Billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s hedge fund has made an offer to acquire Universal Music Group (UMG) in a transaction that values the world’s largest music company at approximately €55bn (£48bn). Pershing Square, the New York-based investment firm, has proposed a cash-and-stock takeover of the company, whose artists include global names such as Taylor Swift and Elton John. In a statement, Ackman said that under the leadership of British-born Sir Lucian Grainge, the company had done “an

The release of new football shirts is always one of the most eagerly awaited moments of any World Cup. This year, however, the two leading manufacturers — Adidas and Nike — have taken a different direction. Instead of focusing solely on traditional coordinated kits with matching shorts, socks and boots, both brands have leaned heavily into streetwear-inspired collections. Drawing influence from football culture both on the pitch and beyond it, the new lines combine heritage designs with modern

When pollution levels rise in the rivers that supply drinking water to Iowa’s largest city, Des Moines must spend roughly $16,000 each day to operate a specialized system that removes hazardous nitrates. This recurring expense has become part of life in an agriculture-driven state — and climate change is intensifying the challenge. Nitrates originate from fertilizers and pesticides that seep into the soil and eventually flow into waterways such as the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers. Typically,

A plane transporting individuals deported from the United States has arrived in Uganda, as President Donald Trump’s administration continues advancing its policy of sending migrants to countries where they have no previous connections. According to a senior Ugandan government official who spoke anonymously, those removed from the US will remain in the east African nation during what was described as “a transitional period” before they may potentially be relocated to other destinations. The

More than three million government officials across India have launched what is set to be the largest national population survey in the world, initiating a yearlong exercise that could significantly influence welfare distribution and political representation nationwide. The census, postponed partly due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, officially commenced on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue until March 31 of next year. In the initial phase, census workers will spend

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bruce Springsteen is set to return Tuesday to the “Streets of Minneapolis.” After paying tribute in song to residents who stood up against a federal immigration crackdown, he is now choosing the city as the starting point for his newest U.S. tour. The New Jersey rock icon debuted “Streets of Minneapolis” in late January, during a wave of national protest following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. On Tuesday night, Springsteen and the E

Global oil prices surged and stock markets across Asia tumbled on Monday as the US-Israel conflict with Iran moved into its fifth week. Brent crude climbed more than 3%, rising above $115 (£86.77) per barrel, while US benchmark oil advanced nearly 2% to $101.62. The latest jump puts Brent on course for its largest monthly increase on record. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 2.8%, and South Korea’s Kospi ended the day down by almost 3%. The market turbulence followed weekend developments in which

Oil released from an unidentified ship along with two “natural” seepage points in the Gulf of Mexico has spread into seven protected natural areas, affecting more than 600km (373 miles), Mexican officials reported on Thursday. The announcement comes after weeks of debate in Mexico regarding the response to the spill, which was first detected in early March off the coasts of Veracruz and Tabasco. While authorities stated that there is no evidence of “serious environmental damage,” the marine

Experts have warned that Britain could be only “a few weeks away” from shortages of medicines, from everyday pain relief to cancer therapies, if the war with Iran continues. They also caution that the price of many drugs may increase. The conflict has already disrupted supplies of essential raw materials such as oil, gas, fertilisers and helium, and the pharmaceutical sector could soon feel the impact. David Weeks, director of supply chain risk management at analytics firm Moody’s, described

Renowned Ukrainian choreographer Yevhen Kot has spoken publicly for the first time about his past struggles with alcohol. According to him, this period occurred more than six years ago. At the time, Yevhen was preparing to participate in a televised dance project alongside Ksenia Mishina and was experiencing intense psychological pressure. Because of this, he began drinking up to two bottles of wine before going to bed and even considered withdrawing from the competition altogether. “Before the

Estonia and Latvia have each reported that drones crossed into their airspace from neighbouring Russia, heightening fears of regional spillover from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Estonia’s Internal Security Service announced on Wednesday that a drone entering from Russian territory hit the chimney of a power plant in the northeastern village of Auvere. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the drone

The United States is urgently deploying more than 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, closer to the area surrounding Iran. The elite units are preparing to depart within the next few days, according to the Associated Press, which cited three defense officials familiar with the matter. The 82nd Airborne Division serves as the U.S. Army’s primary rapid-response force, capable of executing swift and complex airborne operations, including parachute landings, securing

The dramatic story of Harold, the king who lost England to William the Conqueror in one of history’s most famous clashes, has long held a firm place in British memory. Yet fresh research suggests that this familiar narrative may need to be reconsidered. The Battle of Hastings in 1066 brought an end to Harold’s brief reign as the last Anglo-Saxon king and marked the beginning of William, Duke of Normandy’s rule over England. This turning point is often portrayed as a decisive moment that

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukraine’s partners to maintain strong economic pressure on Russia as Ukrainian and United States officials enter a second day of discussions aimed at ending the war that has lasted more than four years. Russian delegates did not attend the meeting, which began on Saturday in Florida. They had initially been expected to participate in talks that were previously scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates before regional tensions linked to the

In the city of Kolomna, near Moscow, Russia’s air defense system reportedly shot down a light aircraft that may have been carrying Russian aviation blogger Pavel Koshkin. The incident, which occurred on March 20, was initially reported by Russian Telegram channels. The Telegram channel MNS, citing its own sources, stated that air defense forces mistook the aircraft for a Ukrainian drone and opened fire on it. After being hit, the light plane crashed near the Oka River. According to the report,

A jury has concluded that Elon Musk made misleading public remarks during a pivotal stage of his 2022 acquisition of Twitter. Following two days of deliberations, jurors in federal court in San Francisco delivered a unanimous verdict against the technology entrepreneur. The case was brought by a group of Twitter investors who claimed they relied on Musk’s public statements when making decisions about buying and selling shares. While on the witness stand earlier this month, Musk maintained that

Turkana, Kenya – Under the scorching sun in Kainama, Turkana County, Veronica Akalapatan and her neighbours trek several kilometres each day to reach a shrinking well set amid the cracked, dusty plains of northern Kenya. The shallow pit, accessed by a simple wooden ladder, is the area’s only water source. Hundreds of residents from nearby villages – along with their animals – depend on it. Many wait for hours to fill small plastic containers with limited amounts of murky water. Recommended

NASA has completed a pivotal safety evaluation ahead of its planned lunar flyby, and during a press briefing on Thursday, officials announced a revised launch date while outlining how they examined the risks facing the four astronauts assigned to the mission. The agency is now targeting April 1 for liftoff of Artemis II, with launch scheduled for 6:24 p.m. ET at the earliest. Should that opportunity slip, backup windows are available on April 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 30. The review — formally called a