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South African opposition politician Julius Malema has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for firing a rifle in the air at a party rally. Malema, the leader of the far-left opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was handed the sentence by Magistrate Twanet Olivier on Thursday.Malema was convicted last year of charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place over the 2018 incident at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province.The 45-year-old leader of the fourth-biggest party in parliament had pleaded not guilty, arguing the gun was a toy. His defence said the shots were only intended to be celebratory.“It wasn’t … an impulsive act,” the magistrate said. “It was the event of the evening.”The court sentenced Malema to 5 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and 2 years for unlawful possession of ammunition. It gave him fines for three other offences, including discharging a firearm in a built-up area, with prison time if he doesn’t pay. The sentences will run at the same time.Within minutes of the magistrate’s decision being read out in the court in KuGompo City, Malema’s lawyers applied for leave to appeal – a request that was later granted.Meanwhile, outside the court, hundreds of Malema’s red-clad EFF supporters gathered for the sentencing in the politically charged case.The EFF – a small but vocal party – says the case is an attempt to silence its outspoken leader, who is known for fiery speeches. Party supporters have threatened protests should their leader be jailed.The magistrate stressed it “is not a political party who has been convicted here … it is a person, an individual.”The maximum possible sentence was 15 years in prison. If confirmed after all appeals, Thursday’s 5-year sentence would bar Malema from serving as a lawmaker.That would be a major setback to the EFF, which has strong support among young South Africans frustrated by the racial inequality that has persisted since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that a significant diplomatic breakthrough could emerge from the latest round of U.S.–Iran negotiations, with Islamabad intensifying its role as mediator in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives. On Wednesday, a senior Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran to deliver a message from Washington to Iranian leaders, according to Iran’s Press TV. The envoy was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who thanked Pakistan for its "gracious hosting of dialogue" and indicated that groundwork is being laid for a second U.S.–Iran round of talks. Al Jazeera analyst Osama Bin Javaid noted that Pakistani officials anticipate a "major breakthrough on the nuclear front," with messages shuttling continuously between the two capitals. The core dispute centers on the length of any Iranian enrichment freeze—ranging from a proposed five‑year to a twenty‑year moratorium—and the disposition of Iran’s 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Options under discussion include exporting the material, diluting it to natural uranium, or reducing enrichment to a maximum of 3 %. Pakistan’s diplomatic push follows a stalled U.S.–Iran session in Islamabad that ended without a cease‑fire agreement. Mediators are now concentrating on three pivotal issues: the nuclear programme, control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz—which Tehran has effectively closed, driving up global oil prices—and compensation for wartime damages. The conflict, ignited by the United States and Israel on 28 February, has resulted in more than 3,000 Iranian deaths and prompted retaliatory strikes against Gulf states. It has also reignited hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where over 2,000 casualties have been reported since early March. A cease‑fire declared on 8 April halted attacks in Iran and the Gulf, yet Israeli operations in southern Lebanon have persisted. Simultaneously, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, a move described by Bin Javaid as a "double‑pronged strategy" aimed at neutralising opposition to a potential deal. According to the White House, President Donald Trump signalled optimism on Tuesday, suggesting the war could conclude within "an amazing two days" and that it is "very close to over." Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later described the Pakistan‑facilitated talks as "productive and ongoing," adding that further negotiations are likely to take place in Islamabad. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that message exchanges with the United States have continued via Pakistani channels, with spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that Tehran’s positions have been communicated. Nevertheless, tensions linger. A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz remains active; U.S. Central Command reported turning back nine vessels as of Wednesday. Iran’s military denounced the blockade as a breach of the cease‑fire, and the Iranian joint command chief, Ali Abdollahi, warned of possible retaliation by disrupting trade routes through the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the blockade persists.

Russian forces launched a rocket strike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, resulting in the death of a 12‑year‑old child and leaving at least ten people injured, among them several doctors, as reported by Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko.The fatality occurred early Thursday in the Podilskyi district, where rocket fragments struck a 16‑storey residential building, triggering a blaze that engulfed the structure. Klitschko shared the details in a Telegram post.Rescue crews also managed to extract another child and her mother from the rubble in the same district, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll.Simultaneously, the attack hit Kyiv’s Obolonsky district, where falling debris sparked a large fire at a non‑residential building and set several cars alight, further compounding the damage.The mayor indicated that additional information will be provided as the situation develops.

