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In a landmark decision, a Manhattan federal jury determined that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary wield a monopolistic grip on major concert venues across the United States. The four‑day deliberation ended Wednesday with a finding that the ticket‑selling platform had overcharged buyers by $1.72 per ticket, a figure that will now be used by a judge to calculate total damages. The case, originally spearheaded by the federal government and later joined by dozens of states, accused Live Nation of leveraging its extensive venue network to stifle competition. Plaintiffs argued that the company barred venues from using alternative ticket sellers and retaliated against those that attempted to do so. Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing the states, called Live Nation a “monopolistic bully” that inflates prices for concertgoers. He cited the company’s control of 86% of the concert‑ticket market and 73% of the combined concert‑and‑sports market, underscoring the breadth of its influence. Live Nation, which reported over $22 billion in annual revenue, rejected the monopoly label, insisting that pricing decisions rest with artists, sports teams, and venue owners. Company counsel argued that the firm’s size reflects “excellence and effort,” not antitrust violations. The jury’s finding arrives amid a broader regulatory push. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission required Ticketmaster to disclose ticket fees up front, prompting the company to eliminate a post‑checkout processing charge. However, a recent Guardian investigation revealed that Ticketmaster introduced alternative fees to offset lost revenue, raising questions about compliance with FTC rules. Earlier, the Department of Justice settled with Live Nation under the Trump administration, creating a $280 million settlement fund for participating states. The agreement also imposed caps on service fees at select amphitheaters and opened the door—though not the obligation—for venues to work with Ticketmaster rivals such as SeatGeek and AXS. More than 30 states declined the settlement and pursued the trial, arguing that the federal government’s concessions were insufficient. During the proceedings, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino testified, including about the 2022 Taylor Swift ticket fiasco, which he attributed to a cyber‑attack. Internal communications from Live Nation executive Benjamin Baker surfaced, in which he described certain pricing practices as “outrageous” and disparaged customers as “so stupid,” later apologizing for the “very immature and unacceptable” remarks. Live Nation has announced its intention to appeal the verdict, stating confidence that the ultimate outcome will align with the original DOJ settlement framework. The case continues to spotlight the tension between dominant market players and antitrust enforcement in the live‑entertainment industry.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a proud Jewish American, has spoken out against the inhumane actions of Israel and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasizes that criticizing Israel's actions is not antisemitic, but rather a necessary stance against violations of international law.Sanders highlights the devastating impact of Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 wounded, mostly women, children, and the elderly. He also notes the destruction of almost all of Gaza's infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, and the demolition of every university and hundreds of schools.In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed 1,071 Palestinians, including 233 children, and demolished over 6,000 Palestinian homes. Sanders argues that these actions are not just extremist settler behavior, but government policy, with Netanyahu's security cabinet approving sweeping changes to the West Bank's legal status.Sanders announces that he will force a Senate vote on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block arms sales to Israel, including $151.8m in 1,000-pound bombs and $295m in bulldozers used for demolishing homes. He hopes his colleagues will join him in supporting these resolutions, citing plummeting support for Israel among Americans, especially young people.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran are expected to resume in Islamabad within days, placing President Donald Trump under intense pressure to deliver an Iran accord that can be credibly billed as superior to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) brokered by former President Barack Obama. Two tests dominate the diplomatic calculus: the deal must demonstrably exceed the Obama agreement, and it must ensure that Iran derives no lasting strategic advantage, particularly over the vital Strait of Hormuz. While direct comparisons with the 159‑page JCPOA are imperfect—given the evolution of Iran’s nuclear program and the emergence of non‑nuclear concerns—the Trump team is framing its objectives around four pivotal issues. 1. Enrichment suspension: In Geneva on 26 February, the U.S. demanded a 10‑year freeze on all domestic uranium enrichment, a figure Iran’s foreign minister deemed unrealistic beyond three years. In Islamabad, the U.S. escalated the ask to a 20‑year suspension, yet Trump publicly dismissed even that, insisting on a permanent ban. The practical timeline for Iran to restart enrichment after the damage to its facilities remains uncertain. 2. Highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile: The original JCPOA capped uranium enrichment at 3.65% and limited the stockpile to 300 kg. Iran now holds 440.9 kg of 60%‑enriched uranium—a material that can be rapidly converted to weapons‑grade (90%)—mostly stored as UF₆ gas in scuba‑tank‑sized canisters. Tehran offered to down‑blend this stockpile to 3.67% in an irreversible process, mirroring the 2015 deal’s provisions. The U.S., however, is pressing for the entire stockpile to be removed from Iran under American supervision, a stance that raises questions about the relative merits of in‑country down‑blending versus export. 3. Sanctions relief: The JCPOA promised the release of roughly $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets and the lifting of oil trade restrictions, while retaining sanctions on terrorism, human rights, and missile proliferation. In the Geneva framework, over 80% of sanctions would be lifted, leaving only human‑rights‑related measures. Trump’s administration, wary of political backlash, seeks to attach conditions on how Iran can spend the relief, a demand Tehran rejects, insisting on a permanent, irreversible lifting of sanctions. 4. Non‑nuclear issues: Trump has repeatedly criticized the JCPOA for isolating Iran’s nuclear program from its broader regional behavior. The current negotiations must grapple with Iran’s ballistic‑missile program, support for proxy forces, and the strategic future of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials are divided: one camp favors leveraging the strait for immediate revenue and national pride, while another views it as a diplomatic lever to secure a lasting ceasefire and security guarantees. The confluence of these challenges creates a “marshmallow test” for both sides—whether they can forgo short‑term temptations in favor of a durable, long‑term settlement. As the Trump presidency approaches its final year, the ability to craft a deal that convincingly outperforms the Obama era while addressing the expanded nuclear and geopolitical landscape will determine the legacy of U.S. policy on Iran and its impact on regional stability.

