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The United States has announced plans to deploy thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. This significant military move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The deployment, as reported, involves a substantial number of troops, indicating a major escalation of US military presence in the area. The 82nd Airborne Division, known for its rapid deployment capabilities, will likely play a critical role in the region's security dynamics. While specific details about the deployment, such as the exact number of soldiers and the mission objectives, have not been disclosed, the move is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has urged for the expulsion of the Israeli Football Association (IFA) from all international institutions after a recent FIFA report revealed multiple breaches of its anti-discrimination obligations.PFA chief Jibril Rajoub stated during a news conference in the occupied West Bank city of el-Bireh that the IFA's actions, including alleged racist behavior and criminal activities by some officials, justify a ban.The FIFA report fined the IFA 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) for the breaches, which Rajoub described as a significant but insufficient penalty.Rajoub cited several reasons for the proposed ban, including the IFA's 'racist nature', alleged criminal activity by some Israeli sports officials, and the inclusion of football clubs from Israeli West Bank settlements in the Israeli federation.The report highlighted the IFA's failure to address 'persistent and well-documented racist behaviour' by Beitar Jerusalem, which Rajoub described as an extreme example of racism, fascism, and discrimination prevalent in Israeli football.Rajoub also mentioned instances of players killed during the conflict in Gaza and the destruction of sports facilities, stating that 1,007 athletes and coaches were killed and 265 sports facilities damaged since the war started in October 2023.At least five football clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are members of the IFA, which is part of UEFA, European football's governing body.

US President Donald Trump has asserted that negotiations to end the war on Iran are ongoing, claiming Tehran is eager to make a deal. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated the US is talking to 'the right people' about a potential agreement, mentioning a 'very big present' related to 'oil and gas' allegedly gifted by Tehran. Trump's claims come as fighting continues, with Iran launching attacks on Israel and a strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, had previously dismissed Trump's claims as 'fake news.' Media reports suggest Washington has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war, which includes ending Iran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of Americans disapprove of the attacks on Iran, while 35% approve. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged receiving messages from 'friendly countries' indicating a US request for negotiations. Negar Mortazavi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, stated Iran would seek to end the war on its 'own terms,' including establishing deterrence and economic gains. Despite Trump's diplomatic efforts, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said Israel's war plan remains 'unchanged,' aiming to 'deepen the damage and remove existential threats.' The US is reportedly preparing to send thousands of soldiers to the Middle East, fueling fears of a longer conflict.

Wales coach Craig Bellamy has urged his team to stay calm and focused ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt's approach to high-pressure situations, Bellamy emphasized the need for his players to remain relaxed and composed under pressure.Bellamy, who has been in charge of Wales for nearly two years, believes that his team has the ability to perform at their best when they are calm and focused. He cited their seventh-ranked possession statistics in European countries since he took over, highlighting their ability to control games. The team has also shown resilience, with Ethan Ampadu deputizing for injured captain Ben Davies.The prize for success in the playoff is a spot at successive World Cups, which would not only bring prestige but also a significant financial boost and a positive impact on grassroots football in Wales. Bellamy is aware of the challenges posed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, having researched their background, culture, and squad composition. He noted that 11 of their 35-man squad were born in Bosnia, while the others come from the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.Bellamy expressed his confidence in his team's abilities, stating that “there won't be any regrets” regardless of the outcome. He emphasized that his team will give their all and that he is prepared for all possible outcomes. The coach also highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and not letting pressure get to them, saying, “If you can't enjoy this and you only feel pressure, you ain't made for elite sport.”Wales' last experience in a playoff ended in pain, with Wojciech Szczesny being Poland's hero. However, Bellamy is determined to build a team capable of competing for top spot in qualifying and avoiding the need for playoffs in the future.

