President Donald Trump has prioritized efforts to calm the financial markets during the Iran war, but his go-to moves are starting to fall flat. When the markets have flashed danger, Trump has been quick with a social media post or a remark to claim the war he launched in late February could soon end. That messaging appears to be wearing thin as the Republican president’s various pronouncements have done little to change the reality that a large chunk of the world’s energy supplies is stranded by the conflict. Just 38% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling the economy and only 35% support him on Iran.
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Officials say fighting as Israel invades southern Lebanon has killed U.N. peacekeepers and Israeli soldiers. U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials have issued contradictory statements about negotiations to end their war. Israel is trying to push Hezbollah militants out of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has fired rockets and drones from Lebanon across the Israeli border. Israeli officials suggest the campaign could become a prolonged occupation. The U.N. Security Council is set to discuss the situation Tuesday after three U.N. peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon in less than 24 hours, although it is not clear who was responsible.
Top European diplomats are visiting Ukraine to mark the anniversary of atrocities committed in a town near Kyiv by Russia’s invading forces four years ago. With U.S.-led efforts to end the war on hold and Washington’s attention gripped by the conflict in the Middle East, European governments are keen to keep a spotlight on the continent’s biggest land war in decades, now in its fifth year. A group of 12 European foreign ministers arrived by train in the Ukrainian capital where they were welcomed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who noted the “grim anniversary” of the atrocities in Bucha.
Today is Tuesday, March 31, the 90th day of 2026. There are 275 days left in the year.
Israel’s parliament has passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, a measure critics condemn as discriminatory and inhumane. The bill’s passage on Monday marked a major victory for Israel’s far-right, which has long pushed the measure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the chamber to vote yes in person. The law makes the death penalty — by hanging — the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted for nationalistic killings. It also gives Israeli courts the option of imposing the death penalty on Israeli citizens convicted on similar charges but legal experts say the language rules out Jewish citizens of Israel. The law is expected to face legal challenge in Israel’s Supreme Court.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf allies of the United States are urging President Donald Trump to keep prosecuting his war against Iran, saying the month of strikes has not weakened Tehran enough. That's according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials who were not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive diplomatic conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pushing the hardest, with the UAE favoring a ground invasion. Oman and Qatar prefer diplomacy. Gulf leaders want big changes in Iran’s behavior, including ending its nuclear and missiles programs. Meanwhile, Iran is threatening Gulf neighbors' infrastructure if the war expands.
Democrats are trying to win back the Senate. But they are fighting over how to do it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is backing establishment candidates in key races. Some of his own senators are breaking ranks and endorsing more progressive challengers. The clashes are playing out in Maine, Michigan and Minnesota. They reflect deeper frustration after the 2024 election and growing doubts about the party’s strategy. Allies argue Schumer is recruiting strong candidates and expanding the map. Critics say the old playbook no longer works. The outcome of the midterms could decide both the majority and Schumer’s future as leader.
A proposal in Georgia could allow DNA to be collected from immigrants taken into custody for minor offenses. The bill awaiting a final vote in the state legislature would make Georgia the third state to single out immigrants believed to be in the U.S. illegally for the collection of genetic materials that wouldn't be taken from others. Supporters say DNA helps solve crimes. But critics say the legislation could create a two-tier system based on perceived immigration status. Legal experts question whether federal immigration detainers meet Fourth Amendment standards for DNA searches.
AP Wire
Trump administration officials will soon consider exempting oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act. The exemption was requested by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who cited unspecified national security concerns. Critics say such a move could doom Gulf populations of endangered Rice's whales. The exemption request comes amid global oil shocks and soaring energy prices brought on by the U.S.-Iran war. The Gulf of Mexico is one of the top oil-producing regions in the U.S. Republican President Donald Trump has made increased fossil fuel production a central focus of his second term.
AP Wire
The Transportation Safety Administration says most of its officers received most of their backpay Monday for working during the shutdown. Weary travelers hope the overdue paychecks will end the hourslong waits in security at several major U.S. airports. Wait times began improving when the TSA workers were promised their first paychecks in weeks. Bottlenecks disappeared at airports in Atlanta and Houston on Monday. Houston's main airport went from a four-hour line just day ago, to a 10-minute wait. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers immediately to ease the lines.