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The Return of Brazil's Star PlayerWhen coach Carlo Ancelotti read aloud the list of players who made the cut to Brazil's World Cup squad, one name earned the loudest cheers: Neymar Jr. After months of sweating over his fitness, the 34-year-old forward breathed a sigh of relief as he earned a place in Brazil's 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, which begins on June 11.His return to the national team, following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, has come with its own share of drama and doubts. Brazil coach Ancelotti said he chose Neymar among the nine attackers after seeing an improvement in his fitness levels.The Fitness ControversyNeymar da Silva Santos Jr is Brazil's all-time leading scorer. But his selection to the squad was considered doubtful after a series of injuries kept him out for much of the Selecao's qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament, where they are aiming for a record-extending sixth title."We evaluated Neymar throughout the year and noticed that recently he has been playing consistently and has improved his physical condition," Ancelotti told reporters during Monday's squad announcement in Rio de Janeiro. "He has the same role and responsibilities as everyone else, but he is an experienced player. It's true that in some positions we prioritised experience."The simple answer to the controversy is injuries. Neymar struggled to return to top fitness and had not been part of the national team since suffering a serious knee injury – an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear – in October 2023. An injury-marred spell at Saudi club Al Hilal and an underwhelming return to his boyhood club Santos last year further cast doubts over the veteran's inclusion.World Cup Records and StatisticsThe 2026 tournament will be Neymar's fourth World Cup. He played at the 2014 edition on home soil, followed by Russia 2018 and then the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago. In 13 games across three World Cups, Neymar has scored eight times and registered four assists.He also boasts the impressive record of being Brazil's highest scorer with 79 goals, a feat he achieved by surpassing Brazilian great Pele, who was their outright leading marksman for 60 years. His four goals and two assists in the Brazilian Serie A 2026 – following his return from surgery in February – are a far cry from his usual top form, one that once saw him win two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy with Barcelona, and five Ligue 1 crowns with Paris Saint-German (PSG).National Celebration and SupportDespite being away from the national team since late 2023, Neymar still holds a special place in the hearts of Brazil fans and players alike. As World Cup selections were revealed, hundreds of fans gathered outside Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Tomorrow, holding up their phones, frantically waiting for Ancelotti to announce the name of their beloved superstar.And when Neymar's inclusion was finally confirmed inside the venue, a party-like atmosphere swept across parts of the football-crazy South American nation. Players, too, have been vocal about their support for Neymar. Marcelo, the former Brazil defender, celebrated Neymar's inclusion with a post on Instagram, punching his fist in the air after seeing the announcement on a TV screen, while Barcelona star Raphinha, who was also called up, told TV Globo earlier this month that Neymar is "the guy to take us to our sixth World Cup title".Captain Marquinhos was at the forefront of the players' public lobbying for Neymar's inclusion, saying to Brazilian website UOL in March: "As teammates, as Brazilians and as fans, we want him at the World Cup".A Final World Cup Appearance?With his history of injuries and fitness issues, a declining skill set, as well as his mounting age (he would be 38 by the 2030 tournament), it's highly unlikely that Neymar will feature at another World Cup. Whether Ancelotti's decision to include him for the 2026 tournament will backfire or prove to be another coaching masterstroke by the Italian manager remains to be seen.

Neymar's Return to Brazil: Redemption and National HopeNeymar is Brazil's record goalscorer but hasn't played for the national team for three years. He was part of the greatest attack of all time – MSN – but never won a Ballon d'Or. A generational talent who arguably butchered his career with money-fuelled moves to PSG and Saudi Arabia. After too many off-pitch controversies to count – only this month, he slapped a Santos teammate, Robinho Jr, in training – Neymar will be remembered as much for knack (including the injury that kept him out of that 7-1 defeat by Germany – as he will for the nutmegs, the rainbow flicks, the Remontada heroics, his Pausa, Bigger Cup triumphs, and Puskas Award goal. The overarching feeling for many is "yes, what a player", but also, "what a waste".That is, at least, the view from Europe, and when it comes to the Geopolitics World Cup that view matters not one jot. Simply put, the European mind (save for Carlo Ancelotti, of course) cannot comprehend how different the standpoint is in Brazil, where Neymar remains a sort of demi-deity – seemingly the last bastion of jogo bonito and the essence of the Selecao; both a symbol of its glorious past and its recent struggle. No Brazil team has ever gone longer than the current 24-year World Cup drought. After decades of collective suffering – Neymar and Brazil are in desperate need of redemption and glory. In a deeply Catholic country, those themes are overwhelmingly seductive.The Controversial Journey of Brazil's Record GoalscorerOne only needs to watch the videos of people reacting to Neymar's inclusion in Ancelotti's Brazil squad to get a sense of it. Grown men were reduced to hot salty tears of joy (and fits of destruction), there were parties in the streets and schoolchildren – so young that they were not even born when Neymar was in his Barcelona pomp – chanted wildly in celebration, apparently hard-wired in their devotion. "Neymar will be an important player for us at the World Cup," soothed Ancelotti. "We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition." Not to mention 11 goals and four assists in his last 18 matches for a relegation-threatened Santos.Neymar's domestic form and a complete lack of it for João Pedro in a Brazil shirt – no goals or assists in eight appearances to date – is probably lost on many commentators and Social Media Disgrace influencers complaining on Tuesday at Ancelotti's omission of the Chelsea forward. And while that was a surprise, it's probably best not to question Ancelotti, one of the greatest managers of all time with five Bigger Cups to his name. You're better off with Ancelotti than without him and if you don't believe that, just have a look at how Real Madrid are doing at the moment.Brazil's 24-Year World Cup Drought and the Weight of ExpectationIn a deeply Catholic country, themes of redemption and glory are overwhelmingly seductive. Neymar represents more than just football talent to Brazilians – he embodies their hopes for ending the longest World Cup drought in the nation's history. The emotional reaction to his selection speaks volumes about the pressure and expectation placed on both the player and the team. While European critics focus on his controversial career moves and off-field incidents, Brazilians see in Neymar the potential to restore national pride and deliver the glory they've been waiting for a generation.The contrast between European perception and Brazilian adoration couldn't be starker. While many in Europe view Neymar's career as a waste of potential, in Brazil he remains a demi-deity – the last bastion of jogo bonito and the essence of the Selecao. This cultural divide highlights how differently football is viewed across continents, with Brazil's collective suffering making their need for redemption all the more acute.Can Neymar Deliver Brazil's World Cup Dream?The question now is whether Neymar can deliver on the immense weight of expectation. At 34 years old, he may be in the twilight of his international career, but his recent form suggests he still possesses the quality to make a difference. With 11 goals and four assists in his last 18 matches for Santos, despite playing for a relegation-threatened team, he has proven he can still deliver at the highest level.Carlo Ancelotti's decision to include Neymar, despite the controversy, signals a belief that the veteran star can still be an important player for Brazil. The Italian manager, one of the greatest in the game with five European Cups to his name, clearly sees value in Neymar's experience and quality. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but for a nation starved of success, Neymar represents their best hope of ending their World Cup drought and bringing glory back to Brazil.

The Cannon's RediscoverySixty years after Clint Eastwood used a cannon to fell a fleeing Eli Wallach in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the iconic weapon has been found in a museum in south-east Spain. The artillery piece, a 75mm cannon made in Manchester by Whitworth in 1873, was lent to Sergio Leone's production team by the Spanish military and was returned to the army museum in Madrid after filming.The Cannon's HistoryThe Sad Hill Cultural Association, a group of volunteers dedicated to restoring the graveyard near Burgos, northern Spain, built for the climax of the film, tracked down the cannon. They came across images of the cannon in a book on the film and set about trying to trace some of the weapons used in preparation for the 60th anniversary of the movie's release later this year.The Data AnalysisThe cannon was made in Manchester by Whitworth in 1873.The cannon is now on display at the military history museum in Cartagena, south-east Spain.The Impact AnalysisThe rediscovery of the cannon has generated significant interest, with the city council using its fame to draw more visitors to the museum. The museum's director, Lt Col Ernesto Terry, said the cannon's fame was already causing a stir, with many people ringing to ask about it.The PredictionWhile the Sad Hill Cultural Association would love to borrow the cannon and temporarily reinstall it in the Burgos landscape, where it last stood 60 years ago, its protected heritage status means that will not be in time for the anniversary. However, they plan to try to get hold of the piece and bring it to Burgos in the future.

