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US President Donald Trump has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen 'fairly soon' with or without Iran's assistance, as the US and Iran prepare for peace talks in Pakistan. The strait, a critical maritime chokepoint, has been effectively blocked by Iran, disrupting approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas flows.Speaking to reporters, Trump said the US would 'open up the Gulf' and that other countries were ready to 'help out'. He emphasized that ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons is the priority in any agreement, and the strait would open 'automatically' if a deal is reached.Despite a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, shipping in the strait remains at an effective standstill. Only two vessels passed through the strait on Friday, down from five the previous day. More than 600 vessels, including 325 tankers, are still stranded in the Gulf due to the blockage.US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are set to lead negotiations in Islamabad aimed at securing a permanent end to the war. The US and Iran have offered conflicting messages on the agreed-upon terms for the negotiations, including the contents of a 10-point plan put forward by Tehran.

Rory McIlroy has taken a commanding lead at the Masters, surging six shots clear of his nearest rivals with a breathtaking second-round 65. The 36-year-old McIlroy, seeking to become the fourth man to win back-to-back Masters titles, carded an eagle and 10 birdies to post 12 under par. McIlroy's closest challengers are Patrick Reed and Sam Burns, both on six under, while Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are a further stroke back on five under. McIlroy's stunning chip-in at the 18th hole capped a dominant display, setting up a tantalizing prospect of a second Green Jacket. Tyrrell Hatton moved to four under with a 66, while Brooks Koepka recovered from pre-tournament criticism to card a 68 and make the cut. The halfway cut eliminated several notable players, including Bryson DeChambeau after a chaotic 18th hole.

Bayern Munich crushed hosts St Pauli 5-0 in the Bundesliga, setting an all-time season scoring record while extending their lead at the top to 12 points with five games left to play. The Bavarian club now has 76 points, with second-placed Borussia Dortmund stuck on 64 after their 1-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen.A ninth-minute header from Jamal Musiala put the visitors equal with the record of 101 goals in one season, set by Bayern in the 1971-72 campaign. But they added two more in quick succession, with Leon Goretzka in the 53rd and Michael Olise a minute later, to beat the previous best mark and make sure of the three points.In Spain, Barcelona took a major step towards the La Liga title with a 4-1 victory over their city rivals Espanyol, moving nine points clear of Real Madrid. Ferran Torres struck twice, assisted by Lamine Yamal both times, in the first half as the hosts dominated possession.In Italy, Milan suffered a shock 3-0 loss at home to Udinese, jeering off the field after their third defeat in four matches. The Rossoneri are not only nine points below the league leaders, Inter, but just six points above Roma, in sixth, in the fight for the four Champions League qualifying places.

After a turbulent week that saw Liverpool suffer cup defeats to Manchester City and Paris Saint‑Germain, manager Arne Slot finally found a morale boost when 17‑year‑old winger Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring on his second Premier League start. Ngumoha’s strike, followed by a second‑half finish from Mohamed Salah, secured Liverpool’s first league win since February. Fulham, under Marco Silva, were passive and struggled to create clear chances, allowing Liverpool to dominate possession and reach the historic milestone of 1,500 league victories at Anfield. The win marked only the second triumph in six matches after a demanding Champions League away fixture, offering a needed lift before the upcoming quarter‑final second leg against PSG. Slot praised Ngumoha’s performance, saying, "He has a special quality that you don’t see very often in football any more – dominating the one‑on‑one." The manager added that the teenager’s power and finishing have been evident in training, making his impact on the pitch "pleasing". Outside the stadium, a banner reading ‘No to ticket price increases’ was displayed on the Kop, reflecting fan unrest after the club announced ticket hikes tied to inflation for the next three seasons. The protest underscored concerns that Liverpool could alienate its traditional fanbase in favour of a more tourist‑focused model. The opening half saw early chances from Jeremie Frimpong and Salah, but it was Ngumoha who changed the complexion of the game. After a loose ball from Florian Wirtz, Ngumoha received the ball on the left, dazzled Timothy Castagne with a series of step‑overs, and curled a precise shot around Joachim Andersen into the far corner. The goal was historic: at 17 years and 225 days, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest league scorer at Anfield, breaking a 14‑year record previously held by Raheem Sterling. The achievement highlighted the club’s emerging talent pipeline at a time when senior players are under intense scrutiny. Slot hinted that Ngumoha could feature in the upcoming Champions League tie, noting, "I think he’s ready. The question is can he do it again two days later? But would he be able to perform at that level? Yes." The manager’s confidence reflects a strategic shift as he balances youth integration with the demands of elite European competition. Six minutes after the break, Ngumoha assisted Cody Gakpo, whose cross was turned home by Salah for Liverpool’s second goal, cementing a comfortable two‑goal cushion. Fulham attempted to revive their game with substitutions, introducing Emile Smith Rowe and Sasa Lukic, but Liverpool’s dominance persisted. A further setback for Liverpool came when Curtis Jones suffered a groin injury, forcing a halftime substitution and likely ruling him out of the PSG match. Silva admitted his side’s lack of aggression, stating, "The game was decided in five minutes and by our approach in the first half." The result not only restores confidence for Liverpool but also sets the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with the European champions.

