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Michigan secured its second national crown — the first since 1989 — by edging UConn 69‑63 in a gritty Final Four showdown that tested both teams’ resolve. Despite making only two three‑pointers all night (a 2‑for‑15 effort from beyond the arc), the Wolverines leaned on disciplined defense and a flawless free‑throw line, converting 25 of 28 attempts in the closing minutes. Elliot Cadeau emerged as the game’s catalyst, pouring in 19 points, including Michigan’s inaugural three‑point basket of the night 7:04 into the second half. His performance earned him the Most Outstanding Player honor for the Final Four. The decisive blow came when freshman Trey McKenney sank the Wolverines’ second three‑pointer with 1:50 remaining, extending the lead to nine points and forcing UConn into a frantic chase. UConn fought back valiantly; Solo Ball knocked down a three‑pointer with 37 seconds left to trim the deficit to four, and senior guard Alex Karaban added 17 points. However, missed free throws and a sub‑31% field‑goal percentage (30.9%) hampered the Huskies’ comeback. Injured graduate transfer Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 13 points on 4‑for‑13 shooting despite a sore knee and foot, while UConn’s leading scorer Braylon Mullins struggled, finishing 4‑for‑17 from the floor. Coach Dan Hurley watched his squad battle foul trouble and a cold shooting night, ultimately seeing the trophy travel to Ann Arbor instead of Storrs. Michigan closed the night with a 37‑3 record, capping a tournament run that had previously featured five straight 90‑point blowouts — a contrast to the defensive, low‑scoring finale that delivered the program’s long‑awaited championship.

Ukraine's military has launched a significant drone strike on Russian energy infrastructure in the Black Sea, targeting the port of Novorossiysk. According to Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi, the overnight attack hit the Admiral Makarov missile carrier in the port, which serves as Russia's largest oil exporting outlet on the Black Sea.The attack is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to disrupt Russian energy exports and reduce Moscow's revenues. Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, aiming to halt Russian oil exports and impact the Russian economy.Russian authorities reported that at least eight people, including two children, were injured in Novorossiysk. Videos posted on Telegram showed a fire at one of the oil port's docks. Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko stated that debris from drones had fallen on two locations in the city, including a residential area.Russia's military claimed that air defense units had downed 148 Ukrainian drones over a three-hour period. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal, located in the Novorossiysk port area, exports oil from Kazakhstan and has major US oil companies, such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, as shareholders.The attack on Novorossiysk comes amid a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. On the previous day, Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and the NORSI oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod. These attacks are part of Ukraine's efforts to reduce Moscow's revenues from oil sales, which are crucial for the Russian economy.In response to the attacks, Russia's Ministry of Defence accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting the CPC terminal to inflict economic damage on its largest shareholders, including US and Kazakh energy companies.

A Russian court on Monday handed former Kursk governor Alexei Smirnov a 14‑year prison term in a penal colony after finding him guilty of corruption that left the region’s border defenses vulnerable during Ukraine’s August 2024 offensive. According to the verdict, the 52‑year‑old official accepted bribes from construction firms tasked with building anti‑tank barriers. Investigations revealed that the barriers were erected with substandard materials incapable of stopping Ukrainian armored units, directly contributing to the rapid advance of an estimated 11,000 Ukrainian soldiers into Kursk. The court also imposed a fine of 400 million roubles (≈ $4.9 million), confiscated more than 20 million roubles (≈ $220,000) from Smirnov’s assets, and barred him from any employment for ten years. Smirnov, who had been appointed governor in May 2024 and resigned in December of the same year, pleaded guilty and was subsequently detained. He claimed that his predecessor, Roman Starovoit, encouraged the practice of accepting kickbacks. Starovoit, later appointed transport minister, was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin in July 2025 and died under circumstances ruled as suicide. The incursion marked the first time in decades that foreign troops entered Russian soil, forcing an estimated 78,000 Russian soldiers to engage the Ukrainian force and exposing systemic weaknesses in Russia’s border security. The Kremlin responded with a sweeping crackdown on regional and military officials deemed responsible for the failure. Russian forces eventually expelled the Ukrainian units from Kursk in April 2025, reportedly with assistance from several thousand North Korean troops. The episode remains a diplomatic embarrassment for President Putin, highlighting the strategic and political fallout of corruption within Russia’s regional administrations.

