Oil falls as US and allies look to boost supply, unchoke Strait of Hormuz

By Helen Clark

PERTH, March 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as leading European nations and Japan offered to join efforts to secure ‌safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the ‌U.S. outlined moves to boost oil supply.

Looking to curb soaring oil prices, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ​said the U.S. may soon remove sanctions from Iranian oil stranded on tankers, and said a further release of crude from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve was possible.

Brent futures fell $1.24, or 1.1%, to $107.41 a barrel as of 0148 GMT, while U.S. ‌West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.24, ⁠or 1.3%, to $94.90.

Still, for the week, benchmark Brent was on track to rise more than 4%, after Iran hit oil and ⁠gas facilities in the Gulf states forcing production to be shut in.

WTI, however, was set to fall nearly 4% in its first weekly decline in five weeks. WTI ​has been ​trading at its widest discount to Brent ​in 11 years.

Advertisement

In a joint ‌statement on Thursday, after earlier hesitating, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan expressed "our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait", through which 20% of the world's oil and LNG transit.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to repeat attacks ‌on Iranian energy infrastructure.

"I told him, 'Don't do ​that', and he won't do that," he told ​reporters in the Oval Office on ​Thursday.

In a boost to U.S. supply, North Dakota's crude output ‌is expected to rise this month ​and in following months ​as operators in the third-largest oil-producing state restart inactive wells and winter restrictions are eased, the state's regulator said on Thursday.

The North Dakota Department ​of Mineral Resources said, ‌however, the pace of activity would depend on how long oil prices ​stay high and that oil majors' budgets have already been set.

(Reporting ​by Helen Clark; Editing by Sonali Paul)

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

Oil falls as US and allies look to boost supply, unchoke Strait of Hormuz

By Helen Clark PERTH, March 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Friday as leading European nations and Japan off...

Read More

'Super greens' sicken, hospitalize dozens more in salmonella outbreak

Asalmonella outbreaklinked to superfood supplements has been declared "over" after sending more people to the hospital, according to an update published by federal health authorities.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have completed an investigation into a multi-state salmonella outbreak traced toLive it Up-brand dietary supplements, which were sold nationwide on Amazon and the brand's website.

AMarch 17 FDA notice reportedthat 97 people from 32 states became sick with salmonella poisoning, resulting in 26 hospitalizations. This was up from the65 people in 28 states reported in the last notice on Jan. 29. No deaths have been reported.

Recalls began on Jan. 15, when Live it Upvoluntarily recalledits products "out of an abundance of caution." Why Not Natural, another supplement brand, later added one of its products to the list in aJan. 28 recall.

While the items have been pulled from shelves, the supplements have long shelf lives, so federal health authoritiesare still encouraging consumersto check their homes for any recalled items.

Exposure to salmonella can be especially dangerous for vulnerable groups, including children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. Here's what to know about the outbreak.

Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with harmful bacteria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See the 'risky foods' linked to US recalls and illness outbreaks

Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, releasedits annual risky food reportin April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAYbroke it down furtheron a what-you-need-to-know basis.

What super greens supplement was recalled?

The recalled Live it Up products include certain Live it Up-brand Super Greens dietary supplement powder, including both original and wild berry flavors. All stick pack products, or Live it Up items packaged in tube-like containers, with expiration dates between August 2026 and January 2028, are also recalled.

The supplements were sold nationwide, primarily online, on Live it Up's website and Amazon. They may also have been sold by unauthorized third-party sellers, such as Walmart, according to the FDA notice.

According to the FDA, consumers should check for the following:

Advertisement

• Live it Up Super Greens, NET WT 8.5 oz (240g) with UPC 860013190804.

• Live it Up Super Greens, 30 – 0.28oz (8g) sticks, NET WT. 8.47 oz (240g) with UPC 850077468063

• Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, NET WT 8.5OZ (240g), with UPC 860013190811

• Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, 30 – 0.32oz (9g) Sticks, NET WT. 9.52oz (270g), with UPC 850077468070

The recalled products are packaged in green pouches. The lot code is printed on the bottom back of the packaging in black and begins with the letter "A" or the number "3" for a stick pack product, the FDA said.

Why Not Natural recalled its Why Not Natural Organic Moringa - Green Superfood supplements as part of the outbreak. These capsules were also sold nationwide on Why Not's website and third-party sellers, including Amazon, between July 2025 and January 2026.

