Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori said he feels "a little older" as Italy's squad leans toward youth ahead of the Nations League clash with France. The match, scheduled for 19:45 GMT on Thursday at the San Siro, will decide which of the top two teams in Group 1 advance to the quarter‑finals. Calafiori, who recently switched from centre‑back to left‑back for the national side, praised the packed stadium and the confidence gained from recent wins over Turkey and a draw in France. He noted that the experience of playing in a big venue will help Italy face a France side still missing key players such as Kylian Mbappé. The Arsenal man also highlighted the need for determination and heart, given the limited tactical preparation time. Italy entered the game with seven points, trailing France’s ten, and hoping to secure a spot in the Final Four. Calafiori remains optimistic that the team can build on its recent positive results.
Journalist Caitlin Moran says hope comes from action rather than mere optimism. After a year of searching for hope, she transformed her north London garden into a wildlife haven, planting ponds and removing lawns. The influx of butterflies, bees, frogs, newts, woodpeckers and a peregrine falcon boosted her mental health, giving her a dopamine hit that outshone any drug. Moran, who has ADHD, uses the garden as a daily reminder that small, tangible acts can counter chronic anxiety and depression. She links this personal practice to a broader critique of how social media and powerful elites profit from public despair, arguing that individual rebellion against engineered hopelessness can spark change. Her new book, How to Be Hopeful, chronicles this journey and offers practical steps for readers to cultivate optimism in everyday life. Moran also encourages parents to counter negative narratives with messages of possibility, especially for young people who feel the world is bleak. Finally, she urges people to take responsibility for their online spaces, suggesting that curating positive content can reduce division.
Boston-based Metalenz has acquired Israeli startup PxE Holographic Imaging to introduce a new optical layer called HoloCoder. This technology aims to replace the traditional Bayer filter, a 50-year-old component that currently wastes roughly 60 percent of light by absorbing colors rather than redirecting them.
By using microscopic structures to diffract light waves directly toward pixels, the HoloCoder could allow sensors to collect up to 2.5 times more light. This advancement promises to significantly improve low-light photography and dynamic range in mobile devices. Additionally, the layer can capture 3D depth information and polarization data simultaneously, potentially reducing the need for multiple dedicated sensors or heavy AI processing.
Metalenz CEO Rob Devlin suggests the technology could disrupt the visible sensing market by merging color, depth, and polarization into a single sensor system. While the components may initially serve different markets, the company expects consumer electronics to utilize HoloCoder technology as early as late 2027 or 2028. The company is also collaborating with Qualcomm on a facial biometric system called Polar ID to compete with Apple's Face ID.
The Sony WH‑CH530, released in September 2026, offers on‑ear audio at a $69.99 price point, matching its predecessor. Despite a plastic build, the headphones deliver warm bass, clear mids and articulate treble that make them suitable for dance and electronic tracks. The sound signature leans slightly toward low‑end, but the 30mm dynamic drivers provide a punchy, energetic performance that outpaces many competitors in the same price bracket. Users can tailor the audio with Sony’s Sound Connect app, which offers DSEE upscaling, ten‑band EQ, and multi‑point device switching. The WH‑CH530 also boasts a 55‑hour battery life, comfortable lightweight design, and a 150‑gram weight that keeps fatigue at bay during long listening sessions. However, the pair lack active noise cancellation, wired connectivity, and wear‑detection touch controls, features that some budget on‑ear models now include. Compared with rivals such as the Anker Soundcore Q30 and OneOdio Focus A1 Pro, the WH‑CH530’s audio quality and battery endurance are competitive, though ANC is missing. Overall, the headphones provide strong value for anyone seeking affordable, all‑day comfortable on‑ear audio without premium price tags.
Akhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party, said on Wednesday that the political divide in Uttar Pradesh is no longer the 80‑20 split promoted by BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. He described the current contest as a 95‑5 split, with 95 per cent of residents suffering and 5 per cent of exploiters. Yadav also criticised the BJP’s use of the 80‑20 narrative ahead of the 2022 assembly elections, claiming it no longer reflects reality. He added that the BJP’s language and behaviour have changed because it cannot determine where it stands in this new equation. Yadav announced visits to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Kedareshwar temple in Etawah and Vrindavan to offer prayers to Ram Lalla on December 12. He urged the government to issue tamper‑proof metal voter cards, link voter lists with Aadhaar, and address alleged vote‑deletion claims. Yadav also highlighted the Samajwadi Party’s earlier work on metro projects and accused the BJP of corruption in infrastructure contracts.
Manchester United have launched talks with United States national team manager Mauricio Pochettino as they prepare to dismiss Michael Carrick. Club hierarchy will gather in Monaco on Wednesday to formally resolve Carrick's position. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are expected to advise co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remove the head coach.
