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Matt Brittin, Google's former top executive in Europe, has been selected as the next director general of the BBC. Brittin, who stepped down as Google's president in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa last year, will replace Tim Davie at a critical juncture for the corporation. The 57-year-old's appointment was confirmed after a BBC board discussion on Thursday. Brittin, a former Olympic rower and Doctor Who fan, is seen as a substantial figure capable of diving straight into crucial government talks over the renewal of the BBC's royal charter. However, his lack of editorial experience has been noted by insiders, who worry about his ability to deal with the periodic crises that occur at the corporation. The BBC is now expected to create the role of deputy director general to support Brittin, with a new head of BBC News also to be appointed. Brittin expressed his excitement about the role, stating: “Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast-changing world.” Samir Shah, the BBC's chair, praised Brittin's experience, saying he had “deep experience of leading a high-profile and highly complex organisation through transformation”. The appointment comes after some early favourites for the role dropped out or declined to apply amid concerns that scrutiny and political attacks aimed at the BBC have made leading it one of the hardest jobs in public life. Brittin's lengthy career at Google will also be significant in his new job, particularly as the BBC lays out plans to save considerable costs using a new tech division and forges a new relationship with YouTube, which is owned by Google. The licence fee model is also under pressure, with more people opting not to pay.

Wales coach Craig Bellamy has urged his team to stay calm and focused ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt's approach to high-pressure situations, Bellamy emphasized the need for his players to remain relaxed and composed under pressure.Bellamy, who has been in charge of Wales for nearly two years, believes that his team has the ability to perform at their best when they are calm and focused. He cited their seventh-ranked possession statistics in European countries since he took over, highlighting their ability to control games. The team has also shown resilience, with Ethan Ampadu deputizing for injured captain Ben Davies.The prize for success in the playoff is a spot at successive World Cups, which would not only bring prestige but also a significant financial boost and a positive impact on grassroots football in Wales. Bellamy is aware of the challenges posed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, having researched their background, culture, and squad composition. He noted that 11 of their 35-man squad were born in Bosnia, while the others come from the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden.Bellamy expressed his confidence in his team's abilities, stating that “there won't be any regrets” regardless of the outcome. He emphasized that his team will give their all and that he is prepared for all possible outcomes. The coach also highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and not letting pressure get to them, saying, “If you can't enjoy this and you only feel pressure, you ain't made for elite sport.”Wales' last experience in a playoff ended in pain, with Wojciech Szczesny being Poland's hero. However, Bellamy is determined to build a team capable of competing for top spot in qualifying and avoiding the need for playoffs in the future.

Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has urged his team to complete the job of qualifying for the World Cup, saying they have a duty to lift the country. The Republic visit the Czech Republic on Thursday in a World Cup playoff semi-final.Coleman believes that recent history, including painful playoff defeats in the past, will be forgotten in Prague. He emphasized that the current team, led by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, has the confidence and momentum to end a 24-year absence from the World Cup.The team has been allocated only 1024 tickets for the semi-final, but Coleman insists the Republic will not be intimidated in Prague. He added that the team's recent wins over Portugal and Hungary have lifted the country and given people something to talk about.Coleman's confidence was shared by Hallgrímsson, who recently extended his contract with the Football Association of Ireland until the end of the Euro 2028 campaign. The Czech Republic pose a conundrum ahead of the semi-final, with Miroslav Koubek taking charge of the national team.

