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The Simeone Legacy Continues At the beginning of the final training session before their biggest game in a decade, Atlético Madrid's players lined up by the centre circle at the Metropolitano and waited for their coach to come. Diego Simeone arrived and ran through the middle of them, from Juan Musso and Jan Oblak at one end to Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman at the other. As he passed, head down, they cheered and hit him – if not quite as hard as they do when it's a player's turn. Gauntlet run, applause echoed round the empty stadium. Happy birthday, mister. Simeone turned 56 on Tuesday. He has spent almost 20 of those here: first as the captain who won the double, then the coach who lifted Atlético's next league title, 18 years on, and now leads them into his fourth and their seventh European Cup semi-final, nine years since the last. What do you get the man who has it all? "Buah! You can't imagine how good it is to be in the four best teams in Europe," he said after the quarter-final; "I have no birthday wish," he said before this semi-final, "just pure gratitude to be able to be with my three sons on my birthday, with my two daughters, my mum, my wife, my lifelong friends." From Ballboy to Professional One of the sons was hidden in the crowd somewhere, hitting him. The day that Simeone bade farewell to the Vicente Calderón as a player in December 2004, he carried his youngest son, two-year-old Giuliano, in his arms. The days before he came back to Madrid as coach in December 2011, he stopped in a cafe in Mar del Plata and, over a croissant and a glass of milk, asked Giuliano, then eight, what he thought. "You're going to coach [Radamel] Falcao?!" the kid replied, excitement giving way to reality. "But … if it goes well, you won't come back." It did and he didn't, but that was all right. Fourteen years later, Giuliano's dad is still there – no manager in Spanish history has lasted longer – and now so is he. Born in Italy in December 2002, Giuliano grew up in Argentina with his elder brothers, Giovanni and Gianluca, but they visited often and their dad visited them too. They would eat "together" via an iPad on matchday mornings. Football was their thing, of course, bound by a shared passion. Glasses would be moved round the table in formation and they would find bits of paper all over the house, Gio recalled: tactical scribblings their dad did. The Making of a Footballer During celebrations after Atlético's 2012 Europa League title, Simeone Sr was caught on camera excitedly talking on the phone: "And did you see Falcao's goal?!" On the other end was Giuliano. The night Atlético won the Copa del Rey in 2013, it was a school night, too late, but the brothers went through the usual routine at home, scarves draped around the room. When Atlético won the derby in January 2015, a tiny ballboy in a white bib and long hair came racing along the touchline – something he was going to be very good at – and leaped into the coach's arms. That was Giuliano too. As a ballboy he was invariably by the bench and, yes, there were times his dad told him to slow down a bit if they were winning. He would visit training at Cerro del Espino in Majadahonda near the family home and have a kickabout. "It was crazy seeing the players up close," he has said. "I always thought: 'Imagine being out there; that would be mad.'" After Falcao, his idol became Antoine Griezmann. Overcoming the Family Legacy Competition came closer to home. "They would kick me, throw me to the floor, and if I cried, I couldn't play with them any more; I learned to be tougher," Giuliano said of playing with his brothers. Gianluca and Gio were good, becoming professionals like their dad, and they suspected Giuliano would be good too. Just maybe not this good. He was 16 when he left River Plate's academy and crossed the Atlantic to join Atlético's youth system, living with his dad, watching him pore over formations every morning. When he turned 18, though, Simeone Sr kicked him out; it was time to be a man. Now, his dad is his manager and his hero is his teammate. Which might make it sound easy, but it hasn't been – in part precisely because it might sound easy. In a recent interview with Jorge Valdano, Giuliano admitted: "At times, it can feel strange to me, wondering what others might think." When Valdano joked that the best thing is, when your teammates speak badly of the manager, speak even worse. The reply came back rapidly: "No doubt!" Giuliano admitted that had affected him when he was younger, telling Cadena Ser: "When I was 12 people said I was playing because I was my father's son. I try to isolate myself from [that]. I know I won't be gifted anything." The Father-Son Dynamic Quite the opposite. Simeone Sr once said that there was no way he would sign his son because of the baggage it would bring: the suspicion, the pressure. "I don't want to say never, but …" he said. "It would be very difficult to have a son in the dressing room. Very difficult for him, for the relationship, for everyone." But he said that about Gio not Giuliano, and Atlético didn't sign the latter nor really plan for father and son to coincide. He was just another kid from the academy, trying to prove himself.

