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Football fans heading to the World Cup 2026 in the United States are facing a new challenge: exorbitant transit prices. Reports have emerged that United States transport authorities have significantly increased prices for fans traveling to matches, sparking widespread outrage. New Jersey Transit is planning to charge fans more than $100 for tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is a substantial hike from the usual return ticket price of $12.90. Similarly, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority confirmed that return tickets from Boston to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts would cost $80 – up from the usual event-day price of $20. “It’s a disgrace. In recent tournaments, transportation was either included in the ticket price or offered at a heavily discounted rate for ticket holders,” said Guillaume Aupretre, a spokesman for France’s main supporters’ group. He accused world football’s governing body FIFA of shutting out “the most loyal supporters in favour of the wealthy”. France will play all three of its Group I matches in Boston and New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill blamed FIFA for the price hikes, citing a $48m bill the state faces to ensure fan safety at the eight games at the MetLife Stadium. “I won’t stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come, that’s not fair,” Sherrill wrote on social media, adding that FIFA stood to make $11bn at the World Cup. FIFA issued a strongly-worded statement criticising the transport price hike, stating that the original host city agreements “required free transportation for fans to all matches”. A re-negotiation stipulated that transport would be offered “at cost” on match days. “We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach on fan transportation,” FIFA said.

The Agentic Leap: Codex Goes BackgroundOpenAI is intensifying its rivalry with Anthropic by significantly upgrading its Codex tool. The latest update transforms Codex from a passive assistant into an active, autonomous agent capable of operating in the background of a user's desktop. This allows the AI to open applications, click, and type without interrupting the user's primary workflow.Parallel Operation: Codex can now run multiple agents simultaneously on a Mac, handling auxiliary tasks like iterating on frontend changes or testing apps while the user focuses on top-level projects.Browser Control: A new in-app browser feature enables Codex to issue commands and execute tasks on specific web applications, with plans to eventually command the browser fully beyond localhost.Memory and Context: The 'memory' feature allows Codex to recall previous work sessions, generating important context about how a specific user works to improve future assistance.Image Generation: Codex has gained the ability to generate product concepts, slide visuals, and mockups, expanding its utility beyond pure code.Expanded Plugin Ecosystem: The tool now supports 111 plug-in integrations, including tools like CodeRabbit and GitLab Issues, allowing it to handle clerical work across Slack and Google Calendar.Enterprise Integration and Pricing StrategyThe update is not just about features; it is a calculated business move designed to capture enterprise workflows. By offering a new pay-as-you-go pricing option for ChatGPT Business and Enterprise customers, OpenAI is lowering the barrier to entry for corporate adoption of these advanced agentic tools.The sheer volume of integrations—111 plugins—serves as a critical data point. It demonstrates OpenAI's strategy to make Codex a central hub for corporate productivity, capable of bridging the gap between coding and general administrative tasks.Strategic Pivot: From Consumer Tools to Corporate AutomationThis development marks a clear shift in OpenAI's strategy. After a period of focus on consumer-facing tools like Sora 2, the company is retreating from the consumer market to double down on enterprise capabilities. This aligns with the broader industry trend of moving from simple chatbots to autonomous agents that can execute complex workflows.The Future of Autonomous Coding AssistantsAs OpenAI and Anthropic battle for supremacy, the definition of a 'coding assistant' is changing. We are moving toward a future where AI agents are not just suggestions but active participants in the development lifecycle, capable of managing entire workflows autonomously. The winner of this war will likely be the provider that best integrates these agents into existing corporate infrastructure.

