For a factory worker in Haiti, the war in distant Iran means he now has to walk two hours to work and the same distance home each day, because he can no longer afford public transportation.

On a recent morning, Alexandre Joseph, 35, fretted about his family’s future in a loud voice, attracting the attention of passersby in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.

“The government raised the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene, hitting my family. I now am unable to feed my two children on the salary I have,” he said.

The conflict in Iran has caused oil prices in Haiti to surge, disrupting critical supply chains, doubling transportation costs and forcing millions of undernourished people to cut back on already scarce meals.

Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit the hardest by rising oil prices that experts warn will deepen a spiraling humanitarian crisis.

‘One of the most fragile countries in the world’

On April 2, Haiti’s government announced a 37% increase in the cost of diesel and a 29% increase in the cost of gasoline.

“The consequences are huge,” said Erwan Rumen, deputy country director for the United Nations World Food Program in Haiti. “It’s one of the most fragile countries in the world.”

Almost half of Haiti’s nearly 12 million inhabitants already face high levels of acute food insecurity. In recent months, Rumen noted, about 200,000 people dropped from the emergency phase to the acute one, a significant milestone.

“What is a bit frightening is to see that so many efforts could be basically wiped out by things that are completely out of our control,” he said. “This part of the population is extremely fragile. They’re on the verge of collapsing completely.”

Gang violence has exacerbated hunger, with armed men controlling key roads and disrupting the transportation of goods. An increase in food prices will only worsen hunger in a country where gangs easily recruit children whose families need food and money.

Emmline Toussaint, main coordinator of Mary’s Meals’ BND school-feeding program in Haiti, said that gas stations in some regions are selling fuel 25% to 30% higher than even what the government stipulated because of gang violence and difficulties with trucks trying to access certain areas.

She said the U.S.-based nonprofit is forced to use boats and take longer and multiple roads to feed the 196,000 children they serve across Haiti to avoid armed groups.

“The humanitarian crisis that we’re facing right now is at its worst,” she said. “So far, we are doing our best not to step back. Now, more than ever, the kids need us. … Most of them, it’s the only meal they receive.”

‘Everything will go up’

Fedline Jean-Pierre, a soft-spoken mother of a 7-year-old boy, sat under the shade of a tattered beach umbrella as she mulled increasing the prices of carrots, tomatoes and other produce she sells at an outdoor market in Port-au-Prince.

“People are not buying now because they don’t have money,” she said, noting she likely won’t have a choice but to increase prices to survive. “I have a child to feed.”

The 35-year-old mother said she and her son have lived for two years in a cramped and unsanitary shelter, among the record 1.4 million Haitians displaced by gang violence in recent years.

“The government doesn’t do anything for me,” she said. “Gas is up now, meaning everything will go up.”

Street vendor Maxime Poulard buys charcoal from suppliers to resell at a higher price. Occasionally he sells two bags of charcoal a day, but he thinks he soon will only be able to afford to buy half a bag to resell.

“Traveling is expensive; eating is expensive; everything is expensive,” he said. “I’m not sure if I will be able to hold on much more.”

Nearly 40% of Haitians are surviving on less than $2.15 a day, according to the World Bank. Meanwhile, Haiti’s economy contracted for the seventh consecutive year, with inflation reaching 32% at the end of fiscal year 2025.

Joseph, the factory worker, said he plans to sell soft drinks at night out of his home to try and earn more money, but even then, that won’t be enough: “We’re also going to reduce the way we normally eat.”

‘Impossible tradeoffs’

On April 6, Haitians dragged burning tires and other debris to block streets and protest the increase in fuel prices in Port-au-Prince, of which an estimated 90% is controlled by gangs.

Local media reported gunfire as some Haitians forced the drivers of small colorful buses known as tap-taps to disembark their passengers.

Marc Jean-Louis, a 29-year-old tap-tap driver, said passengers are increasingly bartering fares, but he can’t afford to offer discounts.

“All the money is going toward gas,” he said as he called on the government to reduced prices “so that everyone can breathe.”

Haitians fear more violence as the country’s poverty and hunger deepens.

Rumen, with the U.N.’s World Food Program, said they’ve been unable to reach 60,000 people in Haiti’s central region who are awaiting aid. A powerful gang recently attacked the area, killing more than 70 people, according to the U.N.

“We’re going to have more needs and less resources,” he warned.

Allen Joseph, program manager for Mercy Corps in Haiti, said rising oil prices are crushing the country’s fragile economy: “The families already spending most of their income on food will face impossible tradeoffs.”

He warned the increase will affect access to basic services, including potable water.

“This is not an abstract inflation,” he warned. “It will directly impact survival.”

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I Am Maximus, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, has won the 178th Grand National.

Grand National places

1. I Am Maximus 9/2F
2. Iroko 18/1
3. Jordans 28/1
4. Johnnywho 12/1
5. High Class Hero 66/1
6. Favori De Champdou 40/1
7. Final Orders 22/1
8. Champ Kiely 25/1
9. Three Card Brag 50/1
10. Monty’s Star 14/1
11. Answer To Kayf 100/1
12. Gorgeous Tom 20/1
13. Imperial Saint 50/1
14. Haiti Couleurs 28/1
15. Twig 40/1
16. Firefox 40/1

Grand National fallers

• Panic Attack (faller)
• Gerri Colombe (faller)
• Marble Sands (faller)
• Top Of The Bill (faller)
• Stellar Story (faller)
• Mr Vango (faller)
• Quai De Bourbon (faller)
• The Real Whacker (pulled up)
• Amirite (pulled up)
• Lecky Watson (pulled up)
• Spanish Harlem (pulled up)
• Banbridge (unseated rider)
• Beauport (unseated rider)
• Grangeclare West (unseated rider)
• Perceval Legallois (unseated rider)
• Captain Cody (unseated rider)
• Jagwar (unseated rider)
• Oscars Brother (unseated rider)

Grand National prize money

• First place – £500,000
• Second place – £200,000
• Third place – £100,000
• Fourth place – £65,000
• Fifth place – £40,000
• Sixth place – £30,000
• Seventh place – £20,000
• Eight place – £ 15,000
• Ninth place – £10,000
• 10th place – £5,000

Previous Grand National winners

Year, horse, jockey, trainer, owner, odds

2025 Nick Rockett Patrick Mullins, Willie Mullins, Stewart Andrew, 33-1

2024 I Am Maximus Paul Townend, Willie Mullins, JP McManus, 7/1

2023 Corach Rambler Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell, The Ramblers, 8/1

2022 Noble Yeats Sam Waley-Cohen, Emmet Mullins, Robert Waley-Cohen, 50/1

2021 Minella Times Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead, JP McManus, 11/1

2020 No race

2019 Tiger Roll Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott, Gigginstown House Stud, 4/1

2018 Tiger Roll Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott, Gigginstown House Stud, 10/1

2017 One For Arthur Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell, Two Golf Widows, 14/1

2016 Rule The World David Mullins, Mouse Morris, Michael O’Leary, 33/1

2015 Many Clouds Leighton Aspell, Oliver Sherwood, Trevor Hemmings, 25/1

2014 Pineau De Re Leighton Aspell, Dr Richard Newland, J A Provan, 25/1

2013 Auroras Encore Ryan Mania, Sue Smith, Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont and David van der Hoeven, 66/1

