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  • Middle East war: global economic fallout

    Middle East war: global economic fallout

    The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has triggered widespread economic disruptions across continents, reshaping energy markets, straining national energy reserves, and driving volatile swings in global financial systems in recent weeks. While diplomatic signals of a potential de-escalation have temporarily calmed market jitters, the tangible damage to critical energy infrastructure and persistent supply chain risks continue to pressure economies worldwide.

    On Wednesday, global financial markets posted sharp gains following two consecutive days of upward momentum, driven by remarks from key leaders hinting at a possible end to hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces. U.S. former President Donald Trump indicated that the conflict could wrap up within approximately two weeks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed Tehran holds the political will to reach a ceasefire with Israel and the United States – though he emphasized the need for ironclad guarantees to prevent future outbreaks of violence. The upbeat diplomatic signals sent Asian stocks soaring: Japanese and South Korean benchmark indexes jumped in early morning trading, following a massive rally on Wall Street a day earlier that saw the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average close up 2.5%, and the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite surge 3.8%. Oil prices also pulled back from recent multi-year highs on the ceasefire hopes, though benchmark crude still held firmly above the $100 per barrel threshold, underscoring persistent supply uncertainty.

    Beyond market volatility, the conflict has already inflicted permanent damage to critical regional infrastructure. Iranian state media reported this week that a major desalination plant on Qeshm Island, located near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz – the chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies transit daily – has been completely knocked out of service by targeted strikes. Health ministry official Mohsen Farhadi told Iran’s ISNA news agency that the facility cannot be repaired in the short term, cutting off a key source of fresh water for the island’s population. Separate reports confirmed an Iranian attack ignited a fire on the Al Salmi, a 332-meter Kuwaiti-flagged crude tanker docked at Dubai’s port. No casualties were reported, and Dubai fire crews successfully extinguished the blaze within hours, but the incident highlighted the growing risk to commercial shipping in the region.

    Geopolitical risks have also disrupted transit for global shipping operators. China’s foreign ministry announced Tuesday that three Chinese-registered vessels have successfully completed transit out of the Strait of Hormuz, with assistance from unspecified relevant parties. Tracking data confirms two container ships operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco made the passage on Monday, though Beijing has not released any details on the identity or status of the third vessel.

    The economic fallout of the conflict is already being felt far beyond the Middle East, with consumer prices and energy policy being upended across Europe, Africa, and Asia. In the Eurozone, March inflation climbed to 2.5% – the highest reading recorded since January 2025 – driven almost entirely by skyrocketing energy costs tied to Middle East supply disruptions. According to Jean Maynier, head of global maritime analytics firm Kpler, Asian economies face the most severe impact, with the region already sliding toward a full-blown energy crisis. Maynier told Agence France-Presse that Asian nations do not hold enough domestic energy reserves to offset the gap left by disrupted Middle Eastern supplies, noting that shortages will be felt across both large emerging economies like China and smaller developing nations including the Philippines and Indonesia.

    To cope with the looming shortages, governments across the Global South have already implemented emergency energy conservation measures. Indonesia became one of the first major Asian economies to announce fuel rationing this week, alongside a mandatory work-from-home order for all civil servants, as the country moves to preserve existing energy stockpiles amid global price hikes. Jakarta has also ruled out any immediate fuel price increases, despite growing pressure on the national budget from the conflict. In East Africa, Ethiopia announced that it would prioritize fuel allocations for essential goods transport and public transit vehicles, as widespread shortages linked to the conflict grip the country. South Asia has seen even more drastic action: Sri Lanka this week announced a nearly 40% increase in electricity prices, effective Wednesday, to offset energy shortages stemming from the Middle East war. This marks the third fuel price hike the country has implemented this month, bringing total increases to more than 33%, and Sri Lanka has already moved to a four-day working week for public employees to cut overall energy consumption.

