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Anthony Gordon will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031,” Barcelona said in a brief statement. (Reuters) Barcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, for a fee that could rise to 80mn euros ($93mn). Gordon will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031,” Barcelona said in a brief statement.The 25-year-old left winger netted 17 goals for Newcastle this season, 10 of those in the Champions League, and was the club’s top scorer. Gordon, part of England’s World Cup squad, bolsters a Barcelona attack losing Polish veteran striker Robert Lewandowski at the end of his contract, and possibly Marcus Rashford after his loan spell from Manchester United. La Liga champions Barcelona still hope to strengthen further in the coming weeks, with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez linked with a switch to Catalonia, while the club have not ruled out a new move to keep Rashford. After three years of reduced expenditure and with their partially rebuilt Camp Nou stadium reopened, Barca have more economic breathing room within La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules than previously. Lewandowski departure and the end of Rashford’s loan give Barca margin to spend and other players including Roony Bardghji, Ansi Fati and Marc-Andre ter Stegen may also leave. Gordon’s transfer is Newcastle’s second largest sale in their history after Liverpool paid £125mn ($168mn) for Alexander Isak last summer. The Premier League side may move for Real Betis winger Ez Abde as a replacement, according to reports. Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton for £45mn in 2023, with the Merseyside club set to receive 15 percent of profits from the winger’s departure from St James’s Park. Related Story Source link
US President Donald Trump said yesterday he would soon decide on a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran, though the two countries still appeared to differ on significant issues that have been central to the conflict. Trump said last morning that he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on the proposal, which would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge a permanent end to the war. Several hours later, the White House said the meeting had concluded but did not provide any more information. The New York Times reported the decision had been postponed after a tow-hour meeting.A senior Iranian source likewise told Reuters an agreement was close but had not yet been approved. However Trump also said Iran would have to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle its capacity to make a nuclear weapon – two conditions that Tehran has not agreed to. “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions,” Trump said, adding that nuclear material would be “unearthed” by the US Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said Trump’s comments were an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.” To Page 23 The senior Iranian source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the potential deal does not include any nuclear-related issues, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on state TV that the management of the strait must be decided by Iran and Oman. The semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said the strait would be reopened under Tehran’s conditions after the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ships.Fars said there was agreement to release $12bn of Iran’s frozen assets. Trump said no money would be exchanged “until further notice” — a possible reference to Iran’s demands for toll payments in the strait, war damage reparations or a release of frozen Iranian assets.Oil prices fell and stocks rose yesterday on news of the potential deal. Trump is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get US gasoline prices down ahead of the November congressional elections, as voters show increasing frustration over rising prices. At the same time, he faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks in his own party over any concessions to Tehran. The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In his post on Truth Social, Trump said mines would be removed from the strait and ships trapped there may start to go home: “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!” Source link
* Hamas says Netanyahu’s plan equates to ethnic cleansing* Ceasefire deal left contentious issues unresolved* Analysts warn move risks increase in violence* ‘Where do we go? To the sea?’ asks Gaza residents Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as European states and residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan. Under a ceasefire deal in October Israel’s military was to remain in control of 53% of Gaza, but Netanyahu said on Friday that it would expand that area to an initial 70%, without laying out details or a timeline.The Palestinian militant group, which triggered two years of devastating warfare in Gaza with its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, described his comments as a plan for ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of Palestinians.MAJOR DISPUTES POSTPONED”Any attempt to impose a new reality of occupation in Gaza is null and illegitimate,” said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, adding that Netanyahu’s statement “represents a dangerous