2026 March Madness bracket: NCAA men’s tournament is set
The 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set. Matchup starting times and broadcast information will be announced later on Sunday.
The men’s First Four begins Tuesday and first-round games begin on Thursday.
First Four
Tuesday-Wednesday (at Dayton, Ohio)
No. 11 Texas (18-14) vs. No. 11 North Carolina State (20-13)
No. 11 Miami (Ohio) (31-1) vs. No. 11 Southern Methodist (20-13)
No. 16 Maryland Baltimore County (24-8) vs. Howard (23-10)
No. 16 Prairie View A&M (18-17) vs. No. 16 Lehigh (18-16)
East Region
FIRST ROUND
Thursday (at Greenville, S.C.)
No. 1 Duke (32-2) vs. No. 16 Siena (23-11)
No. 8, Ohio State (21-12) vs. No. 9 Texas Christian (22-11)
Friday (at San Diego)
No. 5 St. John’s (28-6) vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa (23-12)
No. 4 Kansas (23-10) vs. No. 13 California Baptist (25-8)
Thursday (at Buffalo)
No. 6 Louisville (23-10) vs. No. 11 South Florida (25-8)
No. 3 Michigan State (25-7) vs. No. 14 North Dakota State (27-7)
Friday (at Philadelphia)
No. 7 UCLA (23-11) vs. No. 10 Central Florida (21-11)
No. 2 Connecticut (29-5) vs. No. 15 Furman (22-12)
West Region
FIRST ROUND
Friday (at San Diego)
No. 1 Arizona (32-2) vs. Long Island University (24-10)
No. 8 Villanova (24-8) vs. No. 9 Utah State (25-8)
Thursday (at Portland)
No. 5 Wisconsin (24-10) vs. No. 12 High Point (30-4)
No. 4 Arkansas (26-8) vs. No. 13 Hawaii (24-8)
No. 6 Brigham Young (23-11) No. 11 Texas / North Carolina State
No. 3 Gonzaga (30-3) vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (21-13)
Friday (at St. Louis)
No. 7 Miami (25-8) vs. No. 10 Missouri (20-12)
No. 2 Purdue (27-8) vs. No. 15 Queens (21-13)
Midwest Region
FIRST ROUND
Thursday (at Buffalo)
No. 1 Michigan (31-3) vs. No. 16 Maryland Baltimore County / Howard
No. 8 Georgia (22-10) vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (28-5)
Friday (at Tampa)
No. 5 Texas Tech (22-10) vs. No 12 Akron (29-5)
No. 4 Alabama (23-9) vs. No. 13 Hofstra (24-10)
Friday (at Philadelphia)
No. 6 Tennessee (22-11) vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) / Southern Methodist
No. 3 Virginia (29-5) vs. No. 14 Wright State (23-11)
Friday (at St. Louis)
No. 7 Kentucky (21-13) vs. No. 10 Santa Clara (26-8)
No. 2 Iowa State (27-7) vs. No. 15 Tennessee State (23-9)
South Region
FIRST ROUND
Friday (at Tampa)
No. 1 Florida (26-7) vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M / Lehigh
No. 8 Clemson (24-10) vs. Iowa (21-12)
Thursday (at Oklahoma City)
No. 5 Vanderbilt (26-8) vs. No. 12 McNeese (28-5)
No. 4 Nebraska (26-6) vs. No. 13 Troy (22-11)
Thursday (at Greenville, S.C.)
No. 6 North Carolina (24-8) vs. No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth (27-7)
No. 3 Illinois (24-8) vs. No. 14 Pennsylvania (18-11)
Thursday (at Oklahoma City)
No. 7 Saint Mary’s (27-5) No. 10 Texas A&M (21-11)
No. 2 Houston (28-6) vs. Idaho (21-14)
China restarts military flights near Taiwan
Taiwan on Sunday reported a sudden surge in Chinese military aircraft flying near the island and crossing its air defense alert zones after a two week period of relatively few of the flights. The Taiwanese Defense Ministry noted, however, the China’s Navy — its Shandong aircraft carrier can be seen during a Chinese military exercise in 2025 — continued to circle the island daily. File Photo by Taiwan Military News Agency/EPA-EFE
March 15 (UPI) — Taiwan’s defense ministry on Sunday said that more than two dozen Chinese military aircraft and several naval vessels were detected near the island, which comes after a period with relatively few such incursions.
After decreased presence of Chinese incursions into the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during the last two weeks, China sent 26 aircraft that were spotted around the island – 16 of which violated the ADIZ – and seven naval vessels sailed toward it, The Independent and The Wall Street Journal reported.
China considers Taiwan to be its territory. On a regular basis, it sends military aircraft and naval vessels toward the island, but during 10 of the last 16 days — from Feb. 27 to March 5 and March 7 to 10 — no flights near the island were reported.
On the other days, there were as few as two flights detected.
Taiwan regards the incursions into its airspace and waters as routine harassment, for the most part, but China also has held military exercises close to what Taiwan considers its territory and has threatened to take the island by force if it deems it necessary.
Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s defense minister has said that although there has been a noticeable decrease in aircraft nearing or crossing the ADIZ, the island nation’s military planned to stay on guard.
“We cannot rely on a single indicator like the absence of aircraft,” Koo told The Journal, because naval vessels still circle the island daily.
Analysts have suggested that the decrease in incursions is timed to a meeting of the Chinese legislature, which has happened previously, or be part of a diplomatic or strategic play before U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing at the end of the month.
An Iranian man raises a portrait of new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally on Revolution Street in Tehran on March 9, 2026. Photo by Hossein Esmaeili/UPI | License Photo
Israeli And U.S. Officials Indicate War Could Go On For Another Three Weeks (Updated)
Neither the U.S. nor Israel seem close to ending their attacks on Iran as the war stretches into its 16th day. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is not yet prepared to make a deal with Tehran while Israeli officials say there are still “thousands of targets” to be hit.
In an interview with NBC News Saturday night, Trump said he wants Tehran to offer a better “deal” before he would agree to ending hostilities.
“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” the president told the network in a 30-minute phone call. He added that the terms offered would have to be “very solid.”
The U.S. leader, however, declined to say what conditions he is seeking.
“I don’t want to say that to you,” Trump stated, while acknowledging that Iran would have to completely abandon any nuclear ambitions as part of any agreement.
Israel, meanwhile, told CNN it plans for at least three more weeks of its campaign in Iran.
“We have thousands of targets ahead,” IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told the cable outlet. “We are ready, in coordination with our U.S. allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that.”
Defrin added that the IDF is “not working according to a stopwatch, or a timetable, but rather to achieve our goals” which are to “weaken the Iranian regime severely.”
At the same time, Chris Wright, Trump’s Energy Secretary, has also said the war will end within the next few weeks:
“I think that this conflict will certainly come to the end in the next few weeks – could be sooner than that. But the conflict will come to the end in the next few weeks, and we’ll see a rebound in supplies and a pushing down in prices after that,”
While another three weeks of war would roughly fit into Trump’s previous statements that the conflict could last as long as five weeks, this is such a fluid situation that it is extremely difficult to make predictions about timelines.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to pound targets in Iran, including the continued use of bomber sorties.
