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Frenchman Herve Renard has been sacked as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America. Renard, 57, had returned for a second spell as Saudi coach at the end of 2024, having led them at the last World Cup four years ago in Qatar.“That’s football … Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me,” Renard told the news agency AFP on Friday. “And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride.”Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner with Zambia and the Ivory Coast, was in charge of Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before being replaced by Italian coach Roberto Mancini. He served as coach of the France women’s team from 2023 to 2024 and reached the quarterfinals of both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.Georgios Donis, a former Greece international, is reportedly being lined up as the man to take over from Renard. Saudi Arabia are in Group H at the 2026 World Cup, alongside two former champions, Spain and Uruguay, and debutants Cape Verde. All their group games are scheduled to be played across the United States.The Arab nation has made six World Cup appearances, with a round of 16 finish in 1994 in the US their best result thus far. They suffered a group-stage exit in the last World Cup in 2022 but made headlines worldwide with a shock 2-1 group win over eventual champions Argentina. Saudi Arabia is also due to host the 2034 World Cup.

Air Canada announced a temporary pause on a handful of routes departing from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, attributing the decision to sharply rising jet‑fuel costs. The suspension comes as airlines worldwide grapple with fuel price spikes triggered by the ongoing US‑Israel war with Iran. Although the Strait of Hormuz reopened earlier this month, easing some oil‑price pressure, jet‑fuel costs remain markedly higher than before the conflict. In a related development, Spirit Airlines has appealed to the U.S. government for emergency financing worth hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate its own fuel‑price surge, according to industry source reports. Air Canada explained that jet‑fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, rendering several lower‑margin routes financially untenable. The carrier said it is implementing “schedule adjustments, including frequency reductions,” to preserve overall network viability. Effective June 1, the airline will halt one Montreal‑to‑New York flight and three Toronto‑to‑New York flights, with service slated to resume on October 25. Additional temporary suspensions include the Salt Lake City‑Toronto corridor, which will be paused from June 30 and is not expected to return until 2027, as well as a postponed launch of a Guadalajara‑to‑Montreal service. Air Canada estimates the changes will impact about 1 % of its total passenger‑carrying capacity. Affected passengers will be offered alternative travel options, with the airline continuing to operate to LaGuardia and Newark airports 34 times daily across six Canadian cities. The move mirrors broader industry pressures: British low‑cost carrier easyJet projects a pre‑tax loss of £540‑£560 million for the six‑month period ending March, while Australian airlines Qantas and Virgin Australia have announced fare hikes and reduced flight frequencies. Moreover, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe possesses only six weeks of jet‑fuel reserves, raising concerns that further supply disruptions could trigger additional flight cancellations.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial vessels, a statement that raised hopes for de‑escalation in the Middle‑East conflict and sent global oil prices tumbling. President Donald Trump took to social media to celebrate the news, proclaiming it a "great and brilliant day for the world" and asserting that Iran had pledged never to shut the strategic waterway again. Trump also claimed that Tehran had agreed to suspend its nuclear programme indefinitely and would forfeit any frozen U.S. funds, suggesting that a deal‑making session could occur over the upcoming weekend. In contrast, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) offered only qualified support for Araghchi’s declaration, indicating that commercial traffic would be permitted only along a prescribed route and under IRGC naval permission. The United States, however, signalled that its naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force until all transactions are completed, warning that few vessels are likely to risk passage under the current uncertainty. Oil markets reacted swiftly: Brent crude slipped below $90 per barrel, easing inflationary pressures that had surged after the strait’s earlier closure. Simultaneously, a ten‑day truce in Lebanon entered its second day, temporarily halting Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah‑aligned forces and offering a brief respite to civilians after weeks of intense fighting. Despite the truce, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed a civilian, and Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated that the Israeli Defence Forces were not withdrawing and could resume operations. In Paris, representatives from roughly 40 nations gathered at a conference co‑chaired by France and the United Kingdom to discuss a coordinated plan for safeguarding the strait, which historically carries about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Araghchi’s statement but urged a "full, unconditional reopening" by all parties, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for any reopening plan to be "lasting and workable". The International Maritime Organization’s secretary‑general, Arsenio Domínguez, said the agency is reviewing the announcement to ensure it complies with the principle of free navigation for all merchant vessels. Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, acting as a key mediator, arrived in Tehran to advance negotiations for a more durable peace, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in the region. Overall, while the Hormuz opening has eased immediate market pressures, the broader geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire set to expire soon and regional actors still poised for further confrontation.