On Wednesday, Everton marked the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy by installing a permanent memorial at the newly‑named Hill Dickinson Stadium, dedicated to the 97 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives.Representatives of the victims' families and officials from Liverpool FC were invited to a solemn ceremony where a plaque was affixed to the South Stand, formally unveiling the tribute.Former Liverpool manager Sir Kenny Dalglish and club legend Ian Rush laid floral offerings on behalf of Liverpool, while Hillsborough campaigner and Everton supporter Stephen Kelly—who lost his brother Michael in the disaster—placed a wreath at the site.Everton legend Graeme Sharp, club ambassadors Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart, chief executive Angus Kinnear, and Liverpool counterpart Billy Hogan also attended, underscoring the joint remembrance. The event precedes the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, scheduled for Sunday.Later, Liverpool’s players, staff and head coach Arne Slot observed a moment of silence at the club’s training ground at 3:06 pm, the exact minute the 1989 match was halted. To conclude the tribute, 97 balloons were released from Anfield’s centre circle, symbolising each victim.

The Bridget Jones statue in Leicester Square, London, has been made a permanent fixture, joining other iconic characters like Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, and Batman. Originally intended to stay for three years, the statue has become a beloved landmark.149 days without vices have passed since its unveiling, and the statue's fast is set to continue indefinitely. The statue depicts Bridget Jones clutching her diary and pen, wearing a gaping cardigan exposing her navel.Kirsty Tullett-Jones, director of marketing and communications for Discover Leicester Square, said: “For 25 years, Bridget has made Londoners laugh, cry and feel seen. The reaction to her arrival in Leicester Square has been incredible, showing just how much she continues to resonate with audiences today.”The statue was unveiled by stars of the film, including Renée Zellweger and Sally Phillips, alongside Helen Fielding, who created the character. The Bridget Jones series of novels has been published in over 40 countries, and the four films have a combined box office of $900m (£683m).The news coincides with the return to cinemas of the first film, Bridget Jones’s Diary, released 25 years ago. The fourth film, Mad About the Boy, was the second highest-grossing movie in the UK last year and was nominated for an Emmy and a Bafta.

