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Virgil van Dijk openly criticised Liverpool’s performance after a crushing 4‑0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter‑final, saying the side effectively "gave up" and offering a direct apology to the club’s supporters. The Dutch defender described the loss as the most severe under manager Arne Slot, noting that the timing of the defeat makes it especially hard to rebound for the Champions League first‑leg against Paris Saint‑Germain on Wednesday. Van Dijk pointed out that Liverpool allowed four goals in an 18‑minute spell around the break, a collapse that has contributed to the club’s tally of 15 defeats across all competitions this season (excluding the Community Shield). "It’s on us," he said, expressing remorse for the second‑half display and acknowledging the mental strain of a difficult campaign. He also took personal responsibility for the penalty that gave City the lead, marking his fourth spot‑kick conceded this season after 319 appearances for Liverpool. Regarding the manager, Van Dijk stated, "Slot is responsible as the manager, but we are the ones on the pitch." He added that the team let both the fans and themselves down, especially after the penalty incident. Looking ahead, the captain warned that the upcoming match in Paris will be "very difficult", but stressed that Liverpool must fight in the remaining three games to salvage the season. Van Dijk also reflected on a perceived loss of the "togetherness" that defined his years at the club, attributing it to a major squad overhaul and a transitional period that hampers consistency.

The Super League's potential takeover by the National Rugby League (NRL) could gain momentum as executives from the NRL prepare to meet in the UK to discuss the deal. The recent Rivals Round has showcased the league's exciting matches and drawn large crowds, highlighting its potential. Despite financial struggles, the Super League has demonstrated a strong on-field performance, with five teams level on points at the top of the table. This competitiveness, coupled with increased attendance - 13% higher than last year, presents a compelling case for the NRL's involvement. The NRL is considering covering the Super League's £2.1m salary cap as part of a potential deal, which could alleviate financial pressures on club owners. However, this would likely require them to relinquish control of the game. Wakefield's coach, Daryl Powell, noted that the league has never been more open, with multiple title contenders emerging. The recent matches, including a sell-out crowd for the Hull derby and St Helens' win against Wigan, demonstrate the growing interest in the Super League. While challenges remain, such as a shrinking player pool and expansion, the NRL's involvement could provide the necessary support to elevate the game. The Super League appears poised for a significant breakthrough, with the potential takeover talks gaining traction.

The historic Artemis II mission is on track to reach the far side of the moon on Monday, with NASA reporting satisfaction with the progress made since the team's launch on Wednesday. The crew, comprising three Americans and one Canadian, will break the record for maximum range from Earth.The astronauts, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen, are the first to bound for the moon in over half a century, picking up where the Apollo program left off in 1972. The mission aims to establish a permanent lunar base, with NASA targeting a landing by two crew members near the lunar south pole in 2028.During their journey, the crew has reported persistent issues with the Orion capsule's toilet, which has been malfunctioning since liftoff. Despite this, morale remains high, with the astronauts describing their experiences and sharing images of the moon's surface.The next significant milestone is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, when the astronauts will enter the lunar sphere of influence, where the moon's gravity will have a stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth's. If successful, the Artemis II crew will have traveled further from Earth than any human before.The mission promises breathtaking views of the moon's far side, which was too dark or difficult to see for the 24 Apollo astronauts who preceded them. The crew will observe the celestial body with their naked eyes and cameras onboard during the flyby, which will last approximately six hours.

The modern workplace is witnessing a surge in trends that prioritize flexibility and work-life balance over traditional productivity. Microshifting, coffee badging, and bare minimum Mondays are just a few examples of how employees are redefining what it means to work.Microshifting involves breaking the traditional 9-to-5 workday into short, flexible bursts of activity, allowing for a better work-life balance. Coffee badging, on the other hand, involves taking time out of the workday to protest an employer's in-office requirements by driving into the office, swiping a badge, having a coffee, and then taking more time out to drive back home.These trends are not new, and they have been referred to by other names in the past, such as 'taking the piss'. Other trends, like quiet quitting, career cushioning, quiet vacationing, task masking, quiet cracking, and resenteeism, all share a common trait: avoiding work.The question remains, whatever happened to actually working? When a company hires an employee to do a job, there is an implied assumption that the employee will actually do their job. However, these trends suggest that employees are not necessarily doing their jobs, and yet, they still expect to receive their paychecks.Employers often accuse employees of stealing money from them when they avoid work, but rather than addressing the issue directly, they often terminate the employee quietly. The article concludes that these trends have been beneficial for academics, journalists, HR teams, and workplace experts, but most employers see right through them.In a slowing economy and softening job market, the demand for workers with the right attitude, who work hard, display discipline, and get their jobs done, will always be strong. People who succeed are not microshifting, coffee badging, or working bare minimum Mondays; they are working, actually working.

