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In a heated congressional session, Democratic lawmakers pressed the U.S. Energy Secretary on two pressing issues: the United States’ policy regarding the ongoing Iran war and the recent spike in domestic gasoline prices. The legislators argued that the administration’s approach to the Middle‑East conflict could have direct repercussions for energy markets, while also demanding clearer strategies to alleviate the financial burden on American consumers. The exchange underscored growing political tension over foreign policy decisions that intersect with domestic economic concerns.

Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix, is leaving the streaming service's board of directors after 29 years. Hastings will not stand for re-election at the company's annual meeting in June and plans to focus on philanthropy and other pursuits.In a letter to investors, Netflix said Hastings' decision to step down is not a result of any disagreement with the company. The company's stock dropped about 8% on the news of Hastings' departure.Hastings co-founded Netflix in northern California and led it through its pivot from a mail-order DVD company to a leading streaming TV service. He stepped down as CEO in 2023.Netflix reaffirmed its mission to entertain the world, providing movies and series for many tastes, cultures, and languages. The company's full-year financial outlook remained unchanged. Revenue rose to $12.25 billion, an increase of 16% from the year-ago period, modestly exceeding analyst forecasts.The company plans to use technology to improve the user experience and monetization, with advertising revenue on track to reach $3 billion in 2026, a twofold increase from a year ago. Netflix also highlighted areas of future growth, including video podcasts and live entertainment.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that she and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband are working to break the link between gas prices and electricity costs in the UK. Currently, under the marginal cost pricing model, gas prices almost always set the price of electricity. Speaking in Washington, Reeves explained that when gas prices are high, electricity costs increase even though the cost of producing electricity doesn't change. The goal is to delink these prices, especially as renewable energy makes up a larger part of the UK's energy mix. Renewables have already reduced the time gas sets the wholesale price of electricity by about a third since the early 2020s, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The head of Energy UK, Dhara Vyas, noted that decoupling electricity prices from gas will occur gradually with the transition to clean power. Reeves also discussed encouraging investment in North Sea oil and gas tiebacks, which involve using existing infrastructure to exploit larger areas of oil and gas. This approach is seen as the quickest way to bring more oil and gas online. Greenpeace has proposed moving gas plants into a regulated asset base to make gas a strategic reserve and reduce its impact on market prices. The organization argues that this could save billions annually and benefit from cheaper, homegrown renewables.

Eddie Howe finds himself under unprecedented pressure as April brings a familiar sting: Newcastle United sit 14th in the Premier League with only six games left to convince the board that his tenure should continue. The club’s hierarchy, led by sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson, faces a stark financial reality. To stay within European and Premier League spending rules, Newcastle will likely need to sell at least one, possibly two, of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento before the September transfer window. If the team fails to qualify for Europe, all three may demand exits. Last summer’s transfer activity has drawn criticism. The £125 million received from Alexander Isak’s sale to Liverpool was funneled into a £220 million spending spree on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey. Yet all four starters began the season on the bench, and Newcastle have lost 25 points from winning positions this campaign, including a 2‑1 defeat to Crystal Palace. Adding to the woes, Woltemade – a £69 million acquisition – appears ill‑suited to Howe’s preferred 4‑3‑5 formation. Despite scoring ten goals, his size and pace make him more of a deep‑lying No 10 than a traditional centre‑forward, forcing him to operate in midfield. Howe’s tactical rigidity is also under scrutiny. His high‑pressing, counter‑attacking 4‑3‑3 system, which delivered Champions League spots and a Carabao Cup triumph in previous seasons, now seems predictable. Opponents have adapted, and Newcastle have kept only three clean sheets in their last 25 league matches, often burning out after the 75‑minute mark. Critics point to a lack of fresh ideas within the coaching staff. Howe’s long‑standing backroom team, headed by assistant Jason Tindall, has remained largely unchanged since their Bournemouth days, potentially fostering a “group‑think” mentality. Former defender‑turned‑analyst John Anderson argues that “a fresh pair of eyes” could rejuvenate the squad, citing Sir Alex Ferguson’s practice of periodically bringing in new coaches. The club’s Saudi owners, already displeased by recent defeats to promoted Sunderland, may be reconsidering the level of autonomy granted to Howe and his nephew Andy Howe in player recruitment. The upcoming match against Bournemouth holds added significance, as Howe has never beaten his former club in a league encounter. Ultimately, Howe’s future hinges on two factors: his willingness to cede some control over recruitment and his ability to embrace new coaching perspectives. Even a short‑term revival in the next six games could restore boardroom confidence, but a failure may end his five‑year spell at St James’ Park.

