World facing a glut of oil after Iran peace deal

 Donald Trump’s peace deal with Iran could leave the world with more oil than it needs, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has forecast.

The IEA predicted that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would spur a “gradual” increase in supply but said demand was not expected to return to pre-conflict levels. As a result, a glut is expected by next year.

“Our first look at 2027 balances shows a significant overhang emerging next year,” the IEA said in its monthly report on the oil market.

The US and Iran are preparing to sign a preliminary deal on Friday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch a 60-day ceasefire for negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme.

That should unlock around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, which have been blocked by the closure of the strait.

The IEA expects worldwide oil demand to rise by “a relatively modest” two million barrels per day (bpd) next year, to 105 million. However, it forecasts that supply will jump by eight million bpd to 110 million.

“The war could speed up the timeline toward peak oil demand by a couple of years,” said Jason Tuvey, an analyst at Capital Economics, in a note.

“In that context, the incentives are aligning for the Gulf states to ramp up oil output sooner rather than later in order to reduce the risk of stranded assets … Oil prices could eventually end up lower than might otherwise have been the case.”

Oil was trading at close to a three-month low of $79 a barrel on Wednesday.

The rising flow of oil and falling prices are yet to hit petrol forecourts in Britain, according to FairFuelUK. Howard Cox, the campaign group’s founder, said that while Brent crude prices had dropped 11pc in the past four days, retail pump prices had fallen “a measly” 2pc.

“The fuel supply chain is again holding back on passing on wholesale price cuts to drivers,” Mr Cox said.

The IEA said this oversupply could help countries replenish their depleted oil stockpiles. Many countries have been running down their emergency oil reserves during the war in Iran.

The agency said stocks of crude oil and refined products such as petrol, diesel and jet fuel had shrunk by an average of 3.8 million barrels a day since the conflict began at the end of February, accelerating to 4.6 million barrels a day in May.

This helped keep oil prices from soaring even higher but stockpiles are now dangerously low.

Among the 38 wealthier countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, stockpiles are at their lowest level since 1990, according to the IEA.

“Further declines in the coming months could still take global oil stocks to historic lows before the market balance shifts to surplus,” the IEA warned.

Experts have warned that it will take time for shipping companies to get tankers to the region to restart shipments and for refiners to restart their plants.

“While the US‑Iran interim agreement paves the way for a rebound in Middle East exports, operational and political constraints, including prolonged demining and unresolved transit arrangements, leave downside risks to the outlook,” the IEA said.

Why 'girl dads' live longer, according to a cardiologist (and girl dad)

 A cardiologist from New York City has sparked a widespread conversation online after sharing his personal and professional observations about the role daughters play in caring for ageing parents. 

In a now-viral Instagram video, Dr Ali Haider (@yourheartdoc) explained why he believes fathers of daughters–often referred to as “girl dads”–may have an advantage later in life. 

“So listen, if you have a daughter and you get old and sick and are in the hospital, guess what? They’re gonna be there, and they’re going to take care of you,” he said in the clip. 

“Speaking from experience taking care of a lot of old people, it’s always the daughters who are at the bedside,” he continued.

“Now, not that their sons are never involved—don’t get me wrong—but anecdotally, the daughters are generally always there and always taking notes and always the ones on top of things.” 

The video quickly resonated with viewers, amassing more than 4.3 million views and 96,000 likes on the platform at the time of writing.

It followed an earlier post that drew even greater attention, with 4.5 million views. 

‘They usually run the show’

Reflecting on its popularity, Haider shared additional context in his caption. “This was my most popular post of 2025,” he wrote. “This was also the year I gave birth to my third daughter. So that is my conflict of interest here.  

“I suppose it resonated with a lot of girl-dads and girl-moms out there, knowing our girlies will have our backs one day should we need it!

“And once again, sons are great, and of course they are involved in the parents’ care. But let me just say, when there are girls in the picture, they usually run the show.” 

An Observation

Speaking to Newsweek, Haider said his comments are rooted in years of observing patient care at the bedside. 

