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Great Britain is on the verge of a record‑breaking summer of wind and solar generation, creating the possibility of the first zero‑carbon electricity periods in the nation’s power system.The government’s ambition to achieve a 95% gas‑free grid by 2030 underpins this push, as electrified transport, heat pumps and low‑carbon industry will need a clean power supply to meet climate targets.National Grid ESO (Neso) forecasts that on sunny weekend afternoons the grid could have more renewable power than demand, leaving excess capacity that would otherwise be wasted.To turn surplus into savings, Neso is urging households and businesses to shift flexible loads—such as charging electric vehicles, running dishwashers or doing laundry—to those high‑renewable windows.Leading suppliers Octopus Energy and British Gas have confirmed participation, offering special tariffs that reward consumers for using electricity when it is abundant.British Gas’s “PeakSave” scheme, for example, provides half‑price electricity from 11 am to 4 pm on Sundays, with an even cheaper “Super Sunday” option from 9 am to 5 pm. The company says the tariff has saved over £45 million for more than 1 million customers since its 2023 launch. Octopus Energy reports helping 2 million households save about £11 million, including £3 million in free electricity during periods of high renewable output.Other providers—including Ovo Energy and EDF Energy—offer similar “time‑of‑use” tariffs that charge higher rates when renewables are scarce, giving price‑sensitive users a clear incentive to shift consumption.Beyond bill reductions, flexible demand curtails the need for “constraint payments” to wind and solar farms—payments that reached almost £1.5 billion last year. By encouraging consumers to “turn up” rather than forcing generators to “turn down,” the grid can avoid these costly curtailments.Businesses are also joining the flexibility movement. Tech firms report that adaptable energy use can cut datacenter grid costs by up to 5% and slash emissions by as much as 40%. Danish engineering group Danfoss estimates that if datacentres operated flexibly for just 1% of the time, the pipeline of new facilities expected by 2035 could be accommodated without overloading the grid.In short, leveraging surplus renewable power now—through smart tariffs and demand‑shifting—offers a cheaper, faster alternative to massive storage or grid‑upgrade projects, while delivering tangible savings for consumers and a decisive step toward a low‑carbon British electricity system.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that peace talks between the US and Iran could potentially resume in Islamabad within the next two days. He expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing him as doing a 'great job' in facilitating the negotiations.Trump made these comments while speaking to a New York Post reporter who had been in Islamabad for the initial round of ceasefire talks over the weekend. The president suggested that the talks could take place in Islamabad, stating, 'You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there.'The possible resumption of talks comes after a period of heightened tensions, including a US naval blockade on ships using Iranian ports in the Gulf. This move was a response to Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz to ships using other Gulf ports. The blockade led to a spike in oil prices, which later dipped to about $95 per barrel following reports of potential new negotiations.Meanwhile, US Vice-President JD Vance has expressed openness to further talks, emphasizing the need for Iran to show more flexibility. Vance noted that Iran had shown some flexibility in Islamabad but 'didn't move far enough' on key issues, such as a 20-year suspension of uranium enrichment.An Iranian official accused the US delegation of making 'maximalist demands' at the Islamabad talks, asserting that Iran would not surrender its positions either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. The sticking points include Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and its demand for a shorter moratorium on uranium enrichment.Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is set to embark on a regional tour to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar to garner support for the peace process and discuss proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, his trip may be shortened if negotiations resume promptly.