The relationship between comedy and politics has always been complex, but during Donald Trump's presidency, it has become increasingly clear that satire may not be enough to combat the enormity of his actions. While comedians like Stephen Colbert have made it their goal to remind audiences of reality, there is growing concern that political comedy may be having the opposite effect, allowing people to laugh away the severity of the situation.Weak mockery of authoritarian leaders can have unintended consequences, as it may permit them to solidify their power while appearing more relatable or human. This phenomenon has been referred to as 'clownwashing,' where comedy sanitizes the targets of satire rather than challenging their actions.However, comedians and writers argue that humor can be a powerful tool for social commentary and change. By using comedy to deflate the image of a strongman and challenge societal norms, comedians can create a 'persuasion window' that allows people to reconsider their opinions and take action.Effective comedy can penetrate people's psyches and create a sense of safety, allowing them to reconsider their views without feeling defensive. For example, costumes worn at anti-ICE protests have been used to ridicule the agency and challenge its actions, making it harder to maintain a narrative of serious law enforcement.Ultimately, the article suggests that comedy must be used thoughtfully and strategically to challenge systems of power and promote change. While personality-driven satire may be entertaining, it may not be enough to combat the slippage toward totalitarianism. Instead, comedy must ruthlessly target policies and systems to create a more just and equitable society.

Oil and gas prices experienced a significant decline of almost 10% on Friday following Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping. This development could pave the way for tankers carrying millions of barrels of oil and gas to access the global market.Iran's foreign minister stated that vessels are free to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by 9% to $90 a barrel, while the benchmark European gas contract dropped by about 8.5% to €38.80 (£33.80) per megawatt hour.The US naval blockade on Iran's use of the strait remains in full force, according to Donald Trump, until a deal is reached with Tehran. Trump expressed optimism that the process will move quickly, as most points have already been negotiated.The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted supplies of Middle Eastern crude and gas, as well as refined fuels from Gulf refineries, in what the International Energy Agency has described as the biggest energy supply crisis in history. Before the crisis, over 130 ships a day travelled through the strait, but this has reduced to a trickle under threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.There are currently around 800 tankers stuck in the Gulf, with about 300 being oil and gas tankers. It remains uncertain whether tankers will be required to pay a fee of about $2m (£1.5m) for safe passage through the strait.Analysts, such as Giovanni Staunovo from UBS, view Iran's comments as a sign of de-escalation, but emphasize the need to see a substantial increase in the number of tankers crossing the strait.

Witold Banka, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has emphasized that India's massive production of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is a significant challenge in the fight against doping. With India being the largest producer of PEDs globally, Banka stresses that curbing their production is vital to protecting athletes and maintaining the integrity of professional sports.Banka and his team have been working closely with Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to disrupt the supply chain of PEDs and dismantle the networks of racketeers and agents involved in their distribution. WADA's Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN) initiative has been instrumental in this effort, with 250 raids worldwide, 88 illicit labs dismantled, and nearly 90 tonnes of PEDs seized since 2022.India's doping problem is particularly concerning, with the country topping the list of global sports drug cheats for three consecutive years. In 2024, India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples, out of which 260 tested positive. This has raised concerns about the country's Olympic ambitions, particularly with India preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and potentially bidding for the 2036 Olympics.However, Banka believes that the focus should shift from testing athletes to targeting the suppliers of PEDs. He advocates for a top-down strategy, working with law enforcement agencies to disrupt the criminal networks involved in PED production and distribution. This approach aims to strengthen India's anti-doping system and prevent future doping cases.Banka also emphasized that India's doping statistics do not necessarily impact its ability to host major sporting events. Instead, the focus should be on how effectively the country's anti-doping system works from a legal perspective. WADA's role as a global anti-doping regulator is to assess and ensure the integrity of these systems.

