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Israel's parliament has moved closer to implementing a contentious death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism, with the Knesset's national security committee approving the measure on Tuesday. The bill, initiated by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, now heads to its final vote.Critics, including human rights groups and UN experts, have strongly opposed the bill, citing concerns it violates international law and discriminates against Palestinians. The proposed law would allow for executions to be carried out within 90 days of sentencing, with hanging as the specified method.The bill also proposes that those sentenced to death be held in a separate facility with restricted visitation rights. Executions would be carried out without the option for clemency, a provision that has drawn sharp criticism from opponents.International condemnation has been swift, with UN experts urging Israel to withdraw the bill, stating it would violate the right to life and constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment. The European Union's diplomatic service has also condemned the bill, emphasizing that the death penalty is a violation of the right to life.In Israel, the bill has been backed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has worn a noose-shaped lapel pin in support of the measure. However, notable opposition has come from within Israel, including from centre-left lawmaker Gilad Kariv, who has raised concerns about the bill's moral and legal implications.

The UK government is set to trial social media curbs for teenagers in a major study aimed at understanding the impact of reduced social media use on young people's lives. Hundreds of UK teenagers will participate in the six-week pilot, which will test different restrictions on social media use, including bans, digital curfews, and time limits on popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.The trial, led by the UK government, will involve 300 teens across all four nations of the UK, with some participants having their social apps disabled, while others will have access blocked overnight or capped to one hour's use. The goal is to gather evidence on how different restrictions affect young people's day-to-day lives.Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of testing different options in the real world, stating that the pilots will provide the evidence needed to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.The pilot is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the mental health risks associated with unfettered internet access. Nearly 30,000 parents and children have responded to the government's digital wellbeing consultation, which closes on May 26. An independent study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will also examine the impact of reducing social media use among adolescents.The study, involving about 4,000 students between the ages of 12 and 15 from 10 Bradford secondary schools, will investigate changes in anxiety and sleep quality, time spent with friends and family, wellbeing, body image, social comparison, school absences, and bullying.The UK government faces pressure to follow Australia's move to ban access to social media sites for under-16s, with France, Spain, and Indonesia also considering similar bans. The European parliament has passed a resolution on age restrictions, although it is not legally binding.Critics argue that the pilot is a half-measure that puts pressure on parents rather than holding big tech accountable for the harm caused by social media. Bereaved parents have written to parliamentarians, urging them to support a ban and expressing concern about the consultation process.

Apple has introduced a new requirement for UK iPhone users, mandating them to confirm they are 18 or older to use certain services. This move, believed to be a first for a European market, comes as part of a broader effort to protect children online. The age verification process can be completed by uploading a credit card or scanning an ID, such as a driving license or national ID. Ofcom, the online regulator, has welcomed the change, calling it “a real win for children and families” and part of a wider drive to “keep young people away from harmful content”. The update is part of a software update and aims to restrict access to certain services and features for users under 18. However, some users have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of uploading personal information for age verification. Apple has assured users that if they already have an account, they can confirm their age with a payment method on file or other eligible methods. The company was unable to immediately specify which services, features, or actions would be inaccessible without age confirmation. This development follows the introduction of age verification gates on many web services, including pornography websites, to comply with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom noted that Apple’s decision makes the UK one of the first countries to receive new child safety protections on devices. The watchdog plans to report on the use of app stores by children and evaluate the effectiveness of age assurance by app store providers.

Mohamed Salah's future has become the subject of intense speculation after his agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, confirmed that the Liverpool star will leave Anfield at the end of the season. While there will be attention on whether Salah can end his nine-year spell with a trophy, the focus is shifting to his next destination.Salah's former teammates Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino have already made the move to Saudi Arabia, and it is a path that Salah may well take. The Saudi media is hopeful that the country is in pole position to sign the Egyptian star, with several top clubs expressing interest.Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli are all reportedly interested in signing Salah, with each club offering different advantages and challenges. Al-Ittihad have had offers turned down before and would likely be a frontrunner, while Al-Hilal, the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, could make a strong claim to being the biggest.The signing of Salah would not only boost the Saudi Pro League's profile but also provide a significant marketing coup. As one of the biggest names in Middle Eastern sport, Salah's presence would help to maintain global interest in the league, which has been investing heavily in star players since 2023.There are also religious and personal factors that could influence Salah's decision, with several players citing their Muslim faith and desire to live in a Muslim country as reasons for joining Saudi clubs.Ultimately, if Salah does join a club in Saudi Arabia this summer, he will become the face of the league for years to come, and his decision will have significant implications for the future of the Saudi Pro League and European football.

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.