  • US Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock’s home suspended and then reinstated within hours

    US Army pilots who flew near Kid Rock’s home suspended and then reinstated within hours

    A recent incident involving two U.S. Army Apache helicopter crews and a high-profile conservative entertainer has sparked new debate over military conduct and political alignment, after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly reversed a temporary suspension of the personnel just hours after it was announced. The controversy began on March 28, when two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at nearby Fort Campbell, hovered low over the Tennessee property of Kid Rock, a renowned musician and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump.

    Kid Rock, born Robert Ritchie, shared a video of the encounter on social media over the weekend. The clips show the artist standing poolside beside a mini Statue of Liberty replica, saluting the passing aircraft at his sprawling estate, which he has nicknamed the “Southern White House.” His social media caption combined a patriotic message honoring fallen U.S. service members with a verbal jab at California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has had public conflicts with both Kid Rock and Trump.

    After the video spread widely online, the U.S. Army announced Tuesday morning that it had temporarily pulled the two flight crews from active duty pending an investigation into whether the flyby violated federal flight regulations and military operating standards. “The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable,” Army Major Montrell Russell told the BBC in an early statement.

    But within hours of the suspension announcement, Defense Secretary Hegseth stepped in to reverse the decision, announcing on social media that the crews would face no punishment and no formal investigation. “No punishment. No Investigation. Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth wrote. Kid Rock told local Nashville outlet WKRN-TV that low-altitude flights near his property are far from unusual, noting he has a long history of entertaining troops at Fort Campbell and on overseas deployments. “I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot,” he said. “I’ve talked to some of these pilots. I’ve told them, ‘You guys see me waving when you come by the house?’ I’m like, ‘You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time.’”

    When asked about the incident during a White House press interaction Tuesday, President Trump struck a mixed tone, at first joking that “maybe they were trying to defend him.” He acknowledged that the unapproved flyby likely violated military rules: “probably shouldn’t have been doing it. You’re not supposed to be playing games,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. The president added, however, that he shares the crews’ positive view of the entertainer: “They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock.” Kid Rock has long held a high profile in conservative politics, most recently headlining an alternative Super Bowl halftime event for the right-wing organization Turning Point USA and speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention. The BBC has reached out to the U.S. Army for additional comment following Hegseth’s reversal of the suspension.

  • Steam-cleaner with non-compliant power adaptor recalled over risk of death

    Steam-cleaner with non-compliant power adaptor recalled over risk of death

    Australia’s consumer safety watchdog has issued an urgent public recall and warning for a widely sold portable steam cleaner linked to severe, potentially fatal hazards including electric shock, burns and fire. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Product Safety Department announced the recall after testing confirmed the bright yellow “portable electric high pressure” steam cleaner sold by online retailer Ozstock fails to meet the country’s mandatory national electrical safety standards.

    The dangerous non-compliance centers on the device’s power adapter, a core component that allows the unit to draw household electricity. Manufactured in China, the recalled steam cleaners were distributed and sold to customers across all Australian states and territories via the Ozstock online platform between September 28, 2023, and March 19 of this year. ACCC documents note the product had been listed for sale on the platform for multiple years before safety concerns prompted the recall order, leading to widespread distribution among Australian households.

    In addition to electrical risks, the ACCC warns the faulty device poses direct threats of death, serious injury, and property damage from uncontrolled fire or accidental burns. The regulator has issued clear guidance for all consumers who may have purchased the product: stop using the device immediately, and store it in a secure location completely out of reach of children to prevent accidental exposure to hazards.

    Digitel International, the official Australian supplier of the recalled steam cleaners, has committed to providing a full refund to all customers who properly and safely dispose of their faulty units. Consumers who own the product are encouraged to reach out directly to Digitel International to arrange for their refund and confirm safe disposal protocols. The ACCC is also urging consumers who bought portable steam cleaners from Ozstock in the specified time frame to check their product against the recall description to confirm if they own the hazardous unit.

  • Billion-plus people, three million officials, 33 questions – India begins huge census

    Billion-plus people, three million officials, 33 questions – India begins huge census

    On Wednesday, India officially kicked off the largest population enumeration exercise in global history, marking the first full national population count the country has conducted in over 15 years. What began as a routine decennial survey scheduled for 2021 was delayed first by the COVID-19 pandemic, and later pushed back further by administrative and electoral logistics — the first time India has missed its decennial census schedule in modern history.