He explained, “When elderly patients are hospitalized, it’s almost always the daughters who are there asking the tough questions, taking notes, and keeping the family in the loop.  

“Don’t get me wrong, sons are absolutely in the picture too, and plenty are the primary caregivers, but in my experience, at least, the daughters are more prominent. And I do see this across many different ethnic backgrounds.” 

He also pointed to cultural and behavioural factors that may shape these patterns over time. 

“I think a big part of it is cultural. I would say in most cases, moms are the ones managing everyone’s health growing up,” he said. “Daughters grow up watching that and tend to step into that same role when a parent gets sick.  

“There’s also something that feels more instinctive in that women, broadly speaking, and be proactive and vocal in medical settings on behalf of loved ones.” 

The discussion has continued to gain traction online, with many users sharing similar experiences and perspectives on the roles family members take on in healthcare settings. 

‘Take it at face value’

One TikTok user noted, “What I have noticed about sons is that they can be really involved and caring, but they have a much harder time accepting their mother is failing.

“Mom can be barely coping at home, but if she tells her sons she is fine, they take it at face value. Whereas daughters will call the bluff and step in.

“Part of it is likely that parents don’t ask for help from their sons like they do their daughters.” 

Another added, “As the oldest daughter and daughter of another oldest daughter, I can confirm.” 

Finally, one commenter had some words of warning: “If you’ve got all boys, be kind to your daughters-in-law.”

Putin, Zelenskyy speak with Trump by phone as drone strikes kill 2 in Russia and UK detains tanker

 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy each spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, as Trump marked his 80th birthday and the war in Ukraine remained a flashpoint ahead of this week’s G7 summit.

Putin’s call with Trump lasted just under an hour, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who briefed reporters afterward.

On Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized the need to end hostilities and stated his readiness to influence European allies and Kyiv toward that goal, including at the upcoming G7 summit.

Trump also said that recent strikes on civilian targets in Russia complicate a settlement — though the White House has not confirmed that, nor commented on the call — and said that ending the war quickly could open the door to “a truly new quality of U.S.-Russian relations,” Ushakov quoted him as saying.

Putin, for his part, argued that attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure by Kyiv would not change Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, and said that if Zelenskyy wants a meeting with him, “let him come to Moscow,” according to Ushakov.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Russia soon, Ushakov said.

The leaders also discussed Iran, where Trump said a U.S. agreement with Tehran was close and that he hoped the results of the talks could be made public today, Ushakov said.

Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram Sunday that he had a “wonderful conversation” with Trump.

Beyond congratulating Trump on his birthday, the Ukrainian president said he thanked the U.S. president for supporting Ukraine.

He said they discussed “what could help bring peace closer now,” without providing details. Zelenskyy also informed Trump about how Ukraine’s position along the eastern front line has improved and strengthened.

“We agreed to discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit,” he said.

The calls came as Trump prepared to mark his birthday with a UFC fight on the White House lawn Sunday evening, an event without precedent in American history. Once it concludes, Trump is set to fly overnight to France for the G7 summit, where Ukraine is expected to be a major topic of discussion Tuesday and Zelenskyy is due to join the gathering.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has long frustrated Trump, who as a candidate claimed he could end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office. He has since stopped making such claims and tends to pivot away from the topic when pressed. He has also grown increasingly vexed by the war between Israel and Iran, which has driven up gas prices, rattled financial markets and stoked concerns about inflation.

The diplomatic exchanges came against the backdrop of continued fighting. Ukrainian drone attacks killed one person and wounded nine others overnight in a residential building in the regional capital of Russia’s Oryol region, Gov. Andrei Klychkov said Sunday. Another drone attack killed one person Sunday in Russia's Bryansk region, local authorities said.

A separate drone strike hit fuel storage facilities in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, around 440 miles from the Ukrainian border, sparking fires. Zelenskyy said the strike had hit “an oil facility that was important for the reserve of the aggressor state.”

Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure in recent months, arguing the sector funds Moscow’s invasion.

