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Argentina's glacier law has been in effect since 2010, and was the first legislation in Latin America to protect glaciers. It has been a point of contention for mining companies and provincial authorities ever since.The law bans 'any activity' that can affect the 'natural condition' of a glacier or the periglacial frozen land surrounding it, or that results in 'its destruction, movement or interferes with its advance'. That includes the construction of infrastructure not for scientific purposes and any industrial activity. Mining companies, including Barrick, have previously sought to have the law deemed unconstitutional, but the supreme court rejected the challenge.However, a recent reform to the glacier law driven by the far-right government of Javier Milei will relax restrictions, paving the way for mines in high-altitude areas blanketed with ice and snow, which are sources of water. The new law, approved on Wednesday by 137 votes to 111, with three abstentions, will enable provincial authorities to decide which glaciers are protected and which are open for development based on whether they represent a 'relevant water function'.Environmentalists and community members such as Zeballos, a 51-year-old accountant turned activist, have long alleged that Veladero, owned by Canada-based Barrick Mining Corporation and China's Shandong Gold, is operating illegally in an area considered off-limits by Argentina's Ley de Glaciares – or glacier law. The reform has sparked a wave of protests, with Greenpeace activists staging a demonstration on the steps of the National Congress.'What is at stake is the protection of key water reserves in Argentina,' says Andrés Nápoli, a lawyer and executive director of the Foundation of Environment and Natural Resources (Farn), an environmental and human rights NGO. 'Saying that you have to destroy glaciers to guarantee the energy transition is an oxymoron.'About 7 million people, 16% of the population in Argentina, live in areas that depend on glaciers, according to environmental organisations. Glaciers don't just feed rivers; they balance fragile ecosystems hit hard by a heating planet. In Argentina's northwest, scientists say they have shrunk by 17% in the past 10 years.

Renowned actor Sam Neill, known for his role in the Jurassic Park movie franchise, has joined the fight against a proposed goldmine near his vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand. The mine, backed by Australian company Santana Minerals, could potentially damage the region's pristine environment and threaten up to 650,000 native lizards.The proposed Bendigo-Ophir goldmine, located in an area legally enshrined as 'outstanding natural landscape,' has sparked fierce division between communities. While proponents claim it will create 357 jobs and boost the economy, critics argue it will dampen tourism and harm the environment.Neill, who has grown wine under his Two Paddocks label in the region for 30 years, emphasizes his connection to the land, stating, 'If this mine goes ahead... everything that you see [there] is under a claim [by the mining company]. And there will be mining all around us, and that'll be the end.'The mining industry has a history of environmental disasters, particularly with tailings dams storing toxic waste. Ian Taylor, a prominent Māori businessman, worries about the 600km-long alpine fault running down the South Island, which could lead to seismic risks.Santana Minerals claims the dam has been designed to withstand a one-in-10,000-year earthquake and denies that the mine will negatively affect tourism. A decision on the Bendigo-Ophir mine is expected by the end of the year.

Real Madrid's struggles continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Girona in La Liga on Friday, extending their winless run to three games in all competitions. This result gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top of the table to nine points, with a game in hand against Espanyol on Saturday.Federico Valverde put Madrid ahead six minutes after half-time, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar. Despite dominating possession, Madrid lacked composure going forward, allowing Girona to secure a valuable point and move up to 12th in the league.The draw has significant implications for the title race, with Madrid now six points behind Barcelona. The hosts' fans expressed their frustration with the team's performance, jeering their players as they left the field.In other European matches, Marseille reclaimed third place in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 win over Metz, while Roma boosted their Champions League hopes with a 3-0 victory over Pisa, thanks to a hat-trick from Donyell Malen.

Arne Slot acknowledges that last season’s Premier League title postponed the inevitable end of an era at Liverpool, but stresses that the club recognised the need for a rebuild when he was appointed to succeed Jürgen Klopp. Two more stalwarts of the Klopp era – Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah – will exit on free transfers this summer, further signalling the transition. The remaining veterans who delivered league and Champions League glory – Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Joe Gomez – are now entering the final years of their contracts. The campaign has been harsh, with Liverpool suffering 16 defeats, a tally Slot describes as “unacceptable”. Yet he insists that he, sporting director Richard Hughes, chief executive of football Michael Edwards, and the owners at Fenway Sports Group remain aligned on the causes of the club’s struggles and the path forward. “It’s normal for clubs to go through cycles,” Slot explained. “We were fortunate that last season’s success delayed the start of this cycle, but now we must manage the break‑up of a great Liverpool side.” He highlighted that the departing players have benefited from last summer’s signings, gaining insight into the club’s ethos and work ethic. Despite the recent run of poor results, Slot feels the backing of the board and, surprisingly, the fans. “Support isn’t always shouted daily; it’s felt in the conversations we have and the shared understanding of the challenges,” he said, adding that he has sensed that support since arriving at Anfield. Slot concluded, “Everyone – the ownership, Richard, Michael and the wider club – sees the same issues. We are all aligned on what needs to be done and why.”