    When complete, this 12-month, two-phase initiative will have counted every single one of India’s more than 1.4 billion residents, carried out by a team of more than 3 million trained enumerators across 36 states and union territories, covering more than 640,000 villages, 9,700 towns and 7,000 sub-districts. Most field workers are drawn from existing public sector ranks, including schoolteachers, local government officials and state administrative staff.

    Today, India holds the title of the world’s most populous country, having overtaken China in total population in 2023 according to United Nations Population Fund estimates. Even with gradually falling national fertility rates, the country retains its status as one of the world’s youngest major nations, with a median population age of just 28 and nearly 70 percent of its population falling within the working-age bracket.

    This 16th national census, the eighth conducted since India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, marks a major milestone in the evolution of the country’s data collection efforts. For the first time ever, the entire operation will leverage digital infrastructure: enumerators will use custom mobile applications to collect and submit data in real time, and authorities have introduced a new self-enumeration option that allows residents to submit their own details via a multilingual online portal that generates a unique verification ID for census workers to confirm.

    The rollout will proceed in staggered phases. An initial pilot launch across selected regions including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Mizoram and Odisha will open with self-enumeration running from April 1 to April 15, followed by the first national phase of data collection: the House Listing and Housing Census, to be completed between April 16 and May 15 in these pilot areas. This first phase of the national operation gathers 33 core points of data covering housing type, access to basic amenities, household assets and household structure, covering questions ranging from roofing material to primary cereal consumption to internet access and the number of married couples residing in a single home. The second phase, full population enumeration scheduled for February 2027, will collect granular demographic data on education, migration history, fertility rates, and for the first time in decades, will include full caste enumeration — a long-debated and politically sensitive topic in Indian public life.

    The scope and structure of India’s census has evolved steadily since its colonial origins, reflecting shifting administrative and policy priorities across the decades. The first attempted nationwide census in 1872 included just 17 questions, focused almost entirely on recording basic household structure and core identity markers such as age, religion, caste and occupation. The first fully synchronized nationwide census followed in 1881, establishing a core template of identity markers, social classifications, and basic questions around literacy and disability. Over the early 20th century, questions on occupation, language and literacy were refined to capture more nuanced details, including secondary employment and economic dependency. By 1941, the survey had expanded to 22 questions, shifting from purely identity tracking to capturing how Indians lived, adding new metrics for fertility, employment status, economic dependency, migration and job search that signaled a growing policy focus on economic outcomes.

    After independence, the scope expanded further: the 1951 and 1961 censuses added questions on nationality, displacement from the 1947 Partition, land ownership and expanded employment categories. From the 1970s onward, the census adopted an explicitly socio-economic focus, adding standard questions on migration history, duration of residence, detailed fertility patterns and granular employment classifications. The 2001 and 2011 rounds adapted to India’s rapid modernization, adding tracking for commuting patterns, distinctions between marginal and full-time work, school attendance and more detailed disability and fertility data. The 2026 round continues this evolution, updating social classifications to recognize changing relationship norms: couples in live-in relationships may now be recorded as married if they self-identify their relationship as a stable union, a quiet shift toward acknowledging evolving social realities across the country.

    As the scope of data collection has expanded, so too have public and expert concerns over data use and potential misapplication. Some analysts note that prior efforts to build centralized national databases including the National Population Register, alongside intensive revisions to national electoral rolls, have stoked public anxieties that population counting could be tied to citizenship verification and exclusion.

    “Although the census has nothing to do with citizenship, this can create anxiety, prompting some families to over-report or list absent migrant members during the census to avoid any perceived exclusion,” explained KS James, an Indian demographer affiliated with Princeton University.

    Beyond these public concerns, experts emphasize a more fundamental policy gap that the census is set to address: for 15 years, India has crafted national policy without an updated full population baseline. In the absence of a fresh enumeration, policymakers have relied on sample surveys to track everything from consumption expenditure to labor force trends, with the national statistics ministry working to maintain broad representativeness, but gaps remain.

