Steven Lawyer invented a miniature submarine for his pet parrot, Bebe.
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Video Parrot explores the ocean in DIY submarine
Ben Stokes says he must work differently with Brendon McCullum
England captain Ben Stokes said suggestions of a rift with Brendon McCullum have been overstated, but acknowledged he must work with the head coach in a “slightly different way”.
The messages from Stokes and McCullum appeared to diverge during England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.
Stokes asked his players to dig in, and did so himself with his own batting tempo. In contrast, McCullum believed England moved away from the aggression that had previously brought them success.
At the end of the series, Stokes said opponents had worked out how to play against England.
Last month, director of cricket Rob Key said there had been no “bust-up” between the two. Stokes, McCullum and Key are all to remain in their jobs following a review of the Ashes conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
In his first interview since the Ashes, Stokes told the ECB: “I’m very confident in mine and Brendon’s ability to be able to work together, because we’ve done it for such a long period of time now.
“But work together in a slightly different way. The main point of me and Brendon is our alignment towards winning things and making this team as good as they can be.”
Stokes and McCullum joined forces in charge of the Test team in 2022 and had instant success, winning 10 of their first 11 Tests.
Since then, England have had more losses than wins – 17 to 16. The defeat in Australia followed a 2-2 home draw against India.
Stokes and McCullum publicly backed each other at the end of the Ashes, but by that time had given differing messages to the media, fuelling suggestions of a rift. McCullum was also noticeably effusive about the leadership of white-ball captain Harry Brook during the T20 World Cup which followed the Ashes.
But all-rounder Stokes said any notion he is not “aligned” with the New Zealander is a “massive overstatement”.
“We agree 95% of the time on things, but those 5% things that we might have different views on, we talk about it between each other and then we end up getting to the place where we want to get to,” said Stokes.
“Agreeing on every single thing, that’s just impossible.”
Oil prices ease on hopes of new US-Iran peace talks
Crude prices fall back below $100 a barrel as markets hope an agreement can be reached between the two sides.
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Michael Carrick labels Lisandro Martinez red card decision ‘one of worst he’s ever seen’
Interim manager Michael Carrick branded the decision to send off defender Lisandro Martínez “shocking” as Manchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United.
Martinez was dismissed for an apparent hair-pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after referee Paul Tierney was asked to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR John Brooks.
The Argentinian looked bemused by the decision and was still remonstrating as he walked off the pitch.
Afterward, Carrick was furious.
“Lisandro, to start with, he gets an arm in the face, so he’s kind of off balance in the kind of off grappling,” Carrick said.
“He almost just goes to touch him and grab his shirt, and he ends up catching his head, touches the back of his hair, the bobble comes out and you get a red card?
“It’s not aggressive. There’s no jolt. There’s no tug. There’s no sudden movement. He kind of touches it and glances through it.
“You’ve just got to be careful where the game’s going if we’re giving red cards for that. It’s a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.”
Noah Okafor stunned Old Trafford in the first half with a brace that saw Leeds celebrate a first Premier League win against Manchester United in over 23 years.
Casemiro‘s second-half goal halved the lead, but the hosts were unable to mount a comeback as old rivals Leeds walked away with all three points at a key stage in the season.
Calvert-Lewin said afterward he informed Tierney after feeling Martinez pull his hair.
“I don’t make the rules,” he said. “I felt my hair get pulled, told the ref, he makes the decisions. Unfortunate for [Martinez], whether he’s meant it or not. I hold no grudges.”
In January, Everton’s Michael Keane was sent off and banned for three games for appearing to pull the hair of Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare.
Fulham‘s Kenny Tete escaped punishment when he appeared to pull Antoine Semenyo‘s hair in a game against Manchester City in February.
“I have to say that’s really concerning if that’s going to be a sending off,” Carrick said. “I know he [Martinez] touched his hair. He can’t deny he touched his head.
“There’s a difference between touching somebody the way he has and brushing his hair to actually, really aggressively, tugging on it, which certainly we’ve seen at certain points where there’s a real kind of emphasis to. It’s really concerning.”
Carrick’s side missed the chance to stretch the gap to sixth to 10 points. Meanwhile, the win for Leeds was only their second away from home in the Premier League this season.
Aviation safety bill based on deadly midair collision near Washington faces a House vote
An aviation safety bill seeking to address lessons learned from last year’s midair collision of a jet with an Army helicopter near the nation’s capital is up for a vote Tuesday evening in the House, but key senators and the families of the 67 victims think the bill needs to be strengthened.