The decision follows a miserable run of form that has left United 18th in the Premier League and languishing in the relegation zone. The team has secured just one victory from their opening ten league fixtures and remains winless since August. This slump represents the club's lowest standing at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season.
Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate, having previously held managerial talks with United on three separate occasions since 2018. The 54-year-old tactician holds a 10 million dollar release clause in his United States agreement, which was extended in August. His current squad faces an imminent two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti.
Manchester United are moving closer to an agreement to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager should Michael Carrick be dismissed. Club football director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are traveling to Monaco to advise minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remove Carrick from his post. Ratcliffe retains ultimate authority over the club's sporting operations.
Pochettino currently serves as head coach of the United States men's national team but is keen to take over at Old Trafford. The former Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea manager has a buyout clause of roughly ten million dollars, though total compensation would increase if assistant Jesus Perez and other backroom staff accompany him. The United States squad is scheduled to face Haiti in two upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures under his leadership.
Carrick faces mounting pressure following a dismal start to the campaign that has left United eighteenth in the Premier League table. The team has secured just one league victory all season, a home win against Ipswich in August, and suffered an early Carabao Cup elimination against Brighton. Inside the dressing room, players increasingly expect a managerial change in the near future.
Salvadoran military forces carried out a lethal helicopter assault on the suspected stronghold of a prominent Haitian gang near Port-au-Prince. Footage released by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele showed helicopters targeting a two-story building identified as an operating base for the 400 Mawozo gang. Reports indicate that around 20 people died during the operation, though the gang's leader was not present.
El Salvador initially dispatched forces under a United Nations-backed security initiative, escalating its deployment to over 2,000 soldiers after four Salvadoran personnel went missing in an ambush in October. Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime endorsed the intervention, commending the foreign troops for combating criminal organizations that control large portions of the country.
Neighboring Dominican Republic has pledged intelligence and logistical assistance, while Amnesty International warned both nations to comply strictly with human rights standards. Haiti continues to face pervasive instability ahead of planned elections next year.
Sky Sports rugby league analyst Brian Carney has delivered his verdict ahead of the Rugby League World Cup finals, backing Australia and New Zealand as deserving finalists in the men's tournament. While acknowledging New Zealand's defensive resilience following the return of Kalyn Ponga, Carney highlighted Australia's proven ability to grind out victories from losing positions. In the women's competition, he described Australia's Jillaroos as operating at unprecedented levels of dominance over rivals such as New Zealand and Samoa.
Reflecting on the knockout stages, Carney questioned Tonga's decision to field a full-strength side in an emotionally charged pool clash against Samoa, arguing that the taxing match hindered both teams in the semi-finals. He noted that Tonga and Samoa's impending elevation to Tier 1 nation status by the International Rugby League board should surprise nobody, pointing back to the momentum initiated by pioneering players in 2017. Carney praised individual commitments from stars including Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo for driving the resurgence of Pacific rugby league.
Looking ahead to the 2030 tournament, Carney addressed innovative plans led by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'Landys to run the competition like a touring Magic Weekend across host cities. Carney commended the willingness of governing figures to challenge traditional structures, even as domestic competitions navigate structural shifts.
Florence Pugh told Elle that after 12 years in Hollywood she has learned to protect herself and will no longer tolerate rude or misogynistic behavior on set. The Oscar‑nominated actress, who has appeared in Midsommar, Oppenheimer, Thunderbolts and the Dune franchise, said she feels more confident each time she works on a film and that she will not allow anyone to be “bullshit” toward the crew. She added that a good set is built around professionals who show up on time, are respectful, and share the same work ethic. Pugh also used the interview to address broader issues, saying she will speak out on Hollywood beauty standards, her support for Palestine, and the alleged sexual assault at Cornell University. She criticized Meta for censoring her Instagram post about the Cornell lawsuit and warned the platform not to silence her. The actress emphasized that she will not tolerate censorship and will continue to use her platform to advocate for women and justice. Her comments come as Hollywood continues to confront workplace misconduct and the #MeToo movement.
Leaked emails show that Alice Vital, a senior member of Germany’s far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD), repeatedly challenged her party’s sexist stance on women. The documents, released after a hacking incident that exposed more than 400,000 internal messages, reveal Vital’s objections to campaign posters she described as crude and to colleagues who framed gender‑pay‑gap initiatives as propaganda. In one exchange, she urged the party leadership to expel a member whose Facebook comments were deemed “utterly primitive.” Despite her protests, the party retained the controversial language and imagery. The emails also expose a stark contrast between Vital’s earlier stance and her current position, as she now sits on the party’s executive committee. When questioned about the apparent reversal, Vital declined to comment. The revelations highlight internal tensions over misogyny within the AfD and raise questions about the party’s commitment to gender equality.