Separately, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday that the U.K. is investigating a sanctioned tanker, the Smyrtos, suspected of belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels used to evade sanctions tied to the war.

British forces boarded and detained the vessel in the English Channel, in what the Defense Ministry called the first U.K.-led operation of its kind, carried out in coordination with French authorities.

“This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide,” Starmer said.

Why Scotland’s viral throw-in trick spotted by Andy Robertson isn’t a rule loophole

 FIFA and IFAB’s new five-second restart rule has quickly become one of the most talked-about changes at the World Cup.

The rule is part of a wider effort to reduce time-wasting and keep games flowing. Substitutions are being monitored more closely, injured players can be made to wait before returning, and slow throw-ins or goal kicks can now be punished more directly.

Canada have already benefited from the new approach, with Bosnia and Herzegovina penalised for delaying a throw-in. That incident helped a clip of Andy Robertson against Haiti go viral, with many fans believing Scotland had found a clever way around the rule. However, it may backfire.

Andy Robertson’s throw-in ‘loophole’ does not actually work

The theory was simple. Robertson appeared to wait until his teammates were ready before picking up the ball, which led some fans to claim the referee’s five-second countdown only starts once the thrower has the ball in his hands.

That would be a smart tactic if true, but the IFAB wording closes that door. The rule states: “The referee does not have to wait for a player to have possession of the ball to start the five-second countdown.”

It also says the countdown can begin if a player deliberately delays the restart by slowly retrieving the ball. That means leaving the ball alone while teammates get into position is not guaranteed protection.

The key detail is referee judgement. Once the referee decides a team is delaying, they can start the visible count before the ball is even in the thrower’s hands.

That is why Robertson’s moment should not be treated as a discovered loophole. Players trying to copy the same strategy could easily be caught off guard.

There's an enormous, invisible sheet of strange stuff surrounding our entire galaxy

 The Milky Way is embedded within a flattened ‘sheet’ of matter that extends tens of millions of lightyears, according to new research – a finding that explains a long-standing mystery about how nearby galaxies move.

The study, led by scientists at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, shows that most of the mass surrounding our Galaxy is not distributed evenly in all directions, but instead lies in a vast plane dominated by dark matter.

This structure helps explain why most nearby galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way rather than being pulled in by its gravity.

Using computer simulations, the team reconstructed the evolution of the local Universe from its earliest stages.

By matching the observed positions and velocities of more than 30 nearby galaxies, they found that only a flattened mass distribution could reproduce the Milky Way’s current dynamics.

 "It is great that we now have a model that is consistent with the current cosmological model… and with the dynamics of our local environment," says lead researcher Ewoud Wempe.

The cosmic sheet is bordered by large, nearly empty voids above and below it.

Within the plane, the gravitational pull of distributed matter counteracts the attraction of the Milky Way, allowing nearby galaxies to drift outward in line with the expansion of the Universe.

Future observations are expected to refine this picture further, potentially revealing whether similar structures are common throughout the cosmos – and how they influence the formation of galaxies like our own.

Gary Neville 'happy to give up Sky Sports duties' amid fan complaints

 Gary Neville has conceded he would willingly relinquish his role covering Manchester United fixtures for Sky Sports, expressing contentment at simply watching from the terraces instead.

The former Red Devils captain made the admission following criticism from supporters who believe he demonstrates insufficient passion for his former club during broadcasts.

Neville, who made over 600 appearances for United during his playing career, addressed the accusations in a candid discussion with ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand.

The 51-year-old acknowledged that his attempts at maintaining professional neutrality have sometimes alienated the very fanbase that once revered him as a cult hero at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand revealed on his Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast that supporters had specifically requested he raise the matter of perceived unfair criticism with his former defensive partner.

Neville offered a forthright response, admitting that covering United matches presents the greatest challenge in his broadcasting career.

"It's a balance though Rio, isn't it?" he remarked, before declaring his genuine desire for neither Manchester City nor Liverpool to triumph in any fixture.

