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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the World Cup, despite the country's sports minister stating that it cannot participate due to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. Infantino told CNBC that Iran 'has to come' to the tournament, emphasizing that the team will travel to the US 'for sure.' This statement comes as the country is currently under a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire with the US and Israel. The Iranian team has qualified for the World Cup and wants to participate, Infantino said, adding that he recently visited the team at its training camp in Antalya, Turkey. He stressed that 'sports should be outside of politics' and that FIFA aims to keep the two separate. Iran's sports minister had requested a relocation of their team's games from the US to Mexico, citing safety concerns. However, FIFA has ruled out a relocation, citing logistical impediments and promising safety for the Iranian players and staff. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group stage games on the US West Coast, with matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. If they advance to the knockouts, the rest of their games would also be held in the US. Infantino, who has a close relationship with US President Trump, expressed hope that the situation will be peaceful by the time the tournament begins. He emphasized that Iran's participation is crucial, as they represent their people and have qualified for the tournament.

West Bengal’s electoral rolls have been slashed by over nine million names, representing roughly 12 % of the state’s 76 million registered voters, after the Election Commission of India (ECI) completed its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) earlier this month. The purge has hit the Muslim community hardest. In districts where Muslims form a sizable share of the electorate, deletions total 460,000 in Murshidabad, 330,000 in North 24 Parganas and 240,000 in Malda. Analysts say the pattern suggests a strategic effort to reshape the voter base ahead of the assembly election scheduled for April 23 and April 29, with results due on May 4. One of the most striking cases is that of Nabijan Mondal, 73, who has voted in every national, state and local election for the past five decades. She discovered her name missing from the new list because her voter card bears the nickname “Nabijan” while her Aadhaar and ration cards use the formal name “Nabirul.” Her husband, children and their spouses remain on the roll, leaving her unable to vote. Overall, nearly six million of the removed voters were classified as absent, shifted, dead or duplicate, while the remaining three million must appeal to special tribunals. However, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that those with pending tribunal cases cannot cast ballots in the upcoming election, though it may permit the ECI to issue supplementary lists. West Bengal’s Muslim population stands at about 25 million (27 % of the state’s 106 million residents). The Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, has governed the state since 2011 and relies heavily on Muslim support to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Banerjee has accused the ECI of partisan bias, claiming the SIR was “selectively applied … to benefit the BJP.” Conversely, the BJP frames the revision as a necessary measure against “illegal infiltrators,” linking the exercise to concerns over cross‑border migration from Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees. Independent research by the Kolkata‑based SABAR Institute supports the allegation of disproportionate impact. In the contested constituencies of Nandigram and Bhabanipur, where the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari is challenging TMC leaders, over 95 % of the deleted names in Nandigram were Muslims, and 40 % of deletions in Bhabanipur involved Muslim voters, despite Muslims comprising only 25 % and 20 % of the respective populations. Women appear especially vulnerable. Legal scholar Swati Narayan notes that patrilocal customs and frequent name changes after marriage create documentation gaps that the SIR process penalises. Jesmina Khatun, a 31‑year‑old from Gobindapur, lost her name over a minor spelling inconsistency in her father’s surname, illustrating how minor clerical errors can disenfranchise voters. Political commentator Yogendra Yadav warns that the SIR places an “excessive burden” on female voters, who must produce proof from their natal homes while men can rely on documents from their current residence. With tribunals unlikely to clear the backlog before polling day, thousands of eligible citizens risk being excluded from a pivotal election that could reshape the political landscape of India’s most populous state.