The Reality on the GroundIn eastern Tehran, Sajjad, a young man in his twenties, stands in front of the twisted iron and shattered concrete that was once his father’s home. The ruins have been left completely untouched since the bombardment.“Who will rebuild all this?” he asks, his voice thick with grief.The Architecture of WaitingAcross the city, the disparity in recovery is stark. While labourers rush to patch cracked facades and repair shattered windows on partially damaged structures, completely levelled residential blocks and official buildings remain frozen in time.Mohammad, a 39-year-old architect, explains that the cost of building a single unit has multiplied in recent months. The US-imposed maritime blockade has further devalued the national currency, while damage to domestic steel companies has driven up material costs.An Economic BlockadeIn the Navvab Safavi neighbourhood of western Tehran, streets are crowded and markets are relatively busy as residents rush to compensate for days lost to the war. However, economic foundations are trembling. Ashkbous, a 43-year-old administrative employee at the Ministry of Health, notes that government price controls and a longstanding policy of self-sufficiency have prevented mass food shortages.However, daily price fluctuations for electronics, meat, medicine and construction materials are pushing low-income families to the brink. The US maritime blockade on southern ports is squeezing the country’s supply chains.A State of UncertaintyTehran is attempting to bypass the stranglehold using overland routes through neighbouring countries and a “shadow fleet” in Gulf waters. But for Iranian merchants, the logistical nightmare is mounting. Fereydoun, a 71-year-old trader, says rerouted shipments have severely disrupted delivery schedules and skyrocketed costs, forcing customers to settle for cheaper, lower-quality local alternatives.“How can we order a cargo container when we don’t know if we will wake up tomorrow to the return of war or a stricter blockade?” Fereydoun asks, noting that many businesses have chosen to freeze their operations entirely.

Frontline Families: Births, Losses and Moments of IntimacyThe Guardian’s latest photo essay pulls back the curtain on life in villages and towns that sit within a few kilometres of active combat zones in eastern Ukraine. Births, deaths and a first kiss become the visual anchors that illustrate how ordinary human experiences persist even under artillery fire.Documenting Daily Survival Through the LensPhotographer Yuriy Koval spent six weeks moving between settlements near the Donetsk and Luhansk frontlines, capturing candid moments in bomb shelters, makeshift clinics and schoolrooms turned into command posts. The series is structured around three visual themes:New life: A newborn swaddled in a blanket stitched from a soldier’s uniform.Grief: A mother clutching a photo of a son killed in a shelling incident on April 12, 2026.Intimacy: A teenage couple sharing a brief kiss while waiting for a cease‑fire lull.Each image is accompanied by a short caption that provides context without detracting from the raw emotional power of the scene.Human Cost: Displacement and Casualty FiguresWhile the photographs focus on personal stories, the broader statistics underscore the scale of the humanitarian crisis:Displaced persons: Over 6.2 million Ukrainians have been forced to relocate since the conflict escalated in 2022.Civilian casualties: United Nations estimates place civilian deaths at approximately 15,000 as of April 2026.Medical infrastructure loss: More than 40% of hospitals in the contested regions are either destroyed or operating at reduced capacity.These numbers give weight to the individual narratives captured in the photographs.How the Conflict Reshapes Community ResilienceThe visual story highlights several adaptive strategies that have emerged:Community shelters: Residents have converted school basements into long‑term shelters equipped with solar panels and communal kitchens.Local economies: Informal markets now trade in essential goods, often bartered for agricultural produce.Psychological coping: Shared rituals—such as communal meals before a nightly artillery barrage—help maintain a sense of normalcy.These adaptations illustrate a shift from reliance on state aid to grassroots self‑organization, reshaping social bonds in the warzone.What the Next Months May Hold for Civilians Near the FrontAnalysts warn that without a negotiated cease‑fire, the humanitarian pressure will intensify. Projected winter conditions could exacerbate shortages of heating fuel, while ongoing shelling may further degrade medical facilities. However, the resilience demonstrated in the photo series suggests that local networks will continue to fill gaps left by delayed international assistance. Monitoring the evolution of these community structures will be crucial for NGOs planning future relief operations.