Martin Dohrn, a veteran wildlife photographer, has created a joyous film that explores the fascinating world of bees in his urban Bristol garden. The documentary, 'My Garden of a Thousand Bees', features over 60 species of bees and showcases their unique characteristics and behaviors.Dohrn's enthusiasm for bees is palpable as he shares his experiences with the audience. He notes that bees live in a 'completely different dimension' and that his approach to filmmaking is 'time-stretching', resulting in breathtaking detail and a soundtrack that immerses the viewer in the world of bees.The film features a range of bee species, including the wool carder bee, the ashy mining bee, and the red-tailed mason bee. Each species is showcased in its natural habitat, highlighting their unique characteristics and behaviors. Dohrn's interactions with the bees are both fascinating and heartwarming, particularly his bond with a leafcutter bee named Nicky.The film's themes of companionship and appreciation for nature are woven throughout the narrative, making it a delightful and educational watch. Dohrn's passion for bees is infectious, and the film encourages viewers to appreciate the importance of these vital pollinators.The documentary also touches on the decline of bee populations worldwide, with Dohrn noting that 'all over the world, bees are declining'. However, the film's focus is on the beauty and wonder of bees, rather than the doom and gloom of their decline.The film's message is clear: let's appreciate and protect these incredible creatures. As Dohrn says, 'It's changed my view of bees. It's changed my view of the world.''My Garden of a Thousand Bees' is available to watch on BBC Four and iPlayer.

The traditional cold war diplomacy of brinkmanship, characterized by carefully balanced standoffs and rules-based international order, has given way to a world in freefall. This shift is exemplified by the ever-widening conflict in the Gulf where strategic objectives remain as unclear as the potential endpoint of hostilities.Approaching a month since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, the stated objectives of removing the country's nuclear threat and destroying its ballistic missile capability appear increasingly disconnected from the disproportionate impact on civilians and neighboring Gulf nations. Despite these consequences, the Iranian regime's willingness to escalate the conflict shows no signs of diminishing.The Guardian Weekly's coverage examines this critical juncture through multiple perspectives. Patrick Wintour recounts the pivotal week when global tensions reached a tipping point, while Richard Partington analyzes the long-term economic implications of a prolonged conflict, from oil price fluctuations to inflationary pressures and economic growth impacts. From South Lebanon, William Christou reports on healthcare professionals caught in the crossfire of Israeli airstrikes, highlighting the human cost of the escalating violence.Emma Graham-Harrison provides insight from Jerusalem, examining Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy of attempting to rehabilitate his image through what he frames as destruction of an 'axis of evil.' Meanwhile, Simon Tisdall poses a critical question: when US President Donald Trump eventually seeks to halt the conflict, will any parties be willing to heed his calls for de-escalation?Beyond the primary geopolitical focus, this week's Guardian Weekly edition explores several significant developments across different sectors. The UK political landscape features an examination of the upcoming local elections, where voter sentiment appears increasingly focused on rejecting established parties rather than actively supporting alternatives. The scientific section explores innovative approaches to addressing snoring disorders through CPAP machines, while the culture section features an in-depth interview with Dave Grohl discussing Foo Fighters, personal challenges, and grief following the loss of bandmate Taylor Hawkins.In sports, the publication celebrates the remarkable achievement of British athletes Keely Hodgkinson, Georgia Hunter Bell, and Molly Caudery, who each secured gold medals at the world indoor athletics championships in Poland, showcasing British excellence in track and field events.

Progressive lawmakers Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have unveiled a bill to place a moratorium on the construction of AI datacenters in the US. The proposed pause aims to ensure the AI boom benefits workers, protects the environment, and does not harm communities.The bill's introduction comes amid growing concerns about the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure and its impact on energy consumption, electricity bills, and the climate crisis. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez argue that a temporary ban would give the US government time to create strong federal safeguards for AI.“AI and robotics are creating the most sweeping technological revolution in the history of humanity,” Sanders said. “The scale, scope, and speed of that change is unprecedented. Congress is way behind where it should be in understanding the nature of this revolution and its impacts.”The proposal has gained traction, with at least 11 states considering similar policies. Advocacy groups, including Food and Water Watch, have also called for a federal datacenter moratorium, citing concerns about the sector's impacts on electricity bills and the climate crisis.The bill's supporters argue that datacenters' massive energy consumption and water usage have sparked controversy, especially in drought-ridden areas. If current trends continue, datacenters may account for nearly half of all US emissions from the power sector.“We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity,” Sanders said. “We need serious public debate and democratic oversight over this enormously consequential issue. The time for action is now.”

