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On a surprisingly quiet evening at Wembley, England’s 1-0 defeat to Japan unfolded in a half‑hour that was more ceremonial than competitive. The opening thirty minutes were fluffy and formless, offering little in the way of decisive play but plenty of clues about the team’s underlying issues.For manager Thomas Tuchel, the concession of the opening goal will likely linger in post‑match analysis sessions. The loss adds another chapter to what critics describe as the “never‑ending story of England footballdom,” where each friendly serves as a diagnostic test rather than a showcase of progress.Injuries and omissions forced Tuchel to field a makeshift side featuring Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo. The line‑up lacked traditional power runners and aerial threats, resembling a “false nine” formation that felt experimental but ultimately failed to generate a clear tactical identity.Japan’s solitary goal came after Palmer lost possession in an attacking area, leaving a void that England’s midfield could not fill. The Japanese attack exploited the space, threading a pass through the centre of England’s formation and scoring with ease. The goal underscored England’s lack of pressure and positional awareness in the defensive third.Despite the disappointment, the match offered a glimpse of individual talent. Harry Maguire and Dan Burn were deployed on set‑pieces, and Jude Bellingham remained an unused asset, highlighting the depth of options available for the upcoming World Cup.Atmospherically, the match resembled a village fête more than a high‑stakes international fixture. Pre‑match entertainment featured a medley of music, fireworks and quirky performances, creating a backdrop that contrasted sharply with the on‑field performance.Analysts noted that England’s approach felt like an attempt to dress up “borrowed tactical clothes” rather than a coherent game plan. The lack of a defined structure left the side vulnerable to Japan’s disciplined, technically sound play.Looking ahead, Tuchel now faces the task of reconciling his experimental selections with the need for a pragmatic, battle‑ready squad. The friendly serves as a reminder that, while England possesses individual brilliance, the team must resolve its tactical ambiguities if it hopes to contend seriously for the 2026 World Cup.

While AI is transforming the workforce, certain jobs that require human expertise and dexterity are becoming increasingly valuable. Cale Mouser, a 23-year-old diesel engine repair expert, is a prime example. He earns a six-figure salary and has even taught at a college level, showcasing the complexity and demand for skilled trades.Mouser's journey into diesel technology began just five years ago. He quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the field, leading to a degree in diesel technology and a faculty position at North Dakota State College of Science. His expertise has taken him to international competitions, including WorldSkills in Lyon, France, where he earned a fifth-place medallion of excellence.His story highlights a growing trend: young adults are finding success and fulfillment in skilled trades. Eva Carroll, a 20-year-old electrical installation specialist, is another example. She and her team took silver at SkillsUSA, a nationwide workforce development organization for students. Carroll's passion for electrical work was sparked by a high school elective, and she now sees a future in construction management or estimation, with potential earnings above $90,000 a year.These fields, often referred to as 'middle-skill' jobs, require training and credentials beyond high school but not a four-year bachelor's degree. They over-index on human expertise, applying learned proficiency to problem-solving and high-stakes decisions. According to Prof David Autor, these jobs are poised to benefit in an AI-entwined economy, where humans collaborate with technologies to form new expertise.AI is not a threat to skilled trades, as Autor notes that these jobs require lots of judgment, dexterity, and adaptability, making them difficult to automate. Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA, sees a surge in interest from policymakers and CEOs in developing work-based learning programs for students. With over 440,000 students nationwide, SkillsUSA's annual championships draw thousands of competitors, showcasing the growing appeal of skilled trades.

The friendly staged at Everton’s Goodison Park gave Merseyside’s hospitality sector a short‑term boost, but it also underscored lingering doubts about Scotland’s chances at the 2026 World Cup in North America.Manager Steve Clarke entered the match after a wholesale reshuffle that saw only Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay retain their starting spots. Robertson’s appearance made him the second‑most capped Scottish player in history, now within ten caps of legend Kenny Dalglish.Scotland began brightly, with George Hirst of Ipswich Town providing the pace and threat that many expect to earn him a place on the U.S. squad. However, the side’s defensive frailties were exposed early, especially between the posts. Angus Gunn was forced into goal despite limited club minutes, while veteran Craig Gordon remains sidelined with injury.Clarke responded by switching from a traditional back‑four to a three‑man defence at halftime, introducing Scott Bain for understudy Liam Kelly. The tactical tweak did little to stem the Ivorian onslaught.The decisive moment arrived when a rebound from an Elye Wahi effort hit the post, allowing Nicolas Pépé to finish cleanly. The goal highlighted the technical and physical superiority of the Ivorian forwards, who continued to dominate the first half with crisp, one‑touch play.Scotland’s supporters voiced their displeasure, booing the team at the break – a clear sign of growing frustration after a series of underwhelming performances, including a recent 1‑0 loss to Japan.Beyond the single goal, the match exposed a broader issue: Scotland’s current squad struggles to match the pace, precision and depth of opponents like Côte d’Ivoire. With the World Cup looming, Clarke faces mounting pressure to close the gap, whether through further tactical adjustments or personnel changes.Late‑stage attempts by Scotland, including a long‑range strike from McTominay and a defensive block by John Souttar, fell short. The Ivorian side, buoyed by Wahi’s continued threat and a solid performance from goalkeeper Alban Lafont, secured a comfortable victory that will linger in the minds of Scottish fans and officials alike.