Apple is escalating its legal war with Epic Games by petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review the court's ruling on App Store fees. This move signals a critical juncture in the tech giant's defense of its revenue model, as it attempts to overturn a decision that limits its ability to charge developers for external payments. The Strategic Shift to the Highest Court After losing its appeal at the Supreme Court in a previous phase of the case, Apple is now taking its fight to the highest level of the U.S. judiciary. The tech giant filed a petition to review the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling, which found Apple in contempt for charging a 27% fee on external payments—a slight discount from its standard 30% fee. Current Status: Apple secured a temporary stay on the Ninth Circuit's ruling on April 6, 2026, effectively pausing the enforcement of the lower court's decision. Epic's Response: Epic Games immediately challenged this stay, arguing it is merely a delay tactic to prevent the court from establishing permanent bounds on Apple's fees. Legal Timeline: The battle began in 2020 when Epic bypassed Apple's fees, leading to a 2021 ruling where Apple was not deemed a monopoly but was ordered to allow external payment links. The Economics of the 27% External Fee The core of Apple's legal strategy revolves around the justification of its fee structure. While Apple reduced its commission to 27% for external transactions, Epic argues this effectively defeats the purpose of the court order, as developers still do not save significant money due to processing fees. Apple's Stance: The company argues the fee covers more than just payment processing; it includes hosting, discovery, software, and developer tools, reflecting the value of the ecosystem. Competitor Benchmark: Google settled with Epic Games last month, dropping its Play Store commissions to 20%, highlighting the pressure Apple faces to lower its rates. Developer Impact: Only a few developers, including Spotify, Kindle, and Patreon, have been willing to utilize the external payment links due to Apple's aggressive tactics. Erosion of the App Store Moat This legal battle represents a significant threat to Apple's primary revenue stream. If the Supreme Court upholds the lower courts' rulings, it could force Apple to lower its commissions or abandon its current fee structure entirely. Market Dynamics: As consumers increasingly turn to AI chatbots and agents for transactions, the traditional gatekeeper role of the App Store is being challenged. Regulatory Pressure: The court's decision will set a precedent for how tech giants can regulate commerce within their ecosystems, potentially opening the door for more developer freedom. A High-Stakes Legal Verdict Looking ahead, the Supreme Court's willingness to hear this case is uncertain. The Court previously declined to hear a similar appeal regarding Apple's monopoly status. If they reject this petition, the Ninth Circuit's decision stands, and Apple will be forced to comply with the lower fee structure. However, if the Court agrees to hear it, Apple will push to convince judges that courts should not have the authority to limit the fees it charges for its services, potentially reshaping the digital economy for years to come.

President Donald Trump’s recent proclamation that Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face a combined "Power Plant Day" and "Bridge Day" has thrust senior U.S. officers into a stark ethical quandary: obey a presidential directive that could breach international law, or risk court‑martial for insubordination. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that failure to comply would result in an unprecedented strike on Iran’s civilian energy infrastructure, a move that legal scholars agree would amount to a war crime against 93 million civilians. Two former judge‑advocate general officers, Margaret Donovan and Rachel VanLandingham, emphasized that such rhetoric, if acted upon, would place service members on a “path of no return,” directly contradicting the extensive legal training that defines permissible orders. Historical precedent underscores the gravity of the situation. During the Vietnam War, officers who participated in the My Lai massacre were ultimately held accountable, with the court rejecting the “just following orders” defence as the orders were deemed “palpably illegal.” Professor Charli Carpenter of the University of Massachusetts Amherst notes that while many troops can identify manifestly unlawful commands in surveys, translating that awareness into real‑time refusal is far more challenging, especially when the military culture heavily emphasizes obedience to the chain of command. Since assuming office, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reshaped the Pentagon’s legal advisory structure, dismissing senior JAG officials and dismantling the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response unit created under the previous administration. Consequently, service members now rely on a “GI rights hotline,” whose usage has reportedly surged under the current leadership. Beyond conventional strikes, Trump’s escalating rhetoric has raised alarms about the potential use of nuclear force. Under U.S. protocol, the president alone can initiate a nuclear launch, with the “nuclear football” – a briefcase containing strike options and authentication codes – handed to a close aide. The only safeguard is for senior commanders to deem such an order illegal, a step that experts fear may never occur. Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, during the previous administration, reportedly instructed senior officers to stay involved in any nuclear decision due to concerns about Trump’s volatility. Nuclear weapons scholar Jeffrey Lewis now warns that confidence in any contemporary intervention is essentially nonexistent, citing Trump’s pattern of purging dissenting military personnel. As the deadline looms, the United States faces a precarious balance between upholding international humanitarian law and navigating a command structure that may be unwilling or unable to challenge the commander‑in‑chief’s most extreme directives.