escalation”.More than eight months into the ceasefire, and with global attention fixed on the war in Iran, Gaza’s underlying conflict remains stubbornly unresolved with continued Israeli attacks, little aid reaching civilians and the risk of major new violence. Israel has already expanded its area of control in Gaza from the 53% lying behind a “yellow line” mapped into the ceasefire deal up to around 64%, with an area it has designated as restricted in maps shared with aid groups.Any further reduction in space available to the more than 2 million Gaza residents who are mostly crammed into tents in the tiny Palestinian territory risks worsening already dire conditions there.”Where do we go? To the sea? There is no space,” said Mohammed al-Shagra, 72, in Khan Younis. Last year’s deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump established a Board of Peace to oversee a phased ceasefire, and was ratified by the United Nations Security Council.However, many of the toughest areas of dispute including the disarmament of Hamas, a full Israeli withdrawal and the make-up of a Gaza government were postponed to later in the process. The Board of Peace negotiators have been talking to both sides on the disarmament issue.Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce. Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed more than 900 Palestinians since the start of the truce while Palestinian militant attacks have killed four Israeli soldiers.Israel’s military and the prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for additional information and comment on Netanyahu’s statement.A spokesperson for the Board of Peace said it would not have a comment on Netanyahu’s statement.A British foreign ministry spokesperson said any further expansion of Israeli control in Gaza would be unacceptable and risk exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.Fellow permanent U.N. Security Council member France did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A German foreign ministry spokesperson said Germany was concerned about Israeli plans to take more of Gaza and opposed a permanent division of the Palestinian territory.RISK OF FURTHER VIOLENCE Facing elections this year and under pressure for Israel’s failure to secure its strategic goals in wars in Iran and Lebanon, Netanyahu may be seeking to bolster his standing with voters.”He’s determined to look tough in front of the electorate and he’s blamed by his opponents for having fought this seven-front war, but having won none of the wars,” said Max Rodenbeck, Israel-Palestine Project Director at International Crisis Group.”Unless there’s some sort of pushback from the Trump administration it really does risk a return to something very bloody,” he added, pointing to other ways in which Israel has been ramping up pressure on Hamas including continued aid restrictions on Gaza and strikes targeting Hamas figures.For people inside Gaza, where nearly all the population had to flee their homes during the war and with most still living in temporary tents or shelters, the prospect of increased Israeli military pressure is alarming.”We see no ceasefire or anything and they keep advancing beyond the yellow line. For how long will the world stay silent?” said Mohammed al-Jundi, a displaced man in Gaza City.In Israel, a return to tougher military pressure is seen by security hawks as the only way to force Hamas to disarm and achieve a longer-term agreement.”It looks as if we are taking a step towards another collision. But I believe this time it will be much shorter and maybe would open the path towards a new future,” said Kobi Michael, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and a former official in the country’s strategic affairs ministry. Source link
Paris St Germain’s hunger has not faded after last year’s Champions League triumph, with captain Marquinhos and coach Luis Enrique insisting the club’s historic breakthrough only sharpened their appetite for more silverware.PSG face Arsenal in Saturday’s final at the Puskas Arena seeking to cement their status among Europe’s elite after finally lifting the trophy last season.But Marquinhos said the emotional high of their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in last season's showpiece match had only fuelled the squad’s determination to experience it again.’It’s really important to have that motivation,” Marquinhos told a news conference. ‘Last year we said it and we showed it on the pitch. Once you win the Champions League, once you taste that title and those moments, you want to relive them again.”The Brazilian defender said PSG had learned from last season’s run and were now better equipped to handle the pressure and noise surrounding a Champions League final.’There are a lot of things around these matches, the expectations, the pressure,” he said. ‘The message in the dressing room was to change nothing, to continue working the same way and keep the same hunger we had last year. Even today, I have the same sensations and the same emotions I had last season.”Luis Enrique, who guided PSG to their first Champions League title last term, said they were driven less by legacy than by the desire to remain the best team in Europe. ‘Once is historic, twice is legendary,” a banner by PSG ultras recently read.’But our motivation is not to make history because we already did that last year,” Luis Enrique said when asked about the