• Why Not Natural Organic Moringa - Green Superfood, 120 capsule bottles with lot # A25G051 and expiration date 07/2028.

Where did people get sick?

Sixty-five people have been sickened across 32 states as of March 17, including: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

What to do if you purchased the recalled Live it Up products

If you have a recalled Live it Up-brand Super Greens dietary supplement powder in your home, you should discard it or return it to the place of purchase, the FDA said. Clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the product and contact your healthcare provider if you believe you have symptoms of salmonella poisoning, the agency advised. Those seeking a refund can fill out Live it Up'sonline formto request one.

Consumers who have purchased Why Not Natural Moringa Capsules should also stop consuming them and return the products to the company for a refund. Consumers may contact Why Not Natural for a full refund atcare@whynotnatural.com.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to theCDC.

While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, like children under 5, adults 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.

If you display any of these more serious symptoms, the CDC advises contacting your health care professional:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit

• Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving

• Bloody diarrhea

• Vomiting to the point that you cannot keep liquids down

• Signs of dehydration, such as not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Salmonella outbreak linked to 'super greens' grows to 32 states

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

'Super greens' sicken, hospitalize dozens more in salmonella outbreak

Asalmonella outbreaklinked to superfood supplements has been declared "over" after sending more people to the h...

Read More

Netanyahu says Iran can no longer enrich uranium, as conflict continues through Gulf

Iran intensified its attacks on oil and natural gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy.

The strikes, in retaliation for an Israeli attack on a key Iranian gas field, sent fuel prices soaring and risked drawing Iran's Arab neighbors directly into the conflict. Iran's targeting of energy production further stressed global supplies already under pressure because of its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, Iran's top leaders have been killed in airstrikes and the country's military capabilities have been severely degraded. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Thursday that Iran no longer has the ability to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles.

Still, Iran — now led by the son of the supreme leader killed in the war's opening salvo — remains capable of missile and drone attacks rattling its Gulf Arab neighbors and a global economy dependent on the energy they produce.

Underscoring the danger to ships in the region, a vessel was set ablaze off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another damaged off Qatar. Efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz were also under pressure: An Iranian drone hit a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea, which the country had been hoping to use as an alternative exit route.

Brent crude oil, the international standard, briefly surged above $119 a barrel, up more than 60% since Israel and the United States started the war. The European benchmark for natural gas prices also rose sharply and has roughly doubled in the past month.

RELATED STORY |US F-35 lands safely after Iran mission; report says it may have been hit

Energy infrastructure is targeted around the Gulf

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE denounced the Iranian attacks. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called them a "dangerous escalation."

But Iran showed no signs of backing down. Saudi Arabia said its SAMREF refinery in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu was hit. Saudi Arabia had begun pumping large volumes of oil west toward the Red Sea to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, a key source of natural gas for world markets, said extensive damage was caused by Iranian missiles hitting the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility, where production had already been halted after earlier attacks. Damage to the facility could delay Qatar's ability to get supplies to the market even after the war ends.

Two oil refineries in Kuwait and gas operations in Abu Dhabi also were targeted by Iran, local authorities said.

In Israel, more than a half-dozen waves of Iranian attacks targeting large parts of the country sent millions of people to shelters. The strikes caused damage to buildings but no significant casualties were reported.

After the latest Iranian barrage, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said the electricity grid in northern Israel sustained some damage. He said crews had restored electricity to some areas and were working to restore it in others. Israeli media showed images of black smoke rising from an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa; Cohen said the refinery damage was minor.

RELATED NEWS |Pentagon asks for $200 billion to continue to fund Iran war

Hegseth says more Iranian leaders could be targeted

The Trump administration has cited various war objectives, including degrading Iran's missile capabilities and its nuclear program. Killing senior leaders has also been a priority for the U.S. and Israel.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday implied that more leaders could be targeted, referring specifically to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij force, a powerful internal security unit whose leader was killed by Israel earlier this week.

Advertisement

"The last job anyone in the world wants right now, senior leader for the IRGC or Basij, temp jobs, all of them," Hegseth said.

Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that U.S. forces continue to attack deeper into Iranian territory, with warplanes hunting Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz and helicopters striking Iranian drones. Caine said the U.S. military has also dropped 5,000-pound bombs on underground weapon-storage facilities.