2012 Neptune Collonges Daryl Jacob, Paul Nicholls, John Hales, 14/1

2011 Ballabriggs J M Maguire, D McCain Jnr, Trevor Hemmings, 14/1

2010 Don’t Push It A P McCoy, Jonjo O’Neill, J P McManus, 10/1

2009 Mon Mome Liam Treadwell, Venetia Williams, Vida Bingham, 100/1

2008 Comply Or Die T J Murphy, David Pipe, David Johnson, 7/1

2007 Silver Birch Robbie Power, Gordon Elliott, Brian Walsh, 33/1

2006 Numbersixvalverde Niall Madden, Martin Brassil, Bernard Carroll, 11/1

2005 Hedgehunter Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins IRE, Trevor Hemmings, 7/1

2004 Amberleigh House Graham Lee, Donald McCain, Halewood International Ltd, 16/1

2003 Monty’s Pass, Barry Geraghty, Jimmy Mangan, Dee Racing Syndicate 16/1

2002 Bindaree, Jim Culloty, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Raymond Mould 20/1

2001 Red Marauder, Richard Guest, Norman Mason, Norman Mason 33/1

2000 Papillon, Ruby Walsh, Ted Walsh IRE, Betty Morgan 10/1

1999 Bobbyjo, Paul Carberry, Tommy Carberry IRE, Bobby Burke 10/1

1998 Earth Summit (bl), Carl Llewellyn, Nigel Twiston-Davies, The Summit Partnership 7/1 F

1997 Lord Gyllene, Tony Dobbin, Steve Brookshaw, Stan Clarke 14/1

1996 Rough Quest, Mick Fitzgerald, Terry Casey, Andrew Wates 7/1 F

1995 Royal Athlete, Jason Titley, Jenny Pitman, Gary & Libby Johnson 40/1

1994 Miinnehoma, Richard Dunwoody, Martin Pipe, Freddie Star 16/1

1993 Void race

1992 Party Politics, Carl Llewellyn, Nick Gaselee, Patricia Thompson 14/1

1991 Seagram, Nigel Hawke, David Barons, Sir Eric Parker 12/1

1990 Mr Frisk, Mr Marcus Armytage, Kim Bailey, Lois Duffey 16/1

1989 Little Polveir, Jimmy Frost, Toby Balding, Edwards Harvey 28/1

1988 Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, Brendan Powell, David Elsworth, Juliet Reed 10/1

1987 Maori Venture, Steve Knight, Andrew Turnell, Jim Joel 28/1

1986 West Tip, Richard Dunwoody, Michael Oliver, Peter Luff 15/2

1985 Last Suspect, Hywel Davies, Tim Forster, Anne Duchess of Westminster 50/1

1984 Hallo Dandy, Neale Doughty, Gordon Richards, Richard Shaw 13/1

1983 Corbiere, Ben de Haan, Jenny Pitman, Bryan Burrough 13/1

1982 Grittar, Mr Dick Saunders, Frank Gilman, Frank Gilman 7/1 F

1981 Aldaniti, Bob Champion, Josh Gifford, Nich Embiricos 10/1

1980 Ben Nevis, Mr Charlie Fenwick, Tim Forster, Redmond C Stewart Jnr, 40/1

1979 Rubstic, Maurice Barnes, John Leadbetter, John Douglas 25/1

1978 Lucius, Bob Davies, Gordon Richards, Fiona Whitaker 14/1

1977 Red Rum, Tommy Stack, Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 9/1

1976 Rag Trade, John Burke, Fred Rimell, Pierre Raymond 14/1

1975 L’Escargot, Tommy Carberry, Dan Moore IRE, Raymond Guest 13/2

1974 Red Rum, Brian Fletcher, Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 11/1

1973 Red Rum, Brian Fletche,r Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 9/1 Jt F

1972 Well To Do, Graham Thorner, Tim Forster, Tim Forster 14/1

1971 Specify, John Cook, John Sutcliffe, Fred Pontin 28/1

1970 Gay Trip, Pat Taaffe, Fred Rimell, A J Chambers 15/1

1969 Highland Wedding, Eddie Harty, Toby Balding, Thomas McCoy Jnr 100/9

1968 Red Alligator, Brian Fletcher, Denys Smith, John Manners 100/7

1967 Foinavon, John Buckingham, John Kempton, Cyril Watkins 100/1

1966 Anglo, Tim Norman, Fred Winter, Stuart Levy 50/1

1965 Jay Trump, Mr Tommy Smith, Fred Winter, Mary Stephenson 100/6

1964 Team Spirit, George Robinson, Fulke Walwyn, John Goodman 18/1

1963 Ayala, Pat Buckley, Keith Piggott, Pierre Raymond 66/1

1962 Kilmore, Fred Winter, Ryan Price, Nat Cohen 28/1

1961 Nicolaus Silver, Bobby Beasley, Fred Rimel,l Charles Vaughan 28/1

1960 Merryman II, Gerry Scott, Neville Crump, Winifred Wallace 13/2 F

1959 Oxo, Michael Scudamore, Willie Stephenson, John Bigg 8/1

1958 Mr What, Arthur Freeman, Tom Taaffe IRE, D J Coughlan 18/1

1957 Sundew, Fred Winter, Frank Hudson, Mrs Geoffrey Kohn 20/1

1956 ESB, Dave Dick, Fred Rimell, Mrs Leonard Carver 100/7

1955 Quare Times, Pat Taaffe, Vincent O’Brien IRE, Mrs W Welman 100/9

1954 Royal Tan, Bryan Marshall, Vincent O’Brien IRE, Joe Griffin 8/1

1953 Early Mist, Bryan Marshall, Vincent O’Brien IRE, Joe Griffin 20/1

1952 Teal, Arthur Thompson, Neville Crump, Harry Lane 100/7

1951 Nickel Coin, John Bullock, Jack O’Donoghue, Jeffrey Royle 40/1

1950 Freebooter, Jimmy Power, Bobby Renton, Lurline Brotherton 10/1

1949 Russian Hero, Leo McMorrow, George Owen, Fernie Williamson 66/1

1948 Sheila’s Cottage, Arthur Thompson, Neville Crump, John Procter 50/1

1947 Caughoo, Eddie Dempsey, Herbert McDowell IRE, John McDowell 100/1

1946 Lovely Cottage, Capt Bobby Petre, Tommy Rayson, John Morant 25/1

1941-45 No Race

1940 Bogskar, Mervyn Jones, Lord Stalbridge, Lord Stalbridge 25/1

1939 Workman, Tim Hyde, Jack Ruttle IRE, Sir Alexander Maguire 100/8

1938 Battleship, Bruce Hobbs, Reg Hobbs, Marion Scott 40/1

1937 Royal Mail, Evan Williams, Ivor Anthony, Hugh Lloyd Thomas 100/6

1936 Reynoldstown, Mr Fulke Walwyn Noel Furlong, Noel Furlong 10/1

1935 Reynoldstown, Mr Frank Furlong, Noel Furlong, Noel Furlong 22/1

1934 Golden Miller, Gerry Wilson, Basil Briscoe, Dorothy Paget 8/1

1933 Kellsboro’ Jack, Dudley Williams, Ivor Anthony, Mrs F Ambrose Clark 25/1

1932 Forbra, Tim Hamey, Tom Rimell, William Parsonage 50/1

1931 Grakle, Bob Lyall, Tom Coulthwaite, Cecil Taylor 100/6

1930 Shaun Goilin, Tommy Cullinan, Frank Hartigan, W H Midwood 100/8

1929 Gregalach, Robert Everett, Tom Leader, Mrs M A Gemmell 100/1

1928 Tipperary Tim, Mr Bill Dutton, Joseph Dodd, Harold Kenyon 100/1

1927 Sprig, Ted Leader, Tom Leader, Mrs M Partridge 8/1 F

1926 Jack Horner, William Watkinson, Harvey Leader, Charles Schwartz 25/1

1925 Double Chance, Major John Wilson, Fred Archer, David Goold 100/9

1924 Master Robert, Bob Trudgill, Aubrey Hastings, Lord Airlie 25/1

1923 Sergeant Murphy, Capt Geoffrey, George Blackwell, Stephen Sanford 100/6

1922 Music Hall, Lewis Rees, Owen Anthony, Hugh Kershaw 100/9

1921 Shaun Spadah, Fred Rees, George Poole, Malcolm McAlpine 100/9

1920 Troytown, Mr Jack Anthony, Algy Anthony IRE, Thomas Collins-Gerrard 6/1

1919 Poethlyn, Ernie Piggott, Harry Escott, Mrs Hugh Peel 11/4 F

1916-1918 No Race At Aintree

1915 Ally Sloper, Mr Jack Anthony, Aubrey Hastings, Lady Nelson 100/8

1914 Sunloch, Bill Smith, Tom Tyler, Tom Tyler 100/6

1913 Covertcoat, Percy Woodland, Robert Gore, Sir Charles Assheton-Smith 100/9

1912 Jerry M, Ernie Piggott, Robert Gore, Sir Charles Assheton-Smith 4/1 Jt F

1911 Glenside, Mr Jack Anthony, R H Collis, Frank Bibby 20/1

1910 Jenkinstown, Robert Chadwick, Tom Coulthwaite, Stanley Howard 100/8

1909 Lutteur III, Georges Parfrement, Harry Escott, J Hennessy 100/9

1908 Rubio, Henry Bletsoe, Fred Withington, Frank Douglas-Pennant 66/1

1907 Eremon, Alf Newey, Tom Coulthwaite, Stanley Howard 8/1

1906 Ascetic’s Silver, Mr Aubrey Hastings, Aubrey Hastings, Prince Hatzfeldt 20/1

1905 Kirkland, Frank Mason, E Thomas, Frank Bibby 6/1

1904 Moifaa, Arthur Birch, W Hickey, Spencer Gollan 25/1

1903 Drumcree, Percy Woodland, Sir Charles Nugent J S Morrison 13/2 F

1902 Shannon Lass, David Read, James Hackett, Ambrose Gorham 20/1

1901 Grudon, Arthur Nightingall, Bernard Bletsoe, Bernard Bletsoe 9/1

1900 Ambush II, Algy Anthony, Algy Anthony IRE, HRH Prince of Wales 4/1

1899 Manifesto, George Williamson, Willie Moore, J G Bulteel 5/1

1898 Drogheda, John Gourley, Richard Dawson, C G M Adams 25/1

1897 Manifesto, Terry Kavanagh, Willie McAuliffe, Harry Dyas 6/1 F

1896 The Soarer, Mr David Campbell, Willie Moore, William Hall-Walker 40/1

1895 Wild Man, Mr Joe Widger, James Gatland, John Widger 10/1

1894 Why Not, Arthur Nightingall, Willie Moore, C H Fenwick 5/1 Jt F

1893 Cloister Bill, Dollery, Arthur Yates, Charles Duff 9/2 F

1892 Father O’Flynn, Capt Roddy Owen, Gordon Wilson, Gordon Wilson 20/1

1891 Come Away, Mr Harry Beasley, Harry Beasley IRE, Willie Jameson 4/1 F

1890 Ilex, Arthur Nightingall, John Nightingall, George Masterman 4/1 F

1889 Frigate, Mr Tommy Beasley, M A Maher IRE, M A Maher 8/1

1888 Playfair, George Mawson, Tom Cannon, E W Baird 40/1

1887 Gamecock, W Daniells, James Gordon, E Jay 20/1

1886 Old Joe, Tommy Skelton, George Mulcaster, A J Douglas 25/1

1885 Roquefort, Mr Ted Wilson, Arthur Yates, A Cooper 100/30 F

1884 Voluptuary, Mr Ted Wilson, William Wilson, H F Boyd 10/1

1883 Zoedone, Count Charles Kinsky, W Jenkins, Count Charles Kinsky 100/7

1882 Seaman, Lord Manners, James Machell, Lord Manners 10/1

1881 Woodbrook, Mr Tommy Beasley, Henry Linde IRE, T Y L Kirkwood 11/2 Jt F

1880 Empress, Mr Tommy Beasley, Henry Linde IRE, P Ducrot 8/1

1879 The Liberator, Mr Garry Moore, J Moore IRE, Garry Moore 5/1

1878 Shifnal, J Jones, J Nightingall, John Nightingall 7/1

1877 Austerlitz, Mr Fred Hobson, Robert l’Anson, Fred Hobson 15/1

1876 Regal, Joe Cannon, James Jewitt, James Machell 25/1

1875 Pathfinder, Mr Tommy Pickernell, W Reeves, Herbert Bird 100/6

1874 Reugny, Mr John Richardson, John Richardson, James Machell 5/1 F

1873 Disturbance, Mr John Richardson, John Richardson, James Machell 20/1

1872 Casse Tete, John Page, A Cowley, E Brayley 20/1

1871 The Lamb, Mr Tommy Pickernell, Chris Green, Lord Poulett 11/2

1870 The Colonel, George Stevens, R Roberts, Matthew Evans 7/2 F

1869 The Colonel, George Stevens, R Roberts, John Weyman 100/7

1868 The Lamb, Mr George Ede, Ben Land, Lord Poulett 9/1

1867 Cortolvin, John Page, Harry Lamplugh FR, Duke of Hamilton 16/1

1866 Salamander, Mr Alec Goodman, J Walters, Edward Studd 40/1

1865 Alcibiade, Capt Henry, Coventry Cornell, Cherry Angell 100/7

1864 Emblematic, George Stevens, E Weever, Lord Coventry 10/1

1863 Emblem, George Stevens, E Weever, Lord Coventry 4/1

1862 The Huntsman, Harry Lamplugh, Harry Lamplugh FR, Viscount de Namur 3/1 F

1861 Jealousy, J Kendall, C Balchin, J Bennett 5/1

1860 Anatis, Mr Tommy Pickernell, William Holman, Christopher Capel 7/2 F

1859 Half Caste, Chris Green, Chris Green, Mr Willoughby 7/1

1858 Little Charley, William Archer, William Holman, Christopher Capel 100/6

1857 Emigrant, Charlie Boyce, Charlie Boyce, George Hodgman 10/1

1856 Freetrader, George Stevens, William Holman, W Barnett 25/1

1855 Wanderer, J Hanlon – IRE, Mr Dennis 25/1

1854 Bourton, J Tasker, H Wadlow, William Moseley 4/1 F

1853 Peter Simple, Tom Olliver, Tom Olliver, Joseph Little 9/1

1852 Miss Mowbray, Mr Alec Goodman, G Dockeray, T F Mason n.q.

1851 Abd-EI-Kader, T Abbot, Joseph Osborne, Joseph Osborne 7/1

1850 Abd-El-Kader, Chris Green, Joseph Osborne, Joseph Osborne n.q.

1849 Peter Simple, T Cunningham, T Cunningham, Mr Mason Jnr 20/1

1848 Chandler, Capt Joseph Little, T Eskrett, Joseph Little 12/1

1847 Matthew, Denis Wynne, J Courtenay IRE, Mr Courtenay 10/1

1846 Pioneer, W Taylor, – Mr Adams n.q.

1845 Cure-All, Mr William Loft, William Loft, W Sterling Crawford n.q.

1844 Discount, Mr H Crickmere, – ,Mr Quartermaine 5/1 Jt F

1843 Vanguard, Tom Olliver – Lord Chesterfield 12/1

1842 Gay Lad, Tom Olliver – John Elmore 7/1

1841 Charity, Mr A Powell – Lord Craven 14/1

1840 Jerry, Mr B Bretherton – Mr Villebois 12/1

1839 Lottery, Jem Mason – John Elmore 5/1 F

In one technical area, Arteta’s childhood team-mate from San Sebastián, Andoni Iraola, a cheerful, easy-going Basque, was giving his old acquaintance a tactical masterclass. Then there was Arteta, a brooding and explosive Basque, committed to his Arsenal creed, watching his players being picked off in possession. Bournemouth pressed fearlessly. Scott and Ryan Christie ran the show. Arteta did not – could not – change the approach and so the drama played out.

Afterwards the Arsenal manager chewed over the details, talking darkly about “some very basic things that we did extremely badly”, but declined to elaborate. He refused to feel sorry for himself but did, nonetheless, mention some of the key men who are still injured. On the other hand, Iraola, shrugged and pointed out that anyone who watched his team knew that they embraced the press, accepted the risk, and chased the reward. Today their ship finally came in – there have been seven draws in the 12 straight Premier League games Bournemouth have now gone undefeated.

This was a fabulous game – full of tension and unexpected twists. One wonders if Sporting CP, due at the Emirates on Wednesday for the resumption of their Champions League quarter-final tie, will take note. Perhaps they had always intended to approach the second leg differently, but the combination of a home crowd determined to urge the team forward, and then Arteta’s insistence on the short passing game, presents opportunities.

The win in Lisbon in the 91st minute is the only Arsenal triumph in the past four games in four different competitions. Three defeats going back to the Carabao Cup final on March 22 – all of them different, all of them pregnant with meaning – and now the closing weeks of the season presents an Arsenal psychodrama like none other.

It is gripping stuff, no less absorbing than the relegation calamity unfolding over at Tottenham Hotspur. Another injury to Riccardo Calafiori meant only the second league start of the season for Myles Lewis-Skelly – and he was among the better performers for Arteta. But others in his side failed notably to rise to the occasion.

Arteta felt that too and went early with his changes. After 53 minutes, and with the score level, he abandoned his faith in Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli – and sent on three very good alternatives. But he would not abandon the system – and it was the system which was giving Bournemouth their opportunities.

“A game of cat and mouse” was Iraola’s elegant grip of the idiom to describe the pressing game of the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Evanilson and Brazilian Rayan. Could Arteta have changed it? To go long would have meant relying on Viktor Gyökeres as the target-man fulcrum, and the Arsenal manager seems unprepared to do that. The £64m striker dispatched a first-half penalty but otherwise nothing has changed. He can do certain things, but conjuring a match-winning, title-defining goal from nowhere is not one of them.

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes is recovering well in hospital after suffering a stroke last week, with colleague Dawn Neesom sharing the latest health update on air

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GB News paused its regular programming to provide a health update on breakfast presenter Eamonn Holmes, just one week after he experienced a stroke.

During Saturday’s (April 11) afternoon broadcast, Dawn Neesom interrupted the schedule to address the Irish broadcaster’s medical situation, which had led to his absence from the breakfast programme last week.

The 61 year old presenter’s colleague has now confirmed that the father-of-four is making good progress in hospital with his loved ones at his bedside.

Delivering the update to viewers, she said: “Everyone at GB News is saddened to hear that our wonderful colleague and friend Eamonn Holmes had a stroke last week.”

Dawn offered reassurance about his anticipated return to broadcasting duties as she discussed his future with the network.

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She continued: “He is recovering well in hospital, he has his loved ones by his side and is talking and chatting, so he will be back as soon as [he can]. You know what Eamonn is like. I’ve worked with Eamonn for a long, long time, and I’ve known him for a long time, and Eamonn is not a quitter.

“So everyone here at GB News is sending their very, very best to our breakfast show host. And Eamonn, there’s another TRIC award here, mate, so you’d better come here and get it. It’s here waiting for you.”

At that moment, Dawn took time to look back on her years alongside the 66 year old host, recalling her initial encounter with him during their breakfast television days at the beginning of their professional journeys. She remembered: “Eamonn, so much love here from everyone and from me personally.

“I always remember that very first day we worked together back in the early 90s, and I was terrified, you were terrified. It was our first day on the breakfast TV show, and we started talking about football, and your language was absolutely dreadful.”, reports the Express.

“But thank you because you put me at ease straight away. So Eamonn, so much love from everybody here, get well, big man. We want to see you back, and what would we do without you?

“You’re a little bit moany sometimes, but you know that about you, you’re a man of a certain age.” Dawn proceeded to invite dedicated viewers to send their messages of support to the presenter, promising she would share as many as possible during the live broadcast.

Before long, audience members took to social media platforms to express their sentiments, with one person writing: “Get well soon, Eamonn. You’re definitely missed. God bless [prayer emoji].”

Someone else concurred: “Wishing Eamonn a speedy recovery [two smiling emojis, two heart emojis] C’mon big man… we need you back on our screens.” Yet another person added: “Wishing Eamonn Holmes a speedy recovery, he’s an absolute trouper [prayer emoji].”