Celtic overtook rivals Rangers to sit second in the Scottish Premiership after a narrow 1‑0 win against St Mirren, while Hearts preserved their lead at the top with a late‑filled 3‑1 triumph over Motherwell.At Celtic Park, Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. After a blocked attempt from Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney delivered a precise cross that Oxlade‑Chamberlain struck into the bottom corner, giving Celtic a comfortable first‑half advantage.St Mirren dominated possession in the second half but failed to create clear chances, allowing Celtic to hold onto the solitary goal.The encounter marked the first meeting between the sides since St Mirren’s surprise 3‑1 cup win over Celtic in December, a result that proved difficult to repeat.For the first time since November, the Green Brigade were welcomed back to Celtic Park, adding a vibrant backdrop to what many view as a dress rehearsal for next week’s Scottish Cup semi‑final.At Tynecastle, Motherwell took an early lead through Emmanuel Longelo. Hearts responded quickly when Cláudio Braga equalised with an overhead kick. The match seemed poised for a draw until Lawrence Shankland converted a penalty after Stephen Welsh was judged to have fouled Landry Kaboré. Kaboré then added a third in stoppage time, sealing the three‑point win for Hearts.In the north, Stephen Robinson ended his winless streak since moving from St Mirren to Aberdeen, guiding his side to a 2‑0 victory over Hibernian at Pittodrie, with Kevin Nisbet scoring in each half.At Tannadice, Zac Sapsford rescued Dundee United with a late penalty, completing a dramatic 3‑2 comeback against Livingston. The hosts had led through a first‑half goal by Will Ferry, but Livingston responded with a quickfire double from Lewis Smith before United equalised via substitute Krisztian Keresztes.Meanwhile, Kelle Roos produced a crucial stoppage‑time penalty save against Dundee striker Joe Westley, earning Kilmarnock a vital point in their relegation battle. The decision followed a lengthy VAR check that delayed the penalty by six minutes.Kilmarnock’s earlier clash with Dundee saw a roller‑coaster finish: Joe Hugill opened the scoring, Simon Murray equalised for Dundee, Michael Schjønning‑Larsen restored the lead for Kilmarnock before Scott Wright’s late goal forced extra‑time drama.

Willie Mullins has made the seemingly impossible look easy, securing his third consecutive win at the Grand National with I Am Maximus. This victory not only cements Mullins' reputation as a master trainer but also etches his name in the history books alongside Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain with his fourth Grand National win.The road to victory was far from straightforward. I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, faced significant challenges, including being blocked multiple times during the race. However, Townend's calm and strategic riding ultimately paid off, allowing I Am Maximus to secure a thrilling win.This achievement is all the more impressive given the challenging conditions. Mullins noted that this winter was the wettest he had experienced in 40 years, which made preparing his horses particularly difficult. Despite these obstacles, Mullins' team successfully primed I Am Maximus for the big event.The victory also marks a significant milestone for owner JP McManus, who has now secured his fourth Grand National win, a record. McManus expressed his admiration for Mullins and Townend, while also hinting at ambitions to equal Red Rum's legendary three consecutive National victories.Mullins, who will turn 70 in September, shows no signs of slowing down. He emphasized his passion for racing and his desire to continue building on his successes. With a clear focus on creating more history-making moments, Mullins and his team are already looking ahead to the next challenge.

