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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is facing criticism from parents of learning‑disability cricketers who say the board has permitted non‑disabled players to compete in the Disability Premier League (DPL), jeopardising the league’s role as the top feeder for England’s mixed‑disability side.Parents of former England internationals Jai Charan and Alex Jervis claim their sons were replaced by players who do not meet the ECB’s learning‑disability (LD) criteria. An anonymous parent estimates that 12 of the 64 players drafted in December were not disabled, a figure that, if accurate, would represent a significant breach of the league’s purpose.The DPL is intended to be the pinnacle of the pathway to the England Mixed‑Disability team. Under the ECB’s affiliation with Virtus – the global federation for athletes with intellectual impairments – any cricketer seeking an LD spot must demonstrate an IQ of 75 or below, as assessed by an educational psychologist.Owen Jervis, volunteer manager of Yorkshire’s disability team, alleges that several neurodiverse athletes have been fielded despite failing the LD assessment. He notes that most neurodiverse players would not satisfy the eligibility thresholds, citing professional bowler Em Arlott, diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2023, as an example of a mainstream player with a neurodiverse profile.While the ECB is not legally bound to apply Virtus rules to a domestic competition, critics argue that the inclusion of non‑disabled players undermines the league’s integrity. “You can’t call it a Disability Premier League if the players aren’t disabled,” said Tracey Jervis.Another parent highlighted that his son, a learning‑disability cricketer, is now confined to county disability cricket rather than mainstream county cricket, where many England‑qualified players develop. He warned that the DPL has become an “old‑boys’ club” where selection is driven by personal connections rather than merit.The shift to a mixed‑disability format – combining learning, physical and deaf impairments in the same squads – has further reduced available spots. Parents claim that players without a qualifying LD are occupying key batting and bowling positions, relegating genuine LD athletes to peripheral roles such as fielding or carrying equipment.Owen Jervis raised these concerns with Richard Hill, the ECB’s events and competition manager for disability cricket, in September 2024. Hill acknowledged “several challenges” linked to high‑functioning conditions and said the ECB was drafting an action plan, though Jervis says the situation has worsened.Jai Charan, who debuted for the England LD team in 2023 and holds the DPL’s best bowling average and strike‑rate, and Alex Jervis, a decade‑long LD representative and three‑time LD Ashes winner, were reduced to non‑playing roles in the 2025 season. Charan’s father, Shanial Charan, expressed his disappointment: “My son has the best stats in the league yet he isn’t selected – it feels like discrimination within disability cricket.”The ECB responded that the DPL offers top‑level competition for 60 mixed‑disability players annually, with a strict quota for physical, learning and deaf impairments, making selection highly competitive. It acknowledged ongoing debates about eligibility and indicated a review slated for 2027 to potentially adjust criteria.

UConn’s last‑second victory over Duke – a freshman buzzer‑beater by Braylon Mullins – will be replayed for years, but the post‑game scene stole the headlines. Coach Dan Hurley approached referee Roger Ayers and touched the official’s forehead while staring intently at him, an act some social‑media users labeled a “head‑butt.”Ayres later told ESPN the incident was “absolutely nothing,” and officials chose not to assess a technical foul that could have given Duke two free throws with 0.4 seconds left. Hurley later claimed he believed Ayers was trying to “chest‑bump me to celebrate.”This was not Hurley’s first brush with controversy. Earlier in March he was fined for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after confronting an official during a game against Marquette, and he has previously taunted opponents and warned Baylor players after a loss to Florida.While many fans describe Hurley as “passionate” or “fiery,” the episode raised a broader question: would a Black coach receive the same leniency? Tennessee State’s Black head coach Nolan Smith responded to a video of the incident on Instagram, joking, “I’ll never try this. I’ll be coaching in Pelican Bay,” and then noting that a Black coach would likely be labeled out of control or even handcuffed.The concern is not hypothetical. In 2025 Tuskegee coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed by police while trying to calm a heated situation, an outcome many argue would have been unlikely for a white counterpart. Similarly, veteran white coach Rick Pitino survived a major scandal involving an assistant’s escort‑paying scheme and continues to coach at a high‑profile program, a trajectory that would be far less probable for a Black coach in the same circumstance.These examples illustrate what the author describes as a systemic double standard that extends beyond the basketball court, echoing broader societal patterns of white privilege. The piece juxtaposes the flawless public image demanded of Black leaders like Barack Obama with the comparatively permissive treatment of white figures such as Donald Trump, whose legal and personal controversies have not barred him from the highest office.By linking these disparate cases, the article argues that the rules governing behavior and accountability differ for Black individuals across American institutions, including college sports, and that this disparity continues to shape careers and public perception.

