As president, Donald Trump tends to capitulate under sustained pressure, but Iran tests the limits of the theory. Deutsche Bank’s gauge is essentially a Taco (Trump always chickens out) index, as is BCA Research’s Trump Pain Point index. Taco is a useful mental model for traders, a reminder that dips can be buying opportunities because Trump tends to capitulate under sustained pressure, but Iran tests the limits of the theory. While the indices signal pressure on Trump, any resolution depends on co-operation from both sides. As various analysts have noted, it takes two to Taco on Iran.

The SS Irish Pine was sank by a German U-boat in 1942, despite being marked as a neutral ship, with the loss of 33 seamen. Image: National Maritime Museum of IrelandThe names of 134 Irish merchant navy and fishing fleet seamen have been added to the official roll of those who died in the second World War. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWCG), which records all British and Commonwealth deaths in the first and second World Wars, have officially recognised the men’s deaths as war fatalities. Though Ireland was officially neutral in the second World War, Irish merchant ships and fishing vessels were frequently targeted by German warships and submarines or by British mines. The SS Kyleclare was sunk by another German U-boat on February 21st, 1943.

The largest alumina plant in the European Union, the sprawling Aughinish plant has been under Russian ownership since 2006, when it was bought by Rusal – a firm controlled at the time by Oleg Deripaska, a close associate of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Irish ministers have always maintained that, despite being owned by a Russian company that ships large amounts of alumina to that country, Aughinish does not supply Moscow’s war effort. The aluminium is bought by dozens of arms companies that make weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine, including tanks, cruise missiles and bombers. Aughinish says the alumina it produces is a basic commodity that is “vital for countless civilian industries”. If you have a confidential news tip to share with us, this page explains how you can get in touch.

IndyCar superstar Scott McLaughlin was miraculously able to walk away unhurt after smashing straight through a barrier in a terrifying 170mph crash on Saturday. The New Zealand-born driver was taking part in a practice session for Sunday's NTT IndyCar Series' Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix when disaster struck. Medics immediately rushed to the scene, pulling apart the fence to reach the driver and ensure he was safe and unhurt. McLaughlin is a big motorsports star, having won the drivers' title in Supercars three times, in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Elsewhere in the field, former F1 star Mick Schumacher - son of Michael - will start in 20th position as he continues his debut season in IndyCar.

‌While the 89-year-old is no longer involved in the sport he loves, Whelan remains a significant figure of wealth in British sport. Looking back on what could have been, the businessman said: "I made the wrong decision in regards to Manchester United, because it is interesting to see what has happened since. "The purchase of Manchester United was all sorted with Martin Edwards and was going to be sealed within 28 days." He said: "Later I went home and said to my wife Patricia that I'd pulled off a good deal to buy Manchester United - £11.5m was a lot of money then. So instead I went back to Martin Edwards and Manchester United and said the deal is done but told him that if he floated Manchester United on the stock market, he would get a lot more than £11.5m."

Two Division 1 fixtures that went ahead on Saturday evening included the meetings of Clonakilty and Knocknagree in Ahamilla and Éire Óg versus Douglas in Ovens. John Fintan Daly’s newly promoted side were unfortunate not to pick up points from their two opening encounters before travelling to West Cork. In Ovens, Éire Óg saw off fellow Division 1 strugglers Douglas 0-16 to 0-13. A first win of the county league campaign was attained thanks to an even spread of scores from Dylan Foley (0-4), Sean Hurley, Brian Hurley (0-3 each), Colm Clifford, Brian Thompson and Jerome Kelleher. The victory elevated Éire Óg away from the relegation zone and into sixth place.

Ireland may not see a similar spike in prices this time, though of course, we don’t know how the conflict will play out. In an era when economic power is being weaponised, shortages and inflation result, whether from higher energy prices, trade wars or upended supply chains. Irish prices are more than a quarter higher than in France and Germany. But for many others on more average wages, high Irish prices are a problem. As the year goes on, the Coalition will be reminded again and again that the squeezed middle is a reality and not just a catchphrase.