    For Ashwini Deshpande, an economist at Ashoka University, the census does more than count people: it updates the basic geographic and social map of India itself, reclassifying areas as rural, urban or the fast-growing peri-urban category that has emerged alongside rapid economic growth. Most current geographic classification still relies on 2011 census data, even though decades of urbanization have blurred traditional boundaries that shape how policy is targeted.

    “That has real consequences for India’s vast welfare and public spending system,” Deshpande noted. If program eligibility relies on outdated or inaccurate geographic and population data, the number of eligible beneficiaries can be wildly misjudged, distorting service and fund delivery. For example, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the country’s flagship rural jobs scheme, depends on accurate definitions of which areas count as rural — a classification that has shifted dramatically across 15 years of rapid development.

    Without up-to-date full population data, millions of urban migrant workers, most of whom work in informal sectors and live in informal housing, remain undercounted in policy design — a gap that was starkly exposed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of workers were left without access to state support.

    “This census is crucial — it is the definitive snapshot of India, capturing everything from caste and religion to jobs, education and amenities, and offering the most complete picture of how the population lives,” Deshpande said.

  • Golden toilet statue mocks Trump near renovated White House

    Golden toilet statue mocks Trump near renovated White House

    A provocative pop-up art installation has sparked public intrigue and political satire has drawn crowds in Washington DC just blocks from the newly renovated White House: a gold-painted toilet, styled as a mocking ‘royal throne’ for former and current President Donald Trump.

    Crafted with the same over-the-top faux marble finish that Trump has become famous for favoring in his personal and public design choices, the installation features a prominent plaque reading “A throne fit for a king.” The work was created and deployed by Secret Handshake, an anonymous guerrilla art collective that has become known for placing provocative temporary sculptures across the US capital over the past 12 months.

    When the installation debuted on Tuesday near the Lincoln Memorial, it immediately drew long lines of curious tourists and critical Trump opponents, all waiting for a chance to see and photograph the satirical piece. Among the visitors was 78-year-old Nancy Chase, who told Agence France-Presse she traveled specifically to Washington to snap photos of the golden toilet, citing her opposition to Trump as her core motivation.

    The satire comes amid a sweeping redesign of White House spaces that Trump has overseen during his second term in office, which have all bear his distinctively opulent aesthetic. The Oval Office now features extensive gold decorative accents, the traditionally understated elegant Rose Garden has been repaved, and the entire East Wing was demolished to clear space for a sprawling new grand ballroom. Beyond architectural changes, Trump has increasingly centered his own brand and image across Washington: his name already adorns the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in massive lettering, and a new official coin featuring his likeness is set to enter circulation soon.

    For many visitors who came to see the golden toilet, the work feels like a perfectly timed critique of Trump’s public persona. William Hoker, a 69-year-old retiree who biked to the installation site, called the piece a fitting characterization of the sitting president. “I wanted to see this statue before it disappeared, and I think it epitomizes perfectly the guy in the White House, he’s just a vulgar display,” Hoker explained to AFP. His friend Steve Toulotte echoed that sentiment, noting that political satire aimed at the president serves an important public purpose.

    This is not the first provocative work from Secret Handshake. Over the past year, the collective has placed multiple unauthorised temporary sculptures across Washington, including one that depicted Trump alongside his late disgraced associate, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

  • At gas stations, Americans say they’re ‘paying the price’ of Iran war

    At gas stations, Americans say they’re ‘paying the price’ of Iran war

    Across U.S. gas stations from the Washington suburbs to New Jersey, American drivers are grappling with the immediate, painful domestic fallout of the ongoing conflict with Iran, as skyrocketing fuel costs squeeze already strained household budgets and send ripples of uncertainty through the broader national economy.

    On Tuesday, industry data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) confirmed that the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline breached the widely watched $4.00 threshold. The figure marks a staggering 35% jump in fuel costs since the outbreak of hostilities following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, leaving everyday consumers reeling from the sudden spike.