The UK steel industry is facing a significant threat to its survival due to a 'back door' loophole in new trade rules, which could result in job cuts and factory closures. The loophole allows pre-made steel parts, such as bridge sections, columns, and door frames, to enter the UK tax-free, undermining the government's efforts to protect British manufacturers.Earlier in March, the UK government announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and cut the amount that can be bought from abroad in an attempt to protect Britain's struggling steelmakers. However, industry bosses argue that the measures do not go far enough, as they only target imports of raw steel and leave pre-made steel products untouched.The loophole has been criticized by industry leaders, including Simon Boyd, managing director of Reidsteel, who stated that it would 'undo what the government's trying to do to protect steelmaking' and 'kill the downstream customers of steelmakers in the UK off'. The UK steel industry employs around 10,000 people and has suffered decades of job losses.The wider network of downstream manufacturers that turn steel into finished products is estimated to support 300,000 jobs. However, the industry is under significant pressure from rising energy costs and the threat of cheap imports. The government's new rules are expected to incentivize buyers to follow suit, as they will push up the price of UK-produced steel.A government spokesperson said that their steel strategy is protecting UK producers, with robust new measures applying to all steel products that can be made in the UK. However, industry leaders argue that more needs to be done to prevent job losses and factory closures.

The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through the UK economy, causing gilt yields to surge to their highest levels since the 2008 global financial crisis. This increase in borrowing costs has significant implications for Chancellor Rachel Reeves' fiscal policy, potentially eroding the £23bn in 'headroom' she had built up against her fiscal rules.Reeves had hoped that this cushion would allow her to focus on tackling inflation and stimulating growth, but with oil prices up 50% since the onset of the war, investors are now expecting higher inflation and interest rates. As a result, the government's cost of borrowing is set to rise, impacting its ability to fund public spending.The yield on 10-year gilts has jumped to nearly 5%, pushing up the cost of borrowing and forcing Reeves to reconsider her spending plans. This development has also raised concerns about the UK's economic fragility and the potential for a Labour leadership contest to be triggered after the May local elections.Economists warn that the chancellor has probably already lost a third to half of her headroom due to the combination of higher inflation, weaker employment, and surging gilt yields. The situation is further complicated by the UK's high debt levels and reliance on global markets, leaving little room for maneuver for any future government.The implications of this crisis extend beyond Reeves, raising questions about the economic pitch of any potential steward of the economy, whether from Labour or other parties. As Angela Rayner considers John Healey as a potential chancellor, the need for a carefully plotted economic policy that balances growth and fiscal responsibility has become increasingly urgent.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has convened a critical meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, against a backdrop of global economic turmoil and rising protectionism. The organization is facing the threat of a 'disorderly collapse' if it fails to strike a new deal on global trade rules.WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that the old 'world order' is not returning, following a year of turmoil marked by US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies, including sweeping tariffs.“We will not get it back … We must look to the future,” Okonjo-Iweala said, emphasizing the need for a new approach. The global trading system is experiencing the 'worst disruptions in the past 80 years'.The US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, defended Trump's policies, stating that they were a 'corrective response' to a trading system that had overseen 'severe and sustained imbalances'. Greer argued that the 'new world order' would involve agreements between smaller groups, rather than waiting for consensus on a 'lowest common denominator'.The US is critical of the WTO's 'most-favoured nation' (MFN) principle, which governs 72 percent of global trade. China, however, defended the system, warning that abandoning MFN would open a 'Pandora's box'.The European Union signaled its desire to rethink MFN, citing concerns about China. UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant warned of potential fragmentation if no deal is reached on reforms, stating that ministers must 'get this week right' to avoid a 'disorderly collapse of the WTO'.

UK car production experienced a significant decline in February 2026, with 17% fewer cars rolling off production lines compared to the same period in 2025. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), this downturn is attributed to a sharp drop in exports, which fell by 12% overall.The industry is sounding the alarm, describing the situation as 'extremely worrying.' Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, emphasized that these figures pre-date the crisis in the Middle East, which is expected to further strain the sector. The ongoing conflict has led to soaring global energy prices, potentially denting consumer demand and exacerbating the decline.UK carmakers are facing challenges in key markets, including China, where demand has cratered due to the rise of domestically made competitors. Additionally, US tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have put pressure on UK manufacturers. Exports to the EU did see a 5% increase, but this was offset by a 34% decline in exports to the US and a 66% plunge in exports to China.The production of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid cars also experienced a decline, falling by 3% to 26,629 units. Despite this, these vehicles accounted for 40% of total output.The industry's current challenges stand in stark contrast to the UK government's ambitions, as outlined by Labour, to have 1.3 million vehicles manufactured annually by 2035. This target is nearly double the 764,715 cars and vans produced in 2025.The SMMT has warned that if the UK is not fully included in the EU's proposed 'Made in Europe' manufacturing rules, European sales could take a hit. The Japanese carmaker Nissan has threatened to close its Sunderland plant if these rules are introduced, citing potential damage to the £70 billion-a-year cross-channel trade.

