Global Pulse

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  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford agrees to sell $21m private jet following outcry

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford agrees to sell $21m private jet following outcry

    Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has launched a process to offload a pre-owned private jet purchased just days ago for Premier Doug Ford, a move that came after intense public and political criticism over the C$28.9 million ($21 million) government expenditure.

    When the acquisition of the 2016 Canadian-built Bombardier Challenger 650 executive jet was first confirmed last Friday, Ford’s administration framed the purchase as a practical investment for official travel. Specifically, officials noted the jet would be used for cross-border trips to Washington D.C. and other U.S. destinations to lobby against harmful tariffs imposed during the previous Trump administration, a core policy priority for the provincial government.

    But the disclosure immediately sparked widespread outrage across the political spectrum and among public advocacy groups. Political opponents swiftly labeled the aircraft a “gravy plane”, accusing Ford of being disconnected from the financial struggles of ordinary Ontario households at a time of ongoing economic pressure. By Sunday, just two days after the purchase was made public, Ford announced a reversal in a formal statement, confirming the jet would be sold “as quickly as possible” through partnerships with aircraft manufacturer Bombardier and other industry partners.

    “Despite the best of intentions, I have heard and agree that now is not the right time for the expense of a government plane,” Ford said in the statement. He added that his administration would continue its core work of building cross-border relationships with business and political leaders, pushing back against unfair tariffs, attracting new private investment and creating jobs for Ontario workers, regardless of the aircraft sale.

    Critics have rejected Ford’s framing of the reversal as a responsive move, arguing the U-turn only came after public anger grew unmanageable. Marit Stiles, leader of the official opposition Ontario New Democratic Party, argued Ford “only changed his mind after the heat got too hot”. In a scathing social media post, she said: “Doug Ford is turning the plane around mid-air for an emergency landing because he got caught living like a rockstar on your dime.”

    Interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party John Fraser echoed the criticism, accusing Ford of seeking to “live like a billionaire” using public funds. “Trying to buy a private jet while families are struggling says everything you need to know about Doug Ford,” Fraser wrote on social media.

    The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a prominent non-partisan advocacy group that advocates for fiscal restraint, also joined the chorus of critics, urging Ford to abandon the private jet plan entirely and stick to commercial air travel for official trips.

    The controversy comes at a weak moment politically for Ford, who won an unexpected third consecutive majority government in provincial elections last year. Polling data from Angus Reid released earlier this year puts Ford’s approval rating at around 31%, one of the lowest approval ratings for any sitting provincial premier in Canada.

  • Iran blocks two more oil tankers from transiting Strait of Hormuz: report

    Iran blocks two more oil tankers from transiting Strait of Hormuz: report

    Tensions over maritime access to the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz have flared once again, after Iranian armed forces intercepted two oil tankers attempting to traverse the waterway on Sunday, forcing them to turn back, according to a new report from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

    The two intercepted vessels were flying the national flags of Botswana and Angola, and were deemed to be attempting an “illegal” crossing before Iranian military intervention, the outlet confirmed.

    The interception comes amid sharp rhetorical friction between Iran and the European Union over rules governing passage through the strait, which handles roughly 20% of global oil trade and is one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei recently delivered a scathing rebuke of European demands for unrestricted, toll-free access through the waterway, accusing the bloc of blatant hypocrisy in its application of international law.

    Baghaei’s remarks were a direct response to a social media post on platform X from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. In his response, Baghaei questioned the EU’s selective adherence to global rules, writing: “Oh, that ‘international law?!’ The one that the EU dusts off to lecture others while quietly green-lighting a US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran – and looking the other way on atrocities against Iranians?”

    “Spare the sermons; Europe’s chronic failure to practice what it preaches has turned its ‘international law’ talk into peak hypocrisy,” he added.

    Kallas had previously warned that any system requiring payment for passage through the strait would set a dangerous precedent that could disrupt maritime trade routes globally. She also noted that the EU’s Aspides naval mission, launched in February 2024 to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, could be rapidly expanded to safeguard shipping across the broader Persian Gulf region.

