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The concept of luck has long been shrouded in mystery, often attributed to chance or fate. However, behavioural neuroscience has made significant strides in uncovering the underlying mechanisms that govern luck. According to research, luck is not just a roll of the dice, but rather a complex interplay of brain chemistry and behaviour that can be influenced and cultivated.The neuroscience behind luck reveals that it operates through identifiable patterns of brain chemistry and behaviour. Studies have shown that the consistently lucky are not blessed by fate, but rather, they possess a unique set of habits and characteristics that enable them to capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges more effectively. Brain imaging techniques have even identified specific regions of the brain that are activated when individuals perceive themselves as lucky, shifting their perception from threat-detection mode to opportunity-recognition mode.Serotonin production, regulated by morning sunlight, tryptophan-rich foods, and a regular sleep-wake cycle, plays a critical role in determining one's luck. Individuals who prioritize these factors are more likely to experience a boost in serotonin levels, which in turn, enhances their mood, social confidence, and resilience. Conversely, those who lead erratic lifestyles and neglect these factors may find themselves chronically sleep-deprived and less likely to encounter fortunate events.Lucky individuals also tend to possess a clear awareness of their interests and passions, which guides their decision-making and behaviour. By following their 'fascination compass', they are more likely to stumble upon opportunities and experiences that align with their values and goals. Novelty-seeking and a willingness to take calculated risks also characterize lucky individuals, as they understand that each small departure from routine can be a ticket to new experiences and encounters.Generosity and a willingness to help others without expectation of return are also key characteristics of lucky individuals. Brain imaging studies have shown that acts of genuine generosity activate the brain's deepest reward centre, releasing feel-good chemicals that reinforce positive behaviours and build social capital. By investing in others and cultivating meaningful relationships, lucky individuals create a network of opportunities and support that can help them navigate life's challenges.In conclusion, luck is not just a matter of chance, but rather a complex interplay of brain chemistry, behaviour, and habit. By understanding the underlying mechanisms that govern luck and incorporating these insights into daily life, individuals can increase their chances of experiencing fortunate events and leading a more fulfilling life.

Moses Itauma, a rising star in British boxing, made a significant statement in the heavyweight division by defeating Jermaine Franklin in a thrilling match at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. Itauma, just 21 years old, showcased his exceptional skills, knocking out Franklin in the fifth round with a devastating combination of punches.The fight was highly anticipated, with Franklin being Itauma's toughest opponent to date. Despite being taken the distance by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in previous UK bouts, Franklin was brutally stopped by Itauma, who demonstrated superior speed, footwork, and ringcraft.Itauma's victory was marked by a highlight-reel knockout that sent Franklin crashing to the canvas face-first, prompting the referee to immediately wave off the contest. This win amplifies calls for the young boxer to fight for a world title next, with promoter Frank Warren suggesting a potential bout in July as part of Itauma's preparation.Following the fight, Itauma expressed his ambition, stating, “I’d love to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk. There’s a pecking order I need to respect – I’ll wait my turn.” With this impressive victory, Itauma is now poised to take on a top contender or even a world champion in the near future.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has concluded defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, focusing on joint expertise in countering threats from missiles and drones. The agreements were made during Zelenskyy's visit to Doha and the UAE earlier in the day. The defence pact with Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. This move comes as Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours, with Tehran insisting it targets only US assets in retaliation for the US-Israeli war on Iran. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones. Kyiv has proposed swapping its interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf countries to down Iranian drones. Ukraine needs these missiles to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks. The agreements highlight Ukraine's growing role as a leading producer of sophisticated, battlefield-proven drone interceptors. The country's expertise in downing Russian drones, which have been attacking Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, is seen as a cost-effective solution for Gulf nations. For instance, Ukraine's interceptors cost around $2,000 each, compared to the $4 million cost of a Patriot missile. Zelenskyy's diplomatic tour aims to secure funding and technology in return for Middle East support. The US-Israeli war on Iran has depleted Patriot missile stocks, which concerns Ukraine as it needs these missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

