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Chinese swimming authorities have initiated an investigation into cyberbullying targeting Quan Hongchan, the 19-year-old diving champion who has won three Olympic gold medals. The General Administration of Sport's swimming management centre announced the probe on Wednesday, stating that it is working with officials in Quan's home province of Guangdong to address the issue.Quan, who won her first gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at just 14 years old and added two more golds at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has faced intense scrutiny and pressure. She has spoken publicly about the toxic online commentary she has faced, particularly regarding her weight and diet.The cyberbullying has been described as 'malicious' and has included false information and abnormal fan culture. Chinese authorities have pledged to crack down on such behavior, which has been termed 'toxic fandom'. Quan's swimming club has also reported the case to police, emphasizing that athletes are a valuable national asset and that such acts of slander and insult are unacceptable.Quan's success has made her a popular figure in China, with her hometown becoming a tourist destination. However, this has also led to intense media scrutiny and pressure to conform to certain standards. The investigation aims to address these issues and ensure a safer online environment for athletes.

The United States government has reaffirmed its position that it plans to deport Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, despite arguments that doing so would be vindictive.On Tuesday, lawyers for the administration of President Donald Trump told US federal judge Paula Xinis that it remains committed to Liberia as a destination.Abrego Garcia, however, has said that, if he must be deported, he would prefer to be sent to Costa Rica, and the government there has indicated it would accept him.But the Trump administration’s insistence on sending Abrego Garcia to Africa has raised questions about its motive.Critics have accused the US government of seeking retribution against Abrego Garcia, whose case has spurred scrutiny over the legality of Trump’s mass deportation campaign.The case began with a high-profile mistake. In March 2025, less than three months into Trump’s second term, Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported to his native El Salvador, in violation of a 2019 protection order that found he could face gang violence if returned to the country.The Trump administration, at the time, described Abrego Garcia’s removal as an “administrative error”.Still, it initially refused to seek his return, arguing that Abrego Garcia was a gang member and that, once abroad, he was subject to El Salvador’s leadership. Abrego Garcia, though, had no criminal record at the time of his deportation.Abrego Garcia was imprisoned, first at El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) and later in a second prison in Santa Ana, El Salvador.Meanwhile, lawyers in the US had turned to US courts to reverse his deportation.In early April 2025, Judge Xinis ruled that the US government had to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the country, and later that month, the US Supreme Court upheld her ruling in a unanimous decision.But it was only in June 2025 that Abrego Garcia was brought back to the US. In announcing Abrego Garcia’s return, the Trump administration revealed it would be filing criminal charges against him for human smuggling.He pleaded not guilty, but was forced to remain in jail. The Trump administration had deemed him a flight risk, and his own lawyers feared that stepping out of his jail cell would land him in immigration detention instead.When a court ordered his release in August, this is exactly what happened: Immigration agents took him back into custody within days.Authorities at the time said they would deport him to Uganda. Later, they changed the proposed destination to Liberia.Abrego Garcia was ultimately freed from immigration detention in December, but he continues to fight both his criminal charges and his deportation proceedings.At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Xinis questioned why the Trump administration would not consider deporting Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica instead of Liberia.She pointed out that the country had recently inked an agreement to accept 25 removals from the US per week.In response, Ernesto Molina, the director of the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, suggested that Abrego Garcia could “remove himself” to Costa Rica.But Xinis called the proposal a “fantasy” and noted that he cannot leave as long as the Justice Department is prosecuting him on criminal charges. He is legally required to attend his criminal hearings.After the tense exchange, Xinis set another hearing on the matter for April 28.

The play's creator, Gregory Burke, was inspired by the tragic events at Camp Dogwood in Iraq and the story of three soldiers from the Black Watch regiment who were killed by an IED. Vicky Featherstone, founding artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland, commissioned Burke to write the play.The production was a collaboration between Burke, director John Tiffany, and movement director Steven Hoggett. The set, designed by Laura Hopkins, featured a pool table that transformed into a tank, symbolizing the transition from a pub to a war zone.The play's success was not limited to its initial run. It went on to tour for seven years, performing in numerous countries, including the United States. The play's impact was profound, with audience members often moved to tears and applause.Black Watch also had a significant impact on the careers of its cast members, including Emun Elliott and Brian Ferguson. The play's influence extended beyond the theatre world, with its themes and messages resonating with audiences worldwide.

