U.S. President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest since his return to power, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The four-day survey found that growing dissatisfaction with the Iran war and rising fuel prices have driven down his approval rating from 40 percent the previous week.

The poll also revealed declining public support for U.S. military action against Iran, with only 35 percent in favor and 61 percent opposed. Public sentiment on living costs has worsened as fuel prices surged following the U.S.-led coordinated attack on Iran, which disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Only 25 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the situation.

The online survey included 1,272 adult Americans and carried a margin of error of three percentage points, according to Al Jazeera, which cited the poll results.

U.S. President Donald Trump has attempted to shift responsibility for the Iran war onto his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of the Safe Task Force in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump said Hegseth was the first among his administration members to advise him to launch an attack on Iran. During the discussion, Trump recalled consulting several senior officials about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.

At the meeting, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said he had called in military leaders to discuss Iran’s alleged terrorism over the past 47 years and its proximity to obtaining nuclear weapons. He quoted Hegseth as having urged immediate action to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons. While assigning blame, Trump also praised Hegseth’s role and leadership.

Trump further claimed that the United States was engaged in positive discussions with Tehran. However, Iranian authorities dismissed his statement as “fake news,” calling it a delaying tactic. The remarks were reported by The Hill.

Journalists at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have announced a 24-hour strike starting Wednesday, marking the first such action in two decades. The decision follows the rejection of a management proposal to raise wages by 10 percent over three years. Around 60 percent of ABC journalists voted against the offer, citing inflation of 3.8 percent in January and dissatisfaction with the proposal’s omission of key issues such as maternity leave and the use of artificial intelligence.

Union representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance said the offer would reduce working conditions, fail to keep up with inflation, and allow AI bots to replace journalists. The Community and Public Sector Union also warned that broadcast disruptions were inevitable until a fair proposal was made. ABC’s Managing Director Hugh Marks defended the offer as financially responsible and sustainable under current conditions.

To resolve the dispute, ABC has sought assistance from Australia’s Fair Work Commission. The last strike by ABC employees occurred in 2006 over similar pay and workplace concerns.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest U.S. aircraft carrier, returned on Monday to a naval base on the Greek island of Crete after participating in wartime operations in the Middle East. The vessel had previously resupplied with food, fuel, and ammunition at Souda Bay in February. On March 12, a fire broke out in the ship’s laundry room, injuring two crew members and damaging around 100 berths.

The Ford, along with another U.S. carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, played a key role in a major air campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February. The withdrawal of the Ford is expected to leave a significant gap in U.S. military presence in the region. Reports also indicated that the ship faced serious toilet malfunctions at sea, forcing sailors to queue for use, and that crew morale had declined due to multiple operational difficulties.

According to U.S. military sources cited by AFP, the damage and morale issues have added to the challenges faced by the carrier during its deployment.

A powerful explosion occurred on Monday, March 23, at a Valero-owned oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, United States. The blast was so intense that local authorities immediately instructed nearby residents to evacuate to safe locations, according to AFP. Emergency services in Port Arthur issued alerts urging people in surrounding areas to seek shelter away from the site.

Valero stated in a company release that all employees had been accounted for and no one was missing, emphasizing that worker safety remained their top priority. Local media footage showed large flames and thick black smoke rising from the refinery, while witnesses reported that the explosion shattered windows in nearby homes.

The refinery, located about 90 miles east of Houston, employs around 800 workers and processes approximately 435,000 barrels of oil per day, producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has directly blamed President Donald Trump for a steep rise in fuel prices across the United States. In a post on social media platform X, Schumer said the average price of gasoline had jumped from $2.93 to $3.94 per gallon in less than a month, calling Trump solely responsible for the surge.

The senior Democratic leader has consistently opposed the Trump administration’s decision to attack Iran and urged an immediate end to the conflict. In an earlier post, Schumer accused the administration of wasting vast public funds on what he described as an unnecessary war. According to related sources cited in the report, ongoing military tensions in the Middle East have contributed to instability in global oil markets.

The statement underscores growing political criticism of the administration’s foreign policy and its domestic economic consequences, particularly rising energy costs for American consumers.

A passenger plane operated by Jazz Aviation under Air Canada Express collided with a fire truck while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York late Sunday night, killing the pilot and co-pilot. The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. local time as Flight 8646 from Montreal was landing on Runway 4 at about 30 miles per hour. At least 41 people were injured, including two police officers. The fire truck was responding to another aircraft emergency when the collision happened.

Authorities said 72 passengers and four crew members were on board. Injured passengers were taken to Elmhurst Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. The Port Authority confirmed that the two officers are expected to recover. Radio communication records indicated that air traffic control had ordered the fire truck to stop, but the collision occurred before the instruction took effect.

Visibility at the time was reduced to about three miles due to rain and fog. The airport was temporarily closed, and the Federal Aviation Administration suspended all flights until Monday afternoon. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation, while former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo blamed FAA negligence and poor coordination between air and ground control for the crash.

The United States stock market recorded a notable rise after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of a planned attack on an Iranian power plant. Following the decision, oil prices declined, bringing relief to investors. According to Al Jazeera, all three major US stock indexes closed more than one percent higher, marking a strong rebound after last week’s losses.

