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Arsenal's quest for a quadruple has hit a roadblock, with their UEFA Champions League hopes put to the test by Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon, courtesy of a late Kai Havertz strike, but the performance left many questions unanswered.The team's recent back-to-back defeats in the League Cup final and FA Cup quarterfinals have raised concerns about a late-season slump. Despite leading the Premier League by nine points, Arsenal's consistency has been questioned, and Mikel Arteta's intensity has come under scrutiny.Arteta's emotional displays, particularly in defeat, have been a concern for some members of Arsenal's hierarchy, who worry that his temperament could be holding the team back. However, Arteta remains convinced that his side can handle the pressure and secure silverware.The team's midfielder, Christian Norgaard, emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive body language and focusing on the upcoming games. David Raya, the goalkeeper, expressed his confidence in the team's ability to win the Champions League, stating that belief is key to success.As Arsenal prepares for the second leg against Sporting Lisbon, they must address their concerns and capitalize on their strengths to achieve their goals. The team's performance will be crucial in determining their fate in the Premier League and Champions League.

U.S. crude futures tumbled about 16.5% to $94 a barrel after President Donald Trump declared a two‑week ceasefire with Iran. The announcement sparked a broad market rally: S&P; 500 futures jumped over 2%, the dollar weakened across the board, and 10‑year U.S. Treasury futures rose roughly 15 ticks. Investors welcomed the prospect of resuming oil and gas flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries roughly one‑fifth of global petroleum shipments. The ceasefire, which Trump said would halt U.S. attacks for two weeks, is being coordinated with the Iranian Armed Forces, and Tehran has pledged to cease its own strikes if the United States does the same. Since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February, markets have been volatile. The conflict forced Iran to effectively close the Strait, contributing to the . The new de‑escalation offers a potential relief valve for inflation‑sensitive economies and could restore confidence in energy‑intensive sectors. "Markets have been predicting that Trump was looking for an off‑ramp in Iran," said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. "Today, he got one and took it." The sentiment was echoed by analysts who see the ceasefire as a "good start" that may pave the way for a more permanent reopening of the waterway, though many uncertainties remain. Asian equity futures also pointed higher, reflecting the global impact of lower oil prices on regional markets that have been battered by the war and soaring energy costs. Meanwhile, the dollar's retreat underscores its recent role as a safe‑haven currency during the turmoil. Trump added that the United States had received a "10‑point proposal" from Iran, which he described as a workable basis for negotiations toward a long‑term peace settlement. While the ceasefire is limited to two weeks, analysts such as IG's Tony Sycamore caution that "lots of ifs still to work out" before a durable resolution can be achieved.

The Guardian is calling on readers to share their personal stories of how they have been impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With Iran and the US agreeing to a two-week conditional ceasefire, the situation remains volatile and uncertain.Whether you are living, working, or traveling in the region, or have been impacted in other ways, the Guardian wants to hear from you. Your experiences can help provide a deeper understanding of the human impact of the conflict.Please note that your security is the top priority. The Guardian recognizes it may not always be safe or appropriate to record or share your experiences, so please consider this when deciding whether to get in touch.To share your story, you can:Fill out the online form provided, which is encrypted and confidential.Message the Guardian on WhatsApp or Signal at +447766780300.The Guardian assures readers that all responses will be kept secure and anonymous if desired. The information collected will only be used for the purpose of this feature and will be deleted when no longer required.Key form fields include:NameLocationBackground information (optional)Country locatedPersonal experience with the conflictPhoto upload (optional)Publication consentContact details (optional)For more information, readers can visit the Guardian's tips guide or privacy policy.

British novelist Gwendoline Riley has been recognized with a $175,000 Windham-Campbell prize, one of eight writers to receive the prestigious award. Riley is celebrated for her short novels that delve into complex relationships, family tensions, and the inner lives of women. Her notable works include First Love, which was shortlisted for the Women’s prize for fiction, and My Phantoms.Riley expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is very hard for me to take in. I am more grateful than I can say. This unimagined vote of confidence will not go wasted on me.” Her work has been praised for recasting ordinary lives into something remarkable and new. Clare Clark noted in a review of her latest novel, The Palm House, that Riley is “the laureate of disconnection, her bone-dry humour edged with the vertiginous lurch of despair.”The Windham-Campbell prizes, which award $1.4 million annually, aim to support writers by providing financial security, allowing them to focus on their work without financial pressures. Michael Kelleher, director of the Windham-Campbell prizes, emphasized that the arts face significant challenges, and this grant offers writers “the time, space and creative freedom to think, write and nurture their talent.”Other recipients of the prize include S Shakthidharan, an Australian playwright known for his multigenerational epic Counting and Cracking; Adam Ehrlich Sachs, an American writer recognized for his exploration of the history of knowledge; and Lucy Sante, a Belgian-born American writer celebrated for her memoir I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has called on his team's fans to play a pivotal role in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. The Reds are seeking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris.Slot acknowledged that his team were in survival mode during the first leg, but he believes they can still progress to the semi-finals with the help of their home fans. Luis Enrique's PSG side dominated the first leg, with goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia putting them in command of the tie.Slot highlighted the importance of Anfield's atmosphere, stating: 'We will need to have a better performance and we definitely need our fans to help us create an atmosphere where we can rise to a better level than we did today.'The Liverpool manager drew inspiration from their previous Champions League comeback against Galatasaray in the last 16, and he is confident that his team can repeat the feat with the support of their fans. 'Our fans do make a big difference for us,' he added.Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, expects his team to 'suffer' at Anfield but remains committed to their positive approach. 'We are going there to win and to qualify,' he said.