Chelsea FC has suspended midfielder Enzo Fernández for two games following his comments about potentially joining Real Madrid. Fernández, along with teammate Rodri, expressed interest in moving to the Spanish club during the international break.Fernández's statements, while not unusual in the football world, were deemed to have 'crossed a line' by Chelsea, leading to the suspension. The midfielder's comments included expressing admiration for Real Madrid players Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and stating that Madrid's lifestyle is similar to his hometown of Buenos Aires.The suspension comes at a critical time for Chelsea, who are vying for a top-five finish in the Premier League and a spot in the Champions League. The team's players reportedly petitioned manager Liam Rosenior to allow Fernández to play in the upcoming match against Manchester City.The incident highlights the challenges faced by Chelsea in retaining top talent, particularly under the ambitious project led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake. The club's strategy of signing young players to long contracts with performance-based incentives may be flawed, as top players often seek better opportunities or more lucrative deals as they develop.Fernández's situation serves as a microcosm of the broader issues in football, where player loyalty and contract commitments are frequently tested by the allure of top clubs and better offers. The incident also underscores the differing approaches of Chelsea and other top clubs, such as Manchester City, which seem more tolerant of players expressing their aspirations.

Mikel Artura tried to fire up the crowd before kickoff, urging fans to bring “your lunch, bring your dinner” for the 12.30 pm showdown. Players warmed up to a big screen looping Arsenal’s past triumphs, a psychological push meant to spark confidence. The opening half unfolded as many had predicted: a physical tussle in which Bournemouth exploited a right‑flank weakness to go ahead, only for Arsenal to level from a set‑piece penalty. The penalty was calmly slotted by Viktor Gyökeres, who seized the ball from Kai Havertz and demonstrated the composure that has underpinned Arsenal’s recent victories. Early in the second half, Arteta made a rare triple substitution nine minutes in, swapping an ineffective attacking trio for fresh legs. The change stalled Arsenal’s momentum; the new unit struggled to build immediate connections, allowing Bournemouth to seize control. In the 74th minute, Alex Scott delivered a clinical finish after a slick passing move on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, restoring Bournemouth’s lead. Six minutes later, Gyökeres had another chance from a Max Dowman cross but sent his shot wide, underscoring Arsenal’s growing frustration. Throughout the closing stages, Artura repositioned Gyökeres deeper, turning him into a quasi‑centre‑half in a desperate search for an equaliser. The resulting play was slow and ponderous, reflecting a side unable to generate the quick combinations that had served them earlier in the season. Statistically, Arsenal produced 1.44 expected goals (xG) from set‑pieces, outpacing Bournemouth’s total of 1.2. However, all of Bournemouth’s chances came from open play, while Arsenal managed a paltry 0.19 xG from open play – the second‑lowest home figure since such metrics were recorded. This disparity highlights a reliance on dead‑ball situations and an inability to threaten opponents in regular play. Despite the loss, Arsenal remain nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Yet the gap is vulnerable: if Manchester City maintain their winning run, the cushion could evaporate quickly. The defeat signals that Arsenal must evolve beyond sheer grit and set‑piece proficiency, finding ways to create and convert chances in open play if they are to withstand the challenge from serial winners.

The Aintree meeting was a resounding success, with a sellout crowd of 55,000 on Ladies' Day, marking the first sellout since 2012. The event saw a significant shift in demographics, with a younger crowd in attendance, many of whom were in their teens and 20s.The Jockey Club's strategic use of TikTok and Instagram played a crucial role in attracting this new audience. According to Joe Hughes, the social media manager at the Jockey Club, they now have 162,000 followers on TikTok. The club's efforts to stress the social side of the sport to younger audiences have clearly paid off.Attendees like Hayley Bentley, a bride-to-be, exemplified the festive atmosphere, dressing up in a bridal dress and veil as part of her hen party. The event featured a range of activities, including musicians, jugglers, and fanfare, as well as competitions with prizes such as trips to Ibiza.Despite the celebratory mood, the event was marred by the fatal injury of a horse, Gold Dancer, which suffered a broken back after jumping the final fence. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns about horse safety in the sport.The Grand National, set to take place on Saturday, is expected to attract over five million viewers on TV and features a field of 34 horses. The Jockey Club acknowledges that more needs to be done to ensure horse safety, and they are committed to making changes to prioritize the welfare of horses and riders.