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Sabrina Carpenter took the stage at Coachella, fulfilling a promise she made two years prior to headline the festival. Her set, dubbed 'Sabchella' by fans, was a maximalist production that rivaled Lady Gaga's iconic 2025 performance. The show featured a Hollywood Hills-style set, complete with big block letters in 4K vision, and a dizzying array of costume changes and performance elements. Carpenter's setlist included hits like 'Espresso' and 'Taste,' as well as new material, all delivered with her signature blend of humor and relentless energy. The production incorporated pre-filmed chapter breaks, complex choreography, and guest appearances by Will Ferrell, Susan Sarandon, and Samuel L. Jackson. While the show was sometimes overwhelming, Carpenter's live vocals shone, and her ability to slip into different characters and personas was on full display. Despite some technical issues and a few moments of overkill, Carpenter's performance was a triumph, showcasing her growth as a performer and entertainer. Her set was a testament to her dedication and creativity, with seven months of work reportedly going into the production. As she drove offstage in a vintage car, Carpenter had gloriously kept her promises to deliver a memorable Coachella performance.

The 2026 Grand National is underway at Aintree, with a sellout crowd gathering to witness one of the most historic and compelling spectacles in sport. A total of 34 runners and riders are set to line up for the big race at 4pm BST. An early smattering of rain is clearing away, with a brighter forecast expected for later in the afternoon. The betting market for the National is already heating up, with an early gamble on Jagwar, one of just three seven-year-olds in the field. Panic Attack, the only mare in the field, is also popular and has taken over at the top of the market at 8-1. Meanwhile, I Am Maximus, yesterday's favourite, has drifted out to 9-1 in a place. Jagwar is top-priced at 17-2. Other notable horses include Oscars Brother from the two-horse yard of Connor King in Ireland; Haiti Couleurs, bidding to be the first Welsh-trained winner since 1905; and Mr Vango, trained by Sara Bradstock. Every punter will have their own strategy for picking a winner. Gorgeous Tom may be a popular choice later, with a decent each-way chance. A full guide to all the runners can be found here, and previews are available here.

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski recently found himself at the center of online ridicule after a viral video showed him taking a humorously small bite of the company's new Big Arch burger. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Kempczinski attributed his awkward eating style to his mother's etiquette guidance, stating, 'I blame it all on my mom because she told me, 'Don't talk with your mouth full.''Kempczinski's attempt to defend himself only fueled further criticism, as he demonstrated his eating style by taking a bite of a McDonald's chicken nugget. The video was met with familiar reactions, with many users expressing discomfort and mocking his eating style.The incident highlights the challenges business leaders face in trying to seem relatable on social media. Despite the backlash, McDonald's stock has seen a 3% increase over the previous year, suggesting that the company's performance remains unaffected by the CEO's viral missteps.Kempczinski, who joined McDonald's in 2015, became CEO in 2019. His previous roles include stints as a PepsiCo vice-president and Kraft International president. The incident has sparked debate about the role of CEOs in social media and the importance of etiquette training in a digital age.

Moldova is facing a severe environmental crisis after an oil spill in the Nistru river, which provides 80% of the country's drinking water. The spill was caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine's Novodnistrovsk hydropower complex on March 13. The attack has led to a significant contamination of the river, with oil slicks detected over 200 km downstream.The Moldovan government has declared an environmental alert and set up a crisis centre to monitor the spill and remove the pollutant. The government has also received support from European allies, including Romania and Poland, which have sent help to prevent the petrol from streaming downwards towards Chișinău.The oil spill has had a significant impact on local residents, with many struggling to access clean drinking water. Inflation in Moldova rose to 35% in 2022 and is currently around 5%, and the country has had to declare a state of energy emergency after Russia attacked the Isaccea–Vulcănești power line in Ukraine.The crisis has also highlighted the vulnerability of Moldova's water supply to attacks from Russia and the chaos caused by its war on Ukraine. Moldova's president, Maia Sandu, has laid the blame squarely on Moscow, saying Russia bears 'full responsibility' for the oil spill.The environmental disaster has sparked an information war between Moldova's pro-European and pro-Russian factions, with conflicting interpretations of the crisis. While Moldova's pro-European government holds Moscow responsible for the spill, pro-Russian propagandists claim the crisis was an accident caused by a Ukrainian truck.The Nistru oil spill has shown Moldova how exposed it is, and how fragile a society can become without access to clean drinking water. The war next door, combined with the climate crisis, give us little reason to think there won't be another ecological disaster like this.