The Middle East conflict is having a profound impact on maritime workers, port staff, and shipping crews. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest maritime routes, remains affected despite a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran.Maritime traffic through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman continues to face delays, diversions, and heightened security risks as the situation evolves. Ports and shipping companies are operating amid uncertainty, while cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists have faced disruption across the region.The Guardian is inviting maritime workers, port staff, and shipping crews to share their experiences of how the conflict is affecting their work. The outlet is providing a confidential form and messaging channels for those who wish to contribute their stories anonymously.Key concerns for maritime workers include:Delays and diversions due to the conflictHeightened security risks for vessels and crewsImpact on livelihoods and work operationsThe Guardian's initiative aims to shed light on the human impact of the conflict on those working in the maritime industry.

Formula One has endured a turbulent opening to the season under its new regulations. The sport's governing body, the FIA, is now proposing changes to address safety concerns and driver dissatisfaction. Nikolas Tombazis, the single-seater director for the FIA, is at the heart of the process and is confident that F1 can adapt successfully.Tombazis acknowledges that the new rules have provoked a strong reaction, with some drivers expressing discontent. Oliver Bearman's 190mph crash at Suzuka has raised concerns about the safety of the new regulations, and the FIA is taking a cautious approach to making changes. "Every accident at high speed is always a little bit of a shock," Tombazis says.The FIA is discussing potential changes with teams, powerunit manufacturers, and the commercial rights holder. Meetings are scheduled for April 20 and May 3 to decide on changes to the regulations, which could include adjustments to the parameters of energy recovery and deployment. Tombazis emphasizes that safety is the top priority and that the goal is to find a balance between safety and competitiveness.The new regulations have been a topic of debate, with some drivers, such as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, expressing dissatisfaction with the current formula. The FIA is working to address these concerns while also ensuring that the sport remains safe and competitive. "We're not expecting people to sugarcoat their comments," Tombazis says, but he is hopeful that a broad consensus can be reached.

Riccardo Calafiori, the Italy defender for Arsenal, has found solace in the team's recent Champions League victory against Sporting, which has reignited their trophy hopes. The win came after a tough couple of weeks for Calafiori, who was part of the Italy squad that failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.Calafiori reflected on the painful period for both his country and club, where Arsenal suffered successive defeats either side of the World Cup qualification failure. However, he emphasized that the beauty of football lies in its unpredictability and the opportunity to bounce back. “It’s been tough, but that is the beauty of football: it is 100% better now,” Calafiori stated.The defender acknowledged that the defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup and the broader disappointment of the period had been challenging. Yet, he expressed gratitude for the chance to play against Sporting just three days later, which helped him shift focus away from the negativity. Calafiori mentioned that while the World Cup failure might have given him more desire to succeed at the club level, he remains disappointed and sad.Arsenal's recent performance was marked by goalkeeper David Raya's heroics, who made crucial saves to secure a 1-0 win against Sporting. This victory was a significant confidence booster for the team, especially with Kai Havertz scoring the winning goal in injury time. Calafiori praised Raya, stating that his return to the lineup after being rested had engendered confidence in the defence.Looking ahead, Calafiori and Arsenal are set to face Bournemouth in the Premier League, an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points before Manchester City travels to Chelsea. Calafiori emphasized the importance of every upcoming game, stating, “Every game is really important now.”

Donald Trump's decision to accept a two-week ceasefire in Iran has created a stir within his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, with some supporters expressing mixed reactions to the development. While some have defended the president's decision, others have accused him of betrayal and capitulation.The ceasefire, which was agreed upon after more than a month of war, has been hailed as a victory by both the US and Iran. However, critics argue that the agreement has failed to achieve its objectives, with Iran's regime still intact and its nuclear facilities persisting. The strait of Hormuz remains closed, and fighting continues in Lebanon.Dinesh D'Souza, a right-wing commentator, defended Trump on social media, stating that the president had outsmarted his critics and proved himself to be the adult in the room. Similarly, Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, expressed confidence in Trump's decision-making, citing his real, actionable intelligence.However, not all supporters are convinced. Matthew Feinberg, a self-described 'MAGA Jew', expressed disappointment, stating that the ceasefire allows the IRGC to regroup and rearm. Laura Loomer, an activist and Islamophobe, also criticized the outcome, saying that the negotiation didn't yield any significant benefits for the US.The Pew Research survey found that, among Republicans, there had been an 18-point decline in confidence in Trump's policymaking about Iran since 2024. Despite this, Republicans aged 65 and older remain overwhelmingly confident in Trump's ability to make good decisions on Iran.