slogan. ‘Our motivation is to continue being one of the best teams in Europe and in the world.”With Arsenal chasing a first Champions League title in the same way PSG were a year ago, Luis Enrique said his side now had an even greater source of motivation – the chance to win it again.’It’s powerful,” he said of Arsenal’s drive. ‘But you know how powerful it is to try to win the second Champions League. It’s even bigger.”The coach praised Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, saying the Premier League side deserved to win the English title after being ‘the most consistent team. ‘They score a lot of goals and we defend very well, but the path to achieve that is different,” he said. COLLECTIVE GOALSPSG forward Ousmane Dembele, who has fully recovered from a calf problem, said his individual ambitions, including Ballon d’Or speculation, were secondary to the club’s collective goals.’It hasn’t changed my way of being or my way of playing,” Dembele said. ‘I’ve always had the desire to win trophies with this club, with this squad and this staff. Individual trophies come afterwards. The most important thing is winning with PSG.”The France forward added that the squad had managed to stay mentally and physically fresh despite another exhausting campaign in which they retained the Ligue 1 title.’We didn’t have many holidays but the coach and the staff managed the season very well,” he said. ‘They gave us time to disconnect from football. I feel 100% and the group is ready too.”Marquinhos also dismissed suggestions the players might subconsciously hold back ahead of next month’s World Cup. ‘You cannot take your foot off the pedal in a match like this,” he said.’A Champions League final is not something you play every year. Some people work their whole career and never get this opportunity.’If you don’t play at 100%, it’s even worse. That’s when the danger comes.” Source link
Under monsoon skies leaden with rain, Myanmar rice farmers despondently tend their paddy fields, doubtful the deluge will bring bountiful harvests during a fuel and fertiliser crisis caused by the Iran war.”If prices continue to rise, I will be a beggar,” says veteran farmer Soe Naing, perched on a sack of rice seed overlooking his 30 acres (12 hectares) of rented land outside the delta town of Kawhmu.”I may give up working as a farmer, but growing rice is my calling,” the 49-year-old told AFP between thunderous sheets of rain heralding the start of planting season across Myanmar’s riverine south.The US-Iran war continues to send supply shocks worldwide, even as a fragile ceasefire holds.Conflict closing the Strait of Hormuz has been particularly damaging to Asia, the destination for 80% of oil transiting the seaway, according to the International Energy Agency.Myanmar, already gripped by a humanitarian crisis amidst its civil war, is vulnerable further still.The Southeast Asian nation imports 90% of its fuel oil, according to official figures.Up to 95% of its chemical fertilisers — produced in abundance in the Gulf where natural gas is burnt to synthesise ammonia — is also imported, according to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP).Spiking prices of both commodities have left Myanmar farmers struggling to fuel rotavators needed to till fields or buy fertiliser to boost their seedlings at a crucial time in the agricultural calendar.The WFP warns a 50% drop in fertiliser use could result in farming output dipping up to 15% in Myanmar, where food insecurity is already widespread.”The current situation is the most difficult time we have faced,” said Soe Naing. “As for my hope, I have nothing other than my fields.”— Barren hope —More than 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from the embattled Strait of Hormuz, Moe Aung’s paddy — situated a 15-minute boat ride up a serpentine creek — is beholden to the shock of the global shipping crisis.He sows seed onto the mud but plans to ration half a bag of fertiliser per acre this year — one-sixth of what his crop needs to thrive.”I am just doing it because I own fields, but I don’t want to do it,” says the 53-year-old. “I have no willingness to continue if this situation doesn’t end.”Prices for a 50-kilogram bag of fertiliser have multiplied up to five times, he estimates, now costing as much as 200,000 kyat ($48).Moe Aung works with his hands in the sucking mud of the humid paddy fields.But much of his profession now entails complex mental arithmetic and accountancy as he struggles to manage a cycle of high-interest debt worsened by the far-off Middle East war.Buying fertiliser on credit and paying the bill after the harvest is common, but this year Moe Aung fears the sums will simply not add up.”I don’t think the expense and the revenue will be equivalent,” he says.”Previously, we were comfortable; we could look after our parents, we could go for some social activities, our family was peaceful and happy,” he said.”That is all disappearing.”