Temperatures at the Masters surged into the mid‑80s on Friday, turning Augusta National’s famed fairways into a grueling test of stamina and focus. While many competitors struggled under the sweltering sun, Justin Rose managed to stay within striking distance of leader Rory McIlroy, who had already posted a commanding 12‑stroke advantage after the second round. Rose, alongside Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth, fought to keep their games on track. Early on, Rose faltered with a three‑putt at the first hole, dropping a shot, but he quickly steadied his rhythm, playing the next five holes at even par. A moment of frustration saw him toss his club after a missed birdie putt on the fourth, yet he recovered to claim his first birdie of the day at the seventh. Strategic club selection became a focal point on the ninth, where Rose debated between a nine‑iron and an eight‑iron. "I really wanted to hit a nine‑iron, but the wind wasn’t cooperating, and I didn’t want an eight‑iron that would skip past the green," he explained, ultimately committing to the nine‑iron and securing a vital birdie. Strong approach shots followed on the 10th and 11th, both landing within a few feet of the pin, underscoring Rose’s precision despite the heat. A brief setback at the 12th (bogey) was offset by a birdie at the 15th, allowing him to finish the round at five under par, tied for fourth place. Koepka trailed two shots behind Rose in 13th, while Spieth struggled to the point of finishing at one over par. Rose’s performance is notable not only for its resilience but also for its historical context: he has been a runner‑up at Augusta three times and lost two playoffs, fueling a growing chorus of supporters placing sentimental bets on his eventual victory. "I don’t need to try any harder; it’s about execution," Rose said, emphasizing intrinsic motivation over sheer effort. Looking ahead, Rose acknowledges the challenge that lies over the weekend. Last year he attempted to birdie every hole on the back‑nine, a strategy that nearly paid off. This year, he plans to blend patience with opportunistic aggression, hoping to close the gap on McIlroy’s sizable lead.

Midway through the fifth day of the County Championship’s second round, Ollie Pope joined an elite group by becoming the 11th centurion in Division One this season. Five of those centuries belong to Surrey, with Jamie Smith already on two. The pre‑season favourites, despite a drawn opening match, looked formidable at the close of play, sitting at 412 for six.Leicestershire’s situation could not be more contrasting. Fresh from promotion, the side suffered a defeat to Sussex in their opener and, by the second session, appeared short on confidence, ideas and quality. Late‑stage wickets offered a brief spark, but the scoreboard told a different story.A crowd of 4,700 spectators braved a brisk early‑spring day at the Oval. With Surrey’s top six all boasting international caps, the match was inevitably examined for potential England implications. The first surprise came from Leicestershire’s own Josh Hull, who marked the second anniversary of his solitary Test appearance.Now 21, Hull has shed the rawness of his debut against Sri Lanka in September 2024, showing improved pace and reliability. He opened his season with a wicket in his first over, dismissing Dom Sibley lbw, and later produced a short ball that struck Pope’s helmet and an edge from Smith before being pulled after a brief spell.When Hull returned for a fourth spell deep in the final session, Smith repaid the effort with a brutal low‑flying pull for six, pushing his total past 150 runs. The partnership underscored Surrey’s growing dominance as the day progressed.Jamie Smith’s 166 from 240 balls marked his second century in the opening two Championship games, a knock highlighted by a patient start – one run from his first ten balls – before accelerating with a flurry of boundaries.Smith’s innings unfolded with cautious intent: after a modest 28, he unleashed three fours in as many deliveries, eventually reaching 166 before being caught by Ajaz Patel off Ben Green’s 90th over. The innings demonstrated both resilience and flair, cementing his role as a key run‑maker.For Pope, the century arrived after a seven‑month drought without a first‑class fifty and a solitary century against India at Headingley 21 innings earlier. His 24‑run start, achieved on half the balls faced by Smith, quickly turned into a commanding display as he steadied the innings.Both batsmen left the Oval with the confidence of seasoned internationals. A delayed emergence of Dan Lawrence after Pope’s boundary suggested the wicket was never in serious contention. Ben Foakes contributed a steady 62, while Leicestershire, with an average of 226 for the season, will need to conjure more surprises to bridge the gap.

