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Daily news brief — 18 March 2026

10 stories · 11 sources · 5 minute read

01worldCovered by 2 outlets

US National Counterterrorism Chief Resigns in Protest Over Iran War

Trump's own counterterrorism chief, Joe Kent, resigned in protest, stating Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S. Meanwhile, the Pentagon reports 13 troops killed and 200 injured since strikes on Iran began, with thousands more forces being deployed.

Why it matters

A high-level resignation signals deep internal dissent over the war's justification, while rising casualties raise questions about the conflict's trajectory.

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Sources

  • ABC News
  • Democracy Now
02worldCovered by 2 outlets

Iran Launches New Wave of Strikes Across Middle East; 17th Ship Hit in Hormuz

Iran launched its largest single-day attack yet, hitting a 17th ship in the Strait of Hormuz and igniting a UAE oil hub. Saudi Arabia intercepted nearly 100 Iranian drones in 24 hours as regional tensions escalate sharply.

Why it matters

Disruptions to a critical global shipping lane are pushing oil prices higher, with U.S. gas prices already up 90 cents per gallon.

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Sources

  • ABC News
  • ABC News
03world

Israeli Strikes Kill Iran's Security Chief and Senior Military Commander

Israel has killed Ali Larijani, Iran's security chief, and Basij commander Reza Soleimani in targeted airstrikes. The strikes deal a significant blow to Iran's leadership structure amid a conflict now entering its third week.

Why it matters

Eliminating senior Iranian commanders could reshape the conflict's trajectory and risks serious escalation in an already volatile region.

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Sources

  • PBS NewsHour

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04aiCovered by 3 outlets

AI Today in 5: March 17, 2026, The $1tn in Value Wipe-Out Edition

A sweeping AI stock sell-off wiped out $1 trillion in market value, with Amazon among the hardest hit. The broader roundup also covers agentic AI risks, financial crime tools, and AI's expanding role in life insurance compliance.

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Sources

  • JD Supra
  • CNBC
  • InsuranceNewsNet
05healthCovered by 2 outlets

Myriad Genetics Receives FDA Approval of the MyChoice CDx Test as the Companion Diagnostic for Zejula for Patients with Ovarian Cancer

The FDA approved Myriad Genetics' MyChoice CDx as the companion diagnostic for GSK's Zejula in advanced ovarian cancer patients with HRD-positive tumors. The test helps identify which patients are most likely to benefit from the targeted therapy.

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Sources

  • Myriad Genetics
  • OncLive
06business

Trump Heralds $300 Billion Refining Project in Brownsville, Texas

President Trump announced a $300 billion refining project in Brownsville, Texas, backed by India's Reliance Industries. He called it the largest deal in U.S. history, signaling major foreign investment in American energy infrastructure.

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Sources

  • Chemical & Engineering News
07tech

OpenAI Pivots to Developer-Focused Coding Tools

OpenAI is pivoting toward developer-focused AI coding tools, aiming to make software development faster and more efficient. The shift signals deeper AI integration into standard engineering workflows.

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Sources

  • Analytics Insight
08business

Elkem Cuts $60 Million in Costs, Eliminates 300 Jobs Amid Middle East War Impact

Norwegian chemical firm Elkem is cutting $60 million in annual costs and eliminating 300 jobs — roughly 10% of its workforce — by year-end. The restructuring reflects weak demand and supply chain disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict.

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Sources

  • Chemical & Engineering News
09tech

Tech Giants Sign Joint Agreement Against Online Scams

Major tech companies have signed a joint agreement to combat online scams and fraud. The pact aims to strengthen user protection across digital platforms through coordinated industry action.

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Sources

  • Analytics Insight
10aiCovered by 3 outlets

Niv-AI exits stealth to wring more power performance out of GPUs

Tel Aviv startup Niv-AI has emerged from stealth with $12M in funding. The company uses sensors and AI models to optimize GPU power consumption in data centers, improving efficiency and supporting better energy grid management.

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Sources

  • TechCrunch