The Latest: 03/18/2026 01:59pm ET

0:00This is an iHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human. From the creators of Jury Duty comes a new installment full of high jinks, hilarity, and hot sauce. This season, we're taking the comedy out of the courthouse and into the mountains for an annual company retreat. The catch? Everyone but the new guy is an actor. Oh yeah, and the company is fake. Season 2 arrives with bigger laughs, higher stakes, and the same heart that made season 1 a cultural phenomenon. Such Jury Duty presents company retreat, now streaming on Prime Video. This is your 24-7 News Update, the latest views this hour in just four minutes. President Trump will be a Dover Air Force base in Delaware soon to attend the dignified transfer of three Ohio airmen who died overseas. The airmen were among the six who died in Western Iraq last week when two tankers collided in mid-air while refueling an aircraft. US Central Command says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

1:01The Fed is set to announce its second interest rate decision of the year soon. It comes at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee. It's expected that the Central Bank will leave interest rates unchanged for the time being. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is navigating through some economic uncertainty that's been created by the war in Iran. The war in Iran now is set to enter its third week. It's still unclear whether any nations will help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz. NBC's Peter Alexander reports President Trump has been criticizing allies from being reluctant to get involved. He says the US will go it alone. We don't need too much help. We don't need any help, actually. Just days ago, the President had urged other countries, including European NATO allies, to join the US in securing the key Strait of Hormuz that's been choked by Iran, causing chaos for global oil prices. Meantime, US Central Command says multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs were dropped near the Strait yesterday. According to Centcom, Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles at the site's posed a risk

2:05to international shipping in the Strait, which is where about 20% of the world's oil supply flows. President Trump's pick to replace Christy Nome, as the Department of Homeland Security Chief, appeared before lawmakers today. Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen of Oklahoma testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee for his confirmation hearing. It comes as Democrats have blocked funding to DHS since mid-February until there are reforms to ICE following the deadly shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year involving ICE agents. I'm Chris Karasio. Smaller airports across the United States may face closures if the DHS funding crisis continues during a recent interview, TSA's Acting Deputy Administrator said, if the partial shutdown persists, it's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is almost over. The month is significant because it was during this time that the Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, was said to have first been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan

3:09Muslims fast from dusk to dawn while focusing on devotion and contemplation. Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon, which this year should occur tomorrow evening. A piano that was used by John Lennon has a new owner, Mark Mayfield, has details. The piano sold for almost $3.3 million in an auction hosted by Christie's in New York, becoming the most expensive item to be sold from the Beatles. The instrument was sold as part of the Jim Erse collection Hall of Fame. Lennon used the piano to compose hits like a day in the life, Lucy in the sky with diamonds and being for the benefit of Mr. Kite. Paul McCartney is set to perform in March in Los Angeles. He's holding two intimate performances at the Fonda Theater on March 26th and 27th.

4:14The appearances at the 1200 capacity venue are his first show since wrapping up his arena tour in November. Fans are able to register to purchase tickets through today at 10 p.m. Pacific. And a music history news on this date in 1999 Bruce Springsteen reunited with the E Street Band for a pair of benefit concerts at the Asbury Park Convention Center for local Asbury Park New Jersey charities. It was the group's first show in 10 years. I'm Chris Carasio.