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The Aintree meeting was a resounding success, with a sellout crowd of 55,000 on Ladies' Day, marking the first sellout since 2012. The event saw a significant shift in demographics, with a younger crowd in attendance, many of whom were in their teens and 20s.The Jockey Club's strategic use of TikTok and Instagram played a crucial role in attracting this new audience. According to Joe Hughes, the social media manager at the Jockey Club, they now have 162,000 followers on TikTok. The club's efforts to stress the social side of the sport to younger audiences have clearly paid off.Attendees like Hayley Bentley, a bride-to-be, exemplified the festive atmosphere, dressing up in a bridal dress and veil as part of her hen party. The event featured a range of activities, including musicians, jugglers, and fanfare, as well as competitions with prizes such as trips to Ibiza.Despite the celebratory mood, the event was marred by the fatal injury of a horse, Gold Dancer, which suffered a broken back after jumping the final fence. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns about horse safety in the sport.The Grand National, set to take place on Saturday, is expected to attract over five million viewers on TV and features a field of 34 horses. The Jockey Club acknowledges that more needs to be done to ensure horse safety, and they are committed to making changes to prioritize the welfare of horses and riders.

Ipswich Town reignited their push for automatic promotion by edging out rivals Norwich City 2‑0 at Carrow Road, a win that propels them into the top two with at least a game in hand.The first goal came in the 11th minute after a contentious penalty: Anis Ben Slimane appeared to clash with Norwich defender Jack Taylor, prompting referee Anthony Backhouse to point to the spot. Jaden Philogene slotted the penalty, albeit sending goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic the wrong way.Just before halftime, a long throw from Darnell Furlong was flicked on, allowing George Hirst to volley home and double Ipswich’s lead. The victory marks Ipswich’s first win at Carrow Road since 2006 and their first derby double since the 1992‑93 season.Despite dominating possession, Norwich were unable to create clear‑cut chances, and the defeat extinguishes any lingering playoff hopes, though a top‑10 finish remains a remarkable turnaround from their early‑year position near the bottom of the table.In the same round, Millwall saw their automatic‑promotion bid dented by a goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion. The Lions generated the better chances, with Josh Coburn missing a close‑range volley and Mihailo Ivanovic striking the bar, but they were unable to find the net.Coventry City were also left waiting after a 0‑0 stalemate at home against relegated Sheffield Wednesday. A win would have lifted them into the promotion places, but the draw leaves them dependent on other results, notably Middlesbrough’s clash with Portsmouth later in the day.The draw gave Sheffield Wednesday their third point of 2026 and extended their record‑breaking run of 37 games without a win across all competitions.Elsewhere, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City maintained unbeaten runs with a 0‑0 draw at Loftus Road. While both sides have avoided defeat, the result does little to advance their outside‑the‑playoffs ambitions.Later fixtures include Middlesbrough hosting Portsmouth, a match with implications at both ends of the table, and crucial battles for Oxford United against Watford and Leicester City versus Swansea City.

Rehab did not happen to Lena Dunham; she walked into it. The writer describes the moment she entered a stone‑manor facility in the Berkshires, Massachusetts, and was immediately asked to remove her designer shoes and answer mundane questions about her diet, a surreal welcome that felt like a college orientation—except many of the fellow residents struggled with IV heroin. She notes the unsettling blend of patients and staff, all dressed in ordinary clothes, making it impossible to tell who was who. A tattooed man in a Harley‑Davidson shirt turned out to be a sober companion, while a grandmother knitting in slippers battled a severe Benadryl addiction that had once ruined her daughter’s wedding. “Never judge a drug addict by their Patagonia half‑zip fleece,” she writes. Using the pseudonym “Rose O’Neill” – after the pioneering cartoonist – Dunham reflects on feeling trapped in a cycle reminiscent of the late‑career decline of the early 20th‑century artist. It was only after she allowed staff to use her real name that she began to reclaim her identity. Her therapist, Dr. Mark, a kindly man in khakis, asked her to articulate the root causes of her admission. Dunham linked her descent to chronic physical illness, relentless stress from supporting multiple families, hormonal turmoil after a hysterectomy, and a fraught romantic relationship. She also disclosed past sexual trauma, describing the rehab experience as “a fever dream” that echoed those memories. Medication played a paradoxical role. While Klonopin eased anxiety and Percocet dulled pain, the initial IV dose produced a euphoric “shiver through the whole body, better than any orgasm.” She acknowledges the temporary relief as a “pause button” that allowed her racing thoughts to quiet, yet also recognized the danger of dependence. Group sessions revealed complex dynamics. A fellow patient, Walter, breached confidentiality, prompting staff to enforce policy and send him home. The ensuing discussion divided the group, with some defending Walter’s lapse and others demanding accountability. Dunham’s own voice was subdued, emphasizing the tension between personal safety and collective responsibility. In a values‑mapping exercise, Dunham listed ART, FAMILY, MAKING PEOPLE FEEL SEEN as her core priorities, contrasting them with the values of the people she had surrounded herself with during active addiction. This exercise highlighted the stark misalignment between her aspirations and the environment she had inhabited. Despite the strict regimen, Dunham was granted a brief leave to attend the 2018 Met Gala. The decision sparked intense debate among staff about safety, yet she ultimately walked the red carpet, feeling “wan and haunted” amid flashing cameras and champagne she could not enjoy. The experience underscored the surreal juxtaposition of celebrity life and rehab recovery. During the final week, she formally identified as an addict and faced the pivotal question from Dr. Mark: “Do you want to be sober?” The answer marked a turning point, culminating in a moment of pure joy as she ran outdoors, feeling her legs move of their own accord. She closes with a vivid scene of spotting a robin’s egg on the grass, a simple yet profound reminder of life’s unexpected beauty. The memoir Famesick, published by Fourth Estate on 14 April, expands on these revelations and invites readers into the often‑hidden world of addiction behind the celebrity façade.

Israeli air strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people in southern Lebanon, sparking fears that the ongoing violence could jeopardize the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. The strikes have targeted various areas, including a government building in the city of Nabatieh, where 13 security personnel were killed.Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks, stating that targeting state institutions would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty. The death toll is expected to rise as civil defense teams continue to search for survivors in the rubble.The violence has prompted a response from Hezbollah, which has fired rockets into northern Israel. The group has stated that its attacks will continue until Israeli and American aggression against Lebanon ceases. Hezbollah also claimed to have targeted Israel's Ashdod naval base with missiles.The conflict has significant humanitarian implications, with the UN children's agency, UNICEF, warning of a devastating impact on children. The agency reported that 33 children have been killed and 153 injured in recent attacks, adding to a total of 600 children killed or injured in Lebanon since March 2.The situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts underway to broker a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon, but the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.

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 supposed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, thousands of families are still unable to bury their loved ones six months into the agreement. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has left about 10,000 Palestinians missing and believed to be buried under collapsed buildings.An internationally mediated agreement was signed between Israel and Hamas on October 10, 2023, aiming to end the conflict. However, for many, the war has not ended. The United Nations reports that Israeli bombardment has generated over 61 million tonnes of rubble in the besieged Gaza Strip.Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary spoke to a Palestinian father, Abu Mohammed, who survived an Israeli attack but lost four of his children. He has been trying to retrieve their bodies for three years but faces significant challenges due to the massive concrete slabs and lack of heavy equipment.The ceasefire has not allowed heavy machinery into Gaza to begin recovery efforts and reunite families. According to Mahmoud Basal, Gaza's civil defence spokesperson, nothing has entered Gaza except limited equipment for retrieving Israeli captives. Across Gaza, thousands remain buried, with at least 50 bodies trapped beneath the rubble in one apartment block in Bureij.Conditions on the ground have barely shifted six months into the ceasefire. Families continue to wait as bodies are not yet recovered, and Israeli attacks persist. Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 738 people have been killed and 2,036 wounded. Authorities have recovered 759 bodies from the rubble.Israel's actions in Gaza have resulted in over 72,317 Palestinian deaths and 172,158 wounded. Despite the ceasefire, Israel still occupies more than half of the Gaza Strip, having levelled most buildings in these areas and forced residents out.

Djibouti's voters are heading to the polls to choose their next president, with incumbent leader Ismail Omar Guelleh expected to easily secure a sixth term. Guelleh, 78, has been in power since 1999 and won re-election in 2021 with 98 per cent of the vote.Guelleh's only opponent is Mohamed Farah Samatar, the leader of the Unified Democratic Centre (CDU), a party with no seats in parliament. The election comes after politicians scrapped presidential age limits last year, paving the way for Guelleh to extend his 27-year rule.Human rights groups have accused authorities of abuses and repressing freedom of political activity, while the government has denied the allegations. Two main opposition parties have boycotted elections since 2016.The election is being observed by several international organisations, including the African Union (AU), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States. Guelleh has governed the small nation in the Horn of Africa since 1999, when he succeeded Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the founding president of the country with about a million people.Djibouti hosts important military bases for the United States, France, China and other powers, earning it a reputation as the country with the most foreign military bases. It is also an important port hub for landlocked neighbours such as Ethiopia.

Egypt and Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy has been banned for four games and fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($942) for assaulting a referee during a recent match.The incident occurred after Al-Ahly's appeal for a penalty was denied in a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra. El-Shenawy, who was on the bench, was incensed and struck the referee on the head.The Egyptian Pro League announced the ban, which will sideline El-Shenawy until the final week of the league playoffs. This is significant as El-Shenawy is expected to be Egypt's starting goalkeeper at the upcoming World Cup in North America.Al-Ahly currently sits third in the league with 41 points, five points behind leaders Zamalek.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a strong rebuke on Friday after Israel’s security cabinet secretly approved 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the action as a direct contravention of international law. Israeli rights organization Peace Now disclosed that the decision was made in early April, a fact later corroborated by multiple Israeli media outlets. The OIC’s general secretariat emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Al‑Quds (Jerusalem), and that any measures intended to alter the region’s geographic or demographic reality are null and void under international statutes. According to the OIC statement, the approval of these settlements adds to 68 settlements already sanctioned since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right‑wing coalition assumed power in 2022. The body warned that the accelerating settlement policy, coupled with land confiscation and settler‑related violence, jeopardizes the viability of a two‑state solution and infringes on the rights of the Palestinian people. Turkey echoed the OIC’s condemnation, labeling the move a “serious violation of international law and UN resolutions.” Meanwhile, Israel’s own Channel 24 reported that the security cabinet’s decision was taken “secretly” and marked the largest number of settlements ever approved in a single session. Ynet cited military chief Eyal Zamir, who warned that the Israel Defense Forces could “collapse” under the strain of expanding settlement demands, including the retroactive legalization of dozens of outposts. Of the 34 approved sites, 10 are existing outposts that were previously illegal under Israeli law but will now be legitimized; the remaining 24 are slated for construction. All settlements in the occupied West Bank are deemed illegal under international law. The decision has not been formally published by any Israeli governmental body. Since the 1967 occupation, more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now reside in the West Bank alongside roughly three million Palestinians. Settlement expansion has been a consistent policy of successive Israeli governments, but it has accelerated markedly under the Netanyahu administration, especially after the Gaza war that began in October 2023 and has resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths. By highlighting the legal and demographic implications of the new settlements, the OIC aims to rally international opposition and reinforce the call for a negotiated two‑state solution, warning that continued expansion could further destabilize an already volatile region.