Iran's state TV, quoting a Revolutionary Guard statement, said the country's air defense system hit an F-35 fighter jet. U.S. Central Command said an F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran. A spokesman for the command, Capt. Tim Hawkins, said the aircraft landed safely, the pilot was in "stable" condition and the incident was under investigation.

In a sign of the Iran war's rising price tag, the Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds, a senior administration official said. The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information.

Among the Iranian energy facilities hit in recent days was the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex. There were no injuries and the plant suffered no damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

Israel said Thursday it struck Iranian targets in the Caspian Sea for the first time. Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said the strikes hit dozens of targets, including ships, a shipyard and a command center.

Iran's strikes were retaliation for Israeli attack on a critical gas field

Iran stepped up its attacks on Gulf energy facilities after Israel hit South Pars, the Iranian part of the world's largest gas field, which is located offshore in the Persian Gulf and owned jointly with Qatar.

With some 80% of all power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, according to the International Energy Agency, the attack directly threatens the country's electricity supplies. Natural gas is also used to supply household heating and cooking across the Islamic Republic.

"Israel's target selection in this war has heavily focused on the institutions, leaders and infrastructure," the New York-based Soufan Center said in a research note. "It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable."

Iran condemned the strike on South Pars, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning of "uncontrollable consequences" that "could engulf the entire world."

In Washington, President Donald Trump said that Israel would not attack South Pars again. But he warned on social media that if Iran continued striking Qatar's energy infrastructure, the U.S. would retaliate and "massively blow up the entirety" of the field.

Asked later about the possibility of U.S. ground troops being deployed to Iran, Trump responded, "No. I'm not putting troops anywhere."

Death toll climbs in third week of war

More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed during the war. Israeli strikes against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon have displaced more than 1 million people — roughly 20% of the population — according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 1,000 people have been killed. Israel says it has killed more than 500 Hezbollah militants.

In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. Four people were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight by an Iranian missile strike, according to officials.

At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed.

Iran announced the execution of three men detained in January's nationwide protests, the first such sentences known to have been carried out, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported.

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

Netanyahu says Iran can no longer enrich uranium, as conflict continues through Gulf

Iran intensified its attacks on oil and natural gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, raising the stakes in a war t...

Read More

UConn wants to show in March it's still the top dog out of the Big East

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The recent championship trophies suggest that, perhaps, there's been a shift in the Big East hierarchy.

BEast Georgetown UConn Basketball

Rick Pitino and St. John's were the outrightregular-season championseach of the past two years and paired those with Big East Tournament titles, too.

The latest tourney title came last week at Madison Square Garden, where St. John'stoppled UConnin the championship game to strengthen its argument that it owns the Big East.

Yet the pecking order changes once theNCAA Tournamentbrackets are unveiled.

March Madness is UConn's time.

Yes, in a loaded East Region field that boasts top-seeded Duke, Michigan State, Kansas and, yes, St. John's as the fifth seed, coach Dan Hurley and his second-seeded Huskies (29-5) are ready to roll and win a third national title — sorry, those still trump conference triumphs — in Hurley's eight seasons.

The Huskies will play at a familiar venue Friday — they usually get a matchup each season at the Philadelphia 76ers' home arena with Big East rival Villanova — and are 20 1/2-point favorites, per BetMGM Sportsbook, over Furman (22-12).

Hurley and the Huskies rolled to national titles in 2023 and 2024 — and could face St. John's in the Elite Eight if they are to win another one.

One hiccup: The Huskies have lost two of their past four games and showed flaws throughout the season that could prevent another long March Madness run for a program that expects it.

"I'm waiting to see that personality from the group of those two (title) teams where ... you see that UConn swagger," Hurley said. "You want to see that UConn swagger at Friday night 10 o'clock. That's what those teams have. I didn't have to talk them into winning games in this tournament. They were in the tournament to kick some serious you-know-what."

The Huskies hope some key players can overcome lingering health issues and play against Furman.

Point guard Silas Demary Jr. should play after he suffered an ankle injury in the Big East Tournament and forward Jaylin Stewart, who hasn't played since late February because of a knee injury, is questionable.

"He's got a chance for (Friday) and if not, if we're still playing on Sunday, he'll have a shot for that, but I'm not sure," Hurley said.

Dawkins hopes for more Philly memories

Johnny Dawkins wants to add to his basketball legacy in his former NBA home city.