    At the Liberty gas station located along a busy commercial corridor in Falls Church, Virginia — just steps from an Anglican church, a local auto repair shop, and a dental practice — prices already start at $3.79 per gallon for customers paying with cash, with premium rates adding an extra surcharge for debit and credit card users. A short distance down the same road, some stations are charging as much as $4.25 per gallon.

    Eighty-three-year-old Jeanne Williams, a retired civil servant in active cancer treatment who drove 100 miles from Richmond, Virginia to visit her older sister, voiced shock at the prices displayed on the station’s LED billboard. “That is horrible,” she said, describing her reaction to the new rates. “I’m not angry. I’m just bewildered, confused, unhappy, because we didn’t ask for this war.” Though Williams calls her pension “fairly decent”, persistent U.S. inflation and rising fuel costs have forced her to draw down personal savings to cover basic expenses. “Luckily, I have no children, I don’t have a spouse, so it’s just me — and whatever I have, I share to help my sister,” she explained.

    While U.S. inflation has cooled from its 9.1% pandemic-era peak, core prices have remained stubbornly elevated, and economists warn the world’s largest economy has yet to achieve sustained price stability. Years of above-trend price growth have already eroded household purchasing power across the country, and the sudden fuel surge threatens to deepen that financial pressure.

    Eliza Winger, a U.S. economist at Bloomberg, noted that higher pump prices extend far beyond immediate pain at the station: they drag down overall consumer spending, creating cascading risks for economic growth. “We estimate that a 10% increase in oil prices reduces real consumer spending by approximately 0.2 percent,” Winger explained. Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, U.S. fuel prices have risen more than three times that 10% threshold, pointing to a potentially significant hit to consumer activity in coming months. Fresh consumer confidence data released Tuesday underscored this unease, showing that U.S. inflation expectations surged in March to levels not seen in seven months.

    Twenty-six-year-old Luis Ramos, a New York City resident who spoke to AFP at a New Jersey gas station, said the new price hikes come on top of already unsustainable cost of living increases. “It’s ridiculous, honestly. Seeing these gas prices skyrocket, it’s incredible. The cost of living is already skyrocketing,” he said.

    For David Lee, a 39-year-old anesthesiologist who fills up his tank twice a week near Washington, every stop now costs roughly $10 more than it did just weeks ago. Though his income allows him to absorb the extra cost, he says many of his friends have already changed their behavior to cut costs. “I’ve seen a lot of my friends complaining about it that they’re not gonna drive as much as they used to,” he noted.

    Seventy-seven-year-old Joseph Crouch, a Vietnam War veteran who uses a cane, is among those who have scaled back driving to manage expenses. “It’s ridiculous. The prices are so high. I don’t think government is knowing what it is doing,” he said. Echoing a sentiment shared by many consumers interviewed, he argued, “We are paying the price of the war. They are trying to say it’s something else, but it’s definitely a war.” Seventy-eight-year-old Fred Koester echoed that frustration, calling the conflict a “stupid war” that was “totally unnecessary.”

    Not all perspectives aligned on public frustration, however. Kristen, a 36-year-old teacher who declined to share her last name, acknowledged that higher fuel prices cause real hardship, but argued it is “selfish” for Americans to only protest the conflict once it begins impacting their personal finances. “We should have cared long before it affects our pocket,” she said.

  • Italy again miss out on World Cup as Bosnia, Turkey, Czechs and Sweden qualify

    Italy again miss out on World Cup as Bosnia, Turkey, Czechs and Sweden qualify

    For the third consecutive FIFA World Cup cycle, four-time champions Italy have failed to secure a spot at the global tournament, suffering a crushing penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final UEFA play-off. Tuesday’s results also locked in three other qualifiers — Turkey, Sweden, and the Czech Republic — for the 48-team 2026 finals co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, bringing an end to a dramatic final night of European qualifying.

    Four-time World Cup winners Italy, who have not lifted the global trophy since 2006 and have not progressed past the group stage of any tournament they qualified for since 2006, now face another extended spell on the tournament sidelines. They already missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions, falling to play-off defeats against Sweden and North Macedonia respectively, and their 2014 group stage exit remains their last appearance at the finals.