Piteå IF, a team in Sweden's top women's football division, Damallsvenskan, is struggling to stay competitive due to its remote location in northern Sweden. The club is entering its 17th season as a top-division side, but faces significant challenges, including high travel costs to away games.The club's managing director, Emelie Lövgren, notes that 13 of the 14 teams in the league are based in the south of Sweden, making travel a major expense. A trip to the southernmost city, Malmö, is 908 miles one-way, while even a trip to Uppsala costs around £8,000 (95,000KR) per season.Lövgren emphasizes that the club is prioritizing cost-cutting over performance, which she describes as the 'saddest part.' The club has sold several key players, including goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy to Bristol City, to balance its finances. Wages are increasing by 15-20% annually, making it difficult for Piteå IF to keep up.The club's sporting director, James Burgin, notes that it's a 'complete catch-22' to attract and retain players in the squad. The club is exploring solutions, including external investment and raising awareness about the struggles faced by northern teams.Lövgren concludes that change needs to come centrally to support northern teams and ensure the long-term viability of women's football in the region.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 16th minute, marking his 100th goal for Aston Villa and giving Unai Emery’s side a decisive edge in the Europa League quarter‑final second leg against Bologna.The England striker, still hoping for a late recall to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, added to a first‑leg 3‑1 advantage that had already put Villa in a strong position. Goals from Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers – the latter converting after a missed penalty – extended the lead, while Ezri Konsa capped the aggregate triumph with a late volley after a corner from Tammy Abraham.Villa’s 6‑1 aggregate victory sets up an all‑English semi‑final against Nottingham Forest, while the club also prepares for a crucial Premier League clash with Sunderland as they chase a top‑five finish.Emery, who is chasing his fifth Europa League title, fielded an unchanged XI – a first in his tenure – and maintained an unbeaten European record when John McGinn and Youri Tielemans start. The 4‑4‑2 formation saw Rogers drop deep to link play, delivering a low cross that Watkins turned into his simplest strike of the season.Watkins’ goal was his fifth in seven games and a club‑record 10th in European competition, underscoring his resurgence after being omitted from the England squad. He hinted that a strong showing could bolster his case as a potential deputy for Harry Kane.Villa’s dominance at home in Europe is evident – they have won 15 of their last 17 major continental matches. Financially, the club reported a modest £9.5 million loss for the year ending June 2025, making a swift return to the Champions League both a sporting and economic priority.Emery’s ambition remains clear: while the Europa League trophy is within reach, the ultimate goal is to lift the Champions League and secure the club’s future. As he wrote in his programme notes, “All of you fully deserve to have your team showing up when the best teams are still competing.”

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid treated fans to an exhilarating encounter in the Champions League, showcasing exceptional skill and drama. The match at the Allianz Arena was a thrilling contest that included slapstick goalkeeping, a fluctuating scoreline, and near-misses. The game took a decisive turn when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for Real Madrid in the 86th minute, allowing Bayern to score the crucial goals that sealed their victory. The match ended with several red cards and heated post-match exchanges, including Arda Güler and coach Álvaro Arbeloa being ejected for their reactions.Bayern's victory was hailed as a significant achievement by their coach, Vincent Kompany, who likened it to one of his greatest triumphs. The win sets up a semi-final clash with PSG, a challenge Kompany is eager to embrace. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's post-match meltdown and disputes over refereeing decisions added to the drama of the evening.

South Korea is seeking to capitalize on the Iran crisis to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, with a focus on expanding its 'solar income village' program. The initiative, which aims to reach 2,500 villages by 2030, has already shown promising results in rural areas like Guyang-ri, where a one-megawatt solar installation generates $6,800 in net profit monthly. The village uses this revenue to fund communal benefits, including free meals for residents and a 'happiness bus' for elderly people. This approach has strengthened community bonds and improved quality of life, demonstrating the potential for renewable energy to drive social and economic development. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the need for a faster clean energy transition, citing South Korea's heavy reliance on imported energy, including crude oil from the Strait of Hormuz. The government has increased funding for renewable energy projects, allocating a supplementary budget of about 500bn won to energy transition, which includes grid infrastructure upgrades and support for renewable energy projects. However, challenges persist, including the country's reliance on Chinese supply chains for solar panels and the need to address grid capacity limitations. Environmental groups have expressed concerns that the government's response to energy transition falls short, citing the allocation of 5tn won to absorb fossil fuel price hikes, including direct subsidies to oil refineries. Despite these challenges, experts believe that the window for transformative change is open, and the government's institutional courage will be crucial in defining South Korea's energy future.

Next chief executive Simon Wolfson received a record pay package of £7.4m last year, up from £4.9m the previous year. His remuneration includes a basic salary of £967,000, a maximum annual bonus of £1.45m, and a long-term bonus of £4.7m. The pay increase comes as Next aims to align Wolfson's remuneration with industry standards, citing that his previous pay was 30% below the average for FTSE 100 bosses. The company's remuneration committee stated that the changes were necessary to retain and motivate its high-quality management team. Wolfson's pay package for this year could reach up to £9.27m, with his basic annual salary increasing by 3% to £1m, his maximum annual bonus rising to 200% of salary from 150%, and his long-term bonus potential increasing to 400% of salary from 225%. The changes are part of Next's efforts to ensure that its executive compensation is competitive and aligned with performance. The company's decision to increase Wolfson's pay comes on the back of Next's improved financial performance, with the retailer upping its profit guidance to £1.2bn for the year to January 2027 after better-than-expected sales in January.