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The missing crew member of a US F‑15E jet, described by President Trump as a colonel, was located and rescued after a heavy firefight that involved hundreds of special‑forces operators, according to a US official speaking to Al Jazeera.Trump has set a 48‑hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which 20% of global oil and gas transits. Iran’s central military command dismissed the ultimatum as “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid.”Iran reports that US‑Israeli strikes have killed five people and wounded 170 at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone, while more than 30 universities have been targeted since the war began on 28 February.The rescued airman was the second of the two‑person crew; Iran has not yet issued a comment, though officials had previously urged citizens to help locate the missing officer in hopes of gaining leverage against Washington.During the rescue operation, Iranian media said strikes killed five civilians in the southwest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it shot down a US aircraft searching for the officer near Isfahan and destroyed an MQ‑9 Reaper drone, labeling the US effort a “desperate attempt to cover up a huge defeat.”Additional US‑Israeli attacks in Ardabil province near the Azerbaijani border killed three people, and the IRGC warned that the United States’ “target bank is inaccurate,” dismissing Trump’s threats to strike bridges as “laughable.”Russia has evacuated another 200 staff from the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant after a deadly perimeter attack, while Iran’s foreign minister warned that such raids could expose the region to radioactive contamination.Tehran’s prosecutor’s office ordered the seizure and freezing of assets belonging to more than 100 high‑profile individuals accused of supporting the enemy abroad.In the Gulf, Iranian drones damaged two Kuwaiti power and desalination plants, shutting down two electricity‑generating units but causing no injuries. Bahrain’s civil‑defence teams extinguished a fire at an unspecified facility, also without casualties. Abu Dhabi halted operations at Borouge’s petrochemical plant after debris‑induced fires, and the UAE’s air defences responded to missile and drone attacks aimed at its aluminium industry. Former IAEA director‑general Mohamed ElBaradei urged Gulf nations to act before the situation “turns the region into a ball of fire.”President Trump confirmed the rescue on Truth Social, calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” Meanwhile, former Army chief of staff General Randy George submitted a farewell letter after his removal, and satellite‑imaging firm Planet Labs announced an indefinite blackout of Iranian and regional imagery at the request of the Trump administration. Two individuals claiming to be relatives of the late Iranian general Qassem Soleimani were detained in the US, though Iranian media later disputed the familial link.Israel reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen—the fifth such attack since the war’s start—and the Houthis, together with Iranian forces and Hezbollah, claimed a joint long‑range strike on Lod airport. Explosions were heard over Jerusalem, and missile attacks on Tel Aviv and central Israel wounded five civilians.In Lebanon and Syria, Israeli forces bombed the town of Kfar Hatta in Sidon, struck the southern city of Tyre after issuing evacuation warnings, and caused casualties in Maarakeh, where at least five people were reported killed.Energy markets are under pressure: OPEC is set to meet to decide May output policy after a modest April boost of 206,000 barrels per day. The war has driven crude prices above $100 per barrel, up from $65 before hostilities. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar and is expected to travel to the UAE as oil supplies remain disrupted. Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines reported that its LPG tanker Green Sanvi resumed Gulf crossing after being stranded. Iran announced it would allow Iraqi vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite maintaining a broader blockade, a move aimed at easing Iraq’s severe economic distress.

Manchester City dominated Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarterfinals at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick to lead his team into the semifinals for an eighth successive season.Haaland's impressive performance came after a slow start from City, with Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah missing key opportunities. Haaland's first goal came from a penalty in the 39th minute, converted after a clumsy trip by Virgil van Dijk on Nico O'Reilly.The Norwegian striker doubled City's lead on the stroke of halftime with a superb header from a Rayan Cherki cross, making a perfectly timed run in front of Ibrahima Konate to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili.Liverpool's woes continued as Antoine Semenyo scored the third goal five minutes after the interval, capitalizing on a pass from Cherki to sprint past Van Dijk and clip a deft finish over Mamardashvili.Haaland completed his treble in the 57th minute, drilling home via the underside of the bar after O'Reilly teed him up 11 meters from goal.The win piles pressure on Liverpool manager Arne Slot, whose team has just two wins in their last seven matches in all competitions and is fifth in the Premier League. Slot's side faces Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday.Haaland praised his teammates for recovering from a difficult opening period, saying, “Honestly, in the first half, we struggled a bit, but after 30 minutes, we kept going, and in the end, it was an amazing game at home.”

