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FIFA, the global governing body of football, is under growing pressure to ask U.S. President Donald Trump for a blanket halt to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids during the 2026 World Cup. The request, sourced from anonymous contacts cited by The Athletic, would be presented to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for direct delivery to the White House. According to the report, Infantino is weighing a formal appeal that would seek a "full moratorium on ICE raids across the United States during the World Cup" – a tournament set to kick off on June 11 in eleven host cities spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown, tightening legal pathways and expanding deportation efforts. Critics warn that such policies could target the tournament’s massive international audience, undermining the event’s reputation as a celebration of global unity. When asked by Al Jazeera about any negotiations with FIFA, the White House declined to comment but praised the upcoming competition, with spokesperson Davis Ingle stating, "Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history of mankind, right here in the United States of America." He added that the event is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic impact and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Despite the administration’s enthusiastic rhetoric, officials have hinted that immigration agencies could be present at match venues. In February, ICE acting director Todd Lyons told a House committee that the agency would be on the ground for the World Cup, emphasizing that ICE is "a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup" and would not pause operations. Previous incidents have fueled the concern. During last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, reports surfaced of ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers at stadiums, although the administration denied any enforcement actions took place. Vice President JD Vance recently warned that visitors must adhere to visa terms, suggesting that those who overstay could be subject to the authority of then‑Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem, who was dismissed in March, had overseen a controversial crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in two civilian deaths and drew accusations of human‑rights violations. FIFA executives see a potential immigration moratorium as a public‑relations win for both the sport’s governing body and the Trump administration. The proposal is also viewed as an opportunity for Infantino to leverage his personal rapport with Trump – a relationship that has attracted scrutiny after Infantino awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to the president in December, prompting a rights‑group complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee. With the World Cup fast approaching, fans and human‑rights advocates remain uneasy about whether the United States will provide a "safe and welcome" environment for the influx of international visitors.

An overwhelming majority of Israelis oppose the US-Iran ceasefire deal announced last week, with 61% of respondents in a recent poll expressing their disapproval. The poll, conducted by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), also found that 73% of respondents expect fighting with Iran to resume within the next year.The ceasefire deal, which was negotiated without Israel's direct involvement, has been met with skepticism by many Israelis who feel that it does not address the root causes of the conflict with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised a final showdown with Iran, but the deal has left the Iranian government still standing.The Israeli public's disappointment with the ceasefire deal is reflected in the 69% of respondents who support continued military action in Lebanon, despite talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments. Israel has continued to attack Lebanon, killing over 300 people in the past week.Analysts say that Netanyahu's problem is that he had oversold the war's objectives, promising regime collapse and the destruction of Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles. However, these goals were unrealistic, and the ceasefire deal has exposed the gap between Netanyahu's rhetoric and the reality on the ground.The opposition to the ceasefire deal is not limited to Netanyahu's critics, with opposition leaders like Yair Lapid also expressing their disappointment. Lapid has accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into a protectorate state that receives instructions from the US on matters of national security.Despite the backlash, Netanyahu has given public support to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Israel and the US are in constant coordination. However, analysts say that Israel is unlikely to break with the US while it is leading negotiations with Iran.

Aid organizations are intensifying their efforts to deliver humanitarian relief into Iran, where the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has successfully delivered 'life-saving' aid and medical supplies into the country, marking one of the first humanitarian shipments since the conflict began.The aid convoy, which entered Iran through Turkey on Sunday, included 200 trauma kits containing emergency medical supplies, along with tents and blankets. This shipment is critical as humanitarian supply chains into Iran have been severely disrupted, making it increasingly difficult and costly for essential medical and relief items to reach those in need.The conflict has had a devastating impact on the population, with over 3,000 people killed and up to 3.2 million displaced, according to Iranian authorities. The Turkish Red Crescent Society has also dispatched four trucks carrying 48 tonnes of aid, including emergency shelters, hygiene kits, and first-aid supplies.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also contributed to the relief efforts, dispatching 14 trucks from Jordan carrying household supplies for around 25,000 people. Additionally, the ICRC has donated 200 generators and 100 motor pumps to the Iranian Red Crescent Society to support relief and rescue operations.The relief efforts are crucial as air and sea routes have been blocked by the conflict, making overland crossings through Turkey and Jordan critical for aid delivery. The humanitarian crisis in Iran continues to worsen, with 3.6 percent of the population displaced and 62,000 homes destroyed, according to the Turkish Red Crescent Society's president, Fatma Meric Yilmaz.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its global economic growth forecast downward to 3.1 percent this year, citing the impact of rising tensions between the United States and Iran on energy and food costs worldwide.The downgrade comes as Iran has retaliated against US and Israeli actions by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil and gas supplies, and attacking energy infrastructure in the region. This has driven up oil prices and squeezed oil and gas supplies, affecting countries reliant on these imports.The IMF's new forecast represents a slowdown from its earlier projection of 3.3 percent growth, made before the escalation of tensions. It also marks a decline from 3.4 percent growth in the previous year. The fund warns that some regions and countries will be hit harder than others.Iran's economic outlook saw one of the largest country-level revisions, with a forecast contraction of 6.1 percent in 2026, down from an initial small growth forecast. The IMF also cut GDP growth forecasts for Saudi Arabia from 4.5 percent to 3.1 percent.The IMF's Chief Economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, noted that the current hostilities in the Middle East pose significant policy trade-offs, including fighting inflation and preserving growth. The fund anticipates higher global inflation at 4.4 percent, up 0.6 percentage points from its January forecast.Experts warn that continued strains in the Strait of Hormuz could worsen inflationary pressures. For instance, a sustained $60 increase in gas prices above the average price could put the US firmly in recession territory.Oil prices have dropped on hopes of resumed talks between Iran and the US, with Brent crude futures falling to $95.02 per barrel and West Texas intermediate crude dropping to $91.84. However, prices remain much higher than before the Iran war.