The biggest change in targeting came from the U.S. attacking Kharg Island. This is the epicenter of Iran’s oil exporting that sits roughly 20 miles off Iran’s northern coastline along the Persian Gulf.
CENTCOM posted:
“Last night, U.S. forces carried out a precise and wide-ranging strike on Kharg Island in Iran. This strike destroyed naval mine storage depots, missile storage bunkers, and numerous other military sites. U.S. forces succeeded in targeting more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure.”
Just a day ago, TWZ Editor-In-Chief Tyler Rogoway stated this would be at the top of the list of targets intended for U.S. Marines heading to the region, as well as one of the smaller islands closer to the Strait of Hormuz, if indeed the Marines from USS Tripoli and its MEU are indeed used. According to one tracking source, USS Tripoli is currently sailing through the South China Sea, moving fast to join U.S. forces amassed in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
The strikes took out the island’s airfield as well as air defenses and other targets that were military related. They were not focused on the energy transfer services the island provides. These strikes would be critical to preparing the island for future operations.
After the attack, Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“We totally demolished Kharg Island, but we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”
We will be talking a lot more about Kharg Island in the near future.
We are also seeing U.S. aircraft operating over Iranian population centers at lower level, pointing to the degraded state of Iranian air defenses. The video below shows a Super Hornet over Chabahar, which still is a coastal city, so it’s not like the aircraft is seen deep inside Iran, and this seaside town, which is near the border with Pakistan on Iran’s southern shore, was heavily struck during the opening stages of the conflict:
Israel also remains highly active with strikes in Iran:
Israel claims about a third of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers are still usable. This appears to be a similar figure floated over the past week.
Five U.S. aerial refueling tankers were struck by an Iranian ballistic missile that landed at Print Sulan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Trump, however, pushed back on the reported claims about the KC-135s, calling them “fake news” and that “Four of the five had virtually no damage and are already back in service.”
Claims about these tankers follow a March 12 mishap that put out of action one KC-135 and destroyed another with six airmen onboard. On Saturday, the Pentagon announced the names of the airmen killed in the above-mentioned incident when two KC-135s reportedly collided with each other.
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.
Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.
Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
A drone attack on the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone in Iraq destroyed a Giraffe 3D radar system that would be an important component used in the protection of the facility from incoming drone strikes. It isn’t clear if this was a near-field or long-range attack, although a near-field one seems most likely. Regardless, targeting of critical radar systems has been a key component of Iran’s retaliation campaign.
A report from Axios claims Putin said he would move Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia as part of a deal that could see the end of the war, but Trump rejected the offer. This needs to be taken as unconfirmed at this time, but Russia taking the material has long been floated as a potential part of a nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran. Considering Russia’s tight relationship with Iran, which has only gotten more intense since the war in Ukraine kicked off, and the fact that Russia is not exactly a friendly country to the U.S. and the West, skepticism here is not illogical.
The Economist has a report that states the damage to the world economy is mounting from the closure of the strait and a major further spike in oil prices could send the globe into recession.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Trump ignored advice from Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine about the damage Iran could inflict on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Wall Street Journal story came a day after War Secretary Pete Hegseth decried as “fake news” assertions that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday said that the country’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, “is in good health condition and manages the country strongly.”
Araghchi’s comments come two days after War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Khamenei was wounded and “likely disfigured.”
Regardless of Mojtaba Khamenei’s current condition, his later father had misgivings about his son replacing him, according to CBS News. An analysis by the U.S. intelligence community “showed Khamenei was wary of Mojtaba taking power because he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader, according to sources,” the network claimed.
The IRGC is unsurprisingly stating they are actively trying to kill Prime Minister Netanyahu. This should come as no surprise, but the message is certainly overt.
Iranian ballistic missiles are still piercing Israel’s air defenses:
There is a report that says Israel is running low on interceptors. Israel has said the report is not accurate. It would be of no surprise that Israel is running low of these advanced weapons, especially after just eight months since the 12-Day War. This issue has been highlighted in multiple reports in the months following that operation. If this is indeed the case, and we cannot confirm it is at this time, it will put more pressure on U.S. THAAD and SM-3 interceptor systems and the stockpile overall.
Iran continues to target gulf allies’ oil production facilities:
An Iranian drone attack on an oil refinery in Erbil, Iraq, caused a major fire:
A video has been released showing Iraqi militia FPV drones attacking Baghdad International Airport. In the clip, it shows two flying around the facility for a prolonged period of time before diving into a soft shelter and a hangar.
President Trump says that Iran wants to make a deal, but the terms aren’t good and that he doesn’t even know if Iran’s newly appointed leader is alive.
Trump appears to be looking to build a coalition to reopen the Strait, including long-time European allies. That ask does conflict with his previous statements on Truth Social about the war already being won and not needing at least one key ally, the UK. At the same time, the UK has opened its bases to U.S. bomber deployments. Trump has also commented that the “last person he needs help from is Zelensky” in regard to Ukraine sending capabilities to the region to defend against drones.
Zelensky, for his part, told CNN that Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones and is aiding Iran in targeting U.S. assets in the Middle East. Though Iran initially supplied these weapons to Russia for its war on Ukraine, Moscow has made numerous improvements since as we have frequently noted.
While unofficial, this basic chart can be used as an informal data point in terms of drone and missile launches out of Iran. It shows drone and missile launches had leveled off for a number of days, but drone launches have spiked a bit in the last day or so. Clearly, Iran continues to execute standoff launches that are doing significant damage over two weeks into the conflict.
UPDATE: 4:17 PM EST –
The IDF is preparing to deploy more forces in southern Lebanon and expand its buffer zone to push away the threat of Hezbollah from the border, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel “Mannie” Fabian stated on X.
The IDF on Sunday reported that 85% to 90% of Hezbollah’s pre-2023 rocket arsenal has been destroyed, according to The Jerusalem Post.
“The IDF’s update on Sunday suggests that over the course of 2025, and more intensely since Hezbollah entered the war on March 2, the military has gradually reduced that total to between 10,000 and 23,000 rockets,” the publication noted.
IEA has provided an update on the emergency oil stock release, with details on timing, regional split, and crude/product split.
Retired Admiral Kevin Donegan, who commanded the Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Middle East during President Trump’s first term, told ABC’s This Week that the Trump administration was not taken off guard by Iran attempting to shut the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. air strikes.
“If you look at the campaign CENTCOM initiated, this was built into it from the beginning,” he explained. “Think about it in terms of the things that the chairman said and the things that Admiral Cooper said his mission was, one of the things in there was to just to go after the Navy. And what they really meant was, Iran’s capability to control the straits when this is over.”
