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Match details: Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 12 April, 4:30 pm BST (15:30 GMT). Live coverage and pre‑match analysis will be available on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:30 GMT. City sit second in the Premier League, trailing league leaders Arsenal by nine points after Arsenal played one more game. A win at Chelsea could shrink the gap to six points, and a victory for Arsenal over Bournemouth on Saturday would widen the gap to twelve, putting immense pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side to collect maximum points. Chelsea, currently sixth, are desperate to reignite their push for a top‑five finish that guarantees Champions League football next season. They sit just one point behind Liverpool, who occupy the final European spot. Guardiola warns of zero‑margin for error Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola admitted City’s season has been “inconsistent” and stressed that the squad must win every remaining match to retain any chance of clinching the title. He highlighted the demanding run of fixtures ahead, beginning with the Chelsea trip and followed by a home clash with Arsenal on 19 April. “We need to win all of them; otherwise we won’t have a chance to fight until the end,” Guardiola said, acknowledging points dropped earlier in the campaign. Bernardo Silva’s future remains uncertain Midfielder Bernardo Silva, a six‑time Premier League champion with City, is in the final year of his contract. Guardiola expressed a personal desire to keep the Portuguese international at the club but admitted he does not know the player’s decision. “I’m a bit grumpy because I wasn’t informed of his plans,” the manager said, praising Silva’s competitiveness and importance in big‑match moments. Enzo Fernández excluded despite apology Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernández will remain on the bench for the Sunday fixture, even after the Argentine apologised for comments that questioned his future at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior emphasized the club’s collective values, stating, “Football is a team sport, not about individuals,” and hinted that Fernández could feature again after this match. Chelsea’s Champions League ambition Rosenior reiterated confidence in his squad’s ability to secure a top‑five finish, noting that despite a recent dip in form, the team has consistently created problems for opponents. Historical head‑to‑head The two clubs have met 181 times in competitive fixtures: Chelsea have won 71, City 68, with 42 draws. Notably, Chelsea have not beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final. Recent encounters (last 10): 04 Jan 2026 – Man City 1‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 25 Jan 2025 – Man City 3‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 18 Aug 2024 – Chelsea 0‑2 Man City (Premier League) 20 Apr 2024 – Man City 1‑0 Chelsea (FA Cup semi‑final) 17 Feb 2024 – Man City 1‑1 Chelsea (Premier League) 12 Nov 2023 – Chelsea 4‑4 Man City (Premier League) 21 May 2023 – Man City 1‑0 Chelsea (Premier League) 08 Jan 2023 – Man City 4‑0 Chelsea (FA Cup third round) 05 Jan 2023 – Chelsea 0‑1 Man City (Premier League) 09 Nov 2022 – Man City 2‑0 Chelsea (League Cup third round) Team news – Chelsea Rosenior confirmed centre‑back Levi Colwill has returned to training after a serious knee injury, though he remains a selection risk. Right‑back Reece James is training after a hamstring issue. Defender Trevoh Chalobah and winger Jamie Gittens are still sidelined. Predicted starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Pedro. Team news – Manchester City Defender Rúben Dias continues to recover from a muscle problem and is unavailable. Josko Gvardiol remains out with a tibial fracture sustained in January. Predicted starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland. The outcome of this clash could dramatically reshape the Premier League title race and determine whether Chelsea can keep their Champions League aspirations alive.

At least seven Palestinians have been killed and others wounded in Israeli strikes across the central and southern Gaza Strip. An Israeli drone fired two missiles close to a police post in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, killing and wounding several people.Medical sources confirmed the early morning attack to Al Jazeera, saying the strike hit a group of civilians in the 'Block 9' area of Bureij. Several people were killed and seriously wounded, they said.Ambulance crews faced difficult conditions as they worked to transport the bodies and those injured to nearby hospitals, the sources added. The al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza received six bodies and seven wounded people, including four in critical condition.Separately, in the southern Gaza Strip, Nasser Medical Complex received three wounded people following an Israeli drone strike against a tent of displaced people in the town of Bani Suheila, located east of Khan Younis.Al Jazeera's correspondent on the ground also reported Israeli artillery shelling and heavy tank fire near Bani Suheila and east of Gaza City.Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed more than 72,300 people since it began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, including at least 738 since the so-called ceasefire went into effect last October.The tally includes at least 32 deaths since the start of April alone – among them Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah, who was killed in an attack west of Gaza City earlier this week.United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned Israel's recent violence in the Gaza Strip, saying that 'the unrelenting pattern of killings' reflects Israel's 'sweeping impunity'.Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers and forces stormed homes and villages throughout the morning, continuing an escalating campaign to expand their illegal settlements.