Unai Emery has cautioned his Aston Villa side to approach Bologna with respect if they hope to progress in the Europa League with a victory over their Italian opponents. The Aston Villa manager described Bologna as a 'winner team' and emphasized the challenges of competing in Europe's top competitions.“To win in Europe is very, very difficult,” Emery said. “Firstly you must respect this competition. Because if you are not respecting the competition, if you are not focusing 100%, you are close to being out. And I have a lot of experiences with these situations.”Emery, who has won the Europa League a record four times as a manager, acknowledged that Villa could not be considered favorites for the quarter-final tie against Bologna. He highlighted Bologna's recent successes, including their 4-3 win away at Roma in the round of 16, which qualified them for the quarter-finals.“Bologna is a winner team, it’s a team that in the last years are playing fantastic and they are winning finals like last year [in the Coppa Italia],” Emery said. “I have respect for them as well as knowledge about the difficulties and this round for us is a huge challenge. We are ready but we are not going to send the message that we can be favourites because after the Roma tie it is 50-50.”Emery also anticipated a lively atmosphere at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, urging his players to be resilient and prepared for an intense match. “The supporters are always so important and they will create a great atmosphere here, which will be fantastic for them,” he said. “For us, it’s going to be very difficult. Every experience we are having in Europe, playing away, is more difficult than playing at home.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has called on his team's fans to play a pivotal role in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. The Reds are seeking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris.Slot acknowledged that his team were in survival mode during the first leg, but he believes they can still progress to the semi-finals with the help of their home fans. Luis Enrique's PSG side dominated the first leg, with goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia putting them in command of the tie.Slot highlighted the importance of Anfield's atmosphere, stating: 'We will need to have a better performance and we definitely need our fans to help us create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did today.'The Liverpool manager drew inspiration from their previous Champions League comeback against Galatasaray in the last 16, and he is confident that his team can repeat the feat with the support of their fans. 'Our fans do make a big difference for us,' he added.Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, expects his team to 'suffer' at Anfield but remains committed to their positive approach. 'We are going there to win and to qualify,' he said.

When Nike unveiled its official 2026 World Cup kit range in March, the designs were widely praised, with the United States' home shirt hailed as the most distinctive in years and other nations such as France, England, Canada and Uruguay receiving positive feedback.However, during the recent international break, a growing chorus of supporters highlighted a recurring problem: a pronounced bulge along the shoulder seam of many of the new jerseys. While the effect was subtle on some kits, it was stark on others – notably the sleek France shirt worn by Kylian Mbappé and the Uruguay jerseys that resembled a cartoon villain’s armor.Fans took to social media to share photos and complaints, with some claiming that steaming or pre‑washing the garments temporarily eased the issue, while others expressed outright frustration, describing the design as “stupid” and unsuitable for broader shoulder widths.Given that the jerseys retail for between $100 and $200, the defect poses a significant concern for both consumers and the national federations that expect their players to look immaculate on football’s biggest stage.In a statement to The Guardian, Nike acknowledged the flaw, noting that the problem was most evident during the recent break and that “performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.” The company added that it is reviewing possible solutions in collaboration with partner federations and suppliers.The kits are built around Nike’s Aero‑FIT system, a computational‑design and stitch‑specific knitting process marketed as a way to keep athletes cool in what could be the hottest World Cup ever, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. A source familiar with the technology confirmed that AI‑driven design data underpins the process.Nevertheless, the shoulder‑seam issue raises questions about the feasibility of a redesign with the tournament less than two months away and millions of jerseys already sold. Nike officials indicated that any corrective action would require a massive logistical effort.“We are a global team of best‑in‑class designers, creators and dreamers who spend every day thinking about how to innovate, challenge ourselves, and take risks that push the beautiful game,” the company said. “We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short. We’re working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves.”Nike’s partnership with the United States runs until 2033, while England’s agreement with the FA extends to 2030, meaning the brand will continue to supply kits for future tournaments despite this setback.

