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Israel’s military announced plans to bomb the Sohmor and Mashghara bridges spanning the Litani River in the western Bekaa Valley, stating they are being used by Hezbollah. The threat comes as Israeli forces intensify a ground invasion that began in early March. Al Jazeera reporter Obaida Hitto described the two spans as “the main arteries for goods, for people, for movement” between the rest of Lebanon and the western Bekaa. He warned that their destruction would effectively isolate the western Bekaa, making it extremely difficult for residents to reach the hub of Chtoura, hospitals, and other essential services. According to the same source, Israel has already demolished at least six other bridges over the Litani River since the offensive escalated in early March, signalling a systematic effort to sever transport links. Human‑rights organisations have condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, arguing that the strategy appears designed to isolate the region and contravene international humanitarian law. The deepening ground operation, announced last week, also includes plans to raze “scores of residential homes,” raising further concerns about the scale of civilian displacement. On Friday, the South Lebanon Water Establishment reported that Israeli strikes damaged critical water facilities in Ibl al‑Saqi and al‑Maysat, and impaired solar‑power installations at several stations. The authority called the attacks a “clear and explicit violation of all international conventions and norms” protecting civilian services. In the same wave of violence, the National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that four people were killed across Lebanon on Friday, including two worshippers exiting a mosque in the western Bekaa town of Sahmar. Since the conflict erupted on 2 March, more than 1.2 million people have been forced from their homes, according to UN data. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health cites a death toll of 1,345 and over 4,000 wounded nationwide. The fighting has also claimed the lives of at least three United Nations peacekeepers this week, with two additional peacekeepers seriously injured after an explosion near a UN position in al‑Adaissah. UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel urged all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers, emphasizing that combat activities must not endanger UN personnel.

Italy’s national team confirmed that head coach Gennaro Gattuso has left his post "by mutual consent" after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.The Italian Football Federation issued a statement on Friday, thanking Gattuso for his "dedication and passion" during the nine months he oversaw the side.Italy’s hopes were dashed on Tuesday when a penalty‑shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff ended their tournament aspirations.In his farewell note, Gattuso wrote, "With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we set for ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national team to be over." He added that the Azzurri shirt is "the most precious asset in football," and that an immediate technical review was warranted.Appointed in June on a one‑year contract, Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti after Italy’s 3‑0 opening defeat to Norway. Under Gattuso, Italy won five consecutive group matches, but Norway’s superior goal difference forced a playoff route.Historically, Italy has stumbled at the playoff stage for the past two World Cups, losing to Sweden and North Macedonia. This campaign seemed promising after a 2‑0 semifinal victory over Northern Ireland, yet the team surrendered a 1‑0 lead in the Bosnia match and ultimately fell in the shootout.The coaching change follows a turbulent week for Italian football leadership: federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned, and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stepped down as the national team’s delegation chief.Analysts note that Gattuso’s exit underscores the pressure on Italy to restore its status among Europe’s elite. The federation now faces the task of appointing a successor capable of rebuilding a squad that has missed three consecutive World Cups.

Kuwait has been hit by Iranian missile and drone strikes, targeting a crucial power and desalination plant, as well as the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery. The attacks, which occurred on Friday, have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. The power and desalination plant was struck before midday local time, with the extent of the damage still unknown. The plant is critical for Kuwait's water supply, as the country is highly dependent on desalinated water. An Indian national was killed in a similar attack on March 30, and Iran denied claims it launched the attacks, blaming Israel instead. The Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, was targeted in early morning drone strikes, resulting in fires in several operational units. No employees were injured, but emergency and firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene, and environmental authorities monitored the area for air quality. The attacks are part of a broader escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets. The United Arab Emirates' defence ministry reported that it had intercepted 19 ballistic missiles and 26 drones on Thursday alone, while Saudi Arabia destroyed a drone in its airspace overnight. Iran's army spokesperson warned of impending attacks on regional power plants, while US President Donald Trump warned of intensifying strikes on Iran's infrastructure. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about the potential for further attacks and the impact on regional stability.

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a 43-point blow to the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating them 139-96 in a game that will be remembered for its one-sidedness and the injury to Luka Doncic. The Thunder's fourth consecutive win and 16th victory in 17 games showcased their dominance, while the Lakers' four-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, complemented by Luguentz Dort's all-around performance and Jalen Williams' impressive stats of 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Thunder controlled the game from the outset, building a double-digit lead within four minutes that never dipped below nine points thereafter.The game's most concerning moment came when Luka Doncic suffered a strained left hamstring in the second half. The Lakers' star player will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the extent of the injury. Doncic's night was already off, as he missed his first four field goals and finished with just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting, tied for his second-lowest scoring game of the season.The Lakers' worst loss since November 2023 was compounded by the fact that they were outplayed in every facet. Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 points, but it was a night to forget for the team as a whole. The Thunder's 139 points were the most surrendered by the Lakers this season, highlighting their defensive struggles.