Trump stated that the United States had held ‘productive talks’ with Tehran, though Iran denied this claim. The announcement and subsequent drop in oil prices—over ten percent—helped Wall Street achieve its biggest single-day gain since February 6. The market’s positive reaction reflected renewed investor confidence amid easing geopolitical tensions.

Despite the market optimism, the situation between the United States and Iran remains uncertain, as both sides continue to offer differing accounts of their discussions.

US President Donald Trump has said that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will reopen soon. In an interview with CNN on Monday, he stated that if ongoing talks with Iran continue positively, the waterway could be reopened quickly. Trump suggested that in the future, the strait might be jointly controlled by the United States and Iran, saying he and the Ayatollah—whoever holds that position—would manage it together.

Trump also hinted at a possible regime change in Iran, claiming that earlier attacks had damaged much of Iran’s top leadership, leading to a natural process of political change. However, he noted that recent discussions had shown positive progress and that there was potential for easing tensions. Trump added that there are individuals within Iran whom he considers reasonable and respected, and who could play significant roles in the future.

The situation remains uncertain as both the United States and Iran have expressed differing views on the ongoing negotiations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov made the appeal during a phone conversation on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as reported by Al Jazeera. The ministry stated that Lavrov emphasized the need to stop hostilities quickly and pursue political and diplomatic solutions.

Lavrov also described attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as unacceptable. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned a U.S.-Israeli strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, calling it extremely dangerous. The Russian Foreign Ministry further noted that both Lavrov and Araghchi expressed concern that the conflict could expand to the Caspian Sea region.

The statements reflect Moscow’s growing alarm over escalating tensions and its call for restraint and dialogue to prevent regional destabilization.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that global oil prices would fall sharply if a peace agreement is reached to end the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Since the conflict began, oil prices have risen significantly due to heightened tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy transport. Trump said there is a good chance of reaching a deal but emphasized that nothing is guaranteed.

According to Trump, the two countries are discussing 15 points aimed at ending the war, with Iran’s abandonment of nuclear weapons listed as the top three priorities. He also expressed his desire to see major changes in Iran’s governing system. The remarks come amid stalled maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz caused by Iranian threats, which have contributed to the surge in oil prices.

The report, citing BBC Bangla, did not specify when or where the negotiations are taking place or how close the parties are to an agreement.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five-day suspension of all planned military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure. The declaration came Monday via his social media platform Truth Social, where he said recent discussions between the United States and Iran had been positive and productive. Trump stated that he instructed the Defense Department to halt operations temporarily, adding that the decision would depend on the progress of ongoing talks.

Tehran disputed Trump’s claim of any direct or indirect communication. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, an unnamed source said no such talks occurred and that Trump’s decision followed Iran’s warning against targeting its power facilities. Independent verification of these claims was not possible, and U.S. officials did not immediately comment.

Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours. Iran responded with a counter-threat to strike regional energy installations and close the strait entirely, a key route for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

A new CBS News and YouGov survey shows that 92 percent of Americans want the ongoing war with Iran to end as soon as possible. The poll, conducted online from March 17 to 20 among 3,335 adults, follows the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior figures. Since then, retaliatory strikes have continued between the two sides.

According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents emphasized the safety of Iranian civilians, 73 percent supported halting Iran’s nuclear program, and 68 percent prioritized stopping Iran’s threats against other countries. Public opinion remains split on regime change in Iran, with 49 percent favoring Iran-aligned leadership and 51 percent opposing it. Two-thirds of Americans believe the war was more intentional than necessary.

The poll also found that 60 percent of Americans now oppose military action against Iran, up from 56 percent earlier in the month. About 68 percent said the Trump administration has failed to clearly explain the war’s objectives, and 57 percent think the conflict is going badly for the United States.

A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that 59 percent of Americans oppose the Trump administration’s decision to launch a military strike on Iran, while 41 percent support it. The survey indicates widespread public unease and fear over the conflict, with 56 percent of respondents believing the confrontation could lead to a prolonged war. President Donald Trump, however, stated that he planned to end the conflict within four weeks and claimed progress was ahead of schedule.

According to the poll, 62 percent of Americans think Trump should seek congressional approval before taking further military action, and 60 percent believe he lacks a clear plan to handle the situation. Only 12 percent support sending ground troops to Iran, while 60 percent strongly oppose it. The data also reveal partisan divides: 77 percent of Republicans back the strike compared to just 18 percent of Democrats. Even within the Republican Party, “MAGA” supporters show near-total confidence in Trump, while others express concern about a long-term war.

Analysts suggest the negative public sentiment could pose a significant challenge for Trump’s party in the upcoming November congressional elections.

An Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a vehicle on the runway while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Sunday evening. The CRJ-900 model plane, arriving from Montreal and operated by Jazz Aviation, struck the vehicle at a speed of about 39 kilometers per hour. Following the incident, airport operations were temporarily suspended as emergency crews responded to the scene.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a temporary halt to all flights at LaGuardia due to the emergency, initially effective until 05:30 GMT, with a possible extension. The New York Fire Department confirmed it responded to the collision, while both Air Canada and the FAA did not issue immediate comments. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft’s nose tilted slightly upward after the impact.

According to the airport’s website, several flights were diverted to other airports or returned to their departure points. An FAA notice later indicated that the closure could continue until 18:00 GMT depending on conditions.