous consumer goods, placing significant pressure on households and economies globally.In response to the crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a series of recommendations including remote work where feasible, reduced highway speed limits, shifting from private vehicles to public transportation, carpooling, electric cooking alternatives, and avoiding non-essential air travel."The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market," stated IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe."Individuals worldwide are implementing various coping strategies in response to fuel shortages and price increases. Many have restricted driving to essential journeys only, increased cycling, and utilized public transportation more frequently.In regions with cooler climates, heating oil usage has been drastically curtailed due to "skyrocketing prices," with some households heating only single rooms, burning wood, and adding extra layers of clothing. Others have cancelled vacations, citing inappropriate fuel consumption during heightened demand.While some expressed relief at having electric vehicles and solar panels providing "control" over their energy sources, many with limited public transport options have no alternative but to continue driving to work and essential activities, forcing difficult budget adjustments elsewhere.In India, where 60% of LPG is imported and 90% of it passes through the Strait of Hormuz, the crisis has led to severe rationing. Gangesh, 57, from Kerala, reported "most hotels are suffering the worst shortage" with "a large number of eateries shutting down leading to unemployment." One woman noted a "35-day wait for the next instalment of gas cylinders."The personal stories of adaptation continue across continents. Sue, 73, in the UK has "banned" car use except for hospital trips, opting for bicycles and a tricycle instead. Katie, 71, in Massachusetts faces impossible choices between food and gasoline for her son's essential medical care, requiring 100-mile round trips."We now consider carefully almost every mile we must drive and are trying to cut back expenses every way we can," Katie explained.In the UK, where an estimated 1.7 million households rely on heating oil, and in Northern Ireland where it serves as the primary heating source for nearly two-thirds of households, the crisis has reached critical levels. David in Londonderry expressed concern about "additional and immediate increases" in fuel costs, particularly for those with respiratory conditions requiring stable temperatures.Anne*, 50, in Perthshire, Scotland, saw the price of 1,000 liters of paraffin jump from £600 to £1,450, forcing her family to use firewood cut from fallen trees instead. "It's laborious work," she noted. "Hot-water bottles are also good. Very old school."Amanda*, 48, in Devon, UK, has only about three weeks of heating oil remaining: "I have had to turn it off as I do not have the extra money to pay the current prices. It's difficult because you obviously want to keep them [her sons] warm, and you feel guilty that you can't provide for them."Meanwhile, Alex, 46, in New South Wales, Australia, has reduced driving and increased public transport use, not only due to rising costs but also to avoid "panic buying" that could leave her without fuel. "War isn't about security or defending borders. War is what greed looks like in public," she reflected.

NASA has announced a significant shift in its lunar exploration strategy, cancelling plans for a lunar orbit space station known as Gateway. Instead, the agency will utilize the station's components to construct a $20bn base on the moon's surface over the next seven years.The decision was made by NASA's new chief, Jared Isaacman, who was sworn in at the agency in December. Isaacman outlined the changes to the agency's flagship moon program, Artemis, at an event at NASA's Washington headquarters."It should not really surprise anyone that we are pausing Gateway in its current form and focusing on infrastructure that supports sustained operations on the lunar surface," Isaacman told delegates at the event.The Lunar Gateway station, largely already built with contractors Northrop Grumman and Lanteris Space Systems, owned by Intuitive Machines, was meant to be a space station parked in a lunar orbit. Repurposing the craft for a lunar surface base is not simple, but Isaacman emphasized that the agency can repurpose equipment and international partner commitments to support surface and other program objectives.The changes imposed by Isaacman on the flagship US moon program in recent weeks are reshaping billions of dollars' worth of contracts under the Artemis effort, sending companies scrambling to accommodate the extra urgency as China makes progress toward its own 2030 moon landing.

Criterion Capital, a property company established by billionaire Asif Aziz, has strongly denied allegations of attempting to mass-evict tenants in the weeks leading up to the implementation of England's no-fault evictions ban on May 1. The controversy began when Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, wrote to Criterion seeking urgent answers about its plans after reports emerged that the company had issued section 21 notices to a large number of tenants. These notices inform tenants of proposed eviction. According to reports, Criterion issued 87 section 21 notices across its property portfolio, which accounts for fewer than 5% of its total tenants. The company insists that this is not a case of mass eviction but rather 'routine and lawful tenancy management'. The company emphasized that more than a third of households who received these notices had chosen to move, describing these as 'tenant-led decisions.' Pennycook expressed concern that Criterion's actions, if true, would be those of a 'thoroughly unscrupulous landlord,' especially with the Renters' Rights Act set to ban no-fault evictions in England. He requested a transparent account of Criterion's actions regarding periodic tenancies at Britannia Point and other buildings in south London. In response, Criterion accused politicians of spreading 'inaccurate and politicised narratives' and claimed that tenants were being used as 'cannon fodder for political campaigning.' The controversy highlights the tension between property management practices and upcoming legislative changes aimed at protecting renters' rights in England.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which begins on Thursday and lasts until Tuesday. The decision was made amid weeks of deadly violence between the neighboring countries.Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that the ceasefire was requested by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. He stated that Pakistan is offering this gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms.However, Tarar also warned that if there are any cross-border attacks, drone attacks, or terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, military operations will immediately resume with renewed intensity.The Taliban government in Afghanistan also confirmed that it would temporarily suspend military operations against Pakistan.The ceasefire comes after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of killing hundreds of people in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul. Pakistan has strongly rejected these claims, stating that it only targets terrorist infrastructure and military locations.The United Nations reported 143 deaths in the incident at the Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility. The conflict has led to repeated cross-border clashes and air strikes inside Afghanistan, despite international calls for a ceasefire and concerns about a widening displacement crisis.The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged all parties to de-escalate and prioritize peace and health, noting that at least six health facilities in Afghanistan have been affected by the violence since late February.The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the temporary truce as a positive gesture that contributes to de-escalation and promotes calm between the two sides. They hope the pause in fighting will pave the way for a return to a sustainable ceasefire agreement that spares civilian lives and achieves security and stability.