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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that an Israeli air strike killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, on Wednesday night. Katz stated that the assassination targeted other 'senior officers of the naval command'.Katz described Tangsiri as the man 'directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping'. He added that Tangsiri was 'blown up and eliminated'. Tangsiri was a 'well-known commander' who shaped Iran's naval doctrine and developed drones for military maritime use. He was also involved in overseeing Iran's efforts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz by blocking some vessels.Since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials. The civilian toll is significant, with at least 1,937 people killed, including 452 women and children, and 24,800 injured, according to Iran's Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian.Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said the assassination of Tangsiri 'makes the region safer'. US forces have destroyed about 92 percent of Iran's large naval vessels in ongoing operations.

Barcelona have taken a commanding 6-2 lead over rivals Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League quarterfinals, putting them on the brink of the semifinals. The Catalan side dominated the match, with Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts scoring within the first 13 minutes.Despite Linda Caicedo pulling one back for Real Madrid, Irene Paredes quickly restored Barcelona's two-goal lead. Pajor and Vicky Lopez added to the tally in the second half, with Caicedo scoring again for Madrid. Alexia Putellas sealed the win with a late penalty.Barcelona, now unbeaten in 25 games across all competitions, are on the verge of their eighth consecutive semifinal appearance. They have won all four matches against Real Madrid this season, scoring 16 goals to Madrid's two.Real Madrid face a tough task to progress, needing only their second-ever victory against Barcelona in 23 encounters. The second leg will take place next week, with Madrid also set to face Barcelona in Liga F at the weekend.

German film-maker and author Alexander Kluge, a leading figure in the New German Cinema movement, has died at the age of 94. Kluge was known for his intellectually stimulating films and his role in shaping the cinematic landscape of post-war Germany. Kluge's career was marked by his innovative approach to filmmaking, which often incorporated cinematic collages and experimental techniques. His film Abschied von Gestern (released as Yesterday Girl in the US) was one of the first films to emerge from the Oberhausen Manifesto, a call to the German film industry to break free from traditional and shallow filmmaking. Kluge's contributions to German cinema were significant, and his influence can be seen in the work of other notable directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog. He continued to produce films and television programs throughout his career, including arts, magazine, and interview programs for German television through his production company DCTP. Kluge's wartime experiences had a profound impact on his life and work, shaping his commitment to pacifism. However, his comments on the topic have been met with controversy, particularly in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Throughout his career, Kluge collaborated with other artists and writers, including Ben Lerner, with whom he co-authored a poetic dialogue book, The Snows of Venice. Kluge's legacy as a pioneering film-maker and author continues to be celebrated, and his influence on German cinema and culture remains significant.

US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days to April 6, 2026. The decision comes as talks between the US and Iran are described as 'going very well'.In a social media post, Trump stated: 'As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time.'Trump also mentioned that despite 'erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media,' talks with Iran are ongoing and progressing well. He had previously urged Iranian leaders to negotiate an end to the near-month-long war or face further assassinations of senior officials.The conflict has resulted in significant escalation, with Israel conducting strikes on Iranian targets, including the killing of Alireza Tangsiri, the Revolutionary Guards' naval commander. Iran has retaliated with strikes across the Middle East, including in Tel Aviv, Modi'in, and Jerusalem.Trump has claimed victory in the war, stating, 'In a certain sense, we have already won.' He has also criticized NATO allies and described Iran as producing 'great negotiators' but 'lousy fighters.'The US and Israel have destroyed much of Iran's naval capabilities, but Tehran still possesses smaller boats capable of laying mines and launching anti-ship cruise missiles. These could render the Strait of Hormuz impassable to shipping.Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the US of 'double standards,' citing the US support for Israel's actions in Gaza while condemning Iran's defense in the Strait of Hormuz.The conflict has resulted in a significant death toll, with over 1,900 people killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further escalation and potential ground invasion.

The connection between boxing and cinema dates back to the early days of film, with the first sports film being a 1894 short of a six-round match between Mike Leonard and Jack Cushing. Since then, boxing has been a staple of the big screen, captivating audiences with its high-stakes emotion, physical intensity, and personal turbulence.The British Film Institute's new season, The Cinematic Life of Boxing, curated by Clive Chijioke Nwonka, an amateur boxer since his childhood in London, explores this symbiotic relationship. Nwonka believes that an uncompromising hunt for realism is central to the relationship between the sport and artform, with films that interact with human experience, poverty, struggle, triumph, and boxing as a way of life.Boxing films often capture a political zeitgeist, as seen in the 1974 'Rumble in the Jungle' heavyweight championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, which was not just a fight but a referendum on ideology during the civil rights era. This fight was documented in the 1996 film When We Were Kings, described by Nwonka as 'probably the greatest sports documentary of all time'.The Rocky franchise, which has spanned six films and a spin-off series, Creed, under the direction of Ryan Coogler, is a barometer for all the films captured in its wake. The first film remains the hallmark of sporting cinema, successfully capturing the habitual experience of the sport outside its more glamorous moments.Despite the genre's popularity, boxing films are not immune to clichés, with many relying on stock characters and familiar arcs. However, the best film-makers are able to return to the core of these films: the stakes of signing up for a fight, and the physical, psychological, and real monetary costs of endurance.

Israel stands as the sole nation where overwhelming public support exists for the conflict with Iran, despite the profound impact on daily life. At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds injured by Iranian missiles since the war began in February, with school closures and missile warnings becoming routine. Polling indicates that more than 90% of Jewish Israelis back the war, a figure that sharply contrasts with international sentiment.The global perspective reveals a dramatically different picture. Nearly a month into the fighting, polling shows that 60% of the US public opposes the war with Iran, and just one in four Americans backed the initial strikes. In the Gulf, Europe and Asia, the conflict is widely unpopular as severe economic consequences begin to manifest.According to Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent based in Jerusalem, many Jewish Israelis view themselves as under siege in a hostile world since the October 2023 massacre. This perception has led many to conclude that an aggressive security policy is the only way to ensure safety, regardless of international reaction.There's a prevailing sentiment in Israel that short-term suffering will lead to long-term security, despite security experts questioning whether Israel has a clear strategy to convert tactical achievements into lasting security. Life in Jerusalem remains restricted, with many working from home and limitations on businesses from cafes to gyms.The public support for the war has not translated into improved political fortunes for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who currently lags in polls for the upcoming general elections. While there is majority support for Netanyahu's decision to launch the war and his handling of it, even among those who don't want to give him another term, his coalition faces challenges in securing enough seats to return him to power.Some Israeli supporters of the war worry that Netanyahu's push to attack Iran has jeopardized the country's crucial relationship with the United States. Historically, Israel's foreign policy has been based on bipartisan ties, but Netanyahu has effectively abandoned that approach to cultivate an extremely close relationship with Trump.Israel's isolation is becoming increasingly apparent as the conflict continues. Unlike historical precedents where Israel achieved security through negotiated agreements with Jordan and Egypt, the current approach emphasizes military power above diplomatic solutions. This isolation is reflected in the fact that Israel may be the only place in the world with broad support for this war, with populations in Lebanon and Iran experiencing the conflict as horrific.

Alireza Tangsiri, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander killed in an Israeli airstrike, was a veteran hardliner with a reputation for fiery rhetoric. He had a deep understanding of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.Tangsiri was a prominent figure in the IRGC, having won his credentials during the Iran-Iraq war and rising through the ranks to become the commander of the IRGC’s maritime force in 2018. He was known for pioneering unconventional weapons that allowed Iran to project power in the Persian Gulf and beyond.The US Treasury sanctioned Tangsiri in 2019 and 2023, citing his role in overseeing the IRGC Navy’s testing of cruise missiles and his involvement with a company that developed armed drones. These weapons could potentially be used to maintain the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Tangsiri was also a strong supporter of fast boats, which can threaten civilian shipping and evade modern warship defense systems. His recent statements had dared the US to launch a ground assault on Kharg Island, Iran’s principal hub for oil exports, and warned of the impact on oil prices.The Israeli airstrike that killed Tangsiri has been seen as a significant blow to the IRGC. The commander of US Central Command, Adm Brad Cooper, said the killing “makes the region safer.” Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the strike as a “message” to the IRGC, vowing to “hunt you down and eliminate you one by one.”

In 2025, England's rivers and seas were hit by 291,492 instances of raw sewage discharge from storm overflows, a 35% reduction from the previous year. The discharges lasted for 1.8 million hours, a significant decrease from almost 4 million hours in 2024. The Environment Agency (EA) reported that some water companies achieved reductions of over 60% and 70% compared to the previous year. However, campaigners argue that the discharges, which are only supposed to occur in extreme weather conditions, are still too frequent and harmful to the environment. Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, stated, 'When sewage is pouring out even in a dry year, you really know the system is broken.' He emphasized that rivers, lakes, and seas should not be used as pressure valves for pollution. The water industry acknowledged that dry conditions contributed to the reduction in discharges but also cited record levels of investment in the system. Water UK stated that the industry aims to halve spills over the next five years by building bigger storm tanks and expanding capacity at sewage treatment works. Michelle Walker, technical director for the Rivers Trust, highlighted that many discharges occur on dry days and are therefore illegal. She warned that the impact of these discharges will be more concentrated and damaging in already stressed ecosystems. The government and water companies face criticism for the ongoing pollution. Water minister Emma Hardy said there is still an unacceptable amount of sewage entering waterways and a long way to go in cleaning up rivers, lakes, and seas.

The film 'They Will Kill You' is a satirical take on the beat-em-up genre, offering a mix of gore, bad jokes, and deja vu. The story revolves around Asia, a new maid at the Virgil, a satanic co-op residence in New York, where she must navigate a world of satanic rituals and eternal life.The film's tone is pitched between a bloodbath and bath time, with a boyish strain of immaturity dominating the creative force. This is evident in the giddy, inventive approach to violence, where the narrative device of immortality unshackles the filmmaker from the laws of physics. The film's antic gore peaks with an extended interlude following a disembodied eyeball as it rolls down corridors and slingshots itself up an elevator shaft.The adolescent quality runs deeper than that, manifesting more overtly in the potty-mouthedness of the script and the ostentatious stylistic flourishes that are hand-me-downs from other filmmakers. The film's supporting cast is haphazardly assembled and half-assedly differentiated from one another, with Heather Graham and Tom Felton getting the most to do.Despite its sprightly fight choreography and retro synth arpeggios, the film's invoked inspirations and story components err on the side of the popular and well-trod. The received shtick grows worn before long, and the film's attempts at humor often fall flat. A good rule of (severed) thumb: if you're going to make a character quote Monty Python's immortal 'just a flesh wound' bit, you must yourself be capable of originally generating something at least as funny.