The House bill, called the Alert Act, has the backing of key industry groups. The National Transportation Safety Board said recently that the legislation, since amended, now addresses its recommendation to require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have key locator systems that let pilots know more precisely where other aircraft are flying around them.
The NTSB has been recommending the new technology systems since 2008, and Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy has said such a system would have prevented the collision of the American Airlines jet and Army Black Hawk helicopter that plunged into the icy Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025.
Two key House committees unanimously advanced the bill last month. The bill is now being brought up for a full House vote under rules that won’t allow any amendments. But victims’ families said they want to make sure the bill has strict timelines to guarantee the reforms will be completed.
Sponsored by Republican Sam Graves and Democrat Rick Larens, the legislation needs to secure two thirds of House support to advance to the Senate. Separate legislation called the ROTOR Act that the Senate crafted came up one vote short in the House. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have also said the Alert Act still needs to be improved.
Earlier this year, the NTSB’s Homendy sharply criticized the original version of the bill as a “watered down” measure that wouldn’t do enough to prevent future tragedies. But the board said the revised version would now address the shortcomings their investigation identified and require the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Department and the military to take needed actions.
National Transportation Safety Board members at a hearing in late January were deeply troubled over years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems, long before the collision.
Everyone aboard the American Airlines jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter died when the two aircraft collided. It was the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil since 2001, and the victims included 28 members of the figure skating community.
A helicopter route in the approach path of a Reagan National Airport runway didn’t ensure enough separation between helicopters and planes landing on the airport’s secondary runway, and the route wasn’t reviewed regularly, the board said. The poor design of that route was a key factor in the crash along with air traffic controllers relying too much on pilots seeing and avoiding other aircraft.
The bill now requires planes to have Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In systems that can receive data about the locations of other aircraft. Proponents of the use of such systems said they would have alerted the pilots of an American Airlines jet sooner about the impending collision with the Black Hawk helicopter. Most planes already have the complementary ADS-B Out systems that broadcast their locations.
The NTSB cited systemic weaknesses and years of ignored warnings as the main causes of the crash, but Homendy has said that if both the plane and the Black Hawk had been equipped with ADS-B In and the systems had been turned on, the collision would have been prevented. The Army’s policy at the time of the crash mandated that its helicopters fly without that system on to conceal their locations, although the helicopter involved in this crash was on a training flight, not a sensitive mission.
Step inside Virat Kohli’s ₹80 crore Gurgaon mansion where a unique hanging swimming pool steals the show
The architecture of the house is unique. It showcases geometric structure which looks like interconnected blocks. Quite modern, almost sculptural appeal.
On the other hand, the exterior stands out by lush greenery and landscaped outdoor areas. The bungalow has a private garden with an open patio. Absolutely perfect for social gatherings and relaxations. Then there are these large glass windows which dominate the design of the house, there’s absolutely no limit to natural light. Vastu approved!
(PC: X)
Meghan receives flowers from sick child during sweet encounter at Australian hospital
The Duchess of Sussex received flowers from a sick child as she and the Duke of Sussex visited the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne on their first trip to Australia since their 2018 royal tour.
Prince Harry and Meghan met staff, patients, and members of the public, and took part in a meditative activity at the Kelpie Garden on the oncology and rehabilitation ward.
The Duchess received a potted pink lily from a young girl, and the pair also shared a hug at the hospital on Tuesday (14 April).
Their itinerary spans Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, and includes visits to a women’s homeless service and events supporting military veterans and their families, according to a statement provided to the media.
Lebanon to Strait of Hormuz, here’s what we know on day 46 of Iran war
The US started a blockade on Iranian ports, but Trump said there is still a chance for Tehran to reach a deal.
Published On 14 Apr 2026
President Donald Trump said there is still room for Iran to strike a deal, despite the US blockade of Iranian ports, as Israel intensified its invasion of southern Lebanon.
Iran has accused Washington of “piracy” as thousands rally in Tehran against the move, which targets shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The Associated Press news agency reported on Tuesday that diplomatic efforts to revive US-Iran talks are continuing, with Pakistan offering to host a second round of negotiations in Islamabad this week.
Here is what we know:
In Iran
- US blockade and protests: The US measures are now being enforced, prompting Iranian accusations of “piracy” and demonstrations in Tehran against the restrictions on maritime traffic.
- Tehran calls blockade ‘illegal’: Iran’s armed forces condemned the move as unlawful, warning that targeting its ports could put shipping across the Gulf at risk.