— ‘History full of doubts’ —Myanmar was once the world’s rice bowl, exporting more of the staple than any other nation in the years before World War II.Decades of post-independence conflict and instability, and now the civil war sparked by a 2021 military coup, have eroded the country’s agriculture sector.The coup deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s popular democratic leader who remains detained and who once held Kawhmu’s parliamentary seat.The resulting war has killed more than 90,000 people on all sides, monitoring group ACLED says, and displaced more than 3.7mn, according to the UN.The UN describes Myanmar as a country mired in a “polycrisis”, with the effects of the Middle East conflict another layer of degradation.But there may be yet another problem on the horizon.Forecasters predict this year will see a strong iteration of the El Nino weather phenomenon, which typically brings heatwaves and drought to parts of Southeast Asia.It is due to start as soon as this month — another global shock with the potential to reverberate in fragile Myanmar.”If we continue this way, farmers could disappear from this country,” laments Myanmar Farmer Union chair Su Su Nway.”We do not want future generations to read a history full of doubts, wondering if these farmers truly existed.” Source link
Climate change is gradually shrinking the times of year when the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage can take place in safe weather conditions, according to a new study published on Friday.The hajj in western Saudi Arabia, one of the most arid areas on the planet, is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are exposed to extreme heat.This year’s gathering was again held in temperatures exceeding 40C.According to the study by the Britain-based group World Weather Attribution, temperatures recorded in May in Mecca “are now typical of summer in the 1980s as climate change shrinks the safe window” for the hajj.The hajj’s timing is governed by the Islamic lunar calendar, and it moves back by about 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar.After taking place for several years during the hot season, this year’s was at the end of May, and in 2027 it is expected to take place in mid-May.The timing will move gradually closer to winter, offering a temporary respite, but this will not be enough to offset the rise in temperatures, the researchers said.Climate change “is extending the duration of extreme heat in Mecca into historically cooler months,” the study said.”Average temperatures above 32 degrees C (90F) — typical of summer between 1970 and 1990 — are now expected almost every year in May. Climate change has increased these averages by about 3.5 degrees C” since pre-industrial times, it said.The mainly open-air Islamic ritual, one of the five pillars of Islam, is held over several days in and around the holy city of Mecca.After more than 1,300 people died during the 2024 pilgrimage in searing temperatures of above 50C, the Saudi authorities strengthened anti-heat measures, mainly through the massive use of air conditioning.A study published in 2019 in the US journal Geophysical Research Letters said heat stress during the hajj could once again exceed the “extreme danger threshold” between 2047 and 2052, and then between 2079 and 2086. Source link
Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta (centre) is all smiles as speaks with captain Martin Odegaard (left) and other players during a training session at the Puskas Arena…
Nepal's government unveiled yesterday its first budget since sweeping to power after a youth-led uprising, promising reforms and a push to revive growth following months of political turmoil.Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, assumed office in March after a landslide victory for his party in the first elections since the deadly 2025 uprising ousted the previous government.Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle presented a 2.1-trillion-rupee ($13.8-billion) spending plan focused on boosting infrastructure, technology, health and education, while pledging to stabilise the economy.’The nation is standing at a decisive crossroad of comprehensive economic reform,’ Wagle said in parliament.’The vicious circle of political instability has come to an end.’The budget seeks to spur domestic demand by doubling the income tax exemption threshold and raising salaries for government employees, while also introducing reforms aimed at improving the business environment and attracting investment.Poor planning and sluggish bureaucracy hampered the country's growth in previous years, with the government routinely failing to spend funds allocated in annual budgets.’This budget… attempts to redefine the state's role not just as a controller and a regulator but an institution that creates opportunities,’ Wagle said, promising more jobs and improving living standards.The nationwide demonstrations in September 2025, initially sparked by anger over a brief government ban on social media, were driven by deeper frustration over economic hardship and corruption.Violence during the protests killed at least 76 people.Rameshore Khanal, who served as finance minister in the interim administration that led the country following the uprising, lauded the budget and said it had steered away from populist agendas.’This budget focuses on reforms more than ever before… it will be a turning point if implemented effectively,’ Khanal told AFP.Business leaders also welcomed the proposals, particularly measures aimed at easing regulatory burdens.The budget would make ‘it easier for investors to navigate the complex legal regime in the country’, said Birendra Raj Pandey, president of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries.On Wednesday, the government's economic survey projected growth of 3.85 percent as Nepal grapples with the impact of global economic pressures.In April, the World Bank said better political stability and progress in structural reforms could boost investor confidence in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people.Wagle said that ‘the economy is expected to grow by seven percent in the coming financial year as a result of the reform programmes, while the inflation rate will remain at six percent.’ Source link