Dawkins never played a game inside the 76ers' current arena — built after he retired in 1995 — but has plenty of fond memories of his time with the team. He played five seasons for the Sixers from 1989 to '94 and was named by The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2022 as the 36th greatest Sixer of all time.

"Played with the great Charles Barkley," Dawkins said before he rattled off a list of other 1990s Sixers stars. "You always want to leave your legacy wherever you are."

Now the coach at UCF, Dawkins would like to lead the program into the Sweet 16 out of this weekend's games in Philadelphia. Up first for the 10th-seeded Knights (21-11) is a Friday matchup against No. 7 UCLA (23-11).

UCF used a January win over then-No. 17 Kansas to get off to a 12-1 start, its best since 2010-2011. The Knights faded late but managed to avoid a First Four bid.

Behind 6-foot-5 guard Riley Kugel (14.7 points), UCF made its first NCAA Tournament since 2019 in Dawkins' third season.

Dawkins hoped his Philly ties would be enough to sway needed fan support toward UCF.

"When you drive through the city, you just feel it. they care," he said. "They care about their sports, and they care about their programs, whether it's collegiate and professional."

Advertisement

Cronin enjoys some of Philly's finest cuisine

UCLA coach Mick Cronin doesn't expect to lose in Philadelphia — in games or weight.

Cronin had already hit Philly cheesesteak spot Dallessandro's Steaks by Thursday afternoon and hoped to have a dinner date at Joe's Steaks (thanks to a retired sports writer's suggestion) before he left.

"When in Philly, you don't eat a cheesesteak, you don't show up," Cronin said. "It would be un-American. Come on."

Cronin joked he would try to drop five pounds from his cheesesteak tour after the season was over.

Fattening delicacies aside, Cronin hoped UCLA would have leading scorers Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent available. Bilodeau sprained his right knee and Dent hurt his calf, both in the Big Ten Tournament.

Dent said Thursday he was ready to go against UCF.

Pitino will approach March Madness like it's his last

The East Region has three Hall of Fame coaches who have each won at least one national title, and two of them could face off in the second round at San Diego State's Viejas Arena.

Pitino and No. 5 seed St. John's face No. 12 seed Northern Iowa in the first round Friday, and Bill Self and No. 4 seed Kansas face 13th-seeded Cal Baptist. The winners will meet Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16.

Pitino won titles at Kentucky (1996) and Louisville (2013), though the latter title was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions. St. John's (28-6) has won 19 of 20 since early January.

Asked about his influence on the game, Pitino said: "The only thing I'd like to leave the fellow coaches: Just have fun. March Madness, I could be out of coaching next year. I really can be. You're 73. And I want to have the greatest time of my life.

"I'm going to coach this game as if it's the last game I'll ever coach," Pitino added. "Then if we're good enough to win, it's going to be here. If it's next year, I'm going to coach next year as if it's the last year I'm going to be on Earth."

Northern Iowa (28-6) won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

The other Hall of Fame coach in the East is Michigan State's Tom Izzo.

Kansas' Self hopes to reverse recent trend

Bill Self guided the Jayhawks (23-10) to national titles in 2008 and 2022, though Kansas hasn't survived the opening weekend since.

"I think talent-wise, we're definitely more equipped. We're more athletic, those sorts of things," Self said. "I'm excited about moving forward with our full complement of guys closer to 100 percent."

Cal Baptist (25-8) won the final Western Athletic Conference Tournament and clinched its first NCAA Tournament berth. The Lancers traveled the 100 miles from Riverside to San Diego by bus.

"We earned the bus ride," coach Rick Croy said.

AP freelancer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this report.

AP March Madness bracket:https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracketand coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

UConn wants to show in March it's still the top dog out of the Big East

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The recent championship trophies suggest that, perhaps, there's been a shift in the Big East hier...

Read More

Dunk party fuels No. 4 Arkansas' one-sided win over Hawaii

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Darius Acuff Jr. had 24 points and seven assists, Meleek Thomas had 21 points and fourth-seeded Arkansas blew out 13th-seeded Hawaii 97-78 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament West Region on Thursday.

Trevon Brazile scored 19 points and Malique Ewin added 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Southeastern Conference champion Razorbacks (27-8), who have won six straight.

Thomas had eight rebounds and five assists, and Billy Richmond III had 10 points and seven rebounds for the athletic Razorbacks. They shot 54.2% (39 of 72) and made 11 dunks, several of the highlight-reel variety, and 17 of 22 layups.

