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Arne Slot acknowledges that last season’s Premier League title postponed the inevitable end of an era at Liverpool, but stresses that the club recognised the need for a rebuild when he was appointed to succeed Jürgen Klopp. Two more stalwarts of the Klopp era – Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah – will exit on free transfers this summer, further signalling the transition. The remaining veterans who delivered league and Champions League glory – Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Joe Gomez – are now entering the final years of their contracts. The campaign has been harsh, with Liverpool suffering 16 defeats, a tally Slot describes as “unacceptable”. Yet he insists that he, sporting director Richard Hughes, chief executive of football Michael Edwards, and the owners at Fenway Sports Group remain aligned on the causes of the club’s struggles and the path forward. “It’s normal for clubs to go through cycles,” Slot explained. “We were fortunate that last season’s success delayed the start of this cycle, but now we must manage the break‑up of a great Liverpool side.” He highlighted that the departing players have benefited from last summer’s signings, gaining insight into the club’s ethos and work ethic. Despite the recent run of poor results, Slot feels the backing of the board and, surprisingly, the fans. “Support isn’t always shouted daily; it’s felt in the conversations we have and the shared understanding of the challenges,” he said, adding that he has sensed that support since arriving at Anfield. Slot concluded, “Everyone – the ownership, Richard, Michael and the wider club – sees the same issues. We are all aligned on what needs to be done and why.”

The play Good Golly Miss Molly! is a joyous tribute to community spirit, set in the 1970s in Tunstall, where residents resisted a council plan to demolish their houses. The show, written by Bob Eaton, uses rock'n'roll standards to tell the story of a community coming together.Eaton's show has taken a hold of the audience, with its insinuatingly woven narrative of social history, pop, and politics. The story revolves around the residents of Hawes Street, who fought against the council's slum clearance programme and successfully argued for home improvements instead.The director cleverly uses music as the glue that binds the community together, telling the story through a band reuniting for a nostalgic knees-up in a social club. The play's protagonist, Molly, played by Shirley Darroch, evolves from a belligerent schoolgirl to a lead singer, NUM staffer, and residents' association chair, finding self-fulfilment along the way.The company's performance is tremendous, with doo-wopping, harmonising, and swapping instruments, making the angst and yearning of the songs a perfect expression of the working-class struggle.While the conflict could be more fully explored, the play gives a joyful sense of the music pulling the audience into the action, providing an exuberant lift to the company's 40th anniversary season.The play is showing at the New Vic theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until 2 May.

Midway through the fifth day of the County Championship’s second round, Ollie Pope joined an elite group by becoming the 11th centurion in Division One this season. Five of those centuries belong to Surrey, with Jamie Smith already on two. The pre‑season favourites, despite a drawn opening match, looked formidable at the close of play, sitting at 412 for six.Leicestershire’s situation could not be more contrasting. Fresh from promotion, the side suffered a defeat to Sussex in their opener and, by the second session, appeared short on confidence, ideas and quality. Late‑stage wickets offered a brief spark, but the scoreboard told a different story.A crowd of 4,700 spectators braved a brisk early‑spring day at the Oval. With Surrey’s top six all boasting international caps, the match was inevitably examined for potential England implications. The first surprise came from Leicestershire’s own Josh Hull, who marked the second anniversary of his solitary Test appearance.Now 21, Hull has shed the rawness of his debut against Sri Lanka in September 2024, showing improved pace and reliability. He opened his season with a wicket in his first over, dismissing Dom Sibley lbw, and later produced a short ball that struck Pope’s helmet and an edge from Smith before being pulled after a brief spell.When Hull returned for a fourth spell deep in the final session, Smith repaid the effort with a brutal low‑flying pull for six, pushing his total past 150 runs. The partnership underscored Surrey’s growing dominance as the day progressed.Jamie Smith’s 166 from 240 balls marked his second century in the opening two Championship games, a knock highlighted by a patient start – one run from his first ten balls – before accelerating with a flurry of boundaries.Smith’s innings unfolded with cautious intent: after a modest 28, he unleashed three fours in as many deliveries, eventually reaching 166 before being caught by Ajaz Patel off Ben Green’s 90th over. The innings demonstrated both resilience and flair, cementing his role as a key run‑maker.For Pope, the century arrived after a seven‑month drought without a first‑class fifty and a solitary century against India at Headingley 21 innings earlier. His 24‑run start, achieved on half the balls faced by Smith, quickly turned into a commanding display as he steadied the innings.Both batsmen left the Oval with the confidence of seasoned internationals. A delayed emergence of Dan Lawrence after Pope’s boundary suggested the wicket was never in serious contention. Ben Foakes contributed a steady 62, while Leicestershire, with an average of 226 for the season, will need to conjure more surprises to bridge the gap.

Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari – an Iranian‑American representative from Arizona – publicly labeled President Donald Trump an “evil human being” who aspires to be an emperor, and urged that he be removed from office in light of the escalating war with Iran. Ansari, whose parents fled the Iranian regime in the 1970s, issued a statement after Trump’s threat to annihilate Iran’s civilization was followed by a tentative two‑week cease‑fire. She expressed relief for the 90 million Iranians who had spent a harrowing day fearing a nuclear catastrophe. In a phone interview, the 34‑year‑old lawmaker described Trump as “mentally unstable, deeply troubled, and solely self‑interested,” adding that his policies have stripped basic services from average Americans while enriching his family. Ansari warned that Trump’s rhetoric – promising an “America first” stance yet launching strikes on seven nations – constitutes a clear danger to both Iran and the United States, and she called for the cabinet or Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment. She cited a series of controversial foreign‑policy moves, including the alleged illegal kidnapping of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, threats to seize Greenland, erosion of NATO credibility, and talk of taking over Cuba. In Iran, she argued, the administration has already committed war crimes by targeting schools, bridges and hospitals. Ansari also highlighted the broader humanitarian fallout: destroyed civilian infrastructure, a collapsing economy, soaring food‑security risks, and mass starvation. She relayed a conversation with a young Iranian doctor who described doubled prices and a dire economic outlook, urging the U.S. to cease attacks on civilian targets. Beyond Trump, the congresswoman announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of repeatedly violating his oath by facilitating war‑crimes. She criticized Vice‑President JD Vance for not mobilising the cabinet to remove Trump, and warned that the current crisis represents a “five‑alarm‑fire moment” unprecedented in modern American history. Ansari’s remarks come amid a shifting Iranian diaspora sentiment. While some Iranian‑American groups initially celebrated the war’s onset, many now view the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaigns as counter‑productive, fearing they bolster the hard‑line regime. Following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the regime’s grip appears tighter, with his son Mojtaba Khamenei assuming leadership. Ansari stressed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains entrenched, and that the regime continues to exploit civilian suffering for propaganda. She concluded by urging Americans to recognise Iran’s rich cultural heritage and to reject the notion that bombing will liberate its people, emphasizing that the United States must avoid actions that only strengthen an authoritarian government.

