Hansi Flick, the Spanish champion, has extended his contract until June 2027, according to the Spanish champions.
In his first year in charge, the German led Barca to a domestic treble including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona and Hansi Flick’s contract renewal agreement will keep him a club until 30 June 2027, according to a statement from Barcelona.
After Barcelona’s last-season without a trophy, Flick took the place of Xavi Hernandez and made a quick comeback in Catalonia.
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The former coach of German national team and Bayern Munich originally agreed to a 2026 deal.
In the Champions League and the Spanish competition, Flick’s Barca were enthralled when they reached the semi-finals before being defeated by Inter Milan in a bloody tie.
The Catalans’ quest for the title’s title comes on Sunday when Athletic Bilbao hosts the final game of the season. They have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga games.
After years of struggle, a young Barca side led by a swashbuckling attacking trio of 17-year-olds Raphinha, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski, has since rebuilt their reputation on the European stage.
Flick’s impressive finals record included victories over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup finals, which increased his total wins to seven, five of which came against Bayern.
Barcelona have once again become a feared opponent in Europe thanks to the German’s enthusiasm in his first year in charge,” the club’s statement continued.
The best win rate in a first season since Luis Enrique recorded 83 percent, flick has won 43 of his 54 games under his leadership.
After signing French superstar Kylian Mbappe from La Liga and Champions League last year, Barcelona were not widely believed to be favorites to win the league.
Madrid ended the season without a significant trophy, despite the former Paris Saint-Germain forward’s 41 goals.
More than 90% of the government’s revenues are derived from oil, and Sudan is entirely dependent on Sudan to export the precious resource.
However, according to an official government letter seen by Al Jazeera, Sudan’s army-backed government claimed this month that it was planning to shut down the facilities that its southern neighbor uses to export its oil.
According to experts, making that choice could cause South Sudan’s economy to collapse and lead to the army’s and the country’s unresolved civil war (RSF).
The RSF launched suicide drones at Port Sudan, the army’s strategic Red Sea coast, on May 9, following the launch of the announcement.
The strikes shattered the city’s sense of security because they damaged electricity grids and a fuel depot, which are far from the nation’s front lines.
Sudan’s army claims exporting South Sudan’s oil has been hampered by the damage.
According to Alan Boswell, an expert on the Horn of Africa with the International Crisis Group, “the announcement read like a desperate plea]to South Sudan] for assistance.
However, he continued, “I believe doing so overestimates the influence South Sudan has over the RSF.”
Salva Kiir, president of South Sudan [Michael Tewelde/AFP]
Predatory economics
Since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011, the former has relied on Port Sudan to export its oil.
In return, Sudan has collected payments from Juba as part of their 2005 peace agreement, which ended the 22-year civil war in the north and ultimately caused South Sudan to secede.
The army and RSF both continued to collect fees from Juba when another civil war broke out in Sudan in 2023.
According to Boswell, “Sudan and South Sudan] are financially stable because of the infrastructure for oil exports,”
According to local media reports, high-level South Sudanese and Sudanese officials are in talks to stop oil exports.
Mohieddein Naiem Mohamed, the energy and petroleum minister in Port Sudan, was contacted by Al Jazeera in writing to inquire whether the army was negotiating higher rents with South Sudan before resumed oil exports, which some experts believed to be a likely scenario.
Before the publication, Naiem Mohamed did not respond.
The International Crisis Group claims that Juba also pays off the RSF to protect oil pipelines that traverse its own country.
Additionally, South Sudan has granted permission for the RSF to operate in the border’s villages.
After forming a strategic alliance with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) in February, the RSF has expanded its presence along the sprawling, porous border.
The SPLM-N and secessionist forces battled the army of Sudan. It has historically close ties to Juba and controls large areas of territory in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions of Sudan.
According to Edmund Yakani, a leader and commentator in South Sudan’s civil society, South Sudan’s relationship with the SPLM-N and RSF has grown increasingly dissatisfying for the army.
Yakani told Al Jazeera, “Sudan’s army is suspicious that Juba is supporting RSF in its military capability and political space.”
House of Cards
About 60% of South Sudan’s oil profits go to the multinational corporations that make it, according to a report from the International Crisis Group for 2021.
According to the report, the majority of the remaining 40% is used to pay off outstanding loans and support the country’s oppressive elites in the bureaucratic and bloated security system.
Salva Kiir, president of South Sudan, will most likely not be able to maintain his patronage network without a quick recovery in oil revenues.
Experts warned that his fragile government, which consists of a coalition of long-standing loyalists and coopted opponents, might collapse like a house of cards.
Al Jazeera emailed South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation written inquiries asking if the country had a backup plan in case oil exports stopped indefinitely. Prior to publication, the ministry did not respond.