McLaren is looking to turn their disappointing start to the season around at the Japanese Grand Prix. The team, led by Lando Norris, has faced significant challenges with their new car, struggling to match the pace of Mercedes and Ferrari.After Mercedes dominated the opening two rounds, McLaren found themselves third fastest but a significant distance off the pace. The team acknowledged they had work to do on the aerodynamic side of the chassis and on understanding how best to exploit their new engines under the power management rules.Lando Norris remains optimistic about McLaren's chances, despite the difficult start. 'I believe we can get close but I also know how good Mercedes are,' he said. 'They've obviously got on the right track early and have understood the car better than we have been able to do.'Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, has shown promise in practice sessions, setting a strong pace in the afternoon session at Suzuka. The team is hopeful that they can capitalize on Ferrari's struggles with power deployment on the demanding figure-of-eight circuit.The Japanese Grand Prix represents another test for F1's new rules on energy recovery, which will play a key role in how the drivers approach a lap. Suzuka is a much-loved drivers' circuit that combines a requirement for inch-perfect judgment with a reward for pushing to the limit.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new eligibility policy for female category events at the Olympics, excluding transgender women athletes from competing in women's sports. This decision aligns with US President Donald Trump's executive order on sports, which aims to keep biological males out of women's sports.The IOC's policy, set to take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, requires a mandatory gene test once in an athlete's career to determine eligibility. The test screens for the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome, which initiates male sex development.According to the IOC, biological males have a performance advantage of 10-12% in most running and swimming events, and at least 20% in most throwing and jumping events. This advantage can be greater than 100% in explosive power events, such as punching sports.The policy change has been met with criticism from human rights experts and activist groups, who argue that the mandatory gender screening is invasive and discriminatory. The IOC has stated that the policy aims to protect "fairness, safety, and integrity in the female category."Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion runner from South Africa, has been a prominent figure in the debate over female eligibility. The IOC's policy document details its research on the physical advantages retained by biological males, which it believes are retained even after transitioning.The US Olympic body has updated its guidance to national sports bodies, citing an obligation to comply with the White House's executive order. President Trump signed the order in February 2023, pledging to deny visas to athletes attempting to compete at the LA Olympics if they do not comply with the new rules.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – For over a decade, Sanjeet, a business consultant from India, considered Malaysia his home. Having grown comfortable with the country's climate, people, and lifestyle, he had begun planning long-term investments, including property purchases.However, recent government initiatives to reduce Malaysia's reliance on foreign workers have abruptly disrupted these plans for Sanjeet and thousands of other expatriates. Starting June, minimum salary requirements for foreign workers will increase by up to 100%, while their maximum permitted stay will be limited to five or ten years."What was surprising was that this came out of the blue," Sanjeet, who requested to use a pseudonym, told Al Jazeera. "It does leave room for doubt in terms of long-term plans, which include things like buying a house or car here."Malaysia has long been an attractive destination for foreign labor, with approximately 2.1 million documented foreign workers currently in the country. While many take on manual labor at the minimum wage of 1,700 ringgit ($430) monthly, a smaller but significant pool of around 140 highly-paid expatriates contributes substantially to the economy.In 2024, Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution revealed that these high-salaried expatriates injected about 75 billion ringgit ($19 billion) into the domestic economy annually while contributing approximately 100 million ringgit ($25 million) in taxes.The government's latest five-year national strategy, released in 2025, warns that Malaysia's "continuous reliance" on low-skilled foreign workers has hampered technological adoption and created "ripple effects" in the labor market, including wage distortions and slow productivity growth.To address these concerns, authorities aim to reduce the foreign workforce proportion from 14.1% in 2024 to just 5% by 2035. This ambitious target is supported by new minimum salary requirements that will see thresholds increase from 10,000 to 20,000 ringgit ($2,500 to $5,000), 5,000 to 10,000 ringgit ($1,260 to $2,520), and 3,000 to 5,000 ringgit ($760 to $1,260) for different work permit categories.UK native Thomas Mead, a 28-year-old wealth manager who recently purchased property in Kuala Lumpur, expressed shock at the sudden policy changes. "However, the jump from RM10,000 to RM20,000 was quite a shock," he said, noting that some expatriates are already considering relocation options despite their reluctance to leave.The policy changes are also raising concerns among businesses. Douglas Gan, a Singaporean founder of a venture capital fund with Malaysian portfolio companies, warned that the new rules would drive up costs and make it challenging to recruit specialized talent. "If salaries increase to 10,000 ringgit, companies definitely won't bring them here," he said, advocating for a more tailored approach rather than a "blanket solution."Leonardo, an Indonesian professional working in Malaysia's computer games sector, faces downgrading to a lower employment pass category under the new rules, potentially jeopardizing his plans to bring his mother to live in the country. "My mum is alone and living in Indonesia. There was a thought that if I could settle here, I could bring her over," he said.Economic analysts caution that the success of these policies depends on Malaysia's ability to develop its local workforce. "The long-run gain depends less on blocking expats and more on whether Malaysia can actually supply the skills," said Wan Suhaimie, head of economic research at Kenanga Investment Bank. He emphasized that foreign workers on mid-tier employment passes are not extravagant hires but "core managers, engineers and specialists."Anthony Dass, CEO of FSG Advisory, noted that while the measures align with strengthening the local talent pipeline, their effectiveness will depend on complementary reforms in capability building and industry upgrading.As these policies take shape, expatriates like Sanjeet are already considering alternatives. "If Malaysia pursues these policies without a comprehensive rationale, then people like me will look for alternatives such as Vietnam, Thailand and elsewhere, which have favourable policies for expats," he concluded.