The LeadIn a photographic self-portrait taken not long after she was diagnosed with squamous cell bladder cancer in 2020, Tracey Emin's iPhone shrouds her right breast as our line of vision descends from her catheter to her urostomy bag to her disposable knickers. Her body is fragile here in this hospital mirror, yet her gaze is anything but. It looks us dead in the eye as if to say: I matter, this matters – a sureness that challenges the notion of subjugation in times of ill-health.The Art of Bodily AutonomyEven now, six years after her life-saving surgery, Emin refuses to conform to what may, or may not, make us feel comfortable when it comes to her post-operative body. As well as losing her bladder, Emin also lost her uterus, ovaries, lymph nodes, part of her colon, her urethra and part of her vagina. And yet she has found a striking autonomy in documenting the changes in her body. "This is mine, I own it," she affirmed in an interview not long after her surgery.The Personal Becomes PoliticalWould I have taken these photographs if it wasn't for Emin? Probably not. In the weeks that led up to my own life-saving surgery, I became increasingly fixated on the ways in which her no-holds-barred Polaroids, like the squares of her autobiographical blankets, were urging us to look at her in ways that perhaps we'd rather not. Twenty-seven years after her sculptural work My Bed catapulted her to tabloid fame in the late 1990s, Emin is still challenging us to acknowledge the things we tend to pull away from. Only these days her bleeding nudes are centred squarely on the presence of non-visible disability and what Harry Weller, creative director of Emin's studio, calls "her wild scramble for existence".Challenging the "Confessional" Label"Back in the 90s, people used to say it was confessional art," Emin recently mused to Maria Balshaw, director of the Tate. Only it wasn't. "I wasn't confessing anything at all to anybody," she corrected her past critics – and maybe even her present fans. I thought of Emin's vital reframe only a few weeks ago when I visited her landmark show at Tate Modern and contemplated her 2023 painting, I watched Myself die and come alive. In it, her red-swabbed body is splayed out on a table, she is watched over by the black cloak of death, and her mother's ashes are resting in a casket behind her bloody hair. Like most of Emin's artworks, this painting isn't asking for a certain kind of gaze from us – it exists for itself alone, and that's what makes it so corporeally present.The Legacy of Frida KahloCall it visceral, call it personal. But, like Emin, I too struggle with the word "confessional" in relation to women's expression of their experiences. The implication being that there is something guilt-inducing and therefore even shameful about a woman drawing attention to herself both in her life and art. As if by doing so, she needs to beg pardon for it. Only Emin has never subscribed to this falsehood. Come to think of it, neither did Frida Kahlo over the course of her all-too-short life (Kahlo died when she was only 47) – another autobiographical artist whose retrospective is set to appear at Tate Modern next month.Transforming Trauma into TranscendenceWith an anatomical eye on her wounds, Kahlo would redraw what she called her "body's landscape" on her own terms, making her disabilities into something transcendental, a devotional act that helped her transform the mundanity of her physical limitations into something extraordinary. As Kahlo's biographer Hayden Herrera remarked in 1983, Kahlo's art has a particular intensity and strength "that can hold the viewer in an uncomfortably tight grip". We can see this for ourselves in her 1944 artwork, The Broken Column: a valiant self-portrait of chronic pain that evokes the Saint Sebastian paintings of the Christian faith.

The US Sanctions Waiver Extension The United States has announced another 30-day extension of a sanctions waiver for countries buying Russian oil and petroleum products currently already loaded on tankers at sea. This decision, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, will last until June 17 and aims to provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea. The Impact on Global Energy Markets The extension will provide additional flexibility, and the US will work with these nations to provide specific licenses as needed. This general license will help stabilize the physical crude market and ensure oil reaches the most energy-vulnerable countries. It will also help reroute existing supply to countries most in need by reducing China’s ability to stockpile discounted oil. The Data Analysis According to analytics firm Kpler, there is currently about 113 million barrels of oil or liquid volume (Mbbl) of Russian crude and condensate loaded on ships and at sea. Russian crude oil in transit is approximately 106Mbbls. Floating storage of Russian crude has declined significantly since the start of the year from a high of about 19Mbbls in late January to 7Mbbls now. The Impact Analysis The US waiver extension works in Moscow’s favor as it allows for more trade over a shorter distance. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming to have extracted a promise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop buying Russian oil, India and China remain consistent purchasers of Russian oil. In fact, Russian oil exports to India stood at more than 2 million bpd last month, while exports to China remained strong at 1.05 million bpd. The Prediction With the sanctions waiver now extended, Russian oil exports to other countries are likely to grow. However, experts believe that the impact of the waiver on prices will be limited, given that it only applies to oil already loaded on ships before mid-April. As a result, oil prices are likely to continue rising for as long as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

The Damascus Explosion: A Security Crisis in Syria's CapitalA suspected car bomb has exploded in Damascus, Syria's capital, causing significant casualties and damage to surrounding infrastructure. The explosion occurred in a densely populated area, with reports of multiple injuries and potential fatalities.Attack Details and Immediate AftermathThe explosion took place in a busy commercial district of Damascus, targeting civilians and security personnel. Emergency services have rushed to the scene to provide medical assistance and assess the extent of the damage. Local authorities have cordoned off the area as investigations begin into the cause of the blast.Human Cost and Regional ImplicationsThe attack adds to the growing list of security incidents in Damascus, which has seen increased violence despite ongoing peace efforts. The human cost is expected to rise as rescue operations continue, with hospitals in the area reporting multiple casualties. This incident underscores the fragile security situation in Syria's capital, where government forces and opposition groups continue to clash in various parts of the country.International Response and Future OutlookInternational bodies have condemned the attack, calling for restraint and a return to diplomatic solutions. The explosion comes at a critical time for Syria, as the international community attempts to broker a lasting peace agreement. Security experts predict that such attacks may increase as various factions vie for influence in the region, potentially leading to further destabilization in an already volatile area.

The HS2 Project's Soaring Costs The HS2 high-speed railway project in the UK is now expected to cost between £87.7bn and £102.7bn, with the first trains running between London and Birmingham delayed until 2039. This represents a significant increase from the initial budget of £32.7bn and a delay of 13 years from the original completion date of 2026. Revised Project Timeline The first trains will run from Old Oak Common in west London to Birmingham between 2036 and 2039. The full railway, connecting London Euston to the West Coast main line in Staffordshire, is scheduled to be completed between 2040 and 2043. Financial Impact Analysis The project's cost increase is attributed to various factors, including inflation. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that only a third of the rise is due to inflation, implying that the remaining two-thirds are a result of other factors. Government Response and Future Plans Alexander criticized the previous Conservative government for mishandling the project, stating that they "stood by and watched the world's most expensive slow-motion car crash". She emphasized that the current government will deliver HS2 to completion, despite considering cancellation. To save costs, the government plans to operate trains at lower speeds, reducing the top speed from nearly 200 mph to about 225 mph (320 km/h to 360 km/h). Predictions and Next Steps The HS2 project has faced numerous challenges and delays. With the revised timeline and budget, the government aims to improve oversight and manage contracts properly. The project's success will depend on the ability of HS2 Ltd's leadership to turn the project around and deliver it within the new parameters.

