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The UK government is considering plans to provide financial support to households hardest hit by the looming energy crisis, with a focus on targeting those who need it most. Energy bills are forecast to hit nearly £2,000 a year from July, prompting concerns about the impact on low-income households.Under one plan, extra cash could be injected into the crisis and resilience fund (CRF), a £1bn a year council-run scheme in England that provides preventative support to communities and assists people facing financial crises. The fund could be topped up to help cushion households identified by councils as facing particular hardship from higher energy bills.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out universal support and is under pressure from financial markets to limit the extent of the support to keep within budget spending limits. However, she has emphasized the need for targeted support, saying: "The progressive, universal approach that we are taking is the right one … £150 off everyone’s energy bills, but then targeted support for those who need it most."The government is also exploring other options, including expanding support to households that have high bills but do not currently qualify for benefits. This could involve allowing councils to dispense funds to households in need.Rising energy costs have been driven by the conflict in the Middle East, with Brent crude oil prices surging to over $116 a barrel. The global oil benchmark is on course for a record monthly rise of nearly 60%, exceeding gains made during the 1990 Gulf war.The UK's interest rate on 10-year debt has also hit its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, just over 5%, although rates eased to 4.95% by Monday. Government borrowing costs around the world have climbed since the US and Israel attacked Iran, as financial markets calculate that governments will be urged to borrow more heavily to cope with the war's aftershocks.

In a stunning turn of events, UConn eliminated No. 1 overall seed Duke from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, courtesy of Braylon Mullins's three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in their Elite Eight matchup. The Huskies trailed by 15 points at halftime and by two points with 10 seconds remaining, but a crucial turnover gave Mullins the opportunity to nail his three-pointer from beyond the arc, securing a spot in the Final Four.UConn will face Illinois in the national semi-finals. In the other Elite Eight game, Michigan rolled into the Final Four with a convincing 95-62 victory over Tennessee. Yaxel Lendeborg scored 27 points and Elliot Cadeau added 10 assists for the Wolverines, who posted their 11th victory of the season by at least 30 points. Michigan will face Arizona in Saturday's national semi-finals.Michigan's coach Dusty May led the Wolverines to their first Final Four since 2018 and ninth overall. Lendeborg, named the region's Most Outstanding Player, was 10 for 19 from the field and became the first Michigan player to score at least 23 points in three consecutive NCAA Tournament games since Juwan Howard in 1994. Tennessee's coach Rick Barnes acknowledged the team's progress but emphasized the need to improve to reach the next level.

Demonstrators took to the streets of cities across the United States for the first 'No Kings' protest since the joint US and Israeli war against Iran began one month ago. The protests, which mark the third round of nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations, saw over 3,300 events planned across all 50 states, with large crowds expected in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.The main event was scheduled for the Minneapolis-St Paul area in Minnesota, known as the Twin Cities, which became a focal point for Trump's hardline immigration crackdown in December. More than 3,000 federal immigration agents descended on the Twin Cities, leading to accusations of excessive force during deportation raids.In January, agents shot and killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, prompting nationwide outrage and calls for reform. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed as a result of the operation, which was wound down in February.Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders addressed attendees, and rock icon Bruce Springsteen performed at the event, along with folk singer Joan Baez. Actor Robert De Niro told the crowd in Minnesota in a pre-recorded address, 'You've shown bravery in the face of armed attack by government thugs, and you stood together and ran them out of town'.The previous two 'No Kings' marches took place in June and October and drew millions of people. Trump responded to the October protest by posting an AI-generated video depicting himself dumping faeces on the protesters. The US is currently in the midst of campaigns for its pivotal midterm elections in November, which will see Trump's Republican Party seek to defend its majorities in both chambers of Congress.Democrats are hoping to gain seats as Trump's popularity droops. Sanders was among the speakers who reminded protest attendees of the importance of the upcoming vote, saying, 'We will not allow this country to descend into authoritarianism or oligarchy. In America, we the people will rule'.