Ethiopian women's rights activists are facing a rising tide of digital violence, including online threats, doxing, and deepfake abuse, forcing some to flee the country. Yordanos Bezabih, an Ethiopian women's rights activist, had faced online threats for years, including acid attacks, gang-rape, and death. However, in 2025, the threats became more menacing, with an anonymous Telegram group organizing an effort to track down her location.The group shared deepfakes of her – nude images and videos. A stranger started filming her in the streets, calling her by her social media handle. Thieves broke into her house and stole her laptop. Soon after, her Telegram account was hacked, and her private photos and messages were circulated on social media. The perpetrators later circulated her address, demanding she be found and “executed”.In August, Bezabih left Ethiopia on a fellowship for human rights defenders. She has not returned since; it is too dangerous. “I have been forced to remain outside the country in order to protect my safety and continue my work,” she says.Bezabih is one of a small but growing number of feminists and women’s rights defenders who have left Ethiopia over the past two years, as online violence has become all-pervasive and uncontrolled. Three years after Facebook was accused of allowing hate speech to spread unchecked in Ethiopia, amid genocidal violence against ethnic Tigrayans during the civil war – claims rejected by Meta – social media inciters in Ethiopia have found a new target: women online.Research by the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) bears out the scale of online gendered abuse in Ethiopia. Its 2024 report, Silence, Shamed and Threatened, found that technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has become “normalized to the point of invisibility” and is a daily occurrence with severe offline impacts, including psychological harm, physical assault, and arrests.Activists say the government and social media platforms are not doing enough to protect them. “I don’t think the government is much concerned about online harassment. It is barely a government agenda,” says Befekadu Hailu, an Ethiopian civil society leader and former director of Ethiopia’s Centre for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy.Bezabih says the online platforms that enable the violence also do little about it. “Even though they claim to have all these community guidelines, tech platforms never respond to reports, claims or even appeals.”

The UK steel industry is facing a significant threat to its survival due to a 'back door' loophole in new trade rules, which could result in job cuts and factory closures. The loophole allows pre-made steel parts, such as bridge sections, columns, and door frames, to enter the UK tax-free, undermining the government's efforts to protect British manufacturers.Earlier in March, the UK government announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and cut the amount that can be bought from abroad in an attempt to protect Britain's struggling steelmakers. However, industry bosses argue that the measures do not go far enough, as they only target imports of raw steel and leave pre-made steel products untouched.The loophole has been criticized by industry leaders, including Simon Boyd, managing director of Reidsteel, who stated that it would 'undo what the government's trying to do to protect steelmaking' and 'kill the downstream customers of steelmakers in the UK off'. The UK steel industry employs around 10,000 people and has suffered decades of job losses.The wider network of downstream manufacturers that turn steel into finished products is estimated to support 300,000 jobs. However, the industry is under significant pressure from rising energy costs and the threat of cheap imports. The government's new rules are expected to incentivize buyers to follow suit, as they will push up the price of UK-produced steel.A government spokesperson said that their steel strategy is protecting UK producers, with robust new measures applying to all steel products that can be made in the UK. However, industry leaders argue that more needs to be done to prevent job losses and factory closures.