In the rugged Hindu Kush mountains of eastern Afghanistan, hundreds of men are scouring the rocky Kunar riverbed for precious gold dust, creating a livelihood amid limited economic options.Against the backdrop of towering peaks, some still snow-capped in April, workers labour near the Pakistan border, seeking valuable flecks that could change their fortunes in a country plagued by low wages.Near Kharwalu village in Kunar province – with its mud-brick homes and terraced wheat fields – men excavate dry sections of the riverbed before washing their rocky hauls with river water.Delawar, 45, joined these gold prospectors after leaving his construction job seven hours from his Kabul home. “There are not many job opportunities in the country, and in this way, we have created work for ourselves,” said the father of eight who uses only one name.“The gold nuggets we find are usually smaller than a grain of wheat,” he added.In nearby Ghaziabad, hundreds chip away at the mountainside with picks, carrying heavy sacks down steep slopes to empty onto sieves for gold filtration.Others use yellow jerrycans attached to long wooden handles to pour river water over sieves, allowing smaller, potentially gold-bearing stones to slide onto mats. After two additional siftings, gold nuggets occasionally appear in metal pans.Gul Ahmad Jan, 35, claims the work can be lucrative. “We can get up to about 1gm of gold,” worth approximately 8,000 Afghani ($125) in just one week, he said.Afghanistan’s natural resources remained largely unexploited during decades of conflict, though a Kunar official told the AFP news agency that gold panning has occurred there for more than 10 years.

Russia's campaign to recruit Central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine has been marked by coercion and deception. Tens of thousands of labour migrants from countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have been forced to sign up for military service, often under threat of deportation or with promises of financial incentives.Hushruzjon Salohidinov, a 26-year-old Tajik man, is one such migrant who was arrested and threatened with rape in a Russian prison unless he 'volunteered' to fight in Ukraine. He was promised a sign-up bonus of 2 million rubles ($26,200) and a monthly salary of 200,000 rubles ($2,620), but was poorly trained and equipped for combat.Salohidinov was captured by Ukrainian forces in January and is now being held in a prisoner of war facility. He says he is glad to have been captured as it saved him from certain death on the front line. His case is just one of many reported instances of Central Asian migrants being coerced into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.Human rights groups and experts say that Russia's recruitment of migrant soldiers is a deliberate tactic to target vulnerable individuals who are often subject to xenophobia and Islamophobia in Russia. The Kremlin's campaign has been marked by derogatory language and abuse towards migrants, with some officials using threats of deportation to force them into military service.The life expectancy of migrant soldiers on the front line is reportedly just four months, with losses being catastrophic. Despite this, Russia is expected to continue recruiting migrant soldiers to make up for a shortage of willing Russian recruits.

Sudan's power grid has collapsed, leaving many towns and cities without electricity. The crisis has been worsened by the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year. The country's reliance on imported fuel has been disrupted, driving up costs and further straining the economy.In Khartoum, residents like Husna Mohamed are struggling to cope with the daily burden of fetching water and managing household chores without electricity. Fuel prices have surged by over 40% in recent weeks, making it difficult for people to afford basic necessities. The Sudanese pound has also lost roughly 20% of its value against the US dollar.The economic impact is being felt across various sectors. Transport costs have risen, and food prices are increasing, with a 10-kilogramme bag of sugar rising from 28,000 to 35,000 Sudanese pounds in just one week. Merchants are hesitant to sell, waiting to see how prices will develop.Economist Mohamed al-Tayeb notes that Sudan's economy is especially vulnerable to energy disruption due to its heavy reliance on land transport and power-dependent production. The crisis is not only economic but also infrastructural, with informal and makeshift power poles causing frequent failures across the grid.Local solutions, such as solar panels and shared generators, are being implemented, but they remain partial and fragile. The crisis has exposed the limited margin for error in Sudanese households, which were already absorbing multiple shocks, including the war, currency collapse, and displacement.