Israeli air strikes on several areas in southern Lebanon have killed at least 18 people and injured several others, according to Lebanese state media. Lebanon’s National News Agency said civil defense teams recovered four bodies, including children, after a strike targeted a house in the town of Adloun. Another strike on the outskirts of the same town reportedly killed eight Syrians. Additional strikes hit a building in the town of Abbassiyeh, killing four people, while two others were killed in Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr. Separately, an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle on the Abbassiyeh–Tyre road caused several injuries. Lebanese authorities say the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since the escalation of hostilities has risen to 3,355, with more than 10,000 people injured. The strikes come despite an ongoing truce agreement that took effect on April 16 and was extended for a second time on May 15 for an additional 45 days, amid growing international concern over worsening humanitarian and security conditions in the region Source link
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca knocked Novak Djokovic out in the third round of the French Open on Friday to scupper the Serbian great's latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam. The 19-year-old Fonseca rallied from two sets down for the second straight match to stun Djokovic with a phenomenal display of power-hitting. Fonseca triumphed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after four hours and 53 minutes to make it through to the last 16 of a major for the first time. Asked how he kept believing after falling behind, Fonseca replied: ‘I actually didn't. I just kept playing. I just enjoyed being on court. What a pleasure it was stepping on court with him (Djokovic) for the first time. I was trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic, he does not miss.’ Fonseca will next play two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud or American 24th seed Tommy Paul. Djokovic's exit comes a day after the shock elimination of world number one and red-hot title favourite Jannik Sinner. It means there will be a first-time men's Grand Slam champion this year at the French Open, ending a run of nine successive majors won by Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. ‘What an incredible match to be part of,’ said Djokovic. ‘Huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match. Without a doubt he was the better player in crucial moments.’ Djokovic has been stuck on 24 majors since the 2023 US Open and may not get a better chance to add to that haul. Two-time defending champion Alcaraz was already absent in Paris due to injury. ‘You just have to say well done and congratulate him. He played lights-out tennis,’ Djokovic said of Fonseca. ‘I don't think I've done much wrong with my game. He was just better.’ Alexander Zverev, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, is best placed to capitalise on the wide open draw. The second seed plays Frenchman Quentin Halys in the night session. Swiatek and Andreeva move onIga Swiatek booked her place in the last 16 of the women's draw with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Magda Linette in an all-Polish affair. Four-time women's champion Swiatek dug herself out of an early 2-0 hole against the 35th-ranked Linette, who won their most recent meeting at Miami in March. Swiatek broke three times in the opening set to nose ahead, and then surged into a 4-1 lead in the second set. She overcame a stumble as she tried to close it out, before sealing victory to set up an intriguing match-up with the in-form Marta Kostyuk. ‘It was a good match. I played much better than Miami,’ said Swiatek, who moved to appoint Francisco Roig, a longtime coach of Rafael Nadal, in the wake of her loss to Linette two months ago. Kostyuk, the 15th seed, continued her fine run with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic. She is unbeaten in 15 matches on clay this season following titles in Madrid and Rouen. ‘Marta is having a great season. She always had a game to play well,’ said Swiatek. ‘So good for her. But I'm going to focus on myself, prepare tactically, as before any other match, and we'll see.’ Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva swept into the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova. The eighth-seeded Andreeva goes on to face Swiss world number 170 Jil Teichmann, who knocked out former French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova. Elina Svitolina extended her winning run to nine matches, easing into the second week with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tamara Korpatsch. Svitolina, who ended an eight-year wait for another WTA 1000 title in Rome, meets Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic or American Peyton Stearns for a place in the quarter-finals. Romanian 18th seed Sorana Cirstea demolished Argentina's Solara Sierra 6-0, 6-0. Source link