    The night unfolded in chaotic fashion for Italy’s Azzurri: Moise Kean put Gennaro Gattuso’s side ahead in the 15th minute, but a first-half red card for defender Alessandro Bastoni left Italy down to 10 men for more than an hour of play. Bosnia capitalized on their numerical advantage late, with Haris Tabakovic netting the equalizer in the 79th minute to force the match into extra time. With no additional goals scored through the additional 30 minutes, the tie was decided from the penalty spot.

    In one of the most lopsided penalty shootouts in recent European qualifying history, Bosnia converted all four of their spot kicks to win 4-1. Only Sandro Tonali found the net for Italy: Francesco Pio Esposito dragged his opening penalty over the crossbar, while Bryan Cristante saw his effort smash off the woodwork, confirming Italy’s early exit. A devastated Gattuso said post-match, “I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow. It’s difficult to digest.”

    For Bosnia, ranked 66th in the global FIFA rankings, the result marks just their second ever World Cup appearance, following their debut in 2014. They finished second in Group H behind Austria before beating Wales in a penalty shootout in the play-off semi-finals, and will now face Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B this summer.

    Elsewhere on Tuesday, Turkey ended Kosovo’s fairy-tale run to qualifying with a 1-0 away win in Pristina, booking their first spot at the World Cup in 24 years. A 53rd-minute strike from Kerem Akturkoglu proved the difference for Vincenzo Montella’s side, eliminating a Kosovo side that had only earned FIFA membership a decade prior and was targeting its first ever major global tournament appearance.

    Ranked 22nd in the world, Turkey will make just their third ever World Cup appearance, having previously qualified in 1954 and reached the semi-finals on home soil of the 2002 Korea-Japan edition. “We achieved our dreams. The World Cup is the pinnacle in this profession,” Montella told reporters after the win. Turkey will join co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia in Group D.

    Sweden booked their place in the most dramatic fashion of all, with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scoring an 88th-minute winner to secure a 3-2 home win over Poland in Stockholm. The side, now managed by English coach Graham Potter, finished bottom of their qualifying group without a single win, and only earned a play-off spot thanks to strong results in the UEFA Nations League.

    After beating Ukraine 3-1 in the semi-final last week, Sweden twice surrendered the lead against Poland: Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Nicola Zalewski equalized, and Gustaf Lagerbielke restored Sweden’s lead before half time, only for Karol Swiderski to level the scores again early in the second half. Gyokeres eventually forced the ball over the line in a late goalmouth scramble to send Sweden through. They will face the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F.

    The Czech Republic rounded out the night of qualifying with a penalty shootout win over Denmark in Prague, securing their first World Cup appearance since 2006. The match ended 2-2 after extra time: Pavel Sulc opened the scoring for the hosts before Joachim Andersen equalized for the Danes, Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs back ahead in extra time, and Kasper Hojlund levelled the match again to force penalties. The Czechs followed their semi-final penalty win over Ireland with another shootout success, winning 3-1 as Denmark converted just one of their four penalties, with Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all missing from the spot. The Czech Republic will face South Africa, South Korea and co-host Mexico in Group A.

  • Italy’s World Cup nightmare continues after shoot-out defeat to Bosnia

    Italy’s World Cup nightmare continues after shoot-out defeat to Bosnia

    Four-time World Cup champion Italy has etched a deeply unwanted place in global soccer history, becoming the first former tournament winner to miss out on three straight World Cup finals after a devastating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final. The shocking 4-1 result on penalties in Zenica ended Italy’s hopes of reaching this summer’s 26-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, and extended one of the most painful droughts in international soccer.

    The match began with a fast start that seemed to point toward an Italian victory. Italian striker Moise Kean got his side on the board in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a catastrophic error from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Under intense pressure from Mateo Retegui, Vasilj played a direct pass straight to Italy’s Nicolo Barella, who quickly slipped a through ball to Kean. The Juventus forward curled a clinical finish past Vasilj from the edge of the 18-yard box, notching his eighth international goal in just six appearances to put Italy ahead.