A 20‑year‑old male was taken into custody by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) after a Molotov cocktail was hurled at the North Beach residence of OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman in the early hours of Friday, around 4 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT). The incendiary device ignited part of an exterior gate before the suspect fled on foot.Police confirmed that the suspect was located about an hour later, approximately 4.8 kilometres (three miles) from the scene, near OpenAI’s headquarters, where he allegedly threatened to set the building ablaze. No injuries were reported.OpenAI released a statement thanking the SFPD for its rapid response and emphasizing that the company is fully cooperating with investigators. “Thankfully, no one was hurt,” the spokesperson said, adding that the incident highlights the need for continued vigilance in protecting employees.The attack arrives amid a wave of security concerns targeting OpenAI’s facilities. In November, a separate threat prompted a temporary lockdown of the company’s San Francisco office, and activists have increasingly singled out Altman and OpenAI for the perceived risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence.Critics also point to OpenAI’s recent partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, arguing that the collaboration intensifies scrutiny of the firm’s role in military technology. Public sentiment toward AI remains divided; a recent NBC News poll indicated that AI is viewed less favorably than the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.Despite the controversy, OpenAI’s growth trajectory remains robust. The company announced a valuation of $852 billion following a funding round that raised $122 billion. Its flagship product, ChatGPT, continues to dominate the consumer AI market with over 900 million weekly active users and roughly 50 million subscribers. Usage of OpenAI’s search features has also tripled over the past year.While the motive behind the Molotov attack remains unclear, the incident underscores the escalating security challenges faced by leading AI firms operating at the intersection of technology, public policy, and national defense.

Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga have taken a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Girona. Federico Valverde put Real ahead in the 51st minute, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.The draw extends Girona's winless run to three games in all competitions and gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top. Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming.The contest finally flickered into life after halftime, with Real pushing for a winner but Girona holding their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real's stuttering form leaves the title race tilting ever more firmly towards their old rivals Barca.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his cabinet has been directed to begin cease‑fire talks with Lebanon "as soon as possible", a day after Israel launched its largest‑scale offensive against the neighbour, resulting in over 300 fatalities and more than 1,150 injuries.Netanyahu said the request followed “repeated calls” from Beirut for direct dialogue, yet he reaffirmed that Israel will continue targeting Hezbollah. Analysts caution that the intensified strikes could undermine the US‑Iran cease‑fire negotiations slated to start Saturday in Pakistan.The heavy bombing on Wednesday was carried out without the customary warnings, just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two‑week cease‑fire in the broader US‑Israel‑Iran conflict that began on 28 February. While attacks persisted into Friday, their intensity had lessened, and Hezbollah responded with missile fire into Israeli territory.Experts suggest the Wednesday onslaught was designed to disrupt Tehran’s diplomatic overtures, as Iran has insisted that any negotiations must be predicated on a halt to hostilities against both Iran and its ally Hezbollah.Hezbollah, which originated as a resistance movement to Israel’s 18‑year occupation of southern Lebanon (1982‑2000), now functions as both a political party and a formidable armed group—described as comparable to a medium‑sized army and stronger than the Lebanese military.Both Israeli and Lebanese officials have signalled a willingness to engage in peace talks, but Israel’s ongoing bombardment fuels scepticism. Netanyahu reiterated that disarming Hezbollah remains a top priority, even as he ordered the commencement of negotiations.Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir warned on X that the Israeli Defence Forces will continue to fight Hezbollah with “great intensity” and are prepared to resume full‑scale operations if required.Lebanese Prime Minister Joseph Aoun welcomed the prospect of talks, yet Beirut has insisted that any negotiations must occur only after a complete halt to Israeli attacks.The United States is reportedly applying pressure on Israel to curb its campaign. According to a Wall Street Journal report, former President Donald Trump called Netanyahu to urge an end to the bombing, a message echoed by Vice President JD Vance, who said Israel had agreed to “check itself” in Lebanon. European allies, notably Germany and France, have also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.Hezbollah, which holds 15 of Lebanon’s 128 parliamentary seats, has categorically rejected any dialogue with Israel. Analysts note that Iran’s insistence on including Lebanon in the cease‑fire agreement could strain relations with the Lebanese government, which seeks a greater say in any war‑time decisions.Iran’s 10‑point peace proposal to the United States explicitly demands that Israel halt attacks on all Iranian allies, including Hezbollah, for the cease‑fire to hold. Continued Israeli strikes are therefore viewed as a “grave violation” of Tehran’s red lines and could jeopardise the fragile truce.Confusion persists over whether Lebanon was part of the US‑Iran cease‑fire deal. While Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed that the agreement covered “everywhere including Lebanon,” U.S. officials, including Trump and Vance, later claimed Lebanon was not included, leading to mixed messages on the ground.As displaced Lebanese begin returning home, the uncertainty surrounding the cease‑fire’s scope underscores the complex web of regional actors—Israel, Hezbollah, Iran, the United States, and Pakistan—each influencing the prospects for a sustainable peace.