Britain’s recent reversal of the on‑shore wind ban, announced by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, has set in motion a wave of proposals to install more than one hundred colossal turbines across the Cambrian Mountains of mid‑Wales. The Cambrians, a 500‑square‑mile stretch of moorland and high ground that remains the most extensive wilderness south of Scotland, could soon host turbines reaching 220–230 metres – roughly 50% taller than any existing on‑shore turbine in England and Wales and more than twice the height of Big Ben. Each turbine would sit on a 2,000‑tonne concrete foundation and require at least 100 tonnes of steel. The scheme also envisions over 200 km of new pylons to link the farms to the National Grid, alongside roads, repair bays and storage depots. Analysts note that the construction phase would generate a substantial carbon footprint, especially given the turbines’ relatively short operational life of 20–25 years. Environmental organisations, including the Wild Wales Trust and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, have rallied against the plans, warning that they would "degrade and industrialise huge areas of the uplands and valleys" and could encroach on Wales’s sole UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Dyfi valley. Local opposition is hampered by the region’s sparse population, but activists have been posting hand‑drawn notices on the Glaslyn uplands and highlighting the visual impact of proposed turbine clusters – for example, a hilltop site slated for 26 turbines that would dominate the skyline across the country, and a location dubbed “Artists Valley” that could be renamed after a row of 37 similar structures. Critics argue that Wales, which is moving toward renewable self‑sufficiency and already exports surplus power, does not need these installations for its own energy security. Instead, the turbines appear designed to feed the broader UK grid, echoing historic instances where Welsh resources were harnessed for the benefit of other regions, such as the 1960s water transfers to Liverpool. With the Cambrian Mountains lacking any national‑park protection – a status denied in the 1950s due to local farming opposition – the landscape remains vulnerable to large‑scale industrialisation. The proposed developments raise a fundamental question: should a politician’s ambition for renewable credentials outweigh the preservation of one of Britain’s most pristine natural areas?

In an era where pop stardom is measured by a patchwork of streaming figures, award nods and high‑profile support slots, Holly Humberstone has built a credible résumé without ever cracking the singles chart. The 26‑year‑old from Lincolnshire has leveraged a Brit Rising Star award, a coveted opening for Taylor Swift, and four million monthly Spotify listeners to cement her place in the contemporary pop landscape.Her second album, ‘Cruel World’, marks a decisive shift from the gothic melancholy that defined her debut, Paint My Bedroom Black. The new record embraces an 80s‑inspired synth‑pop palette brimming with ear‑catching hooks, delivering lyrics that are both earnest and conversational, reminiscent of Swift’s confessional style.Highlights include the sun‑soaked breakup anthem ‘To Love Somebody’, which builds to a stadium‑ready pre‑chorus, and the irresistibly catchy ‘White Noise’, a nostalgic nod to disco that channels the energy of early‑2000s Kylie Minogue. Even the cheeky, self‑aware line on “Drunk Dialling” – “I’m gonna shake my nonexistent ass to this shitty song” – showcases Humberstone’s willingness to blend humor with polished production.The album’s production is consistently confident, featuring a surprising happy‑hardcore breakdown on the closing track “Make It All Better.” Combined with Humberstone’s knack for crafting crowd‑pleasing melodies, these elements suggest she is poised for a long‑term pop career that can thrive in both traditional and modern market models.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed frustration with the effects of Donald Trump's actions in the Middle East on British energy costs, drawing a comparison with Vladimir Putin's influence. In an interview with ITV's Robert Peston, Starmer stated, 'I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses' bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.'Starmer also condemned Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's continued strikes on Lebanon, despite Iran calling for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire agreed on April 7. He emphasized that these attacks 'should stop' and that the situation requires a practical resolution.In a conversation with Trump, Starmer discussed the need for a 'practical plan' to get shipping going through the Strait of Hormuz after the Middle East ceasefire. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer and Trump agreed on the necessity of finding a resolution, with the leaders discussing the need for a plan to restore freedom of navigation in the strait.Starmer's relationship with Britain's allies has been strained since the US and Israel's war with Iran began in late February. He has been repeatedly criticized and belittled by Trump and other members of his administration. Starmer has promised that his government will take a different approach to managing crises, ensuring that Britain is 'a country where people are not at the mercy of events abroad.'

Roberto De Zerbi, the new head coach of Tottenham, recently apologized for his past comments about Mason Greenwood, a forward he managed at Marseille. De Zerbi's apology was seen as insufficient by some, as it focused on his self-description rather than taking accountability for his words. Greenwood had denied charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022, and the case was discontinued. The conversation around De Zerbi and Greenwood has brought the issue of male violence against women back to the center of football's public discourse. Research has shown that men who perpetrate serious harm rarely identify themselves as perpetrators, and instead displace blame onto the victim, alcohol, or circumstance. This is why character references, although sincerely offered, are often inadequate in addressing the issue. Male violence against women is not an isolated issue, but rather a product of societal norms that shape what is seen, named, and tolerated. The World Health Organization and decades of academic research on gender and masculinity have consistently identified these norms as the root cause of the problem. Football is not immune to this issue, and research has shown that strong group cultures in sport can inhibit men from speaking up against harmful behavior. Men in positions of power, such as De Zerbi, have a responsibility to use their platform to speak out against male violence and to educate others about the impact of their behavior. Genuine ownership and accountability require men to name what was wrong with their actions, accept the impact of their behavior, and commit to not repeating it. De Zerbi's response fell short of this standard, and instead offered a character reference for himself. Football has a unique influence on society, particularly among young men, and it is essential that players, managers, and clubs use this influence to shape positive attitudes and behaviors. The heat generated by this incident has put male violence against women on the front pages of sports coverage, and it is crucial that the game uses this momentum to have a serious conversation about what it teaches, tolerates, and expects of men at every level.

The Gulf Cooperation Council is reassessing its security model after the brief but intense US‑Israel campaign against Iran. With American bases on Gulf soil turning the region into a target for Tehran’s missile and drone barrage, Gulf capitals are looking to diversify their defence partners beyond the United States. Iran’s lingering missile arsenal and its demand to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz remain the central security dilemma. The strait channels the bulk of Gulf oil trade, and Tehran’s insistence on keeping a foothold there was a sticking point in the cease‑fire talks scheduled to begin in Islamabad. Gulf air defences boasted a high interception rate, claiming to have neutralised more than 90% of the 2,256 drones and 563 missiles that struck the United Arab Emirates, the hardest‑hit member of the bloc. Nevertheless, the Gulf is split on how to engage Iran moving forward. A hawkish bloc led by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain favours a tougher stance, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others are open to restoring diplomatic ties. In a rare development, Saudi Arabia and Iran held their first official conversation since the conflict began, with foreign ministers discussing measures to lower tensions and restore regional stability. Security scholars such as Bader Mousa Al‑Saif of Kuwait University argue that Gulf states must broaden their security network, forging alliances with regional powers like Turkey and Pakistan rather than relying solely on the United States. He warned that the region needs a model that shields it from a perpetual state of war. Pre‑war trends are now accelerating: Saudi Arabia recently signed a defence pact with Pakistan, the UAE announced a partnership with India, and all three Gulf states – Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar – entered rapid defence agreements with Ukraine to counter Iranian drone threats. Talks of a “Muslim NATO” have largely faded, but a new alignment dubbed “Step”, involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan, is taking shape. The coalition’s purpose remains ambiguous, oscillating between counter‑Iran and counter‑Israel objectives, and internal rivalries complicate cohesion. The United Kingdom, which helped protect Gulf airspace during the hostilities, is also seeking deeper defence‑industrial cooperation with Saudi Arabia, as discussed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Jeddah. UAE political scientist Abdulkhaleq Abdulla predicts tighter security ties with the United States and a growing willingness among Gulf states to engage with Israel on military and intelligence fronts. Analysts such as Yasmine Farouk of the International Crisis Group note that Saudi Arabia’s extensive oil infrastructure, Red Sea ports and sheer geographic size give it a strategic advantage in post‑war reconstruction, though the cost of rebuilding could strain its Vision 2030 diversification agenda. Looking ahead, the Gulf is expected to layer additional security partnerships—particularly with European nations—while investing heavily in air and missile defence, hardened ports, desalination facilities, maritime surveillance and alternative export routes. As Andreas Krieg of King’s College London observes, the United States remains the only power with a full‑scale military architecture in the Gulf, but its bases are increasingly viewed as “tripwires” rather than protective shields.