The British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, will urge Sudan's warring parties to 'cease bloodshed' during a major conference on Wednesday, which analysts believe is unlikely to deliver a significant step towards peace.The talks in Berlin – held on the third anniversary of the start of Sudan's ruinous war – are expected to help address a catastrophic funding shortfall that is compounding the world's worst humanitarian crisis.Overall, just 16% of the humanitarian funding needed for Sudan this year has been provided by the international community as the crisis in Iran continues to dominate diplomatic channels.Britain is among the countries attending the conference that are set to announce new funding for Sudan. Cooper will unveil a doubling of UK aid to £15m for Sudanese frontline responders such as the grassroots volunteer network known as Emergency Response Rooms.With the war now entering its fourth year, and with no sign of hostilities abating between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army, latest assessments indicate more than 19 million people face acute hunger as a result of the fighting, while some areas are at risk of famine.The latest assessment from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) found 'emergency' levels of hunger across much of North Kordofan, West Kordofan, South Kordofan and North Darfur, while levels in some communities remained 'catastrophic'.It added that emergency levels of hunger were expected to spread over the coming months and that the number of people needing humanitarian aid was expected to reach 22-23 million.Despite the scale of the suffering, Cooper hopes that an end to the fighting is achievable. 'Today, in Berlin, I will call for the international community to join in a shared resolve: to secure a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution, to stop the suffering, and allow the people of Sudan to determine their own peaceful future,' she said.

A three‑judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a two‑to‑one decision on Tuesday that blocks District Judge James Boasberg from moving forward with contempt hearings against the Trump administration.The case stemmed from Boasberg’s attempt to determine whether officials violated his March 15, 2025 order to turn around two deportation flights while they were airborne. The flights had carried 137 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 statute granting presidents broad wartime powers.In the majority opinion, Judge Neomi Rao (a Trump appointee) wrote that Boasberg’s contempt inquiry was a “clear abuse of discretion,” noting that the district court’s order did not expressly forbid the transfer of the migrants into Salvadoran custody. She emphasized that criminal contempt applies only to violations of a “clear and specific” order.Judge Justin Walker, also appointed by Trump, joined Rao, while Judge J. Michelle Childs—a Biden appointee—dissented. The split reflects the broader partisan tension surrounding the case.Critics of the deportations argued that invoking the Alien Enemies Act represented presidential overreach and that the rapid operation denied the immigrants due process, including the ability to appeal. Some detainees were later released to Venezuela in a July 2025 prisoner exchange after spending months in El Salvador’s maximum‑security Centre for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT).Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised the ruling on X, stating it should “finally end Judge Boasberg’s year‑long campaign against the hardworking Department attorneys doing their jobs fighting illegal immigration.”The decision underscores the judiciary’s role in checking executive immigration actions, especially when emergency court orders intersect with national‑security‑related statutes. It also signals that future attempts to pursue contempt for alleged violations of ambiguous orders may face heightened scrutiny.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years after he abandoned a pre‑agreed deal with Islamabad United to play for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.The 29‑year‑old was initially signed by Islamabad United despite going unsold in both the IPL and PSL auctions. However, when Kolkata Knight Riders needed a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman – who was released under BCCI instructions – Muzarabani opted to join the IPL side instead.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials condemned the move, stating that the player “disregarded his obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement” and violated the contractual principles that underpin professional sport.The IPL and PSL now run almost concurrently, making it practically impossible for an international player to feature in both competitions within the same season.Similar disciplinary action has been taken before: South African bowler Corbin Bosch received a one‑year PSL ban after he chose to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, turning down a contract with Peshawar Zalmi.Pakistani cricketers have been absent from the IPL since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when geopolitical tensions led Indian franchises to stop selecting players from across the western border.Recent concerns about Indian‑owned teams in other leagues, such as England’s The Hundred, have also surfaced. Those worries were eased when Pakistani pacer Abrar Ahmed was signed by the Indian‑owned Sunrisers Leeds, though the move sparked a social‑media backlash and drew criticism from former India star Sunil Gavaskar, who claimed the signing “indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians”.

Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday in Verona. The pact, originally approved in 2006 and set to renew every five years, encompasses joint development of military equipment, technology research, training of personnel and information‑technology cooperation. Meloni explained that the decision reflects “the current situation,” referring to a recent episode in which Israeli forces allegedly fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy in Lebanon, damaging a vehicle but causing no injuries. In response, Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the incident, while Israel later called Italy’s ambassador after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, also deputy prime minister, condemned the “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians. Tajani was in Beirut for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi, and posted on X that he was conveying Italy’s solidarity with Lebanon. Until now, Meloni’s right‑wing government has been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe. The suspension marks a notable shift in the relationship, although the Israeli government has not issued an immediate reaction. The defence accord, which automatically renews every five years, includes cooperation across defence industries, education and training of military personnel, research and development, and information‑technology initiatives.