LND topic: secretary-chris-wright page 1

secretary chris wright

College Basketball Playoffs: Who’s Favored and Why

March 17, 2026

The 2026 college basketball playoffs are almost here, with all 68 teams already chosen. The opening round, called the First Four, starts Tuesday and Wednesday. Big names like Duke, Arizona, Michigan and Florida are seeded first and are the clear favorites to win their early games. In the First Four

politics

Maine Ballot Adds Debate Over Transgender Athletes in School Sports

March 17, 2026

In Maine, a new referendum will let voters decide whether girls’ school sports teams must stay separate from boys and transgender athletes. Organizers gathered over 71, 000 signatures, more than the required 67, 682, so the proposal is set for the November ballot. If it passes, schools would have to

religion

A Quiet Shift in America’s Spiritual Landscape

March 17, 2026

Recent data shows that the decline in church attendance and rise of atheism have slowed, with more people identifying as Christian or joining other faiths. Researchers note that the percentage of adults who say they belong to a religion or have no religion has stayed steady over five years. Some sch

sports

Kansas Coach Bill Self: Background and Values

March 17, 2026

Bill Self is a famous college basketball coach who leads the Kansas Jayhawks. He was born on December 27, 1962 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His father, Bill Self Sr. , coached girls’ basketball at a local high school. The family name “Self” comes from English roots that go back to medieval times.

politics

Three Nations Plan to Share Defence Buying Power

March 17, 2026

Britain, Finland and the Netherlands are thinking about working together to buy weapons and equipment. They want to split costs so each country spends less while getting better gear. The idea is part of a bigger plan that could start by 2027. The three governments are not the only ones involved. Ot

politics

EU Leader Urges US and Israel to End Iran Conflict

March 17, 2026

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told reporters in Brussels that the war involving Iran must stop. She said the EU is talking with Middle‑East governments to find a diplomatic way out of the fighting. Kallas added that Europe would not block naval traffic through the Strait of Horm

health

Trust in U. S. Vaccines Drops as Debate Heats Up

March 17, 2026

A recent survey shows that only 60 % of Americans now trust the government’s advice on childhood vaccines, down from 71 % last June. The change follows a new schedule introduced in January by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , which cut the number of universally recommended vaccines from about

politics

Drinks Shut Down: Damascus Bars Face New Rules

March 17, 2026

The Syrian government has decided to shut down alcohol sales in restaurants and bars across the capital city. The order, announced by the local governor on Monday evening, says that venues must change their licenses from “nightclub” or “bar” to “cafe. ” Only sealed bottles can be sold for take‑away,

weather

Tornado Touches Charlotte Warehouse, Leaves Minor Damage

March 16, 2026

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF‑0 tornado struck a warehouse in northeast Charlotte on Monday, ripping the roof off and causing some damage to the property. The tornado’s winds reached about 85 miles per hour, and the storm covered a path of roughly one and a half miles. Fortunatel

politics

Oil Routes, Alliances and the New Middle‑East Tension

March 16, 2026

Israel claimed it had struck a Tehran building that supported Iran’s space plans, calling the site a hub for military satellites. Photos on social media show damage to a research institute in central Tehran, linked to the Chamran‑1 satellite launched last year. Meanwhile, three Pakistani tankers hav