Article 52 of the first Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions bars attacks on civilian targets. The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Russian officers involved in strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, a precedent that would apply to the United States if President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran were carried out. Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has adopted a tone that resembles a “blood‑thirsty fever dream.” Hegseth framed the proposed Operation Epic Fury as a 21st‑century crusade, while Trump unleashed a profanity‑laden tirade demanding the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day… Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell.” This rhetoric, emerging just before the United States’ 250th independence anniversary, undermines the credibility of the presidency and the nation’s moral standing. The editorial notes that, in a more restrained political climate, senators like Chris Murphy might explore constitutional avenues to remove Trump, but the current cabinet’s “craven complicity” makes such prospects remote. The international community now watches anxiously, fearing that a broader escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran could trigger “unknowable and spiralling consequences.” Iran has signaled it could widen its attacks across the region, and the recent closure of the Hormuz Strait demonstrates that Trump’s threats are not merely rhetorical. NATO allies have declined to endorse Trump’s approach, citing the absence of a coherent strategy and a lack of legal justification. They hope the president’s apocalyptic language masks a genuine search for a rapid de‑escalation, especially as global economic pressure mounts. Trump later claimed there was a “good chance” of a cease‑fire with Iran before his deadline, yet hours later Israel bombed a key petrochemical plant in Iran’s largest gas field, contradicting any notion of imminent peace. During a White House press briefing, Trump and Hegseth highlighted the rescue of a missing U.S. fighter crew shot down over Iran, a moment that starkly contrasted with the looming threat to thousands of lives and the stability of the global economy, now hanging on the whims of a president driven by self‑aggrandizement and an echo chamber of advisers.

Chelsea FC Women have advanced to the Women's FA Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur Women. The Blues' manager, Sonia Bompastor, expressed relief and pride in her team's performance, despite the grueling schedule they have faced. The match at Kingsmeadow was an intense, end-to-end battle, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 40th minute, heading Keira Walsh's cross past Lize Kop. However, Tottenham responded well, and Eveliina Summanen equalized seven minutes after halftime with a free-kick that floated over the Chelsea defense. The game seemed destined for extra time, but Veerle Buurman's stunning, rising strike with just four minutes of normal time remaining secured the win for Chelsea. This goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans and Buurman's teammates. Bompastor praised her players' resilience and highlighted the importance of communication with national team coaches to manage the players' workload effectively. With their Women's Super League title hopes all but extinguished and the League Cup already won, Chelsea is now focused on securing a domestic cup double. Tottenham's manager, Martin Ho, was pleased with his team's performance, noting that they showed character and grit despite the defeat. He emphasized that the team can take positives from the match as they look to bounce back in their next game against Manchester United.