The Limerick RashomonJohn Moran, mayor of Limerick. Moran told The Irish Times this week of the alleged altercation: “We have different recollections, but I don’t intend to add to that. “How do you think that would end?”On the edge of our seatsThe chair at the centre of Chairgate is displayed on The Late Late Show. The trouble started in 1997, when The Late Late Show ran a competition for furniture restoration and Siubhan Maloney of Donegal town won. [ Upholsterer gets apology over `Late Late' chairOpens in new window ]It took almost three years for Duffy to get full vindication, with an apology read in the High Court in 2000.

The executive order specifically threatened punitive tariffs against any nation attempting to export oil to Cuba. There is, from a human rights perspective, a very sturdy case to be made against the Cuban regime. These are not mere unfortunate consequences of the US government’s quarrel with the Cuban communist party. The Government’s official opposition – ie, the Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who increasingly constitute a kind of gonzo shadow cabinet – have meanwhile stepped into the breach. Last weekend, they arrived in Havana as part of an international convoy delivering tons of humanitarian aid to the island.

A forensic engineer’s report commissioned by Mike English found this exact spot was the only “reasonable location” where such an incident could have happened. The left turn leads into a cul-de-sac, with a sign placed on the right side of the road warning of “deep water” ahead. This is too fast for safety, according to a report for Mike English by consultant forensic engineers Denis Wood Associates. “In our opinion, the multiple chevron signs would have been the most appropriate as ‘sight board’ warning signs at the incident location. The Irish Times submitted nine questions to the council on the lack of warning signs, the speed limit and the engineering reports.

Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins PhotosA detention centre specifically for people facing deportation may be considered, after it emerged the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is leaving detainees at overcrowded prisons without prior consultation. He highlighted prison overcrowding at Mountjoy women’s prison, the Dóchas Centre, which was operating at 153 per cent capacity last week. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed there were 223 women in custody in Mountjoy at the time, 29 of whom were on mattresses. Expressing concern at the overcrowding, the Minister said there are plans to build another 65 spaces across the prison system in 2026, 26 of which will be new spaces for the Dóchas Centre. Asking if it was “time to be more radical”, Gannon called for a “full exploration of the prison system” and suggested a citizens’ assembly on prisons and incarceration.

Within minutes, he was in his car, racing to his workplace: the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Without significant repairs to the arch, officials warn, corrosion will set in within four years. The New Safe Confinement, or ‘protective dome’, at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. An abandoned school corridor in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. “What is compromised are all the ancillary systems – and the level of confinement is affected.”Ukrainian nuclear officials have warned that combat operations could cause another incident.

Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O'Connell looks at a recent US court case and how it could upend social media's hold on us. Twenty year old Kaley – referred to in court by her initials, KGM – won her case after a jury agreed Instagram and YouTube were designed to be addictive. It awarded her damages of $6 million, with Meta to pay 70 per cent and YouTube the rest. [ Meta and Google case: Is this social media’s ‘big tobacco’ moment?Opens in new window ]Some of these are helpful hacks. [ Irish law ‘blocking’ actions on behalf of children over ‘addictive’ social media appsOpens in new window ]The case achieved something significant: it exposed the lie that personal responsibility or better parenting is enough to regulate big tech.

For Louise Nealon, that sense of validation came in 2023 when she was asked to take part in an alumni chat in Trinity College Dublin. Snowflake, her 2021 debut novel, told of Debbie, a student who commutes from her dairy farm to Trinity College Dublin. [ Louise Nealon: ‘There is a reason why the vast majority of readers are women. Nealon takes a different slant: she engages, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if the reading of her novels makes you wince. “It will only become more important for future generations to break down the barriers of the gender divide.”Everything That is Beautiful by Louise Nealon is published by Manilla Press on April 2nd

Seán O’Shea’s Kerry career is always going to be a series of milestones. Only O’Shea, Clifford and Sheehy have averaged more than five points a game for Kerry. In the past two months, he has overtaken Mick O’Dwyer and Maurice Fitzgerald on the all-time Kerry scoring charts. There’s every chance they will eventually retire as first and second in every Kerry scoring metric you can come up with. Seán O’Shea and Kerry team-mates celebrate after he kicked a free to win the 2022 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin.