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In Lebanon, the war with Israel has severely impacted the traditional funeral process. Normally, the deceased are given a final procession through their hometown before burial. However, due to Israel's expanding ground invasion in south Lebanon, families are being forced to abandon these customs.In Tyre, temporary graves have been established with brief epitaphs marking the deceased. The burials are conducted using a special Islamic rite called wadiaa, which allows for the casket, but not the body, to be exhumed later. This practice is usually reserved for exceptional circumstances like war.Rabih Koubaissi, who oversees burials in Tyre, noted that people have an emotional attachment to burying their loved ones in their ancestral land, reflecting their sense of belonging and heritage. The brutality of war has made it impossible to follow traditional washing and preparation of bodies, sometimes only collecting pieces of bodies for burial.Families face the heartbreaking reality of having to bury their loved ones twice. The Israeli military's plan to occupy areas south of the Litani River indefinitely raises fears that reburials may not be possible for months or even years. This situation has left the deceased with few visitors, as most families have been forced to leave Tyre due to increased attacks.Hecham Reda, a medic, expressed his fear of not being able to rebury his friend Hadi back home, reflecting the anxiety many people from south Lebanon are experiencing. Koubaissi finds it difficult to comfort grieving families, trying to convey sympathy without revealing the harsh realities of the situation.

AI‑Driven Power Race The AI boom is prompting the biggest wave of power‑infrastructure investment since the early days of cloud computing. Companies are scrambling to lock in natural‑gas supplies and build on‑site generators, a move that could reshape electricity markets in the southern United States. Scale of the Projects Microsoft is partnering with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to construct a natural‑gas plant in West Texas that could reach 5 GW of capacity. Google has confirmed a collaboration with Crusoe for a 933 MW plant in North Texas. Meta is adding seven more plants to its Hyperion data‑center complex in Louisiana, bringing total on‑site capacity to 7.46 GW—enough, the company notes, to power the entire state of South Dakota. Combined, these projects exceed 13 GW, roughly equivalent to the average electricity demand of a mid‑size U.S. state. Supply Constraints and Cost Pressures Wood Mackenzie warns that turbine prices have surged 195% versus 2019 levels. If a 2020 turbine cost $1 million, the same unit now costs about $2.95 million, inflating the equipment share of a plant’s budget from 20% to up to 30%. The consultancy also notes a six‑year lead time for turbine delivery, meaning new orders cannot be placed until 2028. This bottleneck could delay the rollout of additional capacity precisely when AI workloads are accelerating. Resource Availability and Market Risks The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that a single gas‑rich region holds enough supply to power the entire United States for 10 months. While abundant, production growth in the three leading shale basins—responsible for three‑quarters of U.S. output—has slowed, tightening the long‑term outlook. Natural gas accounts for about 40% of U.S. electricity generation (EIA). Consequently, any spike in gas prices reverberates through wholesale electricity markets, raising the cost of power for all consumers, not just data‑center operators. Strategic Risks for Tech Companies Behind‑the‑meter gas plants allow firms to claim “self‑supply,” but they merely shift demand from the public grid to the gas grid, potentially driving up wholesale gas prices. Industrial users—petrochemical plants, fertilizer manufacturers—cannot easily substitute gas with renewables, so they may push back against large‑scale data‑center consumption. Extreme weather, such as the 2021 Texas freeze, can curtail wellhead output, forcing a choice between keeping AI workloads online or supplying heat to households. In sum, the AI‑driven rush for natural‑gas power plants highlights a fundamental physical constraint: the digital economy still depends on finite, market‑sensitive energy resources. Betting heavily on a commodity that can swing dramatically in price may prove costly if AI growth plateaus or if gas supply tightens.

Match details: Manchester City will meet Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 4 April, kicking off at 12:45 pm local time (11:45 GMT) in the FA Cup quarter‑final.Salah’s impending exit: The Egyptian forward announced during the international break that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, having scored 255 goals for the club. Manager Arne Slot praised his “ever‑present hunger” and said the striker remains a legend despite a brief spell out of the squad earlier in the campaign.Guardiola’s suspension: City boss Pep Guardiola will miss the fixture after receiving a sixth yellow card in the 3‑1 FA Cup win over Newcastle United. The booking came after he protested a referee’s decision on a challenge to Jeremy Doku. This could be his last appearance against Liverpool as speculation grows over his future at Manchester City.Stakes for both sides: City are chasing a historic domestic treble – League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League – a feat last achieved in 2018/19. Liverpool, sitting fifth in the Premier League, view the cup as their only realistic route to silverware and a chance for Slot to secure his position after delivering a record‑equalling 20th league title.Upcoming fixtures: A win for Liverpool would be followed by a Champions League quarter‑final clash with Paris Saint‑Germain on 8 and 14 April. City, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent 2‑0 League Cup final victory over Arsenal.Team news – Manchester City: Centre‑back Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined with a tibial fracture. Ruben Dias and John Stones face late fitness tests for hamstring and calf issues. If Dias is unavailable, Abdukodir Khusanov or Nathan Ake could partner Marc Guehi in central defence. Goalkeeper James Trafford is expected to start, giving him a chance ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma.Predicted City XI: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait‑Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki.Team news – Liverpool: Mohamed Salah missed the recent 2‑1 loss to Brighton with a muscle injury but is expected to be fit. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are out, and Alisson Becker remains doubtful due to a muscular problem. Jeremie Frimpong’s availability is pending after a knock on international duty; Dominik Szoboszlai may cover at right‑back if needed. Alexander Isak has returned to training but is unlikely to feature this weekend.Predicted Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.Historical head‑to‑head: The two clubs have met 220 times, with Liverpool winning 110 matches, City 62 and 58 draws. Their most recent league encounter ended in a 2‑1 City win thanks to a stoppage‑time penalty from Erling Haaland.Other quarter‑final ties: After the early kickoff, Chelsea face Port Vale, Arsenal travel to Southampton, West Ham host Leeds, and the remaining fixtures will determine the final four.

In a scene reminiscent of Henry James’s observation that the only certainty with a young American abroad is surprise, the current US president continues to bewilder European partners with erratic statements.President Trump has publicly ridiculed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Royal Navy as feeble, mocked French President Emmanuel Macron over personal matters, urged allies to secure their own oil supplies, and declared that withdrawing the United States from NATO is "beyond reconsideration". These comments come as the conflict in Iran, ignited by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drags on without a clear resolution, fueling his domestic political anxieties.European officials responded not with shock but with weary irritation, noting that Trump’s unpredictability is now a permanent feature of US policy, steering the continent away from the liberal international order. Analysts warn that NATO’s credibility is eroding, turning the alliance into a "paper tiger" even as Russian President Vladimir Putin watches closely.Britain, hoping to serve as a diplomatic conduit between Washington and Brussels, finds its position increasingly precarious. Post‑Brexit economic vulnerabilities and the looming state visit of King Charles to the United States offer little strategic gain and risk becoming a diplomatic embarrassment.Prime Minister Starmer has deliberately avoided direct confrontation with Trump, instead pledging to deepen the United Kingdom’s economic and security ties with the European Union. This shift aims to reassure Labour factions leaning toward the Liberal Democrats and Greens, while also hoping that shared security concerns will coax European capitals into offering more robust economic support.In a world where traditional alliances are fraying, European leaders face mounting pressure to forge genuine security cooperation rather than merely increasing defence spending. The consensus is clear: delay is no longer an option for Europe to secure its own future.