Despite a three‑game winless run that has seen Liverpool knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City and trailing Paris Saint‑Germain 2‑0 in the Champions League quarter‑final, manager Arne Slot insists he feels "complete support" from both the club’s hierarchy and its supporters. Slot told reporters that sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards stand firmly behind him. He added that, surprisingly, the fans have also shown solidarity, chanting "We love Liverpool" even after the 4‑0 defeat to City. With Liverpool perched in fifth place in the Premier League – the final Champions League qualification slot – and Chelsea just one point behind, the upcoming home fixture against Fulham carries heightened importance for the club’s European ambitions. Off the pitch, a faction of supporters is organising a protest at Anfield over the owners’ plan to raise ticket prices. The movement recalls a 2016 demonstration when roughly 10,000 fans exited a match to oppose a similar price hike, eventually forcing the American owners to retreat. Slot expressed hope that the iconic Anfield atmosphere will remain intact, stating, "Anfield has always shown its importance in both good and tough times, and I trust the fans will continue to be a positive force, even during protest." In related news, Slot paid tribute to Andy Robertson, who will depart after a nine‑year spell at the club. The Scotland captain, now out of contract, has seen his role diminish following the arrival of left‑back Milos Kerkez. Slot described Robertson as a "great player and a great person" who has served Liverpool loyally for nearly a decade. Overall, Slot’s message underscores a belief that the club’s internal cohesion and the unwavering passion of its fanbase can help navigate the current challenges on and off the field.

Pakistan is set to host high-level talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, with a modest goal of getting the two nations to find common ground to continue negotiations. The talks, which will be held in a 'proximity format' with Pakistani officials shuttling messages between the two teams, follow a Pakistan-mediated two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Iran.The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian team, expected to be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will meet at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. Despite the significant differences between the two nations, experts and sources close to the mediation effort have expressed little expectation of a major breakthrough.Pakistan's goal is to secure an agreement for the US and Iran to continue dialogue, with the aim of building on the truce that led to a collective sigh of relief globally. The talks will focus on finding a lasting peace deal, with key issues including verifiable restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme and full sanctions relief.The talks are taking place against a backdrop of escalating tensions in Lebanon, with Iran framing Israeli strikes on Lebanon as a direct challenge to the ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that continued attacks would render negotiations meaningless.Despite these challenges, there are tentative signs of easing tensions ahead of the talks, with US Vice President JD Vance expressing optimism about the negotiations and Saudi Arabia's foreign minister speaking with his Iranian counterpart for the first time since the war started.