The Kurdish coalition forces have organized a military and are now awaiting external material support to arrive before they carry out any ground operations in Iran, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) representative in the UK, Razgar Alani, told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
Newt Gingrich suggested setting off a dozen thermonuclear blasts across the UAE to create a new, wider, safer transit than the Strait of Hormuz. It is unclear if the former Speaker of the House of Representatives was being serious or facetious.
UPDATE: 3:38 PM EST –
Israel’s Kann News reports that Jerusalem is recalibrating its objectives for the war because Iranians are not protesting against the regime as much as initially anticipated.
“We need to reassess the war’s objectives. We’re not advancing at the pace we set,” the outlet said security sources told it “In Israel, they explain that the war’s opening strike was ‘beyond expectations,’ and so were the days that followed, However, according to them, there is a significant challenge in getting the Iranian people to pour out into the streets in droves.”
Qatar was attacked by several Iranian drones today, its Defense Ministry stated on X.
Online tracking shows that while few ships are transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea is witnessing the arrival of an oil tanker armada to the Saudi terminals there.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that “he was sceptical about a potential widening of the European Union’s Aspides naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz,” Reuters noted on X. Wadephul said that the mission to help commercial shipments pass through the Red Sea was “not effective.”
The Iran war threatens to deal significant blows to the Gulf’s biggest economies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, if it doesn’t end soon, Bloomberg News reported.
“Qatar and Kuwait could each see their gross domestic product contract by 14% this year should the conflict continue through April, resulting in a two-month halt of the Strait of Hormuz,” the outlet posited, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economist Farouk Soussa.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright downplayed concerns that the U.S. was not prepared for Iran’s closure of the Strait.
Israel attacked a site near the Bushehr nuclear reactor without knowing that Russian scientists were there, Israel’s I24 News reported, adding that there were no injuries.
Zelensky said a drone deal with the U.S., centered on the exchange of technologies, expertise and production, was possible despite Trump’s rejection.
At the same time, the Ukrainian leader warned private drone makers in Ukraine not to pursue direct export deals outside of government oversight. You can read more about that effort in our story here.
“I have never heard that the United States isn’t interested. I have heard the opposite – that the United States is very interested,” Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv on Saturday.
UPDATE: 1:44 PM EST –
As of Sunday, “neither Israel nor the US has announced any success in neutralizing 40-plus kilograms of 60% enriched nuclear uranium covered in rubble after IDF attacks on nuclear sites and the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility,” The Jerusalem Post reported. “Further, the IDF declined to provide assurances that these two threats would be dealt with before the end of the war.”
The world’s top central banks convene this week facing a renewed inflation threat from the war in Iran and the possibility that they’ll be forced to delay interest-rate cuts and in some cases consider hikes, Bloomberg News reports.
“Changes aren’t imminent yet,” according to the outlet. “The Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are all expected to keep borrowing costs steady as they assess how much surging energy costs will feed through to consumer prices and growth.”
An Italian Air Force remotely piloted aircraft was destroyed during a drone attack on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to the Italian Defense Ministry (MoD). No personnel were harmed in the incident.
The IAF published images and video of its F-35I fighters heading to Iran to carry out strikes.
Days after an Iranian attack on fuel storage tanks at the port of Salalah, Oman, plumes of smoke can be seen rising for dozens of kilometers in satellite imagery.
In a post on X, CBS News published a graphic of targets hit by all parties in the Iran war.
At about 7 p.m. local time (noon EST). Baghdad International Airport and its surroundings came under attack by five rockets, resulting in injuries to four airport staff and security personnel, in addition to an engineer, with varying degrees of wounds, the Iraqi Security Media Cell announced on X.
“In response to the targeting, directives and orders were issued to relieve the sector commanders and intelligence officers in the affected sector, while the competent authorities have begun taking the necessary legal measures, alongside tightening security procedures around the targeted areas,” the media cell added.
UPDATE: 1:05 EST –
Araghchi disputes Trump’s claim that Iran wants to negotiate an end to the war.
“We never asked for a ceasefire or negotiations,” the Iranian foreign minister told Face The Nation Sunday morning. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes.”
The decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father was a signal that the regime wants to maintain control of the country, former CIA operative told Face The Nation.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said oil from an unprecedented stockpile release will be made available immediately in Asia,” Bloomberg News reported. Buyers there “are clamoring to replace barrels lost to war-related disruptions in the Middle East,” the outlet noted.
Though UKMTO reports that there have been no confirmed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman or Arabian Gulf in the past 72 hours, the situation there remains “at a critical level due to recent attack patterns, continued navigation interference, and persistent operational disruption, to include port facilities, across the region.”
The heavy consumption of MICA air-to-air missiles used by French Air Force Rafale pilots to intercept Iranian Shahed drones over the UAE is creating tensions in Paris, according to the French La Tribune news outlet.
“A crisis meeting is convened Tuesday by Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron to find solutions to maintain capacities over time,” the publication reported.
Contact the authors: tyler@twz.com
howard@twz.com
Shock moment Timothee Chalamet is brutally roasted by Oscars host Conan O’Brien as Kylie Jenner LAUGHS by his side
OSCARS host Conan O’Brien has taken a dig at Timothee Chalamet in his opening speech after the actor’s controversial comments about the arts.
The Marty Supreme star found himself facing serious backlash after claiming “no one cares” about opera or ballet.
Conan, 62, kicked off the Oscars with a dig at Timothee, 30, as he smiled and laughed next to girlfriend Kylie Jenner, who arrived at the show dressed to the nines in a slinky red gown.
He joked about heightened security amid ongoing uncertainty in the world, pointing to an unexpected source of tension.
The former late night TV host quipped: “Security is extremely tight tonight…I’m told theres concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.”
He looked down at Timothee, who was giggling slightly.
Kylie, 28, shifted slightly in her seat, smiling although she looked slightly uncomfortable.
Conan then added: “They are just mad you left out jazz!”
Later in the show, the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend host circled back with Timothee, seemingly trying to smooth things over.
“I’m vibing with Timothee right now, we’re vibing, right?!” he asked, looking down at the Willy Wonka actor.
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The camera did not pan to the star, but it doesn’t seem like he was feeling the same vibe.
Conan added: “He doesn’t think so, alright!”
At this point, Timothee must be somewhat used to the blowback.
He’s been taking heat for his comment for days now.
The Oscar-nominee was chatting with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas about efforts to preserve cinema back in February.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore’,” he said.
“All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there,” he added.
Since then, he’s taken heat from ballet and opera stars, as well as other big figures in Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg, for example, disagreed vehemently.
According to Page Six, he said of the arts during a 2026 SXSW panel: “At the end of a really good movie experience, we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings that we walks into the daylight with, or into the nighttime with.
