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Ibane Bowat's 63rd-minute goal gave Portsmouth a crucial 1-0 win at home to relegation rivals Leicester, pushing the Foxes closer to a potential demotion to League One. This victory marked Portsmouth's third straight win and moved them closer to safety.Leicester now has one win in 17 matches, and their relegation could be confirmed as early as Tuesday night if they lose to Hull. Gary Rowett, Leicester's manager, expressed frustration with his team's performance, citing a lack of quality and composure.In other matches, Millwall secured a 2-0 victory over QPR, with early goals from Derek Mazou-Sacko and Camiel Neghli. This win lifted Millwall back into second place, one point above Ipswich.Southampton maintained their push for automatic promotion with a 2-1 win over Swansea, thanks to a late winner from Cameron Archer. This marked their seventh successive league victory and kept them within a point of Millwall and level with Ipswich.Wrexham kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 home victory over Stoke, thanks to first-half goals from George Thomason and Josh Windass. This win put them two points ahead of Hull in the standings.

Alycia Baumgardner entered the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday morning as the defending champion of three junior‑lightweight belts (WBO, IBF, WBA) and delivered a textbook performance against South Korea’s Bo Mi Re Shin. The Ohio‑born fighter, trained by Derrick James, secured a wide‑margin unanimous decision, with judges scoring the bout 98‑92, 98‑92 and 99‑91, confirming her sixth successful defense in the 130‑lb division. The event, staged by Most Valuable Promotions Women—the new women’s‑boxing platform launched by boxer‑influencer Jake Paul—also featured a dramatic co‑main event. New Zealand’s Lani Daniels, a 37‑year‑old former IBF light‑heavyweight and heavyweight champion, defied 4‑to‑1 odds by stopping unified super‑middleweight champion Shadasia Green with a ninth‑round technical knockout. Green was subsequently taken to hospital on a stretcher, though promoters later confirmed she was “awake and talking.” Daniels, nicknamed the “Smiling Assassin,” expressed mixed emotions after the bout, saying, “I’m happy but also concerned for her,” while celebrating her third‑weight‑class world title. The upset added a compelling narrative to a night already highlighted by Baumgardner’s dominance. Baumgardner’s fight unfolded under traditional men’s championship rules—ten three‑minute rounds. From the opening bell she imposed her technical superiority, landing crisp straight punches and a sharp right‑left combination that set the tempo. Shin attempted to disrupt the rhythm, even attempting a brief grapple in round three, but Baumgardner’s disciplined jab and footwork kept her in control. Midway through the contest the challenger found brief success, pressing forward in rounds five and six and even edging a round in the judges’ eyes. However, Baumgardner rebounded in round seven, re‑establishing distance and using angles to neutralize Shin’s pressure. By the ninth round she had reclaimed the fight, delivering clean counters that left Shin visibly shaken. In the final round, rather than coasting on the scorecards, Baumgardner engaged in a high‑energy exchange, finishing the night with a flurry that earned her a standing ovation from the thousands‑strong crowd. She entered the ring accompanied by New York rapper Lil’ Kim, a moment that amplified the event’s star power. Post‑fight, Baumgardner highlighted the physical demands of three‑minute rounds, stating, “Three‑minute rounds, ten rounds, on my period—baby, stop playing with me.” Her comments underscored an ongoing push within women’s boxing for longer rounds, a change she believes suits her aggressive style. Looking ahead, Baumgardner voiced interest in marquee match‑ups, naming Irish champion Katie Taylor as a dream opponent and also mentioning Amanda Serrano as a viable New York showdown. She emphasized that she “deserves the biggest fights and the biggest paydays,” signaling her ambition to elevate the profile—and profitability—of women’s boxing.

Iranian authorities announced a swift reversal of the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening, reinstating tight military oversight after Washington declared it would maintain the blockade on Iranian ports.IRGC vessels engaged a tanker attempting to transit the waterway on Saturday, and a separate Indian‑flagged crude carrier was also reported to have come under fire, according to a UK maritime agency and Reuters.The Khatam al‑Anbiya joint military command stated that the strait has returned to its "previous status" and is now under "strict management and control by the armed forces". The restrictions will stay in place unless the United States guarantees full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from Iran, a condition reiterated by Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh and the IRGC navy command.Speaking at a Turkish diplomatic forum in Antalya, Khatibzadeh warned that the U.S. cannot impose a "siege" on Iran while Tehran seeks to ensure safe passage through the strategic chokepoint.On the social platform X, the IRGC navy warned that any perceived breach of U.S. commitments would elicit a "appropriate response" and that the strait’s status would remain unchanged as long as Iranian shipping faces threats.Iran initially closed the strait on 4 March following U.S.–Israeli airstrikes, reopening it only after a 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was brokered. The latest U‑turn follows President Donald Trump’s declaration that the U.S. blockade will remain in force until a permanent peace agreement with Tehran is reached, and he hinted that the temporary Pakistan‑mediated ceasefire may not be extended.The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a tanker was approached and fired upon by two IRGC gunboats about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The vessel’s captain confirmed that no radio warning was given, but the crew emerged unharmed and authorities are investigating.Despite the brief reopening, maritime tracking showed that only eight oil and gas tankers managed to pass through the strait before Iran’s reversal.Approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits the Strait of Hormuz, making it a focal point of the broader U.S.–Israeli‑Iran conflict. Its closure has already contributed to rising energy prices worldwide.Regional diplomats remain cautiously optimistic: Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty expressed hope for a deal "in the coming days," noting that the prolonged conflict harms not only the Middle East but the entire world.