El Salvador has introduced a new law that permits life imprisonment for minors as young as 12 for serious crimes such as homicide, terrorism, and rape. The law, which takes effect on April 26, is part of a broader crackdown on gang violence in the country. The move has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who warn that it could lead to grave human rights abuses and perpetuate long-term consequences for child and adolescent development. The law's passage is seen as a continuation of President Nayib Bukele's hardline policies, which have included a state of emergency that has suspended certain civil liberties since March 2022. Under this state of emergency, over 90,000 people have been imprisoned, with some detainees held without charges and others processed in mass trials. Human Rights Watch estimates that nearly 1.9% of El Salvador's population is behind bars, one of the highest rates in the world. The new law allows for periodic sentence reviews and the possibility of supervised release, but UNICEF has expressed deep concern about the prospect of children being sentenced to life behind bars. The organization argues that such measures contradict the standards enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prioritizes rehabilitation and reintegration over punishment. Critics have repeatedly called on Bukele and the Salvadoran government to end the state of emergency and related anti-crime measures, citing violations of fundamental human rights. A recent report by the International Group of Experts for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations alleged that crimes against humanity had been committed over the last four years, with Bukele himself acknowledging that at least 8,000 detainees were innocent.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 in a car accident in Austria. Manninger, who helped Arsenal win the Double in 1998, was capped 33 times by Austria and played for several clubs including Red Bull Salzburg, Espanyol, and Liverpool.The accident occurred at around 8:20am local time when Manninger's car was hit by a railcar while crossing a railway crossing. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Manninger was pronounced dead at the scene.Manninger's former clubs and teammates paid tribute to him, with Arsenal posting: “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex.” Liverpool FC also expressed their sadness, stating: “Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger at the age of 48. The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Alex’s family and friends at this difficult time.”The Austrian Football Association mourned his death, describing him as an “outstanding” servant to Austrian football. Its sporting director, Peter Schöttel, said: “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador of Austrian football on and off the pitch. With his international career, he has set standards and inspired and shaped many young goalkeepers.”Former Italy keeper Gigi Buffon, who played alongside Manninger, paid his own tribute on Instagram, writing: “Dear Alex. Every word is superfluous. Every tear would be just another for the loss of a friend and someone I’ve always admired. You chose to remain independent from the addiction of the world of football, seeking your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.”

In a bid to regain control over their digital lives, people are attending 'cybersecurity disguised as a party' events, where they learn how to mitigate their vulnerability to surveillance through major tech services.Imani Thompson, a 26-year-old cybersecurity organizer, leads these events, which include activities like DJ sets and dancing, to make learning about digital security more approachable and fun. The events, organized by groups like the New York City-based tech organizing coalition Cypurr Collective, aim to help attendees understand how to protect their personal data and break free from the grip of big tech companies.61% of Americans are concerned about their digital security, but only 33% are actively doing something about it, according to a YouGov poll. These tech privacy-focused conferences, workshops, and meetups are giving people the support and agency to protect their information without giving up the tech that underpins modern life.The services people rely on to message their friends, shop, or navigate a new city can make our lives easier and more connected, but they also leave us extraordinarily exposed. The data that tech companies sweep up from our online activities allows them to infer precise details about us, which is then broadcast to thousands of companies worldwide through real-time bidding auctions.To combat this, activists are teaching communities how to regain agency over their digital lives by using more secure, transparently run platforms or even building their own digital tools. Organizations like Resist Tech Monopolies (RTM) in Seattle and Co-op Cloud, an international tech federation, are part of this movement.RTM has seen an explosion of interest recently, with a growing number of people from political and grassroots groups wanting to train their members or community on digital security. The group offers community events like book clubs, movie nights, and open office hours, as well as regular 'discover tech' events that introduce community members to tech concepts.By using libre software and open-source projects, people can contribute to building and sharing tools that are democratically designed and communally maintained. This approach not only protects users from surveillance but also allows them to collaborate on new tools that are transparent, sustainable, and free from corporate control.

Tiger Woods, the 50-year-old golf legend, has been in a tumultuous situation after his DUI arrest on March 27. According to court filings released recently, Woods told police that he had taken several prescription medications, including Vicodin, on the day of the crash. He claimed to have taken these medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and pain management. Woods denied drinking alcohol, and a breath test confirmed that there was no alcohol in his system. However, he refused a urine test for drugs. Prosecutors are seeking access to Woods's prescription records from the months leading up to the crash, but his attorneys have objected, citing privacy concerns. In a series of bizarre remarks, Woods told officers at the scene that 'all the drones' were flying over his home and referenced '10 to 15 drones coming over my … car' with 'GoPros on 'em'. He then claimed to have spoken to 'the president' in a conversation that was cut short. Woods has pleaded not guilty to DUI charges stemming from the crash and is due back in court next month. His attorney has requested a protective order to limit the use of any records obtained. Woods has been in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, former daughter-in-law of Donald Trump, for over a year. Donald Trump himself stated that he had spoken with Woods since the incident, noting that the golfer 'lives a life of pain' due to his injuries. Woods has been involved in previous high-profile car incidents, including a life-threatening 2021 crash in Los Angeles and a 2017 DUI arrest linked to prescription medication use. He has struggled with chronic pain and injuries in recent years, including a seventh back procedure and a ruptured achilles tendon.