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Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has severely criticized England's Test team for their tumultuous Ashes tour, labeling their campaign as 'feckless, reckless and legless'. The criticism comes after England suffered a 4-1 defeat in Australia.The editor of Wisden, Lawrence Booth, expressed his dismay at England's performance, stating it is 'hard to think of a privilege so carelessly squandered, a chance so blithely spurned'. Booth highlighted several factors contributing to the team's downfall, including poor preparation, lurching tactics, and an unprofessional approach off the field.The Ashes tour was marred by incidents such as Harry Brook's altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand and a mid-series break in Noosa, which drew significant criticism. In contrast, Australian bowler Mitchell Starc was praised for his discipline, choosing to abstain from alcohol during the series, which helped him secure 31 wickets and earn the title of Wisden's leading men's cricketer in the world.The awards section of Wisden showed a strong Indian flavor, with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj recognized for their performances. Haseeb Hameed was the sole Englishman among the five players of the year.

Fort Wayne, Indiana police announced the arrest of 55‑year‑old Michelle Dick on Saturday, acting on a California warrant that accuses her of stalking former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. According to a statement released by the department, Dick was taken into custody without incident after authorities traced her movement from California to Indiana, a journey of more than 2,000 miles (3,500 km). Police allege that in March, while Buckingham was entering a building in Santa Monica for an appointment, Dick doused him with an unknown substance and damaged his vehicle before fleeing the scene. Buckingham, 76, escaped physical injury, but the episode prompted renewed legal action. The statement noted that Buckingham secured a restraining order in 2024 after years of alleged harassment, which required Dick to remain at least 100 yards from him, his wife, and his son, and prohibited any contact. Investigators say the stalking began in late 2021, with dozens of persistent phone calls and lengthy messages in which Dick claimed, “she was my child,” and allegedly threatened to kill Buckingham and his family. She is also accused of a “swatting” incident that led to a heavily armed police response at Buckingham’s home. Following the March attack, Dick was held in the Allen County jail pending extradition back to California, where she faces a suite of charges including stalking, vandalism, battery, and criminal threats. Legal experts note that the case underscores the challenges of prosecuting cross‑state stalking offenses, especially when they involve high‑profile public figures. Coordination between California and Indiana law‑enforcement agencies illustrates the growing emphasis on protecting celebrities from persistent harassment. Buckingham, a former member of Fleetwood Mac from 1975‑1987 and again from 1997‑2018, is best known for his work on the Grammy‑winning album Rumours and the band’s 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Elon Musk's X has taken a firm stance against clickbait and low-quality content by reducing payments to users who engage in such practices. The platform has cut payouts by 60% for 'aggregators' who repost news stories without adding significant value, with further reductions of 20% planned. This move is part of X's effort to promote high-quality, original content and prevent the platform's timeline from being flooded with low-quality posts.According to Nikita Bier, X's head of product, the platform will impose permanent deductions on users who excessively use 'BREAKING' in their posts, a tactic often employed to attract clicks without adding substance. The goal is to incentivize creators to produce original material that adds value to the platform.Under X's creator revenue sharing program, users with at least 500 verified followers and 5 million views over a three-month period can earn a share of advertising revenue. However, the platform has begun to scrutinize the type of content that qualifies for monetization, with some users reporting that their payments have been stopped or significantly reduced.The crackdown on low-quality content comes as X prepares to float on US markets as part of Musk's SpaceX empire. The platform is seeking to maintain a high-quality user experience and attract advertisers by promoting valuable and original content.In response to the changes, some users have expressed support for the policy, with Candace Owens, a right-wing US commentator, commenting that 'this is a good policy'. Others, however, have expressed concern about the impact on their earnings and the lack of transparency in X's moderation process.

Sam Neill, the veteran actor celebrated for his memorable performances on screen, is set to answer readers' questions in an upcoming interview with The Guardian. Neill's iconic roles include his portrayal in Jurassic Park, where he famously removes his sunglasses and gazes at a towering Brachiosaurus, a scene that has become etched in cinematic history.Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, Neill's diverse filmography showcases his versatility as an actor. He has appeared in a range of films, from period dramas like My Brilliant Career to thrillers such as Dead Calm, which is set to be released in 4K later this year. His recent projects include Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, alongside Kaitlyn Dever and Matthew Modine.Neill's career has been marked by his ability to take on idiosyncratic, director-led projects, often playing characters with a unique blend of gruffness and warmth. His performances in Sweet Country and Rams have been particularly noted for their depth and nuance.In addition to his film work, Neill has also made headlines for his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, in which he openly discusses his experience with stage-three blood cancer and his journey towards remission. When asked about his mortality, Neill expressed a pragmatic view, stating, “I’m not afraid to die, but it would annoy me”.Readers are invited to post their questions for Sam Neill by 6pm BST, Thursday 16 April, and The Guardian will publish his answers in their reader interview series. This provides a unique opportunity for fans to engage with one of cinema's most beloved actors and gain insight into his life and career.

Recent CDC data reveal a dramatic 1,200% increase in kratom‑related poisonings across the United States over the last ten years, with the most pronounced surge recorded in 2025. Researchers link this rise to the growing presence of 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH), a synthetically produced compound that mimics kratom’s effects but carries opioid‑like risks. Walter Prozialeck, pharmacology professor at Midwestern University, said the trend was expected, noting that the synthetic alkaloid has entered the market through energy drinks and other products since 2024. Christopher McCurdy of the University of Florida warned that marketing 7‑OH as “enhanced kratom” blurs the line for consumers, turning poison‑control calls into a conflated metric for both natural and synthetic products. By contrast, natural kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)—a Southeast Asian plant used for centuries as a pain reliever—has demonstrated a relatively favorable safety profile in animal and human studies. A 2018 statement from then‑HHS Secretary Brett Giroir rejected the DEA’s push to schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance, citing insufficient evidence of harm. Despite the scientific distinction, several states have moved to implement or propose blanket bans on all kratom products, prompting concern from clinicians and patient advocates. A recent user survey indicated that about 50% of respondents rely on kratom for chronic pain, while roughly 40% use it during addiction recovery. Personal testimonies underscore the plant’s therapeutic role. Jeff Maslan, a 68‑year‑old Californian with severe osteoarthritis, credits kratom with easing opioid withdrawal after multiple surgeries. Similarly, “Steven,” a disabled California resident, describes how kratom eliminated unbearable oxycodone withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoric “warm fuzzy” feeling typical of opioids. Researchers emphasize that 7‑OH carries genuine opioid hazards, including addiction, severe withdrawal, and respiratory depression that can lead to fatal overdose. In animal models, 7‑OH demonstrated the same respiratory‑depression risk as classic opioids, whereas kratom’s primary alkaloid did not. Prozialeck and colleagues explain that kratom’s pharmacology is more nuanced: it partially activates opioid receptors while also engaging adrenergic and serotonin pathways, resembling a hybrid of a weak opioid and an SNRI‑type antidepressant. This multimodal action likely accounts for its lower euphoric potential and the reported boost in energy among users. Nevertheless, experts caution that kratom is not without risk. Fatal poisonings often involve co‑ingestion of potent opioids such as fentanyl, suggesting that some users may cycle between kratom and stronger substances, raising overdose danger due to reduced opioid tolerance. Additionally, heavy‑metal contamination has been detected in certain kratom batches, though the source—soil, processing, or storage—remains unclear. Given these complexities, the consensus among scholars like Austin Zamarripa (Johns Hopkins) is that natural kratom should remain accessible, while concentrated 7‑OH products merit stricter regulation. “These products may offer meaningful benefits to some individuals, and those benefits could be lost if access is restricted too broadly,” Zamarripa said, urging a differentiated policy approach. As the debate unfolds, patients like Steven worry that a sweeping ban would ignore the nuanced safety profile of the plant. “There’s corn on the cob, there’s high‑fructose corn syrup, there’s whiskey— all derived from corn but fundamentally different,” he remarked, highlighting the need for targeted, evidence‑based regulation rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all prohibition.

