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Lead: Marsch’s Final 26‑Man Roster Emphasises Speed and HealthCanadian head coach Jesse Marsch announced a 26‑player squad for the 2026 World Cup, trimming six names and placing a premium on fitness, especially in defence, while keeping attacking talent intact.The Squad Selection Focuses on Speed and HealthIn a primetime TV address, Marsch highlighted speed as the decisive factor, bringing in winger Jacob Shaffelburg as the last addition. The coach explained that the health of key players, notably captain Alphonso Davies, will dictate the team’s performance.The Numbers Behind the Roster26 players selected (3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 4 midfielders, 6 attacking midfielders/wingers, 4 strikers)Defensive injuries: Moïse Bombito (broken leg), Derek Cornelius (hamstring), Alfie Jones (ankle ligament)Captain Alphonso Davies – 58 caps, 15 goals for Bayern Munich, still recovering from a muscular issueTop scorer Jonathan David – 75 caps, 39 goals for JuventusGoalkeeper indecision: Maxime Crépeau vs Dayne St Clair, both to share minutes in the first pre‑tournament testImplications for Canada’s 2026 CampaignThe emphasis on fitness aims to mitigate a defence that has missed its first‑choice back four for the past 15 months. With the tournament set to be co‑hosted on Canadian soil, a healthy back line and a fit Davies are seen as essential for a historic group‑stage performance.Offensive concerns remain, as the attack is described as “fully‑healthy but mostly anemic.” Marsch’s confidence in Jonathan David and the revived Cyle Larin will be tested against strong group opponents.Outlook Ahead of the TournamentCanada will face Uzbekistan in Charlotte on Monday, giving both goalkeepers a 45‑minute run‑out. The results will inform the final starting XI for the opening match against Bosnia & Herzegovina. If key injuries resolve, Marsch believes the squad is “the best 26 players this country has ever assembled.”

The Lead: Iran's Internet Partially Restored Tehran, Iran – Authorities in Iran have reinstated some internet access three months after taking the country offline at the start of the war with the United States and Israel, but restrictions remain in place for most people. The Iranian government said last week that it had started a process to bring internet access back to a pre-war level, which was already very restricted as Iran was at the time still coming off an earlier 20-day shutdown imposed during deadly nationwide protests in January. The World's Longest Internet Blackout Last week's move ended more than 2,000 hours of near-total internet shutdown in the country of 90 million people, the longest-ever nationwide blackout in the world. But according to numerous user reports, local media accounts and expert analysis, Iranians' free access to the global internet is far from restored. Restricted Access and Blocked Services Access to millions of web pages remains blocked by the state, and almost all global services and apps such as YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook and Waze are closed off and are not under consideration for reinstatement. Mobile, wireless and landline connections are slow and patchy, to varying degrees, while many local applications and services regularly malfunction or fail to load. The Black Market for Internet Access Most people are forced into a black market for access to the internet, which has proven lucrative for those selling virtual private networks (VPNs) or other circumvention methods, often through affiliations with the state. Those connections have now become cheaper after the authorities restored some internet bandwidth, but demand for VPNs has skyrocketed, and people remain exposed to scammers and malware while navigating the market. The Architecture of Filtering Meanwhile, even after the partial reopening, Iranian authorities continue to impose several complex layers of restrictions that have effectively turned full internet access into a privilege that very few people authorised by the state can enjoy. Many data centres have yet to be fully brought back online, and some internet protocols like IPv6 and HTTP/3 are blocked, while others like UDP are actively disrupted by the authorities, local media reported. Political Conflict Over Internet Policy That has prompted more criticism against Iran's relatively moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, who campaigned against hardliners, in part, on reopening the internet. The Sazandegi reformist newspaper criticised the government over the "belated opening" in an op-ed on Saturday while the state-linked KhabarOnline news site wrote that the "Internet's technical infrastructure is the victim of the new architecture of filtering". The Tiered-Access Internet System Authorities have also failed to elaborate on what exactly they plan to do with the tiered-access internet system that they began expanding during the war. As part of the system, Iranians get varying degrees of access – or no access at all – to the global internet based on their profession and other classifications made by the state. To implement the scheme, a so-called "Internet Pro" scheme was introduced, which offers slightly less restricted access for about three times the price of a regular, more restricted internet package. Frustration and Limited Normalcy Still, more people have been able to get back on social media, where they have posted more videos from the war, including one that showed a new view as dozens of missiles rained down on the headquarters of Iran's supreme leader in downtown Tehran on February 28. Others are sharing war experiences, including where they were and how they felt when the first bombs hit the capital. But that hasn't alleviated the frustrations for many. "What we have right now is not the internet," said a Tehran resident, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. "It's a return to the previous half-closed condition that is now being sold as an achievement."

