Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,045 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Meta vs. the FTC

• Mexico water deal

• Recycle poop in space and win $3M

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Big Story

Rory Wins The Masters

Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National to win his first Masters tournament, completing golf's career Grand Slam.

• McIlroy becomes just the sixth golfer in history to win all four major championships (Masters, US Open, PGA Championship, and Open Championship), joining legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

• The victory came dramatically after McIlroy nearly collapsed on the back nine, squandering a four-stroke lead with a bogey on the 11th hole, a disastrous double-bogey on the 13th when his wedge shot found the water, and another bogey on the 14th. Rose capitalized with a 6-under 66 to force a playoff after McIlroy missed a 5-foot par putt on the final hole. (Golf scoring explained here)

• On the first hole of the sudden-death playoff, McIlroy's approach shot stopped just four feet from the cup while Rose's birdie attempt missed. McIlroy sank his birdie putt to secure the green jacket that had eluded him for 14 years, ending his decade-long major championship drought since 2014.

Big Story

Hagia Sophia Restoration

Turkey has begun a new phase of restoration on the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia to reinforce its iconic domes against potential earthquake damage.

• The project team will cover the structure with a protective frame system to enable safer work and examination of historic damage from previous earthquakes and fires that occurred centuries ago. The mosque will be kept open for worshippers during the process

• The urgency stems from Istanbul's proximity to fault lines and fears sparked by Turkey's devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2023, which killed over 53,000 people in the southern region of the country.

• Originally built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia has undergone several transitions—from cathedral to mosque following the Ottoman conquest in 1453, to museum in 1934, and back to mosque in 2020.

Big Story

Meta vs. the FTC

Meta is battling the FTC in a high-stakes antitrust trial starting today where the company could be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp.

• CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom are expected to testify, alongside executives from rivals TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.

• The FTC claims Meta monopolizes personal social networking and shouldn't have been allowed to acquire Instagram ($1B in 2012) and WhatsApp ($19B in 2014). Meta argues it's not a monopoly and competes with numerous rivals including TikTok, YouTube, and Apple's iMessage.

• The case hinges on market definition - the FTC narrowly defines Meta's market as "personal social networking" while Meta points to broader competition in social media. After initially dismissing the case in 2021, Judge Boasberg allowed it to proceed in 2022 with the FTC's amended complaint.

Quick Stories

US News

• Authorities arrested Cody Balmer, 38, for a suspected arson attack on Governor Josh Shapiro's home that caused significant damage hours after the family's Passover celebration. Authorities evacuated Shapiro and his family safely. (More)

• Mexico plans to deliver water to drought-stricken Texas farmers after President Trump threatened tariffs. Mexico owes 1.3 million acre-feet of water under a 1944 treaty, having provided only 30% of the required amount. (More)

• President Trump's annual physical shows excellent health, according to Dr. Barbabella. “His active lifestyle contributes to robust cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological function, allowing him to fully execute presidential duties.” (More)

World

• More than 100 nations approved ship fuel standards and carbon emission fees through the International Maritime Organization. The draft will be formally adopted in October to reduce global emissions. (More)

• Hong Kong's largest Democratic party received a 90% mandate to pursue disbandment. Chairman Lo Kin-hei expects a final vote soon. The move highlights China's ongoing crackdown on political freedoms and dissent in the city. (More)

• Russia's ballistic missile strike on Sumy, Ukraine, killed 34 people, including two children, on Palm Sunday. Two missiles hit the city center, injuring 117 others while civilians celebrated the holiday. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Friday (S&P +1.81%, Nasdaq +2.06%, Dow +1.56%). Stocks rose on comments from President Trump saying he is “optimistic” China will seek a deal with the US. (More)

• Trump exempted smartphones, computers, and semiconductors from his new "reciprocal" tariffs in Friday's customs guidance. However, he and Commerce Secretary Lutnick later suggested these exemptions are temporary, creating additional market uncertainty. (More)

• Argentina's President Milei will lift currency controls next week after securing a $20 billion IMF bailout. The move provides a lifeline to the country’s depleting foreign currency reserves over the next four years. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• The NBA Play-In Tournament bracket is set after the regular season ended on Sunday. The field includes the 7-10th seeds from each conference, with the winners moving on to the playoffs. Action begins Tuesday, the 15th, with No. 8 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic followed by No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors. (More)

• "A Minecraft Movie" earned $80 million in its second weekend, staying at #1 despite five new releases. The film has reached $550 million globally, surpassing "Captain America: Brave New World" as 2025's highest-grossing movie. (More)

• The United States defeated defending champion Canada 2-1 at the women's hockey world championship on Sunday. Lee Stecklein and Megan Keller scored for the Americans, while goalie Aerin Frankel made 18 saves. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Scientists from China and the US created a twisting technique that makes stainless steel extra tough. Dubbed "anti-crash wall", it stops metal from getting weakening and breaking when it's bent repeatedly. (More)

• New Tufts University research shows vitamin K deficiency may harm cognitive function in aging adults. (More)

• Scientists discovered living microbes sealed in 2-billion-year-old rock deep underground. The find may help explain early Earth life evolution. (More)

Extra Credit

🐰 The controversial origins of the Easter Bunny.

🖐️ Why do our fingers wrinkle in water.

🧒 How much childcare costs in every US state.

💩 NASA offers $3M to anyone who can recycle poop in space.