A newly expanded policy from the Trump administration could require travelers from five World Cup-qualified African countries to post a bond of up to $15,000 in order to enter the United States for the tournament.Visa bonds function as security deposits: a one-time payment that is meant to be refunded after a traveler exits the US under the terms of their visa. The amounts typically range between $5,000 and $15,000, and are required for passport holders from certain countries to enter the US legally under B-1 or B-2 visas, which are necessary for business travelers or tourists.The US State Department has mandated these bonds since launching a pilot program in late 2025, targeting many of the same countries affected by the Trump travel ban along with others – predominantly nations from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Asia. Last week, the state department announced an expansion of the program, with visitors from 50 countries now required to submit the deposits if requested by US consular officials.Among those 50 countries, five have qualified for the World Cup, all from Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia. Though refundable, the cost of the bonds alone is sufficient to make travel to the US prohibitively expensive for most fans from these nations, where average annual income levels are approximately $5,000 per year or less. Tunisia is scheduled to play one group-stage game in the US with the other two in Mexico. Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire will play twice in the US and once in Canada. Algeria and Cape Verde will compete in all three of their group-stage matches in Mexico.Even if affordable for some supporters, the multi-thousand dollar requirement adds another significant complication for fans from these countries, including exorbitant ticket prices for the games themselves, hotel rates far above average, plus additional visa processing delays and potential safety concerns created by the presence of federal immigration officers from ICE and other agencies in US cities.It remains unclear which entities, if any, will be exempt from the visa bonds. While Trump's travel bans contain exemptions for athletes and officials participating in major sporting events like the World Cup, the visa bonds program contains no such provision.The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to commence on June 11, with the final taking place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with economies in Asia being hit particularly hard. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil and gas shipments, has led to a 90% collapse in traffic through its waters. This has resulted in energy prices surging, affecting countries such as India, Nepal, and the Philippines.India has redirected liquefied gas supplies to households, limiting them to the plastics industry, while Nepal has rationed gas and the Philippines has trimmed the government workweek to four days. Bangladesh has closed universities and rationed fuel, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict.The US economy has shown relative resilience, with the S&P; 500 index losing only 5% since the start of the conflict. This is attributed to the country's abundance of domestic natural gas, which satisfies about 36% of its energy needs and insulates it from international price fluctuations.However, this has led to accusations that the US is recklessly spreading havoc globally while suffering relatively little harm itself. The tariffs imposed by the US have also had far-reaching consequences, with economists concluding that US consumers and businesses are paying the majority of the costs.The International Monetary Fund has revised its growth forecasts, noting that the US economy has emerged largely unscathed, while prospects for economic growth in other countries have weakened. The World Trade Organization has warned that persistently high energy prices will slow merchandise trade growth and have a lopsided impact on growth, with North America potentially seeing a boost, while Europe and Asia are likely to be negatively affected.The conflict has also disrupted the oil and gas economy, with countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan facing a drop in remittances from their citizens working in Gulf countries. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the conflict has been significant, with interest in coal being reinvigorated in Asia as a result of the energy crisis.The US's actions have raised concerns about its reliability as a partner in maintaining international stability, with erstwhile allies forced to accept that Trump's America is now a source of global uncertainty. The US's belligerence is unlikely to end soon, with tens of millions of Americans motivated by contempt for the rest of the world and a desire to assert US dominance.