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A downed US fighter jet over Iran, widening strikes on Gulf oil infrastructure, and fractures among allies are raising the stakes in a fast-moving conflict. At the same time, powerful winds are driving dangerous wildfires in California, forcing evacuations and stretching emergency crews.

Meanwhile, a major court ruling is setting up a consequential clash over how much scrutiny the Federal Reserve should face. Here’s what’s unfolding across global security, climate risk, and economic power.

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The US military said Friday that an F-15E went down over Iran. One crew member has been rescued, and another is still missing as search teams continue working. Verified footage shows US tankers and helicopters flying over southern Iran, pointing to a large, ongoing recovery effort.

Iran widened the conflict overnight, striking oil facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. The attacks hit refineries and raised new concerns about energy supply in the region. President Donald Trump warned that the US could target bridges and power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Efforts at the UN broke down after a resolution to send an international force to secure the strait failed. Bahrain pulled back its support under pressure, exposing growing rifts among US allies as the conflict deepens and economic risks rise.

Two fast-moving fires broke out in Southern California amid powerful Santa Ana winds, forcing evacuations in parts of Riverside County. Strong gusts accelerated the spread through dry brush, creating dangerous and rapidly shifting fire conditions.

Fire crews struggled to contain the blazes as winds limited the use of aircraft and pushed flames toward populated areas. Emergency officials issued evacuation orders and warned residents to be prepared for changing conditions as containment efforts continued.

Forecasters warned that persistent winds and low humidity could sustain extreme fire behavior in the coming days. The outbreak underscores ongoing wildfire risks as seasonal weather patterns collide with drought-stricken landscapes and expanding development.

A US judge upheld a block on congressional subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, preserving limits on lawmakers seeking internal Fed communications. The ruling in this federal case sets up a likely appeal that could test how far oversight can reach into central bank decision-making.

Lawmakers had pushed for documents tied to interest rate policy and internal deliberations, arguing greater transparency was needed during a volatile economic period. Courts have historically drawn firm lines around the Fed’s independence, making this dispute a high-stakes clash over institutional boundaries.

An appeal would escalate the fight into a broader legal debate with potential implications for future oversight of monetary policy. Financial markets and policymakers are watching closely because any shift in that balance could influence how freely the Fed operates during economic crises.

Six independent arms experts challenged the official US-Israeli explanation for a strike on a sports hall in the Iranian city of Lamerd that killed dozens of civilians. The experts say ballistic and video evidence is inconsistent with Washington's claim that an errant Iranian missile caused the deaths.

Junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in 2023, declared democracy unworkable for Burkina Faso on Friday. He made the remarks as jihadist violence continues to push deeper into the country's south and east despite three years of military rule.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defense pact to ease tensions after the islands’ recent China deal. The agreement reinforces regional security ties while calming concerns over Beijing’s influence.

The White House is requesting $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon while cutting education, environmental protection, and foreign aid. The proposal reflects a wartime shift in spending priorities but faces a difficult path through a divided Congress.

The Justice Department will share voter data with DHS for use in immigration enforcement sweeps. The department's senior privacy officer resigned in protest, calling the move legally indefensible.

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On "Liberation Day's" anniversary, industries say tariff costs remain unabsorbed and now compound with the war's energy shock. Steel, retail, and manufacturing executives describe a two-front cost squeeze with no near-term relief.

The S&P 500 closed its first winning week since the Iran war began, led by energy and defense while consumer sectors lagged. A stronger-than-expected March jobs report and tentative ceasefire signals drove the Friday gains.

Private aviation costs jumped as much as 20% this quarter as Iran-war fuel prices hit aviation hardest. Charter operators say demand has not softened despite the spike, with wealthy travelers avoiding crowded commercial airports.

Landmark jury verdicts against Meta and YouTube are eroding Section 230's legal shield that has protected platforms from user-harm suits for 30 years. Legal experts say juries are now reinterpreting liability faster than Congress is.

OpenAI's acquisition of podcast network TBPN baffles analysts on its M&A strategy. Critics say the purchase fits no coherent product roadmap, and TBPN's audience is tiny relative to OpenAI's valuation.

Several AI and cloud companies are evaluating space-based data centers to escape the land, water, and power constraints of ground facilities. SpaceX's growing launch capacity makes the concept technically viable for the first time.

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer won the AP player of year Friday, capping a debut season drawing comparisons to his father Carlos's NBA career. The honor arrives as Duke prepares for a Final Four run this weekend.

Terri Harper said Caroline Dubois looked weaker than expected as security split the pair during a heated pre-fight press conference. Rising tension between the fighters is adding intensity ahead of their upcoming bout.

Distance runner Rowan Clevenger staged a protest highlighting uneven NCAA doping enforcement, pointing to a gap in testing between football and track athletes. The demonstration took place during one of the most-watched weekends in college sports.

Italy's Uffizi museum confirmed hackers breached its IT systems but insists its artworks, visitor data, and ticketing operations are secure. The breach is part of a broader wave of attacks targeting European cultural institutions this spring.

Rapper Pooh Shiesty charged with kidnapping Gucci Mane, allegedly forcing him at gunpoint to release a recording artist from his label. Prosecutors say the incident unfolded in Dallas and stemmed from a label contract dispute that turned violent.

Millions of pilgrims and spectators are filling Seville for Semana Santa, as ancient brotherhoods carry processional floats through the old city in one of Christianity's oldest Easter traditions. This year's turnout is among the highest since before the pandemic.

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For the first time on record, orcas visited Seattle's Elliott Bay, delighting whale-watchers who caught the rare visit on video Friday morning.

Australia’s most wanted fugitive was found dead in the bush months after escaping, ending a nationwide manhunt.

A kitten survived after getting stuck inside a car radiator, with firefighters rescuing the animal during a routine call in Wisconsin.

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—The Five Minute Daily Team