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Donald Trump's Iran war has ended in a humiliating defeat, with the US president now being held hostage by the very country he sought to dominate. Despite his initial boasts of a "short-term excursion", Trump's military adventure has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives, including regime change and access to oil wealth. The Iranian military has successfully asserted its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and has demonstrated its capacity to wreak havoc on the Gulf states. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has forecast a spike in inflation to 4.2% in the US, a 40% increase since Trump returned to office, and the stock market has dived into correction territory. Trump's attempts to justify his blunder and extricate himself from its dire consequences have been met with skepticism. His denial of any wrongdoing is too vehement to be convincing, and his calls for NATO countries to rescue him while insulting them as "cowards" have fallen flat. Iran has leveraged its control of the Strait of Hormuz to secure concessions from Trump, including the lifting of oil sanctions and safe passage for eight oil tankers. The Iranian government has rejected Trump's latest offer of negotiations "until complete victory", and Trump's threats of "obliteration" have been met with defiance. The Trump administration's decision-making process has been marred by ignorance, incompetence, and self-interest. Trump's advisors, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been accused of lacking expertise and misunderstanding key technical realities, leading to a series of catastrophic mistakes. In the end, Trump's Iran war has been a classic example of a conflict launched willfully through ignorance and sheer stupidity, with devastating consequences for the US economy and global stability.

Roy Hodgson, the veteran English football manager, has made a remarkable return to the sport at the age of 78. He has taken on an interim managerial role at Bristol City for the final seven games of the Championship season. Hodgson, who managed Crystal Palace until February 2024, was tempted out of retirement by Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief executive.Hodgson insists that he does not require a 'crutch' to manage the team, despite his advanced age. He believes that his general health is good, and he is probably fitter now than when he left Palace. Hodgson mentioned that he has been doing a lot of work at home, including using a gym and walking, which has helped him lose 5-6kg.The 78-year-old manager acknowledged that he must be cautious about the strains of the job, referencing the recent collapse of 80-year-old Romania head coach Mircea Lucescu. Hodgson joked that he has no intention of 'dying on the bench' like Jock Stein and will take necessary precautions to ensure his well-being.Hodgson's return to Bristol City comes 44 years after he was sacked by the club in 1982. He described his time at the club as a 'fond memory,' despite the financial difficulties they faced back then. Hodgson's second spell at Bristol City begins with a match against Charlton on Good Friday.The veteran manager's decision to return to football was influenced by conversations with his former assistant Ray Lewington. Hodgson emphasized that he aims to enjoy this period and will assess whether he has made the right decision after facing challenges ahead.

Mauricio Pochettino has distanced himself from speculation linking him to a return to Tottenham Hotspur, stating his full focus is on leading the US men's national team at the upcoming World Cup. Despite being linked to the Spurs managerial role, Pochettino emphasized his commitment to his current position.Pochettino, who led Spurs to significant successes during his tenure from 2014-2019, expressed confidence that his former club will avoid relegation, despite their challenging season. He cited the team's talented players and passionate fans as key factors in their likely survival.With Tottenham hovering just above the relegation zone and seven matches remaining, Pochettino's comments offer a boost to the club's morale. The team is reportedly close to appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, with a long-term contract on the table.Pochettino also left open the possibility of extending his stay with the US men's national team, stating that discussions about his future will take place after the World Cup. For now, his priority remains the team's upcoming friendly against Portugal.

Tottenham Hotspur is on the verge of appointing Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager following productive talks on Monday. The Italian coach has emerged as the club's top choice to replace Igor Tudor, who left his interim position on Sunday after failing to improve the team's form.De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with Marseille, is now the only viable candidate for the role, with Spurs not engaging with other potential candidates. The club aims to secure his services on a long-term contract, believing he can help them stay in the Premier League and build for the next season.The potential appointment of De Zerbi could also impact Mauricio Pochettino's chances of returning to the club. Pochettino, currently managing the US national team, had been considered for an emotional return to Spurs in the summer, but De Zerbi's possible arrival might rule out that move.De Zerbi's backing of Mason Greenwood during his time at Marseille has raised concerns among some Tottenham supporter groups. Greenwood was charged with attempted rape and assault in 2022, although the case was later discontinued. Despite these concerns, Spurs seem willing to overlook them to secure De Zerbi's appointment.The situation at Tottenham is critical, with the team currently one point and one place above the relegation zone and having gone 13 league matches without a win – their worst run since the 1934-35 season. De Zerbi's task would be to turn the team's fortunes around and secure their Premier League status.