The Golden State Warriors have kept their NBA playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 126-121 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in a Western Conference play-in game. Stephen Curry led the charge with a game-high 35 points, including a crucial deep 3-pointer with 50.4 seconds remaining to put the Warriors ahead for good.However, it was Al Horford who stole the show with his late-game heroics. The 39-year-old veteran had just two points off the bench before his pivotal outburst, finishing with 14 points. Horford connected on four 3-pointers in the final 5:37, including the game-ending baskets, as part of a 27-13 Golden State run to seal the win.The Warriors' victory eliminates the Clippers and sets up a sudden-death matchup against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix on Friday to determine the West's No. 8 seed and the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round playoff opponent. Stephen Curry's seven makes on 12 attempts from beyond the arc paced the Warriors to a 19-of-41 long-range barrage (46.3 percent).Other key contributors for the Warriors included Gui Santos with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and Kristaps Porzingis with 20 points. For the Clippers, Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard each finished with 21 points, while Bennedict Mathurin led Los Angeles with 23 points off the bench.In other NBA play-in action, Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 31 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-97 victory over the Orlando Magic, securing the 76ers' spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the seventh seed.

On Thursday, Israeli security forces conducting an operation in Nablus, a major city in the occupied West Bank, fired stun grenades at journalists covering the events. The incident was reported by multiple media outlets present on the ground. According to eyewitness accounts, reporters from local and international news agencies were positioned near the site when the grenades were deployed, causing a sudden flash and loud explosion. No serious injuries were confirmed, but the sudden blast forced the journalists to seek immediate cover and temporarily halted their reporting. Press‑freedom organizations quickly condemned the action, stating that the use of crowd‑control munitions against media personnel undermines the ability to document and verify developments in the region. The incident adds to a growing list of reported confrontations between Israeli forces and members of the press in the occupied territories. Israeli authorities have not yet released an official statement explaining the rationale behind the deployment of the stun grenades. Analysts suggest that heightened security measures during operations often lead to heightened tensions, but emphasize that protecting journalists is essential for transparent reporting in conflict zones. The episode underscores the precarious environment for journalists working in the West Bank, where the line between security operations and press freedom continues to be contested.

The Trump administration is formally enlisting foreign governments to support a sweeping reorientation of global development policy, favoring trade over aid. This initiative, set to be introduced at the United Nations later this month, aims to move away from direct aid to poor nations and towards increased trade led by private companies. According to Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, the initiative rejects what he calls a failed aid model, emphasizing that trade and free market capitalism are the surest paths to prosperity. Pigott also criticized those advocating for 'aid not trade,' suggesting they are supporting a corrupt NGO industrial complex. The initiative's four stated aims include: advancing pro-business reforms in developing economies, facilitating government-to-private sector dialogue to attract investment, highlighting countries that have pursued free-market development, and brokering business partnerships between developing nations and US companies or international organizations. This push comes amid a broader trend of diminishing humanitarian aid globally. OECD preliminary figures show that 26 of 34 donor nations shrank their aid budgets in 2025, with significant cuts in countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Chatham House estimates that the 17 largest donors are on course to cut more than $60 billion in aid between 2023 and 2026. The UK's commitment to aid is set to decrease to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027, its lowest share since 1999. A study published in The Lancet warns that sustained global aid cuts could result in at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030. The Center for Global Development estimates that USAID cuts alone may have already contributed to between 500,000 and a million deaths in 2025. The US mission to the United Nations is expected to host a formal signing event for the declaration before the end of April.

New research indicates that individuals carrying the red‑hair allele have been evolutionary winners in Europe for more than 10,000 years. The study, led by Harvard scientists, examined DNA from nearly 16,000 ancient remains and over 6,000 living Europeans, providing robust proof that human biology continues to evolve long after farming began. Researchers identified 479 genetic variants that show clear signs of positive selection. Among these are genes linked to red hair and fair skin, as well as variants that affect susceptibility to coeliac disease, diabetes risk, baldness and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors suggest that the advantage of red hair may stem from its association with lighter skin, which enhances vitamin D synthesis in low‑sunlight environments—a crucial benefit for early European farmers. Prior to this work, only about 21 traits had been documented as having risen through natural selection, such as lactase persistence. The scarcity of earlier examples had led some to argue that directional selection was rare after modern humans left Africa. By leveraging an unprecedented volume of ancient genomic data and advanced computational methods, the team demonstrated that selection pressures intensified during the transition from hunter‑gatherer societies to agricultural ones, reshaping hundreds of genes across West Eurasia. "With these new techniques and the sheer scale of ancient DNA, we can now observe how selection sculpted our biology in near real‑time," said Dr. Ali Akbari, the study’s first author. Beyond vitamin D, the rise of certain disease‑related alleles poses intriguing puzzles. A mutation that heightens the risk of coeliac disease emerged around 4,000 years ago and has steadily increased, implying that carriers may have enjoyed other survival advantages despite the autoimmune threat. Similarly, the immune‑regulating gene TYK2, which markedly raises tuberculosis susceptibility, grew in frequency between 9,000 and 3,000 years ago before declining, hinting at a complex balance between pathogen defense and disease risk. The analysis also uncovered negative selection against genetic profiles that promote a high body‑fat percentage, supporting the classic “thrifty genes” hypothesis: traits advantageous for storing energy during scarce hunter‑gatherer periods became detrimental once agriculture ensured a steadier food supply. "This work lets us assign both place and time to the forces that have shaped us," noted Prof. David Reich, senior author and Harvard Medical School geneticist. While the findings are confined to West Eurasian populations, they raise broader questions about whether similar evolutionary dynamics occurred elsewhere. The full study appears in Nature.

