Germany's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old cited physical and mental burdens as reasons for his decision, concluding a distinguished career that includes a 2014 World Cup triumph.
Brazil's Neymar faces further doubt for the FIFA World Cup after undergoing new tests on his injured right calf. The veteran forward, sidelined since preparations began, is reportedly being managed for a potential return in the knockout stages, missing group games.
15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-breaking IPL 2026 season has ignited a debate about his inclusion in the Indian cricket team. While some former cricketers advocate for fast-tracking him, others, like Sanjay Manjrekar, urge caution, emphasizing the difference between T20 and red-ball cricket and the importance of the player's own aspirations.
The election committee for independent candidate Kim Kwan-young has accused rival candidates Lee Won-taek (Democratic Party) and Yang Jeong-moo (People Power Party) of sharing a statistical panel during a televised debate, citing visual similarities in their presentation materials.
Decades of M4 congestion around Newport are a major election issue in Wales. Parties are divided on building a costly relief road versus investing in public transport, with businesses warning of economic impact.
Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK in Scotland and a multimillionaire former Conservative life peer, has faced fierce criticism after boasting during an STV election debate about owning six houses, five cars, and six boats. The co-leader of the Scottish Greens Ross Greer responded by saying fewer people like Offord are needed, while Labour's Anas Sarwar called him "entitled". SNP leader John Swinney proposed all party leaders publish their tax returns before the May 7 election, describing Offord's comments as "tone deaf".
Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas has denied his party is racist during a heated Senedd election debate, where he defended his criticism of the Welsh government's Nation of Sanctuary policy. The leaders of Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats and Greens all ruled out working with Reform to form a government after the May 7 election, while Thomas challenged parties to publish full costing of their manifesto promises. The debate focused heavily on immigration, with other party leaders accusing Reform and Conservatives of playing a dangerous game by blaming immigrants for decaying public services.
BBC Verify examined six claims made by party leaders during a Welsh Senedd election debate. NHS waiting lists have fallen for nine consecutive months but remain 48% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Wales does not receive HS2 funding through Barnett, though the UK government has announced £14bn for Welsh railways. Child poverty affects 31% of Welsh children. There are 1,351 people in Welsh hospitals who could be discharged. An estimated 965 deaths were associated with 12+ hour A&E waits. Sport Wales spent £5.4m on energy improvements for sports clubs.
In a heated BBC Wales leaders' debate ahead of next week's Senedd election, Reform UK challenged all main parties to publish full costings of their manifesto pledges. Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Greens said they would publish or had published some costings, while Liberal Democrats refused. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the incoming Welsh government will face a severe financial squeeze requiring tax rises or service cuts. Four left-wing party leaders ruled out working with Reform but did not rule out working with each other.
Six Welsh party leaders prepare for a crucial televised debate with just over a week until the Senedd election on May 7. Polls suggest Labour's 27-year dominance is under serious threat from Plaid Cymru and Reform, making this a high-stakes opportunity to appeal to undecided voters. Key issues expected include health, education, cost of living, and particularly immigration, where Reform and Conservatives want to end the Nation of Sanctuary policy while other parties support it. No single party is expected to win a majority under the new voting system.