The Evolution of Mobile CreativityThe iPad has undergone a radical transformation, shifting from a simple media consumption device to a serious contender in the professional creative suite. This evolution is driven by a new generation of applications that leverage the device's hardware capabilities—such as the Apple Pencil and high-resolution displays—to offer tools previously reserved for desktop computers. The market is now saturated with apps that cater to every niche, from therapeutic coloring to complex video editing, fundamentally changing how creators approach their workflows.Pricing Strategies: Subscription vs. One-TimeProcreate ($12.99): A dominant player in the one-time purchase model, offering immense value with high-resolution canvases and advanced brush engines.Lake ($9.99/mo): Utilizes a subscription model focused on accessibility and relaxation, offering a low barrier to entry for casual users.Canva ($12.99/mo): Leverages a freemium model with AI integration to capture the mass market, monetizing through premium templates and automation.Sketchbook ($2.99 one-time): Demonstrates that a low-cost, one-time purchase can still capture significant market share through simplicity and reliability.Democratizing Professional WorkflowsThe impact of these tools extends beyond individual hobbyists; they are democratizing professional workflows. Apps like LumaFusion and Affinity Designer 2 have lowered the barrier to entry for indie filmmakers and graphic designers, allowing them to produce broadcast-quality content on mobile devices. Simultaneously, AI-driven tools like Canva's Magic Media are enabling users without formal design training to execute complex visual tasks, effectively blurring the line between amateur and professional output.The Future of On-the-Go CreationLooking ahead, the trend points toward deeper integration of AI and cloud-based collaboration. We can expect mobile apps to become even more autonomous, handling technical heavy lifting while users focus on conceptualization. The competition between subscription-based ecosystems and robust one-time purchase models will likely define the next phase of the creative software market, with users gravitating toward the model that offers the best balance of long-term value and feature accessibility.

Islamabad has re‑emerged as a pivotal conduit between Washington and Tehran, delivering a U.S. 15‑point cease‑fire proposal on March 25, 2026, as the US‑Israeli campaign against Iran enters its second month. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan is transmitting the proposal, with Turkey and Egypt offering additional diplomatic backing. Chief US negotiator Steve Witkoff later verified Pakistan’s role as a messenger, and President Donald Trump announced a 10‑day pause on planned strikes against Iranian power plants, citing a request from Tehran. Iran has denied direct talks, yet the pause marks the second deferment of Trump’s original threat, underscoring Pakistan’s function as a key diplomatic facilitator in a high‑stakes conflict. The pattern is not new. In August 1969, President Nixon tasked Pakistan’s military ruler Yahya Khan with opening a channel to Beijing. Two years later, a secret flight carried U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger from Islamabad to China, paving the way for Nixon’s historic 1972 visit and the eventual U.S. recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Analysts note that Pakistan’s unique position—maintaining working ties with both Washington and Beijing—made it the only trusted intermediary capable of handling such a sensitive mission, a view echoed by former ambassador Masood Khan. Beyond the Cold‑War episode, Pakistan has repeatedly leveraged its geography and Muslim‑world connections. It served as the primary conduit for U.S., Saudi and Chinese support to the Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s, helped broker the 1988 Geneva Accords that ended the Soviet occupation, and hosted the 2015 Murree talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. During the 2020 Doha Agreement, Pakistani pressure on the Taliban was cited by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad as instrumental, though the rapid U.S. withdrawal and subsequent Taliban takeover left Pakistan’s long‑term interests ambiguous. Efforts to mediate Saudi‑Iran tensions have been less fruitful. In 2016, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s shuttle diplomacy failed to produce a formal agreement, and a 2019 outreach by Prime Minister Imran Khan, prompted by President Trump, yielded no concrete outcome. When China facilitated the 2023 Saudi‑Iran rapprochement, Pakistan’s foreign office claimed it had laid the groundwork, but analysts still view the result as a Chinese‑led success. Pakistan’s brief 2005 overture to Israel, led by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, similarly collapsed under domestic opposition, illustrating the limits of its diplomatic reach when internal politics intervene. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury—the US‑Israeli air campaign that began in late February 2026 and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Pakistan’s leadership has intensified back‑channel activity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held multiple calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke directly with President Trump. Both officials have also visited Saudi Arabia, where Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025. Former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi observes that Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative is often eclipsed by conflict, yet a “quieter, more consistent thread” persists: the state’s effort to turn its strategic location and Muslim‑world ties into a lever for peace. Whether the current cease‑fire talks will yield a durable settlement remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Pakistan enjoys a rare blend of trust from Washington, Tehran and Gulf capitals—a leverage few regional actors possess.