- IRGC warns of escalation: A Revolutionary Guard spokesperson said Iran still has “unused capabilities” and could deploy new tactics if the conflict deepens.
- Tehran backs pope: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised Pope Leo XIV for condemning the war, calling his stance “fearless”.
- Russia withdraws nuclear staff: Russia has pulled most of its personnel from Iran’s only nuclear power plant, built with Moscow’s support, according to the head of the country’s atomic energy agency.
War diplomacy
- Qatar urges mediation: Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani urged Iran and the US to engage constructively in mediation efforts.
- Pakistan says truce ‘holding’: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the ceasefire between the US and Iran was “holding”, with efforts ongoing to reach a deal after weekend talks failed.
- Shipping disruption grows: A UN spokesperson said there is “no military solution”, warning that instability in the Strait of Hormuz is worsening global economic fragility. About 20,000 vessels are reported stranded, with supply chains, including fertiliser, under strain.
- Push to include Lebanon: The United Kingdom urged Lebanon’s inclusion in a broader US-Iran ceasefire framework, which currently excludes fighting involving Hezbollah.
- Talks planned with Lebanon despite fighting: Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors will hold talks on Tuesday in Washington, DC, aimed at halting the war.
- Hezbollah rejects negotiations: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Monday urged Lebanon to cancel the planned meeting in Washington, reiterating his group’s opposition to any direct engagement with Israel.
- Russia to accept Iran’s uranium: The Kremlin has repeated an offer to accept Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a potential agreement with the US. In comments carried by Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the proposal “was voiced by President [Vladimir] Putin in contacts with both the United States and regional states”.
In the US
- Iran ‘wants a deal’: Trump said Iranian representatives had reached out to pursue a peace agreement after talks in Pakistan ended without a breakthrough. “They’d like to make a deal. Very badly,” he told reporters, without specifying who made contact.
- No apology over pope remarks: Trump said he had “nothing to apologise for” after criticising Pope Leo XIV for calling for an end to the conflict. He described the pope as “weak” on key issues, including Iran.
- Warning over Iranian vessels: Trump said US forces would destroy any Iranian “fast attack ships” approaching the naval blockade now in effect.
- Domestic politics and war powers: Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are pushing for another vote to curb Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran. Schumer criticised the campaign as an “epic fail”, citing rising US fuel prices, while previous efforts have been blocked by Republicans.
- Arrests of protesters: Police in New York City have arrested about 90 protesters in Manhattan as they stopped traffic to protest against the war on Iran and the US’s arms sales to Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace, the group leading the protest, said those taken into custody included whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actor Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Aviles.
- Trump rails at pope: Trump has doubled down on his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, saying the pontiff’s opposition to the war in Iran was “wrong” and accusing him of being “weak on crime”.
In Israel
- Israel pushes ‘buffer zone’: Israel’s military is continuing ground operations and air raids across southern Lebanon, bulldozing buildings in border towns such as Naqoura as part of efforts to create a “buffer zone”.
- Hezbollah steps up attacks: Fighters have launched rockets and drones at Israeli troops and vehicles in areas including Bint Jbeil and Biyyada.
- Accusations against Israel: Hezbollah chief Qassem accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing a “Greater Israel” agenda with US backing.
- Tensions with Italy: Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned attacks on Beirut as “unacceptable”, following reports of more than 300 deaths.
- The Israeli military said one soldier has been killed and three others have been wounded during battle in southern Lebanon.
In Lebanon
- Israel continues to attack Lebanon: Israel has intensified its invasion of southern Lebanon, as the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 rises to at least 2,089.
- An Israeli drone attack has hit a car travelling near southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh, killing at least two people, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday. Our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic say Israeli forces have launched two raids on the towns of Machgharah and Sohmor in the eastern Bekaa Valley.
- Public opinion divided: Lebanese citizens appear split about negotiations, with some expressing fatigue from the war and hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough, while others remain sceptical of Israel’s intentions and doubt any deal will hold.
- Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed in a statement posted on X that a Canadian national has died in southern Lebanon. The minister did not provide details on the events that led to the Canadian’s death.
Strait of Hormuz and energy crisis
- The Reuters news agency is reporting that a Chinese tanker sanctioned by Washington has passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite a US blockade on the waterway. The tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were previously sanctioned by the US for dealing with Iran.
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil prices could keep rising until “we get meaningful ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Jim Carrey Quote: Success quote of the day by Jim Carrey – ‘You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love’ – The Times of India
There are some quotes that hit you instantly – and then there are some that stay with you, quietly working in the background long after you’ve read them. This one by Jim Carrey definitely falls into the second category:“You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”At first glance, it sounds simple. Almost obvious. But when you actually sit with it for a moment, it starts to feel a little uncomfortable – because it calls you out.Let’s break it down in real, everyday terms.