    The latest interception follows a weeks-long shift in Iran’s enforcement of control over the strait. Iran significantly tightened access restrictions after the U.S. and Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on Iranian territory, barring all vessels with links to Israel and the United States from transiting the waterway. The U.S. responded by imposing its own reciprocal trade restrictions after scheduled peace talks between Iran and the U.S. held in Islamabad collapsed without agreement.

    Earlier this month, a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. went into effect starting April 8. During the ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated publicly that the strait would remain fully open to all legitimate commercial shipping. However, just one day before the latest interception, Iran’s top military body, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced it would resume strict enforcement of access rules, citing the continuation of U.S. trade restrictions against Iran.

    As of the report, Tehran has made clear it will maintain full control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until all hostilities with the U.S. and Israel are permanently ended.

  • Sanyuesan Festival brings technology and culture together in Nanning

    Sanyuesan Festival brings technology and culture together in Nanning

    Southwest China’s Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, played host to the grand opening of the 2026 Guangxi Sanyuesan Festival this Saturday, marking a fresh reimagining of one of China’s most beloved ethnic cultural celebrations through a dynamic fusion of traditional heritage and modern digital innovation.

    Observed on the third day of the third month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Sanyuesan has been a core cultural observance for the Zhuang ethnic group for centuries, serving as a time for communal gathering, folk performances, and honoring ancestral traditions. For this year’s iteration, event organizers have pushed creative boundaries to reintroduce the centuries-old holiday to new generations, building a immersive folk celebration that marries long-held cultural customs with 21st-century technological advances.

    Three core themes anchor the 2026 festival: cutting-edge interactive technology experiences, cross-cultural exchange between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and a showcase of the one-of-a-kind natural and cultural charm that defines Guangxi. Unlike traditional iterations of the holiday that centered almost exclusively on folk performances and ritual gatherings, this year’s event integrates augmented reality installations, digital cultural exhibitions, and live-streamed interactive experiences that allow attendees both on-site and online to engage with Zhuang culture in entirely new ways. It also spotlights shared cultural ties between Guangxi and ASEAN member states, turning the regional ethnic festival into a platform for transnational cultural connection.

    The event has drawn widespread attention for its approach to cultural preservation, proving that centuries-old traditions can be refreshed for modern audiences without losing their core meaning. As the festival kicks off, attendees and cultural observers alike are eager to see how this blend of old and new will shape the future of ethnic cultural celebrations across China.

  • Eight children dead in US domestic violence shooting

    Eight children dead in US domestic violence shooting

    A devastating early-morning shooting rooted in domestic violence has left eight children dead in the southern U.S. city of Shreveport, Louisiana, marking one of the deadliest mass shooting incidents in the country in recent years, local law enforcement confirmed Sunday.

    The violence unfolded just after 6 a.m. local time, or 1100 GMT, across three connected residential properties, leaving a sprawling crime scene that investigators have been processing systematically since the incident. All eight fatal victims were children between the ages of 1 and 14, according to Police Corporal Chris Bordelon, who spoke to reporters at an official press conference. Some of the slain children were biological descendants of the gunman, Bordelon added.

    Three additional people were hurt in the attack: two adult women suffered gunshot wounds to the head, and a young boy sustained injuries after jumping from a residential roof to escape the violence, according to local ABC affiliate KTBS. Two other adults were hit by gunfire, though their conditions were not disclosed to the public immediately after the incident.

    Following the shooting, the unidentified adult male suspect carjacked a civilian vehicle and fled the scene, triggering a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement. Officers ultimately opened fire on the suspect, killing him at the end of the chase. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the operation, Louisiana State Police confirmed. Investigators have concluded the suspect acted alone, with no other co-conspirators involved in the attack.

    Data from the Gun Violence Archive classifies the incident as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years, a grim statistic that underscores the persistent crisis of gun violence plaguing the country. Where widespread access to firearms remains a contentious policy issue, thousands of people die from gun-related incidents across the U.S. every year.

    Local and state political leaders have expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called it a terrible day for the community, telling reporters “we all mourn with the victims.” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was heartbroken by the loss of life, while U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican representing the state, described the attack as horrific violence and extended well wishes for a full recovery to all survivors.

    Law enforcement officials have said they will not release additional details about the identities of the victims and the suspect until all next of kin have been notified, a standard process following mass casualty events.

  • Widespread damage as storm spreads through midwestern US

    Widespread damage as storm spreads through midwestern US

    A destructive storm system carrying intense, high-velocity winds has swept across a broad swathe of the American Midwest this week, leaving a trail of structural damage and transportation disruption in its wake. Meteorologists confirm that the fast-moving weather front brought gusts strong enough to tear full roof assemblies from multiple residential properties across several affected states, leaving homeowners facing costly, unexpected repairs and potential temporary displacement. Beyond damage to buildings, fallen tree branches, debris, and other storm-related obstacles have blocked countless local highways, arterial roads, and neighborhood streets, forcing temporary closures, slowing emergency response efforts, and complicating travel for residents in impacted communities. Local emergency management agencies have already deployed assessment teams to survey the full scope of damage, clear blocked routes, and provide support to residents who have lost their homes or suffered major property damage. As cleanup operations get underway, officials are urging residents to avoid travel through affected areas where possible to keep roads clear for first responders and cleanup crews.

  • Kane scores as Bayern sink Stuttgart to claim Bundesliga title

    Kane scores as Bayern sink Stuttgart to claim Bundesliga title

    Bayern Munich has cemented its unparalleled legacy as the dominant force of German football, securing a record-extending 35th Bundesliga title – and 13th crown in 14 seasons – with a 4-2 home victory over VfB Stuttgart, spearheaded by Harry Kane’s 32nd league goal of the 2024/25 campaign.

    Going into Sunday’s fixture, Bayern only needed a single point to wrap up the title, a path cleared 24 hours earlier when title contender Borussia Dortmund suffered a second consecutive defeat, a 2-1 loss away to Hoffenheim, that threw the championship race firmly into the Bavarian side’s lap. In a strategic rotation to prepare for Wednesday’s German Cup semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, head coach Vincent Kompany rested key regular starters including Kane, Manuel Neuer, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano and Aleksandar Pavlovic, leaving most of his first-choice squad on the bench for the decisive clash.

    The match got off to a rocky start for the hosts, as Stuttgart winger Chris Fuehrich broke the deadlock in the 21st minute to put the visitors ahead. But Bayern responded with a devastating seven-minute scoring blitz that flipped the match on its head. Jamal Musiala set up Raphael Guerreiro for the equalizer, before Luis Diaz provided assists for two quick goals, to Nicolas Cooman and Alphonso Davies, that put Bayern in full control by halftime.

    Kane, brought on after the break, extended the lead early in the second half to put the title beyond doubt, adding the crown to his growing collection of honors in his debut season in German football. With the result secured, Bayern eased off the intensity in the final stages, with staff already bringing bags of printed “2026 Champions” celebration t-shirts to the touchline ahead of the final whistle. Stuttgart’s Chema Andres grabbed a late consolation goal two minutes from time, but it did nothing to halt Bayern’s impending title party.

    This victory once again underscores the historic and contemporary dominance that Bayern holds over German top-flight football. No other club in Bundesliga history has even reached 10 top-flight titles, a staggering illustration of the club’s long-running supremacy. This season has added new layers to that legacy, with the team already hitting 109 league goals with four matches still to play – eight more than the previous all-time league record set in the 1971-72 campaign.

    Currently sitting on 79 points with a goal difference of +80, Bayern is on track to make more history: if the season ended today, it would be the first Bundesliga side ever to record a goal difference higher than its total points tally. If the side wins all four remaining fixtures, it will hit 91 points, matching the all-time record set by the club’s legendary 2012-13 treble-winning side.

    Individual performances have matched the team’s historic run. Kane, who became the first English player since 1930-31 to hit 50 goals across all competitions in a single top-flight European season earlier this week, sits just nine goals short of Robert Lewandowski’s single-season Bundesliga record of 41, with four matches left to chase the mark. Midfielder Michael Olise, meanwhile, has notched 18 assists this term, just three shy of Thomas Muller’s 2019-20 all-time record.

    In earlier Sunday action, Freiburg boosted their European hopes and pushed 1. FC Heidenheim closer to relegation with a 2-1 home win. Johan Manzambi put the Europa League semi-finalists ahead in the 24th minute, before Budu Zivzivadze equalized for Heidenheim just before the hour mark. Maximilian Eggestein scored the winning goal seven minutes from time, lifting Freiburg above Eintracht Frankfurt into seventh place, a spot that would qualify for European competition next season. The defeat leaves Heidenheim, which hosted Chelsea in the Europa Conference League last season, seven points adrift of the relegation play-off spot and 11 points from automatic safety, with four games remaining to close the gap. Later Sunday, Borussia Moenchengladbach was set to host Mainz 05 in the final Bundesliga fixture of the matchweek.

  • Chinese people at home and abroad bond together in ritual ceremony

    Chinese people at home and abroad bond together in ritual ceremony

    On Sunday, April 19, 2026, thousands of people of Chinese descent from across China and around the world gathered in Xinzheng, a city in central China’s Henan province that is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor, the legendary common cultural ancestor of the Chinese nation, to take part in the annual traditional worship ceremony.

    Rooted in a historical tradition that stretches back more than 2,500 years to the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), this yearly ritual has been preserved and passed down through successive generations of Chinese communities, retaining its core cultural significance even as it adapts to modern times. Today, the ceremony stands as one of the most important shared cultural events for Chinese people worldwide, serving as a touchstone for collective cultural memory and identity.

    The 2026 iteration of the ceremony followed the nine standardized procedural steps that were officially formalized when the ritual was granted national intangible cultural heritage status by China’s cultural authorities. This standardization has helped protect the ritual’s traditional authenticity while making it accessible to participants from all backgrounds, whether they are long-time local residents or international visitors traveling to Xinzheng for the event.

    For attendees, the gathering is far more than a cultural observation: it is an opportunity to strengthen connections with shared heritage, reinforce a collective sense of cultural belonging, and foster bonds between Chinese communities across the globe. Many participants note that the annual ceremony creates a space for people with shared cultural roots to come together, regardless of their current place of residence, to honor the legacy of the Yellow Emperor and celebrate the shared cultural identity that unites all people of Chinese descent.