Why Season 51 Marks a Creative Upswing for SNLAfter a lukewarm 50th‑anniversary season, Saturday Night Live entered its 51st season with renewed energy, thanks to strategic cast changes and a willingness to take bigger comedic risks. The departure of long‑time fixtures and the rise of younger performers have produced a slate of sketches that resonated strongly with both live audiences and online viewers.The Ten Sketches That Stood OutAuctioneers – A surreal cowboy‑couple sketch starring Sarah Sherman and host Matt Damon that went viral for its rapid‑fire dialogue and absurd premise.Substitute Teacher’s Goodbye – Damon’s cringe‑filled dance‑party routine that highlighted his physical comedy chops.Tidy Care Crystals – A darkly comic cat‑litter ad featuring Damon, Ashley Padilla and narrator James Austin Johnson.Will Ferrell monologue – A meta‑prank where Ferrell is swapped with drummer Chad Smith before being rescued by Lorne Michaels and interrupted by musical guest Paul McCartney.Rasta Driver – Andrew Dismukes delivers a tongue‑twisting rap as an Uber driver turned Jamaican emcee.The Goo Goo Man – A dead‑pan hotel‑checkout bit with guest star Ryan Gosling and Sherman.Mom Confession – Padilla plays a suburban mother publicly changing her mind about Trump, reflecting broader political fatigue.Toy Commercial – Host Teyana Taylor parodies a 1994 Philadelphia toy ad, updating it with contemporary cultural references.Haircut – Padilla’s physical slapstick about a disastrous haircut cements her as a rising star.Pete Hegseth Cold Open – Colin Jost introduces a satirical military character that recurs throughout the season.Viewer Reception and Viral ImpactSeveral sketches, especially Auctioneers and Substitute Teacher’s Goodbye, sparked immediate social‑media buzz, accumulating millions of views on platforms like YouTube and TikTok within days of airing. The rapid sharing amplified the show’s relevance among younger demographics, offsetting earlier criticisms of stagnation.Implications for SNL’s Brand and Cast StrategyThe success of sketches anchored by newer talent such as Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes suggests that the show’s future may hinge on promoting fresh voices while still leveraging big‑name hosts. The reduced reliance on legacy cast members like Bowen Yang appears to have opened creative space for riskier, more experimental comedy.Looking Ahead: What to Expect in Season 52If the current trajectory continues, Season 52 is likely to double down on viral‑ready formats and give emerging cast members headline‑level material. Expect more collaborations with high‑profile hosts, a continued emphasis on politically charged satire, and a possible re‑tooling of recurring characters to keep the brand agile in a fast‑moving media landscape.

Wiegman's Key Advice for Mead Sarina Wiegman has said Beth Mead's next transfer will be a "very important" factor in the England forward's chances of going to the 2027 Women's World Cup, as the outgoing Arsenal forward seeks more regular starts. Mead's Transfer Plans The 31-year-old is understood to be close to agreeing a move to Manchester City, after it was confirmed she will leave Arsenal at the end of her contract this summer after nine years. Mead, the star of England's 2022 European Championship triumph, played in 21 of Arsenal's 22 league fixtures this term but started only 12 of them. The Impact on England's World Cup Prospects "I think [it is] very important," Wiegman said, when asked about Mead's next steps. "She is still very ambitious and I think she still has the highest level. When you play at Arsenal, they have such a strong squad and they [play] so many games, so they split minutes in those games. She wants to get a good move and wants to compete for the World Cup and make the squad next year. Of course that's a long way out but you have to make the right decision." Squad Updates and World Cup Qualifiers Wiegman has recalled the Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, the Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones and the London City Lionesses winger Freya Godfrey after injuries for next month's two crucial World Cup qualifiers, with Mead also in the 25-player squad. The Lionesses will face Spain in Mallorca on 5 June before hosting Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium four days later in their final fixture in this qualifying group. England are top with four wins from four, including a hugely valuable home victory over Spain at Wembley in April, which has put them in pole position to qualify automatically for next summer's finals in Brazil. Only the group winners will avoid the playoffs. England Squad for Upcoming Matches Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa) Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Taylor Hinds (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal) Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Jess Park (Manchester United), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea) Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal) Toone's Return and Squad Depth Wiegman said it was too soon to know whether Toone can play "90 minutes at the highest level" but added: "It's nice she's back. There are a couple of players that haven't played that many minutes. I still think they're the best players and they can make the chance of winning as high as possible, when they're in. But we have a squad of 25 so enough options that we can play." Omission of Young Player There is no place in the squad for the 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson, a surprise inclusion in April's squad. Discussing the omission of Parkinson, Wiegman said: "Erica came into the squad for the first time as a young player, turned 18 in our camp. We wanted to see her, she brought what we thought she would bring. I said in that [April] press conference that she would really surprise me if she would play straight away in a starting position, but she showed a couple of [good] things. There is still a gap for her to earn the minutes to compete with other players in the squad."