On the eve of significant diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran, Pakistan's ambassador has shared insights with Al Jazeera. The discussions come at a critical juncture in international relations, with global implications for diplomacy and geopolitics.The ambassador's comments highlight Pakistan's interest in the developments, given its strategic position in the region. As tensions between the US and Iran continue to influence the global landscape, Pakistan's perspective adds a valuable layer to the conversation.

Al Jazeera’s analysis by Trita Parsi, published on April 10, 2026, raises a pressing concern: is the US‑Iran ceasefire already doomed? The article invites readers to scrutinise early warning signs that could undermine the fragile truce.While the piece does not present new data, it underscores the strategic importance of the ceasefire for both Washington and Tehran, noting that any breakdown could reverberate across the broader Middle‑East diplomatic landscape.Parsi’s questioning of the ceasefire’s durability serves as a reminder that peace agreements, especially those involving long‑standing rivals, require constant vigilance and robust mechanisms to prevent a rapid slide back into conflict.

Despite a supposed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, thousands of families are still unable to bury their loved ones six months into the agreement. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has left about 10,000 Palestinians missing and believed to be buried under collapsed buildings.An internationally mediated agreement was signed between Israel and Hamas on October 10, 2023, aiming to end the conflict. However, for many, the war has not ended. The United Nations reports that Israeli bombardment has generated over 61 million tonnes of rubble in the besieged Gaza Strip.Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary spoke to a Palestinian father, Abu Mohammed, who survived an Israeli attack but lost four of his children. He has been trying to retrieve their bodies for three years but faces significant challenges due to the massive concrete slabs and lack of heavy equipment.The ceasefire has not allowed heavy machinery into Gaza to begin recovery efforts and reunite families. According to Mahmoud Basal, Gaza's civil defence spokesperson, nothing has entered Gaza except limited equipment for retrieving Israeli captives. Across Gaza, thousands remain buried, with at least 50 bodies trapped beneath the rubble in one apartment block in Bureij.Conditions on the ground have barely shifted six months into the ceasefire. Families continue to wait as bodies are not yet recovered, and Israeli attacks persist. Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 738 people have been killed and 2,036 wounded. Authorities have recovered 759 bodies from the rubble.Israel's actions in Gaza have resulted in over 72,317 Palestinian deaths and 172,158 wounded. Despite the ceasefire, Israel still occupies more than half of the Gaza Strip, having levelled most buildings in these areas and forced residents out.

US‑Iran peace talks convened in Islamabad are encountering massive hurdles, according to Al Jazeera on April 10, 2026. The report highlights the difficulty of bridging divergent positions, underscoring the fragile state of diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