Biggest Oscar Nominees of 2026 Academy Awards
Everyone in Hollywood hopes to snag a nod on the industry’s biggest night but only few get that honor. Here are the nominees from the major categories of the 2026 Academy Awards:
Best Picture
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Best Director
- Chloé Zhao — Hamnet
- Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme
- Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
- Joachim Trier — Sentimental Value
- Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Best Actor (Leading Role)
- Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
- Wagner Moura — The Secret Agent
Best Actress (Leading Role)
- Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
- Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Renate Reinsve — Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone — Bugonia
- Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio Del Toro — One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
- Delroy Lindo — Sinners
- Sean Penn — One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård — Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress
- Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another
- Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners
- Amy Madigan — Weapons
- Elle Fanning — Sentimental Value
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas — Sentimental Value
Best Original Screenplay
- Bugonia — Yorgos Lanthimos & Will Tracy
- Marty Supreme — Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein
- One Battle After Another — Paul Thomas Anderson
- Sentimental Value — Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt
- Sinners — Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Blue Moon — Richard Linklater & Glen Powell
- Frankenstein — Guillermo del Toro
- Hamnet — Chloé Zhao
- The Secret Agent — Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Train Dreams — Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Best Animated Feature
- Arco
- KPop Demon Hunters
- The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol
- Zootopia 2
- The Night Gardener
Best International Feature Film
- The Secret Agent — Brazil
- Sentimental Value — Norway
- It Was Just an Accident — Iran
- Universal Language — Canada
- Sujo — Mexico
Best Documentary Feature
- The Alabama Solution
- Come See Me in the Good Light
- Four Daughters
- No Other Land
- The Perfect Neighbor
“And there’s nothing like that. It happens in movies, and in concerts. And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way.”
Timothee is nominated for two Oscars during the 2026 awards show.
He’s up for Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme and Best Picture.
He will be up against Michael B. Jordan in Sinners; Leonardo DeCaprio in One Battle After Another; Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent; and Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon in the Best Actor category.
In Best Picture, Timothee is up against The Secret Agent, Bugonia, Train Dreams, F1, and Sinners.
UCLA men’s basketball earns No. 7 seed, to face No. 10 UCF in Philadelphia
UCLA coach Mick Cronin expects his team to embrace lofty expectations that follow the Bruins any time they take the floor during the NCAA tournament.
The program has won an NCAA record 11 national titles and made 19 Final Four appearances.
No. 7-seed UCLA’s (22-11) push for another deep NCAA tournament run begins Friday against No. 10-seed Central Florida (21-11) in Philadelphia in the East Regional. If the Bruins win, they will face the winner of No. 2 Connecticut (29-5) versus No. 15 Furman (22-12).
Cronin was hoping the Bruins, who flew home from the Big Ten tournament in Chicago on Sunday morning, would get a break and open postseason play Friday rather than Thursday. He recalled playing in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship on Sundays and still getting assigned Thursday NCAA tournament games, but Purdue coach Matt Painter told Cronin on Saturday night that he should be in line for a Friday NCAA tournament opener and the forecast proved accurate.
Cronin said the universal UCLA program focus on NCAA tournament success drove his decision to hold forward Tyler Bilodeau and guard Donovan Dent out of a 73-66 Big Ten semifinal loss to Purdue on Saturday night at the United Center. Bilodeau’s injury was a minor knee sprain suffered in the win over Michigan State on Friday, while Dent suffered a minor calf strain early in the game against the Boilermakers. Both are expected to be ready to play Friday.
“Tyler could have played [against Purdue.] You know, Donny could have played. They would have been playing hurt,” Cronin said after the loss to the Boilermakers. “I wouldn’t have played them in a regular season game. I just try to take care of guys.”
The coach said the extra minutes played by Eric Freeny, Xavier Booker, Steven Jamerson II and Brandon Williams will help the Bruins when the full lineup is in place for NCAA tournament games.
He called the team’s effort to push eventual Big Ten champion Purdue valiant, but the games ahead in March simply mean more to the Bruins.
“With all due respect to the Big Ten, you could see how hard our guys are trying to win,” Cronin said. “But our guy are well aware, because they practice under 11 banners that say national championship every day. They warm up under another banner with 19 Final Fours on it. We don’t even have one with conference championships cause there’s 36 or something. There’s so many. So [this] week is what it’s about for us.”
UCLA enters the tournament on a 4-1 streak, looking especially strong since the calendar hit March.
“I was happy with the way we competed,” Cronin said when asked whether he learned anything about his players during a spirited Big Ten tournament run. “… We got talent, we just haven’t always had our mind on defense, which is very rare for teams that I coach. We got great guys. Since March 1 or whenever the heck we played Nebraska, it’s been a noted change in our team, we’ve just got to keep it up. And we’ve got to get some rebounds out of the five spot.
”… We’re at UCLA, no matter who we take the floor against in the NCAA tournament, we’re going to be the ones wearing the baby blues and four letters. So we believe in ourselves.”
UCF is coached by former Duke star Johnny Dawkins. Point guard Themus Fulks is a key leader for the Knights, earning third team All-Big 12 honors after averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 assists per contest during the regular season.
UCF posted top-25 wins over Kansas, Texas Tech and Brigham Young.
Displaced families in Lebanon turn vehicles into rain-soaked shelters | Hezbollah
Displaced families in Sidon are turning their vehicles into makeshift shelters, covering them with tarp to shield themselves from the rain after failing to find space in local schools. Hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes as Israel’s offensive in Lebanon intensifies.
Published On 15 Mar 2026
Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia denies attacks on its oil facilities | US-Israel war on Iran News
Alireza Enayati says relations with Saudi Arabia are ‘progressing naturally’ and he’s in direct contact with Saudi officials.
Published On 15 Mar 2026
Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia denied Tehran is responsible for attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure, saying if it was behind the strikes, it would have announced it.
Alireza Enayati did not suggest who carried out the attacks, but added Iran is only attacking United States and Israeli military targets and interests during the ongoing war, Reuters news agency quoted him as saying on Sunday.
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After the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February, Tehran retaliated against US and Israeli military assets, including in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Last week, the Ras Tanura oil refinery was forced to stop operations after debris from a drone caused a small fire. Attempted attacks were also reported on the Shaybah oilfield in the desert near the border with the UAE.
So far, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry has not blamed anyone for the attacks.
Enayati said he’s in direct contact with Saudi officials, explaining that relations are “progressing naturally” in many areas.
Talks included Saudi Arabia’s publicly stated position that its land, sea, and air would not be used to target Iran. He didn’t elaborate.
Iran and Saudi Arabia re-established diplomatic relations in 2023, in a deal brokered by China, that saw the two sides, which backed rival groups across the region, agree on a new chapter in bilateral relations.
‘Reliance on external powers’
Enayati reiterated to the Gulf states that the war “has been imposed on us and the region” following coordinated US and Israeli attacks.
Asked about the attacks on Gulf nations, Enayati replied: “We are neighbours, and we cannot do without each other; we will need a serious review.”
“What the region has witnessed over the past five decades is the result of an exclusionary approach and an excessive reliance on external powers,” he said, calling for deeper ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six members along with Iraq and Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also denied his country is targeting civilian or residential areas in the Middle East, and said Tehran is ready to form a committee with its neighbours to investigate the responsibility for such strikes.
So far, the UAE, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of Iran’s attacks, with US bases and oil refineries heavily targeted.
While all countries targeted have strongly condemned Iran’s missile and drone strikes, regional sources say there remains growing frustration at the United States for dragging them into a war they did not sign up for but are now paying the heaviest price for, Reuters reported.
Enayati said to resolve the conflict, the US and Israel need to stop their attacks, and international security guarantees to prevent future “aggression” must be given.
Paul Musgrave, associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, said the administration of US President Donald Trump has lost much of its leverage in the region, and the US engaged in the wrong conflict at the wrong moment, without proper planning.
Iran’s strategy, meanwhile, now seems to be “not who has a bigger bomb or bigger munitions, but who has the highest threshold for pain”, Musgrave told Al Jazeera.
Kylie Jenner stuns in low-cut Jessica Rabbit-inspired Oscars dress for boyfriend Timothee Chalamet’s big night
KYLIE Jenner has stunned in a body-hugging sparkly red gown ahead of the Oscars to support her boyfriend and nominee, Timothee Chalamet.
The beauty mogul will join Timothee, who is up for Best Actor for his performance in the sports drama Marty Supreme, at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday.
Kylie, 28, teased her outfit in an Instagram video, in which she donned a low-cut Schiaparelli dress that showcased her cleavage and curvy figure.
The ensemble featured a cut-out of a lock beneath her breasts, and she paired it with a diamond necklace and earrings.
She wore her brunette hair in loose waves and a full face of makeup for the A-list event.
Kylie hinted in her caption that her look channeled the sexy cartoon character, Jessica Rabbit.
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Several celebrities in the Kardashian-Jenner inner circle gushed over Kylie’s appearance in the comments.
“My heart skipped a beat,” Kylie’s sister, Khloe Kardashian, wrote.
“OMG YES,” the reality star’s BFF Stassi Karanikolaou said.
“Everything,” Lauren Sanchez Bezos added alongside a red heart emoji.
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Kylie has been by Timothee’s side – amid fierce backlash over his claims that no one cares about the ballet or opera – throughout the 2026 awards season, as he was a heavy favorite following his Golden Globes win against standouts Michael B. Jordan, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ethan Hawke.
He even gave a shoutout to the Kylie Cosmetics founder in his acceptance speech for Best Actor at the January 11 ceremony, saying, “For my parents, for my partner, I love you. Thank you so much.”
Days earlier, Timothee, 30, again called out The Kardashians star, who shares daughter Stormi, 8, and son Aire, 4, with her ex, Travis Scott, while accepting the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor at the January 4 show.
“Lastly, I would like to say thank you to my partner of three years,” the Call Me by Your Name star said onstage.
“Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he concluded.
Kylie looked visibly touched by the sentiment, smiling and mouthing “I love you” back to him.
Biggest Oscar Nominees of 2026 Academy Awards
Everyone in Hollywood hopes to snag a nod on the industry’s biggest night but only few get that honor. Here are the nominees from the major categories of the 2026 Academy Awards:
Best Picture
- Bugonia
- F1
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
Best Director
- Chloé Zhao — Hamnet
- Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme
- Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
- Joachim Trier — Sentimental Value
- Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Best Actor (Leading Role)
- Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
- Wagner Moura — The Secret Agent
Best Actress (Leading Role)
- Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
- Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Renate Reinsve — Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone — Bugonia
- Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
Best Supporting Actor
- Benicio Del Toro — One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
- Delroy Lindo — Sinners
- Sean Penn — One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård — Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress
- Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another
- Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners
- Amy Madigan — Weapons
- Elle Fanning — Sentimental Value
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas — Sentimental Value
Best Original Screenplay
- Bugonia — Yorgos Lanthimos & Will Tracy
- Marty Supreme — Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein
- One Battle After Another — Paul Thomas Anderson
- Sentimental Value — Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt
- Sinners — Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay
- Blue Moon — Richard Linklater & Glen Powell
- Frankenstein — Guillermo del Toro
- Hamnet — Chloé Zhao
- The Secret Agent — Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Train Dreams — Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Best Animated Feature
- Arco
- KPop Demon Hunters
- The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol
- Zootopia 2
- The Night Gardener
Best International Feature Film
- The Secret Agent — Brazil
- Sentimental Value — Norway
- It Was Just an Accident — Iran
- Universal Language — Canada
- Sujo — Mexico
Best Documentary Feature
- The Alabama Solution
- Come See Me in the Good Light
- Four Daughters
- No Other Land
- The Perfect Neighbor
In December, Kylie showed support for Timothee on the red carpet of the film’s LA premiere, where they sported matching orange ensembles.
The mom of two rocked a dangerously low-cut, skintight dress with cut-outs along the midsection.
She paired the look with high heels, a chunky gold necklace, orange nails, and her long black hair flowing straight down.
Timothee wore pants, a button-down shirt, a jacket, and boots, accessorized with a black cross-body bag shaped like a ping pong paddle, as a nod to the film.
It was their first major public appearance together since rumors began that their relationship was on the rocks.
In October, fans believed there was trouble in paradise after they appeared to show a lack of affection toward one another while watching a New York Yankees game, with many accusing Kylie of “looking bored.”
Weeks earlier, Timothee was a no-show at Kylie’s mom, Kris Jenner’s, elaborate 70th birthday bash, fueling chatter that they were ready to call it quits.
In November, a source exclusively revealed to The U.S. Sun that the couple were at odds over Timothee’s desire to keep their romance private, while Kylie wanted to share their love with the world.
The insider also claimed that Kylie had been “pressuring” Timothee about “cementing their relationship,” but the Wonka star wanted to focus on “fixing their issues.”
Kylie and Timothee first began dating in April 2023, although they didn’t make their public debut until they were spotted at a Beyoncé concert later that September.
They managed to keep their romance out of the public eye until they made their red carpet debut as a couple in May 2025 at the 70th David Di Donatello Awards in Rome.
Kylie had parted ways with her baby daddy, Travis, shortly before getting together with Timothee, and had previously been in a years-long relationship with rapper Tyga.
Timothee dated Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, whom he met on the set of the Netflix film The King, from 2018 to 2020.
Indian Wells: Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elena Rybakina for title
INDIAN WELLS — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the Indian Wells final Sunday for her first title at the tournament.
Sabalenka, a runner-up in 2023 and ‘25, finished off the win at the BNP Paribas Open with a big serve that Rybakina hit long. It was a sweltering afternoon on the court as the temperatures soared into the 90s.
The 27-year-old Sabalenka had a chance to close out the third set but was broken at 5-4. Rybakina found herself with a championship point in the tiebreaker, only to have Sabalenka hit a backhand winner.
This marked the 16th time the two players have met, with Sabalenka now holding a 9-7 advantage. Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat Sabalenka at the 2025 WTA Finals championship and the Australian Open two months ago. She also edged Sabalenka in the finals at Indian Wells in 2023.
“What a day,” Sabalenka said after the match.
In the men’s final later Sunday, Daniil Medvedev faces Jannik Sinner, who has won eight of his last nine matches against Medvedev.
A dozen arrests as hundreds attend Al-Quds Day rally in London | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Police make 12 arrests as demonstrators defy government restrictions to gather on Thames embankment.
Published On 15 Mar 2026
Hundreds gathered in central London for the annual Al-Quds Day demonstration, an international show of solidarity with Palestinians that this year took place under sweeping new restrictions and a heavy police presence.
Crowds assembled on Sunday along the Albert Embankment of the River Thames, where demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, held banners, and chanted slogans – some carrying images of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier this month during US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
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Police made 12 arrests during the event, including for showing support for a proscribed organisation and threatening or abusive behaviour.
Chants of “from the river to the sea” and “Israel is a terror state” were heard. Al-Quds Day is named after the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
More than 1,000 officers were deployed across the area ahead of what police Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan warned would still be “a difficult public order weekend”. Earlier estimates suggested 12,000 people could attend, but only hundreds showed up.
The demonstration marked the first time in more than a decade that authorities banned the march through the capital.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood approved Scotland Yard’s request for a month-long prohibition on marches, with the government citing public disorder risks linked to the “volatile situation in the Middle East”, and potential clashes between different groups of demonstrators.
Organisers from the Islamic Human Rights Commission proceeded with a “static” rally in defiance, telling supporters the event would go ahead regardless.
The group accused London police of having “capitulated to the pressure of the Zionist lobby”.
‘Words have consequences’
Al-Quds Day takes place annually on the final Friday of Ramadan, with rallies held worldwide in solidarity with Palestinians and in opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. It was held on Sunday in London as Friday was a regular workday.
Police put demonstrators on notice that “intifada” chants and displays of support for proscribed groups would result in arrest, with Adelekan stating “these words have consequences”.
On the opposite bank, a smaller counterprotest organised by Stop The Hate and the Lion Guard of Iran drew Iranian dissidents and others opposed to the Islamic Republic, some waving Israeli flags.
Scotland Yard used the River Thames as a physical barrier, with police boats patrolling the water and Lambeth Bridge closed to separate the two sides.
Both demonstrations were confined to the stretch between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges and permitted only between 1pm and 3pm.
Both demonstrations wrapped up at 3pm, with police saying the security plan had worked and neither side attempted to breach conditions by marching.
U.S. Navy Minesweepers Assigned To Middle East Have Been Moved To Pacific
The U.S. Navy Independence class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara, which are configured for minesweeping duties, have appeared in port in Malaysia. Both of these ships were last known to be forward-deployed in the Middle East, having arrived in Bahrain in the past year or so to take the place of a group of now-decommissioned Avenger class mine hunters. Now, as Iranian attacks on commercial ships have caused a virtual halt to maritime traffic through the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz, these ships have emerged thousands of miles away. The extent to which Iran has seeded naval mines in the Strait already is unclear, but this remains a huge threat to the future security of the waterway and will have to be taken into account in any future effort to reopen this critical waterway.
A spotter in Malaysia posted pictures of the USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara, which are said to have been taken today at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in the Port of Penang. Mike Yeo, an Australia-based defense and aviation reporter, was among the first to call attention to the particular significance of the images. TWZ has reached out for more information.
USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara are among a select number of Independence class LCSs fitted with a mine countermeasures mission package, or “module.” In its current form, the package includes towed mine-hunting sonar for the ships, Common Unmanned Surface Vehicles (CUSV) with mine-sweeping gear, and mine detection and neutralization systems carried by embarked MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters. We will come back to this configuration later on.
CUSV®
Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) Video
When it comes to why the ships are now in Malaysia, TWZ also reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which directed us to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. We were then directed by Fifth Fleet back to CENTCOM. CENTCOM is the top U.S. military command for operations in the Middle East. Fifth Fleet is the Navy’s numbered fleet in the Middle East, with its commander dual-hatted as head of Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). Fifth Fleet and NAVCENT are headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf.
We have reached out to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), as well.
Pictures available through the U.S. military’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) show USS Tulsa was in port in Bahrain at least as of February 9. Separate images also show USS Santa Barbara operating in the Persian Gulf on January 30. The current disposition of a third Independence class LCS, the USS Canberra, which had also been forward-deployed in the Middle East at least as of January, is unknown. Whether any other mine countermeasures ships may not be headed to the Middle East is also not known.
A review of satellite imagery in Planet Labs’ commercial archive shows no evidence of any U.S. warships being in port in Mamana since February 23. The United States and Israel launched their joint operation against Iran on February 28.
Moving U.S. warships out of port in Bahrain ahead of the current conflict was a prudent security measure. The Gulf state is well within range of Iranian missiles and long-range kamikaze drones, and U.S. military facilities in Manama did subsequently come under attack. The U.S. military’s own strikes on Iranian naval vessels in port have underscored the vulnerability of ships sitting pierside.
Why the decision was made to then send the USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara thousands of miles to the east is unknown. A host of factors may have come into play, including the availability of suitable friendly ports and diplomatic considerations.
Regardless, at least two-thirds of the warships intended to be available for tasking for mine countermeasures missions in the Middle East are presently in a completely different part of the world. As noted, USS Tulsa, USS Santa Barbara, and USS Canberra, were forward-deployed to the region in the first place explicitly to fill gaps left by the decommissioning of four Avenger class mine hunters last year. The former USS Devastator, USS Dextrous, USS Gladiator, and USS Sentry left the region for good aboard a heavy lift ship in January. There are only four Avenger class ships left in active Navy service, all of which are forward-deployed in Japan, and are also slated to be decommissioned in the coming years.
How many of the Navy’s Independence class LCSs, in total, have been configured for the mine-clearing mission to date is unknown. In addition to USS Tulsa, USS Santa Barbara, and the USS Canberra, the USS Kansas City was at least being fitted out with this mission module as of last year.
The Independence class LCS is a far more advanced ship than the Avenger class mine hunter, and does offer new standoff mine countermeasures capabilities, including aforementioned CUSV drone boats and helicopter-borne systems. Still, questions continue to be raised about whether metal-hulled LCSs with mine countermeasures packages are adequate replacements for ships purpose-built for this mission. As TWZ previously wrote back in January:
The [Avenger class] ships themselves have fiberglass-coated wooden hulls to reduce their own vulnerability, particularly to mines that detect targets by their magnetic signature.
The Navy has long intended to replace the Avenger class ships with LCSs configured for the mine countermeasures duties. However, delays with the LCS mine countermeasures and other mission packages, or “modules,” as well as other persistent issues with both subclasses of those ships, repeatedly delayed those plans. The LCS program had also originally envisioned it being possible to readily reconfigure the ships for different mission sets by swapping out modules. However, the Navy is now deploying LCSs in largely fixed configurations.
