JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 926

WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran has not rebuilt nuclear enrichment capacities destroyed last year, DNI Gabbard said in written public remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Gabbard added Iran’s leadership remained intact and that entrances to bombed facilities were sealed. She omitted that passage during live testimony and declined to state whether the intelligence community judged an “imminent threat.” The disclosures conflict with President Donald Trump’s stated justification for military action and followed weeks of conflict that included attacks on Gulf states and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington. On Wednesday the Treasury Department issued a broad authorization allowing Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) to sell oil directly to U.S. companies and on global markets, reversing years of restrictions. The White House announced a 60-day waiver of Jones Act shipping rules for domestic shipments. Officials framed the actions as measures to increase global supply amid oil-price spikes after Iran restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The licenses maintain some sanctions limits while enabling investment in Venezuela's energy sector and potential increases in crude exports. These steps target near-term market relief. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.

Portland, Ore. Texas defeated BYU 79-71 Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the West Regional second round. Matas Vokietaitis scored 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, Tramon Mark added 19, and Jordan Pope had 11 as the Longhorns overcame a 35-point performance from BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa. BYU led briefly but struggled on defense and the glass, allowing Texas to build a decisive second-half lead. Texas will face either Gonzaga or Kennesaw State in the next round. Coaches and players from both teams gave brief postgame comments. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Corporate issuers and small-cap public companies announced financing, results, dividends, and investor events this week. FLUENT amended a secured credit agreement on March 18, permitting a $6,000,000 draw with 13% PIK interest due December 31, 2026. Planet 13 scheduled fourth-quarter 2025 results release and a March 25 conference call. SOLV Energy disclosed fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results following its recent IPO regulatory filings. EVA Live reported 2025 revenue of $17.04 million and $8.1 million net income. Prairie confirmed ROTH conference participation; NorthEast Community Bancorp declared a $0.20 quarterly dividend. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — VCU erased a 19-point second-half deficit and defeated sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in overtime Thursday in the NCAA Tournament first round. Terrence Hill Jr. scored 34 points, including seven 3-pointers, and hit a stepback three with 15 seconds left in overtime. Henri Veesaar led North Carolina with 26 points and 10 rebounds but missed two late free throws in overtime. VCU advanced to face the winner of Penn and Illinois in the second round. Attendance and other first-round games occurred at Bon Secours Wellness Arena this week in Greenville. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump's nominee for Homeland Security secretary, appeared before Senate Homeland Security Committee Wednesday for confirmation hearing. Senators questioned his plans for enforcing immigration and his temperament after comments about Sen. Rand Paul’s 2017 assault. Mullin urged bipartisan funding for DHS after a Feb. 13 lapse and promised to depoliticize the department. Reporting noted scrutiny of his finances, including a 2017 land purchase and a sale to the Cherokee Nation and a reported $9 million in 2024 income. He would replace Kristi Noem and oversee 260,000 employees. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Several college basketball teams faced opening-round NCAA Tournament matchups this week, and the NBA scheduled a Lakers–Magic game after Luka Dončić’s 60-point outing. On Thursday and Friday, seeded teams including Illinois, Virginia, Alabama, Nebraska, Tennessee, Troy, Hofstra and Miami (OH) played first-round games across Greenville, Philadelphia, Tampa and Oklahoma City. Reports list team records, per-game averages, top performers and betting lines where available. Sources include team and league statistics. The Lakers visited Orlando following Dončić’s 60-point performance in a win over Miami. Game previews presented verified statistics, locations and times. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. A fast-moving winter-to-spring transition is moving across multiple regions this week as an early-week cold front produced freezing temperatures, frost and isolated blizzard conditions in parts of Iowa and the Midwest. Local forecasts in Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Washington DC, Indiana and Colorado reported chilly mornings followed by a sharp warming trend driven by southerly flow, with predicted highs rising into the 60s, 70s and 80s by late week and weekend. Officials issued brief freeze warnings and some fire-weather alerts. Several short-term advisories affected travel and outdoor activities locally today. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Bismarck, N.D. Farmers across the United States reported rising fertilizer and fuel costs this week nationwide as the war in Iran disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, producers and extension agents said. Several farmers reported fertilizer bills up as much as 40 percent and millions of acres rely on nitrogen-based products. Analysts warned that higher input costs and fuel price spikes have raised planting expenses, squeezed farm margins and could translate to higher grocery prices before summer. Officials and university extension agents provided usage data and price comparisons to illustrate impacts. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Miami — Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 Tuesday, winning its first World Baseball Classic title on Eugenio Suárez's ninth-inning double. Bryce Harper's eighth-inning two-run homer had tied the score, but Venezuela rallied and Daniel Palencia struck out the final batter in the ninth. About 36,190 fans attended at loanDepot Park, with Venezuelan supporters supplying a notably loud atmosphere during the semifinals and final. Teams and coaches largely avoided public discussion of political tensions ahead of the game. Venezuela reached the final by defeating Italy in the semifinals and secured victory Tuesday night. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.