Renowned musician DJ Shadow recently shared his thoughts on his career, influences, and creative process in an interview with The Guardian. When asked about regrets or missed opportunities, he mentioned turning down a collaboration with Deftones on their album White Pony in 1999 due to concerns about straying from his hip-hop image. DJ Shadow also discussed his shift towards sample-free production on recent albums, citing both the headache and costliness of sample clearance and a desire to keep his creative process fresh. He emphasized that his approach to music production has been measured and at a genuine pace, allowing him to explore different creative avenues. When discussing his favorite scratch DJs from the UK, DJ Shadow praised the group Hijack, specifically DJ Supreme and DJ Undercover, as highly influential. He also shared his thoughts on AI and its potential impact on human creativity, expressing concerns about the implications of this technology. The artist emphasized the importance of digging for records and discovering neglected music to give it a new audience. He reflected on his early recording setups, stating that he doesn't revisit them because he believes in continuing to push forward as a creator. Kraftwerk remains a significant influence on DJ Shadow's work, and he expressed his admiration for their innovative approach to music.

UK lawmakers have urged the government to reconsider its £330m contract with Palantir, a technology company known for its work with Donald Trump's ICE immigration agency and the Israeli military. The contract is for the NHS federated data platform (FDP), which has sparked concerns over data privacy and the company's ties to Peter Thiel, a Trump-supporting tech billionaire.MPs, including Luke Taylor and Samantha Niblett, have described the deal as 'shameful' and 'dreadful', questioning whether Palantir can be trusted with the health records of tens of millions of British citizens. The government has confirmed it will review the contract in spring 2027, when a break clause is due.Despite £210m already being spent on the contract, the government has faced rising pressure from doctors, MPs, and the public to reconsider its deal with Palantir. The company has countered that its software has helped deliver 110,000 additional operations and reduced discharge delays.The FDP has been one of the most controversial contracts in the UK public sector, with internal documents revealing health bosses' concerns over 'negative sentiment' about the system. The government has said 137 NHS trusts have signed up to use the Palantir-powered system, but there are concerns that usage is 'shallow'.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has led to a substantial increase in global fuel prices, affecting Americans and forcing them to make difficult trade-offs. Many are struggling to access essential items, including medication and groceries, while others are facing financial insecurity and even homelessness.The impact of rising gas prices is being felt across various aspects of life, from accessing essential medicines to facing the brink of homelessness amid an already rising cost of living. For Mandy, a 42-year-old mother in central Utah, higher gas prices have made it harder to visit one of her children, who has disabilities and lives hours away.“Before [Donald] Trump and [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu started their war, gas in my town was $2.70 a gallon. Now it’s $4.19 and I’m terrified it’s going to go closer to $5 before all is said and done. One of our children is disabled and lives in a group home two and a half hours away,” she said.Rising gas prices are also affecting people’s ability to access necessary medication. Lisa, a 56-year-old living with disabilities on a tribal reservation in Oregon, said rising gas prices had disrupted her ability to access necessary medication.“My caregiver and I have had to cut back our trips to pick up my prescriptions, even though they are necessary. Because I live in rural Oregon, the basic necessities are 40 minutes away, so if a doctor calls in an additional prescription after I’ve already been in town for the week, that prescription has to wait for the following week for me to pick it up,” she said.The strain is also being felt by food banks and pantries. Melissa Meyer, chief executive of IPM Food Pantry in Cincinnati, Ohio, said rising gas prices had driven more people to rely on food pantries – even as those same costs strain the operations of local food banks and their volunteers.“Increased gas prices put additional costs on our operations as we must increase gas costs for picking up and delivering food across five counties of south-west Ohio … We are not cutting back our services in any way, yet,” she said.The rising cost of fuel is also having indirect effects, such as impacting small businesses and artists. Cathi Newlin, a 63-year-old ceramic artist in Sacramento, California, who also cares for her husband with Parkinson’s disease, said her income had been hit as consumers pull back.“A substantial portion of our household income is generated from the sale of my art and the classes I teach. These are surely luxury items in any economy but when people have to spend more on basics like gasoline, they don’t have as much money or desire to spend on art. The rise in oil prices very much affects my income and the price of my materials,” Newlin said.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly challenged FIFA after reports surfaced that round‑trip train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 for the 2026 World Cup. Current NJ Transit listings show a standard fare of $12.90 for the same route, but a recent The Athletic report suggests the price could jump dramatically, with no discounts for children, seniors or people with disabilities. NJ Transit told Fox 5 New York that the final fare has not yet been set, but a decision is expected within days. In a social‑media post, Governor Sherrill emphasized that the state inherited an agreement in which FIFA contributes $0 toward transportation, leaving New Jersey Transit with a projected $48 million bill to safely move an estimated 40,000 fans to each of the eight matches, including the final. "FIFA is making $11 billion off this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final," Sherrill said. "I won’t let New Jersey commuters shoulder that cost. FIFA should pay for the rides, and if they don’t, I won’t let our residents be taken for a ride." Sherrill added that she would approve any fare increase if FIFA does not intervene, stating, "I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting it on the backs of New Jerseyans." On Wednesday, NJ Transit’s board unanimously passed a resolution empowering CEO Kris Kolluri to set World Cup rail fares at levels sufficient to "cover any and all costs" associated with transporting the projected fan volume. Kolluri confirmed that the fare structure will not be cross‑subsidized by regular commuters. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed Sherrill’s stance, noting that FIFA often offloads costs onto local municipalities and suggesting that a partnership could make the event more affordable for everyone. FIFA responded by highlighting the original 2018 Host City Agreements, which required free transportation for fans, and noting a 2023 amendment that shifted to a "cost‑to‑use" model. The organization also claimed it had advocated for federal funding to support host‑city mobility plans. Sherrill, a Democrat elected last year on a platform of affordability, has already redirected $5 million earmarked for a fan festival at Liberty State Park toward smaller watch parties across the state. Transportation pricing for this World Cup has become a broader discussion, with Massachusetts raising its Boston‑to‑Foxborough fare from $20 to $80, underscoring growing concerns over fan‑accessibility and cost burdens.