Experts warned that oil is not an option for South Sudan.
On February 15, 2025, soldiers unwind near their outpost in Nzara, South Sudan.
Security personnel and civil servants already owed months of back pay, and they may rebel against Kiir and each other if they lack the will to uphold the tense peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war in 2018.
There is no backup plan for when the oil runs out, according to Matthew Benson, a scholar at the London School of Economics who studies Sudan and South Sudan.
Inflation would rise if oil production was to stop, which would only add to the millions of civilians’ daily struggles.
Nearly 80% of people who live below the poverty line are thought to be experiencing acute food shortages, according to the World Food Programme, while nearly 60% of the population is, according to the World Bank.
A predatory economy has been created as a result of the hardship and pervasive corruption, wherearmed groups set up checkpoints to defame citizens for bribes and taxes.
If oil prices go up, civil servants will likely be unable to cough up any more money.
Benson said, “I’m not sure people can be squeezed more than they already are.”
proxy conflict
Some activists and commentators also worry that Sudan’s army is purposefully obstructing any contact with the RSF and SPLM-N because of its intentional turning off of the oil.
According to Yakani, this speculation is causing some civilian resentment in South Sudan.
Meanwhile, some Sudanese army supporters argued that South Sudan should not benefit from oil if the RSF, which they view as a militia, has some support for it.
According to a report from Al Jazeera, both the RSF and the army have recruited South Sudanese mercenaries to fight for them.
Yakani told Al Jazeera, “The army wants Juba to completely distance itself from any form of aiding the RSF,” adding that this is the current problem for the government of Kiir.
“Most South Sudanese citizens, including myself, think that Sudan’s warring parties and their regional allies are using South Sudan as a proxy war,” he continued.
Sudan’s army also thinks the government of South Sudan is increasingly relying on regional supporters to support its own security.
According to Boswell, Sudan’s army leaders were spooked in particular when Uganda, which it views as supporting the RSF, sent troops to Kiir in March to bolster the country’s defenses.
Sudan’s army has also repeatedly accused the UAE of providing weapons to the RSF.
United Nations experts and Amnesty International have also made these allegations, but the UAE has repeatedly refuted them.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously told Al Jazeera in an email that the country had already made it clear that it was not providing any assistance or supplies to either of the two belligerent warring parties in Sudan.
Analysts speculate that Juba may request a sizable loan from the UAE in response to Sudan’s army’s ongoing conflict with the UAE if Sudan’s army does not immediately resume oil exports.
According to Boswell, “South Sudan’s army” has been concerned and closely monitoring whether the UAE might loan South Sudan a sizable sum of money.”
Despite the growing tension between Iran and the United States regarding uranium enrichment, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has stated that a second round of negotiations will take place on Friday in Rome.
Following days of unpopular positions expressed by Tehran and Washington regarding Iranian uranium enrichment, Wednesday’s confirmation that the nuclear negotiations would continue.
Iranian officials have argued that Iran should stop enriching uranium altogether, a position Tehran has called a nonstarter, and that it should also be done.
The uranium atom is altered to produce nuclear fuel during enrichment.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, added on Tuesday that the US does not require enrichment of uranium.
He was quoted by the Mehr News Agency as saying, “We will not allow Iran to enrich uranium.”
This Friday, May 23rd, Rome will host the fifth round of Iran-US discussions.
His statement came in response to Steve Witkoff, the US’s lead negotiator, who called uranium enrichment a “red line” and said Washington “cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability.”
Numerous Iranian and US officials have reiterated their respective nations’ positions.
Iran can use nuclear reactors to produce energy by importing already-enriched uranium, according to Washington, who claims Tehran’s domestic production poses a threat of nuclear weapons.
Iran claims that it has the right to enrich uranium for use in civilian applications despite its opposition to nuclear weapons.
It is widely believed that Israel, the main US ally in the Middle East, has an unproven nuclear arsenal.
If Iran and the two countries don’t reach a deal, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force, saying he won’t let Tehran get a nuclear weapon.
Trump resisted the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which demanded that Iran reduce its nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions against its economy, during his first term, in 2018.
The US has since imposed sanctions on Iran’s economy.
Trump’s “maximum pressure” program against Iran was largely funded by economic sanctions after winning a second term there in January. For instance, he has pledged to stop China from importing oil, particularly from the country.
Iran has resisted Trump’s threats, promising to defend itself from any attack.
It is unclear how the two countries will resolve their differences over Tehran’s enrichment program, but tensions started to ease in April as the US and Iran began to hold talks through Oman.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the suggestion on Sunday that the US position has been changing, stating that “there is no scenario” where Iran will stop enriching.
The Taliban, one of Afghanistan’s rulers, is being considered a “foreign terrorist organization,” according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio asserted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee that “classification is now, once again, under review,” during a hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
A day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandated a “comprehensive review” of the US’s chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, an ISIL (ISIS) bombing that claimed the lives of 13 US service members and 150 Afghans, was carried out at Kabul’s airport.
Hegseth stated in a memo on Tuesday that a thorough review was required to establish accountability for this event after three months of evaluating the withdrawal.
According to Hegseth, “This is a significant step toward restoring faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform,” and it is prudent to do so given the number of casualties and items lost in the course of this withdrawal operation.
The first Donald Trump administration’s administration, which oversaw the pull-out, largely blamed a lack of planning and troop reductions for the delay in the withdrawal of US forces, according to former president Joe Biden’s administration, which oversaw the pull-out.
Trump and the Taliban had agreed to end their 18-year conflict in Afghanistan by resuming the “within months” withdrawal plan in Doha in February 2020.
If the Taliban struck a peace deal with the Afghan government and made a promise to stop internationally recognized terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIL from establishing foothold there by May 2021, the then-Trump administration had agreed to leave the country.
Biden stated in his January 2021 assuring that he must uphold the agreement or run the risk of starting new conflicts with the Taliban, which might have required the deployment of additional troops in Afghanistan.
Trump frequently criticized Biden and his administration for the withdrawal, claiming that it was “the most embarrassing day in our country’s life.” Trump claimed that “dignity, strength, and power” should have been used to force the withdrawal.
Former US military leaders Mark Milley and Lloyd Austin, both of whom served as defense secretary at the time, have already testified before lawmakers regarding the withdrawal.
The US’s longest war, surpassing Vietnam, occurred in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021.
Hegseth’s review is still unsure in what ways it would differ from the numerous previous investigations conducted by the US military, the Department of State, and Trump’s fellow Republican members in the House of Representatives.
The post-pandemic anxiety battle that made her afraid to perform in public and nearly missing out on the Grammys, where she won two golds, has been addressed by Miley Cyrus.
Miley Cyrus has opened up about the post-pandemic anxiety battle that made her uneasy in public.
Singer Miley Cyrus has revealed that she suffered with anxiety following the Covid-19 pandemic, admitting she was worried about getting back out in public after being locked away for so long.
While the pop star may appear to be oozing with confidence from the outside, she shared in a new interview that lockdown took it’s toll on her sense of self and even left her questioning whether to go to the 2024 Grammy’s, where she was awarded the coveted Record of the Year gong for her acclaimed album Flowers and the Best Pop Solo Award.
Miley told The Zane Lowe Show that she wasn’t going to the Grammys after explaining that she attended the award show for “healing.” I knew I wouldn’t be performing at the Grammys because everyone was experiencing post-pandemic anxiety.
Miley put on a show-stopping performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, but says her anxiety almost meant she didn’t go to the awards bash(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
And it felt like a shock to have to spend a few years in front of Oprah on the stage. And I was almost unable to do that.
And I began hosting intimate events at the Chateau Marmont, which I personally selected, and I celebrated the Grammy nominations with the people who were close to me.
Continue reading the article.
She continued, “But it was just so bittersweet because I felt like giving in to excuses the entire night.” One, I was afraid, and there was fear. However, I don’t believe I ever considered how important winning would be to me.
Miley recently cleared up rumours of a feud with her mum Tish(Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The)
The rare interview comes as Miley recently cleared up rumours she was in a family feud with her mum, Tish, assuring that the pair are tighter than ever.
Rumours began to swirl after Tish reportedly seemingly unfollowed her daughter on Instagram, but clearing things up, the latter put it down to a technical error.
My mama and I are too close to ever get in the way of conversation, according to my rumor-mongering. My closest friend is her. She unfollowed me, which is simple, coincidental, and uninteresting, as she does with most moms, said Miley on Instagram.
Tish echoed this sentiment, saying, “I didn’t.” lol I don’t know what happened. The [pink heart emoji] problem has been fixed, but I have no idea how that happened.
Prince William traveled to Leith in Scotland to unveil a new partnership with a local football team, marking the most recent stage of an ambitious project to transform community spaces across the UK.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are rolling out an ambitious project to transform community spaces across the UK, using a mixture of grants and donating personal time from their Royal Foundation. William and Kate have identified several locations around the country which will benefit from financial backing and the creation of new task forces which will benefit from expert advice and guidance from their team.
The aim is to create a network of businesses to invest in local projects to upgrade local facilities from community hubs to sports centres, which will be announced in the coming months. William formally announced a new partnership with a regional football team that was referred to as a “blueprint for the future” during today’s program launch in Leith.