Sixteen Polymarket accounts each earned more than $100,000 by correctly forecasting the U.S. airstrike on Iran on 27 February, while a single user, known as “Magamyman,” pocketed over $550,000 by betting on the removal of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei moments before his death in an Israeli strike.Just before former President Donald Trump announced a temporary cease‑fire on 7 April, traders placed a staggering $950 million wager that oil prices would fall – a bet that proved accurate.These synchronized bets, which also included $855,000 in contracts predicting the 27 February strike and $580 million in oil‑futures positions placed minutes before Trump’s “productive talks” comment on 23 March, have raised alarms about possible insider information being used in online prediction markets.Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi now allow contracts on virtually any news event, blurring the line between traditional sports betting and financial speculation. The ease of accessing commodity derivatives, especially oil futures, amplifies the potential for profit – and for regulatory scrutiny.Law professors Joshua Mitts (Columbia) and Andrew Verstein (UCLA) note that while the trades could be “lucky,” the timing and scale suggest “hallmarks of suspicious activity” that merit investigation. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has reportedly opened inquiries into the March 23 and April 7 oil‑futures trades, though it has not publicly confirmed the probes.Regulators face a dilemma: existing legislation may be inadequate for the technological realities of blockchain‑based prediction markets. CFTC Commissioner Michael Selig, appointed by the Trump administration, warned that “we will find you and you will face the full force of the law,” yet the agency cannot issue new rules until it has a full five‑member commission.State‑level challenges further complicate oversight. Nevada temporarily banned Kalshi for operating without a gambling license, while Arizona filed criminal charges over election‑betting contracts. Kalshi argues that the CFTC holds exclusive jurisdiction over such markets.A recent academic study screened over 200,000 “suspicious wallet‑market pairs” from February 2024 to February 2026, finding that traders in this cohort achieved a near 70% win rate, generating roughly $143 million from well‑timed bets on events ranging from the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to celebrity engagements.Congressional leaders have responded with legislation aimed at prohibiting federal employees, including members of Congress and White House staff, from participating in prediction‑market contracts tied to political or policy outcomes. However, experts caution that the legal framework for insider trading in commodity futures remains under‑developed, making enforcement challenging.As prediction markets continue to intersect with geopolitical events, the risk of market distortion grows. “When financial bets are based on classified military information, it undermines both market integrity and public trust,” warned Verstein, highlighting the broader implications for the real economy.

The future of Pacific rugby talent hangs in the balance as Moana Pasifika, a Super Rugby Pacific franchise, is set to be disbanded at the end of the season. The team's ownership confirmed it would not continue funding the 'unviable' operation, sparking fears that the region's talent will gravitate to rugby league.Tana Umaga, the team's coach and All Blacks great, expressed concerns about the impact on Samoan and Tongan Test teams, which are struggling to develop into competitive rugby nations. 'The gap between where we [Samoa and Tonga] are currently, internationally, to where we need to get to, is very big,' Umaga said. 'Without Moana to bridge that gap, it's going to be tough.'The team's players, including utility back William Havili, are devastated by the news and worry about the opportunities for emerging players. 'This team gave me a chance in Super Rugby and I got to debut for my country, my dad's country of birth and then I got to go to a World Cup,' Havili said.The looming threat of Pacific players being lost to rugby league is a significant concern. 'That's the real risk,' Umaga said. 'What is the answer if it's not us, then what? If we're not there, then what for Samoa and Tonga?'Despite the uncertainty, players and staff are holding onto hope that a new investor could snap up the team's license and revive Moana Pasifika. 'There's a glimmer of hope for us and that's what we've got to look forward to and we've just got to keep pushing forward,' Umaga said.