The planet is in the grip of an unprecedented climate emergency. The past three years rank as the hottest on record, emissions remain at historic highs and the world is edging ever closer to the critical 1.5°C threshold that scientists warned must not be crossed. In response, a trio of creators – actor Megan Prescott, filmmaker Bree Essrig and self‑described “climate narrative strategist” Jessica Riches – have launched Headline Newds, a series of bite‑size videos released through the non‑profit arm of Adam McKay’s Yellow Dot Studios. The series pairs climate data with the visual style of OnlyFans models, aiming to capture attention where traditional messaging has struggled. The concept echoes McKay’s own gamble with The Big Short (2015), where he hired Margot Robbie to explain complex mortgage‑backed securities while bathing. By swapping finance for climate, the creators hope to avoid the “long, boring explanation” that often alienates viewers. The debut episode, titled The Sun is Daddy, features Prescott gradually disrobing while arguing that solar power could satisfy global energy demand using less land than the fossil‑fuel sector. She frames the argument with the line “Daddy is a giver,” blending sensuality with a factual claim. Provocation is intentional. The Yellow Dot website admits the clips are likely to be taken down on Instagram and YouTube for breaching content policies, but they will remain accessible on OnlyFans, a platform perceived as more tolerant of adult‑oriented material. That platform may also be where the series makes its biggest splash. While mainstream users might approach the videos with a pre‑formed understanding, OnlyFans subscribers are less likely to expect in‑depth climate analysis, potentially making the stark facts about “impending global collapse” more memorable. Only the first episode is currently live, and critics note that the solar‑energy message is already widely accepted, questioning whether the series is reaching beyond basic awareness. Future installments promise sharper focus. An upcoming episode, Spank Banks, will see dominatrix Eva Oh name the banks that profit most from fossil‑fuel projects while delivering a literal spanking. Another short clip features model Sabrina Jade outlining the oil industry’s tactics to downplay its environmental impact, all within a two‑minute runtime that includes more “pelvic grinding” than typical educational content. Whether Headline Newds proves a catalyst for change remains uncertain. It has already generated the media buzz it sought, but its capacity to translate provocation into concrete climate action will likely be judged by any follow‑up series and measurable shifts in audience behaviour. Headline Newds can be watched on YouTube, Instagram and OnlyFans.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich treated fans to a thrilling encounter at the Bernabéu, with the German side emerging victorious with a 2-1 win. The match was characterized by high-octane performances from several players, including Michael Olise, who mounted an unstoppable one-man insurgency against a hapless opposition left-back.Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé had numerous chances to score for Real Madrid but failed to capitalize. However, Mbappé eventually found the back of the net with his easiest goal of the night. Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer made several crucial saves, including nine of varying degrees of difficulty, to secure the win for his team.The match also saw notable performances from Jude Bellingham, who impressed off the bench, and Harry Kane, who continued to showcase his skills as a young striker. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, the match was a mixed bag, as he made a sublime assist for Mbappé's goal but also made a couple of defensive blunders.

Miles Jupp, a well-known actor, writer, and comedian, recently shared his thoughts on how the 2005 Ashes series had a profound impact on his life. Sitting at the Oval cricket ground, a place he considers one of his favorites, Jupp reminisced about the life-changing experience of watching the final day of the series on September 12, 2005. Jupp was in his early 20s at the time, working as a standup comedian and actor. He had won the So You Think You're Funny? competition in 2001, which helped launch his career. However, it was the 2005 Ashes that truly altered his path. The series, which ended with England's first victory in 18 years, sparked something in Jupp. He recalls feeling inspired by the journalists in the press box and decided that he wanted to be part of that world. Jupp's passion for cricket and his desire to be part of the action led him to blag his way into the press corps for England's Test tour of India in March 2006. He documented his experiences in his standup show and book, Fibber in the Heat. While Jupp admits that part of him thought the experience would be good material for a story, he claims he was genuinely invested in becoming a cricket journalist. Jupp's journey as a cricket journalist was not without its challenges. He struggled to understand the workings of the press box and found it difficult to maintain the theatrical neutrality required. Ultimately, he concluded that he preferred to watch cricket as a fan, enjoying the excitement of the stands rather than the press box. Despite the difficulties, Jupp's love for cricket runs deep. He reflects on his experiences, including battling a brain tumor and undergoing surgery, and emphasizes that cricket remains massively important to him. His story serves as a testament to the power of sports to inspire and transform lives.