JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 908

Caracas — The United States formally reopened its embassy in Caracas on Monday, restoring full diplomatic relations after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was ousted in early January and an interim government assumed power; a small U.S. diplomatic team had been operating from neighboring Colombia for over a month.

The State Department said the reopening marks a key milestone in the administration’s three-phase plan for Venezuela and will strengthen direct engagement with the interim government, civil society and the private sector; U.S. staff had held a March 14 flag-raising and addressed building repairs including mold remediation.

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State announced Monday that it has agreed to hire Ben Jacobson, the longtime Northern Iowa head coach, on a five-year contract after multiple reports surfaced March 30 that Jacobson would leave Northern Iowa following a 20-year tenure to lead the Aggies.

The hire succeeds Jerrod Calhoun, who left for Cincinnati, and aims to bring continuity as Utah State prepares to join the Pac-12 on July 1; Jacobson’s record and five NCAA Tournament appearances were cited by university officials and his staff during the announcement this week.

United States President Donald Trump on March 30 publicly warned Iran that U.S. strikes could target Kharg Island and Iranian energy infrastructure if a deal is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, and he told The Post a formal response would arrive "shortly."

The warnings coincided with U.S. force movements this week, including arrival of USS Tripoli and elements of the 31st MEU and deployment activity by the 82nd Airborne; officials and outlets said privately the administration aims to degrade Iran's navy and missile stocks while pressing allies to help restore shipping.

United States. President Donald Trump on March 30 posted a social-media warning that the United States would "completely obliterate" Iran's electric-generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if a ceasefire deal is not reached shortly and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, according to multiple news reports.

Washington's statement followed reported U.S. troop deployments to the region and references to a temporary pause on strikes until April 6; outlets cited Iranian defiance, concerns about oil-flow disruptions and inflationary effects, and ongoing diplomatic discussions this week aimed at resolving hostilities.

Washington — The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments over President Trump's executive order seeking to end automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents lacking permanent status, a legal test of whether the order violates the Citizenship Clause and related federal statutes.

This week, advocates and opponents presented constitutional and statutory arguments; federal courts previously blocked the order and a decision from the high court is expected by the end of June or early July, which could determine the administration's ability to implement the policy.

Columbia, S.C. — The South Carolina Forestry Commission lifted the statewide burn ban Monday morning after extremely low humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 27 ban subsided; officials announced the ban ended at 7 a.m. and urged continued vigilance as elevated drought persists across much of the state.

Officials said above-average fire danger is expected through April, citing U.S. Drought Monitor data showing nearly 86% of the state in moderate-to-extreme drought; SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones instructed residents to notify the commission before burning, and Horry County scheduled its local ban lift for Tuesday at 8 a.m.

United States: Retail gasoline prices rose this week, with GasBuddy and AAA reporting state and national averages nearing $4 per gallon as of late March 2026; multiple metro areas showed week-over-week and month-over-month increases documented by local outlets and national trackers.

The increases led to higher costs per 15‑gallon tank and wider local price spreads; analysts and AAA spokespeople cited crude oil volatility tied to late‑February Middle East events and warned of continued price swings this month, while diesel also reached higher multi‑month levels.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — South Carolina defeated TCU 78-52 on Monday night, March 30, at Golden 1 Center, securing its sixth consecutive Final Four berth; the Gamecocks overcame an early TCU lead through sustained defense and a decisive fourth-quarter surge.

The victory propelled South Carolina into a rematch with UConn in Phoenix on April 3; Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer paced the Gamecocks, a 29-11 fourth-quarter run created separation, and TCU saw Olivia Miles finish with 18 points while the Horned Frogs' campaign ended.

Sarasota, Florida: Local meteorologists forecast scattered showers and thunderstorms beginning Monday afternoon, with similar warm, storm-prone conditions expected across Indiana, Michigan, the Western Carolinas, Louisiana, and the Chicago area during the week as a cold front approaches and humidity increases.

Forecasters warned of gusty winds and isolated severe threats Tuesday in parts of Indiana and Michigan, rounds of storms in the Chicago area after 10 p.m. Monday into Tuesday, boating impacts in coastal areas, and a sharp temperature drop midweek where the front passes.

Orlando, Fla. Meteorologists warned of rough surf, elevated rip-current risk and warmer temperatures across Central Florida and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as persistent onshore easterly winds brought gusts and coastal waves that created hazardous beach conditions from Mobile to Orlando.

Local advisories urged swimmers to stay near lifeguards and avoid open-water swimming; most forecasts show daily 20–40% shower chances with moisture increasing midweek. Wednesday into Thursday represents the wettest window, with inland highs in the low- to mid-80s and continued breezy conditions through the coming weekend.