A three‑judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a two‑to‑one decision on Tuesday that blocks District Judge James Boasberg from moving forward with contempt hearings against the Trump administration.The case stemmed from Boasberg’s attempt to determine whether officials violated his March 15, 2025 order to turn around two deportation flights while they were airborne. The flights had carried 137 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 statute granting presidents broad wartime powers.In the majority opinion, Judge Neomi Rao (a Trump appointee) wrote that Boasberg’s contempt inquiry was a “clear abuse of discretion,” noting that the district court’s order did not expressly forbid the transfer of the migrants into Salvadoran custody. She emphasized that criminal contempt applies only to violations of a “clear and specific” order.Judge Justin Walker, also appointed by Trump, joined Rao, while Judge J. Michelle Childs—a Biden appointee—dissented. The split reflects the broader partisan tension surrounding the case.Critics of the deportations argued that invoking the Alien Enemies Act represented presidential overreach and that the rapid operation denied the immigrants due process, including the ability to appeal. Some detainees were later released to Venezuela in a July 2025 prisoner exchange after spending months in El Salvador’s maximum‑security Centre for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT).Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praised the ruling on X, stating it should “finally end Judge Boasberg’s year‑long campaign against the hardworking Department attorneys doing their jobs fighting illegal immigration.”The decision underscores the judiciary’s role in checking executive immigration actions, especially when emergency court orders intersect with national‑security‑related statutes. It also signals that future attempts to pursue contempt for alleged violations of ambiguous orders may face heightened scrutiny.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is embarking on a diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia and Turkey this week, as his efforts to facilitate a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran appear to be gaining traction.Sharif's bid to moderate talks comes during a fragile two-week ceasefire that has halted US and Israeli strikes on Iran. President Asif Ali Zardari has urged Sharif and other officials to remain engaged with the US, Iran, and other key powers to sustain the peace process.Reports of backchannel negotiations to arrange new peace talks surfaced on Monday, followed by comments from US President Donald Trump and the United Nations on Tuesday, suggesting there is support for Sharif's push. Trump indicated that talks could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, praising Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir as 'doing a great job.'The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that a diplomat from one of the mediating countries said Tehran and Washington had agreed to more talks, although the location, timing, and composition of the delegations had not been decided. Islamabad and Geneva are being considered as potential host cities.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who met with the deputy prime minister of Pakistan on Tuesday, said it was 'highly probable' that ceasefire talks would restart. He emphasized the need for continued negotiations and a persistent ceasefire.Any return to the negotiating table would likely test the diplomatic skills of Sharif and other mediators. During the fragile two-week ceasefire, the US military has mounted a naval blockade of Iran's ports and coastal areas in response to Iran's throttling of the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused global oil prices to skyrocket.

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic U.S. Representative from California, announced his resignation from Congress after a fifth woman accused him of unwanted sexual contact, alleging he drugged and raped her during a 2018 encounter. The claim was made public on Tuesday, intensifying a series of allegations that have already derailed his bid for the California governorship. Swalwell had suspended his gubernatorial campaign earlier in the week, a race in which polls had shown him as the front‑runner to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. The campaign collapsed after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported multiple accusations, including a 2024 rape allegation by a former staffer in a New York City hotel that left the victim bleeding and bruised. Additional allegations surfaced that three other women received inappropriate Snapchat messages from Swalwell, a platform that automatically deletes interactions, complicating verification. In response, Lonna Drewes—one of the accusers—stated at a Los Angeles press conference that her hesitation to act earlier was driven by fear of Swalwell’s political power, not doubt about the allegations. Drewes’s attorney, Lisa Bloom, announced that a police report would be filed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. The backlash was swift: supporters withdrew endorsements, and a coalition of bipartisan lawmakers called for an immediate vote to expel Swalwell from the House. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also confirmed it is investigating the sexual assault claims. Swalwell issued an apology to his family, staff, and constituents, describing his actions as “mistakes in judgment.” He emphasized his intent to fight what he called “serious, false allegations” and criticized the prospect of an expulsion vote without due process, stating, “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong.” Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna said she would withdraw her motion to expel Swalwell once his resignation became effective, confirming that his resignation letter had been submitted “effective immediately.” Meanwhile, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales announced his own retirement from Congress amid similar calls for expulsion over unrelated sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell’s departure marks a dramatic end to a campaign that once positioned him as a leading contender for California’s top executive office, underscoring how personal misconduct allegations can swiftly upend political trajectories and trigger extensive legal scrutiny.

