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Bayern Munich survived a fierce Real Madrid comeback to win 2‑1 in the Champions League first‑leg at the Bernabéu, marking their first victory in Madrid in 24 years. The decisive moments came from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, who scored before halftime.The opening goal arrived when Díaz finished a swift Bayern attack, followed shortly by Kane’s volley that doubled the lead. Real Madrid rallied when Kylian Mbappé reduced the deficit with a strike sixteen minutes from time, sparking a frantic final period.Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, at 40, made nine crucial saves, including a low dive to deny Mbappé and a fingertip stop on Vinícius Júnior. Despite a flurry of chances – the match featured 39 shots – Bayern’s defence held firm.Real Madrid’s efforts were hampered by the suspension of Aurélien Tchouaméni and the inability to convert several clear opportunities, such as a chance for Vinícius that hit the side‑netting after Neuer’s intervention.Post‑match, Bayern captain Vincent Kompany praised his side’s fearlessness, while former Real defender Álvaro Arbeloa warned that Madrid would return to Munich with renewed determination.The result sets up a high‑stakes second leg at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern will look to capitalize on their historic win, and Real Madrid will aim to overturn the deficit.

On Halloween night in 2022, the 33‑year‑old Los Angeles‑based musician Angelo De Augustine collapsed at home, experiencing a cascade of sensory failures that left him unable to see, hear or move properly. Family members rushed him to the hospital, where doctors ran extensive tests but could not pinpoint a diagnosis, ultimately sending him home with a warning to return only if he became completely deaf or blind. Faced with a semi‑incapacitated body, De Augustine’s sole focus became completing the album he had been crafting for the previous year, Toil and Trouble. He admits he believed he might not survive the illness, yet he pushed through the pain, hoping to finish the record before his presumed death. De Augustine’s career had been gaining momentum. After his 2014 debut Spirals of Silence, he joined Sufjan Stevens’ label Asthmatic Kitty for 2017’s Swim Inside the Moon and later co‑produced the acclaimed 2021 collaboration A Beginner’s Mind. A 2019 track, “Time,” from the album Tomb, amassed over 31 million streams after featuring in Zach Braff’s film A Good Person, but the artist was too ill to capitalize on its success. Recovery was gradual and arduous. Over three years De Augustine relearned basic functions—walking, speaking, hearing, and playing instruments. Those challenges informed his newest work, Angel in Plainclothes, an album that contemplates mortality and the fleeting nature of life through ethereal soundscapes. Musically, the record draws on influences ranging from Nick Drake’s wistfulness to early Paul Simon’s lyricism. Tracks such as “Spirit of the Unknown” celebrate simple joys, while the lead single “Mirror Mirror” uses a reflective metaphor to describe his feeling of being a ghost watching life from the sidelines. He records from a studio he calls “A Secret Place,” emphasizing the intimate, introspective tone of the project. Recent research, De Augustine notes, suggests that chronic stress can overload the central nervous system, causing the body to shut down—a possible explanation for his 2022 episode. He points to the relentless pressures of the music industry as a likely source of that prolonged anxiety. Born to musical parents—his mother Wendy Fraser sang on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack—De Augustine originally pursued soccer before injuries redirected him toward music. Largely self‑taught, he began writing original material without formal lessons, a factor he believes gives his songs a distinctive edge. During his convalescence he moved back in with his mother, unable even to prepare meals. A breakthrough came when he discovered that immersion in water alleviated his symptoms, prompting a deeper awareness of his stress levels. A disciplined regimen of physical and mental exercises helped rewire his nervous system, gradually restoring his ability to play guitar and sing. When his health permitted, De Augustine returned to the studio, this time enlisting collaborators such as string arranger Oliver Hill, harpist Leng Bian, producer Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), and his mother on percussion. Drummer Jonathan Wilson contributed drums and offered his Topanga Canyon studio for the track “The Cure,” a song that likens illness to addiction. The album’s sonic palette is enriched by antique instruments—a bowed psaltery, aquarion, Marxophone, bass recorder, train whistle, 1960s German guitaret, miniature accordion, and a 1990s synthesiser version of a Japanese koto harp—underscoring De Augustine’s penchant for unconventional textures. After a five‑year hiatus from live performance, he returned to the stage last year, describing the experience as “amazing” despite its challenges. Though he acknowledges he is not yet fully healed, he feels he is emerging as a blend of his former self and a newly humbled individual who no longer takes life for granted. Reflecting on his journey, De Augustine says, “For so long my only focus was to be a great songwriter, and perhaps I paid the price for that. Now I’m trying to live a good life rather than chase outcomes.” Angel in Plainclothes was released via Asthmatic Kitty on 24 April, offering listeners a glimpse into his renewed perspective and artistic resilience.

The Guardian’s latest coverage highlights that a deadline imposed by former President Donald Trump on Iran is once more drawing near. This development underscores the persistent diplomatic pressure surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and the broader U.S.–Iran relationship. While details of the specific terms remain limited, the looming deadline signals continued uncertainty in the region’s security landscape.