‘Departures’ arrives in UK and Irish theatres on 17 April, offering a sharply observed portrait of a man navigating the aftermath of a breakup. The story centers on Benji, a thirty‑something who, after parting ways with his charismatic trainer Jake, plunges into a haze of parties, substance use and fleeting encounters in an attempt to dull the ache of lost love. The film tackles weighty subjects—body‑image insecurity, familial rejection and the pressures of toxic masculinity—yet it avoids sentimentality by leaning into a darkly comic tone and a poppy visual palette. Its elliptical editing stitches together present‑day self‑destruction with fragmented memories of Jake, creating a nonlinear rhythm that mirrors the disorienting experience of a broken heart. Ey​re‑Morgan not only co‑writes and co‑directs but also embodies Benji, delivering a performance that feels both self‑deprecating and raw. His on‑screen chemistry with David Tag’s Jake provides the emotional anchor of the film, allowing the audience to glimpse the genuine connection that fuels Benji’s subsequent turmoil. Despite its strengths, the movie leans heavily on voice‑over narration, which at times hampers momentum, especially during emotionally charged scenes. The tendency to verbalise feelings rather than let the cinematography speak can feel redundant, and the multiple flashbacks occasionally drift into over‑exposition. Overall, ‘Departures’ stands as a thoughtful exploration of love, identity and the search for authenticity, while also showcasing the burgeoning talent emerging from northern England’s film scene.

In a significant political shift, Hungary's opposition party Tisza, led by Peter Magyar, has emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections, defeating the ruling Fidesz party of Viktor Orban, who has led the country for 16 years.According to early results, Tisza is projected to win 52.49 percent of the vote, while Fidesz secured 38.83 percent. This outcome marks a substantial change in Hungary's political landscape.Conceding defeat, Orban stated that the situation was “understandable and clear,” and he congratulated Magyar on his success. In response, Magyar thanked Hungary for its support and confirmed Orban's congratulatory message.The international community has reacted positively to the election results. Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal praised Hungarians for making a “historic choice for a free and strong Hungary in a united Europe.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed Magyar's victory, saying, “Hungary has chosen Europe.”Similarly, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk have all congratulated Magyar and expressed their support for Hungary's commitment to European values.Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskyy also welcomed the outcome, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and stability in Europe. He expressed readiness for meetings and joint work to benefit both nations and promote peace and security in Europe.

The United States is set to implement a blockade on ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil exports. This move was announced by former US President Donald Trump. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, with a significant portion of the world's oil supply passing through it.The blockade could have substantial implications for global oil markets and international trade, potentially leading to increased tensions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for oil shipments from the Middle East to the rest of the world.

President Donald Trump's 2027 budget proposal has drawn sharp criticism for its stark prioritization of military spending over healthcare and social welfare programs, despite the US facing a crisis of deaths from avoidable causes. The budget proposes a $1.5 trillion military expenditure, a significant increase from previous years, while cutting the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget by 12%.The US faces a grim reality in healthcare, with deaths from treatable conditions nearly twice the rate of countries like Spain, France, Japan, and Australia. Many Americans struggle to access healthcare due to cost, with the US having the highest out-of-pocket expenses for medical services among its peers. The proposed budget cuts to HHS and other non-defense programs will likely exacerbate these issues.Trump's budget plan also slashes funding for programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, potentially leaving 15 million Americans without health insurance, according to analysts. The administration's justification for these cuts includes claims of corruption and wasteful spending in certain programs.The budget proposal has been seen as a betrayal by many Americans who supported Trump based on his promises to help working-class individuals. The data suggests that if Trump continues to ignore the needs of his base, he may soon lose their support. American men and women are dying, and these individuals are also Trump's voters.The Pentagon's recent spending on conflicts, such as the war against Iran, has been substantial, with estimates suggesting $12.7 billion in the first six days and $28 billion in just over five weeks. The budget proposal's focus on military spending raises concerns about the impact on the US economy and society.