Lead On March 26, 2026, a full slate of UEFA playoff matches will determine the final European entrants for this summer’s expanded FIFA World Cup in North America. Across multiple venues, eight ties are scheduled: Türkiye vs. Romania, Czechia vs. Republic of Ireland, Denmark vs. North Macedonia, Italy vs. Northern Ireland, Poland vs. Albania, Slovakia … Read more
On March 26, 2026, as the conflict between Israel and Iran reached its 27th day, Tehran responded to a U.S. peace framework while signaling demands that would affect traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington officials said talks showed “positive messaging,” even as President Donald Trump publicly warned Iran and floated the seizure of Iranian … Read more
Dash Crofts, one half of the 1970s soft‑rock duo Seals and Crofts, has died aged 85. The duo’s producer, Louie Shelton, announced the news on social media and a family member said Crofts died after complications from heart surgery. Crofts helped write and perform hits such as the 1972 album Summer Breeze and the 1973 … Read more
HBO Max unveiled a two-minute trailer this week for an eight-episode reboot of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, signaling the franchise’s television return with a launch scheduled for Christmas Day 2026. The preview arrived Wednesday ahead of HBO Max’s UK and Ireland service rollout the following day and quickly sparked global online discussion. The … Read more
Lead In Montclair and other well-to-do suburbs this weekend, thousands are joining No Kings demonstrations organized by Indivisible to oppose President Donald Trump and his allies. Local activists — many of them new to politics — are mobilizing ahead of a packed calendar that includes a special election in New Jersey’s 11th District on April … Read more
Lead: Senate Republicans delivered what they called a “last and final” offer to Senate Democrats Thursday as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding fight entered another critical day in Washington. Majority Leader Sen. John Thune said the proposal is now before Democrats and urged a quick resolution, while the Senate moved up votes and … Read more
Lead: The closing stages of qualification for the expanded 2026 World Cup will be decided in a series of play-offs over the next weeks, with six final places still undecided. Hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States are already confirmed among 48 teams, and 39 other nations secured spots through qualifying routes, leaving two intercontinental … Read more
March 25, 2026 — U.S. equities fell Thursday as a fresh jump in crude prices and new tensions over Iran rattled markets. The S&P 500 declined about 0.8%, the Nasdaq eased roughly 1.1% and the Dow dropped around 348 points (about 1.5%) after Brent and West Texas Intermediate futures climbed sharply. Investors tracked conflicting diplomatic … Read more
Lead: Between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025 Texas added 391,243 residents — a 1.2% increase that brings the state population to just over 31 million. New Census estimates show fast growth concentrated in suburban rings around Austin, Dallas and Houston even as international migration into Texas dropped sharply. Some central counties, notably Dallas … Read more
Lead At least 24 people died after a passenger bus carrying 40 people toppled into the Padma River on Wednesday while trying to board a ferry at the Daulatdia terminal in Rajbari district, about 100 km from Dhaka. Emergency teams recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged vehicle; two more women died after being pulled … Read more
Lead: Airport operators across the United States have begun telling travelers to arrive substantially earlier as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortfalls, newly deployed ICE agents and a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport create ongoing disruption. The guidance shift affects several large hubs and is aimed at reducing missed or canceled departures and long … Read more
Lead Lebanese civilians and officials say they fear a protracted Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon after Israeli leaders this week suggested using Gaza-style tactics as they press operations north of the border. Israeli officials have warned residents to evacuate wide areas, and Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke of creating a security zone up to the … Read more
Lead: President Trump on Thursday urged Iran to accept U.S. conditions to end the conflict “before it is too late,” as Israeli officials and media reported the killing of IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri. The developments came amid ongoing cross-border strikes, missile and drone barrages, and mounting civilian and military casualties across the region. Diplomats … Read more
Lead: The US-Israel war on Iran, now entering its fifth week as of 26 March 2026, has effectively closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz and disrupted shipments of oil and other key commodities. The immediate result has been sharp increases in energy costs—US pump gasoline averages $3.97 and diesel is up roughly 50% year-on-year—while … Read more
Lead: Playground Games has published the PC requirements and feature list for Forza Horizon 6 ahead of its May 19, 2026 launch on Xbox and PC. The studio supplied Minimum, Recommended, Extreme and Extreme Ray Tracing specification tiers and confirmed support for handhelds including Steam Deck and the ROG Xbox Ally. Developers also detailed ray-traced … Read more