Arkansas, which never trailed, led 20-4 seven minutes into the game and went on to lead by as many as 23 points.

Dre Bullock tallied 21 points and eight rebounds, Isaac Johnson had 15 points and Isaac Finlinson scored 12 for the Big West tournament champion Rainbow Warriors (24-9). Isaiah Kerr added 11 points and five assists.

The Razorbacks will play 12th-seeded High Point in the second round Saturday. High Point upset Wisconsin 83-82 in the first round on Chase Johnston's layup with 11 seconds remaining.

Ewin had his season high in assists and was one rebound short of his season high while starting in place of forward Nick Pringle, who missed the game for an undisclosed reason.

Advertisement

Thomas left with an apparent injury with 16:40 remaining but returned five minutes later.

Acuff, the SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, is the only player in Division I averaging at least 20 points and six assists per game.

Acuff had five points and his first 3-pointer when Arkansas opened the game on an 11-0 run and just kept building.

Thomas' layup made it 15-2, Brazile's 3-pointer pushed the lead to 20-4 and Thomas' jumper gave the Razorbacks a 26-7 lead at 11:38 of the half. The Rainbow Warriors missed 11 of their first 13 field-goal attempts.

Ewin, Brazile and Richmond had dunks in the final three minutes of the first half to put Arkansas ahead 54-36 at intermission.

Acuff's 3-pointer made it 73-53 with 12:17 remaining and Hawaii never drew closer than 15.

--Jack Magruder, Field Level Media

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

Dunk party fuels No. 4 Arkansas' one-sided win over Hawaii

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Darius Acuff Jr. had 24 points and seven assists, Meleek Thomas had 21 points and fourth-seeded Arka...

Read More

March Madness games today: Ranking Thursday's NCAA Tournament games

Be sure to followUSA TODAY Sports' live March Madness bracket updates and scores,keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Day 1 games.

The day has arrived,college basketballfans. The Thursday that marks the first full slate of games in theMen's NCAA Tournamentis like unto a national holiday for many. If that means you, we're here to enjoy the madness with you.

This is your viewers' guide tothe 16 games on the docket, including channel information and scheduled tip times. Keep in mind, of course, that the second game at a venue in a particular window might – and probably will – start a few minutes later than the time listed due to spillover from the prior contest, but that will become apparent as results unfold.

REGION BREAKDOWNS, PREDICTIONS:East|South|Midwest|West

PRINTABLE BRACKET:Fill out your picks for NCAA Tournament pools

March Madness today: Ranking best games in Thursday first round

1. No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU

Time/TV:6:50 p.m. ET, TNT

The Cinderella Final Four run by the Rams in 2011 makes them a popular upset pick, though they haven't advanced beyond the first round in their last five tournament appearances. Nevertheless, the short-handed Tar Heels have a considerably lower ceiling without leading scorer Caleb Wilson and must hope Henri Veesaar can dominate the paint against VCU's smaller lineup.

2. No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida

Time/TV:1:30 p.m. ET, TNT

This was already going to be a tough draw for the Cardinals, and theabsence of standout freshman Mikel Browndue to ongoing back issues makes the assignment that much more difficult. The Bulls - a trendy upset pick - are among the hottest teams in the field entering on an 11-game winning streak paced by the inside-outside tandem of Izaiyah Nelson and Wes Enis.

3. No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis

Time/TV:9 :45 p.m. ET, CBS

It's the last game of the session, but these two teams that both like to run and gun should keep the energy level high. While Robbie Avila has the name recognition, six of his Billikens' teammates also average over nine points a game and could match the Bulldogs' depth.

4. No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU

Time/TV:12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

The round of 64 begins with what should be a close affair between power conference members. The Buckeyes finished the season strong thanks in large part to the efforts of long-time mainstay guard Bruce Thornton, while the Horned Frogs are led by the front-court duo of David Punch and Xavier Edmonds.

5. No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas

Time/TV:7:25 p.m. ET, TBS

The well-traveled Tramon Mark showed he still has the clutch gene in the Longhorns' nail-biting First Four win in Dayton. It will now be up to Matas Vokietaitis and the big Texas front line to keep A.J. Dybantsa, BYU's one-man wrecking crew, from taking over.

6. No. 7 Saint Mary's vs. No. 10 Texas A&M

Time/TV:7:35 p.m. ET, truTV

In addition to the deliberate pace and hard-nosed defense that have defined the Gaels' program under long-time mentor Randy Bennett, this year's squad actually has more long-range shooting options in Mikey Lewis and Joshua Dent. Even so, their style contrasts with "'Buckyball," the frenetic approach preached by Aggies coach Bucky McMillan that has this season's team putting up 87.3 points a game.

University of Akron:
Yvette Nicole Brown, Alexa Bliss, Dominique Moceanu, The Black Keys and George Wallace

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> California Baptist University: Brent Kutzle, Dustin-Leigh Konzelman, Kay Warren, Rick Warren and Marissa Figueroa (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Hawaii: Bette Midler, Larry Beil, Jason Elam, Ken Niumatalolo and Barack Obama, Sr.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> High Point University: Austin Dillon, Tubby Smith, Donna Fargo, Cody Allen and Charles F. Price (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Howard University:
Chadwick Boseman, Thurgood Marshall, Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson and Gus Johnson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kennesaw State University: Bron Breakker, Jasmine Burke, ReesaTeesa, Larry Nelson and theRadBrad (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Kathleen Turner, Duff Goldman, Stavros Halkias, Young Mazino and Scott Seiss

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Pennsylvania: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Banks, John Legend and Maury Povich

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Prairie View A&M University: Megan Thee Stallion, Mr. T., Loni Love, Terry Ellis and Cecil Cooper

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Actors, athletes and icons: Famous alumni from every NCAA men's tournament team

University of Akron:Yvette Nicole Brown, Alexa Bliss, Dominique Moceanu, The Black Keys and George Wallace

7. No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point

Time/TV:1:50 p.m. ET, TBS

Expect a breakneck tempo in this one; the Panthers put up 90 points a game while the Badgers aren't far behind at 83. High Point floor leader Rob Martin and prolific forward Terry Anderson will try to keep up with Wisconsin's high-volume guard duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.

Advertisement

8. No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese State

Time/TV:3:15 p.m. ET, truTV

Vanderbilt's run to the SEC title game that included an upset of Florida didn't produce much of a seed boost. As such, the Commodores get a fairly tough opening draw with the battle-tested Cowboys, dancing for a third consecutive season as first-year coach Bill Armstrong maintained the program's momentum.

9. No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy

Time/TV:12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

One of these programs will win its first ever NCAA tourney game. The Cornhuskers, which are the only Power Four team never to accomplish the feat, are led by sharpshooter Pryce Sandfort, They will be favored, but they shouldn't overlook the Trojans making their second consecutive trip to the Big Dance led by double-double candidate Thomas Dowd.

10. No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawaii

Time/TV:4:25 p.m. ET, TBS

Darius Acuff and the Razorbacks got a short turnaround and a long flight to Portland as a reward for winning the SEC tournament. The Rainbow Warriors feature seven-footer Isaac Johnson, who is familiar with the NCAA tournament stage from his two seasons at Utah State.

11. No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn

Time/TV:9:25 p.m. ET, TNT

It took just a year for Fran McCaffery to take his alma mater back to the Big Dance, riding the incredibly hot hand of T.J. Power. The fact that the Quakers won both Ivy League tourney games in overtime might be of concern to Fighting Illini fans, as their team hasn't fared so well in extra periods of late, so Illinois will do its utmost to build a double-digit cushion as quickly as possible.

12. No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State

Time/TV:4:05 p.m. ET, TNT

The Spartans and Tom Izzo have been in every NCAA Tournament since 1998, and though they occasionally bow out prematurely they'll have a considerable depth advantage in this year's opener. The Bison do, however, have several guys capable of heating up from long range, including Damari Wheeler-Thomas and Trevian Carson.

13. No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State

Time/TV:10:00 p.m. ET, TBS

This is the second Big Dance for the Owls and the first representing Conference USA, though KSU is not without hoops history having claimed the Division II title in 2004. Nonetheless, they'll be punching above their weight considerably against Graham Ike and the Zags, now a tournament fixture but still seeking the ultimate prize.

14. No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho

Time/TV:10:10 p.m. ET, truTV

The day concludes with a moment in the sun for the Vandals, the unlikely Big Sky champs making their first tournament appearance since 1990. Their stay figures to be short, as the Cougars have the pieces in place to return to Championship Monday and finish the job this time.

