SUZUKA, Japan, March 28 (Reuters) - Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix with a 1:28.778 lap as Mercedes completed a front-row lockout for a third consecutive event, teammate George Russell lining up second. The result is Antonelli’s second straight pole and follows his maiden win in China two weeks ago; Russell leads the drivers’ standings by four points. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri qualified third with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fourth, Lando Norris fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was knocked out in Q2 and will start 11th after describing his car as “undriveable”; team-mate Isack Hadjar reached Q3 and starts eighth. Mercedes also topped final practice on Saturday, underlining their early-season superiority under the 2026 technical regulations. Several media outlets reported Verstappen saying he is “beyond frustrated” and hinting at personal questions over his future after an on‑track and off‑track difficult week that included ejecting a journalist from a press session.

England kicked off World Cup warm-up preparations at Wembley on March 27, 2026, in a 35-man experimental friendly against Uruguay that combined squad auditions with controversy. Thomas Tuchel rested 11 established starters — including Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka — while giving debuts to Everton’s James Garner and Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. Arsenal’s Ben White was recalled to replace the injured Jarell Quansah; White, who left England’s 2022 World Cup camp, was urged by Tuchel to “clear the air” with teammates. Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was conspicuously omitted from the selection and posted “Real Madrid and nothing else,” prompting public debate and criticism from former England captain Wayne Rooney. On the pitch Uruguay defender Joaquín Piquerez suffered a stretchered ankle injury early and was replaced by José María Giménez, who took the captain’s armband. England debuted their new 2026 Nike away kit for the match, broadcast widely across free-to-air and streaming services. Tuchel defended his tactical, intensity-focused selections and said late decisions would shape his final World Cup squad for the summer tournament in North America.

Mohamed Salah confirmed this week that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season, triggering widespread reaction from former manager Jürgen Klopp, teammates, pundits and the transfer market. Speaking at Liverpool events on March 27-28, 2026, Klopp called Salah “irreplaceable,” praised his professionalism and suggested the club should not hunt for a like-for-like successor but rebuild around a new approach; he also said he would not be surprised if Salah played on into his late 30s or 40. Current and former teammates — Andy Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others — paid tributes to Salah’s on- and off-field leadership. Media and club sources link Salah with moves to Roma, the Saudi Pro League (notably Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah) and MLS, while several big Saudi clubs have reportedly ruled themselves out. Reports also focus on Liverpool’s recruitment options (Michael Olise, Conceicao among names cited) and financial angles: Salah will leave on a free transfer, saving Liverpool substantial wages but forgoing any transfer fee and, according to some media, a loyalty bonus. An academic study highlighted a wider social impact of Salah’s time at Anfield, linking his presence to reduced local hate crimes and online Islamophobia.

Iran-linked hackers claiming the Handala Hack Team said on March 27 they accessed FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal Gmail account and published photographs, a resume and a sample of more than 300 emails online. U.S. officials including the Justice Department and Reuters confirmed the account was compromised; the FBI said the material appears historical and contains no government information and that it has mitigated risks. The Justice Department had seized four domains tied to Handala on March 19 and the State Department is offering up to $10 million through its Rewards for Justice programme for information about the group. Western cyber researchers and U.S. prosecutors have previously tied Handala to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and to recent intrusions, including a March attack on medical‑technology firm Stryker. Independent checks by outlets including TechCrunch verified cryptographic email headers for some messages, though the full scope and timing of the breach remain under review. Handala framed the leak as retaliation for the domain seizures and dedicated it to recent naval losses, underscoring cyber operations as part of the wider U.S.–Iran confrontation.

Manchester United have begun detailed summer planning after midfielder Casemiro confirmed he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. The Brazil international said the decision is “made and done” following a resurgence in form under interim coach Michael Carrick. United’s hierarchy, backed by INEOS, are prioritising a midfield overhaul and have trimmed longlists to a small group of targets including Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton; Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and other options also remain under consideration. Reports say Barca have offered Ferran Torres as a possible forward addition and Alejandro Balde and Alphonso Davies have been linked as defensive targets. Financial factors will shape moves — Casemiro’s departure could save up to about $24m in wages next season and Champions League qualification would boost transfer firepower. Manchester City, Liverpool and other top clubs are expected to contest several targets, while Louis Enrique reportedly looks set to remain at PSG, strengthening Carrick’s case to be appointed permanently. Clubs and agents are preparing for a busy, high-value window influenced by contract clauses, sell-on valuations and Barcelona’s need to trim wages.

On March 28, 2026, organizers of the decentralized “No Kings” movement staged more than 3,000 coordinated demonstrations across all 50 U.S. states and in dozens of cities worldwide, seeking what they described as the largest single day of non‑violent protest in American history. The third nationwide day of action targeted President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics, a U.S.-led war in Iran, rising living costs and what protesters call executive overreach. Organizers and allied groups — including Indivisible, 50501, the ACLU and several labor unions — designated a flagship rally at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, where Bruce Springsteen and other high‑profile figures were scheduled to appear. Organizers say turnout will be far larger than earlier No Kings days in June and October 2025; independent estimates vary. The White House dismissed the protests as politically motivated. Local authorities in major cities warned of street closures and heightened security after earlier confrontations and the January killings of two Minnesota residents during federal immigration operations intensified public anger.