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Ukraine has significantly damaged or destroyed a substantial amount of Russian oil and gas infrastructure over the past two weeks. This has led Russia to warn European countries and industries about funding Ukraine's long-range drone production, citing a potential escalation of the military and political situation in Europe. Russia's defence ministry stated that European leaders' decisions to support Ukraine's drone production are 'deliberate steps leading to a sharp escalation of the military and political situation on the entire European continent.' The ministry also warned of 'unpredictable consequences' and accused European leaders of 'dragging their countries into a war with Russia.' The warning came after Ukraine secured new agreements with European defence companies this week. Notably, Germany agreed to invest 300 million euros ($355m) in Ukraine's long-range strike capability and will separately invest in 5,000 mid-range attack drones. Norway also signed an agreement with Ukraine for joint drone production and donated 560 million euros ($661.5m) to support Ukrainian front lines. Ukraine's strikes have targeted various Russian oil infrastructure, including drilling platforms, pipelines, pumping stations, offloading terminals, and refineries. These strikes have been confirmed by geolocated video footage or Russian officials. In the past week alone, Ukraine struck two drilling platforms in the northern Caspian Sea, two oil pumping stations, an oil depot, an ammonia plant, a petrochemical plant, and an oil export terminal and refinery. Russia has missed out on $23bn windfall profit in March due to Ukraine's strikes, which have destroyed its ability to export at least 2 million barrels of oil a day. The strikes have hit a range of targets, causing significant financial losses for Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy justified the attacks, stating that 'only significant financial losses force Russia to consider a scenario of abandoning this war.' The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with European countries playing a crucial role in supporting Ukraine's military capabilities.

Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, has launched a series of attacks on northern Israel, just hours before a ceasefire announcement in Lebanon. The development has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. The attacks, which were reported by multiple sources, targeted various locations in northern Israel. No immediate reports of casualties have been confirmed, but the incidents have heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. The impending ceasefire announcement in Lebanon had raised hopes for a reduction in hostilities in the region. However, Hezbollah's actions have cast doubt on the prospects for a lasting peace. The situation remains fluid, with international observers closely monitoring developments in the region. The ceasefire announcement, expected to be made shortly, is seen as a critical step towards de-escalating tensions and restoring stability to Lebanon.

A stunning visual compilation of 20 photographs has been curated to encapsulate the essence of the past week on a global scale. Published by The Guardian, this collection offers a unique perspective on international events, highlighting the diversity and complexity of global affairs.The photographs, selected by Jim Powell, provide a glimpse into various aspects of life and current events worldwide. While specific details about each image are not provided, the collection serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in journalism.This initiative by The Guardian underscores the importance of photography in capturing pivotal moments and conveying the nuances of global issues. By presenting these images, The Guardian aims to engage its audience and foster a deeper understanding of international developments.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are on the edge of achieving European glory, with both teams progressing to the semi-finals of their respective tournaments. Villa's Unai Emery is close to securing his fifth title, while Forest's journey has been marked by managerial changes.Nottingham Forest's quest to emulate Tottenham's model continues, with their quarter-final victory against Porto keeping their hopes alive. The team's managerial merry-go-round, involving Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Vítor Pereira, has been a notable aspect of their campaign.In contrast, Aston Villa has been consistent under Unai Emery's leadership, turning a two-goal advantage from the first leg against Bologna into a 7-1 aggregate win. This sets up an all-English European semi-final, a rare occurrence since 2009.The two teams will face off in a highly anticipated match, with Forest looking to cut their manager's medal into quarters if they go all the way. Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace has exited the competition but will look to Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.The article also highlights the Iranian women's football team's struggle for asylum and their gratitude for being granted the opportunity to build new lives. Additionally, it features reader letters on various football-related topics.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup as a result of the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) new financial strategy, prioritizing projects with potential returns. The country's sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, had expressed interest in bidding for the tournament last year, but no expression of interest was submitted to World Rugby.The PIF's 'value realization' phase of its Vision 2030 economic plan, published recently, has led to the decision to put rugby aspirations on hold. This shift in focus will impact various projects, including LIV Golf, which will see its funding withdrawn next year.While Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, had considered a joint bid, it has not materialized. World Rugby's bidding process is ongoing, with countries like Argentina, Japan, and Spain having submitted initial expressions of interest.The decision to step away from the Rugby World Cup bid was made before the conflict in Iran began, and the PIF governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, confirmed that all spending projects are being reviewed. The PIF will continue to invest in sports but will focus on domestic projects, such as infrastructure related to the 2034 football World Cup and the Formula One track near Riyadh.

OnlyFans, the UK-based adult video platform, has reached a valuation of over $3 billion as it engages in advanced talks to sell a minority stake to US investment firm Architect Capital. The London-based company is looking to offload less than 20% of its shares, with sources confirming the talks to the Guardian.The deal comes at a significant time for OnlyFans, following the death of its founder, Leonid Radvinsky, a Ukrainian-American billionaire who passed away from cancer last month at the age of 43. Radvinsky's death has prompted the company to seek a minority stake sale as a means to guarantee stability for the business.OnlyFans has reportedly chosen Architect Capital for its expertise in the financial services sector. This aligns with the UK company's plans to offer banking products to its creators, who have historically struggled to access such services due to the nature of their work.The platform, synonymous with adult content, operates with a strict 18+ age limit and has 4.6 million creator accounts registered. These creators split their subscription proceeds 80:20 with the platform. OnlyFans also boasts 377 million fan accounts, allowing users to purchase videos and send messages to their favorite performers.In terms of financial performance, OnlyFans posted $1.4 billion in revenues for the year ending November 30, 2024, with a pre-tax profit of $684 million, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. The platform also reported $7.2 billion in payments to creators, a nearly 10% increase.Radvinsky himself received $701 million in dividends from OnlyFans in 2024, adding to the over $1 billion he had previously received. The company had previously explored sale talks with various investors, including a potential 60% stake sale to Architect Capital and a consortium led by Forest Road Company.If the minority sale proceeds, control of OnlyFans will remain with the family trust holding Radvinsky's shares. OnlyFans has declined to comment, while Architect Capital has been contacted for a statement.

Qatar is currently hosting diplomatic talks in an effort to revive the stalled Iran peace process. The initiative aims to bring Iran back to the negotiating table after years of stalled discussions. The talks, facilitated by Qatar, are a significant development in the region as they seek to address longstanding tensions.The peace process had lost momentum in recent years, but Qatar's involvement signals a renewed push for diplomatic engagement. The talks are expected to focus on key issues that have hindered progress in the past.Qatar's role in facilitating these talks underscores its growing influence in regional diplomacy. The country has been actively involved in various peace efforts and has hosted several high-level meetings in recent years.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to a complex situation where multiple groups and individuals continue to engage in fighting. Despite efforts to broker peace, various armed groups remain active, pursuing their interests and agendas. The situation in Sudan remains volatile, with multiple factions vying for power and control. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with many civilians affected by the violence. Understanding the motivations and actions of these groups is crucial to grasping the dynamics of the conflict and potential pathways to peace. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, seeking ways to support a peaceful resolution.

Pope Leo XIV has strongly denounced a 'handful of tyrants' ravaging the Earth with war and exploitation, while preaching a message of peace in Cameroon, a region plagued by a longstanding separatist conflict. During his visit to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, Leo presided over a peace meeting involving leaders from various faiths, aiming to highlight the interfaith movement seeking to end the conflict and support its victims. In his remarks at the St Joseph Cathedral, Leo praised the peace movement and warned against using religion to justify conflicts. He emphasized that 'Blessed are the peacemakers!' but expressed concern over those who manipulate religion for military, economic, or political gain. The pope called for a 'decisive change of course' away from conflict and exploitation, stating, 'The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters!' His comments come amid an ongoing feud with US President Donald Trump, who recently attacked the pope on social media. The conflict in Cameroon has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 600,000 people since 2017. Cameroon, rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, cobalt, and gold, has seen its extraction industry dominated by French, English, and increasingly Chinese companies. The pope criticized the exploitation of these resources, saying, 'Those who rob your land of its resources generally invest much of the profit in weapons, thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death.' Despite a temporary pause in fighting by separatist fighters to ensure the pope's safe passage, the conflict shows no signs of resolution, with peace talks stalled due to mutual accusations of bad faith.