In a pulsating Friday night showdown, Northampton Saints held off a resilient Castres Olympique side to clinch a 49‑41 victory and book a place in the Champions Cup quarter‑finals.Castres were hampered by discipline, receiving three yellow cards – two within a three‑minute spell in the first half and another ten minutes from the break – and missed three of six conversion attempts, leaving valuable points on the board.Saints, however, kept the ball alive, launching an attack on every possession. They crossed the try line seven times, including a penalty try, with fly‑half Anthony Belleau successfully slotting six conversions.The French side struck first when wing Christian Ambadiang capitalised on a scrum‑half kick to score in the corner after just seven minutes. He added an early intercept try and later forced a penalty try after pulling Saints winger James Ramm over the line, earning himself a yellow card.Discipline continued to bite Castres when second‑row Guillaume Ducat was sin‑binned for a high‑impact collision with Saints flanker Henry Pollock. Even with a numerical advantage, Castres struggled to retain possession, conceding a penalty that scrum‑half Jérémy Fernandez converted.Early in the second half, Saints broke the deadlock with a try from Josh Kemeny, followed by a score from Tommy Freeman nine minutes later, widening the gap.Castres fought back when centre Tyler Ardron intercepted a pass to touch down, but a subsequent handling error by Saints’ Santiago Arata prevented a further Castres try. Saints responded with a rapid interception by Vuate Karawalevu, though the try was disallowed for a prior knock‑on. The Saints then exploited defensive lapses, with George Furbank and James Ramm each adding scores.In the closing stages, Castres’ Vilimoni Botitu found the line, yet a yellow card for Veresa Ramototabua’s high tackle and a late try from Fraser Dingwall sealed the Saints’ win. The victory propels Northampton, last year’s losing finalists, into a quarter‑final clash against either Bath or Saracens.

The 2026 County Championship kicked off on Good Friday, 3 April – the earliest start in the tournament’s 140‑year history. Surrey’s captain Rory Burns was run out just ten minutes into the day’s play at Edgbaston, setting a new record for the competition’s earliest dismissal. Despite a modest crowd of around 800 spectators and roughly 4,000 viewers on YouTube, the match featured a heavyweight lineup: nine current England Test players were named in the Division One clash, underscoring the Championship’s status as the premier development arena for the national side. Surrey’s top six have all earned England caps, fueling expectations that the club could secure a fourth title in five seasons. Yet the opening session was anything but smooth. Burns fell early, followed by Jamie Smith, who managed only nine runs before being dismissed. A sharp edge from Ethan Bamber and an lbw to Ollie Pope (20) further rattled the home side. Dom Sibley provided a glimmer of resistance with an unbeaten 21 off 81 balls, but the team slumped to a precarious 65 for six. The turning point arrived when Ben Foakes and fast‑bowling all‑rounder Tom Lawes combined for a 155‑run partnership – a Surrey club record for the seventh wicket. Foakes, a seasoned England fringe player, smashed a commanding 128 runs, while Lawes contributed a career‑best 83 off 121 balls, stabilising the innings and shifting momentum. Chris Woakes and medium‑fast seamer Ethan Bamber added valuable overs, but it was the Foakes‑Lawes stand that propelled Surrey to a total of 328 all out, setting a competitive target for Warwickshire. While the season’s early start may raise logistical questions, the match demonstrated why the County Championship remains the crucible for England’s future stars, blending veteran internationals with emerging talent in a fiercely contested opening day.

