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Emma Sing, a 25‑year‑old Rugby World Cup winner and multiple Six Nations grand‑slam champion, says she is aiming to secure the England full‑back jersey for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations. Despite her impressive résumé – three Premiership Women’s Rugby titles with Gloucester‑Hartpury, 13 England caps since 2022 and three appearances at the 2025 World Cup – Sing insists there is no personal rivalry with fellow full‑back Ellie Kildunne, the Harlequins star who finished second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards after her breakout World Cup performances. "The media love to pit us against each other, but in camp we lift each other up," Sing explained. "She is incredibly fast and agile, while I bring a more physical presence – I’m roughly 10 kg heavier – and I add reliable goal‑kicking to the mix." Sing’s background is equally diverse: she holds a degree in bio‑veterinary science from Hartpury University and grew up on a Devon farm, a heritage she jokes gives her "farm strength" on the field. Statistically, Sing has been a prolific scorer. Over the past two league campaigns she topped the points table, primarily through accurate place‑kicking, and currently sits as the second‑highest points scorer in the season, trailing only Zoe Harrison. Her consistency earned her four player‑of‑the‑match awards, even after a recent knee injury sidelined her for a few games. Coach John Mitchell acknowledges the competition at full‑back but hints at a broader role for Sing. "We may explore her in the midfield," he said, noting her strong ball‑carrying and defensive fend. The prospect gains urgency after regular No 12 Tatyana Heard was ruled out with a foot injury. Former England captain Katy Daley‑McLean echoed the sentiment, observing that Sing’s traditional full‑back skill set – solid defence and dependable kicking – offers a different dynamic to Kildunne’s "X‑factor" flair. As the tournament approaches, Sing remains focused on translating her club form – highlighted by Gloucester‑Hartpury’s 22‑17 victory over Saracens in March – into more England starts. "I’m training hard and leaving the selection to Mitch; whichever style suits the game will win the shirt," she affirmed.

Democratic leaders in Washington announced a renewed push to stop President Donald Trump’s escalating confrontation with Iran following a brief two‑week cease‑fire that began Tuesday night. The party aims to reconvene Congress and pass a war‑powers resolution that would permanently end the conflict. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told CNN that the House must be brought back into session immediately, stating, "We need a permanent end to Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice." He urged Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule a vote on legislation that would strip the president of unilateral war‑making authority. In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged that Democrats will force a vote as soon as Congress returns from recess. Schumer warned that the war has left the nation “worse off than before it started,” citing rising gas prices and the broader economic toll, and called the episode “one of the very worst military and foreign‑policy actions the United States has ever taken.” More than 70 Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, arguing that Trump’s recent Truth Social posts—threatening to wipe out an entire civilization if Iran does not comply—raise serious questions about his mental fitness and could constitute a violation of international law. Senator Chris Murphy (D‑CT) told CNN, "No president in control of his senses would publicly promise to eradicate an entire civilization." Representative Ro Khanna (D‑CA) echoed the sentiment on X, writing, "We need to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump. Threatening war crimes is a blatant violation of our Constitution and the Geneva Conventions." Other Democrats, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA), described the president’s threats as “unhinged” and “illegal,” while former MAGA ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene joined the chorus, posting, "25TH AMENDMENT!!! This is evil and madness." Even some Republican lawmakers expressed unease about the prospect of targeting civilian infrastructure, though the GOP overall has remained largely silent. The mounting pressure underscores a rare bipartisan concern that Trump’s rhetoric could cross the line into war‑crime territory, prompting calls for both constitutional removal and traditional impeachment proceedings.

