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England's World Cup preparations have hit a snag with several key players withdrawing from the squad due to injuries. John Stones, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke have all pulled out of the team's friendly match against Japan.Manager Thomas Tuchel had named an oversized 35-man squad for the current camp, with plans to trim the group before the World Cup. However, the spate of withdrawals has complicated his plans. Rice and Saka were among 11 players who joined the squad late, and their absence will be felt against Japan.Stones was due to start against Uruguay but pulled out with a calf injury. The experienced defender has made only 19 appearances for club and country this season, and his exit raises doubts about his World Cup participation.The Arsenal trio of Rice, Saka, and Madueke have all withdrawn from the squad. Madueke limped off against Uruguay with an injury and has been sent for treatment. Rice and Saka will return to their club for assessment on minor problems.The withdrawals have left Tuchel with a selection headache ahead of the World Cup. Harry Maguire and Ben White are likely to feature against Japan, while Phil Foden's participation is uncertain after he struggled against Uruguay.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has yielded limited results in terms of destroying Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. According to a report by Reuters, based on information from five people familiar with US intelligence, the US has only destroyed about a third of Iran's missile and drone arsenal after a month of military action. The report suggests that another third of Tehran's missiles may have been damaged or buried in underground tunnels and bunkers, leaving a sizeable stockpile still accessible to Iran. This assessment directly contradicts statements made by Donald Trump on Thursday that Tehran had "very few rockets left" and claims from other US officials that the war has eliminated Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. Iranian officials view their ballistic missile program as a crucial deterrent against the US and Israel, given the significant military superiority of these countries. Iran has effectively used ballistic missiles and drones over the last month to attack Israel and critical infrastructure in the Gulf, causing substantial damage to the global economy. The US and Israel have identified degrading Iran's ballistic missile capacity as a primary objective of the war. Washington has deployed thousands of additional troops to the Middle East in recent days, with the administration reportedly considering a ground operation on Kharg island to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Israel has targeted ballistic missile caches and launchers in its aerial campaign against Iran, claiming to have "neutralized" 335 or 70% of Tehran's missile launchers. However, Iran has dispersed its launchers across the country to evade detection and airstrikes, making it challenging for Israel and the US to completely eliminate the threat. Despite the decline in the number of launches due to the ongoing bombing campaign, Iranian missiles have still managed to hit Israel and the Gulf, as interceptors also run out. The conflict has resulted in billions of dollars spent and critical interceptor stocks expended by Israel, the US, and Gulf states to block Iranian missile barrages. A US official noted that assessing Iran's missile stockpile accurately is difficult due to much of it being stored underground, suggesting that "I don't know if we'll ever have an accurate number". The vast tunnel network created an extra challenge in destroying Iran's missile stockpile, but the US military has vowed to continue its efforts.

A tragic incident has unfolded off the coast of Greece, where 22 people hoping to reach Europe from North Africa have died after six days at sea in a rubber boat. Survivors told the Greek coastguard that the bodies of those who had died were thrown into the Mediterranean Sea.The coastguard reported that 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a European border agency vessel off the island of Crete. The survivors included 21 Bangladeshi, four South Sudanese, and one Chadian citizen.According to the coastguard, the boat had left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21, and was bound for Greece, a common gateway for those seeking asylum in the EU. During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water.The Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers, and are investigating them for "illegal entry into the country" and "negligent homicide".This incident highlights the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis, with the number of people who have died trying to reach European soil more than doubling in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. According to the International Organization for Migration, 559 people died in the Mediterranean during January and February, compared to 287 for the same period last year.

Tom Pidcock, a two-time Olympic cross-country mountain bike champion, has been withdrawn from the Volta a Catalunya due to injuries sustained in a dramatic crash during the fifth stage on Friday. The British rider, competing for Pinarello-Q36.5, misjudged a corner on a descent and tumbled down a ravine in what he described as a 'horror' crash.Despite managing to get back on his bike and complete the stage, medical assessments revealed significant injuries, including likely bone and ligament damage to his right knee and wrist. As a result, it was decided that Pidcock could not continue the race.“Due to his crash he suffered injuries, most likely bone and ligament damage in particular to his right knee and also right wrist,” said Lorenz Emmert, Pinarello-Q36.5’s chief medical team doctor. “Unfortunately we had to make the decision to take him out of the race. Further clinical evaluation and imaging will follow in the next days additionally to the already-initiated healing process.”Pidcock reflected on the incident, stating: “I was drinking on the descent and misjudged a corner. I overshot it and went down the ravine. It was like one of these horror crashes you see, but I’m very lucky that I am OK.” He added that he will focus on recovery and aims to return to competition soon.