Japan will begin releasing its largest-ever oil reserves this week, according to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The decision aims to cushion the country against possible energy shortages triggered by the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and its impact on tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The government has approved the release of 15 days' worth of private-sector reserves and will start releasing state-owned reserves on Thursday. This move follows concerns that the conflict in the Middle East will continue to disrupt oil supplies. Japan, a resource-poor nation with a significant economy, imports over 90% of its crude oil from the Middle East, making it particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions in the region. The release includes about 80 million barrels of stockpiled oil, equivalent to 45 days of domestic demand. This is 1.8 times the quantity made available after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in 2011. As of last year, Japan held reserves of approximately 470 million barrels of oil, enough for 254 days of domestic consumption. In addition to the oil reserve release, the government has introduced subsidies for fuel products to cap gasoline prices at about ¥170 ($1.10) per liter. This move comes after the average retail price of gasoline reached a record ¥190.8 per liter. The subsidies will be reviewed weekly based on oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz crisis has also triggered concerns among Japanese consumers about the availability of essential goods, including toilet paper. In response, the trade and industry ministry has advised consumers against hoarding toilet paper, urging them to make rational purchasing decisions based on accurate information.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which begins on Thursday and lasts until Tuesday. The decision was made amid weeks of deadly violence between the neighboring countries.Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that the ceasefire was requested by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. He stated that Pakistan is offering this gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms.However, Tarar also warned that if there are any cross-border attacks, drone attacks, or terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, military operations will immediately resume with renewed intensity.The Taliban government in Afghanistan also confirmed that it would temporarily suspend military operations against Pakistan.The ceasefire comes after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of killing hundreds of people in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul. Pakistan has strongly rejected these claims, stating that it only targets terrorist infrastructure and military locations.The United Nations reported 143 deaths in the incident at the Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility. The conflict has led to repeated cross-border clashes and air strikes inside Afghanistan, despite international calls for a ceasefire and concerns about a widening displacement crisis.The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged all parties to de-escalate and prioritize peace and health, noting that at least six health facilities in Afghanistan have been affected by the violence since late February.The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the temporary truce as a positive gesture that contributes to de-escalation and promotes calm between the two sides. They hope the pause in fighting will pave the way for a return to a sustainable ceasefire agreement that spares civilian lives and achieves security and stability.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has taken a significant turn as foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim countries gathered in Riyadh for urgent discussions. The meeting, which included representatives from 12 countries, aimed to muster a common response to Iran's increasing retaliation against US assets and infrastructure in the region.The talks were held as Iran targeted several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in retaliation against Israel's strike on the South Pars gasfield, Iran's biggest source of energy. This escalation comes after a series of Israeli assassinations of top Iranian security officials.The joint statement issued on Thursday confirmed that the countries present at the meeting, including Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, asserted the right of states to defend themselves, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter on defensive action.The foreign ministers condemned deliberate Iranian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones that have struck various targets, including residential areas, water desalination plants, oil facilities, airports, and diplomatic positions. They called on Iran to:Halt its attacks.Stop "provocative actions or threats" aimed at its neighbours.Cease supporting, financing, and arming pro-Iran proxy groups based in Arab states.Refrain from actions or threats aimed at blocking the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.The meeting yielded a unified response to Iran's increasingly unpredictable behaviour, but the joint statement was vague about how countries would follow this up. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized his country's right to defend itself and hinted that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would act if necessary, adding that they have "very significant capacities and capabilities that they could bring to bear should they choose to do so".The Iranian leadership's response to these developments remains unclear, with New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei having not been seen in public since his appointment. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying that Iranian forces had responded to the "deceiving and lying enemy" that had targeted energy facilities in the country, and that they had "entered a new phase of warfare" to defend Iran's infrastructure.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was welcomed by UK's King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, marking the first state visit by the leader of Africa's most populous nation in nearly four decades.The visit, which concludes on Thursday, highlights the deep cultural and commercial links between the UK and Nigeria, with trade between the two countries currently at a record high.During the visit, Tinubu and his wife were greeted with artillery salutes and shown items from the UK's colonial rule of Nigeria, which ended in 1960. A lavish state banquet was also held in their honor.The Nigerian presidency described the visit as a 'renewed chapter' in UK-Nigeria relations, reflecting a shared commitment to 'advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties'.Tinubu is also expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Nigerian community in the UK. Notably, the visit went ahead despite a deadly bombing in northeastern Nigeria's Borno State on Monday, which killed 23 people and injured over 100.

Muslim communities around the globe observed Eid al-Fitr on Friday, signifying the conclusion of the sacred month of Ramadan, during which devotees abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk. The culmination of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, heralding the onset of Shawwal. However, variations in moon sighting practices lead to discrepancies in the timing of Eid celebrations across different countries. In several nations, including Mali, Niger, and Afghanistan, Eid al-Fitr was observed on Thursday, whereas in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, it was celebrated on Friday. This joyous occasion, which extends over two days, is distinct from Eid al-Adha, which occurs during the Hajj pilgrimage. Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr commences with congregational prayers in open spaces, providing an opportunity for families and friends to unite for collective prayers and festivities. The celebrations this year are overshadowed by conflicts and instability in numerous Muslim-majority countries. In Iran, the ongoing war has resulted in widespread disruptions, while regions in the Gulf have experienced repercussions from escalating tensions. The United Nations reported that over one million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks. Furthermore, Sudan has evolved into the world's largest humanitarian crisis as the conflict enters its third year.

The Iranian women's football team was given a hero's welcome in Tehran on Thursday after returning from the Asian Cup in Australia, where some players had sought asylum. The team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, was greeted by several thousand people in Valiasr Square, waving Iranian flags and cheering.Earlier this month, six players and one backroom staff member sought asylum in Australia, prompting criticism from hardliners in Iran for not singing the national anthem before their first match. However, five of them later changed their minds and returned home with the rest of the team.Activists accused Iranian authorities of pressuring the players' families, including summoning their parents for interrogation, while Tehran alleged that Australia sought to force the athletes to defect. Iranian football federation President Mehdi Taj said on stage, “These athletes are loyal to the homeland, flag, leader and revolution.”The welcome ceremony featured a giant billboard with the slogan “My Choice. My Homeland” and a screen projecting AI-generated images of the players pledging loyalty to the Iranian flag. The team also sang the national anthem, a central feature of the ceremony.Two squad members remain in Australia, but the rest of the team, including the five who initially applied for asylum, arrived in Iran on Wednesday after a long journey home via Malaysia, Oman, and Turkiye. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told the team, “All Iranians were waiting for you; welcome to Iran.”