British computer scientist Adam Back has vehemently denied claims that he is the elusive creator of Bitcoin, known as Satoshi Nakamoto. A recent report in the New York Times had suggested that Back was Nakamoto, but he quickly took to social media to refute the claims. In a thread on X, Back stated, 'I also don’t know who satoshi is, and I think it is good for bitcoin that this is the case, as it helps bitcoin be viewed [as] a new asset class, the mathematically scarce digital commodity.' This denial comes after a years-long effort to unmask Nakamoto, the mysterious author of the bitcoin white paper which laid the theoretical foundations for modern digital currencies. The speculation surrounding Nakamoto's identity has been ongoing for years, with previous attempts pointing to Nick Szabo, Hal Finney, and an 'unknown Australian genius' who was later revealed to be a fraud. The latest trail led to Back, a London-born computer scientist and entrepreneur, who was a member of an online anarchist cryptography community called the cypherpunks in the early 1990s. Journalist John Carreyrou claimed to have found similarities between Back and Nakamoto by analyzing decades of old internet postings and shared niche interests. However, Back attributed the similarities to 'a combination of coincidence and similar phrases from people with similar experience and interests.' Not everyone is convinced by Back's denial, with some speculating that he may still be Nakamoto. Stephen Murdoch, a professor of computer science at University College London, noted that while there are indications that it could be Back, 'there’s no smoking gun.' Meanwhile, Dr. Jacky Mallett, an assistant professor of computer science at Reykjavík University, suggested that Satoshi was 'almost certainly more than one person,' citing updates to the bitcoin code that suggest multiple contributors. Back is the owner of a bitcoin treasury firm that is merging with a publicly traded company. If he were indeed Nakamoto and the owner of 1.1m coins worth tens of billions of pounds, he would have to disclose this to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as it could materially affect the bitcoin market.

Ian Cheshire, a seasoned City veteran and former CEO of Kingfisher, has been appointed as the new chair of Ofcom, the UK's media regulator. Cheshire, who previously served as the chair of Channel 4 until last year, will lead Ofcom through a critical period marked by rapid growth in online content and rising concerns over politically partisan broadcasting.Cheshire's appointment comes at a time when Ofcom is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Online Safety Act, legislation aimed at regulating social media in the UK. He will serve a four-year term, pending approval from a parliamentary hearing. The new chair has expressed his commitment to effective regulation, stating that he has 'seen first-hand how much effective regulation matters – for consumers, for businesses and for the wider economy.'The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, praised Cheshire's 'proven track record of leading complex organisations through periods of significant change,' highlighting his suitability for the role. Cheshire's extensive experience includes leadership positions at Landsec, Barclays, and Debenhams. He is expected to succeed Michael Grade, who will step down at the end of the month.As chair of Ofcom, Cheshire will be responsible for guiding the regulator's efforts to ensure online safety and maintain fair and impartial broadcasting standards. His appointment was chosen over other candidates, including Margaret Hodge and Jeremy Wright. The role of Ofcom chair comes with an annual salary of £120,000 for a commitment of three days a week.

Pope Leo has publicly denounced Donald Trump's threat that Iran's 'civilization will die', marking a significant intervention by the Vatican in the ongoing diplomatic tensions. The Pope's remarks underscore the Vatican's concerns over the escalating rhetoric between the US and Iran, which has raised fears of a potential conflict. While the Vatican has not disclosed further details of the Pope's statement, it is clear that the Pope's comments reflect a broader call for peace and restraint in the region. The diplomatic row between the US and Iran has been escalating over recent months, with both countries engaging in a war of words over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence.

Iran has warned that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could become new targets if the United States proceeds with attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, according to a statement cited by the Tasnim news agency. The warning came late on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 00:00 GMT (3:30 a.m. Tehran time) on Wednesday, threatening to "destroy a whole civilisation" if the demand is not met. Closing the strategic waterway would further destabilise the global oil market, already rattled by the ongoing blockade of Gulf oil exports. In response, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref affirmed the country’s readiness for any scenario, stating on X that national security and infrastructure sustainability have been meticulously calculated and that “no threat is beyond our preparedness and intelligence.” Meanwhile, U.S. forces intensified strikes on Iranian targets, hitting railway and road bridges, an airport, a petrochemical plant, and the Kharg Island oil export terminal. Gulf states on high alert Regional authorities have taken precautionary measures: Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port announced a temporary suspension of operations from early April 8, and the U.S. State Department issued a shelter‑in‑place order for American citizens in Bahrain, alongside travel advisories for the Hajj pilgrimage and for Riyadh. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior imposed a curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. (GMT 21:00–03:00) as a precaution, while the King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was closed twice on Tuesday due to alerts in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region. Israel warned its citizens of a likely surge in attacks as the deadline approaches, citing the Karish and Tanin offshore gas fields as potential targets. Explosions and rocket fire were reported across the region, including near a U.S. diplomatic facility in Baghdad, in the Iraqi capital, and over Bahrain and the UAE. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air defences are currently engaging missile and drone attacks from Iran, and Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting a missile aimed at its territory. These developments underscore a rapidly escalating security environment in the Middle East, with the potential to impact global energy supplies and international trade.

A devastating US-Israeli airstrike has destroyed a synagogue in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and claimed the lives of over a dozen people. The strike is part of an escalating conflict in the region, with tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continuing to rise.The airstrike, which occurred on [date], targeted the synagogue in Tehran, causing significant damage and loss of life. The exact number of fatalities has not been confirmed, but reports indicate that it exceeds a dozen. The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation from various quarters.The destruction of the synagogue in Tehran is seen as a significant escalation of the conflict, with Iran and Israel having a long-standing adversarial relationship. The US has also been involved in the conflict, with previous airstrikes and military actions in the region. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further retaliation and escalation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not armed while working in Canada, the agency said in a statement released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near. The clarification comes amid public anxiety that U.S. officers might be deployed at tournament venues in Toronto and Vancouver.According to an ICE spokesperson quoted by CBC, the agency’s personnel collaborate with Canadian law‑enforcement partners on joint investigations into narcotics, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. However, they do not perform operational duties such as executing search warrants or making arrests on Canadian soil.ICE maintains five offices across Canada, including locations in the World Cup host cities of Toronto and Vancouver, which together will host 13 matches. Despite this presence, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasized that ICE has no legal jurisdiction in Canada.Federal law grants U.S. immigration agents the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of violating U.S. immigration statutes, but those powers do not extend beyond American borders. The distinction is crucial as Toronto’s city council recently passed a motion opposing any deployment of U.S. agents at World Cup venues.The clarification follows earlier protests, such as the February demonstration in Milan where hundreds rallied against ICE’s presence ahead of the Milano‑Cortina Winter Games. Those events underscore the sensitivity surrounding foreign law‑enforcement agencies operating in host nations of major sporting events.By confirming that its agents are unarmed and lack enforcement authority in Canada, ICE aims to allay concerns and preserve the collaborative spirit between the United States and Canada as they prepare for a tournament expected to draw millions of visitors.

The White House has firmly denied that it has any plans to use nuclear weapons against Iran, amid escalating tensions and a looming deadline imposed by President Donald Trump. Trump has warned that if Iran does not capitulate to his demands, a 'whole civilisation will die tonight'.The denial from Washington came as Trump employed apocalyptic language, insisting that Iran must make a deal or face a massive onslaught. The original ultimatum was made by Trump on Saturday, demanding that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global energy exports pass, or face an assault on key infrastructure.The deadline falls at 8pm Eastern time (00:00 GMT), and legal experts warn that targeting civilian infrastructure could amount to a war crime. Texas Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro called on Trump to immediately clarify that he is not considering using nuclear weapons.Vice President JD Vance later stated that US forces could employ tools they 'so far haven't decided to use', sparking concerns. The Iranian response has been defiant, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) vowing to respond in kind if the US attacks civilian facilities.Iran has proposed a 10-point peace plan to end the war, which Trump called a 'significant step' but 'not good enough'. The situation remains volatile, with Israel-US strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks across the region and Israel intensifying.