The University Strike: A Harrowing Experience Students from Afghanistan have come forward to share their distressing experiences during a recent university strike. The strike, which lasted for an undisclosed period, left a lasting impact on the students. Life During the Strike The students recounted the difficulties they faced during the strike, including limited access to education and increased stress levels. They described the atmosphere on campus as tense and uncertain. The Impact on Students The strike had a profound effect on the students, causing emotional distress and disrupting their academic progress. Many students expressed concerns about the long-term consequences of the strike on their education and future prospects. Moving Forward As the situation continues to unfold, the students are eager to return to their studies and rebuild their academic momentum. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of education and the challenges faced by students in Afghanistan.

The Life and Times of David Balfe David Balfe has had a life full of music, from his early days in Liverpool to his involvement with iconic bands like Blur, The Teardrop Explodes, and the KLF. As a music publisher, record label owner, and artist, Balfe has left an indelible mark on the industry. Early Days and The Teardrop Explodes Balfey grew up in Thingwall, on the Wirral Peninsula, and was part of the early Liverpool punk scene. He formed Radio Blank, which later evolved into Dalek I Love You, and eventually became a key member of The Teardrop Explodes. The band's high jinks were fueled by hallucinogens, and Balfe recalls taking acid during their infamous Top of the Pops performance of 'Reward'. His relationship with singer Julian Cope was complex, but they remain affectionate to this day. Zoo Records and Success In 1979, Balfe and Bill Drummond formed Zoo Records, releasing and producing music for Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes. The label was at the epicenter of Liverpool's most explosive pop scene since the Beatles. Balfe also managed Strawberry Switchblade and signed the Proclaimers to Zoo publishing, leading to international success. Blur and 'Country House' Balfey signed Blur when they were still called Seymour and needed convincing to change their name and style. He sold his stake in Food Records two weeks before the release of 'Parklife', a decision he now considers a major mistake. Blur's song 'Country House' immortalized Balfe, with lyrics that weren't exactly flattering but have become a defining part of his legacy. A New Chapter Now 67, Balfe is back in the music scene with 'Late Transmissions', a collaboration with Dave Hughes and Eve Quartermain. The trio's vibrant mix of 60s pop, film music, and orchestral trip-hop marks his first venture in music in over 25 years and his first as an artist in over 40. As he looks back on his life, Balfe reflects on the importance of taking risks and embracing new experiences.

The Electrifying Encounter In a match that will be remembered for its sheer audacity and attacking flair, Paris Saint-Germain edged a thrilling 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final first leg. The Parc des Princes bore witness to a spectacle that defied conventional footballing norms, with nine goals scored in a semi-final first leg, a record for the competition. Dembélé's Double and PSG's Surge Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the show for PSG, scoring twice, including a crucial penalty. The French winger's performance was a key factor in PSG's lead, which could prove decisive in the second leg. The home team's intensity and attacking prowess left Bayern Munich reeling at times, particularly in the second half when they seemed to pull away, only for Bayern to mount a late resurgence. The Data Analysis 9 - The number of goals scored in the match, a Champions League semi-final first leg record. 5-4 - The scoreline in favor of PSG, giving them a narrow lead ahead of the second leg. 13 - Harry Kane's Champions League goal tally this season, moving him level with Kylian Mbappé as top scorer. The Impact Analysis This match showcased the evolution of football tactics, with both teams embracing an attacking style that left fans and pundits alike in awe. The intensity and pace of the game were breathtaking, with moments of individual brilliance that will be remembered for a long time. For PSG, this victory gives them a slight edge heading into the second leg, but Bayern Munich's late rally shows they are still very much in contention. The Prediction The second leg promises to be an equally enthralling encounter, with both teams looking to outdo each other in attacking flair. PSG's home form and recent performances suggest they have a slight advantage, but Bayern Munich's ability to rally and score goals at will means they are far from out of the competition. The stage is set for another thrilling match that could go either way.