…
Questions and criticism about the suitability of metal-hulled LCSs to take on the mine countermeasures mission have come up in the past. Both subclasses of LCS are also much larger than the Avenger class design, which could impose limits on how close they can get to mined or potentially mined areas. LCSs are better able to defend themselves against other threats than the Avengers, but they still have relatively limited firepower, which has been a separate source of criticism for years now. There would still be a significant need for tertiary support to protect LCSs during mine-clearing operations, which are slow and complex, and carry significant risks, even in benign environments.
In May 2025, a top U.S. Navy mine warfare officer gave an unclassified briefing detailing significant ongoing issues with the LCS mine countermeasures, according to a story published just this past week by Hunterbrook Media. Copies of the briefing slides that the outlet published say that employing the CUSV requires hours of prep time, and that the drone boat’s sonar sometimes has trouble spotting threats, but that the operators may have no indication of this until data is assessed after a mission. Visual confirmation of mines using the AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting system has also proven challenging “even [in] the relatively benign turbidity of SoCal [Southern California] waters,” another slide explains. The briefing also highlighted a number of potential “single-point failures” both in terms of mine countermeasures systems included in the module, and the equipment required to deploy and recover them.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, one of the briefing slides noted that “LCS was designed as a multi-mission platform” and “all of these other missions reduce time for the ship and Minemen to gain proficiency in MCM [mine countermeasures].” To reiterate, the Avenger class ships were purpose-built for this mission set and had crews trained to match. Mine-clearing operations are slow and complex, and carry significant risks, even when carried out by experienced personnel in benign environments.
In the context of the current conflict, there have been reports in the past week or so saying Iran has at least attempted to lay mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military also says it has been actively targeting mine-laying assets. At the same time, Iran has laid mines in and around the Persian Gulf in the past, and this remains a real point of concern. Iranian anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles, kamikaze drones, and uncrewed explosive-laden boats further complicate the threat picture for commercial vessels and any warships attempting to help clear the way.
As it stands now, U.S. officials have said that American warships are unlikely to begin escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for at least some number of weeks. Convoy operations carry their own risks and will require a host of supporting assets at sea and in other domains, as TWZ has previously explained. Limited availability of mine countermeasures assets would create additional challenges.
It remains to be seen how long the USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara will remain in Malaysia, and where they might sail after they depart. Where USS Canberra is currently is still unknown, as is whether any additional mine countermeasures configured ships are on the way to the Middle East.
For the moment, at least, a substantial portion of the Navy’s minesweeping capacity in the region, amid a major conflict with an opponent experienced in mine warfare, is now thousands of miles away in a completely different part of the world.
Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Olivia Attwood poses sexily on her bed in knee high boots after boozy night out as newly-single woman in New York
OLIVIA Attwood looked stunning as she enjoyed a wild night out with a host of Love Islanders this weekend in New York- with the star posing up a storm in knee high boots and a lace skirt.
It comes following the TV personality’s split from her footballer husband Bradley Dack, who was seen without his wedding ring for the first time this week.
Former Love Island star Olivia is across the pond to celebrate the launch of her collaboration with high street brand River Island.
She is joined fellow reality stars such as Toni Laites, Samantha Kenny. and Samie Elishi – who is also newly single following her split from Ciaran Davies.
Sharing a reel to her Instagram, Olivia was filmed as she told the camera: “First night in New York, going to town, RIP.”
She then said: “It all goes downhill from here…”
Dressed in a satin mini skirt with a lace trim and knee-high boots, Olivia looked stunning for the night out.
She posed for a slew of snaps before hitting the town.
Olivia and the group were then filmed throughout the night as they hit the city’s clubs and let loose.
Sipping on cocktails and wine, the video showed the group as they danced together and even cheekily lifted up their tops and skirts – covering themselves with emojis.
Confirming that the girls had quite the time, Toni commented on the post: “downhill for sure”.
“A time was had,” said Sophie Piper.
The hangover seemed to hit hard too, as Olivia joked this morning that she was “hanging on by a thread”.
It comes as her estranged husband Bradley was pictured leaving training at League Two Gillingham, minus his gold wedding band this week.
The TV star split from footballer Bradley, 32, earlier this year following a “breach of trust” on his part.
Olivia is yet to divulge exactly what went on between them.
However, she did say that she would speak about her marriage breakdown when the time is right – insisting she had a “lot to process”.
The couple wed in 2023, four years after getting engaged.
The Times’ top 25 high school baseball rankings
A look at The Times’ top 25 high school baseball rankings for the Southland after the fourth week of the season:
Rk. School (Rec.); Comment; ranking last week
1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (4-0): Trinity League play begins vs. JSerra; 1
2. CORONA (4-0): Danny De La Torre is six for seven hitting; 2
3. ORANGE LUTHERAN (2-1): Faces Damien this week before trip to North Carolina; 3
4. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (7-0): Dru Wilson is nine for 19 hitting; 4
5. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (7-1): Freshman Louis Lappe gets his first home run in high school; 5
6. NORCO (5-1): No runs allowed in 18 2/3 innings for Landon Hovermale; 7
7. GAHR (3-3): The pitching has been outstanding; 6
8. HUNTINGTON BEACH (4-2-1): Oilers get three-game sweep of rival Edison; 9
9. SIERRA CANYON (6-3): Armando Solorio emerging as ace; 8
10. ROYAL (7-1): Dustin Dunwoody eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings vs. Moorpark; 10
11. AQUINAS (3-0): Showdown with Arrowhead Christian this week; 13
12. SANTA MARGARITA (7-1): Brody Schumaker has four hits, seven RBIs vs. Los Osos; 16
13. MATER DEI (4-2): Three-game series with Santa Margarita; 11
14. EL DORADO (6-3): Pitching continues to be strong; 12
15. OAKS CHRISTIAN (7-2): Sophomore Dane Disney leads team with 11 hits; 14
16. SOUTH HILLS (7-1): Carson Baker continues to hit, pitch with the best; 15
17. CYPRESS (6-3): Bats came alive in two-game sweep of JSerra; 18
18. LA MIRADA (5-2): Faces Etiwanda on Wednesday; 19
19. AYALA (6-1): Ivan Ruddell is 10 for 16 hitting; 21
20. CORONA CENTENNIAL (5-3): Showdown with Norco this week; 20
21. THOUSAND OAKS (10-0): Is Jack Wilson back playing for the Lancers?; NR
22. NEWPORT HARBOR (7-1): Rivalry games against Corona del Mar this week; 22
23. VILLA PARK (7-2-1): Jack McGuire off to good start on mound; 23
24. SOUTH TORRANCE (8-0): Eleven hits, 10 RBIs for Owen Rhodes; 24
25. ALISO NIGUEL (7-0-1): Eleven hits for Carson Etnire; NR
What is force majeure and why are some Gulf countries invoking it? | US-Israel war on Iran
Several Gulf energy producers have declared force majeure on oil and gas shipments after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Al Jazeera’s Alma Milisic explains what the legal term means and how it could affect global energy markets.
Published On 15 Mar 2026
Ukraine eyes money and tech in return for Middle East drone support | US-Israel war on Iran News
Ukraine’s leader previously said advisers were sent to Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to help thwart Iranian drone attacks.