Fifteen people who were deported from the United States have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The deportees landed in the capital, Kinshasa, overnight Thursday to Friday as part of an agreement between the US and the DRC.The group includes nationals from Peru and Ecuador, with seven women among them, according to a diplomatic source. An official at the DRC migration agency confirmed the arrivals but did not provide details.US lawyer Alma David, who represents one of the deportees, said the deportees are all from Latin America and the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period. All the deportees have legal protection from US judges shielding them against being returned to their home countries, David told The Associated Press.The DRC Ministry of Communications announced earlier this month that it would temporarily accept migrants deported from the US. It said that Washington would cover the costs involved, and that facilities had been prepared near Kinshasa to accommodate them.The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that the DRC asked the UN agency for humanitarian assistance with the migrants. The IOM may also offer assisted voluntary return to those migrants who request it.The US policy has drawn criticism from rights groups over the legality of sending deportees to countries where they are not from and could face human rights violations. In some cases, the deportees have been later sent back to their home countries despite receiving legal protection from US courts to prevent that from happening.The Trump administration is thought to have spent at least $40m to deport about 300 migrants to third countries up to the end of January, according to a report compiled by Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Countries have received lump sums ranging from $4.7m to $7.5m to receive deportees.

US President Donald Trump has made a series of claims about concessions secured from Iran ahead of possible ceasefire talks, including that Tehran has agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and turn over its nuclear stockpile.On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran had agreed to open — and “never close” — the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. He also claimed that Iran would turn over its “nuclear dust” and that Israel would be “prohibited” from launching attacks in Lebanon.Iran has confirmed reopening the Strait of Hormuz for the “duration” of the current pause in fighting, which is set to end early next week. However, officials have pushed back on claims regarding its nuclear stockpile, with a source telling Al Jazeera negotiations remain at a preliminary stage.Despite the outstanding questions, Trump struck a celebratory tone, calling Friday “A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!” He also told Bloomberg News that he expected talks to move forward on Sunday with a permanent ceasefire deal in sight.“We’re not seeing the full picture,” Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, told Al Jazeera, pointing to Trump’s penchant for hyperbole and several unresolved issues. “But this does suggest a positive momentum towards something that may end up being a comprehensive deal.”Sayigh added that Trump could have ulterior motives in striking an upbeat tone, at a time when the chokehold in the Strait of Hormuz is driving up prices for everything from fuel to fertiliser.“It is very interesting that President Trump is putting such a positive spin on things, not only to encourage markets and talk down oil prices and talk stock market prices up,” Sayigh said. “But also, I suspect, because he’s preparing the ground for more revelations about what is being negotiated with Iran.”

Fans traveling to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey from New York City will be charged a $150 round-trip train fare, transport officials confirmed. This fare is nearly 12 times the regular $12.90 fare for the 15-minute, 14km ride from Manhattan's Penn Station to the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The home stadium for both the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets is set to host eight World Cup matches, including the tournament final on July 19. About 40,000 fans are expected to use mass transit for each match, as on-site parking will not be available for most fans.New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill suggested the upcharge was necessary to ensure that her state's commuters were not stuck with a 'tab for years to come' for hosting the World Cup. NJ Transit officials stated it would cost $62m to transport fans to and from the stadium over the duration of the tournament, with outside grants covering only $14m of those anticipated expenses.FIFA has disputed the fare increase, noting that agreements signed with World Cup host cities in 2018 called for free transport for fans to all matches. The organization argued that no other major event held at MetLife has been required to pay for fan transport.The fare increase has drawn objections from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who stated that 'charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me.' Alternatives to taking the train, such as parking at the nearby American Dream Mall, will be priced at $225.

Celebrations erupted in Lebanon after a 10‑day ceasefire took effect, with the U.S. State Department noting that the pause opens a window for longer‑term negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials.President Donald Trump declared that an agreement to end the war on Iran is "very close," hinting that the next round of talks could occur this weekend in Islamabad. Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the truce, describing it as part of a broader effort with Washington to pause the regional conflict.Tehran‑based analyst Abas Aslani acknowledged progress in the U.S.–Iran dialogue but warned that significant gaps remain, noting that both sides are preparing for either a negotiated settlement or a possible return to hostilities, while Trump appears to be seeking an “off‑ramp” from the war.Trump also expressed hope that Hezbollah would "act nicely and well" during the truce and announced a White House invitation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed warnings that the conflict could push oil prices to $300 a barrel, insisting that markets remain strong despite volatility and global fuel disruptions linked to the war.Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as an opportunity for a historic peace agreement with Beirut, but reiterated that the disarmament of Hezbollah remains a non‑negotiable precondition.Hours before the truce began, an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghaziyeh killed at least seven civilians and wounded 33, intensifying Israeli public frustration over promises of a buffer zone in the north.Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the ceasefire, arguing it fails to remove the threat to northern communities and pledging that any future government would adopt a tougher stance.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the truce, and Trump confirmed that the agreement also encompasses Iran‑backed Hezbollah.Analyst Rami Khouri noted that Hezbollah is central to the ceasefire but operates “behind a curtain,” while residents in Sidon remain anxious as Israel demands Hezbollah’s disarmament yet refuses to withdraw, leaving the truce fragile and far from permanent.