    Bosnia refused to fold, however, and began to pile consistent pressure on the Italian defense, amplified by a game-changing red card four minutes before halftime. Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni was ejected for a crude, late chop on Bosnia’s Amar Memic, leaving the Azzurri down to 10 men for more than an hour of play. The home crowd erupted, sensing an opening that the Bosnian side fully exploited for the rest of regulation.

    Down a man, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso adjusted his formation to absorb relentless Bosnian pressure, but the equalizer finally arrived in the 79th minute. After Edin Dzeko’s header was parried off the goal line by Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, substitute Haris Tabakovic poked the loose ball into the net to level the score, sending the tie to extra time. The additional 30 minutes were just as tense: Italian players were furious that a second red card was not issued to Tarik Muharemovic for a foul on a breaking Marco Palestra, but Donnarumma’s two outstanding saves on headers from Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic kept the score level to force penalties.

    The penalty shootout turned into a disaster for Italy from the very first kick. Pio Esposito hammered his opening effort well over the crossbar, and when Bryan Cristante’s subsequent strike clattered off the bar, Italy was already on the brink. Esmir Bajraktarevic converted the decisive spot-kick, squeezing his shot under Donnarumma to seal the historic win for Bosnia, sparking wild pitch invasions from thousands of elated home fans.

    For Bosnia, the result books their spot in Group B of this summer’s World Cup, paired with co-host Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. This marks just the second time the Balkan nation has qualified for the World Cup finals, with their only previous appearance coming back in 2014. “They’re guys with character. We have guys we’re proud of,” Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez said after the match, joking that his goal was to qualify for a major tournament every two years.

    For Italy, the defeat extends a stunning streak of failure that began eight years ago. It marks the third consecutive World Cup the Azzurri have missed, following play-off eliminations at the hands of Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. They are the first ever World Cup winner to miss three straight editions of the tournament, a record that will stand as a dark mark on one of European soccer’s most successful programs.

    In the aftermath of the defeat, a visibly emotional Gattuso said he could not fault his team’s effort. “I don’t think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow, for the performance, the effort and the heart that they showed tonight… I’m proud of the boys,” he told reporters. “It’s difficult to digest.” When asked about his own future as head coach, Gattuso said that discussion was not important in the moment. Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina later clarified that federation officials had asked Gattuso to stay on, and that the coach would not resign.

    The defeat also added an extra layer of embarrassment for Italian soccer, after footage emerged of multiple Italian players celebrating Bosnia’s semi-final penalty win over Wales just days earlier. That decision looks even more ill-advised after Bosnia’s focused, physical performance earned them a spot at the finals at Italy’s expense.

  • Wild way island is tackling invasive birds

    Wild way island is tackling invasive birds

    Kangaroo Island, a major natural habitat off the coast of South Australia, has achieved a breakthrough in its long-running battle against invasive non-native species, with an innovative night culling strategy using infrared thermal imaging technology and trained marksmen successfully reducing populations of destructive little corellas. This newly tested method comes as the island continues its broader campaign to eliminate harmful introduced species, following ongoing efforts to eradicate feral cats across the region.

    For more than a century, little corellas, a species of cockatoo not native to the island, have thrived alongside human settlement, growing into an overabundant population that disrupts the local ecosystem and damages key local industries. Unlike native wildlife that fits into Kangaroo Island’s balanced natural food web, these introduced birds have left a wide trail of harm: they cause irreversible damage to mature native trees, erode critical infrastructure, threaten the profitability of the island’s grain-growing sector, and push the vulnerable endemic glossy black cockatoo closer to risk by destroying their eggs and killing hatchlings. Beyond ecological harm, the growing corella population creates persistent noise pollution and spreads pathogens through their accumulated droppings, posing tangible public health risks to local communities.

    For years, Kangaroo Island’s environmental managers tested a range of conventional control strategies to curb the corella population, including trapping, gassing, and daytime shooting. However, the adaptable, quick-witted birds soon learned to avoid these methods, delivering only limited success that left managers searching for a more effective solution.