The US Men's National Team (USMNT) faced a daunting reality check in their friendly match against Belgium, a 5-2 loss that exposed the team's ongoing struggles. The defeat, 12 years after their last World Cup loss to Belgium, raised questions about the team's progress.Mauricio Pochettino's side started strong, with Weston McKennie scoring in the 39th minute. However, Belgium responded with a methodical display of skill, scoring five unanswered goals. The USMNT's defensive vulnerabilities were evident, echoing their 2014 and 2022 World Cup exits.The loss served as a reality check for Pochettino and his team, highlighting the skill gap between them and top-tier opponents. Despite the disappointing result, Pochettino and winger Tim Weah saw the loss as an opportunity to learn and improve before the World Cup.Matt Turner, the USMNT goalkeeper, made several strong saves to prevent the score from being even worse. The team's naïveté and physicality were exposed by a Belgian team that cruised to World Cup qualification without losing a game.The loss felt revelatory, similar to their past World Cup knockouts. However, Pochettino and Weah emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and improving before the World Cup.

Véron Mosengo-Omba, the general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), has resigned after repeated calls for his removal and at a turbulent time for African football. His departure comes amid a crisis of confidence in the organisation's leadership, largely due to the decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and allegations of corruption.Mosengo-Omba, 66, said he was retiring but his exit follows a period of intense criticism of his tenure, including accusations of creating a toxic workplace culture at Caf. An investigation into staff complaints had previously cleared him of wrongdoing. He is of Congolese origin but a Swiss citizen and a former Fifa employee.In a statement, Mosengo-Omba said: 'After over 30 years of an international professional career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as secretary general of Caf to devote myself to more personal projects.'He expressed gratitude to Caf's president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and his teams, and hoped that the progress made during his tenure would 'last and be sustained'. Mosengo-Omba is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation.The controversy surrounding Caf's leadership has led to Senegal's government calling for an international investigation into the organisation. Caf's competitions director, Samson Adamu, will take over as acting general secretary.Earlier this month, Motsepe admitted that Caf was struggling with questions over its integrity. The organisation is set to expand the Africa Cup of Nations to 28 teams from 24, with plans to introduce a Nations League annually from 2029.

The possibility of US ground troops being sent into combat on Iranian soil is growing, driven by President Trump's desire to avoid being personally and politically humiliated in a war he started, mismanaged, and cannot end. Such a self-serving escalation could prove catastrophic for Trump and the American people, given the history of US military interventions in the region.Trump insists that the war is all but won, Iran is suing for peace, and talks are making good progress. However, in the real world, Iran is still fighting on all fronts, Israel is still bombing, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, and the Iran-allied Houthi militia in Yemen has joined the war, attacking Israel and potentially blocking Red Sea trade routes.The US and Iran have each issued maximalist demands, but there is no sign of actual negotiations. They are even further apart than they were before Trump, egged on by Benjamin Netanyahu, abandoned diplomacy last month. Sometime soon, Trump will be forced to confront the huge gap between what he wants and what's on offer. At that point, he could turn to the troop buildup in the Gulf and order ground attacks.It's incredible to think that after all the mortal agony and anguish of Iraq and Afghanistan, a US president is once again seriously contemplating boots on the ground in the Middle East. Trump's stumped, hoist by his own petard, stuck between a rock and a hard place, and up the creek without a paddle. The creek in question is, of course, the Strait of Hormuz.Trump is increasingly isolated and out on a limb. His wealthy Arab business cronies no longer trust him. US bases on their territory now resemble a liability, not a defence. When he demanded NATO's help, Europe said: we'll let you know. Likewise, Iran's ethnic Kurds are less than keen to die for a muppet. Support for the war among the US public and the Maga right, always weak, is a fast-vanishing mirage.If Trump were to order ground attacks – both he and Netanyahu have publicly discussed the possibility – the targets would most likely be the coastal batteries, missile defences, and concealed armed speedboat bases dotting the northern flank of the Hormuz strait. An attack on the Kharg oil export terminal further up the Gulf is also predicted.The inherent, inescapable military risks are daunting. Casualties would be inevitable. Even if operations went well in the short term, questions would immediately arise about potential escalation when Iran counterattacked, expansion of the operational area, and duration of the occupation.