Matt Crocker, US Soccer’s sporting director, announced his departure on Tuesday, moving to a similar role with the Saudi Arabia football federation with under two months remaining before the 2026 World Cup. US Soccer said the responsibilities formerly held by Crocker will be divided among COO Dan Helfrich, assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, women’s youth national team development head Tracey Kevins, and the broader sporting leadership team. US Soccer CEO JT Batson praised Crocker, stating, “Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions.” He added that the federation remains “well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.” Crocker, hired in 2023 after Earnie Stewart left for PSV Eindhoven, arrived with a strong pedigree from English football, having served as technical director at Southampton and later for England (2013‑2020), where he was tasked with modernising the national team’s playing style. During his US tenure, Crocker oversaw all national‑team operations, including youth programmes, and was chiefly responsible for senior‑team coaching appointments. His first high‑profile decision was to re‑hire Gregg Berhalter as USMNT manager after a brief contract lapse and a complex investigation involving player Gio Reyna and past domestic‑violence allegations. Following Berhalter’s second stint, which ended with a group‑stage exit at the 2024 Copa América, Crocker secured Mauricio Pochettino as his successor at the end of 2024. Under Pochettino, the United States have recorded 10 wins, 1 draw, and 7 losses in 16 matches, including recent defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March friendlies. On the women’s side, Crocker recruited Emma Hayes from Chelsea in late 2023 after Vlatko Andonovski’s departure. Hayes guided the USWNT to Olympic gold in 2024 and has the squad positioned as a contender for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Reflecting on his time, Crocker said, “It has been a privilege to be part of US Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country. I’m grateful for the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with across the federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff.” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s national‑team structure is in flux ahead of its own 2026 World Cup appearance. Reports suggest head coach Hervé Renard may depart, and technical director Nasser Larguet is expected to step down, signalling a broader overhaul of the federation’s leadership.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has moved to play down suggestions of a disagreement between himself and Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, despite the challenging Ashes series that raised questions about their tactical alignment.In a recent video released by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Stokes stressed that he and McCullum share the same overall vision for the team, but acknowledged that their approach might look 'different' this summer. He emphasized that agreeing on every single thing would be 'unhealthy' and that their discussions are crucial to achieving their goals.Stokes highlighted that he and McCullum are 'similar' but also 'dissimilar' in certain areas, which leads to constructive discussions about their strategy. He confirmed that they agree 95% of the time, and the remaining 5% is addressed through open dialogue.The England captain was keen to retain McCullum as head coach after the 4-1 Ashes defeat and has publicly expressed confidence in their ability to work together effectively. Despite reports suggesting they criticized each other during the ECB's internal review, Stokes and McCullum have maintained a united front.Looking ahead, the team's approach to cricket will be closely watched during the upcoming visits by New Zealand and Pakistan this summer, followed by tours to South Africa and Bangladesh next winter, and the home Ashes in 2027.Stokes concluded that he and McCullum are committed to making the team as good as possible and that their alignment towards winning is unwavering, even if their methods might evolve over time.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in at least six fatalities, according to state media reports. The Israeli military claims to have surrounded the main town of Bint Jbeil, a strategic location in the conflict with Hezbollah.The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that one person was killed and nine others injured in an airstrike on the town of Bazouriyeh. Additionally, Israeli air strikes killed one person in Nabatiyeh El Faouqa and three others in Sir el Gharbiyeh and Choukine.The Israeli military also struck a centre of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Tyre, resulting in one injury that later died. Several Red Cross vehicles were damaged in the attack.The Israeli army announced it will have full operational control of Bint Jbeil within days, after claiming to have killed more than 100 Hezbollah fighters there over the past week. Hezbollah has been engaged in fierce fighting with Israeli forces in Bint Jbeil, a town that has been a symbolic and strategic flashpoint in confrontations between the two.Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict are underway, with Israeli and Lebanese officials set to hold talks in Washington to end the war. Lebanon's culture minister, Ghassan Salame, emphasized the government's focus on securing an immediate halt to hostilities before any peace talks with Israel.Since Israel expanded its offensive in Lebanon on March 2, at least 2,055 people have been killed and over 6,550 others injured. The escalation in Bint Jbeil comes as Hezbollah continues to engage in clashes with Israeli forces, with the group reporting intense clashes on Sunday.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has led to a sharp increase in crude prices, driving up fuel costs and placing strain on households worldwide. In the six weeks since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, oil prices have risen sharply, with the main international benchmark surging more than 8 percent to top $103 a barrel.However, the price of oil is more complicated than any one figure and depends on where you look. The oil trade can be broadly divided into two distinct markets: physical sales and contracts for future oil deliveries, known as futures.Since the start of the war and Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, prices in these markets have diverged substantially – reflecting what analysts say is a growing mismatch between perceptions of supply and the reality on the ground. Dated Brent hit an all-time high of more than $144 a barrel – about $35 above the price of Brent futures.The principal benchmark for spot prices is Dated Brent, a basket of four grades of oil produced in the North Sea and one produced in the US. It reflects the per-barrel price of oil scheduled for shipment in the next 10 to 30 days. On the other hand, Brent futures are financial derivatives that reflect the price of oil due to be loaded months or even years from now.The futures price is the price most commonly found in news reports and search engine results. However, the gap between spot and futures prices has widened well beyond what is typical since the conflict began, indicating that oil supplies are becoming increasingly scarce on the ground.Analysts say traders have been betting on a resolution to the crisis down the track, with the return of price stability depending on Iran easing its control over the strait and shipping companies gaining confidence that it is safe to transit. The global economy is still facing a daily shortfall of about 8 million barrels of oil, according to a recent estimate by market intelligence provider Kpler.

Inter Milan's manager, Christian Chivu, celebrated a hard-fought victory over Como, acknowledging the significance of the win but playing it coy when discussing the title race. Inter Milan now sits nine points clear of second-placed Napoli, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Parma. Scott McTominay scored for Napoli, highlighting his importance to the team with eight goals from midfield this season. Napoli's title defense looks increasingly unlikely to succeed, especially considering their investments in new players who have not made the desired impact. The team has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form, and their defensive record has deteriorated, conceding four more goals than in the previous season. The future of Napoli's star player, Romelu Lukaku, remains uncertain amid reports of tension between him and the club. Lukaku has played only 40 minutes of Serie A football this season and has been rehabbing in Belgium, sparking speculation about his potential departure. Inter Milan's ruthless performance against Como, with Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries each scoring twice, underscores their strong position in the league. They have scored 75 goals in 32 games, significantly more than any other team in Serie A. The Serie A table shows Inter Milan at the top with 75 points, followed by Napoli with 66 points. The top five teams are: Inter Milan - 75 points Napoli - 66 points AC Milan - 63 points Juventus - 60 points Como - 58 points

Rory McIlroy, the world's No 2 golfer, secured his second Masters win at Augusta National, a triumph he largely attributes to the support of his parents, Rosie and Gerry McIlroy. In a heartwarming display of family devotion, McIlroy had to convince his parents to attend the tournament, as they feared their presence might jinx his title defense. The McIlroy family has a remarkable story of sacrifice and dedication. Rory's parents worked multiple jobs, including graveyard shifts, to support their son's golfing ambitions. Gerry, 66, managed a bar and worked as a cleaner, while Rosie, 65, worked late nights at a factory. Their unwavering support and refusal to pressure Rory into playing golf have been instrumental in his success. During his final round, McIlroy admitted to thinking about his parents and fighting back tears. After securing his win, he turned to his family, including his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, and expressed his gratitude to his parents. 'Mum and Dad, I owe everything to you. You’re the most wonderful parents,' he said, visibly emotional. This victory cements McIlroy's stature as one of golfing's greats, with his sixth major win. His parents' presence at the tournament made the moment even more special, with Rosie sporting a handbag adorned with newspaper reports from his 2025 win. As McIlroy looks to the future, he hopes to emulate his parents' example, stating, 'If I can be half the parent to Poppy as you were to me then I’ll know I’ve done a good job.'

The ongoing US-Israel war on Iran has taken a critical turn with Donald Trump's announcement that the US Navy would start blockading the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is crucial for global oil shipments, and any disruption could have significant economic impacts. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that approaching military vessels to the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire. This development has led to a surge in oil prices, with US crude oil rising 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil increasing 7% to $102.29. The blockade, set to begin on Monday morning, will be implemented by US Central Command (Centcom) and will affect all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. This move is part of a broader strategy that may include resuming limited military strikes in Iran, according to reports. The situation has drawn international attention, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating that his government has not been asked to participate in the blockade and is keen on continuing negotiations between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed Trump's threats, asserting that they would have no effect on the Iranian nation.