Timeforshowcasing delivered a stunning victory in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on Friday, defying odds that drifted to 25‑1. Trainer‑owner Charlie Johnston, who also collected a share of the prize money, said the win could fast‑track the filly into Classic company at either Newmarket or the Curragh next month.The Listed mile race featured a strong field of colts and geldings, but the filly settled comfortably before accelerating at the furlong pole and holding off a late surge from Padraig Dawn by a neck.“All day I’ve been thinking, ‘what do people know that I don’t?’ because this filly worked last Thursday and I thought she was in phenomenal order,” Johnston explained. “She started at 6‑1, drifted to 10‑1, then 16‑1 and finally won at 25‑1. I backed her twice – I couldn’t believe how much she drifted.”Timeforshowcasing now has entries for both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas. Johnston added, “She won’t be out of place in a Guineas, albeit she’d have a bit to find. If the big guns clash at Newmarket, the Irish Guineas might be an option – she won with a bit of dig in the ground at Goodwood last year.”The article also referenced the rapid rise of American Affair, who moved from a Scottish Sprint Cup win to the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot within three months, underscoring the potential for a similar breakthrough. Meanwhile, Jer Batt (3.42) emerges as a strong contender at around 6‑1, having been a close runner‑up to American Affair a year earlier and now carrying a 7‑lb lower mark after a winter wind operation.Other notable horses highlighted for upcoming meetings include Strength Of Spirit (Musselburgh 1.25), freshly gelded and poised for further progress, and the lightly‑raced Midnight Gun (Musselburgh 1.55), who remains fairly weighted on the pick of his best form from last season.Additional betting tips note that Al Qareem (Musselburgh 2.30) is a warm favourite for a 13th career win, while We’re Red And Blue (Haydock 2.12) offers a good chance to confirm recent improvement, and Walden (Haydock 2.46) appears overpriced despite a strong Ascot performance earlier in the year.

The Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos are set to reignite their historic rivalry in Super League on Friday, marking the return of a fixture that defined the competition's early years. The two West Yorkshire clubs, separated by just 15 miles, have a long-standing and intense rivalry that has been missed in recent years.Legendary figures such as Lesley Vainikolo, known as 'The Volcano' for his incredible try-scoring record, and Jamie Peacock, who captained Bradford to the 2005 title before joining Leeds, have expressed their excitement for the fixture's return. Vainikolo, now director of rugby at Wesley College in New Zealand, will be watching the game with great interest, having starred in the derby during the early 2000s.Robbie Hunter-Paul, the long-serving captain of Bradford, recalled the significance of the rivalry, stating that it was 'genuinely the closest thing you could get to a Grand Final.' The fixture's importance extends beyond the clubs themselves, with Jamie Peacock emphasizing that 'you need your rivals and you need your enemies: that's sport.'The return of this rivalry is also significant for Super League, as it features two of the competition's biggest brands. With only four English cities represented in the league, the Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos fixture has 'huge cut-through on a wider scale than most others in the competition,' according to Peacock.

After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the County Championship returns on Good Friday with renewed vigor, its schedule finally settled and the controversial three‑year Kookaburra ball trial abandoned.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now trialling a full‑substitute system in domestic matches. Unlike the traditional “covering fielder” approach, a player can be replaced by a fully‑playing substitute for injury, illness or significant life events such as the birth of a child or a family health crisis.Alan Fordham, the ECB’s head of cricket operations, highlighted the change: “Most seasons we get three or four questions about a player being replaced to witness the birth of a child… the answer will now be yes.” He also recalled the Blair Tickner incident, where the New Zealander’s wife was diagnosed with leukaemia during a match, forcing him to continue playing with a ten‑man side.The substitute scheme is being tested at the ICC’s request, which asks member boards to experiment domestically before considering a similar rule for Test cricket. By allowing replacements for personal emergencies, the ECB has moved further than counterparts in India, Australia and South Africa.To curb potential abuse, any player replaced for illness or injury must observe an eight‑day “stand‑down” period before returning. Derbyshire head coach Mickey Arthur praised the intent but warned of loopholes, noting that the rule does not account for bye weeks, season‑ending fixtures or the transition from red‑ball to white‑ball cricket.Following a disappointing Ashes winter, the ECB is keen to restore the Championship’s relevance. Managing director Rob Key signalled that England‑team places are no longer guaranteed, urging county coaches and players to re‑engage.England head coach Brendon McCullum, speaking to counties via Zoom, stressed the competition’s value for talent identification, especially for players adept against high pace and spin. He also announced the return of Troy Cooley as the ECB’s pace‑bowling lead.Test captain Ben Stokes backed the message, urging players to seize the early weeks of the Championship as a platform for national selection: “It’s a great opportunity for a lot of people around the country… use it to push your case forward.”Enthusiasm is palpable across the counties. Glamorgan, back in Division One for the first time since 2005, aim to showcase their spinners. Lancashire chase promotion despite the late loss of Mitch Perry, while Surrey, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire marshal their senior talent. Even clubs hit by setbacks—Leicestershire, plagued by injuries and the sudden withdrawal of captain Peter Handscomb, and Sussex, docked 12 points before the season began—remain determined as they kick off their fixtures at Grace Road.