Zohran Mamdani celebrated his 100‑day anniversary as New York City’s mayor amid a backdrop of frigid crowds at City Hall and a historic milestone: the city filled 100,000 potholes in just over three months. The 32‑year‑old Democratic socialist, the first Muslim mayor of the United States’ wealthiest city, framed his early tenure as a test of whether a platform built on affordability could be translated into concrete governance. His administration’s headline achievement is the launch of a universal childcare initiative. Partnering with Governor Kathy Hochul, the mayor secured $1.2 billion from the state’s 2026 budget—funds drawn from existing revenue streams rather than new taxes—to add 2,000 daycare seats in low‑income neighborhoods. Sign‑ups for two‑year‑old slots will open in June, with allocations announced by August. “One in four New Yorkers lives in poverty, and after housing, childcare costs are pushing families out of the city,” Mamdani told Al Jazeera, underscoring the program’s role in curbing a citywide affordability crisis. Parallel to the childcare rollout, the mayor’s pothole‑filling campaign has become a symbolic win. By early April, crews had patched the 100,000th pothole, a move Mamdani described as proof that the city can handle “the smallest tasks in New Yorkers’ lives” before tackling larger challenges. However, the administration faces criticism on several fronts. Snowstorm responses earlier in the year exposed gaps in emergency planning, prompting Mamdani to acknowledge the need for better tools to manage “bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks.” A newly released cost‑of‑living index revealed that 62 % of New Yorkers cannot afford basic expenses, with families on average falling nearly $40,000 short of a sustainable budget. The burden is especially acute for communities of colour—77 % of Hispanic and 65 % of Black residents are financially strained. Fiscal conservatives, such as Manhattan Institute adjunct EJ Mahon, argue that New York already imposes the highest tax rates on millionaires in four decades, warning that further “tax‑the‑rich” rhetoric could drive wealth out of the city. Local commentator Aria Singer echoed this concern, suggesting that aggressive tax hikes might prompt billionaires to relocate, undermining job creation. Housing remains a central battleground. Rents have risen roughly 25 % since 2019, and while Mamdani’s proposal to freeze rents would affect only about half of the rental stock, his administration is pushing an aggressive construction agenda to increase supply and stimulate competition. Political dynamics add another layer of complexity. The mayor’s ability to raise taxes or fund ambitious projects hinges on Governor Hochul’s approval, as the city lacks autonomous authority over most tax levers. Moreover, initiatives like free city buses require cooperation with the state‑run Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Strategist Adin Lenchner of Carroll Street Campaigns cautioned that sustained grassroots pressure will be essential for Mamdani to translate his agenda into lasting policy, noting that even former President Barack Obama struggled to maintain such momentum. Beyond policy, Mamdani has confronted a surge in xenophobic incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim communities, including a vehicle attack on a Brooklyn Jewish centre and an alleged ISIS‑inspired explosive device outside his Gracie Mansion residence. He condemned the violence, emphasizing that “such acts are antithetical to who we are.” As the 100‑day mark passes, the mayor’s focus has shifted from the symbolic cold of his inauguration to the practical heat of governing a city that demands tangible results. While potholes may seem minor, Mamdani argues they are a litmus test for public trust: “If we can’t fix the pothole you hit every day, how can you trust us with bigger challenges?”

The United States team landed in Islamabad on Friday, gearing up for Saturday’s planned cease‑fire talks with Iran aimed at pausing the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran conflict.New friction erupted on Friday when senior officials from both sides exchanged conflicting accounts of a 10‑point Iranian proposal that underpinned Tuesday’s temporary pause in hostilities.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on X that two critical measures—a cease‑fire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets—remain unfulfilled, insisting they must be addressed before negotiations can proceed.Ghalibaf, who is slated to attend the summit alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, echoed the Iranian military’s joint command warning that its “fingers are on the trigger” after what it described as repeated “breaches of trust” by the United States and Israel.Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric, telling the New York Post that the U.S. is loading ships with the “best weapons ever made” and will employ them “very effectively” if a deal is not reached. In subsequent Truth Social posts, he dismissed Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz as a “short‑term extortion” and claimed the Iranians are “alive today only to negotiate.”The Trump administration credits Tuesday’s cease‑fire agreement with averting a larger U.S. escalation, yet it has not disclosed the exact framework agreed upon, noting it differs from Iran’s published 10‑point plan.Analysts point to substantial gaps between the parties on several fronts: Iran’s future control of the Strait of Hormuz, the status of frozen Iranian assets, the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program, and Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon.U.S. and Israeli officials assert that a Lebanese cease‑fire was never part of the deal, contradicting Iran and Pakistan’s position. Nonetheless, President Trump told an Israeli reporter that he urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make Israeli operations against Hezbollah “more low‑key” ahead of the talks.Israeli strikes continued, killing at least 300 people nationwide on Wednesday—the deadliest day of the offensive—while Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported no slowdown in southern Lebanon’s fighting. Kuwait also reported intercepting seven drones launched from Iran into its airspace within 24 hours.Despite the heightened rhetoric, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism, stating he expects a “positive” outcome from the negotiations and that he has received “pretty clear guidelines” from President Trump. Vance emphasized that the United States is ready to extend an “open hand” to Iran if it negotiates in good faith, but warned that any attempt to “play us” would meet a “non‑receptive” negotiating team.Vance’s leadership reflects a non‑interventionist strand of the Trump administration, stepping in as Iran’s trust in special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner has eroded. Witkoff and Kushner previously headed two rounds of indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear program, both of which collapsed—first after Israel launched a 12‑day war on Iran in June 2025, and again after the latest war erupted on February 28.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah was killed in an Israeli strike and has been laid to rest. The incident occurred on April 9, 2026 at 16:43:59 UTC. Details about the circumstances of his death and the aftermath are still emerging.