Legendary footballer John Toshack, known for his illustrious career with Liverpool FC and the Wales national team, has been diagnosed with dementia, according to his son Cameron. Toshack, 77, enjoyed a celebrated playing career with Liverpool from 1970 to 1978, scoring over 100 goals and securing nine major trophies, including three league titles, two UEFA Cups, an FA Cup, and a European Cup. He also earned 40 caps for Wales. After retiring as a player, Toshack transitioned into management, leading Swansea City from the fourth division to the top tier and later managing prestigious clubs such as Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, and his national team, Wales. Notably, he won La Liga with Real Madrid in 1990, scoring a record 107 goals that season. Cameron Toshack shared that his father's condition varies, with short-term memory loss being a significant challenge. However, he added that John Toshack's long-term memory remains sharp, particularly when recalling his football career. For instance, he can vividly recall details about specific matches and tactical decisions from his time at Real Madrid. Toshack's legacy in football extends beyond his playing and managerial career. As Wales manager during his second tenure from 2004 to 2010, he gave debuts to future stars like Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, who played crucial roles in Wales' success, including their semi-final appearance in Euro 2016.

Football's world governing body FIFA is facing a lawsuit from supporter groups over allegedly 'excessive' ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup final. The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Euroconsumers have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its monopoly position to impose high ticket prices and unfair purchasing conditions on European fans.The FSE claims that the cheapest openly available final tickets start at $4,185, more than seven times the cost of the cheapest 2022 World Cup final ticket. In contrast, the cheapest UEFA Euro 2024 final tickets were priced at 95 euros ($100). FIFA's own bid documents had projected an average ticket price of $1,408, which has not been met.The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will feature 104 matches and 48 teams. While almost seven million tickets have been made available, prices have soared for in-demand games, with most tickets costing at least $200 for matches involving leading nations. Some tickets on FIFA's official resale site are being offered at astronomical prices, such as $143,750 for a category three seat at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.The FSE argues that FIFA's actions are unfair and unacceptable in a competitive market, highlighting the initial promise of tickets being available from as little as $21, but instead starting at $60 for some matches.

Australia and the European Union have sealed a landmark trade agreement, eliminating tariffs on almost all Australian critical mineral exports. This move is part of a broader strategy to mitigate concerns over China's dominant position in the global rare earths market. The deal, which took eight years to finalize, signifies a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between the EU and Australia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the agreement would help reduce dependency on any single supplier for crucial minerals, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership. The agreement will not only facilitate the export of critical minerals from Australia to the EU but also remove over 99 percent of tariffs on EU goods exports to Australia. This is expected to result in a substantial reduction of approximately 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in annual duties for EU companies. Consequently, EU exports to Australia are projected to grow by up to 33 percent over the next decade. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that the deal is worth approximately 10 billion Australian dollars ($7 billion) annually to the Australian economy. The agreement underscores the importance of diversifying supply chains and reducing reliance on China, which currently controls about 90 percent of the global processing for rare earths. These minerals are vital for producing technological equipment such as electric cars, lithium-ion batteries, and LED televisions. The trade relationship between the EU and Australia is substantial, with EU firms exporting 37 billion euros ($43 billion) worth of goods to Australia in 2025 and 28 billion euros ($33 billion) in services in 2023. The EU was Australia's third-largest two-way trading partner and second-largest source of foreign investment in 2024.

The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has escalated with a series of attacks on Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, and other locations such as Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj. These attacks occurred even as US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington was engaged in productive conversations with Tehran to end the war.Iranian media reported that Israeli-US strikes targeted two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after Trump postponed planned attacks on power infrastructure. The attacks resulted in partial damage to facilities in central Iran, including a gas administration building and a gas pressure regulation station in Isfahan.A leading scholar and professor at a science university in Tehran, Saeed Shamaghdari, was killed alongside his two children in an attack on his residence north of the capital. Iran's English-language news channel Press TV identified Shamaghdari as a teacher at the engineering department of the Iran University of Science and Technology.The head of Iran's emergency service, Jafar Miadfar, reported that 208 children have been killed since the war began on February 28, with 168 of them dying in the US missile strikes on a girls' school in Minab city. Rights groups have called for an investigation into the Minab attack as a potential war crime.More than 1,500 civilians have been killed across Iran, according to the Iranian government. The US-Israel war on Iran has expanded across the Middle East, leading to a spike in oil prices and triggering a global energy crisis.Despite the escalation of violence, Iran's Foreign Minister Abass Araghchi has held calls with several countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman, in an attempt to open a diplomatic channel. However, senior Iranian officials have denied that Iran is engaged in talks with the US, contradicting Trump's claims of productive conversations.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the need for a negotiated solution to the conflict, warning that the situation is critical for energy supplies and condemning Iran's efforts to block energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz.