As of Saturday, March 28, 2026 (afternoon EDT)
Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen say they have joined the war on Iran’s side and claimed responsibility for a barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at southern Israel. Air-raid sirens sounded around Beersheba as regional reports point to rising cross-border missile and drone activity.
The Houthi moves open another front in the campaign that began with strikes on Iran on February 28. Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet, reports intercepting dozens of missiles and drones in the past day, adding to concerns over global shipping and energy flows in the Red Sea and Gulf.
President Trump says the U.S. is “winning” the war while deploying thousands more troops to the region. He has extended his deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to April 6 and is threatening attacks on Iranian power infrastructure if demands are not met.
Under U.N. pressure, Iran has allowed limited humanitarian and agricultural shipments through the strait, but broader oil and gas traffic remains heavily disrupted.
Conflict-related closure and partial disruption at the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Brent crude above $120 per barrel, described by analysts as the fastest Iran-linked oil price surge on record. LNG exports from Qatar and other Gulf states are curtailed, while attacks on energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and key Iranian facilities add to volatility.
Economists warn the oil shock is feeding higher costs for energy, food (through fertilizer and transport) and housing. Recent research from major banks and think tanks flags elevated recession risks if the conflict and shipping disruptions persist.
The Department of Homeland Security has been in a partial shutdown since February 14, now tied for the longest single-agency shutdown in U.S. history. The core dispute involves immigration enforcement funding and the SAVE Act.
In an overnight session, the Senate advanced a bipartisan plan to fund most of DHS, including TSA, while carving out immigration enforcement activities such as ICE and some Border Patrol operations. House Speaker Mike Johnson denounced the plan as a “joke,” intensifying Republican infighting and dimming prospects for a quick resolution.
With the shutdown ongoing, TSA officers have gone weeks without pay, leading to widespread sick-outs and severe airport delays nationwide. Some major hubs report more than a third of TSA staff calling out on peak days.
President Trump signed an executive order directing DHS to find a way to pay TSA workers despite the funding lapse, but experts question how it will be implemented and its legal basis. Security lines remain heavily strained.
Large “No Kings 3” demonstrations are taking place across the United States and in several foreign cities. Organizers and early estimates suggest the protests could rival or exceed prior “No Kings” and 50501-linked actions as one of the biggest single-day mobilizations in U.S. history, with thousands of events planned in all 50 states.
Minnesota is a flagship site, with major marches also in Washington, D.C., New York, and other regional centers. Protest messages criticize what they describe as “authoritarian” conduct by the administration, call for an end to the Iran war, and denounce immigration enforcement actions by ICE. Solidarity rallies are also being held in European capitals and additional cities worldwide.
Former FBI director and special counsel Robert Mueller died on March 20 at age 81. Coverage has highlighted his role leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential obstruction by Trump’s campaign.
President Trump publicly celebrated Mueller’s death in social-media posts, drawing criticism from political opponents and numerous legal commentators.
This page summarizes reporting from AP News, Axios, KNAU/NPR, The Daily Beast, and Wikipedia as of the afternoon of March 28, 2026 (EDT).