Photo Webdesk

Officials in Cuba reported an islandwide blackout Monday as deepening energy and economic crises continue to strain a crumbling power grid. It marked the third major outage in four months. A separate blackout just over a week ago affected western Cuba, leaving millions without electricity. President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned Friday that the island has gone more than three months without oil shipments, relying instead on solar power, natural gas and aging thermoelectric plants. Cuba has blamed the crisis on a U.S. energy blockade, while U.S. President Donald Trump warned in January of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

A 58th-minute goal from captain Sam Kerr ended up making the difference as Australia defeated China 2-1 in the first semi-final of AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday (17 March). China did the early running in the game and despite Australia's opener via Caitlin Foord in the 17th minute, restored parity through Zhang Linyan's penalty. But Kerr struck decisively in the 58th minute to power the Matildas past the defending champions, and into the final. The hosts will head to Sydney for the summit clash on March 21, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between South Korea and Japan.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation facility in the country's capital late on Monday, killing at least 400 people. It marked a dramatic escalation of a conflict that began late last month and has seen repeated cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside Afghanistan. There has been no response to international appeals for a ceasefire. Pakistan denied that it hade attacked a hospital, claiming that no civilian locations were impacted by its strikes, which were also carried out in eastern Afghanistan.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

The San Antonio Spurs narrowly escaped with a 119-115 win over a Kawhi-less Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, 17 March, kicking off their road trip after a 5-1 home stand. The Spurs overcame an early 17-3 deficit, with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle attacking the rim and Wemby dominating the boards to turn a 14-point halftime deficit into a 66-52 lead. San Antonio extended their advantage to 24 in the third, but sloppy play and a Clippers surge cut the lead to two possessions late. Key minutes from Wemby, clutch runs, and two timely foul calls helped the Spurs hold off LA, securing a hard-fought victory in a back-and-forth thriller.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

The Boston Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-112 on Tuesday, 17 March, with Jaylen Brown scoring 18 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter and Jayson Tatum adding 21 in his fifth game back from an Achilles injury. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 40 points and Jalen Green added 21, but a late 8-0 run, sparked by Brown’s steal and Tatum’s layup, helped Boston turn a 111-108 deficit into a lead. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard added 21 and 19 points respectively as the Celtics scored 12 of the game’s final 13 points to seal the win.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 100-92 in the opener of their Western Conference playoff showdown, led by Luka Doncic’s 36 points and clutch back-to-back 3-pointers in the third quarter that turned a halftime deficit into an 83-80 lead. LeBron James contributed 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists, including a corner 3 to seal the win in the final minutes. Despite 13 lead changes and strong efforts from Jabari Smith Jr. (22 points), Amen Thompson (19), and Kevin Durant (18), Houston’s 24 turnovers and the absence of Alperen Sengun proved costly, as the Lakers extended their winning streak to six and moved 1½ games ahead in the West standings.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

Players from the Iran women's national football team left Kuala Lumpur for Oman on Monday, ending days of uncertainty after five players who had initially sought asylum in Australia reversed their decisions and rejoined the squad in Malaysia. The team departed following their exit from the AFC Women's Asian Cup, with the Asian Football Confederation confirming the travel was arranged by the Iranian embassy. Meanwhile, two players who remained in Australia are currently training in Brisbane.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for March 17, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

The war in West Asia, has severe consequences for the world — the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the spike in oil prices, and the fears of a global energy shortage. It is also becoming obvious that America grossly underestimated Iran’s resilience and ability to expand the war. Israel, meanwhile, has escalated its conflict with Lebanon, targeting its capital Beirut even as Iran continues to target the UAE and other American allies.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026

Venezuela reached their first-ever World Baseball Classic final after rallying to defeat Italy 4–2 in the semifinal at loanDepot Park on Monday. Italy had taken a 2–0 lead in the second inning, but Venezuela responded with a solo home run from Eugenio Suárez before a decisive seventh-inning rally. RBI singles from Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez completed the comeback and set up a championship clash with United States.

BY Photo Webdesk 17 March 2026