However, the eight-time Premier League winner accepted that his pursuit of professionalism may have occasionally skewed his commentary.

"Sometimes I maybe don't get the balance right with United," he confessed during the exchange.

Iran's World Cup team told to leave America within 24 hours after Donald Trump's safety warning

 Iran's World Cup squad has been instructed to enter and exit America on the same day for their matches, according to the country's ambassador to Mexico.

The ongoing tensions between the two nations, stemming from Middle East conflicts, have raised concerns in the lead-up to the tournament. Now, a stringent schedule has been enforced on the team for their group stage games, all of which are set to take place on American soil. Iran's envoy Abolfazl Pasandideh told journalists: "We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day."

Iran's three group stage fixtures begin with a match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Six days later, they're back in California to face Belgium before wrapping up their group campaign against Egypt in Seattle - with potential further matches if they progress to the knockout stages.

Instead of their planned base in Tucson, Arizona, Iran are now stationed in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated: "We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.

"The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?' And we said: 'Yes, no problem.' We have no problem."

Iran had previously attempted to have their matches relocated to Mexico, but FIFA dismissed the idea.

Former US president Donald Trump previously cast doubt on the team's safety once they arrive in America, stating: "The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don't believe it ⁠is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

While the US has recently granted visas for Iran's players and some staff, Iranian state media and diplomats have reported that several members of the team's support staff, including the Iranian football federation chief Mehdi Taj, have been excluded.

A US State Department official confirmed that "the visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued." The official went on to say: "We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences."

Every confirmed World Cup 2026 squad for summer tournament

 Group A

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Carlos Acevedo, Guillermo Ochoa

Defenders: Israel Reyes, Jesús Gallardo, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Mateo Chávez

Midfielders: Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutiérrez, Orbelín Pineda, Edson Álvarez, Gilberto Mora, César Huerta, Álvaro Fidalgo, Luis Chávez

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Alexis Vega, Julián Quiñones, Santiago Gimenez, Guillermo Martínez, Armando González, Raúl Jiménez

South Africa

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko

South Korea

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun

Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyon, Park Jin-seob, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyuk, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, Cho Yu-min

Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, Lee Kang-in, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan

Forwards: Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung

Czechia

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Matej Kovar, Jindrich Stanek

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Stepan Chaloupek, David Jurasek, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Zima

Midfielders: Lukas Cerv, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Provod, Michal Sadilek, Hugo Sochurek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomas Soucek, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky

Forwards: Adam Hlozek, Tomas Chory, Mojmir Chytil, Jan Kuchta, Patrik Schick

Group B

Canada

Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair, Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman

Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur, Joel Waterman, Luc de Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Alphonso Davies, Alfie Jones

Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed, Nathan Saliba, Liam Millar, Marcelo Flores, Jacob Shaffelburg, Jonathan Osorio

Forwards: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislić, Osman Hadžikić

Defenders: Sead Kolašinac, Amar Dedić, Nihad Mujakić, Nikola Katić, Tarik Muharemović, Stjepan Radeljić, Dennis Hadžikadunić, Nidal Čelik

Midfielders: Amir Hadžiahmetović, Ivan Šunjić, Ivan Bašić, Dženis Burnić, Ermin Mahmić, Benjamin Tahirović, Amar Memić, Armin Gigović

Forwards: Kerim Alajbegović, Esmir Bajraktarević, Ermedin Demirović, Jovo Lukić, Samed Baždar, Haris Tabaković, Edin Džeko

Qatar

Goalkeepers: Salah Zakaria, Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham

Defenders: Hashmi Hussein, Ayoub Alawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Issa Laaye, Lucas Mendes, Sultan Al-Brake, Homam Al-Amin

Midfielders: Mohammed Al-Manai, Jassem Jaber, Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Fathi, Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo

Forwards: Tahseen Mohammed, Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Mohammed Muntari, Youssef Abdulrazzaq, Ahmed Alaa, Hassan Al-Haydos, Ahmed Al-Janahi

Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Marvin Keller, Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Aurele Amenda, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Luca Jaquez, Miro Muheim, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, Remo Freuler, Ardon Jashari, Johan Manzambi, Fabian Rieder, Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria

Forwards: Zeki Amdouni, Breel Embolo, Cedric Itten, Dan Ndoye, Noah Okafor

Trump tells aides he won’t resume all-out war with Iran unless US troops killed

 President Trump has told aides privately that he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops, U.S. officials said, insisting that the weekslong pause in airstrikes remains intact despite a steady stream of violent skirmishes.

The president’s reluctance to reignite the war suggests he might be willing to withstand smaller flare-ups for weeks—or even months—to avoid a broader conflict in the Middle East.

The U.S. and Iran this week engaged in some of the most intense fighting yet since a ceasefire went into effect in early April, with Iran firing missiles and drones on regional U.S. bases and Kuwait’s international airport. The attacks left one person dead.

The fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz has caused massive disruptions in global energy markets and international shipping, with Tehran restricting the free flow of trade in the strategic waterway and the U.S. imposing a strict blockade to and from Iran’s ports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the tit-for-tat attacks as purely defensive in nature and not a renewed outbreak of full-scale war.

“They are happening in response to an Iranian action,” Rubio said in a House hearing Wednesday. “If they don’t shoot at those ships, we don’t shoot, but we have to respond.”

But U.S. officials said the repeated attacks have ratcheted up pressure on Trump and cast doubt over the long-term viability of the ceasefire. The president, meanwhile, has said repeatedly that he is on the verge of signing an end-of-war agreement that reopens the strait, dismantles Iran’s nuclear work and eliminates the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump adds that he is in no rush to complete the pact, saying in a New York Post interview published Wednesday it is unlikely—although still possible—that the U.S. blockade could last until Labor Day. At the same time, the president was quick to intervene and press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off a planned military offensive in Lebanon after it threatened diplomatic progress.

Trump and his aides vowed the conflict would last no longer than six weeks after it started on Feb. 28, saying the goal was to eliminate Tehran’s nuclear and missile threat.

“In that part of the world, ceasefire is when you’re shooting in a more moderate manner,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. He said the current situation was under control and peace talks with Iran were advancing.

“It takes two to tango. We hit them very hard on something else and so they were responding,” he said.

A White House official reiterated that Trump prefers to rid Iran of its nuclear program diplomatically but has been clear about his red lines.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Israeli attacks on Beirut would lead to a return to all-out war, linking the fate of that conflict with the future of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

The heightened fighting in the strait and Iran’s escalation against regional targets—one of a handful of mounting crises in the Middle East—sharpens Trump’s diplomatic dilemma. The question before him is whether to sign an Iran agreement that falls far short of his maximalist goals, or hold out for the terms he wants but is unlikely to get.

For several weeks, Trump and his team have been working on a “memorandum of understanding” with Iran that would define the issues for negotiations over a roughly 60-day period. Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal last Friday, telling aides that Iran needed to make serious concessions up front, not over an extended period. Tehran shouldn’t receive any benefits until it had done so, Trump told aides.

Iran, however, says it would negotiate its nuclear program only after the U.S. unfreezes its assets, or provides some other financial windfall.

Iran also wants to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, its proxy, leading Trump to angrily demand Monday that Netanyahu call off planned attacks in Beirut. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued Wednesday, with the U.S.-designated terrorist group firing rockets into Israel while Israeli attacks hit near the Lebanese capital.

“We have to disarm Hezbollah, and we have to demilitarize Lebanon,” Netanyahu told CNBC on Wednesday. “This is a goal that the president and I share, and that is what we have to do.”

Following talks with the U.S. on Wednesday, the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreed to renew a ceasefire, but the truce was contingent on a cessation of hostilities with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, said a joint statement released by the State Department. Hezbollah wasn’t involved in the talks.

Tehran feels the outcome of the war leaves it in a position to shape the content and sequence of the negotiations, Iranian officials have repeatedly said.