Published On 15 Mar 2026
Ukraine wants money and technology as payback after sending specialists to the Middle East to help down Iranian drones during the ongoing Israel-United States war with Iran.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday that three teams were sent to the region to undertake expert assessments and demonstrate how drone defences work as countries in the Middle East continue to be targeted by Iran over hosting US military bases.
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“This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s leader announced military teams were sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a US military base in Jordan.
But he explained that more long-term drone deals could be negotiated with Gulf countries, and what Kyiv gets in return for its assistance still needs to be established.
“For us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” Zelenskyy said.
Throughout the four-year Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has widely used Iranian Shahed-136 “suicide” drones, giving Kyiv expertise in knowing how to down the unmanned aerial vehicles through cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft weaponry.
However, US President Donald Trump has said he does not need Ukraine’s help in taking down Iranian drones attacking American targets.
‘Rules must be tightened’
Zelenskyy said he doesn’t know why Washington hasn’t signed a drone agreement with Kyiv, which it has pushed for months.
“I wanted to sign a deal worth about $35bn–50bn,” he said.
Still, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues with no end in sight, Zelenskyy raised concerns that the ongoing war in the Middle East will impact Kyiv’s supplies of air defence missiles.
“We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East,” he told reporters.
But as interest has grown for Ukrainian drone interceptors in light of the war, Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s rules to buy the drones must be tightened, with foreign countries and firms being unable to bypass the government and talk directly to manufacturers.
“Unfortunately, representatives of certain governments or companies want to bypass the Ukrainian state to purchase specific equipment,” Zelensky told reporters.
“Even in some free countries, we do not initially receive contracts from the private sector. A contract comes to me through the political channel. Only then does the private sector start negotiating with us.”
Oscars 2026 red carpet: The best fashion looks
Hollywood’s biggest night is here, along with the biggest red carpet of awards season.
Not only is it massive in size — it takes about 2,400 hours and more than 400 workers to assemble the 25,000-square-foot red carpet, measuring 900 feet long and 60 feet wide — but enormous in influence. It boasts the most memorable, stylish and extravagant fashion in entertainment history. In fact, stars have been taking cues from Hollywood history at precursor awards shows. Old Hollywood glamour dominated January’s Golden Globes. And the Actor Awards, held two weeks ago, were themed “Reimagining Hollywood Glamour from the ‘20s and ‘30s.” So the Oscars red carpet may also pay homage to La La Land.
Lead and supporting actress nominees Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson, Emma Stone, Elle Fanning, Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor have already won in the style department and are sure to impress yet again. All eyes will also be on dapper actors Michael B. Jordan, Timothee Chalamet, Delroy Lindo and Jacob Elordi.
Here’s the best fashion from the 2026 Oscars, captured from every angle by The Times’ photo team. After the carpet wraps, the 98th Academy Awards will air live from the Dolby Theatre on ABC starting at 4 p.m.
READ MORE: Winners list | Full coverage
Ji-young Yoo
Ji-young Yoo, who voices Zoey in “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” is pretty in purple.
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin and husband Kevin Grandalski, a retired Burbank police officer, arrive on the red carpet. Matlin won the lead actress Oscar in 1987 for her debut film, “Children of a Lesser God.”
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez arrives on the red carpet. The actor’s talk show “Access Hollywood” was abruptly canceled on Friday after nearly 30 years.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Nadim Cheikhrouha
French Tunisian film producer Nadim Cheikhrouha wears an Artists4Ceasefire pin, designed by Shepard Fairey. The collective of actors and filmmakers is advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Ken Jeong
“The Masked Singer” host Ken Jeong is all smiles.
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Leeds United: Five frantic minutes at Selhurst Park that could shape Whites’ season
“Edging closer” is the right phrase. Leeds have not won in five league matches but have drawn their past three.
With fellow strugglers West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham all earning draws this weekend, 15th-placed Leeds have maintained the three-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
To misquote the likely apocryphal words of England cricketer George Hirst against Australia in the 1902 Ashes, Leeds will “get it in singles”.
Farke’s side also have the kindest run-in on paper, with just one game against a top-six team – Manchester United on 13 April – and home games against the bottom two, Burnley and Wolves.
But there is the nagging feeling their three-point gap to the drop zone should have been five.
Since the start of the 2022-23 season, only Liverpool and Fulham have failed to convert more penalties than Leeds in the top flight – despite the Yorkshire side being in the Championship in two of those campaigns.
It denied Leeds their first away win since September, when they beat rock-bottom Wolves. The only two teams with worse records away from home are the bottom two.
And it was more frustration for Calvert-Lewin, who overcame a late fitness test on a knee issue to play here and led the line with impressive physicality.
But after scoring twice against Palace in December – taking his personal tally to seven league goals versus the Eagles – he has scored only three times in 12 league games.
Farke, a former forward himself, was philosophical.
“I was happy with his overall performance, I was happy for him to take [the penalty]. Also, what he did in the second half, he was a crucial part today.
“Of course, you want to hit the target and he is disappointed. But this is football, even Harry Kane misses penalties.
“I was a striker – I missed more penalties than you can count.”
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Oscars: ‘Voice of Hind Rajab’ star to miss ceremony due to travel ban
“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a heartbreaking retelling of the efforts to save a 6-year-old Palestinian girl amid Israel’s attacks on Gaza, will be honored at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday — without one of its star players.
Actor Motaz Malhees, who stars in the film as Red Crescent dispatcher Omar, confirmed Thursday that he will be absent from the festivities because of President Trump’s travel ban against Palestinians. “I had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear,” Malhees said on Instagram, “but I will not be there.”
“I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” he added.
Trump announced his widened travel ban in December, noting his decision to “fully restrict and limit the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority,” along with people from countries including South Sudan and Syria. The president issued the order months after he presented his 20-point peace plan for the Gaza strip — efforts that some Palestinians feel have been now brushed aside amid U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran.
Malhees said in his post that the restriction “hurts” but offered his followers and supporters a kernel of truth: “You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice.”
“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, is nominated in the international feature category. The film is set in a Red Crescent call center in Ramallah and centers the 70-minute phone recording of Hind’s pleas for help as she waits with her family in a trapped car for emergency responders. She and two medics dispatched to her location were killed in February 2024 in Israeli attacks in Gaza.
The film earned the grand jury prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Though unable to celebrate the film at the Oscars on Sunday, Malhees said he stands “with pride and dignity” and that his “spirit will be with the Voice of Hind Rajab that night.”
“Our story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard,” he said.
A representative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As Malhees publicized his absence, fellow stars including Oscar winner Riz Ahmed and Emmy-nominated “Succession” star Arian Moayed rallied in support.
“Your work in the film and the film itself are both incredible and will live on forever,” Ahmed commented.
“You are brilliant, azizam,” Moayed replied to Malhees. “And this is heartbreaking and unjust.”
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praises the “great” connection between Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, after the duo combined for the opening goal in their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
MATCH REPORT: Premier League – Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
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