President Donald Trump posted a terse three‑sentence message on Truth Social, giving Iran a 48‑hour deadline to either negotiate a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international traffic. The post, which omitted any reference to the ongoing hunt for a U.S. pilot believed to have ejected after an F‑15 fighter crashed in Iranian airspace, reignited diplomatic friction. Iran’s central military command responded within hours. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi dismissed the ultimatum as a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” warning that the “gates of hell will open” for the United States. Earlier this week, Tehran claimed to have shot down an A‑10 Warthog near the Hormuz Strait, casting doubt on Trump’s earlier assertion that the United States has established dominance over Iranian airspace. The current threat follows a 10‑day deadline announced on March 26, which required Iran to open the strait or face the “destruction” of its energy facilities. That deadline expires on Monday, prompting Trump to write: “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” In Tehran, the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters echoed Aliabadi’s criticism, labeling the message as reckless and unbalanced. Trump’s rhetoric this week has also targeted Iranian infrastructure more broadly. He has threatened to strike power plants, oil facilities, and even “possibly all desalinization plants,” and in a recent national address warned he would bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” More than 100 international law experts have warned that such attacks on civilian infrastructure could violate the Geneva Convention and constitute war crimes. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran stays open to negotiations but rejected a “15‑point” plan from the Trump administration as “unreasonable.” The United States, meanwhile, views Iran’s demand for sovereignty over the Hormuz Strait as a “non‑starter.” Pakistan has pledged to continue supporting cease‑fire talks despite the “obstacles.” While Trump has not publicly addressed the missing pilot, NBC News reported that he told the network the incident would not affect negotiations: “No, not at all. No, it’s war.” Experts caution that if Iran captures the pilot, it could give Tehran a powerful bargaining chip and undermine U.S. claims of air‑space dominance. Marina Miron, a researcher at King’s College London, told Al Jazeera that the F‑15 shoot‑down demonstrates Iran’s ability to target U.S. aircraft, contradicting statements from Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth about complete U.S. control of Iranian airspace. She noted that Iran’s likely use of man‑portable air‑defence systems makes locating and neutralising them “much more difficult.” Miron warned that any U.S. rescue attempt could risk additional casualties and further escalation. “It’s a race for time,” she said, noting a critical window of up to 72 hours during which both sides are scrambling to secure the pilot for military and political purposes.

Bordeaux Bégles thrashed Leicester 64-14 in a one-sided Champions Cup match, highlighting the significant gap between French and English club rugby. Salesi Rayasi scored a hat-trick as Bordeaux's potent attack proved too much for the depleted Leicester side.The French team's victory was never in doubt, even when Leicester was at full strength. However, the visitors were severely weakened by missing several first-choice forwards, including Ollie Chessum and Nicky Smith. This allowed Bordeaux to assert their dominance, scoring nine tries in a commanding performance.The hosts' attack was led by Cameron Woki and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who provided crucial assists and scored tries. Maxime Lucu also contributed with a penalty and a try. The team's depth and skill were on full display as they ran in try after try, leaving Leicester struggling to keep up.The win reaffirms Bordeaux's status as continental champions and sets up a quarter-final clash with domestic rivals Toulouse next weekend. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of France's top teams.The result also highlights the financial disparity between French and English club rugby. A recent TV deal in France is worth over £120m annually, allowing top teams to attract and retain top talent. This investment is reflected in the quality of play and the gap between the two ecosystems.For Leicester, the defeat was a disappointing display, especially considering their next league game is against Newcastle Red Bulls, currently bottom of the table. The team's coach, Andrew Brace, will need to regroup and refocus his team for their upcoming challenges.

The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has reached a critical juncture on day 36 of the war. Iran has claimed responsibility for shooting down two US warplanes, a F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog, in a significant escalation of the conflict. Two American crewmembers were rescued, while one airman remains missing after the incidents over the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces and the Gulf. Iranian officials have celebrated the downing of the aircraft as a major military success, demonstrating Tehran's capability to confront US and Israeli forces. The incidents have sparked a major crisis, with search and rescue operations underway for the missing US crewmember. A US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search was also hit by Iranian fire but managed to remain airborne. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has questioned the US's sincerity about diplomacy, accusing Washington of hypocrisy. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the region, with simultaneous conflicts in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon costing Israel an estimated $112bn. The war has resulted in at least 2,076 people killed and 26,500 wounded in Iran since the start of the conflict on February 28. The international community remains on high alert, with Iran launching missile attacks on southern Israel and Israel destroying two critical bridges in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

A United States federal judge has rejected a motion from the Department of Justice to reconsider his earlier ruling dismissing subpoenas against Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve.In a six-page opinion published on Friday, Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his decision to nullify the subpoenas, stating that they were issued for an 'improper purpose': to pressure Powell into compliance with President Donald Trump's demands.The subpoenas were part of an investigation into Powell's handling of renovations to the Federal Reserve's historic buildings in Washington, DC, which have gone over budget. The Trump administration has accused Powell of 'malfeasance' and called for his premature resignation.Boasberg criticized the Trump administration's efforts, saying they presented 'no evidence whatsoever of fraud' and that the subpoenas were an attempt to undermine the Federal Reserve's independence.The ruling is likely to set the stage for the Trump administration to appeal, with US Attorney Jeanine Pirro previously denying any political motivation for the investigation.

Real Mallorca delivered a stunning upset to Real Madrid, winning 2‑1 thanks to an added‑time strike from Vedat Muriqi. The victory pushes the champions to four points behind Barcelona ahead of their upcoming clash with Atlético Madrid.The match began with Mallorca absorbing early pressure; goalkeeper Leo Román denied Kylian Mbappé twice with diving saves. Mallorca took the lead in the 42nd minute when Manu Morlanes headed home a cross from Pablo Maffeo.Real responded late, with Éder Militão—returning from a hamstring injury—equalising in the 88th minute. Just three minutes later, Muriqi, the league’s second‑highest scorer behind Mbappé, netted the winner, marking Mallorca’s first triumph over Real in three years and lifting them two points above the relegation zone.Muriqi, who had faced criticism after Kosovo’s World Cup qualifying loss, broke down in tears after the final whistle, saying, "Sometimes emotions get the better of you… I’m just happy to repay the supporters, we want to stay in this division for them."In Germany, Bayern Munich staged a dramatic comeback, scoring three goals in the final nine minutes to edge Freiburg 3‑2. Tom Bischof equalised, and Lennart Karl clinched the winner in stoppage time, despite the absence of injured striker Harry Kane. Bayern now travel to Real Madrid for their Champions League quarter‑final first leg.Freiburg had opened the scoring early in the second half with a long‑range strike from Johan Manzambi, and later doubled the lead via a Lucas Hoeler volley after a corner error by Manuel Neuer. However, Bayern’s late surge erased the deficit.Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund secured a 2‑0 away win at VfB Stuttgart with late goals from Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt. The victory keeps Dortmund in second place on 64 points, nine behind Bayern, while Stuttgart slips to fourth.In Italy, Massimiliano Allegri of AC Milan reiterated his focus on the club, dismissing any immediate interest in the vacant Italy national team manager role after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down following a World Cup playoff defeat.

Even before the season began, the fixture list hinted that March would become a turning point for Newcastle United. A run to the Champions League quarter‑finals and a victory in the Tyne‑Wear derby could have silenced many critics, while a third Carabao Cup final would have forced the derby’s postponement. In the Champions League round‑of‑16, Newcastle appeared stronger at home against Barcelona, only to be undone by a late penalty. The away leg saw them threaten early on, but a second‑half collapse resulted in a 7‑2 defeat, widening the perceived gap between the sides. The derby itself illustrated the team’s frailties. Newcastle led at halftime and struck the post, yet they finished with the fifth‑worst second‑half record in the Premier League. Sunderland equalised through Brian Brobbey, fed by a simple Granit Xhaka pass, exploiting the space that Newcastle’s midfield surrendered late in the game. These setbacks have sparked serious speculation about manager Eddie Howe’s future. Chief executive David Hopkinson offered no clear endorsement, stating only that “we’ll talk about the future when it’s time,” a comment that many interpreted as a warning. Howe arrived in November 2021, a month after the Saudi‑led acquisition of the club, and quickly guided Newcastle into the modern era: two Champions League qualifications, a historic Carabao Cup triumph – the first domestic trophy in 70 years – and a generally steady league performance. Until last season, there was little talk of his dismissal. However, the current crisis is less about tactics than about recruitment. With no sporting director, Howe’s nephew Andy Howe and scout Steve Nickson oversaw most signings last summer, a structure that has drawn criticism. The sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool was widely regarded as mishandled. The club allowed the protracted saga to dominate the window, missing an opportunity to maximise the fee and reinvest in squad depth, or to negotiate a swap that could have brought Hugo Ekitiké to Newcastle. Summer acquisitions have added little stability. While Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento are rumored to be on their way out, Yoane Wissa suffered an early injury and new signing Nick Woltemade arrived without a clear role. Of the incoming players, only Malick Thiaw has made a noticeable impact. Consequently, the squad lacks the depth required for simultaneous Champions League commitments, a Carabao Cup semi‑final run, and a fifth‑round FA Cup tie. The fatigue evident in many second‑half performances is therefore unsurprising. Underlying these on‑field issues are broader structural problems. Dan Ashworth’s departure for Manchester United left a void that successor Paul Mitchell could not fill; his exit after clashes with ownership – and reportedly with Howe over player conditioning – created a leadership vacuum. Ross Wilson, appointed sporting director in October with Howe’s blessing, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a fragmented recruitment process. Financial pressures add another layer of complexity. The recent sale of the stadium to a club subsidiary, coupled with a looming UEFA fine for 2025, has strained resources. While the Champions League revenue and the Isak transfer may alleviate some of the strain, the shift to an “unanchored” squad‑cost ratio favours owners with deep pockets, leaving the club’s commitment from the Public Investment Fund uncertain amid broader Saudi retrenchment. Notably, discussions of a new stadium have been absent for almost a year. Hopkinson’s description of Newcastle as a “trading club” appears realistic, yet his remarks also hint at an upcoming exodus of players such as Tonali, Gordon and Livramento. Even if the broader economic climate softens, the likely absence of Champions League football next season could further limit Newcastle’s ability to attract top talent. Ultimately, the core issue is governance. While Howe’s tactical acumen may improve without the demands of European competition, the club’s ambition to become a modern, well‑structured organisation may require a change in leadership. His departure could be the catalyst needed for a comprehensive cultural and structural overhaul.

The search for a missing US crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet entered its second day on Saturday, as Iranian media released pictures of wreckage, including a distinctive F-15 tail fin and a used ejector seat.A pilot was rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war, but the second crew member has not been accounted for.US search and rescue efforts are using low-flying Pave Hawk helicopters and specialist C-130 Hercules transport. Military pilots said the missing crew member would be trying to hide for as long as possible from the Iranian military and potentially seeking to transmit their location relative to a known secret point.Israel extended its war in Lebanon with increased airstrikes, targeting sites in Beirut and Tyre. The Israeli military said it had conducted a wave of strikes on Tehran overnight against what it said were air defence, ballistic missile storage and weapons development facilities.The US president, Donald Trump, said on Friday the episode would not affect efforts to negotiate a peace settlement with Iran. However, he also threatened an unspecified escalation, saying Iran had 48 hours to comply with his demands or face consequences.The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life, with at least 1,900 people killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of the war, according to estimates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.