JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 929

Washington, President Donald Trump postponed a planned March 31–April 2 trip to Beijing, announcing on March 17 that the summit with President Xi Jinping would be reset to 'about five or six weeks' later as the administration shifted focus to the Iran war. He said discussions with China continued and that Beijing accepted the change. U.S. appeals for Chinese and allied naval assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz were rebuffed. The delay disrupted trade and diplomatic calendars and heightened market and geopolitical uncertainty. Officials provided limited scheduling details and declined comment. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Miami, Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, claiming the nation's first WBC title. Eugenio Suárez delivered a ninth-inning go-ahead double after Bryce Harper tied the game with an eighth-inning homer. Daniel Palencia closed the game by striking out the final batter. Earlier in the tournament, Venezuela beat Italy 4-2 in the semifinal when Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia and Luis Arráez produced a seventh-inning rally; Italy had reached its first semifinal after a 5-0 start. The final drew a sellout nationally at loanDepot Park. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

DENVER — Evgeni Malkin scored twice and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. The suspension stemmed from a March 5 slashing incident involving Rasmus Dahlin. Later this week in Raleigh, Sidney Crosby returned from an 11-game Olympic-related lower-body injury, recording a goal and an assist, but Pittsburgh lost 6-5 in overtime to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Team and league reports provided game statistics, player statuses, and official injury and disciplinary details. and verified by outlets. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Houston — The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 100-92 on Monday night, extending a six-game winning streak. Luka Dončić scored 36 points and Deandre Ayton added seven points and 11 rebounds, including key plays during a 15-2 late run. LeBron James contributed 18 points and Marcus Smart hit a pivotal 3-pointer. The Lakers held Houston to four fourth-quarter points over the final 6:12, while Kevin Durant scored 18 and committed multiple turnovers amid heavy double-teaming. The win moved Los Angeles ahead in Western Conference positioning and begins a six-game road trip. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington Republican senators opened a lengthy debate this week on the SAVE America Act, an elections bill requiring proof of citizenship to register and photo identification to vote. Senators discussed amendments and procedural steps as party leaders acknowledged the measure lacks the 60 votes needed to pass. President Donald Trump promoted the bill as central to his agenda and urged action before the midterm elections. Democrats uniformly opposed the proposal, arguing it would disenfranchise voters without documents. Republicans said they would use the floor to force public positions and highlight election-security themes. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ATLANTA, powerful storms swept the Midwest and moved east and disrupted U.S. air travel this week, forcing airlines to cancel and delay hundreds to a thousand flights. FlightAware tallies varied by report time, with major hubs including Atlanta, New York and Chicago reporting the most cancellations. The National Weather Service warned of high winds and severe conditions on Monday and storms dumped heavy snow in parts of the Midwest. A partial government shutdown beginning Feb. 14 constrained Transportation Security Administration staffing and compounded security queues. Airlines continue recovery and rebooking operations nationally. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta. The Hawks beat the Orlando Magic 124-112 Monday, extending their winning streak to ten games as Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 41 and Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double. Atlanta improved to 38-31, reclaimed eighth place in the Eastern Conference and clinched the season series against Orlando. Orlando's seven-game streak ended as Paolo Banchero posted 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Southeast Division's surge has intensified the playoff chase ahead of upcoming matchups this week. The Hawks return home Wednesday; Orlando hosts Oklahoma City Tuesday. Attendance numbered 18,138 at State Farm Arena. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles — Organizers released the LA28 football schedule this week, announcing that men's and women's soccer will begin July 10, four days before the July 14 opening ceremony, and will be staged across seven U.S. cities. Group-stage matches will occur in New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San José and San Diego beginning July 10–11, with later rounds at San Diego, San José and Pasadena's Rose Bowl. San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium will host 11 matches; Columbus will host nine. Ticket registration for the first lottery closes March 18, with sales planned April. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

PARK CITY, Utah. A jury convicted Kouri Richins on Monday of aggravated murder and related charges after finding she poisoned her husband, Eric Richins, with a fentanyl-laced cocktail in March 2022. Prosecutors told jurors she owed about $4.5 million, sought his estate exceeding $4 million and staged an earlier attempted poisoning on Valentine’s Day; defense rested without calling witnesses. Jurors deliberated under three hours before returning guilty verdicts on aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and insurance-fraud counts. Family members on both sides reacted emotionally today. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MIAMI — Venezuela rallied past Italy 4-2 on Monday to reach the World Baseball Classic final, overcoming a seventh-inning deficit with consecutive two-out RBI singles by Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel García and Luis Arraez. Aaron Nola started for Italy and allowed four innings of scoring before Venezuela’s rally. Italy manager Francisco Cervelli replaced Michael Lorenzen with Nola shortly before the team arrived at loanDepot Park. Keider Montero started for Venezuela. Venezuela will play the United States in Tuesday’s upcoming final at loanDepot Park. Venezuela reached its first WBC final in six editions; Italy advanced to the semifinals after upending Puerto Rico. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.