The US Secretary of State has made a statement indicating that the ongoing war could conclude in 'weeks, not months', offering a glimmer of hope for a swift resolution to the conflict. The Secretary's comments have garnered significant attention, as they suggest a potential shift in the dynamics of the war.While details about the Secretary's statement are limited, the prospect of a rapid conclusion to the conflict has sparked optimism among some observers. The possibility of a negotiated settlement or a significant escalation in diplomatic efforts has raised hopes that the war could be brought to an end sooner rather than later.However, it remains to be seen whether the Secretary's comments will translate into tangible progress in the conflict. The path to peace often proves complex and fraught with challenges, and it is unclear what specific steps will be taken to achieve a swift resolution.

Iran's regime has organised over 850 public demonstrations in support of the government since the beginning of the war, showcasing its resilience amid a month-long campaign of intensive airstrikes by the US and Israel. The high number of pro-regime gatherings and the increasing number of detentions underline the regime's determination to maintain control.The war began with a surprise Israeli strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, and many senior officials. Despite this, the regime has not fragmented, and there are no defections. Experts say the messaging within Iran is that they are winning, and this is constant and consistent.Clionadh Raleigh, president of Acled, an independent conflict monitor, noted that the US-Israeli decapitation strategy could not have been more successful, but the regime has adapted. The Acled research also shows that the number of US and Israeli strikes on Iran has remained steady at between 47 and 102 attacks daily that have caused significant civilian casualties.Tehran's retaliation has been largely ineffective, causing only 70 fatalities during the war, compared with 1,157 killed inside Iran, of whom 341 have been identified as civilians. The researchers noted that 99.2% of protests were pro-regime, indicating a coordinated effort to show nationalist consolidation under external attack.The arrest campaign is the regime's primary domestic tool, with approximately 1,465-plus detained in 27 days. Charges escalated from 'filming damage' to 'espionage' and 'mercenary' as the conflict progressed. Details of such repression are difficult to obtain, but recent incidents include the deaths of 10 people when Revolutionary Guards fired on anti-regime demonstrators and shot at apartment windows in Tehran on 25 March.Estimates of civilian casualties vary, with over 1,900 people killed and at least 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of US and Israeli attacks, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The US-based Human Rights Activists news agency (HRANA) said 3,300 people had been killed since the war began, including 1,464 civilians and at least 217 children.

The documentary 'Keir Starmer: Where Did It All Go Wrong?' presents a critical analysis of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, highlighting his historically low approval ratings and the public's perception of him as 'incompetent', 'useless', and 'weak'. The program, presented by political broadcaster Lewis Goodall, explores the reasons behind Starmer's unpopularity, including his lack of clear political strategy and vision.According to the documentary, Starmer's promise of change was a key factor in his election campaign, but little has changed for ordinary citizens. A survey conducted for the program revealed that a majority of respondents believe Starmer should resign, citing his slow pace of change and lack of a clear plan. The documentary also examines Starmer's shift to the right during his leadership campaign, which may have opened up space for the Greens to attract progressive voters.The program features interviews with various politicians, including Alan Johnson and Bridget Phillipson, who defend Starmer, while John McDonnell and Kim Johnson offer a more critical perspective. The documentary concludes by questioning whether Starmer can find the qualities needed to turn his leadership around and restore public trust.However, the article suggests that the documentary may be avoiding a deeper analysis of Starmer's ideology and the potential reasons behind his actions, including the possibility that he may be intentionally maintaining the status quo. The article also notes that Starmer's dealings with Donald Trump and his stance on Iran have been presented as positive aspects of his leadership.