The Lead Israeli forces have reached the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh and captured the strategic Beaufort Castle, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since April. This marks Israel's deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than a quarter of a century. The Event Details Israeli forces now occupy about 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) of Lebanese territory – nearly one-fifth of the country. The advance marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Israeli forces operating well beyond the Litani River, which was initially presented as the effective limit of the zone they sought to clear of Hezbollah forces. Israeli troops have reached the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Choukine on the outskirts of Nabatieh – a Hezbollah stronghold. Israeli strikes on Deir ez-Zahrani at dawn on Sunday killed several people. The Data Analysis The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders extending as far north as the Zahrani River (around 10km or 6 miles north of the Litani River), further expanding its military control. This has raised questions about Israel's long-term objectives and the potential for a deeper security belt or prolonged territorial control. The Impact Analysis Analysts warn that Israel's actions suggest objectives that extend beyond its stated goal of removing Hezbollah from areas south of the Litani River. The continued advance into southern Lebanon follows blanket evacuation orders issued for Nabatieh earlier this week, as well as similar orders covering the coastal city of Tyre. Nabatieh is strategically important because it represents far more than a military hub; it is one of the principal political, economic, and social centers of Lebanon's Shia community and a key connective node between southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut. The Prediction The military escalation is undermining efforts by the Lebanese government to strengthen state authority and negotiate a lasting settlement. Analysts say Israel's actions may not be seeking a permanent occupation similar to the one it maintained in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000, but instead a longer-term system of military control through buffer zones, surveillance, and freedom of action inside Lebanese territory.

Key Takeaway: Over 40% of UK Mobile Users Face Signal Gaps on the MoveMore than four in ten consumers report difficulty accessing 4G or 5G for at least half the time they are away from home, underscoring persistent weaknesses in the nation’s mobile infrastructure.Survey Reveals Widespread 4G/5G Connectivity GapsThe Survation poll, commissioned by property consultancy Cluttons, interviewed 2,000+ device users across the UK. Key observations include:45% of respondents feel frustrated with mobile connectivity outside the home at least once a week.Among 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds, frustration rises to 57%.27% are similarly annoyed by home Wi‑Fi performance.Numbers Highlight Frustration and Economic CostUK mobile download speeds have slipped to 59th globally, down from 53rd in 2024 and 51st in 2023. Fixed‑line speeds sit at 44th worldwide.Economic modelling by Assembly Research estimates that boosting mobile coverage along railways from the current 50% to 80% could unlock nearly £3 bn in productivity gains over the next decade, adding more than 66 million hours of passenger productivity by 2035.Implications for UK Digital Infrastructure and ProductivityStakeholders warn that rollout efforts have focused on easily profitable areas, leaving rural and city‑centre zones under‑served. Helen Morgan, chair of the Digital Communities All‑Party Parliamentary Group, stresses that poor connectivity “constrains productivity and competitiveness,” especially in rural economies.While 86% of premises can access full‑fibre broadband, the mobile network lag hampers the digital backbone essential for modern economic growth.Future Outlook: Policy Moves and Satellite SolutionsThe government’s recent announcement to equip over 1,400 trains with low‑earth‑orbit satellite technology promises faster, more reliable onboard connectivity, potentially easing some pressure on terrestrial mobile networks.Continued pressure on telecom providers and targeted investment in both mobile and fixed infrastructure will be critical to close the gap between the UK’s digital ambitions and actual service delivery.