The UK is on the brink of a medicine shortage crisis, with experts warning that the country is just weeks away from feeling the effects of the ongoing conflict in Iran. The war has already disrupted the supply of essential raw materials, including oil, gas, crop fertiliser, and helium.The pharmaceutical industry, which relies heavily on imports, is particularly vulnerable to these disruptions. India, known as the 'pharmacy of the world', produces a significant proportion of generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used globally. However, with the Strait of Hormuz largely closed due to the conflict, the transportation of these vital supplies is becoming increasingly difficult.Medicine prices are also expected to rise as a result of the conflict. The US-Israel war on Iran has doubled air freight costs, which could make some medicines loss-making to supply to the NHS. While suppliers have long-term pricing agreements with NHS hospitals, they have more flexibility to increase prices for drugs supplied to GP practices and pharmacies.The UK's reliance on imported medicines is significant, with about half of its medicines produced domestically, a third coming from India, and another chunk from the EU. During the Covid pandemic, paracetamol and other painkillers were in short supply in Britain and elsewhere, as drugmakers in India struggled to keep up with demand.Medical distributors typically stock six to eight weeks of supplies to avoid shortfalls, but if the conflict drags on, drug shortages could emerge in only a few weeks' time. Experts warn that the overall ripple effect on the industry is significant, with the patient ultimately picking up the tab, either directly or via public health systems like the NHS.

Israel's military is facing a severe crisis, according to the country's opposition. The opposition has made a startling assertion that the military forces are 'in collapse,' raising alarms about the nation's defense capabilities and overall stability.The claims have significant implications for Israel's national security and could potentially impact the country's stance on various geopolitical issues. However, details about the specific challenges facing the military and the evidence supporting these claims remain unclear.The situation underscores the complexities and challenges Israel faces in maintaining its military strength and ensuring national security in a volatile region.

In a groundbreaking development, US President Donald Trump's signature will soon be featured on US currency as part of plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country's Independence Day on July 4. This move, announced by the US Department of the Treasury on Thursday, marks a significant departure from tradition, as Trump becomes the first sitting president to have his signature on US banknotes.Currently, US banknotes, which come in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, feature the signatures of the Treasury secretary and the treasurer. The decision to include Trump's signature is seen as a recognition of his 'historic achievements,' according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who noted that Trump has put the country on a path towards 'unprecedented economic growth' and 'fiscal strength and stability.'The economic growth under Trump has been largely in line with the post-pandemic trend overseen by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Specifically, US GDP grew 2.2 percent in 2025, slightly below the 2.5 percent average expansion from 2022-2024. This move has not been without criticism, with California Governor Gavin Newsom mocking the announcement, suggesting that Americans will now know exactly who to blame for rising costs of living expenses.This development comes on the heels of the US Commission of Fine Arts approving the minting of a commemorative gold coin bearing Trump's image, a move that also drew backlash. Critics have likened these actions to the behavior of dictators and monarchs. Trump, known for aggressively pushing his personal brand, has attached his name to various institutions and projects, including the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and an upcoming class of battle ships.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed in a televised address that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has allowed Malaysian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with 'early clearance'. This development comes as the global energy market faces significant disruptions due to the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.Anwar expressed gratitude to Pezeshkian for the clearance, which will enable Malaysian oil tankers and their crews to continue their journey home. While he did not specify the number of vessels cleared or the conditions for safe passage, he emphasized that Malaysia is working to secure the release of its ships and personnel.The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway, facilitating about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Iran has claimed the right to control the strait and has been responsible for several attacks on commercial vessels in the region. Despite Iran's assertion that the strait is open to non-aligned ships, there have been reports of Iranian authorities demanding tolls of up to $2 million for safe passage.Malaysia, a net energy exporter and one of the world's top LNG suppliers, imports nearly 70% of its crude oil from the Gulf region. Anwar noted that while Malaysia is better positioned than other nations due to its state-run oil and gas company Petronas, the country will still face impacts from the energy supply disruptions. To mitigate these effects, the government plans to implement fuel conservation measures, including reducing subsidized petrol quotas and encouraging civil servants to work from home.Anwar warned that food, fertilizer, and oil prices are likely to rise due to the disruptions. He emphasized that Malaysia is taking steps to address these challenges, adding that some countries are experiencing far worse impacts than Malaysia.

Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid has issued a stern warning that the ongoing war with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon is taking a devastating toll on the country. In a video address, Lapid accused the government of recklessly pushing the military into a 'multi-front war without a strategy, without the necessary means, and with far too few soldiers.'Lapid's comments echo concerns raised by military chief Eyal Zamir, who reportedly warned of the military being 'stretched to the limit and beyond' in a security cabinet meeting. This criticism comes as Israel's military continues its operations in Lebanon, with plans to establish a buffer zone up to the Litani River, about 30km from the border.The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties, with almost 2,000 people killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28, and at least 19 people killed and over 5,229 wounded in Iranian attacks in Israel. The situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire, with Israeli forces continuing near-daily attacks, killing more than 700 Palestinians since October 2025.Lapid, a centrist figure in Israeli politics, has consistently criticized the government's handling of the war while supporting Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and elsewhere. He has also expressed support for Israeli expansion as far as Iraq, citing Zionist and biblical foundations.The international community is watching closely, with Lebanon planning to complain to the United Nations Security Council over Israeli attacks, which it views as a threat to its sovereignty. As the conflict escalates, many analysts and politicians, especially in the Israeli opposition, question the effectiveness of the current government's strategy.