Chris Walton, a renowned biologist and lecturer at Cranfield University, has passed away at the age of 69 due to brain cancer. He was widely respected for his pragmatic approach to getting things done and was often referred to as an honorary engineer by his colleagues.Walton's research focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various matrices, including breath, sweat, blood, urine, and faeces. He discovered links between specific VOCs and different human diseases, developing new methods to measure them. His work on environmental sensors, particularly low-cost air-quality monitors, was also notable.Born in Batley, West Yorkshire, Walton was the first in his family to attend university, graduating from Leicester University with a degree in biology in 1978. He later earned an MSc in biological computation at York University and a PhD from Coventry University.Walton's career spanned various institutions, including Imperial College London and EDS, an IT service provider. He joined Cranfield University in 1998 and became a lecturer in analytical technology. He was known for his sympathetic ear for students and his wise advice to younger colleagues.Walton is survived by his partner, Lorraine Morgan, and his daughter, Elizabeth.

Big Mood returns for a second season on Channel 4, aiming to blend a serious look at bipolar disorder with broad‑scale comedy. Lead actress Nicola Coughlan reprises Maggie, now emerging from a harrowing episode of lithium poisoning that left her hallucinating and confused. The debut series introduced Maggie in the throes of a manic episode, followed by a depressive crash after she stopped her medication to protect her creative output. While the first season earned praise for its insightful depiction of mental illness, the new installment quickly pivots toward slapstick scenarios – from a militant maid of honour to a secret‑husband extortion plot – that dilute the original emotional weight. Central to the drama is Maggie’s strained bond with best friend Eddie, played by Lydia West. Their friendship, already intense in season one, becomes increasingly implausible as Eddie abandons London for California without explanation. In season two, Eddie resurfaces under the control of a dubious wellness guru named Whitney, who has siphoned her finances and seeks to erase any lingering connection with Maggie. Rather than deepening the exploration of mental health, the series now focuses on a far‑cical showdown between the two women. Maggie, now in a “stable girl” routine of retinol and Hello Fresh meals, obsessively attempts to expose Whitney as a fraud, enlisting Eddie’s friend Will – a character described as “incorrigibly nice” yet treated with contempt by both protagonists. The tonal shift raises questions about the show’s core ambition. While Coughlan delivers an empathetic performance that captures Maggie’s inner turmoil, the surrounding plotlines feel disjointed and at times toxic, especially in the portrayal of the once‑intoxicating platonic romance that now appears more destructive than supportive. Humor, inherently subjective, may still resonate with viewers who appreciate the series’ millennial‑centric chaos. However, the blend of “knockabout farce” with moments of genuine drama feels uneven, suggesting that the show’s initial promise of a heartfelt, realistic bipolar narrative has been eclipsed by over‑reaching comedic contrivances. In conclusion, Big Mood season two struggles to reconcile its dual aims. The ambitious premise that once offered a nuanced look at mental illness now feels buried beneath a barrage of gimmicks, leaving audiences to wonder whether it’s time for the characters – and perhaps the series itself – to move on.

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.