Atletico Madrid has sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League, securing a spot in the semifinals with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite a 2-1 quarterfinal second leg defeat.Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes on Tuesday, but Ademola Lookman's strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again after their 2-0 win in the first leg.Diego Simeone's side returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle. Barcelona ended the game with 10 men as Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran in on goal, hampering their chance of finding a third goal to force extra time.Atletico, who have never won the competition and lost the 2014 and 2016 finals with Simeone at the helm, will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semifinals.Barcelona coach Hansi Flick benched forwards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski for workhorses Torres and Gavi, looking to press Atletico relentlessly in the sixth match between these sides this season.Lamine Yamal fired the visitors ahead after just four minutes when he harried Clement Lenglet into giving the ball away. Torres nudged it back to Yamal, who slipped a low shot through Musso's legs to hush the home fans and ignite Barca's attempted comeback bid.Barcelona doubled their lead in the 24th minute to level the tie on aggregate when Torres left Lenglet trailing, reached Olmo's pass and fired across Musso into the top corner.Atletico pulled their way back into the game in the 31st minute after Barca switched off defensively for the first time. Marcos Llorente charged down the right behind the Catalans' high defensive line and crossed for Lookman to convert.The game spun away from Barca when Eric Garcia was sent off for clipping Sorloth's heels as he ran through on goal, similar to Pau Cubarsi's red card in the first leg.Flick threw centre-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, but there was no way back, and Atletico gritted their teeth through eight minutes of stoppage time before the celebrations could begin.

The United States is brokering a historic round of direct, high‑level talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, D.C., marking the first bilateral engagement between the two countries since 1993. Lebanese officials aim to secure a ceasefire, whereas Israel’s primary objective is the disarmament of the Iran‑backed Hezbollah militia. Hezbollah’s leadership has publicly dismissed the negotiations as a "futile" ploy, with Secretary‑General Qassem Naim urging the Lebanese government to withdraw from the talks. The group argues that negotiating under fire amounts to a surrender and insists that any disarmament can only occur after a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The talks are scheduled for Tuesday at the U.S. Department of State headquarters, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (15:00 GMT). Key participants include Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, and State Department Counselor Michael Needham, all acting as facilitators. The U.S. frames the meeting as a necessary response to “Hezbollah’s reckless actions,” emphasizing that "Israel is at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, so there is no reason the two neighbours should not be talking," a senior State Department official said. Escalating violence has set a grim backdrop: Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 2,080 people, including 165 children and 87 medical workers, and displaced more than 1.2 million residents. Overall, the conflict has claimed over 3,768 Lebanese lives since October 2023. Israel has refused to discuss a ceasefire, insisting instead on a plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal. According to Israeli media, the proposal would divide southern Lebanon into three security zones: Zone 1 (0‑8 km from the border) under a long‑term Israeli military presence; Zone 2 (up to the Litani River) where Israeli forces would gradually hand control to the Lebanese army; and Zone 3 (north of the Litani) to be managed solely by the Lebanese army for disarmament purposes. Israeli officials have also floated reinstating a “buffer zone” in the south, a policy abandoned decades ago. Beirut, represented by Culture Minister Ghassan Salame, describes the Washington meeting as a preliminary step to pause hostilities and reassert state authority, while acknowledging Lebanon’s limited leverage. The Lebanese government has previously announced plans to disarm Hezbollah under U.S. pressure, a move Hezbollah denounced as a surrender to Israel and the United States. The broader diplomatic context includes a recent U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement that nominally covers Lebanon, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected its terms and pushed for direct talks, receiving backing from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. European leaders, however, have urged that Lebanon be fully incorporated into any ceasefire framework. Hezbollah’s objections are multifaceted: negotiating while under bombardment, lack of national consensus, the demand to disarm its weapons—deemed a “Lebanese internal matter”—and accusations of governmental betrayal. The group has unequivocally stated it will not honor any agreement reached in Washington. Analysts caution that an immediate ceasefire remains unlikely. A U.S. official noted Israel’s focus on disarmament and skepticism about Beirut’s capacity to deliver. Meanwhile, the battle for the strategic southern town of Bint Jbeil is seen as a potential barometer for the talks: if Israeli forces capture the town, they may harden their demands; if Hezbollah holds, it could bolster Lebanon’s negotiating position. For now, Hezbollah remains defiant, with Qassem Naim declaring, "We will not rest, stop or surrender; the battlefield will speak for itself."