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At Augusta National, Justin Rose’s name appears twice on the bronze winner’s list beside the victories of Sergio García (2017) and Rory McIlroy (2025) – both wins coming after playoffs that Rose lost. Only Ben Hogan shares the dubious distinction of losing two Masters playoffs, though Hogan later won the tournament twice outright.Rose’s record also includes a second‑place finish in 2015, four strokes behind Jordan Spieth. The only player with more runner‑up finishes without ever winning is Tom Weiskopf, who was second four times in seven years.Now 45 years old and entering his 21st Masters, Rose cannot predict if he will ever get as close again as he did last year, when McIlroy’s birdie putt on the 18th sealed a one‑stroke playoff defeat.“When you realise you’re that close, you can taste the victory,” Rose says. “I lived it as if I’d won, but without the real positive emotion – I sensed everything.” He acknowledges the mental rehearsal of the “what‑if” scenario while maintaining that he “did everything he could” and can live with the result.Rose explains his mental formula: “You can’t make a major win too important in the moment,” because a career inevitably includes “a little bit of heart‑ache and heartbreak.” He believes that to win, a player must also be prepared to be on the losing side.Despite the setbacks, Rose feels he has already demonstrated the necessary skill set. “I’ve pretty much done what it takes to win. I just haven’t walked over the line,” he asserts, emphasizing that he does not feel the need to change his approach.Recent form offers optimism. Earlier this year Rose set a new course record at Torrey Pines and became the first player in 71 years to win the Farmers Insurance Open wire‑to‑wire. He notes that eight players have captured the Masters after finishing second the previous year, suggesting his odds improve when the field is considered.Rose is also mindful of external narratives. “People are wishing me well and thinking it’s my year,” he admits, adding that he must manage expectations and craft his own story rather than buying into others’ predictions.

Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, warned on Sunday that his country’s participation in the 2026 World Cup remains doubtful unless FIFA agrees to shift Iran’s group‑stage fixtures from the United States to Mexico. The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) formally asked the global governing body to relocate the matches, but, according to Donyamali, it has yet to receive a definitive response. “If our request is accepted, Iran’s participation will be certain,” Donyamali told Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, underscoring the link between venue security and the team’s willingness to travel. The request comes amid heightened tensions after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran on February 28, sparking a broader regional conflict. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli sites, U.S. bases in the Middle East, and Gulf infrastructure. Iran, the first Asian nation to qualify for the tournament, is slated to play all three group matches on the U.S. West Coast – Los Angeles on June 16, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 22, and Seattle on June 26. Former President Donald Trump recently said Iran was “welcome” in the United States but added that he doubted the venue was “appropriate for their own life and safety.” In response, the Iranian team posted on social media that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj echoed the sentiment, stating, “When Trump explicitly says he cannot guarantee our security, we will not travel to America.” Taj confirmed ongoing negotiations with FIFA to move the games to Mexico. FIFA, however, rejected the relocation request, reaffirming that the schedule announced last year will stand. President Gianni Infantino told IFF Vice President Mehdi Mohammad Nabi that “the matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.” Despite the diplomatic deadlock, Donyamali affirmed that Iran’s players continue training and will be ready for the tournament, provided that adequate security guarantees are secured from the host nations. “Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran playing in the United States is very low; if the necessary security assurances are given, our government will make the final decision,” Donyamali said, adding that former President Trump’s remarks were “morally and ethically unbalanced.” The World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Mexico, with the opening matches in the United States and Canada following on June 12. The final is set for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Israeli forces have launched a series of attacks on southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least two children and injuring 40 people, according to Lebanese health officials. The Ministry of Public Health reported that an Israeli strike on Habbush killed two girls and wounded 22 people on Saturday. In a separate incident, an attack on al-Hawsh near Tyre wounded 18 people, including a child, three women, and three paramedics. The strike also damaged a nearby major hospital, the Lebanese Italian Hospital, which despite the damage, will remain open to provide necessary medical care. The violence escalated as Israeli forces continued their ground invasion, blowing up houses in several southern front-line villages and towns, including Aita al-Shaab and Ramyah, and bombing bridges linking Samar with Mashghara, claiming they were being used by Hezbollah. The bombing of bridges and civilian infrastructure across southern Lebanon has been widely condemned, with rights groups warning that Israel appears to be trying to isolate the region. At least 1,368 people have been killed in Lebanon and 4,138 wounded in these attacks, which have also displaced more than one million people. Despite the continued offensive, experts believe that Israel is unlikely to achieve its stated goal of disarming Hezbollah. Hezbollah maintains depth in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, and even if Israel manages to push the group out of these areas, it would not necessarily mean that it would have eliminated Hezbollah entirely.

Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque, a significant Islamic site and Palestinian national symbol, has become a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The mosque, located in the occupied West Bank, has been subject to increased restrictions and control by Israeli authorities. Stricter measures have been imposed on Palestinians attempting to access the mosque, including the closure of gates, checkpoints, and searches. These actions have made it difficult for Palestinians to reach the site, with some residents reporting that the journey has become significantly longer and more complicated. The Israeli government claims that these measures are necessary for security reasons, citing the presence of Israeli settlers in the area. However, Palestinians argue that these restrictions are part of a systematic effort to reduce their access to the mosque and erode their rights. The situation at the Ibrahimi Mosque is seen as a microcosm of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Observers note that Israel's actions in Hebron may be a prelude to further annexation of the West Bank, with increased settlement activity and restrictions on Palestinian movement. Palestinian residents have faced significant challenges, including demolition orders, arrests, and settler attacks. The area surrounding the mosque has become increasingly militarized, with thousands of Israeli soldiers and settlers present. The international community has expressed concern over Israel's actions, with many viewing them as illegitimate and dangerous to the existing status quo. The situation remains a critical point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with significant implications for the future of the region.

Japan's economic strategy has inadvertently created a Japanese century in global finance, driven by the yen's role as a cheap and reliable funding currency. The Bank of Japan's loose monetary policy has suppressed yields on public debt, effectively creating a publicly subsidized funding pipeline for bankers.By borrowing cheaply in yen and investing in higher-return assets, such as US equities, global investors have profited tens of billions of dollars from the 'yen carry trade'. This trade surged after the pandemic, with speculators betting $435bn in the two years to 2024 out of the estimated $1.7tn worth of yen supplied.Despite Japan's first rate hike since 2007 in March 2024, the carry trade remains popular. However, a persistent fear exists that the BoJ may aggressively raise rates, risking a global financial shock. A stronger yen would increase the cost of repaying yen-denominated debts, and heavily leveraged hedge funds could face significant losses.Japan's economic success has created an external dependency on the carry trade to manage internal crises. The country's reflationist prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is committed to fiscal expansion, which may continue to stabilize the private sector but not necessarily drive growth.Economic analysis suggests that Japan's growth constraints are rooted in its macroeconomic prices, including profit, exchange rate, interest, wages, and inflation. While Japan has seen recent real wage growth, wages have historically been flat or falling, and the country's firms lack a reliably competitive exchange rate and viable profit rate to drive demand and reform.

The Super League's potential takeover by the National Rugby League (NRL) could gain momentum as executives from the NRL prepare to meet in the UK to discuss the deal. The recent Rivals Round has showcased the league's exciting matches and drawn large crowds, highlighting its potential. Despite financial struggles, the Super League has demonstrated a strong on-field performance, with five teams level on points at the top of the table. This competitiveness, coupled with increased attendance - 13% higher than last year, presents a compelling case for the NRL's involvement. The NRL is considering covering the Super League's £2.1m salary cap as part of a potential deal, which could alleviate financial pressures on club owners. However, this would likely require them to relinquish control of the game. Wakefield's coach, Daryl Powell, noted that the league has never been more open, with multiple title contenders emerging. The recent matches, including a sell-out crowd for the Hull derby and St Helens' win against Wigan, demonstrate the growing interest in the Super League. While challenges remain, such as a shrinking player pool and expansion, the NRL's involvement could provide the necessary support to elevate the game. The Super League appears poised for a significant breakthrough, with the potential takeover talks gaining traction.