Liverpool is optimistic that Mohamed Salah will return from injury in the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Saturday. The Egypt international has been sidelined with a muscle problem sustained during the Champions League match against Galatasaray.Salah, who announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season, was also forced to miss Egypt's friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Spain. However, he has responded well to treatment, and there is confidence he will be involved at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.This potential return comes as Liverpool prepares for a crucial sequence of fixtures that could define their season. Arne Slot's side will be looking to make a strong impression, especially with the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain approaching.In other injury news, Alexander Isak may also be available for the first time since fracturing a leg at Tottenham in December, although his comeback is expected to be more realistic for the Champions League match. The £125m British-record signing is expected to resume team training this week.On the other hand, Alisson, Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, is still nursing a hamstring injury and remains a major doubt for the trip to Parc des Princes. The 33-year-old has experienced repeated hamstring injuries in recent seasons.Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz has claimed that he has become a stronger player as a result of the problems he encountered after moving to Liverpool. The Germany international joined for a then club-record £116m from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but has struggled to impose himself in the Premier League.

Eli Lilly, the US pharmaceutical group behind the Mounjaro weight-loss drug, is seeking to resume its investments in the UK after pausing them last year. The company is in talks with UK ministers to regularly increase NHS drug prices and end a rebate scheme. Patrik Jonsson, president of Eli Lilly's international business, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement this summer.The talks will also explore 'innovative' pricing plans, such as linking payments for anti-obesity drugs to whether the treatment helps patients return to work. This comes as the US pharmaceutical industry increases pressure on the UK, with Keir Starmer agreeing to the first increase in NHS cost-effectiveness thresholds in 27 years. The threshold was raised from £20,000 to £30,000 a year for every year of life gained to £25,000 to £35,000.Eli Lilly was one of several pharmaceutical companies that ditched or paused almost £25bn in planned investments in the UK last year. The company paused its plans to invest in a laboratory site in central London. Jonsson stated that the resumption of Eli Lilly's investment would depend on the outcome of its talks with the government.He emphasized that prices for medicines in the UK had been 'far too low for far too long' and that the threshold couldn't remain static for another three decades. The UK agreed to pay 25% more for new medicines by 2035 as part of a US-UK drug pricing deal, which could eventually reach £9bn a year.Large pharmaceutical companies have protested about a 'rebate' scheme, under which they are required to pay back a chunk of revenue from sales of branded medicines. This scheme is expected to fall in 2026, although Jonsson believes payments 'should actually get down to zero' over time.

NASA is planning to send four astronauts on a 10-day loop around the moon on the Artemis II mission, marking a significant step towards returning humans to the lunar surface. The mission comes nearly 57 years after the last human visit to the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.The Apollo 11 moon landing, which took place on July 21, 1969, captivated the world as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon's surface. Armstrong's iconic words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," echoed globally, symbolizing a historic achievement in space exploration.However, the current Artemis missions lack the same level of political and rhetorical urgency that drove the Apollo program. NASA has shifted its focus between the moon and Mars over the years, with Donald Trump justifying the mission in terms of "lunar economic development" and preparing for a future visit to Mars.Despite the challenges in replicating the excitement of the first moon landing, the moon remains a source of fascination throughout history, inspiring artistic expression and captivating the imagination of people worldwide. The Artemis missions, including the Artemis II crew, which includes Victor Glover, the first black astronaut, and Christina Koch, the first female astronaut, to reach the moon, may still spark public enthusiasm.As the world waits for the Artemis II mission to launch, it's clear that while it may not have the same world-historical importance as Armstrong's "giant leap," it still represents a significant step forward in space exploration and could potentially ignite a new wave of interest in lunar exploration.

UK savers who want to maximize their cash Isa allowance are being warned not to leave it until the last minute, as the deadline for applications is on Easter Sunday, April 5. The cash Isa allows individuals to save or invest up to £20,000 per tax year, with returns free of tax. Experts are advising savers to take action now, as the allowance for those under 65 will be reduced to £12,000 from the next tax year. This change, announced in last year's budget, aims to encourage younger savers to consider investing in the stock market. In April 2025, a record £14 billion was paid into cash Isas, and this year is expected to see a similar surge. Anna Bowes, personal savings expert at The Private Office, emphasized that savers need to act quickly, as some providers may withdraw their offerings early to process applications before the deadline. Savers can currently find competitive interest rates, with fixed rates of around 4.45% available from providers like Close Brothers Savings, Furness building society, and Vida Savings. For variable-rate Isas, Plum is offering 4.66%, and Tembo Money is paying 4.55%, both including a bonus for the first 12 months. Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, warned that savers should not delay, as missing the deadline could mean losing the chance to use this year's allowance. She also recommended exploring options beyond traditional high street banks, as challenger banks and building societies are offering some of the best deals.

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.