Les Kiss is set to take over the Wallabies in July, inheriting a side desperate to climb back to the top of world rugby. He faces a tight schedule – 14 months and 19 Tests – before the 2027 Rugby World Cup that Australia will host. Describing his mandate, Kiss stresses that he is not aiming for a radical overhaul. "It's not a revolution, it's evolution," he told the Guardian. "Core values like discipline, accountability and strategic planning stay firmly in place." What makes Kiss an outlier is his background: a former rugby league international who never played union at senior level. He says this forced him to "earn his stripes" in the union code, learning that culture and standards in the locker room drive performance on the field. His personal story is rooted in a family that escaped the Hungarian Revolution and settled in Bundaberg, and a playing career that saw him sprint down the wing before a knee injury sidelined him for four years. Those experiences, he believes, forged the resilience he now brings to coaching. After a stint in marketing and junior coaching, Kiss transitioned to union coaching, first as a defence coach for the Springboks (2001‑02), then as an assistant with Ireland (2009‑15), director of Ulster Rugby, and finally a three‑year spell with London Irish in the Premiership. Returning to Australia in 2024 to lead the Queensland Reds, he guided the franchise to its most prolific try‑scoring season in three decades, back‑to‑back quarter‑final appearances and record crowd numbers. The Reds sit 4‑2 in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season and are eyeing a top‑four finish. Kiss’s coaching philosophy centres on connection. "Coaching is about rapport and building something strong together," he says, adding that he is fully invested and treats every team like family. His transition to the Wallabies will be smoothed by a close partnership with current head coach Joe Schmidt. The two have shared roughly 40 Tests, developing a strong rapport that Kiss believes will help him "understand the breakdown" and set the right structures for success. The emerging "Kiss army" already includes former All Blacks staffer Scott McLeod as defence coach, analyst Eoin Toolan, set‑piece specialist Tom Donnelly, scrum guru Mike Cron, and consultant Laurie Fisher. Skills coach Mick Byrne and U20s boss Chris Whitaker also remain on board. While his new responsibilities grow, Kiss assures fans he remains 100% committed to the Reds, vowing not to let the franchise down despite his expanding duties. On the player front, Kiss highlights a blend of seasoned talent and fresh faces that could power Australia’s World Cup campaign. The likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen, former winger Dylan Pietsch, and NRL convert Zac Lomax are poised to add dynamism, while 18‑year‑old prodigy Treyvan Pritachard offers a glimpse of the future. Ultimately, Kiss believes the Wallabies embody a uniquely Australian style – inventive, physical, and expressive – forged in backyard games and a culture of resilience. "The Australian way isn’t formulaic; it’s about solving problems on the field in our own special way," he concludes.

Chris Haskins, Lord Haskins, who has died at the age of 88, was a highly influential figure in British business and politics. He was a key supporter of Tony Blair's New Labour project and played a crucial role in advising on regulatory reform and rural affairs. Early Life and Career Born in Dublin, Ireland, Haskins studied modern history at Trinity College Dublin, where he developed a reputation as a radical. He began his career in journalism, covering the Aldermaston marches for the Irish Times, before moving into business. In 1959, he traveled to England, married Gilda Horsley, and joined his father-in-law's company, Northern Dairies, which later became Northern Foods. Business Achievements Under Haskins' leadership, Northern Foods grew into Britain's leading food manufacturer. He was instrumental in developing chilled food techniques, which enabled the mass production of ready meals and convenience foods. A significant partnership with Marks & Spencer was established, which became a cornerstone of the company's success, generating annual sales of half a billion pounds. Public Service and Politics Haskins was a vocal advocate for various public causes, including European monetary union, English regional devolution, and the reduction of subsidies to British agriculture. He served as a 'rural tsar' during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 and authored a rural recovery report for Defra, which proposed a shift towards environmental concerns and a long-term reduction in subsidies. Legacy Throughout his life, Haskins was known for his 'no-nonsense approach' and his commitment to telling the truth as he saw it. He was a passionate advocate for regional devolution and took an active role in various Yorkshire economic bodies. Despite facing disappointment as governments wound down bodies he chaired, Haskins remained dedicated to his causes, reflecting on his life's work: 'Most of the campaigns of my life have failed, largely, I comfort myself, because I have been ahead of my time.' He is survived by his wife, Gilda, their five children, nine grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

