LOADING ERROR LOADINGWASHINGTON (AP) — Since starting a war with Iran caused oil and gasoline prices to spike, President Donald Trump has pivoted from a focus on keeping energy prices low to painting high oil prices as a positive. Trump has said that high gas prices helped him defeat his predecessor, Joe Biden. Benchmark oil prices have swung violently with Trump’s shifting statements and as most tankers avoid traversing the Strait of Hormuz. The coordinated release among countries is unlikely to bring down oil prices, so much as stabilize the market. Advertisement“Such a move will slow rather than stop rising oil prices and offer a temporary salve to the searing burn of rising gasoline prices,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief U.S. economist at the consultancy RSM.

›Researchers have detected the H5N1 bird flu virus in sea otters and sea lions along the San Mateo County coast, after the virus was first discovered in elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park. While the outbreak appears to be contained to the San Mateo area so far, wildlife officials are closely monitoring the situation. Why it mattersThe spread of the H5N1 virus to marine mammals is concerning, as it could have significant impacts on vulnerable populations like the southern sea otter. The detailsAfter the H5N1 virus was first detected in elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park in late February, researchers have now confirmed cases in a sea otter and several California sea lions. In late February, researchers found the H5N1 virus in 7 dead elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park.

California and 16 Democratic states are suing to challenge a Trump administration policy requiring higher education institutions, including University of California and California State University campuses, to collect data — including student grade-point averages — to prove they don’t illegally consider race in admissions. In that case, justices said colleges may still consider how race has shaped students’ lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays. UC and UCLA have said they follow California state law, which has banned considering race as a factor in admissions since 1997. “The Department’s efforts will expand an existing transparency tool to show how universities are taking race into consideration in admissions. The universities agreed to give the government data on the race, grade-point average and standardized test scores of applicants, admitted students and enrolled students.

Brown will start Thursday's game against the Suns, Tony East of Forbes.com reports. Brown will draw his first start since Feb. 11 with the Pacers running out a depleted squad Thursday evening. He's struggled to get much going through five games off the bench in March, as he's averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per appearance.

Huff will come off the bench for Thursday's game against the Suns, Tony East of Forbes.com reports. Ivica Zubac is making his Pacers debut Thursday evening, which will result in Huff heading to the second unit, where his value figures to take a hit. As a reserve this season, Huff has posted averages of 6.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 three-pointers and 1.7 blocks per game.

The chaos kicked off on Frontier flight 2089 from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the plane cruised toward the mainland. Instead of apologizing, police say Harper allegedly reached out and began "touching" Baker’s face with her hands. (Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office) ExpandLakisha told Harper to back off her husband and Harper allegedly began "touching" the wife’s face too, police said. Lakisha reportedly struck Harper, and Harper began swinging back. She told police that Harper turned toward her and began "striking her numerous times with a closed fist" directly in the face.

The U.S. housing market is experiencing a significant supply-demand imbalance, with housing starts reaching a one-year high even as existing home inventory remains sluggish and prices face upward pressure. New inflationary pressures from a 15% global tariff and surging energy prices due to the war in Iran are threatening to derail consumer purchasing power and the anticipated 2026 housing recovery. This week, the U.S. housing market has taken center stage with a flurry of data releases and a critical earnings report from homebuilder Lennar. The U.S. Census Bureau’s report on Housing Starts showed new US residential construction improved for the third consecutive month to the fastest pace since February 2025. Housing starts increased 7.2% in January, to an annual pace of 1.49M homes.

LOADING ERROR LOADINGPresident Donald Trump extended a somewhat two-faced invitation to Iran’s national soccer team on Thursday to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Trump said the team is welcome to join the tournament, but he seemed to caution against doing so, nearly two weeks after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Advertisement“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote in a social media post. The team’s first World Cup appearance came in 1978, as the Islamic Revolution was underway. The sports minister’s assertion and Trump’s subsequent invitation come just days after seven members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team were granted humanitarian visas in Australia after the team traveled to the Women’s Asian Cup prior to the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, CNN reported earlier this week.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) 1 on my agenda is getting billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) But he said it’s “encouraging” that Democrats are putting out proposals for outside scrutiny, even if experts agree the proposals fall short. Kelly, another possible presidential candidate and the lead co-sponsor of Van Hollen’s bill, brushed off the criticism of the tax cut by saying Trump’s tax cuts went to the rich. Now Democrats are going even bigger on the tax cut concept.

The Stakes Are RealComplex global events demand clear, independent reporting. We're working to explain the facts, challenge misinformation, and show how the news affects real lives. Become a member today. Already a member? Log in to hide these messages.

At a rally Wednesday in Kentucky, the president bragged about how he chose “Operation Epic Fury” as the name for the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran during what he implied was a very boring meeting. Advertisement“Operation Epic Fury!” Trump exclaimed at the rally, like he was announcing the next installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. ‘Sir, you could pick the name you’d like, sir.’ I said, ‘The name of what?’ ‘The name of the attack on Iran, sir,’” Trump told the crowd, making sure to use a cartoonishly stiff voice for whoever was asking him to make the decision. Then I see ‘Epic Fury.’ I said, ‘I like that name! I like that name!’”AdvertisementPresident Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Monroe, Louisiana in 2019.

AdvertisementThe Feb. 28 airstrike in Minab killed at least 175 people, mostly children younger than 12. “This time he’s lying about the deaths of girls in Iran brave enough to try to get an education,” O’Donnell said. Advertisement“Donald Trump doesn’t know about a lot of things,” O’Donnell said. He continued, “Donald Trump doesn’t know most things that he needs to know and should know, but Donald Trump knows those girls were killed by one of his Tomahawk missiles. “And the next day, Donald Trump said there’s an investigation going on, so he wasn’t going to talk about it,” O’Donnell said.

›The second-ranked Arizona Wildcats defeated the eighth-seeded UCF Knights 81-59 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Brayden Burries led the Wildcats with 21 points, while Tobe Awaka recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The game was played on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. The players Brayden Burries The leading scorer for the Arizona Wildcats, pouring in 21 points in the victory. Tobe Awaka The Arizona forward recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

We asked 1,000 Americans if U.S. strikes on Iran should continue. Do you think the U.S. should continue military strikes against Iran, or should it stop military strikes at this time? The share of Americans saying the United States should “continue military strikes against Iran” grew from 25 percent to 34 percent since the first weekend of attacks. Why will U.S. military actions in Iran contribute to the long-term security of the U.S.? California woman, 31, Democrat Show more responsesWhy won’t U.S. military actions in Iran contribute to the long-term security of the U.S.?

Toppin (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Suns, Tony East of Forbes.com reports. Toppin will hit the sidelines for the first leg of this back-to-back set, but maybe he'll be able to get back out there for Friday's game against the Knicks. Toppin's absence should open up some minutes for Kobe Brown and Micah Potter.