  • Ukraine police chief resigns after officers allegedly fled deadly shooting

    Ukraine police chief resigns after officers allegedly fled deadly shooting

    A shocking mass shooting in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv that left six civilians dead and 14 others injured has triggered a high-level political shakeup, with the head of the country’s patrol police stepping down after two of his officers faced widespread backlash for reportedly abandoning the scene. The violence unfolded Saturday in Kyiv’s southern Holosiivskyi District, where the attacker first set fire to his own apartment before opening fire on random civilians on a public street. After the initial rampage, the gunman barricaded himself inside a nearby supermarket and took multiple hostages, before he was ultimately killed in a subsequent shootout with law enforcement. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, video footage circulated widely across social media platforms that appeared to show the two responding patrol officers fleeing the scene, leaving vulnerable civilians without protection as the shooter was still active. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko quickly announced that the two officers at the center of the controversy had been suspended pending a full official investigation into their conduct. In a public post on the Telegram messaging platform, Klymenko emphasized that the core police mission of “serve and protect” is more than empty rhetoric, stressing that it requires decisive, professional action especially in life-or-death moments where civilian survival hangs in the balance. He also urged the public not to condemn the entire national police force over the actions of just two individual officers. At a press conference held Sunday, Yevhen Zhukov, the former head of Ukraine’s patrol police, confirmed his resignation, saying the two officers had failed to correctly assess the dangerous situation and abandoned civilians to harm. He labeled their actions unprofessional and dishonorable, adding that as the commanding officer, he took formal responsibility for the incident and was stepping down. Ukrainian authorities have formally classified the mass shooting as a terrorist act, but have not yet publicly confirmed a clear motive for the attack. Klymenko noted that the attacker appeared to have an unstable mental state. As of Sunday, eight wounded victims remained hospitalized, with one in extremely critical condition and three others listed as serious. In a public address updating the nation on the incident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy backed the investigation into the officers’ conduct, confirming that the two officers were present at the scene but fled rather than stopping the shooter. Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s National Bureau of Investigations had opened a full criminal probe that will also review the officers’ entire professional history. Zelenskyy called the attack particularly devastating, noting that Ukraine already faces daily civilian casualties from Russian military strikes, and losing innocent lives to a domestic mass shooting in an ordinary urban neighborhood is an especially painful blow. New details emerging about the victims confirm that one of the six people killed was the father of a wounded child, and another fatality was the child’s aunt. Law enforcement has identified the shooter as a 58-year-old man originally from Moscow, Russia, who had resided in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi District in the years leading up to the attack. Prior to moving to Kyiv, he lived in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Region, most of which is currently under Russian military occupation and was the center of a pro-Russian separatist insurgency before Moscow’s full-scale 2022 invasion. Officials confirmed that the firearm used in the attack was legally registered to the shooter, and investigators are currently probing how he was able to secure the required documentation to renew his gun license. Mass casualty domestic shootings remain extremely rare in Kyiv, even amid the ongoing full-scale war with Russia, where the city faces regular Russian missile and drone strikes. In the wake of the attack, Klymenko ruled out implementing broad, universal checks of all licensed gun owners across the country. He argued that Ukrainian citizens should retain the right to own firearms for self-defense, pointing to the critical role of armed civilian resistance when Russia first launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Under current Ukrainian law, citizens are allowed to own non-automatic firearms if they meet strict licensing requirements, including passing background checks that rule out felony criminal records and documented histories of mental illness. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainians have been legally permitted to carry firearms to defend themselves and their country. Data from a 2023 independent small arms survey estimates that only roughly 3.4% of Ukrainian adult citizens personally own a registered firearm.

  • Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting, police say

    Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting, police say

    A devastating act of gun violence has shaken the Louisiana city of Shreveport, where eight children between the ages of 1 and 14 are dead following what law enforcement describes as a domestic disturbance-related shooting. One adult gunman carried out the attack early Monday local time, leaving an entire community grappling with unfathomable grief.

    According to Shreveport Police Department officials, the first reports of trouble emerged just before 5 a.m. local time, when the gunman opened fire on 10 people across three separate residences: two family homes on the same city block and a third nearby dwelling. As the situation unfolded, one person injured in the initial shooting fled to a neighboring residence, while the gunman himself carjacked a civilian vehicle to escape the scene.

    Local law enforcement immediately launched a pursuit, which ended when officers fatally shot the suspect in a different Shreveport neighborhood. When responding officers secured the first targeted home shortly before 6 a.m., they made the horrific discovery that all eight fatal victims were minors. “All of the deceased in this case are juveniles,” confirmed Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon, noting that preliminary investigations have confirmed the attack stemmed from a domestic dispute.

    As of Tuesday, authorities have not released the identities of either the suspect or the victims, a decision made to allow time to notify all next of kin. Officials did confirm that many of the slain children were related to the dead gunman.

    Local and state leaders have described the attack as one of the darkest moments in Shreveport’s history. “This is a tragic situation – maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport,” said Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux. “We have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, coroners’ personnel. This affects the entire community, so we all mourn with these families.” The mayor called on people across the country to hold the impacted families and the city of Shreveport in their prayers.

    Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith echoed that sorrow, saying his department was struggling to process the scale of the violence. “I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur,” Smith said. He confirmed that the ongoing investigation is being conducted in close partnership with Louisiana State Police, with additional support from multiple regional and federal law enforcement agencies. “We are going to be working diligently however long it takes to get some answers to what has taken place,” he added.

    State and federal officials have also offered their condolences and praise for first responders. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he and his wife were “heartbroken over this horrific situation, and we’re praying for everyone affected.” He added, “We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene.”

    House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose congressional district covers Shreveport, also released a statement calling the attack a “heartbreaking tragedy.” “We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Johnson said, noting his appreciation for local police’s rapid response to the violence.

  • Haaland gives Man City edge over Arsenal in Premier League title showdown

    Haaland gives Man City edge over Arsenal in Premier League title showdown

    The 2023-24 Premier League title race has taken a dramatic turn after Manchester City claimed a crucial 2-1 home victory over long-time leaders Arsenal, putting Pep Guardiola’s defending champions on the brink of snatching yet another league crown. The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s side clinging to a fragile three-point lead at the top of the table, with City holding a game in hand and a massive surge of momentum heading into the final stretch of the campaign. For Arsenal, who have waited 22 years to lift their first top-flight title since 2002, this defeat has extended a worrying late-season slump that now threatens to see another title opportunity slip through their fingers.

    Since their loss to City in last month’s EFL League Cup final at Wembley, Arteta’s Gunners have only managed one win from six matches across all competitions, including four straight defeats in domestic play. If City can secure three points against relegation-battling Burnley this coming Wednesday, they will climb into first place for the first time in 2024, capping a stunning comeback in the title fight.

    The game itself was full of drama, near-misses, and moments that will haunt Arsenal fans if their title bid ultimately collapses. Manchester City started the match on the front foot, looking to exploit the growing anxiety in Arsenal’s camp, and it was French midfielder Rayan Cherki who broke the deadlock with a moment of individual brilliance. Cherki weaved past challenges from Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice before slotting a cool finish into the bottom corner, putting the hosts ahead against a Gunners side that has boasted one of the league’s tightest defenses all season.

    It did not take long for Arsenal to get a lucky break, however, thanks to an uncharacteristic mistake from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian shot-stopper, who previously tormented Arsenal during his time at Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, dallied on a clearance outside his box, allowing City forward Kai Havertz to charge down the kick. The ball deflected into the top corner of the net, gifting Arsenal an equalizer just minutes after falling behind.

    The soft equalizer disrupted City’s rhythm, and it was not until after Guardiola’s halftime adjustments that the hosts regained control of the match. Erling Haaland came close to retaking the lead shortly after the break, hitting the post after Arsenal failed to clear a City corner, setting off a string of woodwork shocks that would define the second half.

    In one frantic sequence, Donnarumma redeemed his earlier error with a stunning one-on-one save to deny Havertz, only for Martin Odegaard’s follow-up effort to be cleared off the line by City’s Matheus Nunes. Moments later, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze hit the inside of the post, watching the ball roll agonizingly along the goal line without crossing into the net. That near miss proved devastating for the Gunners, as City capitalized on their lucky escape just minutes later.

    With 25 minutes left to play, Haaland outmuscled Gabriel to meet Nico O’Reilly’s cross, sweeping home his 34th goal of the season across all competitions to restore City’s lead. Haaland’s winner came between two Arsenal strikes that hit the woodwork: the Gunners went close again late on when Gabriel’s deflected header bounced off the post, and Havertz failed to convert the rebound.

    Tensions boiled over late in the match when Gabriel escaped a red card after attempting to headbutt Haaland, with the center back only receiving a yellow card from the referee. Arsenal had one final golden chance to level the score deep into stoppage time, when Havertz met Leandro Trossard’s cross perfectly, but the forward put his header over the bar. A dejected Arteta fell to the ground in disbelief after the missed opportunity, and now faces the challenge of lifting his side for their final five matches of the campaign.

    While Arsenal still hold a theoretical advantage on paper with a seemingly easier remaining fixture list, the Gunners have clearly run out of steam at the decisive moment of the season, just as they did in last year’s title race. For City, the repeat of their late-season charge over Arsenal has put them just one win away from reclaiming the top spot, putting them firmly in the driving seat to secure another Premier League trophy.