The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has been closed for security reasons following an Iranian missile strike in the area. “Reports @Israel has closed Church of Holy Sepulcher & Al Aska Mosque omit important fact-the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site is also closed,” U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced. “A large piece of Iranian missile landed in courtyard at Church of the Holy Sepulcher. If not closed, mass casualties,” he continued. Reports @Israel has closed Church of Holy Sepulcher & Al Aska Mosque omit important fact-the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site is also closed. A large piece of Iranian missile landed in courtyard at Church of the Holy Sepulcher. If not closed, mass casualties. — Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 18, 2026 Orthodox Christianity wrote earlier this month: As a result of the closure, the Jerusalem Patriarchate celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy on March 1 in an alternative venue. Vespers were held not in the Holy Sepulchre, as is customary, but in the Patriarchal and Monastic Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen. His Beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III presided, concelebrating with the Holy Sepulchre fathers and hierarchs present. The Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning was likewise celebrated in the Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen. The service was attended by nuns, a small number of Jerusalemite faithful, and pilgrims. Following the Liturgy, the procession of the holy icons took place on the terraces of the central monastery, followed by the reading of the Synodikon—the proclamation of “Memory eternal” for the defenders of the holy icons and “Anathema” upon the iconoclasts and all heretics. The festivities concluded with a procession to the Patriarchate Hall and a festal reception. “Jerusalem’s holy sites stand empty for one reason: protecting worshippers. The same safety measures apply to the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the Israel Foreign Ministry stated. “While the Iranian regime fires missiles at civilians of all religions – even toward Jerusalem’s holy sites during Ramadan – Israel protects the life and safety of all worshippers,” it added. Jerusalem’s holy sites stand empty for one reason: protecting worshippers. The same safety measures apply to the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While the Iranian regime fires missiles at civilians of all religions – even toward Jerusalem’s… pic.twitter.com/34DVmaT3tD — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) March 14, 2026 According to the Israeli government, an Iranian missile exploded over several holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City. Iranian Missile Explodes Over “Jerusalem’s Old City,” Israel Says “An Iranian missile exploded over Jerusalem’s Old City. Its fragments fell on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish Quarter and on the Temple Mount near the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Israel stated. An Iranian missile exploded over Jerusalem’s Old City. Its fragments fell on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish Quarter and on the Temple Mount near the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Iranian regime is firing missiles toward Jerusalem’s holy sites,… pic.twitter.com/8vKyURiGVW — Israel ישראל (@Israel) March 16, 2026 Daily Mail shared further: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the second most visited attraction in Israel, with over two million annual visitors, following the Western Wall - the last remaining remnant of the Second Temple complex destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. Church leaders in the Holy Land have called the closure unprecedented, as even during past wars and periods of tension, worship at the site continued in some form. The move highlights how escalating tensions are now reaching even the most sacred and historically resilient religious sites in Jerusalem. There were no casualties or ​major damage reported at the Church of ⁠the Holy Sepulchre or the nearby hilltop plateau ​known to Muslims and to Jews ​as Temple Mount, a flashpoint site that is holy to both faiths. Photos distributed by police showed debris sitting on a red-tiled ‌roof ⁠adjacent to the Holy Sepulchre.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) will seek re-election in 2028, despite previously pledging that his 2022 campaign would be his last. Scott disclosed his plans in an interview with the Post and Courier. “And I’ll say without any question that as I think about my own reelection in 2028, I think about all the lessons I’ve learned on the campaign trail for all these other candidates, and frankly, even in South Carolina,” Scott told the outlet. “The more I travel the state, the more I travel the country, the more I realize the important role that we play in the majority,” he added. Tim Scott to run for reelection to the Senate https://t.co/eSCwlddPcw — POLITICO (@politico) March 18, 2026 More from the Post and Courier: The announcement from Scott, 60, is a departure from an early promise he made in 2014, shortly after he took the oath of office on the floor of the U.S. Senate. At the time, Scott told reporters from his home state that he favored term limits and would impose one on himself. He promised to finish out the final two years of former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint’s term and then hoped to be reelected to two, full six-year terms. It was a commitment he reaffirmed as recently as 2019 during a “Pints and Politics” appearance sponsored by the newspaper, when he declared at the end of the live question-and-answer session that he had no interest in running for political office after 2022. “I plan to run for reelection, but that will be my last one, if I run,” he said at the time, eliciting gasps and some claps from the audience of more than 250 people. Asked during the March 18 phone interview if he misspoke, Scott said, “Oh no, no. I meant 2028.” Asked if he plans to run again in 2028, Scott further confirmed, “Yes ma’am.” “Shocker! A Republican makes a term limit pledge and then walks it back. Guess that’s what happens when Donald Trump doesn’t want you in his cabinet,” South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain commented, according to the outlet. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), South Carolina’s senior senator, officially filed for re-election in the 2026 midterms this week. “It’s official. I just left my campaign headquarters after filing for re-election. Thanks to all the family, friends and supporters that make this possible,” Graham said. It’s official. I just left my campaign headquarters after filing for re-election. Thanks to all the family, friends and supporters that make this possible. pic.twitter.com/MzYWe0q5MG — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 16, 2026 WCIV noted: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is viewed unfavorably by 61% of voters, according to a new statewide poll conducted by Impact Research. The poll suggested that only 34% of voters viewed him favorably, with 57% of respondents claiming they are “looking to vote for someone else.” “Senator Graham is in serious political trouble, and this poll confirms what South Carolinians already know — they’re ready for change,” said Dr. Annie Andrews. “I’m running because working families in this state deserve a senator who fights for them, not one who’s spent decades in Washington collecting corporate checks and enriching himself while kids can’t afford to see a doctor. This race is winnable, and we’re going to win it.” The survey, which took into account 700 likely 2026 voters, was conducted from Feb. 25 through March 1. According to its findings, only 32% of voters say they would definitely or probably vote to re-elect Sen. Graham. Among independent voters, Graham trails Andrews by 19 points.