According to a new United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) briefing, the global food commodity price index climbed 2.4% in March, marking the second straight monthly increase and the first rise in five months for the broader basket of grains, meat, dairy, vegetable oils and sugar.The surge is largely attributed to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed up energy prices and freight rates worldwide. The report highlighted that vegetable oil prices jumped 5% and sugar rose 7% during the month.Analysts warn that the war could trigger a broader wave of food inflation, as higher fuel, fertiliser and electricity costs increase the expense of transporting, processing and cooking food. About one‑third of global fertiliser production passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that has been effectively closed since hostilities began.UN projections suggest that, if the crisis endures, global food prices could be 15%–20% higher in the first half of 2026 than pre‑conflict levels. The FAO noted that “price indices across all commodity groups rose to varying degrees, reflecting both market fundamentals and responses to higher energy prices linked to the conflict escalation in the Near East.”Specific commodity trends showed global wheat prices up 4.3% in March, driven by deteriorating crop conditions and drought concerns in the United States, as well as reduced planting in Australia due to soaring fertiliser costs. Better weather in Europe and strong export competition provided some offset.In the United Kingdom, the Food and Drink Federation – representing 12,000 manufacturers – now forecasts a **minimum 9% rise in food prices by the end of 2026**, a sharp increase from the 3.2% forecast made before the Middle East conflict. This outlook assumes the Strait of Hormuz reopens within weeks and that major energy facilities return to normal within a year – both uncertain outcomes.British producers are already feeling the pressure. The British Tomato Growers’ Association warned that consumers could see higher prices for tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers within six weeks as gas‑heated glasshouses become more expensive to run.Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently met with leaders of major retailers—including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl—to discuss measures that could ease the cost‑of‑living squeeze and strengthen supply chains.Nevertheless, a Bank of England survey of over 2,000 chief financial officers revealed that firms expect to raise their prices by an average of 3.7% over the next year, up from 3.4% in February. Expectations for overall economy‑wide inflation also rose from 3% to 3.5%.

The UK’s premier AI research centre, the Alan Turing Institute, has been instructed by its chief public funder, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to implement significant organisational changes. The directive follows a UKRI review that found the institute’s strategic alignment and value for money "not yet satisfactory".UKRI, which granted the institute a £100 million, five‑year funding package in 2024 and remains its largest single source of finance, said the review highlighted strong scientific foundations but a lack of clear strategic focus and delivery.Last summer, the government signalled that the institute must undergo a strategic overhaul, urging a shift toward defence and national security while downgrading work on health and the environment—previously two of its three core pillars.Leadership turbulence has accelerated the changes. Chief Executive Jean Innes resigned in September after staff unrest, and chair Doug Gurr stepped down this week to take up a permanent role at the UK competition watchdog.UKRI’s AI programme overseer, Prof. Charlotte Deane, stressed that achieving the UK’s AI ambitions requires institutions that are “focused, effective and aligned to national need.” She added that the review recognises the institute’s value but calls for significant change in several areas.To execute the recommendations, UKRI will work with the institute’s newly appointed chief executive, George Williamson, who comes from a government post centred on national security. The plan includes strengthening governance and placing defence and security at the core of the institute’s mission.The Alan Turing Institute collaborates with universities, private firms and government bodies, while UKRI invests £8 billion annually in UK research and innovation. A spokesperson for the institute acknowledged recent improvements in focus and governance but said it must move “faster and further.”“Working with funders and partners, we will be even more ambitious about the role we can play for the UK, and we welcome the confirmation of our clear, single‑purpose mission with national resilience, security and defence at its core,” the institute said.

In other chess news, England's 11-year-old prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has dramatically risen to No. 1 in Britain in the official Fide ratings for April and has broken into the world's top 100 women for the first time, ranked as world No. 72 with a rating of 2366.