Buildup

• Violent disorder erupted in London following France's victory over Morocco during the 2026 World Cup. • The unrest occurred as Spain and Belgium prepared for their upcoming quarter-final showdown. • Current betting odds place France as the favorite at 6/4, followed by Argentina, Spain, and England at 9/2.

• Spain is beginning its World Cup 2026 campaign with an opening match against Cape Verde. • Key team news reveals that star player Lamine Yamal will start the game on the bench, while Nico Williams remains a central figure in the squad. • The matchup serves as a critical test for Spain as they look to build on their momentum from winning the 2024 European Championship.

• Liverpool has sacked manager Arne Slot with immediate effect following a period of instability and discontent within the squad. • Former player Brad Friedel cited a difficult summer transfer window as a primary cause, specifically highlighting the "disastrous" nature of the Alexander Isak transfer involving Newcastle. • The departure comes amid significant turmoil, including the exit of key player Trent Alexander-Arnold and general dissatisfaction with the club's direction.

• Football writers are providing live coverage, team news, and previews for the upcoming men’s Champions League final and the Women’s FA Cup final. • A 22-year-old player has made a surprise decision to switch his international allegiance from Italy to Australia. • This move comes four years after the athlete previously declined the opportunity to represent Australia during the tournament in Qatar.

Spurred on by Elon Musk, the two rightwing parties spent the week taking potshots at each other. We look back at who hurled which insult at whomUK politics live – latest updatesIt’s been a week of rudeness, rows and revelations in the Makerfield byelection. Not between Andy Burnham and his challengers for the seat – but between Reform UK and its even more rightwing rival, Restore Britain.Here are the key moments in a week in which the populist right turned on each other: Continue reading...

• NATO defense ministers convened an emergency session on April 11 to address Russian military concentrations near the Polish and Baltic borders, with satellite imagery showing increased deployment of artillery and armored units. • Polish officials reported detecting over 15,000 Russian troops and 200 military vehicles positioned within 50 kilometers of the border, prompting NATO to authorize enhanced air patrols and increased troop rotations. • US Secretary of Defense characterized the Russian movement as "destabilizing" and called for European allies to increase defense spending, warning that NATO must prepare for potential regional conflict escalation.

• Regional diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met in Pakistan on Sunday to establish a framework for direct US-Iran negotiations, with foreign ministers expected to reconvene Monday to discuss peace terms. • Iran's parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf warned that Iranian forces are "waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire," while dismissing the US 15-point action list as negotiating under pressure. • The US has deployed thousands of troops to the Middle East including 2,500 Marines aboard USS Tripoli and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, signaling preparations for potential ground operations despite diplomatic efforts.