The Landmark Broadcasting Deal CBS Sports has secured a four-year deal to broadcast the Women’s Super League (WSL) live in the US, starting from the next season and running until the end of the 2029-30 campaign. This deal represents a significant increase in valuation, potentially bringing in a fourfold increase in revenue for the WSL compared to previous seasons. Broadcasting Details Under the new agreement, the Paramount+ streaming service will air 183 WSL matches per season. Additionally, the CBS Sports Network will show one live match per week, with select matches also airing on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. This deal was negotiated by IMG, the international media rights representative for WSL Football. The Impact on Women's Football This deal marks a new record high for a US broadcasting agreement in the WSL. CBS Sports already holds rights to other women’s leagues, including the NWSL and the Women’s Champions League. The network had previously held WSL rights during the 2023-24 season. Zarah Al-Kudcy, WSL Football’s chief revenue officer, expressed excitement about welcoming CBS Sports back, highlighting their commitment to women’s football and their extensive talent roster. The Future of WSL Broadcasting The deal was finalized much earlier than previous agreements, which were typically announced shortly before the start of the season. This early conclusion brings stability and excitement ahead of the next WSL season in September. The partnership also comes as several WSL players have been named to the US women’s national team roster, further boosting the league’s profile.

The Concept of 'Mind Children' A few months ago, an AI researcher from Europe attended a dinner party in Silicon Valley. During one of the many courses, the host addressed his guests, all of whom worked in AI. The researcher paraphrased his message like this: “Isn’t it amazing that we are the last generation of humans who will need to think about procreating biologically? We were lucky enough to be born at a time where we can simply upload our consciousnesses instead.” The Book That Sparked the Conversation The book in question was Hans Moravec’s Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence, which was first published in 1988, and which at the time, according to economist and futurist Robin Hanson of George Mason University, caused a big splash in a small pond – the community of robotics and machine-learning experts to which Moravec belonged. The Data Analysis Moravec’s book is more philosophical treatise than technological manual, but the central idea is that cultural evolution has long since taken over from biological evolution as the most powerful force shaping humanity. The logical extrapolation of this is that the information that encodes our future selves would soon be packed into hardware and software rather than DNA. The Impact Analysis Angela Aristidou, who studies the real-life deployment of AI at University College London, is not surprised that Moravec’s book is enjoying a revival. She says that what in 1988 might have read like science fiction – and still might to most of us – looks eminently realisable to those in the know. The Prediction Hanson shares his conviction that the revolution is inevitable, as soon as AI attains something experts agree to call human-level intelligence. “We are going to generate an explosion of things like us in the future, who will be different from us in many ways,” Hanson says. “To the extent that they have minds somewhat like ours, they are our mind children.”

The Architecture of an African GiantIn less than two decades, Morocco has redefined African football, evolving from a team frequently eliminated in group stages to a global powerhouse ranked in the top 10 of the FIFA men’s rankings. This meteoric rise is not accidental but the result of a long-term national project initiated by King Mohammed VI in 2008.The success is built on three distinct pillars: good governance, financial investment, and competent human resources. The first step involved creating a national department for financial control to professionalise the federation's structure. This was followed by a massive infrastructure overhaul, including the construction of thousands of 'proximity fields' for mass participation and the Mohammed VI Complex in Maamoura, a technical center often compared to France's elite Clairefontaine academy.A Trophy Cabinet OverflowingThe impact of this strategy is evident in the sheer volume of recent accolades. The Atlas Lions have dominated across every age group, securing titles that span senior, youth, and women's football:2025 AFCON Champions (after Senegal were stripped of the title)2025 WAFCON Finalists2025 FIFA Arab Cup Champions2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Champions2025 U-20 FIFA World Cup Champions2025 U-17 AFCON Champions2024 Olympic Men’s Bronze Medallist2024 Futsal AFCON ChampionsThe Diaspora Strategy and Infrastructure BoomA critical factor in Morocco's ascent is the reform of national eligibility rules, which opened the door to players from the European diaspora. This strategy has attracted stars like Hakim Ziyech, Nordin Amrabat, and Brahim Diaz.The latest addition to this lineage is Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old Lille midfielder. Despite interest from Zinedine Zidane and the French national team, Bouaddi chose to represent Morocco, highlighting the magnetic pull of the national project. The Mohammed VI Complex has already produced top talent, including Nayef Aguerd, Azzedine Ounahi, and Youssef En-Nesyri.Navigating the 2026 World Cup and the 2030 DreamWith high expectations for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Morocco faces a transitional period following the resignation of coach Walid Regragui after the controversial 2025 AFCON final. The federation has appointed Mohamed Ouahbi, who led the youth team to the U-20 World Cup title.While Ouahbi’s more adventurous style differs from Regragui’s pragmatic resilience, the foundation is solid. The world views Morocco as a credible contender, but the team understands that the 2026 tournament is merely a milestone. With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the current success is viewed as the acceleration of a broader national development agenda.