The latest offering from writer Theo Jamieson and director Adam Lenson is a boldly conceived musical that thrusts a turbulent romance into a sci‑fi framework. The story follows a young astronaut, Daniel, who vanishes from his shuttle with barely enough fuel, prompting a quest to uncover the motives behind his reckless flight.Stuart Thompson (as Daniel) and Poppy Gilbert (as Emily) anchor the piece with performances that are both visceral and nuanced. Their chemistry captures the push‑pull of a relationship scarred by childhood bullying, parental betrayal, and a shared history of trauma, delivering songs that soar and hit hard.Visually, the production leans heavily on interstellar projections that transform the stage into a shifting cosmos, while the score oscillates between Sondheim‑style wit and full‑blown symphonic passages. This combination creates an epic sense of strangeness that distinguishes Flyby from more conventional West End fare.However, the narrative’s fragmented structure hampers its emotional payoff. The non‑chronological storytelling leaves critical gaps, and the metaphor of being "stranded in space" feels over‑extended—especially with the protagonist’s surname, Defoe, a thin nod to Robinson Crusoe. The three narrators, played by Simbi Akande, Gina Beck, and Rupert Young, often drift into digressive asides that dilute the central arc.Despite these flaws, moments of brilliance emerge, particularly in the musical’s treatment of mental‑health themes. The show hints at the potential to join the ranks of modern theatre successes like Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen, should its structural rough edges be smoothed.The production is currently staged at Southwark Playhouse, Borough, London and will run through 16 May. Audiences seeking a daring blend of emotional intensity and cosmic spectacle will find Flyby a compelling, if imperfect, experience.

Some American cities shortlisted to host the 2031 Women's World Cup are contemplating withdrawal due to concerns related to Fifa's management of this summer's World Cup. The cities are exploring alternative options, such as focusing on hosting the 2031 Rugby World Cup instead.There are 40 stadiums on the US Soccer Federation's longlist for potential 2031 Women's World Cup venues, while World Rugby has received expressions of interest from 27 cities featuring 33 stadiums, with 20 stadiums appearing on both lists. Cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh have already declined to enter the running for Women's World Cup hosting rights, reportedly due to concerns about Fifa's financial demands.A source working with one of the cities in question noted that World Rugby is offering greater commercial freedom and has fewer demands regarding access to stadiums. Another source indicated that the Rugby World Cup is likely to be more profitable due to the demographic profile of rugby supporters and their expected spending on match attendance.Fifa delayed confirmation of the 2031 World Cup hosts from the end of this month to an unspecified date this year. The joint proposal from the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica is currently the only bid on the table. Additionally, there are concerns about the US government not providing Fifa with mandatory guarantees regarding obligations on visas, tax, safety, and security.The experience of dealing with Fifa for the upcoming men's World Cup has not been uniformly positive for all cities, with issues such as safety and security costs and public transport problems. World Rugby has announced that it will finance its event and share profits or losses with USA Rugby, rather than requiring hosts to underwrite the tournament.

Protesters in Ireland and Norway have escalated demonstrations against rising fuel costs, turning major highways into blockades and prompting a convoy of lorries to converge on Oslo’s parliament. The unrest is linked to the broader spike in oil prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. In Dublin, hauliers, farmers and other groups have shut down motorways for the fourth consecutive day, causing fuel shortages, traffic chaos and warnings that essential supplies—food, clean water and animal feed—are at risk. The Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, described the blockades as unlawful and warned that continued defiance could lead to arrests. The Irish government has placed the army on standby to clear the obstructions, while the justice minister accused outside actors, including far‑right figures such as Tommy Robinson, of exploiting the protests for political gain. Fuel prices have surged dramatically: Irish diesel has risen from roughly €1.70 per litre to €2.17, and petrol from about €1.74 to €1.97. In Norway, despite a recent fuel‑tax cut on 1 April, diesel prices jumped 23.6 % from February to March, with overall fuel and lubricants up 17.9 %. Statistics Norway noted this as the steepest month‑on‑month increase on record, comparable only to the post‑Ukraine‑invasion spike of spring 2022. Irish Prime Minister Mícheál Martin warned that blockades of the Whitegate refinery and key depots in Galway and Foynes were pushing the country to the brink of turning away oil shipments. He called the situation “unconscionable and “illogical.” In response, Dublin unveiled a €250 million relief package that includes a temporary excise duty cut, an expanded diesel rebate for hauliers and bus operators, and an extended fuel allowance. Nevertheless, industry leaders remain skeptical about the measures’ ability to quell the unrest, and many protesters demand direct talks with ministers. Across the North Sea, Norwegian demonstrators—part of the “Dieselbrølet” (diesel roar) movement—marched a convoy of 70‑80 trucks toward the Storting. Their banners read “nok er nok!” (enough is enough). While only a few vehicles were permitted into Oslo, the show underscored hauliers’ demand for more predictable, lower fuel prices despite Norway’s status as an oil producer. Other nations have taken emergency steps: the Philippines declared a national energy emergency, and France authorized fuel tankers to operate on weekends and holidays until 11 May to stave off shortages. Back in Ireland, the blockade of the sole refinery and depots has left dozens of petrol stations empty, prompting a rush of motorists to fill up before supplies run out. Emergency services report slower response times, and the Irish Medical Organisation warns that delayed care could jeopardise patient health. Courier firm DPD has halted deliveries, and protesters have vowed to remain in Dublin for weeks, with spokesperson John Dallon stating, “If it takes a month, we are prepared to sit here.” The crisis has also forced the Irish Taoiseach to postpone a trade mission to Canada, highlighting the domestic political fallout of the fuel‑price turmoil.