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South Africa announced the appointment of Roelf Meyer, a 78‑year‑old former minister and chief negotiator for the apartheid government, as its new ambassador to the United States. The decision, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is intended to heal the diplomatic breach that widened after the United States, under President Donald Trump, expelled the previous envoy, Ebrahim Rasool, in March 2025. Meyer replaces Rasool, who was dismissed after publicly labeling Trump’s global movement as “white supremacist.” Since then, Pretoria has lacked formal representation in Washington, a gap the government hopes to close with Meyer’s extensive negotiation experience. The bilateral relationship has deteriorated since Trump assumed office in January 2024, with the U.S. president repeatedly criticising South Africa’s affirmative‑action policies and falsely alleging a “white genocide.” Trump’s administration even offered expedited U.S. citizenship to Afrikaners claiming persecution, while freezing foreign assistance over a land‑ownership law that mandates at least 30 % Black participation in companies. South Africa’s recent actions have further strained ties: filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and inviting Iran to a BRICS naval exercise off its coast, prompting Washington to accuse Pretoria of “cosying up to Iran.” The BRICS grouping, of which South Africa is a founding member, is viewed by Trump as an economic challenge to U.S. dominance.In a statement, Ramaphosa described Meyer as “a very loyal and patriotic South African” who is “more than qualified” to re‑calibrate relations with the United States and engage with stakeholders on Capitol Hill and across federal agencies. Meyer, who leads the global consultancy In Transformation Initiative, has a long‑standing record in peace negotiations across Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Burundi, Kosovo, Bolivia, the Basque region and the Middle East. Domestically, he was the chief negotiator for the white‑minority government during the early‑1990s talks that ended apartheid, later serving as Minister of Constitutional Development under Nelson Mandela and co‑founding the United Democratic Movement before joining the African National Congress in 2006. Critics, notably the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), argue that appointing a former apartheid official signals a willingness to appease Trump’s “white supremacist whims” and that Meyer’s age limits opportunities for younger diplomats. The EFF highlighted his past role in the Department of Law and Order, which enforced apartheid repression. Despite the political controversy, South African analysts stress that the priority for the new ambassador is economic. U.S.–South Africa bilateral trade stands at $26 billion, making Washington Pretoria’s second‑largest trading partner after China. The focus, according to researcher Thembisa Fakude, will be on attracting U.S. investment and creating jobs rather than merely countering Trump’s rhetoric. When Ramaphosa visited the White House in May 2025, he included two white South African golfers in the delegation to soften Trump’s concerns about alleged persecution of white farmers. However, Fakude notes that most South Africans are indifferent to the “artificial” accusations and are more interested in tangible economic benefits. The appointment of Meyer thus represents a calculated diplomatic gamble: leveraging his negotiation pedigree to restore confidence, while navigating domestic criticism and a volatile U.S. political climate.

Sanaa, Yemen – At 7 a.m., 14‑year‑old Qasim wakes, grabs a one‑metre‑by‑half‑metre white sack and heads out to collect plastic bottles, hoping to fill it by 11:30 a.m. A full sack can bring in up to 1,500 Yemeni riyal (≈ $3), which the family uses for daily meals. When Qasim returns home, he can briefly be a child again, playing football with neighbours. By evening, his 12‑year‑old brother Asem takes over the bottle‑collecting, selling the haul at night to cover dinner costs. For the siblings, school is a luxury they cannot afford. "I was in fourth grade in 2024, but I stopped because I needed to help my family," Qasim told Al Jazeera, wiping his cheeks. "Sitting in a classroom would not feed me," he added. The conflict that began in 2014 between Iran‑backed Houthis and the Saudi‑backed government has devastated Yemen’s education system. UNICEF estimates that 3.2 million school‑aged children are out of school, with another 1.5 million displaced children at risk of permanent dropout. Even though a cease‑fire was declared in April 2022, the war’s economic fallout persists. During the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, Yemen’s Minister of Planning Waed Badhib said the war has cost the national economy **over $250 billion** and pushed unemployment to **35 %**. Parents like Qasim’s father, 48‑year‑old daily‑wage worker Abdu, no longer see education as a viable path. "Seeing a hungry child hurts more than seeing a child drop out," he said, noting that many university graduates now work as construction guards or porters. Experts warn that this short‑term coping strategy harms long‑term prospects. Mahmoud al‑Bukari, a Taiz academic, explained that forcing children into work “creates further social and economic problems for both individuals and society.” Sociology professor Afrah al‑Humaiqani stressed that denying education violates children’s rights and breeds anxiety, undermining future economic development. Infrastructure damage compounds the crisis: more than 2,400 schools are destroyed, partially damaged, or repurposed (Save the Children). Remaining classrooms are overcrowded, and teachers—many unpaid for years—are demotivated, leading to a decline in teaching quality. Fatima Saleh, a teacher in Sanaa, described educators as the "engine" of learning. "When that engine falters, students lose interest and drop out," she said, noting that unpaid salaries force many teachers to quit or seek other work. Journalist Mohammed Abdu al‑Samei argues that the cease‑fire alone cannot revive education without addressing the underlying economic collapse. International aid has also dwindled, leaving a critical funding gap for programs that once kept children in school. For Qasim, returning to a classroom is no longer realistic. He now aims to acquire a trade—painting, carpentry, or welding—to earn a living, saying, "I will not return to the classroom, but I will learn a skill that helps my family."

A high‑level Pakistani delegation, spearheaded by Pakistan’s army chief, convened with Iranian officials in Tehran to assess the feasibility of launching a new round of US‑Iran negotiations. The talks focused on establishing Islamabad as a neutral venue for future dialogue, reflecting Pakistan’s growing role as a regional mediator.In response, a White House spokesperson expressed optimism about the prospect of continued engagement, noting that subsequent meetings were likely to be held in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. This development underscores the strategic importance of Pakistan in bridging the diplomatic gap between Washington and Tehran, potentially easing regional tensions and opening pathways for broader Middle‑East stability.

In a bid to regain control over their digital lives, people are attending 'cybersecurity disguised as a party' events, where they learn how to mitigate their vulnerability to surveillance through major tech services.Imani Thompson, a 26-year-old cybersecurity organizer, leads these events, which include activities like DJ sets and dancing, to make learning about digital security more approachable and fun. The events, organized by groups like the New York City-based tech organizing coalition Cypurr Collective, aim to help attendees understand how to protect their personal data and break free from the grip of big tech companies.61% of Americans are concerned about their digital security, but only 33% are actively doing something about it, according to a YouGov poll. These tech privacy-focused conferences, workshops, and meetups are giving people the support and agency to protect their information without giving up the tech that underpins modern life.The services people rely on to message their friends, shop, or navigate a new city can make our lives easier and more connected, but they also leave us extraordinarily exposed. The data that tech companies sweep up from our online activities allows them to infer precise details about us, which is then broadcast to thousands of companies worldwide through real-time bidding auctions.To combat this, activists are teaching communities how to regain agency over their digital lives by using more secure, transparently run platforms or even building their own digital tools. Organizations like Resist Tech Monopolies (RTM) in Seattle and Co-op Cloud, an international tech federation, are part of this movement.RTM has seen an explosion of interest recently, with a growing number of people from political and grassroots groups wanting to train their members or community on digital security. The group offers community events like book clubs, movie nights, and open office hours, as well as regular 'discover tech' events that introduce community members to tech concepts.By using libre software and open-source projects, people can contribute to building and sharing tools that are democratically designed and communally maintained. This approach not only protects users from surveillance but also allows them to collaborate on new tools that are transparent, sustainable, and free from corporate control.

For the first time, two preliminary pencil sketches by E.H. Shepard for the beloved children's book Winnie-the-Pooh have been made public. These unseen drawings were created before the book's publication in 1926 and showcase Shepard's early thoughts on bringing A.A. Milne's iconic character to life.The sketches, shared by Shepard's family to mark the centenary of the book, provide insight into the artist's creative process. One drawing, captioned 'Climbing very cautiously up the stream,' depicts Pooh and his friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, and Owl. It was intended for Chapter VIII, where Christopher Robin leads an expedition to the North Pole.The sketch shows Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, and Owl on an adventure. Photograph: Courtesy of Peter HarringtonThe other sketch is a delicate study for Chapter III, where Pooh and Piglet go hunting and nearly catch a Woozle. According to Philip W Errington, a senior specialist at Peter Harrington Rare Books, these drawings showcase Shepard's 'absolute, vibrant creativity' and exceptional skill in rendering movement.The drawings will be exhibited at Peter Harrington Rare Books in London as part of a special exhibition starting on April 17. Errington noted that it is 'extraordinarily rare to encounter preliminary drawings of Winnie-the-Pooh that capture what might be called the first moment of inspiration.'

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly challenged FIFA after reports surfaced that round‑trip train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 for the 2026 World Cup. Current NJ Transit listings show a standard fare of $12.90 for the same route, but a recent The Athletic report suggests the price could jump dramatically, with no discounts for children, seniors or people with disabilities. NJ Transit told Fox 5 New York that the final fare has not yet been set, but a decision is expected within days. In a social‑media post, Governor Sherrill emphasized that the state inherited an agreement in which FIFA contributes $0 toward transportation, leaving New Jersey Transit with a projected $48 million bill to safely move an estimated 40,000 fans to each of the eight matches, including the final. "FIFA is making $11 billion off this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final," Sherrill said. "I won’t let New Jersey commuters shoulder that cost. FIFA should pay for the rides, and if they don’t, I won’t let our residents be taken for a ride." Sherrill added that she would approve any fare increase if FIFA does not intervene, stating, "I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting it on the backs of New Jerseyans." On Wednesday, NJ Transit’s board unanimously passed a resolution empowering CEO Kris Kolluri to set World Cup rail fares at levels sufficient to "cover any and all costs" associated with transporting the projected fan volume. Kolluri confirmed that the fare structure will not be cross‑subsidized by regular commuters. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed Sherrill’s stance, noting that FIFA often offloads costs onto local municipalities and suggesting that a partnership could make the event more affordable for everyone. FIFA responded by highlighting the original 2018 Host City Agreements, which required free transportation for fans, and noting a 2023 amendment that shifted to a "cost‑to‑use" model. The organization also claimed it had advocated for federal funding to support host‑city mobility plans. Sherrill, a Democrat elected last year on a platform of affordability, has already redirected $5 million earmarked for a fan festival at Liberty State Park toward smaller watch parties across the state. Transportation pricing for this World Cup has become a broader discussion, with Massachusetts raising its Boston‑to‑Foxborough fare from $20 to $80, underscoring growing concerns over fan‑accessibility and cost burdens.