15. No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard

Time/TV:7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

The Bison's first ever NCAA tourney win Tuesday night in Dayton provided a well-deserved spotlight for Bryce Harris and Ose Okojie. The run almost certainly ends here, however, as those second-chance opportunities will not be there against the Wolverines' rim protectors.

16. No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena

Time/TV:2:50 p.m. ET, CBS

The Blue Devils will look to make short work of this one as they'll still be down a couple of starters. Despite being coached by former Syracuse marksman Jerry McNamara, the Saints don't shoot three-pointers particularly well (30.4%), making a first-round stunner unlikely.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March Madness games today: NCAA Tournament first round games ranked

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

March Madness games today: Ranking Thursday's NCAA Tournament games

Be sure to followUSA TODAY Sports' live March Madness bracket updates and scores,keeping track of all of NCAA Tournam...

Read More

More federal judges warn of an increase in violent threats

WASHINGTON — A group of federal judges Thursday added to the chorus of concerns raised about the rise in violent threats against members of the judiciary at a time when President Donald Trump has ramped up his criticism of the courts.

Four sitting judges spoke during anonline forumhosted by a legal group called "Speak Up for Justice" that was formed to defend the judiciary and the rule of law.

"I don't think being a federal judge is a job for the fainthearted. What I probably did not expect to quite this degree is the level of vitriol and the types of violent threats that have come across my desk over the years," said Chief Judge Dolly Gee, who oversees the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and was appointed by then-President Barack Obama.

There has been an increasing number of threats against federal judges in recent years, according to data maintained by the U.S. Marshals Service,sparking alarmwithin the judiciary. There have been 314 investigations involving 202 judgessince October, the agency says.

Among the speakers was Washington-based U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, an appointee of then-President Joe Biden, who has been at the center of some high-profile Trump-related cases.

In February, Reyesread aloudin her courtroom threats she received after blocking the Trump administration from removing protected status from Haitian immigrants. The Trump administration's effort to block that ruling is pending at the Supreme Court.

She also ruled against the administration over its attempt to ban transgender people from the military, a policy the Supreme Court later allowedto go into effect.

"What's most problematic is that the extraordinary has become ordinary. Every judge that issues a high-profile opinion … gets a deluge of emails and threats like this constantly. I hear it from judges all the time," Reyes said.

"I think a lot of the blowback on social media and a lot of the threats come from fear and misunderstanding, sort of fear of what's going on in society," she added.

The other three judges also recounted their personal experiences of threats arising from all kinds of cases, not just those with a political tinge. They also bemoaned the role of social media and criticized journalists for including the name of the president who appointed a judge when reporting on their rulings. Such information can give the appearance that a judge is partisan, they said.

Advertisement

Judge Mark Norris, a Trump appointee based in Tennessee, spoke of the need for more respectful dialogue about the judiciary.

"We've got to translate that into words that people understand these days. It's a heavy lift, but we have to do this work," he said.

Judge Michelle Williams Court, who is based in California and was a Biden appointee, echoed those sentiments, urging people to educate themselves about how the judiciary works.

"A big part of the driving force behind the energy that's behind the threats to the judiciary is the fact that there is an information vacuum in the internet and on social media," she said.

The judges repeatedly stressed that the threats would not deter them from doing their jobs.

Many of the judges who have been targeted recently hadruled against the Trump administrationin high-profile cases, some faced sharp criticism either from Trump or his allies. Some Republicans have called for judges who have ruled against Trumpto be impeached.

Among other things, judges have faced a wave of angry voicemails and threats. There was also an unusual series of anonymous pizza deliveries to judges' homes. NBC News reported last year the deliveries, which judges saw as a form of intimidation, may be linked toforeign actors.

NBC Newsexclusively reportedin September that certain judges were frustrated that the Supreme Court's frequent rulings in favor of Trump last year, often without explanation, were contributing to the negative discourse about the judiciary. Some of those judges said Chief Justice John Roberts could do more to defend the lower courts.

The narrative has shifted in recent weeks, with Trumpturning his ireon the Supreme Court itself after it ruled that his broad tariffs were unlawful.

Earlier this week, Roberts, inrare public remarks,said that personal attacks against judges were dangerous and have "got to stop."

byAdministrator

in

March 19, 2026

More federal judges warn of an increase in violent threats

WASHINGTON — A group of federal judges Thursday added to the chorus of concerns raised about the rise in violent threats ...

Read More