US Protests, March Magic, and Changing America

 Need To Know 

'No Kings' Rallies

As many as 8 million people participated in “No Kings” rallies Saturday, according to organizers, with participants demonstrating against what they characterized as authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration. Roughly 3,300 events were scheduled across the country, with nearly 40 rallies held internationally. See photos from across the US here.

The turnout, if confirmed, would make the protests the second-largest in US history. In some cities, organizers put the estimate above officials’ estimates—for example, placing turnout in Minnesota at 200,000 people, whereas local officials estimated 100,000. Among Minnesota headliners were Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen, the latter performing his song “Streets of Minneapolis” in protest of the federal immigration crackdown. Watch here.

The US’ largest single-day protests ever held were the 1970 Earth Day rallies and teach-ins, in which an estimated 20 million people participated. Explore top protests in the US here.

Next Steps in Iran

The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of potential ground operations in Iran, The Washington Post reported Saturday. The news comes after separate reports suggested President Donald Trump is considering several plans to deal a "final blow" to Iran.

Plans to install troops on Iranian soil would reportedly fall short of a full-scale invasion. Instead, officials say they would ⁠involve a combination of special ​operations raids and conventional infantry soldiers. Late last week, Axios reported several options being presented to Trump, including taking over one or more islands critical to Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil typically passes. That includes Kharg Island, Larak, Abu Musa, and several more, or seizing Iranian ships. See a map here.

Explore surprising impacts of the Iran war—including shorter showers in Korea and less butter chicken in India—here.

Huskies Stun Blue Devils

The men’s college basketball Final Four was set yesterday, capped by an upset of top-ranked Duke by No. 2 Connecticut, 73-72. The Huskies, seeking their third title in four years, are joined by No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona and No. 3 Illinois in Saturday’s semifinals. 

Trailing the Blue Devils by as many as 19 points, Connecticut brought the score within five with less than two minutes to go. Leading by two with 10 seconds left, Duke guard Cayden Boozer turned the ball over attempting to pass it upcourt. The resulting scramble gave the Huskies a final chance at a long-range three-pointer—a shot nailed by freshman Braylon Mullins with 0.3 seconds on the clock. Watch the thrilling ending here. 

On the women’s side, No. 1 seeds UCLA and Connecticut both advanced to the Final Four yesterday. Play rounds out tonight with No. 1 Texas facing No. 2 Michigan (7 pm ET, ESPN), followed by No. 1 South Carolina taking on No. 3 TCU (9 pm ET, ESPN).

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Kimi Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix, becomes youngest driver in Formula 1 history to lead the championship standings at age 19 (More) 

> Influencer known as "Clavicular," a prominent figure in the "looksmaxxing" trend, is arrested for alleged battery in Florida (More) | What is looksmaxxing? (More)

> Actor James Tolkan, known for roles in "Top Gun," "Back to the Future," dies at age 94 (More) 

Science & Technology

> AI study shows chatbots are 50% more sycophantic—providing affirmative feedback and praise—than humans when advising on interpersonal dilemmas; users showed preference for such models (More) 

> The brains of stroke victims with severe motor impairment can experience "youthful" rewiring in their undamaged hemisphere, suggesting the brain attempts to compensate for the injury (More) | What happens during a stroke? (More, w/video)

> Eye drops derived in part from pig semen kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth in mice with retinoblastoma; the rare childhood cancer typically develops in humans before age 5 (More) 

🔭 1440 Science & Technology: This week, we're taking a deep dive into the mystery of dark matter and energy, and what scientists do (and don't) know about their fundamental nature. Sign up here to get it in your inbox tomorrow morning!

Business & Markets

> US stock markets continue to fall Friday (S&P 500 -1.7%, Dow -1.7%, Nasdaq -2.2%); both Dow and Nasdaq in correction territory, down more than 10% from recent highs amid war in Iran (More) 

> Pharma giant Eli Lilly signs nearly $2.8B deal with Hong Kong-based Insilico Medicine to commercialize AI-discovered drugs (More) | Federal judge pauses merger of broadcast companies Nexstar and Tegna amid antitrust lawsuits (More)

> Bank of America to settle lawsuit with victims of deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein for $72.5M; deal does not include statement of liability by company (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> President Donald Trump says he would allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba, effectively ending fuel blockade on the country (More)

> North Korea tests missile the country claims can reach the US mainland (More) | See countries' missile ranges (More)

> Man drives car into crowd of pedestrians in the English city of Derby, injuring seven people; police have not publicly identified a motive as of this writing (More)

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Historybook: The Florida Territory is incorporated in the US (1822); Physician CW Long uses ether for first time as surgical anesthesia (1842); Painter Vincent van Gogh born (1853); Singer Celine Dion born (1968).