The recent profanity-laden warning from US President Donald Trump to Iran has sparked renewed concerns about his behavior and the potential consequences of his actions. Trump's threats to carry out mass bombing of civilian infrastructure have been widely criticized, with many calling for his removal from office.One possible route for removal is the 25th amendment, which has been invoked by various politicians, including Senator Chris Murphy. However, the US system makes it incredibly difficult to remove a president, and it is unclear whether this method will be effective.The author suggests that if the 25th amendment cannot be used, an unconventional solution could be to replace Trump with an AI president. While AI is problematic, the author argues that it could be an upgrade from Trump's current behavior.The article also highlights the broader issues with the US political system, including the difficulty of removing incumbent politicians and the concerns about the mental acuity of some politicians, including Trump and Senator Dianne Feinstein.Ultimately, the author concludes that something needs to be done to address Trump's behavior and the potential consequences of his actions. Whether through the 25th amendment or an unconventional solution like an AI president, the author argues that the situation requires urgent attention.

Joey Barton appeared by video link from Liverpool prison at Liverpool Crown Court to deny assaulting a man outside a north‑west England golf club.During the plea hearing, the 43‑year‑old former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch on 8 March.The court noted that Barton’s co‑defendant, Gary O’Grady, was not required to enter a plea at this stage.Earlier proceedings revealed the defendants had been drinking with Lynch at Huyton & Prescot Golf Club before the alleged attack, after which Lynch, a former non‑league football manager and founder of the special‑education NexGen Academy, suffered serious eye injuries.Judge Andrew Menary scheduled a trial for 1 September, estimating the case will span seven days. The 15‑minute hearing also addressed administrative matters.Barton remains remanded in custody, while the judge renewed conditional bail for O’Grady, who was supported in court by several family members.In his playing career, Barton earned a single England cap and also featured for clubs such as Rangers and Marseille.

The notion that space exploration is pointless is gaining traction, and for good reason. As the world grapples with pressing crises, the urgency to address them on our own planet grows. The idea of venturing into space, once driven by the possibility of encountering little green people, now seems less compelling.The "Where is everybody?" paradox, first posed by physicist Enrico Fermi in 1950, remains a profound question. If intelligent life exists elsewhere, why has it not made contact? The author's conclusion is that there is no intelligent life out there, and that our planet is unique in its beauty.The latest moon mission has sparked renewed debate, with many people taking offense to the idea that space exploration is unnecessary. Some argue that it stifles innovation and modernity, while others point to the technological advancements that have come from space exploration. However, the author counters that many of these advancements have been used for military purposes, and that the focus on space exploration detracts from more pressing issues on Earth.The author, Zoe Williams, a columnist for The Guardian, emphasizes that her criticism is not directed at the astronauts themselves, but rather at the financial outlay and energy expenditure dedicated to space travel. She questions whether the United States, in particular, has bigger priorities to address, such as domestic issues.

In a marked escalation, Israeli airstrikes have intensified across Lebanon while ground forces push further into contested zones. The renewed bombardment underscores a deepening of the offensive, raising concerns about broader regional stability and civilian impact.

Majdi Aslan, a 54‑year‑old WHO driver, was killed on Monday when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle carrying World Health Organization staff in eastern Khan Younis. Several other passengers, including a WHO doctor, sustained injuries.The incident occurred near the so‑called yellow line on Salah al‑Din Street, an area that has seen near‑daily Israeli strikes since a fragile ceasefire was brokered in October. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in the renewed wave of violence.According to Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, Israeli forces fired indiscriminately at people and vehicles traveling along the road. A civilian commercial vehicle was followed by a car transporting WHO personnel; the WHO driver was hit in the head and later pronounced dead at Al‑Aqsa Hospital, while roughly seven others were wounded.WHO did not immediately confirm the victim’s employment but issued a statement saying a “critical security incident” had occurred and that medical evacuations from Gaza via the Rafah crossing were suspended with immediate effect. The organization has been coordinating limited patient transfers through Rafah since the crossing reopened earlier this year.The suspension comes as Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid entry and has repeatedly closed the Rafah crossing, especially as the broader U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran draws international focus. The halt threatens the already strained access to life‑saving treatment for thousands of injured Palestinians.Elsewhere on Monday, a Palestinian man with special needs was killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Khan Younis, a drone strike in Gaza City claimed a 36‑year‑old civilian, and two more Palestinians died in drone attacks on the Yarmouk and Shujayea neighborhoods. Hospital sources say eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli air strikes outside areas under Israeli control since Sunday.

The Grand National continues to be a major highlight in the horse racing calendar, with its enduring popularity and cultural significance in the UK. Despite ongoing concerns about horse welfare, the event has seen a decrease in serious injuries and fatalities in recent years, thanks in part to modifications made to the course.The Grand National has a long history dating back to 1839 and remains one of the most-watched and highly bet-on events in the sport. While animal rights groups continue to criticize the race, citing concerns over horse safety, the sport's governing bodies have implemented various measures to minimize risks.In recent years, there has been a steady reduction in the number of fallers in the National, with data showing a decline from 8-8-4-4-6-4-5-4-4-0-3 fallers between 2014 and 2025. The 2024 and 2025 runs, with easier fences and a maximum field of 34, recorded the lowest and third-lowest numbers of fallers this century.Despite these improvements, fatalities still occur, and the RSPCA has called for lessons to be learned from recent incidents, emphasizing that 'one death is too many.' The organization has highlighted the need for continued vigilance and improvement in horse welfare and safety protocols.The racing community continues to evolve, with jockeys and trainers working to balance the thrill of competition with the imperative of protecting the animals involved. As the sport prepares for upcoming events, including the Grand National, there is a renewed focus on safety, welfare, and the integrity of the sport.