Each proposal and counterproposal takes days to negotiate, complicated by the time it takes to wind new text through Iran’s fractured leadership structure. The start-stop negotiations have bored the president, Trump himself said this week, as analysts say he is feeling the squeeze of a worsening diplomatic situation.

“He does seem stuck,” said Steven Cook, a senior fellow for the Middle East at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank. “The Iranians are demonstrating that they are willing to endure pain and thus haven’t capitulated. That leaves the president in a bad situation.”

If Trump wants to bring an end to the conflict quickly, it can probably be done, analysts say. But it would require accepting some vague agreement with Iran not to develop nuclear weapons and agreeing to future talks on issues like enrichment and Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium. These wouldn’t be hard commitments.

That was the direction the administration seemed headed toward in recent weeks. A senior U.S. official told reporters that a framework deal would end the war by first reopening the Strait of Hormuz and unwinding the U.S. blockade. Iran would pledge to dispose of its highly enriched uranium but without saying when or how, and there wouldn’t be at this stage any Iranian pledge to suspend enrichment for years.

Trump’s alternative is to accept that the war can’t be wrapped up quickly and that the economic pressure on Iran will eventually become impossible to manage, even if that is months away. So far, Trump has avoided making a choice, flipping between threatening further military escalation and claiming a deal is nearly complete.

“The Iran war seems to be the first mess created by the administration’s predilection for hard power, high-stakes gambits that the president can’t either ignore or extricate us from,” said Suzanne Maloney, an Iran expert and vice president for foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution.

José Mourinho is already haunting Arsenal all over again

 José Mourinho has a significant history of haunting Arsenal, dating back to his ending of the Gunners' dominance following his initial arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese boss went on to torment Arsenal during a hugely successful run - or runs - as Chelsea boss. In fact, in the 23 times he has faced the Gunners, he has only lost five times, although most Arsenal fans will need no reminding of his strong record against the club.

José Mourinho is coming for Arsenal again

Fast-forward a couple of decades from that Chelsea arrival, Mourinho is preparing to return to another former club in Real Madrid after a solid spell with Benfica.

Los Blancos are coming off a rather disastrous season by their standards, and Mourinho is once again being charged with disrupting Barcelona's dominance, as he was during Pep Guardiola's time in Catalonia.

The veteran boss is likely to be handed a significant chunk of cash this summer as he looks to get Real Madrid back on top, and according to a fresh report from Cope, Mourinho has already identified reported Arsenal target Morten Hjulmand as a player he wants.

The Sporting CP midfielder has been tipped to join either Arsenal or Manchester United this summer, but it's now being claimed that Mourinho has immediately identified the player as someone he wants at the Bernabeu next season after watching him in Portugal.

The 26-year-old Dane has established himself as a real talent in the defensive midfield position, and he could be a much cheaper alternative to Enzo Fernandez, who Chelsea is commanding around £120 million for.

According to Record, Hjulmand is 'honoured' by Mourinho's interest, which only looks like bad news for Arsenal, who could add further strength to their defensive midfield roles this summer. With Mikel Merino being viewed as a more attacking player, Arteta may feel as though he needs more cover for Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, although his starting of Myles Lewis-Skelly in that spot in the Champions League final spoke volumes.

The Gunners are likely to prioritise a left winger and striker this summer, with the right-back spot also potentially in need of further depth. But if finances allow, a defensive midfielder may also be on the cards just to add depth, especially if Christian Nørgaard ends up moving on to finish his career with more regular football.

Hjulmand could be an affordable option, with Sporting reportedly having a gentleman's agreement that would allow him to leave for as little as £40 million. However, Sporting are said to value him at £69million, so if they play hardball, it could turn out to be a pricey transfer indeed.

Iran issues sinister warning to Trump as oil market surges

 Iran has issued a fresh warning to Donald Trump, laying down a key demand for ongoing ceasefire talks, as oil prices send global markets into chaos. 

Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said the current ceasefire between Iran and the US covers all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue to strike the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The regime warned that any violation there would be treated as a violation of the entire ceasefire, and that the US and Israel would face the 'consequences' of their actions.