The Election Outcome Malta’s Labour Party (PL) has won an unprecedented fourth term in a victory for Prime Minister Robert Abela, according to preliminary results of the election held on Saturday. The party secured a comfortable parliamentary majority, although it appeared to be narrower than in 2022, when it took 55 percent of all ballots cast. Abela's Victory Speech “This is a victory of all the people based on the programme we presented for all the people,” Abela told reporters, saying results showed his party had “won a strong mandate”. He called for national unity, stating, “Let us maintain the spirit of national unity and move the country forward together.” Election Details Election held on Saturday with a turnout of 87.4 percent, slightly up from the last general election in 2022. Abela, 48, called the snap election a year early to shield Malta from geopolitical crises. The economy grew 4 percent last year, but there are concerns about the impact of the Middle East conflict on tourism and inflation. Opposition's Response Charles Bonello, general secretary of the opposition Nationalist Party (PN), conceded the election but noted that his party had managed to slash back Labour’s majority. The Road Ahead Abela has led Malta since 2020. His government will continue to focus on economic stability and addressing challenges such as corruption, which remains a significant issue in the country.

In April 2024, a local wildlife ranger recorded a pale horseshoe whip snake gliding through the turquoise waters between Ibiza and the tiny islet of Santa Eulària, providing the first indisputable visual proof that the invasive snake can swim and expand its range across the Balearics.The First Video Confirms Snakes Swimming Between Ibiza and Santa EulàriaThe footage, shot on a minuscule island 450 metres off Ibiza’s east coast, validates long‑standing anecdotal reports from fishermen and tourists. Biologist Oriol Lapiedra of the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (Creaf) noted that while snake sightings were common, this was “the first proper evidence” of a snake making the crossing.Captures and Projections Reveal a Rapidly Expanding Snake PopulationMore than 3,500 horseshoe whip snakes were captured on Ibiza in 2025 alone.Since 2016, over 16,000 individuals have been culled.Scientists forecast that the species will occupy 100 % of the island by the end of 2027.On the mainland, snakes rarely exceed 1.8 m in length, but Ibiza specimens have been recorded at over 2 m and weighing 2.5 times as much.Ecological Fallout: Endangered Wall Lizards Face Near‑ExtinctionThe Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) was upgraded by the IUCN in October 2022 from “near threatened” to “endangered”, reflecting the mounting pressure from the snake. On Santa Eulària, researchers counted 72 lizards in 2016 but only three in 2023. Across the ten islets that once hosted unique lizard populations, many have now lost their native reptiles entirely, erasing thousands of years of isolated evolution.Future Outlook: Management Strategies and the Likelihood of Island‑Wide InfestationRegional authorities, in partnership with Creaf and conservation NGOs, are intensifying capture programmes and exploring “Noah’s ark” captive‑breeding projects to preserve genetic stock. However, the sheer scale of the snake invasion—driven by imported olive trees that provide hidden refuges—means that without sustained effort, the horseshoe whip snake could dominate the Balearic archipelago, reshaping its ecosystems for decades to come.