England's World Cup preparations took a hit with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Japan, with Harry Kane's absence from the squad being keenly felt. Coach Thomas Tuchel experimented with various formations and players in Kane's absence, but the team struggled to create scoring opportunities.Tuchel deployed a fluid front four consisting of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Anthony Gordon against Japan, but the system failed to yield the desired results. The lack of creativity and goal-scoring threat without Kane was evident, raising concerns about England's reliance on their captain for goals this summer.“Why would Argentina not rely on Messi or Portugal on Ronaldo?” Tuchel said, highlighting the importance of key players to top teams and nations. He emphasized that Bayern Munich and no other team in the world have the same threat without Kane, underscoring his influence on the team.Tuchel, who was also without several key players including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, John Stones, Reece James, and Bukayo Saka, tried different approaches in recent matches. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that England can win games without Kane, but acknowledged that having him makes it “easier to win matches.”The coach reiterated that he is not looking for a second Harry Kane, as there is no replacing the influential striker. Tuchel stated that Kane's absence disrupts not only the team's on-field performance but also the squad's dynamics, given his role as captain and a key personality.Tuchel's comments suggest that England's World Cup prospects are heavily dependent on Kane's form and availability. The team's performance in their final camp before the World Cup has given Tuchel “more clarity” over his 26-man squad selection, but the absence of Kane and other key players has raised concerns about their readiness for the tournament.

England's preparations for the World Cup suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Japan in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium. The only goal of the game was scored by Kaoru Mitoma in the 23rd minute, who started the move by nicking the ball off Cole Palmer and finished it with a low shot after getting a return pass from Keito Nakamura.The match was marked by England's lack of cutting edge in attack, with several chances created but not capitalized on. The team struggled to cope with Japan's disciplined defense and fluid counter-attacks. England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, had been looking to test his team against good opposition ahead of the World Cup, but the performance raised more questions than answers.The absence of Harry Kane, who missed the game due to a sore foot, was keenly felt, with England lacking a focal point in attack. Phil Foden was tried as a central attacker, but he struggled to make an impact. The team's creative force was largely absent, with most of their threats coming from set pieces.Japan, on the other hand, showed impressive discipline and organization, both in and out of possession. They worked the ball slickly and created several chances, with Mitoma being a standout performer. The win was a significant upset, with England expected to dominate the match.Tuchel will have plenty to ponder ahead of the World Cup, with the team's performance raising concerns about their ability to thrive against top opposition without Kane. The manager will need to find solutions to England's attacking woes and defensive vulnerabilities if they are to succeed on the biggest stage.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has issued a scathing statement on the club’s recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach on a five‑year contract. The Trust says the move places a heavy strain on unity while the team fights to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Central to the criticism is De Zerbi’s public endorsement of Mason Greenwood during his tenure at Marseille. Greenwood, a former England forward, faced serious criminal allegations in 2022—including attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the case in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and new material emerged, though Greenwood has consistently denied the charges. De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good person” and expressed sympathy for the player, remarks that were swiftly condemned by supporter groups such as Proud Lilywhites (the club’s LGBTQI+ association) and Women of the Lane. The Trust noted it had reached out to Tottenham before the appointment to voice its opposition. “While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, this appointment raises serious and far‑reaching concerns,” the Trust said. “De Zerbi’s comments about Mason Greenwood were unnecessary, ill‑judged, and deeply offensive to many supporters, and will alarm victims of male violence.” The Trust warned that unchecked statements could create a divide among supporters at a time when the club’s “All Together, Always” initiative is meant to rally fans behind the team. It called on Tottenham and De Zerbi to publicly reaffirm their commitment to equality, respect and integrity, and to back those words with concrete actions, including sustained support for women’s charities fighting violence. Tottenham have been contacted for comment.

In a recent editorial, the Guardian highlighted the danger of Israel applying the same brutal tactics used in Gaza to Lebanon, and Medical Aid for Palestinians echoes that warning.Field reports from Lebanon describe a climate of terror fueled by mass forced‑displacement orders and relentless military strikes, including assaults on healthcare workers. Aid groups are scrambling to assist Palestinian refugees who have fled their homes, while many others remain trapped, deepening panic in already overcrowded camps plagued by poverty and scarce services.The Israeli military appears to be mirroring Gaza’s playbook: terrorising civilians, imposing forced displacement, and targeting humanitarian and medical infrastructure. Despite a declared cease‑fire in Gaza, Israeli attacks have killed more than 690 Palestinians since October, and restrictions on aid are creating lethal shortages of medicines and equipment.Meanwhile, the West Bank endures escalating settler violence and an Israeli annexation agenda that now threatens to extend into Lebanon, further destabilising the region.Medical Aid for Palestinians stresses that impunity for attacks on civilians and health services endangers both the populations they serve and the organisation’s staff across Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon.According to the statement, the UK government must not cherry‑pick when to uphold international law. It calls for decisive action to hold all perpetrators accountable, warning that inaction will lead to catastrophic human costs. The world, it asserts, cannot allow the horrors witnessed in Gaza to be replayed in Lebanon, and governments should not become complicit allies of such atrocities.