The truth we don’t like to admit
Most people don’t chase what they truly want.Not because they’re lazy or incapable – but because they’re scared. Scared of failing, of being judged, of things not working out. So instead, they choose the “safe” option.A stable job they don’t enjoy.A career path that feels secure but empty.A life that looks fine from the outside but doesn’t feel right inside.The logic is simple: “At least this is safe. At least I won’t fail here.”But Jim Carrey flips that entire thinking on its head.He basically says – what if you fail anyway?
Failure doesn’t ask for permission
That’s the uncomfortable truth. Life doesn’t guarantee success just because you played it safe.You can do everything “right” – pick the practical career, follow the expected path, avoid risks – and still end up unhappy, stuck, or even unsuccessful.People lose jobs. Industries change. Things fall apart.So the idea that playing safe protects you from failure? It’s kind of an illusion.And that’s exactly what this quote is trying to shake you out of.
If failure is possible anyway… then what?
This is where the quote gets powerful.If you can fail at something you don’t even like doing… then why not at least try something you actually care about?At least then, the struggle means something.At least then, the effort feels worth it.Because let’s be honest – failing at something you hate feels twice as bad. You don’t even get the satisfaction of saying, “At least I tried something I loved.”
It’s not about quitting everything overnight
Now, this doesn’t mean you need to wake up tomorrow, quit your job, and “follow your passion” without a plan.That’s not what this is about.This quote is more about mindset than action.It’s about being honest with yourself.What do you actually enjoy doing?What excites you, even a little?What would you try if fear wasn’t in the picture?You don’t have to take a massive leap right away. But you can start taking small steps.Learning something new.Exploring an idea.Giving yourself permission to try.
Why this hits so hard in real life
Because deep down, most people already know the answer.They know what they like.They know what they’ve been putting off.They know what they’ve been avoiding.But they also know the risks – and that’s where they stop.This quote doesn’t ignore fear. It just puts it in perspective.It says: You’re afraid of failing at what you love… but you’re already risking failure at something you don’t love.So what exactly are you protecting?
The regret factor
Here’s something people don’t talk about enough – regret.Failure hurts, yes. But regret? That stays longer.The “what ifs” are harder to deal with than the “at least I tried.”Years down the line, most people don’t regret the risks they took. They regret the chances they didn’t take.The things they postponed.The dreams they talked themselves out of.The versions of life they never explored.And this quote quietly reminds you of that.
Jim Carrey’s own story
What makes this quote even more powerful is where it comes from.Jim Carrey didn’t grow up in comfort. His family struggled financially. At one point, they were even homeless, living out of a van.He could have chosen a “safe” job. Something stable.But he took a risk on comedy -something uncertain, unpredictable, and honestly, risky.And yes, he could have failed.But imagine if he had chosen something safe and still struggled?That’s exactly the point he’s making.
Passion doesn’t mean easy
Let’s clear one thing up – doing what you love doesn’t mean everything becomes smooth or perfect.There will still be failures. Rejections. Setbacks.But there’s a difference.When you’re doing something you care about, you’re more willing to push through the hard parts. You’re more invested. You bounce back faster.Because it matters to you.
A simple way to look at it
Think of it like this:You have two paths.Path A: Safe, predictable, but not something you really wantPath B: Risky, uncertain, but something you actually care aboutNow here’s the twist – both paths can fail.So which failure would you rather live with?That’s the real question.This quote isn’t telling you to be reckless.It’s telling you to be real.To stop assuming that playing safe will protect you from failure.To stop using fear as a reason to stay stuck.To at least consider what you actually want.Because if life doesn’t guarantee success either way… you might as well give yourself a chance at something meaningful.At the end of the day, success isn’t just about money, titles, or stability.It’s also about feeling like your life is yours.And sometimes, all it takes is one small decision – to try, to explore, to take that chance—to move closer to that feeling.So maybe today’s reminder is simple:If you’re going to take risks anyway…make sure they’re for something that matters to you.Because that’s a failure you can at least be proud of.
Greek police using masked ‘mercenaries’ to push migrants back across border
We have found that the mercenaries are themselves migrants, recruited from countries including Pakistan, Syria and Afghanistan, and that they can be rewarded with cash and mobiles looted from other migrants, as well as papers that, in effect, allow passage through Greece.