Iran-linked hackers have claimed responsibility for breaching the personal emails of Kash Patel, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The hackers, known as the Handala Hack Team, shared photographs and documents from Patel's emails online.The breach, confirmed by Reuters and CNN, appears to have released documents over a decade old, including Patel's travel and business correspondence and personal photos. The hacking group describes itself as pro-Palestinian hacking vigilantes and claimed the attack was in retaliation for a US-Israeli strike on a children's school in Minab, Iran, which killed over 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.Patel's leadership of the FBI has been marked by controversy, with critics accusing him of misusing the federal law enforcement agency for personal travel and to carry out President Donald Trump's priorities. The FBI and Department of Justice have yet to comment on the incident.The Handala Hack Team also claimed credit for a recent cyberattack on the medical device company Stryker. Iran has threatened to step up attacks on Western economic interests as a form of pressure amid the US-Israel war against the country.

Cambridge University is launching a four-week summer course in botany, inspired by a course taught by Prof John Stevens Henslow to Charles Darwin in the 1820s. The course will use original teaching materials, including plant specimens and illustrations, to teach students about botany.The course aims to address the gap in botany education in the UK, where the subject has largely disappeared as a standalone degree. Dr Raphaella Hull, acting head of learning for Cambridge University Botanic Garden, said that the course will teach students about botany using hands-on techniques and field excursions.The course is based on Henslow's pioneering approach to teaching botany, which emphasized the importance of observing and understanding plant diversity. Henslow's use of illustrations on his course was groundbreaking, and he is credited with influencing Darwin's later theory of evolution.Prof Sam Brockington, curator of Cambridge University Botanic Garden, said that the course is designed to be an immersive program in botany, and that Henslow's approach to teaching botany is still relevant today.

The new HBO Max series Portobello had all the makings of a gripping drama: a charismatic TV host, a mind-controlled parrot, and allegations of mafia involvement. However, the show's pacing and tone leave much to be desired.Based on the true story of Enzo Tortora, the former host of Italy's top TV show, Portobello explores the intersection of celebrity, politics, and organized crime. The series' setting in the 1980s and its themes of false accusations and the power of the media are certainly relevant today.Despite its potential, the show's execution is wildly dull. The 72-minute first episode feels like a slog, and the period-authentic aesthetic, while well-intentioned, doesn't quite make up for the lack of tension or excitement. Even the bizarre subplot involving a mind-controlled parrot and its owner's obsession with Tortora can't seem to elevate the show's overall pace.The show's portrayal of the justice system is also noteworthy, highlighting the Kafkaesque experience faced by Tortora as he navigates the complexities of the law. However, this powerful theme is often overshadowed by the show's meandering pace and lack of dramatic tension.Ultimately, Portobello feels like a missed opportunity to create a compelling drama about a fascinating true story. While it may appeal to fans of character-driven dramas or those interested in Italian culture, others may find themselves checking their watches.

Manchester United has named their starting lineup for the crucial Women's Super League derby against city rivals Manchester City, with Tullis-Joyce in goal and an attacking lineup featuring Hinata and Schüller. The substitutes include Middleton-Patel, Rendell, George, Anderson, Rolfo, and Drury. Manchester City, currently sitting at the top of the league table, has also announced their team, with Yamashita between the sticks and a formidable attacking lineup featuring Hemp, Miedema, and Shaw. Their bench includes Keating, Combs, Fowler, Kerolin, Ouahabi, and several other options. The match, scheduled for 1:30pm GMT, represents a significant opportunity for both teams in the title race. Manchester City head coach Andree Jeglertz emphasized the unique intensity of derby matches: These games live their own lives. Because a derby in this city is always going to get 100% energised players from both teams at the beginning. It almost doesn't matter what tempo you start as your opponent will be ready. These games aren't determined by 15, 20 minutes. Definitely the longer the game goes, it can be a challenge but it's how the game turns out and what happens. City secured a convincing 3-0 victory in the previous derby in November, with goals from Rebecca Knaak, Khadija Shaw, and Lauren Hemp. Meanwhile, Manchester United is looking to bounce back from a 3-2 first-leg defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. United's head coach, Marc Skinner, acknowledged the challenge posed by the league leaders: City are top of the league for a reason but we will take that challenge on. Once you accept that challenge, you can rise to a new level. This derby comes during a busy period for WSL teams, with multiple high-profile clashes across the league that could significantly impact the title race.