Tottenham and Igor Tudor are facing yet another challenging week.
You’d forgive Croat, at the very least, wondering if the job was worth taking on.
The Spurs board fears it made a serious error in appointing Tudor, as he has a 100% losing record since taking over from the sacked Thomas Frank.
Added to this, BBC Sports reported on Tuesday, a growing disconnect between the manager and the Tottenham squad has left the club in a state of crisis, which has raised concerns about team morale and performance moving forward.
Before we also mention the narrative surrounding Tudor’s treatment of Antonin Kinski, who was sent off after just 17 minutes of his Champions League debut on Tuesday.
That said, barring a drastic turn of events in the next 48 hours, Tudor will be in charge of Sunday’s Premier League game. Liverpool.
Tudor faces the media to preview that trip to Anfield later on Friday. There will be no shortage of talking points.
Iran’s targeting of Middle East energy has pushed oil prices above the $100 per barrel level.
with market experts expressing concern over the potential for long-term damage to the industry.
Brent crude prices rose to $101 overnight after it emerged that major infrastructure on both land and sea in the Gulf countries had been damaged or destroyed.
The incident that unfolded was an Iranian attack on two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters near Basra, using explosive-laden boats.
Iran War – Follow Live
Iraq responded by suspending operations at all of its oil ports. More attacks were reported on Thursday, affecting Dubai and Bahrain, which raised concerns about the stability of the region and its impact on global oil supply.
Market analysts suggested that the Iranian regime’s apparent strategy of targeting energy risks long-term losses in production, prompting efforts to normalise oil and gas flows after the conflict ends.
Prices fell from peaks of $118 on Monday due to the war, when it emerged that the International Energy Agency (IEA) was planning to coordinate a record release of strategic oil reserves to partially compensate for lost flows into the market due to the effective closure of the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route
The blockade has deprived the world of one-fifth of its oil and natural gas supplies.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that stored oil will be gradually released by more than 30 countries. Values ​​not taken down Furthermore, it became clear the attacks were intensifying, leading to increased concerns about global energy security and potential further disruptions in oil and natural gas supplies.
image: A tanker is seen listing after being attacked in Iraqi waters. Photo: Reuters
In its regular monthly market report released Thursday morning, the IEA warned, “The war in the Middle East is causing the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.”
It pointed to the estimated impact on global supply of eight million barrels of oil per day this month and said 10% of world production had been lost due to the shutdown.
Brent was trading just below the $100 mark on Thursday afternoon – threatening to put further pressure on fuel prices in Britain’s backyard, where diesel costs have risen an average of 9% since the war began.
Two tankers caught fire after Iran’s attack
Wholesale gas prices in Britain rose more than 4% on the day – up 74% this month.
The changes currently only put the cost of new fixed-rate deals at risk for households because the adjustments to the energy price capere announced before hostilities began in the Middle East.
Would releasing emergency oil reserves reduce costs?
However, these rising prices pose a risk of a renewed surge in inflation as they pass down the supply chain, impacting everything from manufactured goods to services.
Such developments could result in higher borrowing costs being imposed by the Bank of England, which will be keen to help prevent any higher periods of price rises in the economy.
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Market analysts have consistently warned that the duration of disruption to oil and gas flows will be key in determining the price outlook.
The trouble now, he says, is that volumes will take longer to recover due to the increasing extent of damage to infrastructure and there are insufficient stocks for a second 400 million barrel bailout, which could lead to further volatility in oil prices and impact global markets.
Iran’s attacks contradict Donald Trump’s claims that US military objectives have been almost met and the war is almost over.
Saxo’s UK investor strategist, Neil Wilson, said of the situation, “The problem for the IEA is that it will be hard to do much… but that’s OK because Trump said, ‘We’ve won.'”
“The longer the shooting continues, the more the market will discount such comments,” he said.
Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist make up a new-look second row and Xander Fagerson is back in the starting XV as Scotland chase a win over Ireland that could lead to a first Six Nations title.
Scotland’s sensational 50-40 victory,
Scotland’s sensational 50-40 victory over France at Murrayfield has put them in contention for a first championship since their 1999 victory in the Old Five Nations.
However, Scotland have lost their last 11 matches against Ireland, have not won in Dublin since 2010, and have only won three games in a Six Nations campaign.
They also need defending champions France to catch up to England on home soil.
Head coach Gregor Townsend insisted his team are “fresh” and “love playing together” after an incredible performance against the French but he ignored questions referring to the Dublin clash as a cup final.
“We haven’t talked about it,” he said of various title permutations. “This match is the last opportunity for this group to go out and play.
“It will be a different game than last week. You must adapt, stay united for the full 80 minutes, and give everything you have.
“It’s truly beyond our control. We can only do a certain amount and that’s good in a way, as it allows us to focus on our performance without being overly concerned about the outcome. It’s a game for us to play against an opponent that has dominated us for years.”
“Their record at home is fantastic. It’s a real opportunity, a challenge, but an opportunity for us to perform even better than last week.”
Locks Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, who started in the wins over England and France, have been ruled out through injury.
Gilchrist would win his 88th cap for his country and become the all-time second-row player for Scotland.
Williamson has been given a second chance after being removed early in the comeback win in Wales.
After coming off the bench at half-time against France, Xander Fagerson reclaimed his place from D’Arcy Rae.
Winger Kyle Steyn, who has scored three tries in the tournament, is fit after suffering a foot injury last weekend.
There have been changes on the bench as back-row Magnus Bradbury, lock Alex Craig and winger/full-back Kyle Rowe make matchday 23s for the first time this campaign.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe is among those dropped, along with backup fly-half Adam Hastings and props Elliott Miller Mills and Nathan McBeth, while Jamie Ritchie and Jamie Dobbie were injured early in the tournament.
Shocking footage emerged of a fire breaking out at a luxury apartment building in Dubai in the early hours of Thursday morning
Fire breaks out in Dubai after Iranian drone hits tower block
An Iranian drone has targeted another luxury high-rise, as shocking footage shows a skyscraper on fire.
A terrifying video shows the aftermath of another retaliatory attack on Dubai, as the attack left a hole in the glittering block. The fire broke out in a building near the state’s Creek Harbour neighbourhood, about 10 km from the international airport. Emergency services arrived at the scene to control the fire, which broke out in the middle of the night.
Horror pictures and videos show a thick cloud of smoke billowing from the apartment block in the early hours of Thursday morning, while one side glows like an inferno.
A drone targeted a luxurious building in Dubai (Image:Â X)
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Authorities have so far reported no casualties from the latest attack and said all residents are “safe”. The incident comes after Dubai International Airport was attacked again on Wednesday.
Four people – a Ghanaian national, an Indian national and a Bangladeshi national – were injured after an Iranian drone strike on one of the world’s busiest airports. Local officials confirmed the sighting of two drones over the transport hub.
The attack left a big hole in the building (Image:Â AFP via Getty Images)
In a post on X, Dubai officials wrote, “Authorities have confirmed that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) some time ago, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and a Bangladeshi national and moderate injuries to an Indian national. Air traffic is operating normally.”
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said: “The UAE Air Defence is currently responding to missile and drone threats coming from Iran. The MOD claims that the sounds heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones. The public is requested to follow the safety and security instructions issued.”
Employees taking stock of the damage on Thursday (Image:Â AP)
A passenger inside the airport at the time, speaking to the BBC, said people inside were told to move away from the glass windows and seek shelter in a more secure area.
The incident comes after a British tourist reportedly filmed a missile flying over the popular emirate state while on holiday and faces jail. A 60-year-old man from London was charged with breaking the UAE’s strict laws against filming or uploading social media posts of the conflict, according to a legal advocacy group detained in Dubai.
The Briton was reportedly arrested on Monday and is one of 21 people facing the same fate and up to 2 years in prison.
“Those charged include a British man who says he immediately deleted the video when questioned and that he meant no harm, but he is still among those facing charges,” said Radha Stirling, director of the London-based Detained in Dubai organisation.
Ms Malone established her own eponymous Jo Malone perfume brand before selling the firm in 1999. In 2011, she launched a new fragrance label called Jo Loves.
The company is suing the parties for breach of contract, trademark infringement and “skimming” – the practice of making consumers think that goods or services are from another company.
image: Photo: iStock/Moussa81
The company said that the use of “Jo Malone” on the packaging of the “Joe Loves” fragrance sold by Zara formed the basis of the lawsuit.
The spokesperson added, “She was compensated as part of this agreement, and for many years, she followed its terms.
“The use of the name ‘Jo Malone’ by Ms Malone in connection with recent business ventures goes beyond that legal agreement and dilutes the unique brand equity of Jo Malone London.”
The company said it would “protect the brand we have invested in and built over decades.”
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It’s not clear exactly what time period or which products or packaging the case relates to.
A selection of the collab “Joe Loves” Zara perfumes is still available at Zara’s online shop. Part of the product description for the range reads, “Created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.”
School being investigated for historical abuse allegations (Image: Google Maps)
Police are investigating Britain’s strangest boarding school over allegations of historical sexual abuse.
After one alleged victim reported harrowing abuse claims — and after several ignored reports — dozens of others spoke out about St Christopher’s School.
where students have to eat a vegetarian diet, wear their clothes, and call teachers by their first names.
Historical allegations include rape and sexual harassment of both teachers and students.
staff impregnating students, and students performing abortions.
He also said that students fainted from hunger due to allegations of bullying, assault and neglect. woman at the center of a telegraph inquiry
The girl, who attended Letchworth School in Hertfordshire during the 1980s and 1990s, claimed she told staff decades ago about alleged sexual abuse she suffered when she was aged under 12 but was ignored.
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She said, “Nobody listened, nobody reported it; it seemed nobody believed me.” The victim reported this to the police in 2024 and was confident that nothing would come of it and has now reactivated her case.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed it has “reopened a case into historical abuse” at the school, which describes itself as “progressive” and has its origins in Theosophy, a mystical philosophy founded in the late 1800s.
The alleged victim claimed that the same culprit attacked her again years later. However, after feeling bad the first time she reported it, she believed there was “no point” in speaking out again.
When it became “apparent” that they had moved on to other alleged victims, the woman said she twice complained to others about the abuse but was silenced.
The alleged victim said it took “a lot of bravery” to speak out and that it was a travesty that she had to consider it again so many years later. He also urged other victims to step forward, confident that they would receive belief and protection.
The school is vegetarian only and uniform-free (Image: Google Maps).
Following the investigation, dozens of others have come forward, including several other alleged victims of severe sexual assault and rape.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said, “Following recent contact with the constabulary, we can confirm that we have reopened the case of historical abuse at St Christopher’s School, Letchworth.
We understand how incredibly difficult it can be for victims and survivors to come forward, especially after a long time has passed, but we have specialist officers on hand to provide support every step of the way.
“If you wish to report any information that may assist our investigation, please contact us via 101 or online at herts.police.uk/report.”
A St Chris’ spokesperson said, “Anyone with concerns about the school’s past culture should contact Hertfordshire Police or the school’s safeguarding team, where they will be listened to and supported.
We will, of course, co-operate fully with any police enquiries and would also like to reassure former pupils that anyone coming to us will be taken seriously and treated with care and sensitivity.”
Iran is making efforts to disrupt supplies in the Middle East.
Oil prices rose above $100 on Thursday and stocks sank as Iran’s efforts to disrupt supplies in the Middle East and bring down the global economy prompted a record release of strategic crude stockpiles by the International Energy Agency.
Stock markets in Asia closed lower on Thursday and European markets opened lower as investors saw few signs that the US-Israel war with Iran would soon end, despite repeated assurances from President Trump.
US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright announced on Wednesday the US would release 172 million barrels of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, while the International Energy Agency – which has 32 member states, including the US – announced it will release 400 million barrels from its reserves.
U.S. benchmark Brent crude, the international standard, was trading 5.3% higher at around $97 a barrel on Thursday after hitting $100.50 on Wednesday.
In stocks, futures for the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.5%. Germany’s DAX fell 0.4% to 23,533.60 on Thursday, while the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.7% to 7,982.64. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.7% to 10,285.91.
In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1% to 54,452.96, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.5% to 5,583.25, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.7% to 25,716.76. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.1% to 4,129.10, while the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia fell 1.3% to 8,629.00.