For the first time in Hollywood history, an authorized generative‑AI version of a major star headlines a feature film. The western As Deep As the Grave showcases a digitally recreated Val Kilmer, whose voice was synthesized by UK‑based firm Sonantic using archival recordings. The project, delayed by Kilmer’s death in April 2025, received full cooperation from his estate and his daughter Mercedes, who helped craft the visual deep‑fake of the actor. Mercedes Kilmer confirmed that her father embraced emerging technologies as a storytelling tool, a sentiment the filmmakers say they honored throughout production. At Wednesday’s CinemaCon trade show in Las Vegas, the trailer revealed that Kilmer’s character, Father Fintan—a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist—appears for roughly one hour of screen time. The footage shows the priest at different ages, including a spectral elder who advises a child, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.” Writer‑director Coerte Voorhees explained that the narrative was built around Kilmer’s heritage and his love of the Southwest. He added that the production adhered to SAG‑AFTRA guidelines and that the estate was financially compensated for the use of archival material. The film also stars Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin and Abigail Lawrie. In a March interview with Variety, Voorhees noted that Kilmer’s family repeatedly emphasized the project’s importance to the late actor. The Kilmer case follows a growing trend of AI‑generated performances. In 2022, Bruce Willis consented to a digital twin after a dementia diagnosis, while actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have licensed their voices to AI firms for approved uses. Estates of legends like Laurence Olivier, Judy Garland and James Dean have similarly partnered with the marketplace ElevenLabs. Beyond film, celebrities are exploring AI for digital meet‑and‑greets; Paris Hilton and Kendall Jenner have reportedly signed deals with Meta for AI‑powered appearances on Instagram, and users can even query an AI version of Deepak Chopra for advice on a range of topics. Nevertheless, some stars remain cautious. Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson have publicly expressed skepticism about deep‑fake replicas of their likenesses.

Stella McCartney, a renowned luxury fashion designer known for her commitment to sustainability, has partnered with Swedish retail giant H&M; to launch a new eco-friendly clothing collection. The collaboration, set to hit stores in May, aims to make sustainable fashion more accessible to a wider audience. The collection includes a range of stylish pieces, such as a 'Rock Royalty' T-shirt (£37.99), a grey oversized pinstripe blazer (£259.99), and matching trousers (£139.99) made from wool that meets responsible wool standards. A vegan version of her iconic Falabella bag will also be available for £189.99, crafted from recycled polyamide to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. McCartney emphasized her desire to break down barriers in the fashion industry, stating, 'I hate how elitist the fashion industry is. I want a younger and wider audience to have access to my stuff.' The collection's focus on sustainability is reflected in its use of eco-friendly materials, such as beads made from 80% recycled glass and a python-effect jacket crafted from plastic derived from recycled vegetable oil and agricultural waste. While some critics have accused McCartney of 'greenwashing' by collaborating with a fast-fashion brand like H&M;, which produces 3 billion garments annually, McCartney defended her decision, saying it's better to 'infiltrate from within and have conversations with people who are like 'the devil' in a sense and then try to change them into a more conscious way of working.' This collaboration marks McCartney's second effort with H&M;, following a successful partnership 21 years ago. The collection's emphasis on transparency is evident in the swing tags on each piece, which will disclose the materials used. By working together, McCartney and H&M; aim to promote sustainable fashion practices and make eco-friendly clothing more mainstream.

The heads of Amazon MGM Studios used Wednesday’s CinemaCon trade show to temper expectations surrounding the next James Bond film. Executives confirmed that the iconic spy has not yet been cast, citing a deliberate, respectful approach to the decision.Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, addressed the crowd with a measured tone: “We know you’re eager to learn who will embody James Bond, but we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect.” She stressed that the role is “a lifetime dream” and a responsibility the studio does not take lightly.Valenti highlighted the caliber of talent attached to the project, noting that the franchise will be paired with renowned director Denis Villeneuve, acclaimed producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, executive producer Tanya Lapointe, and screenwriter Steven Knight. This combination, she argued, sets the stage for a film worthy of the Bond legacy.The upcoming installment is slated for a 2028 release, implying that principal photography is likely to commence in late 2026. The timeline follows earlier announcements in June 2025 (Villeneuve as director) and August 2025 (Knight as writer).Speculation about potential leads has centered on three actors: Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, and Jacob Elordi. If Elordi were chosen, he would become the youngest, tallest, and second Australian to portray the famed spy.Despite his recent Oscar‑nominated turn in Frankenstein and a high‑profile role in Wuthering Heights, Elordi’s schedule appears unusually open, fueling further conjecture.Valenti concluded with confidence: “The film is coming, and when the time is right, we’ll have much more to share.”