The modern workplace is witnessing a surge in trends that prioritize flexibility and work-life balance over traditional productivity. Microshifting, coffee badging, and bare minimum Mondays are just a few examples of how employees are redefining what it means to work.Microshifting involves breaking the traditional 9-to-5 workday into short, flexible bursts of activity, allowing for a better work-life balance. Coffee badging, on the other hand, involves taking time out of the workday to protest an employer's in-office requirements by driving into the office, swiping a badge, having a coffee, and then taking more time out to drive back home.These trends are not new, and they have been referred to by other names in the past, such as 'taking the piss'. Other trends, like quiet quitting, career cushioning, quiet vacationing, task masking, quiet cracking, and resenteeism, all share a common trait: avoiding work.The question remains, whatever happened to actually working? When a company hires an employee to do a job, there is an implied assumption that the employee will actually do their job. However, these trends suggest that employees are not necessarily doing their jobs, and yet, they still expect to receive their paychecks.Employers often accuse employees of stealing money from them when they avoid work, but rather than addressing the issue directly, they often terminate the employee quietly. The article concludes that these trends have been beneficial for academics, journalists, HR teams, and workplace experts, but most employers see right through them.In a slowing economy and softening job market, the demand for workers with the right attitude, who work hard, display discipline, and get their jobs done, will always be strong. People who succeed are not microshifting, coffee badging, or working bare minimum Mondays; they are working, actually working.

In a viral trend on TikTok, Londoners are reviewing upmarket bakeries and cafes in their neighborhoods, sparking conversations about gentrification and the changing face of local businesses.Moses Combe, a 21-year-old from north London, started a series of videos called the 'Endz Department for Research', where he reviews upscale cafes that he wouldn't normally visit. His goal is to investigate the changes happening in his own backyard. Combe's review of Jolene, a bakery he describes as 'giving Gail's Pro Max', comes to £14.20. He enjoys the sausage roll, saying 'They did not skimp out with that sausage, bro.'Combe isn't alone in his reviews. Kobi Coker, a 27-year-old comedian and educator, also reviews 'gentrified' spaces. He says his videos exploring these areas weren't initially intentional but were sparked by noticing new, upmarket establishments opening up on his road during his daily commute. Coker has reviewed the Dusty Knuckle bakery, Jolene, Gail's, and Pret, often joking about his experiences.The trend has led to discussions about gentrification and its impact on local businesses. Coker notes that while some new businesses bring new ideas, the problem is that long-time residents 'aren't necessarily able to participate in it.' Matthew Roberts, operations manager at Jolene, welcomes the attention, saying it's 'all very positive' and that they want to 'welcome absolutely everybody.'Other reviewers, like Daniel Poon, a 27-year-old content creator, review mainstream chains when they release products inspired by other cuisines. He reviewed Pret's ube drink, saying it didn't feel authentic to the original Filipino flavor. Poon appreciates chains' efforts to branch out and try new things, but also values diversity and trying different cuisines.

The UK is facing a potential rebranding of its beloved breakfast spread, marmalade, due to new EU rules. The proposed changes are part of a planned food deal with the EU, which would require the UK to align with the bloc's naming rules for food products.Under the new rules, marmalades may need to be relabelled to specify the type of fruit used, such as 'citrus marmalade'. However, the government has clarified that 'orange marmalade' will still be allowed and that jars on UK shelves will remain unchanged.The Conservative former home secretary, Priti Patel, has accused Labour of 'attacking the great British marmalade', claiming that the prime minister is 'desperate to fit in with his EU pals and unpick Brexit'. However, the government spokesperson has denied this, stating that the deal simply supports trade by cutting unnecessary red tape.The UK is being asked to align with regulations already in force within the EU, which allow all conserves to be marketed as marmalades as long as the type of fruit is specified. The rules were relaxed in 2004 to allow fruit-based spreads to be referred to as marmalades in certain European countries.A government source pointed out that marmalade on UK supermarket shelves is already usually labelled as 'orange marmalade', which they suggested is in compliance with the EU rules. The government has assured that the agreement supports exporters while fully preserving the UK's ability to shape food rules in the national interest.