Utah has enacted a law that effectively shields fossil fuel companies from legal accountability for climate damages. The legislation, signed by Republican Governor Spencer Cox, limits the ability of residents to sue these companies for their role in contributing to climate change. The new law is part of a broader effort by the fossil fuel industry and its allies to secure legal immunity in statehouses and Congress. This push is aimed at countering a wave of litigation filed by states, subnational governments, and individuals who claim that fossil fuel companies knew their products would cause climate damages but sold them anyway. Critics argue that the law prioritizes profits for the biggest polluters over communities already suffering from climate impacts. The law requires challengers to provide 'clear and convincing evidence' that damage or injury has resulted directly from a violation, making it virtually impossible to successfully sue polluters for climate damages. The legislation was sponsored by Republican Representative Carl Albrecht, who has received funding from oil and gas interests. Albrecht's ties to the industry have raised concerns about the bill's motivations. The law closely mirrors a model policy called the Energy Freedom Act, circulated by the conservative group Consumers Defense, which has financial ties to a group linked to Leonard Leo, a key figure in the far-right takeover of the Supreme Court. The passage of Utah's law comes as climate lawsuits against big oil companies are inching closer to trial. Seventy cities, states, and individuals have sued energy majors for allegedly deceiving the public about the climate crisis. New York and Vermont have also passed climate 'superfund' laws requiring major polluters to pay for damages caused by their past planet-heating pollution. Lawmakers and advocates have amassed evidence that oil companies intentionally covered up the climate harms of their products. Climate science continues to warn that fossil fuels are the primary cause of dangerous global warming. Critics argue that the fossil fuel industry is pushing for immunity because it knows it cannot win on the merits of its case.

Two weeks after the United States and Israel entered a direct conflict with Iran, the White House faced mounting criticism that the war would drive up fuel costs and anger voters. Former President Donald Trump attempted to calm concerns on Truth Social, noting that the United States is the world’s largest oil producer and that higher prices translate into higher revenues for American companies. Now, five weeks into the hostilities, the reality is becoming clear: defense contractors and oil companies are the primary beneficiaries of the escalating energy market. The Department of Defense announced that Boeing will partner with Lockheed Martin to triple U.S. production of missile seekers, a move that sent Lockheed Martin’s stock up 25% since the start of the year. The announcement also lifted Boeing’s share price, underscoring how wartime procurement is boosting aerospace valuations. At the same time, Iran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas flows—has pushed U.S. crude from $65 to over $110 per barrel in just a month. Pump prices have mirrored this surge, breaking the $4‑a‑gallon barrier for the first time since 2022. Oil majors have responded with sharp stock gains; ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron have each risen more than 20% year‑to‑date. According to market‑research firm Rystad Energy, U.S. oil producers stand to earn an additional $63 billion as barrels trade above $100. “Oil prices in March have been materially higher than anyone expected, delivering a windfall for the vast majority of U.S. energy companies,” said Leo Mariani, senior analyst at Roth Capital Partners. The last comparable price shock occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when U.S. gasoline peaked at $5 per gallon and inflation surged to 9%. That episode generated $916 billion in global oil‑and‑gas profits, with U.S. firms accounting for $281 billion. Chevron’s subsequent $75 billion stock‑buyback program—seven times its prior year’s amount—illustrates how quickly companies can translate price spikes into shareholder returns. Research by economists Gregor Semieniuk and Isabella Weber revealed that in 2022, 50% of oil‑company profits went to the top 1% of Americans, while the bottom half of the wealth distribution captured just 1% of those gains. Analysts warn that the current conflict could generate even larger windfalls because it has damaged actual production capacity in the Middle East, not merely reshuffled supply. “You’re benefiting a lot more from higher prices than you are from lost production,” Mariani noted, emphasizing the outsized profit potential. Even if hostilities cease, restoring pre‑conflict output in the region may take months, prolonging the supply crunch. As senior fellow Clay Seagle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains, the current situation differs from 2022: “Now we’re dealing with a much more severe supply event because the oil has been actually removed from the market.” Prolonged high prices could eventually curb demand, as consumers and businesses seek alternatives—a shift seen after the 1970s oil shocks when the U.S. moved away from oil‑generated electricity. Nonetheless, many sectors remain vulnerable: diesel, a key fuel for trucks and aircraft, has risen 40%, and airline stocks such as United and American have fallen more than 15% since the year began. Moreover, disruptions to liquefied natural gas (LNG) production threaten fertilizer supplies essential for agriculture. Semieniuk cautions that “we’re approaching the kinds of disruption levels we saw in 2022, and with that, the kinds of profits that we saw there. If this takes longer, it’s going to surpass that.”