Samuel Hasselhorn, now in his mid‑30s, has become a leading figure among the new generation of lieder singers. His latest collaboration with pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz forms part of Harmonia Mundi’s ambitious Schubert 200 project, which aims to record the entire catalogue of Franz Schubert’s songs before the 2028 bicentenary of his death.The album, aptly titled Hoffnung (German for “hope”), focuses on the composer’s optimistic output from 1826. It opens with a delicate rendition of Im Freien, where Hasselhorn’s clear diction and Bushakevitz’s lyrical phrasing create an intimate, nocturnal atmosphere that lasts six minutes.Across the record, Hasselhorn demonstrates a rare timbral and emotional flexibility. Dark, chocolate‑rich tones anchor his lower register, while the upper range remains light and airy, avoiding any hint of forced crooning. Highlights include the lyrical gems Alinde, Im Frühling and Der Wanderer an den Mond, each benefiting from his nuanced control.Moments of dramatic intensity—such as the wintery turbulence of Über Wildemann—reveal “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” By contrast, the buoyant Fischerweise bubbles with open‑hearted vitality, and Hasselhorn breathes fresh life into classic Shakespearean settings like Who is Silvia? and Hark! Hark! The Lark!Listeners can stream the album on Apple Music or Spotify via the embedded player above, experiencing a performance that not only honors Schubert’s hopeful spirit but also showcases the evolving artistry of today’s leading baritone.

The creation of the soundtrack for the film 'Mother Mary' was a collaborative effort between director David Lowery, actress Anne Hathaway, musician FKA twigs, and producers Charli xcx and Jack Antonoff. The film, which explores the story of a fictional pop star, required a soundtrack that captured the essence of 21st-century pop music.Lowery spent time studying the music of the last 25 years, including artists like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and FKA twigs, who appears in the film as a medium named Imogene. As the film's story emerged, Lowery's musical influences shifted towards artists like James Blake and Aldous Harding, who better captured the emotional tone of the film.Anne Hathaway, who plays Mother Mary, had a background in theater and had won an Oscar for her performance in the musical Les Misérables. However, the recording process for 'Mother Mary: Greatest Hits' was a new experience for her. She spent time with Jack Antonoff to record the soundtrack, exploring her vocal range and learning about production. She even changed minor lyrics to better fit her character.FKA twigs contributed to the soundtrack with her song 'My Mouth Is Lonely for You', which was not included in the final film but showcased her ability to create shimmeringly erotic and captivating music. Her other contribution, an ethereal song, was used in a scene featuring the dress Mother Mary requires from her former friend and designer, Sam.The soundtrack, 'Mother Mary: Greatest Hits', paints a uniform portrait of a 21st-century pop star with a cult-like following and avant-garde fashion sense. The music and performance footage have been acclaimed, with Hathaway and twigs delivering standout performances.Hathaway describes Mother Mary as a pop star who embodies a type of stardom that is neat, perfect, and huge, with a mass appeal that is slightly glossier than what twigs and xcx have experienced. The film implies that Mother Mary's fandom is attracted to her ecstasy and vulnerability, with fans feeling safe around her and seeking a motherly figure.