'The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon,' Araghchi wrote. 'Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts.'

'The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.'

The warning pushed oil prices higher with Brent crude notching a 2 percent gain to $93 per barrel, as US gas prices are holding at a high of $4.32 a gallon on average.

Iran's warning comes after it fired missiles and drones at a US airbase in Kuwait, in retaliation for American airstrikes that Washington described as 'self-defense strikes' against the regime's radar and drone command facilities.

Trump, meanwhile, continues to insist that Iran 'really wants to make a deal' and that a comprehensive peace agreement with the regime remains within reach.

'Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the USA and those that are with us,' Trump wrote on X in the middle of the night.

The President also took aim at Democrats, claiming they were making it difficult for him to negotiate an end to the current war. 

'Don't the Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively 'chirping,' at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever,' Trump wrote.

'Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end - It always does!'

Trump's post comes and amid growing fears that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran could be unraveling after the latest round of strikes.

Lebanon remains central to the ongoing ceasefire because it is home to Iran's largest proxy militia, Hezbollah, which continues to launch rocket strikes at Israel and coordinate with Hamas in Gaza.

Israel remains hesitant to include Lebanon in the ongoing ceasefire with Tehran, viewing that conflict as separate from the broader war. 

The US has tried to mediate between Israel and Lebanon over the past few weeks, pushing for a temporary ceasefire while Trump negotiates a long-term peace agreement with Tehran. 

However, US diplomatic efforts appear to have faltered, as the IDF continues to advance through southern Lebanon and launch aerial attacks on Hezbollah militia targets. 

The overall negotiations between the US and Iran are at a standstill, as both countries remain divided over Trump's demand that Tehran completely abandon its nuclear weapons program and surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump is attempting to secure a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would delay official peace negotiations by another two months but result in the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

The strait, a waterway in the Persian Gulf, carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil traffic. It has been closed since the US and Israel launched the war at the end of February, causing fuel prices to surge and forcing major countries to ration their oil reserves.

China tells Trump to back off over nuclear threat: It won't tolerate outside interference

 When international think tanks warn of catastrophic worst-case scenarios, regional players waste no time asserting their dominance.

A sudden policy shift in Washington has just added fuel to an already simmering fire.

Rising war fears

A prestigious international think tank has issued a terrifying warning about the future of East Asia. A major military clash between the world’s biggest economies could easily spiral completely out of control.

Behind the scenes, the International Institute for Strategic Studies recently published a dark assessment report on the region. According to Onet News, the study concludes that a direct confrontation over Taiwan could escalate to a nuclear level.

Looking at the tactical data, military experts emphasized that both nations would likely launch devastating attacks against each other’s command networks. This high-stakes strategy drastically raises the risk of a catastrophic nuclear miscalculation.

Drawing the line

Beijing fired back immediately at the international report. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made her government’s position perfectly clear during a fiery press briefing.

During her statement, she insisted that foreign governments have absolutely no right to weigh in on the island’s future. Mao explicitly warned Washington to back off and respect previous diplomatic promises.

“The Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair. Its resolution lies with the Chinese people themselves, who do not tolerate outside interference. To maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it is absolutely necessary to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence.’ The American side should diligently implement the important joint agreements of the two presidents during their meetings and exercise particular caution in its approach to the Taiwan issue,” the spokeswoman stated.

A freezing relationship

By late May, this fierce diplomatic clash followed a major political shakeup inside the United States. On May 18, Donald Trump shocked regional allies by suspending a massive $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Fearing the worst, the island nation is currently gripped by a wave of panic. Local officials are desperately urging the American administration to reverse the freeze because they dread a sudden invasion from Beijing.

Onet News reported that political analysts are deeply worried about Washington’s current strategy. Some experts fear that showing subservience to Beijing might backfire spectacularly and provoke Chinese President Xi Jinping into taking aggressive military action.

Washington remains divided over how to handle the growing tension. While politicians debate their next move, the military balance in the Taiwan Strait grows more unstable by the day.