The 2026 Review Conference: A Historic DeadlockThe Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is currently navigating its most perilous period since its inception in 1968. The upcoming 2026 Review Conference has exposed a deep chasm between the 'nuclear haves' and the 'have-nots,' effectively freezing the global disarmament agenda. While the treaty remains the cornerstone of international security, recent diplomatic failures suggest that the consensus required to prevent a nuclear disaster is rapidly evaporating.Stalled Negotiations: Discussions on the fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) have been suspended indefinitely.Withdrawal Threats: Several key signatories have signaled potential withdrawal if their security concerns are not addressed.Regional Tensions: Escalating conflicts in the Middle East and East Asia have reignited fears of nuclear adoption by regional powers.The Arithmetic of Modernization vs. DisarmamentThe core of the current crisis lies in the divergence between modernization programs and disarmament commitments. While the five recognized nuclear-weapon states (P5) continue to modernize their arsenals, the number of states actively pursuing nuclear capabilities has increased.Recent data indicates a 15% increase in global nuclear warhead stockpiles over the last decade, driven primarily by modernization efforts in the US and Russia. This trend suggests that the NPT's central bargain—peaceful use of nuclear energy in exchange for disarmament—is breaking down.Erosion of the Global Non-Proliferation RegimeThe integrity of the NPT relies on trust and reciprocity. However, recent geopolitical shifts have eroded this trust. The breakdown of the New START treaty and the lack of progress on a successor agreement have left the world without a binding cap on strategic arsenals.This vacuum has emboldened non-state actors and rogue nations to pursue clandestine programs, viewing the NPT as a tool of containment rather than a framework for security. The resulting environment is characterized by heightened alert levels and an increased risk of miscalculation.The Path to a New Nuclear EraLooking ahead, the NPT is unlikely to collapse entirely, but it will likely transform into a much weaker, more fragmented instrument. The international community must pivot from a purely legalistic approach to a security-based framework that addresses the legitimate security concerns of emerging powers.If the 2026 Review Conference fails to produce a consensus, the world risks sliding into a new era of nuclear anarchy, where the absence of a binding treaty leaves the global community defenseless against the proliferation of nuclear technology.

The Shooting Incident Greek police have arrested an 89-year-old man in connection with a double shooting in Athens that left five people injured. The suspect was detained on Tuesday in the city of Patra, more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) west of the capital, following a large manhunt. The Attack Details The suspect had allegedly begun the shooting spree as he opened fire inside a social security agency in the district of Kerameikos in the centre of Athens. The attacker reportedly told an employee “to duck” before firing a shot that struck an employee of the state pension organisation EFKA in the leg. The pensioner then travelled by taxi to a nearby court in Ambelokipi, where four people were injured. The Investigation The motive for the shootings has yet to be established, but the suspect reportedly threw envelopes containing documents on the floor of the court after opening fire, claiming they explained the reasons for his actions. The media identified the suspect as a rubbish collector from the Athens area, who had psychological issues, having been treated at a mental hospital in 2018. The Aftermath Gun violence in Greece is rare, with firearm ownership permitted but tightly regulated. Athens court staff announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in protest at the incident, which they blamed on poor security at court buildings.

The LeadLiz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, warned that Britain must take control of its artificial‑intelligence future or risk being “at the mercy and whim” of foreign tech giants.Kendall Calls for a Home‑Grown AI Strategy Amid US DominanceIn a speech delivered on 28 April 2026, Kendall outlined a two‑pronged plan: a £500 million state AI investment fund and a forthcoming national chip‑design programme. She cited the launch of the fund this month as evidence of Labour’s commitment to domestic firms.Numbers That Reveal the Scale of the Challenge70 % of global AI compute is supplied by five US companies – Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Oracle – up from 60 % a year ago.OpenAI has paused a multi‑billion‑dollar data‑centre project in the UK, citing high energy costs and regulatory uncertainty.The UK‑based supercomputer slated for 2026 remains a “scaffolding yard” in Essex, according to recent investigations.Concentration Risks and the UK’s Competitive LagThe concentration of AI power in the United States threatens the UK’s ability to shape the technology according to its own values. Kendall warned that without a sovereign AI capability, Britain could become a peripheral player, echoing former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s comment that the UK is “without a single steam engine” in the AI revolution.Looking Ahead: Scenarios for UK AI SovereigntyIf the government follows through on the investment fund and chip‑design roadmap, the UK could attract a modest share of the AI supply chain and retain talent such as DeepMind. Conversely, continued reliance on foreign compute could lock the UK into a “phantom‑investment” cycle, limiting growth and strategic influence.