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Prince William attempts a penalty while visiting Street Soccer Scotland in Leith(Image: Getty Images)
Street Soccer Scotland – founded by former professional footballer David Duke – delivers free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland. The coalition aims to use the power of football to support people experiencing issues such as poor mental health, addiction, homelessness and isolation, fostering a sense of belonging for the most vulnerable in the Leith community.
Mr Duke turned his life around after becoming homeless 20 years ago for three years, following issues with depression after the death of his father in 2001. He is currently the CEO of William’s Homelessness Foundation, which launched an ambitious project to end homelessness in the UK in 2023. He is also the head of the soccer program.
The Royal Foundation has provided funding to help the charity revitalize its existing community center and develop a new “sustainable social impact” vision. Upon arrival at Leith Community Centre, a ward in Edinburgh, William heard how the organisation has delivered free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland since 2009.
Continue reading the article.
William scored on his second attempt(Image: Getty Images)
The organisation has to date helped more than 25, 000 people going through their own struggles, such as addiction, homelessness, mental health and poverty. Williams was treated to flamenco dancing in football drills and heard about how young people are implementing change in their communities.
The prince was disappointed when the goalie saved his first shot, but he didn’t need any encouragement to try a penalty shoot-out. But William managed to kick the ball into the net on his second attempt, prompting loud cheers. As he raised his hands in agreement with the team behind him, he turned to the other team and said, “That’s it, I’m done now.”
The prince also stopped to talk with some of the Leith-area’s street soccer players, some of whom have gone through homelessness, and heard how the new partnership will help socially disadvantaged adults and young people.
The Royal Foundation will announce a range of partnerships across England, Scotland, and Wales in the coming months, which will form the umbrella of its new social enterprise.
William with the players and coaches from Street Soccer Scotland (Image: Getty Images)
Building on their expertise from initiatives like Kate’s work in the development of young children and William’s environmental Earthshot Prize Awards and homelessness project, Homewards, Kensington Palace said the couple will use their “convening superpower” to unite communities.
Leith Community Centre will continue to be a vital part of the community, run by local volunteers and staff, offering a home to a variety of diverse activities, including language, dance and art classes, history groups, martial arts, and a variety of youth clubs and family crafts.
William and Kate met families at Aros Hall, a beloved community space on Mull, one of two places on Mull to receive a grant from The Royal Foundation Community Impact Programme, while they were on a trip there last month. Aros Hall is being renovated to give residents of all ages new opportunities to come together and participate in activities that promote their health and wellbeing as a result of the grant.
A royal source said: “Today in Leith, we saw the Prince doubling down on his promise to deliver impact to communities up and down the country. His goal is to leave a lasting impression in the communities he visits.
William recieves a gift of Aston Villa artwork from one youngster (Image: Getty Images)
” The Prince and Princess are committed to delivering a modern and fresh approach. The Prince has discussed royal with a small r, and it believes more than ever that is being seen today.
The crusade for William is one of the pillars of his public duty, having seen firsthand the benefits of access to grassroots football during his presidency and patronage of the Football Association. Mr Duke said: “We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Royal Foundation, which has already opened so many doors for us.
“On this project, Prince William has been super passionate, engaging and really wants to use his position as a force for good to help the local community.
I’ve personally witnessed how much of his voice travels when I collaborate with him on both his homelessness project and Street Soccer. He brings bags loads of enthusiasm to the table and it really is infectious. Leith’s project will be a true blueprint for the future, not just in Scotland but all over the UK.
William chats to those taking part in an arts class (Image: Getty Images)
“It was great to have William here today. The area has undergone some significant changes over the past few decades, and there are definitely places that need some love. However, the locals are decent and genuinely committed to the community. The prince’s visit shows everyone that people do care”.
Leith United will be a collaboration between local businesses, the Leith Community Centre, and YMCA Edinburgh as part of the center’s revitalization.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: “The Prince and Princess of Wales want to support the people in places with the potential to revive communities where it’s needed most, celebrating and championing the most inspiring, boldest and bravest individuals across our four nations who are determined to build a better life for themselves, each other, their communities and society, and who by doing so, inspire others to take action in their local area too.
The Prince watches a martial arts class (Image: PA)
Community spaces are increasingly important for promoting local well-being and resilience. With the intention of serving as a model for innovative practices in partnerships and community asset management that can be applied to other communities across the UK, Leith United hopes to establish a framework for sustainable funding that other communities can utilise and learn from.
David added:” Working with The Royal Foundation provides a unique opportunity to champion and further vital work supporting the community in Leith. More than ever, community spaces are essential, and they can provide a lifeline for people of all ages. Local residents will be able to feel a part of the community where they live by allowing them to belong, form friendships, access services, and feel welcome.
“It is really special to be back in Leith where the Street Soccer Scotland journey began, helping people to find support through the power of football”.