Brighton pulled off a major upset in the Women's FA Cup quarterfinals, defeating Arsenal 2-0 at Borehamwood. The win extended Arsenal's wait for their first Women's FA Cup title in over a decade. Fran Kirby, a former Chelsea forward, played a crucial role in the victory, providing two assists.Madison Haley opened the scoring shortly after halftime with a superb finish into the top corner, and Caitlin Hayes sealed the win with a header from a deep Kirby corner. Arsenal, who had recently knocked out Chelsea in the Champions League, looked disjointed and below their best.In another match, Liverpool secured a semifinal spot with a scrappy 115th-minute goal from substitute Zara Shaw against Charlton Athletic. Shaw's goal came after a scramble in the box, marking her return to competitive action after a 12-month knee injury.Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor praised Shaw's determination, saying, 'What a story, Zara Shaw, eh? The way people speak about her at the club, it couldn’t have happened to a better person.'Charlton's head coach, Karen Hills, expressed pride in her team's performance, stating, 'I’m so proud of the group. The way they performed today, they were outstanding.'

PSV Eindhoven were crowned Dutch champions for the 27th time on Sunday, with five matches left in the season. This came after second-placed Feyenoord drew 0-0 with Volendam. The Eindhoven-based team bounced back from successive defeats with a 4-3 victory against Utrecht on Saturday, solidifying their position at the top of the table with a 17-point lead. Under the management of Peter Bosz, PSV quickly took control of the title race this season, dropping just four points before the winter break. This victory marks their third successive title for the first time since 2008. Feyenoord, the previous champions in 2023 under Arne Slot, now managing at Liverpool, were unable to catch up. Meanwhile, Dutch giants Ajax, who sit fifth this season, have gone four years without lifting the trophy. PSV's latest title guarantees them a place in the Champions League league phase next season.

In a heartwarming story of turning grief into passion, a German couple, Inka and Ralph Orth, have transformed their sorrow into a thriving patisserie, Patisserie Johanna, named after their daughter Johanna, who tragically passed away in a flood disaster.Johanna, a 22-year-old with a passion for baking, had completed her training as a certified master patissière and was about to open her own shop when her life was cut short in the 2021 Ahr valley flood in western Germany. The disaster claimed over 220 lives, and Johanna's body was found two days later in a parking garage.The Orths, who ran a residence for senior citizens that was destroyed in the flood, were left with unbearable grief. However, Inka found solace in baking, enrolling in a pastry academy and discovering a new passion. She met Marcel Reinhardt, a talented fellow student, and together they formed a business partnership that would become Patisserie Johanna.The patisserie, located in Hamburg's Unesco-listed warehouse district, has become a sensation, with an expanding team and a growing customer base. The shop is adorned with portraits of Johanna, and the couple's daughter is present in every aspect of the business. A lifesize bronze sculpture depicts Johanna with her beloved cat, and the shop's logo features a butterfly, a symbol associated with their daughter's enduring presence.Patisserie Johanna has become a pilgrimage site for parents who have lost children, with many visiting to deposit flowers or simply to connect with the Orths. The couple's story serves as a testament to the power of turning grief into something positive and celebrating the life of their beloved daughter.

Lincoln City's remarkable season has put them on the cusp of a historic promotion to the English Football League Championship. A draw or win in their upcoming match against Reading would confirm their place in the second tier for the first time in 65 years. Manager Michael Skubala has been instrumental in the team's success, implementing an innovative approach that has yielded impressive results.The team's 24-game unbeaten run in League One is a testament to their consistency and determination. Despite having the 17th biggest budget in the league, Lincoln City has been defying expectations and outperforming their opponents. Skubala's focus on teamwork, alignment, and a strong work ethic has been key to their success.Liam Scully, the club's chief executive, emphasizes that the team's approach is not about flashy tactics, but about being 'boringly consistent' and true to their roots. The club's innovative approach extends beyond the pitch, with initiatives such as an Elite Performance Centre and an innovation lab.The potential promotion has generated excitement among fans, but Skubala remains focused on the task at hand. He believes that the team's success is not just about individual talent, but about the collective effort and alignment throughout the club. With players like Conor McGrandles, Jack Moylan, and Reeco Hackett showing exceptional skill, Lincoln City is poised to make a strong impression in the Championship if they secure promotion.

A recent experiment with an autonomous AI agent, named Gaskell, has provided a glimpse into the capabilities and limitations of these emerging technologies. Gaskell, created by a team of individuals, was tasked with organizing a party in Manchester, which the author attended.Gaskell's autonomous nature was put to the test as it interacted with potential sponsors and event staff, showcasing both impressive abilities and significant limitations. The AI agent was able to secure a venue, arrange for catering, and even attempt to negotiate with vendors, although it ultimately failed to deliver on some promises, such as ordering pizza.The event itself was surprisingly ordinary, with around 50 attendees engaging in discussions about AI over beers and snacks. Despite some initial missteps, including a failed attempt to secure a venue at the Manchester Art Gallery, Gaskell's human employees were able to step in and ensure the event's success.Gaskell's limitations were evident in its inability to use a phone or credit card, highlighting the current constraints of autonomous AI agents. However, the experiment also demonstrated the potential for these technologies to autonomously manage complex tasks and interact with humans in meaningful ways.The author notes that Gaskell's capabilities, although imperfect, represent a significant step forward in AI development, and that similar experiments are likely to become more common in the future.