In the rugged Hindu Kush mountains of eastern Afghanistan, hundreds of men are scouring the rocky Kunar riverbed for precious gold dust, creating a livelihood amid limited economic options.Against the backdrop of towering peaks, some still snow-capped in April, workers labour near the Pakistan border, seeking valuable flecks that could change their fortunes in a country plagued by low wages.Near Kharwalu village in Kunar province – with its mud-brick homes and terraced wheat fields – men excavate dry sections of the riverbed before washing their rocky hauls with river water.Delawar, 45, joined these gold prospectors after leaving his construction job seven hours from his Kabul home. “There are not many job opportunities in the country, and in this way, we have created work for ourselves,” said the father of eight who uses only one name.“The gold nuggets we find are usually smaller than a grain of wheat,” he added.In nearby Ghaziabad, hundreds chip away at the mountainside with picks, carrying heavy sacks down steep slopes to empty onto sieves for gold filtration.Others use yellow jerrycans attached to long wooden handles to pour river water over sieves, allowing smaller, potentially gold-bearing stones to slide onto mats. After two additional siftings, gold nuggets occasionally appear in metal pans.Gul Ahmad Jan, 35, claims the work can be lucrative. “We can get up to about 1gm of gold,” worth approximately 8,000 Afghani ($125) in just one week, he said.Afghanistan’s natural resources remained largely unexploited during decades of conflict, though a Kunar official told the AFP news agency that gold panning has occurred there for more than 10 years.

A devastating fire has engulfed the largest of Australia's two oil refineries, operated by Viva Energy in Geelong, Victoria. The blaze, which began on Wednesday night, had been brought under control by Thursday noon. The refinery, which processes 120,000 barrels of oil per day, accounts for approximately 10% of Australia's fuel production.The fire was triggered by a gas leak that ignited, sending flames as high as 60m (200 feet) into the air. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the blaze without it spreading to other parts of the plant, which produces high-octane petrol, jet fuel, and diesel.The incident comes at a critical time for Australia, which relies on imports for 80% of its fuel needs. The country is racing to replace supply disrupted by the Middle East conflict, which has driven up energy prices worldwide. Fuel security is a growing concern in the Asia Pacific region, with Australia lacking major stockpiles.In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia had secured an additional supply of 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea. The government has urged Australians to avoid panic-buying fuel and to conserve petrol where possible.Australia's fuel reserves stand at approximately 38 days' worth of petrol, falling short of the 90-day minimum recommended by the International Energy Agency. The country is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen shipping traffic cease since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran.

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazil’s intelligence agency, was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on Wednesday, ending a brief detention that began after a traffic stop in Orlando, Florida.Far‑right Brazilian commentator Paulo Figueiredo confirmed the release in a post on X, stating simply, “Alexandre Ramagem is free.” A source from Brazil’s federal police, cited by Reuters, also verified the news.Ramagem, who was sentenced in September 2025 to 16 years in prison for his involvement in a coup attempt supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro, fled Brazil before beginning his term. He allegedly crossed into Guyana illegally before boarding a flight to the United States.In the United States, he was initially detained for a minor traffic violation in Orlando and subsequently transferred to ICE – a routine procedure in Florida, according to Figueiredo. The former intelligence chief also has a pending asylum application, complicating the legal landscape.The Brazilian government has long sought his return. The Brazilian embassy in Washington, D.C., filed an extradition request with the U.S. Department of State on December 30, 2025. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly urged Washington to hand Ramagem over so he can serve his sentence.Despite the extradition request, ICE has not commented on the release, and Ramagem’s name was removed from the agency’s online detention list as of Wednesday.Ramagem’s conviction also led to his removal from Brazil’s Congress in December 2025, underscoring the political fallout of the coup case. The episode highlights ongoing diplomatic friction between Brazil and the United States, especially as the two nations navigate cooperation on security, immigration, and legal cooperation.For context, former President Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27‑year prison term for related offenses, a case that has drawn international attention, including past criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump.