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OECD preliminary figures reveal a 23% decline in international development assistance between 2024 and 2025, the steepest annual fall recorded since the organization began tracking aid.The United States was the primary catalyst, with its official development assistance slashing nearly 57% in 2025, a reduction that accounts for roughly three‑quarters of the overall drop.Total aid from the 34 DAC members fell from $214.6 billion to $174.3 billion. American contributions shrank from about $63 billion in 2024 to just under $29 billion the following year, according to the OECD.Other major donors—including Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and France—also trimmed their budgets, and only eight DAC countries managed to meet or exceed their 2024 levels.The cuts arrive at a time of heightened global economic and food‑security uncertainty, exacerbated by the ongoing US‑Israeli conflict with Iran.OECD official Carsten Staur described the plunge as “deeply concerning,” urging donors to reverse the trend as humanitarian needs surge. Oxfam’s Development Finance Lead Didier Jacobs warned that wealthy governments are “turning their backs on millions of lives in the Global South” by cutting life‑saving aid while funding conflict.Academic research links the U.S. reductions to a rise in armed conflict across Africa, with the Center for Global Development estimating that the cuts could have caused between 500,000 and 1,000,000 excess deaths in 2025. A Lancet analysis warns that continuing the downward trajectory may result in **over 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030**.Under President Trump, the United States has dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and pursued a handful of bilateral agreements with African nations that tie aid to mineral access and health data. Simultaneously, the administration is seeking a historic $1.5 trillion military budget for FY2027** and between **$80 billion and $200 billion** for the Iran‑Israel war effort.Analysts and NGOs are calling on DAC members to restore aid levels and reinforce the global humanitarian system, which they say faces its most serious crisis in decades.

Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared a 'final victory' in the war against Israel and the United States, despite a fragile ceasefire being threatened by Israel's continued offensive on Lebanon.Marking 40 days since his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israeli attack, Khamenei stated that Iran had 'astonished the world' during the course of the war. He emphasized that Tehran is not seeking war but is fighting for its legitimate rights.Khamenei warned that Iran will not leave 'criminal aggressors' unpunished and will demand compensation for damages and the blood of martyrs and the wounded. He also mentioned that Iran will move towards a 'new phase' regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blockaded since the war began.The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, allowing for negotiations to take place. However, Israeli air strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday killed over 300 people, threatening the truce amid disagreements on whether Beirut was part of the agreement.Khamenei stated that Iran is ready to respond if attacks resume, saying 'our hands are on the trigger'. Despite this, he emphasized that Iran will not renounce its legitimate rights under any circumstances, considering the entire resistance front as a whole.Delegations from Iran and the US are expected in Pakistan on Saturday to hold talks on ending the war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Thursday that it would be "dumb" for the United States to permit Israel to jeopardise the newly‑declared regional ceasefire by persisting with its intense bombardment of Lebanon, a campaign that has already claimed hundreds of lives. Araghchi noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial is set to resume on Sunday, suggesting the prime minister may have ulterior motives for sustaining the fighting. He wrote on social media that a ceasefire encompassing Lebanon would "hasten his jailing," implying that the truce could pressure Netanyahu’s legal woes. Addressing Washington directly, Araghchi said: "If the US wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it." The statement echoes language used by U.S. Vice President JD Vance the previous day, who warned that Iran would find it "dumb" to let the ceasefire collapse over Lebanon, yet framed it as a choice for Tehran. Since the ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, the dispute over whether it applies to Lebanon has become a central obstacle to sustaining the truce. Iranian officials and media have hinted that Tehran could respond militarily to Israel’s assault on Lebanon or even block the Strait of Hormuz to enforce a Lebanon‑wide ceasefire. President Donald Trump told NBC News that he had spoken with Netanyahu and urged the Israeli government to "scale back" its operations in Lebanon, describing the approach as "low‑key." Vance also reported that Israeli officials had agreed to "check themselves a little bit in Lebanon." Despite these diplomatic overtures, the violence shows no sign of abating. The death toll from recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon has already surpassed 300, marking one of the deadliest days in the country’s recent history. On Thursday, Israel launched several new attacks, including a strike that killed four rescuers in the southern town of Borj Qalaouiye, and issued a displacement order for Beirut’s Jnah district, home to two major hospitals and tens of thousands of residents and displaced persons. The United States has a track record of asserting that Israel will curb its military actions, only to witness continued strikes. In 2024, the Biden administration insisted that Israel’s operation in Rafah was "limited," yet the Israeli military ultimately razed nearly every structure in the city, a tactic now hinted at for southern Lebanon. The Lebanese conflict escalated into full‑scale war in early March after Hezbollah fired rockets in retaliation for Israeli strikes and following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Since a separate November 2024 ceasefire, Israel has maintained near‑daily attacks on Lebanon, targeting civilian infrastructure and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Afan Cizmic, a 14-year-old ball boy, has been hailed as a hero in Bosnia and Herzegovina for his quick thinking during a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier playoff final against Italy.On March 31, Cizmic was deployed at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica when he noticed Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma reading from a piece of paper tucked behind a towel. Realising it contained information on Bosnian penalty takers, Cizmic took the note and ran away from the goal.When the penalty shootout got under way, Donnarumma failed to save any of the four penalties he faced, and his teammates missed three of theirs, handing Bosnia a place in the global showpiece.Whether Cizmic's little trick played a role in the final scoreline remains unknown, but the teenage boy is being hailed as a hero in Bosnia, with fans urging the national team to take him along to the World Cup.Cizmic has been called on to football shows, interviewed by international media, and photographed at the venue where Bosnia created history by ensuring Italy became the only former champions to miss their third World Cup in a row.Recalling the moment he saw the paper, Cizmic says that he hesitated at first but ultimately decided to act on his instinct. "I saw where he left the paper and that he was reading from it. I thought about whether I should take it or not. Then I said, 'Whatever happens, happens,' and I took it," he told Turkish news agency Anadolu.While Donnarumma did not see Cizmic walk away, the Italian goalkeeper was left fuming when he could not find the paper and attempted to snatch his opposite number's penalty shootout notes in a tit-for-tat move.Cizmic believes Donnarumma's frustration confirmed his ploy had an impact on the game. "I was happy because I saw he got angry and lost concentration," he said.In the hours and days after Bosnia's win, Cizmic's act led to social media debates as well as national news. Despite mixed reactions on social media, he dismissed criticism, saying any fan would have done the same."If we were playing in Italy, someone would have done it to our goalkeeper, Nikola Vasilj, too," he said.The now-famous ball boy proudly carries the note, enclosed in a plastic cover, as a memorabilia item and takes it along for media appearances. He also announced that the paper will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to charity.Cizmic, who is a youth footballer with local club Celik Zenica, dreams of wearing the Bosnian national team jersey one day.His father, Emir Cizmic, said he was proud of his son, emphasising that ball boys are not just spectators but can affect the rhythm and outcome of matches.

Event details: The heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov is scheduled for Saturday, 11 April 2026. The main card will tip‑off at 19:00 GMT, with the headline bout slated for just after 22:00 GMT at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The fight will be streamed live on Netflix, while Al Jazeera will provide a text‑based live commentary starting at 18:00 GMT. Fury, the 37‑year‑old former two‑time world champion, returns after a 15‑month hiatus following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. His professional record stands at 34‑2‑1 with 24 knockouts, and he towers at 206 cm (6 ft 9 in) with a 216 cm reach. Makhmudov, a 36‑year‑old Dagestani‑born Canadian resident, holds a 21‑2‑0 record, 19 of those wins by KO, measures 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) and has a 194 cm reach. The bout is billed as a 12‑round heavyweight clash, offering Fury a chance to rebuild his résumé and potentially earn a high‑profile encounter with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. Makhmudov, however, is far from a tune‑up opponent; 90 % of his victories have come by knockout, and he has demonstrated power against seasoned fighters such as Dave Allen and Carlos Takam. Fury’s perspective: In a recent BBC interview, the “Gypsy King” said he feels “as good as I’ve ever felt” and is “as sharp as I’ve ever been,” emphasizing the need to be at peak form to survive Makhmudov’s single‑punch knockout power. He added that a win would pave the way for a long‑desired showdown with Joshua. Makhmudov’s outlook: The Dagestani fighter described Fury as a “legend” and expressed confidence in his ability to win, noting that the contest will test both mental and spiritual strengths. He hinted at a philosophical edge, saying, “It’s a war between mind and spirit – Inshallah the spirit wins.” Beyond the headline fight, the co‑main event will feature Conor Benn versus Regis Prograis** at 21:30 GMT, marking Benn’s first bout under Zuffa Boxing after parting ways with Matchroom. The British heavyweight title will be defended by Jeamie Tshikeva against Richard Riakporhe**, while Frazer Clarke meets Justis Huni** in a heavyweight clash. Preliminary action includes middleweight, light‑welterweight and flyweight contests, rounding out a full card designed to keep fans engaged throughout the evening. Personal drama adds intrigue: Fury’s father, “Big John” Fury, who has been a vocal presence in his son’s career, is reportedly absent after a recent fallout, though Tyson downplays the impact, stating that the crowd’s composition is irrelevant to his focus. Overall, the London event promises a high‑stakes narrative – a veteran champion seeking redemption, a rising knockout artist eager to cement his status, and a potential pathway to a blockbuster British heavyweight showdown later in the year.

Fresh Israeli airstrikes have struck southern Lebanon, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, just a day after a devastating attack that claimed over 200 lives. The escalation has sparked concerns about the stability of the recently announced US-Iran ceasefire, which Tehran says includes Lebanon.Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike on the town of Abbassiyeh killed at least seven people and wounded several others, with the total expected to rise. The attacks have targeted various towns, including Kafra, Jmaijmeh, Safad al-Battikh, Majdal Selm, and Deir Antar near Qasmiyeh bridge.The Lebanese army confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday. The Israeli military claimed that it carried out overnight strikes in Beirut, killing Ali Yusuf Harshi, a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem.The scale and intensity of the attacks suggest a broader campaign that continues despite the ceasefire agreement. Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reported from Ramallah that the ongoing strikes reflect a deeper alignment between Israel and the US. Hezbollah has insisted that the ceasefire deal between the US and Iran should include the Lebanon front.According to the Lebanese health ministry, 203 people were killed on Wednesday, with over 1,000 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon. Lebanon's prime minister declared a national day of mourning on Thursday, ordering public offices to close and flags to be lowered in tribute.International leaders have condemned the attacks, with UN human rights chief Volker Turk describing the scale of killing as 'horrific'. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said: 'We strongly condemn these massive strikes which, in ten minutes, killed more than 250 people, adding to the 1,500 victims of this conflict initiated by Hezbollah against Israel on March 2.'Lebanon's Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 1,739 people and wounded 5,873 people.

Eritrea's hopes of participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been thrown into doubt after seven local footballers disappeared in South Africa following their team's victory over Eswatini last month.The players were part of a 24-member squad that participated in the qualifying tie, with only 10 being locally-based players. Of these, only three returned to Eritrea, while the whereabouts of the other seven remain unknown.The incident occurred when the national team arrived in South Africa en route from Eswatini to Eritrea via Egypt. A Confederation of African Football (CAF) official told the AFP news agency that the disappearance is a mystery and that no one seems certain what happened to the players thereafter.Eritrea's coach, Hesham Yakan, had chosen 24 players, including 14 based abroad, for the two-leg preliminary qualifier against Eswatini. The team's victory over Eswatini proved a surprise success, considering they had not played an international match for six years.The disappearance of the players has raised concerns about the country's football future and the well-being of its players. Indefinite military service after completing schooling is cited as the main reason for the defections from the East African country.Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as “highly repressive”.The incident has also highlighted the dire situation in Eritrea, with George Ghebreslassie, an Eritrean exile, saying that “it shows the kind of situation we have in Eritrea. We thought things would change, but nothing has changed”.

Prominent Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi has been handed down three life sentences by an Indian court, a move that has been widely condemned by activists and legal experts. Andrabi, the founder of the banned all-women's organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), was sentenced on March 24 by a special National Investigative Agency (NIA) court in New Delhi.Andrabi, 64, and her two associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, were arrested by the NIA in 2018 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a draconian anti-terror law. The UAPA was introduced in 2008 and amended in 2019 to allow authorities to declare individuals as 'terrorists'. Andrabi was accused of waging war against the Indian government, raising funds for terrorist acts, and being a member of a terrorist group.However, the court found no evidence related to these charges, yet convicted her on less serious allegations such as provoking hostility between communities and undermining national integration. The court noted that while Andrabi's actions did not directly cause violence, they could evoke sentiments that may lead to violence.Legal experts say Andrabi's conviction is mainly based on offensive speech-making, raising questions about India's tolerance of dissenting voices. 'Ideology is not punishable by law; only actions are,' a Kashmir-based legal researcher said. 'But the UAPA's scope has been widened significantly through several amendments.'Andrabi's son described the conviction as 'effectively a death sentence' given her age and time already spent in jail. Her husband, a former rebel leader, has also been imprisoned since 1992. Critics argue that the conviction fits a broader pattern in which all forms of political resistance are disciplined in Kashmir.

The Gulf region breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday after Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week truce, halting over five weeks of escalating attacks and hostile rhetoric.However, Gulf states are expressing caution, concerned that the US, seeking a swift exit, might agree to terms granting Iran some control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one fifth of the world's oil and natural liquefied gas passes.Iran had nearly brought traffic through the strait to a standstill in response to joint US-Israeli attacks on its soil since February 28. Under the truce, Iran has agreed to halt attacks for two weeks in exchange for resumed maritime transit in the key waterway.Despite this, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are stressing that any deal must result in a permanent, long-term arrangement to keep the strait open. They fear a weakened yet intact Iranian leadership could use the strait as leverage, leaving them under constant threat of disruption and economic blackmail.“There is a quiet but palpable concern that President Trump, eager for a quick political victory, could tolerate some Iranian leverage over the strait in exchange for a fragile truce, prioritising optics over Gulf realities,” said Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi Arabia-based scholar at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.The GCC countries, which have faced near-daily Iranian missile and drone attacks, have welcomed the truce but emphasize that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen. They are also concerned about Iran's future influence over the strait, with a Bahrain-sponsored UN Security Council resolution calling for countries to use defensive missions to keep the maritime chokepoint open being vetoed by Russia and China.A further escalation could have devastating consequences for the GCC economies, undoing decades of work to make the region a safe hub for finance, tourism, and culture. Analysts say GCC countries have stepped up diplomacy in the lead-up to the conflict, but officials across the region have warned Iran should not mistake their inaction as a sign of weakness.“The Gulf will leave no stone unturned if Iran continues to take the path of aggression,” said Hamad Althunayyan, a political analyst and professor at Kuwait University. “The Gulf expects its interests to be represented, and included, in any deal with Iran.”