Many critics view the Iran war itself as an insult to a fast-eroding rules-based global system. And in his first term, Trump ordered the killing of Iranian security chief Qasem Soleimani — one of the most important Iranian leaders — at Baghdad airport. Later in the conflict, US intelligence analysts created a pack of cards to assign value to regime leaders whom Washington wanted captured or killed. Instead of capitulating, Iran reacted to the killing of senior regime leaders with defiance. Bader Al-Saif, an intellectual historian, said on a Middle East Institute conference call Wednesday that Iranian leaders could reinforce their defiance.

Zubac left Wednesday's 127-119 loss to Portland with 10:44 remaining in the fourth quarter due to a head contusion and didn't return. He finished with 18 points (7-18 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one block across 23 minutes. Zubac was struck in the face and was labeled questionable to return to the contest, but he remained on the bench the rest of the way. Per Tony East of Forbes.com, Zubac said after the game that he's not following concussion protocol, which is an encouraging sign. Zubac will have a few days to recover before Indiana returns to action Saturday in San Antonio.

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TravelThe fastest way to get through airport linesMarch 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM GMTWorried about long airport lines? Travel reporter Natalie Compton explains how TSA PreCheck Touchless ID could help.

Palestinian alleges sexual assault by Israeli settlers, shares horrifying detailsDozens of masked Israeli settlers grabbed Qusai Abu al-Kebash in the middle of the night, bound him by his hands and legs and stripped him. Israeli settlers have increasingly used violence against Palestinians in a bid to drive them from their homes in the occupied West Bank. But sexual assault appears to be a new weapon in these settlers’ arsenal of intimidation, pointing to a troubling new level of violence. Israeli authorities are investigating the alleged assault and settlers’ alleged theft of hundreds of Abu al-Kebash’s sheep. Abu al-Kebash recounted his horrifying experience for the first time on camera with CNN’s Jeremy Diamond.

PoliticsTrump’s DHS pick gets grilled on his political violenceMarch 18, 2026 | 6:52 PM GMTThe top Republican on the Senate committee considering Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to run the Department of Homeland Security criticized his “machismo” at the confirmation hearing on March 18. Rand Paul goes after DHS pick Mullin in harsh terms at confirmation hearing Related

When Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon, they hoped to boost members’ confidence on their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Bondi has also been subpoenaed by the Republican-led committee to appear for a deposition next month and answer questions under oath about the investigation. But almost immediately, the democratic members on the committee announced that they would hold their questions for the attorney general’s on-the-record deposition, sources familiar with the matter said. Every Democratic lawmaker on the committee walked out of the briefing soon after. And some of the members who voted to subpoena Bondi, he said, “were pretty embarrassed by the way the Democrats acted in their lack of sincerity.”

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Palestinian alleges sexual assault by Israeli settlers, shares horrifying detailsDozens of masked Israeli settlers grabbed Qusai Abu al-Kebash in the middle of the night, bound him by his hands and legs and stripped him. Israeli settlers have increasingly used violence against Palestinians in a bid to drive them from their homes in the occupied West Bank. But sexual assault appears to be a new weapon in these settlers’ arsenal of intimidation, pointing to a troubling new level of violence. Israeli authorities are investigating the alleged assault and settlers’ alleged theft of hundreds of Abu al-Kebash’s sheep. Abu al-Kebash recounted his horrifying experience for the first time on camera with CNN’s Jeremy Diamond.

No oil, no electricity, and now no waterThe lack of oil – which Cuba uses to power vehicles and generate electricity – has exacerbated the country’s long-running energy crisis. AdvertisementGladys Valdes, 76, prepares coffee during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, March 16. - Norlys Perez/ReutersPeople gather on a street during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, March 16, 2026. Manuel and a fellow locksmith sit in their shop during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, on March 16. - Norlys Perez/ReutersVendors sell goods during a national blackout in Havana, Cuba, on March 16, 2026.

These foundations are poured ready to go, and we can’t even start the construction on them. And unfortunately, right now, we’re not seeing that.” For months, federal agents have been sweeping up workers at construction sites in South Texas. We just never thought that this would come and affect us in the construction industry, but most importantly, affect our economy here in South Texas.” “We are seeing a reduction of almost 60 percent of our volume on the residential side of our business. Everybody’s hurting.” In the Rio Grande Valley, two of President Trump’s top priorities, the economy and mass deportation, are colliding as ICE raids upend the construction industry. He went to Washington, D.C., with a few other builders and pleaded with them to ease up on job sites in South Texas.

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Smoke and fire rise near the South Pars gas field following an attack, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Bushehr Province, Iran, on Wednesday. The attacks come after Iran struck energy infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries causing a surge in already high global oil prices. Qatar’s main energy hub, the Ras Laffan Industrial City, sustained “extensive damage” after being attacked twice by Iranian missiles in 12 hours. Israel was attacked by several waves of Iranian missiles and drones, and Hezbollah launched simultaneous strikes from Lebanon, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency. Meanwhile, the fallout continues after Iranian facilities in the South Pars natural gas field were targeted on Wednesday.

HOUSTON — The combination of Luka Doncic and LeBron James was overpowering and enthralling for all to see during the Lakers’ dynamic 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Wednesday. James was a force with 30 points, missing just one of his 14 shots and adding five rebounds and two assists. The beauty of the night was when Doncic threw a no-look lob pass to James for a dunk and then when Doncic drilled a three-pointer with 58.4 seconds left for a 120-111 Lakers lead. Doncic’s jumper gave the Lakers a two-point lead and later his pass to Rui Hachimura for a corner three-pointer gave the Lakers one-point lead after Amen Thompson had scored for the RocketsDoncic drilled a three-pointer for a 113-109 Lakers lead with 3:12 left. That was the case in the first quarter, when the Lakers opened a 35-26 lead behind 13 points from Doncic, eight from James and six from Ayton.

The newspaper interviewed two woman who said they were sexually abused by Chavez — one repeatedly — when they were children. Huerta told the paper she was raped by Chavez in 1966. In an Instagram post, Huerta said for the last 60 years she's kept this secret because, "I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for." Huerta said she experienced two separate sexual encounters with Chavez. Huerta became pregnant from both sexual encounters and later arranged for the children to be raised by other families.