    In a two-year trial run across the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 summer seasons, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board rolled out an unconventional approach: deploying skilled marksmen equipped with infrared thermal imaging gear to target roosting corellas while they sleep at night. What initially sounds like a plot device from a James Bond spy thriller has turned out to be far more effective than any prior method, according to final trial results released this week.

    Over the course of the two-year trial, a total of 2,640 little corellas were humanely culled. The 2023-2024 summer season removed 1,467 birds, and the most recent 2024-2025 season culled 1,173 corellas in just five nights of operations. Will Durack, general manager of the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, explained that targeting roosting flocks at night removes the corellas’ ability to avoid control efforts, delivering far higher removal rates per operation than conventional approaches. “Targeting birds at night while they are roosting allowed several hundred birds to be removed in a single operation and achieved a much higher catch per unit effort,” Durack said. “The trial now shows a proven method for effective and humane control of little corellas.”

    The successful trial comes as Kangaroo Island pursues an ambitious agenda to eliminate all feral invasive species from the island, following a public proposal for a strict “last cat policy” to eradicate feral cats, another major threat to the island’s native wildlife. Under the proposed cat policy, existing domestic cats would be allowed to stay with their owners, but no new cats would be permitted to be brought onto the island to prevent future feral populations from establishing. Durack added that the board is ready to share its successful night culling method with other environmental agencies across South Australia that are grappling with overabundant corella populations, to support more effective invasive species control across the state.

  • Woods ‘stepping away’ to focus on health after DUI arrest

    Woods ‘stepping away’ to focus on health after DUI arrest

    Golfing icon Tiger Woods has confirmed he will step away from professional competition to seek treatment and focus on his personal health, just days after his arrest on misdemeanor driving under the influence charges stemming from a car crash near his Florida residence. The 15-time major championship winner collided with a trailer pulled by a pickup truck last Friday, close to his Jupiter Island home, in an incident that left his sport utility vehicle overturned on its side. Remarkably, neither Woods nor the pickup truck driver suffered any physical injuries in the crash.

    Law enforcement officers responding to the scene assessed Woods as impaired behind the wheel. Officers documented in their official accident report that Woods displayed multiple visible signs of impairment: he was sweating heavily, moved slowly and lethargically, had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and stumbled while walking, favoring his right side. Authorities also found two hydrocodone pills, a prescription opioid painkiller commonly used to manage chronic pain, in Woods’ possession. A breathalyzer test conducted at the scene detected no alcohol in his system, and Woods refused to complete a required urine test, leading to an additional charge of refusing a lawful chemical test.

    Woods has entered a not guilty plea to all charges, telling investigators that his attention was distracted by adjusting his car radio and checking his mobile phone, which caused him to miss that traffic ahead had slowed down. He has waived his scheduled arraignment and formally requested a jury trial to resolve the case. He was released from Martin County Jail shortly after posting bond the same night as his arrest.

    In a public statement released Tuesday, the 50-year-old golfer acknowledged the gravity of his current situation. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

    Woods’ long history of debilitating sports injuries and major medical procedures is well-documented. The golf star survived a catastrophic 2021 single-car crash in Southern California that left him with multiple compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle that required emergency surgery. He has since undergone seven separate back surgeries and more than 20 procedures on his injured leg, he told responding officers last week. Most recently, he underwent back surgery in October 2024 and suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. He has not competed in a top-tier professional golf tournament since the 2024 British Open, though he did participate in a TGL indoor simulator golf event last week and had publicly discussed a potential return to competition at the upcoming Masters tournament. He previously made a widely celebrated return to the Masters in 2022, finishing 47th despite severe difficulty walking the full 72 holes at Augusta National.

    Woods is still scheduled to attend the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta National next week, ahead of the 90th running of the Masters tournament. In closing his statement, Woods emphasized his commitment to long-term recovery, saying he is taking the necessary time to rebuild his health for both his personal and professional life. “I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” he wrote. “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”