The State Department is adding 12 countries to a list of nations whose citizens must post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for a U.S. visa. “The State Department is expanding its visa bond program to apply to a total of 50 countries on April 2 and will require foreign nationals from these countries to post a bond of $15,000 before receiving B1 or B2 visas for business and tourism in the United States,” the State Department announced. “The bond will be returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond or does not travel,” it continued. “The new countries included in the visa bond program are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia,” the release stated. BREAKING: The State Department announced it's adding 12 MORE countries to its Visa Bond Program, which imposes an additional $15,000 fee to obtain a U.S. Visa. These new countries include:-Cambodia-Ethiopia-Georgia-Grenada-Lesotho-Mauritius-Mongolia-Mozambique-Nicaragua… pic.twitter.com/IFfBAPH0RR — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2026 “These countries join 38 nations that are already included in the visa bond program. Those countries are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe,” it continued. More from the Associated Press: Under the program, visa applicants from designated countries, many of which are in Africa, which have high overstay rates, have to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 depending on their circumstances and the discretion of the consular officer processing the application. “The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States,” the department said, adding that almost 97% of the nearly 1,000 people to have posted the bond had not overstayed their visa. “The State Department is keeping America’s borders secure and preventing visa overstays,” the State Department wrote on X. “Nationals from 50 countries will soon be required to provide a $15,000 bond for business and tourist visas – returned to those who comply with their visa terms and return home on time,” it added. The State Department is keeping America's borders secure and preventing visa overstays. Nationals from 50 countries will soon be required to provide a $15,000 bond for business and tourist visas – returned to those who comply with their visa terms and return home on time. pic.twitter.com/SewS69b0Pb — Department of State (@StateDept) March 18, 2026 The Department of State wrote: By contrast, in Biden’s last year in office, more than 44,000 visitors from the 50 current Visa Bonds countries overstayed. The State Department’s April 2 action will apply the visa bond policy to 12 additional nations. The Department may continue to place Visa Bonds on countries based on a range of immigration risk factors. The expanded visa bond program saves the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars every year. It costs the U.S. taxpayer over $18,000 on average to remove an alien illegally present in the United States. The Department of State is saving U.S. taxpayers up to $800 million per year that would otherwise be required to remove these aliens who overstay.

A power outage on Wednesday morning impacted operations at Denver International Airport. “The airport experienced a power incident around 9:20 a.m. Certain areas of the airport are still experiencing an outage, including DEN’s train to the gates,” the airport said on social media. “Technicians are working as quickly as possible to restore power. We will share updates as soon as we have them,” it added. ALERT: The airport experienced a power incident around 9:20 a.m. Certain areas of the airport are still experiencing an outage, including DEN's train to the gates. Technicians are working as quickly as possible to restore power. We will share updates as soon as we have them. — Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 18, 2026 CBS News shared further: Denver International Airport officials said power was restored at 11:04 a.m., nearly two hours after the initial outage. They said that operations would return to normal and asked for patience. According to witness accounts from inside the airport, passengers were not allowed to board waiting planes, and power outages were impacting bathroom services. “The train was out of service and had no power. Some of the backup power was available, some things were working but a lot of things wouldn’t work. Even the intercom systems, they couldn’t make announcements, they couldn’t let people know,” Patrick Moreno, of California, told CBS News Colorado. Images from inside the airport showed crowds of people in limbo, waiting to either get to their gate at a train that wasn’t working or waiting to board their plane. Denver International Airport is among the five busiest airports in the United States. “The trains are down and no way for people to get out of the terminal,” one X user commented. Update: Denver International Airport has no power The trains are down and no way for people to get out of the terminal. https://t.co/RgFAmA65Qv pic.twitter.com/4vYUBwdheO — Dagnum P.I. (@Dagnum_PI) March 18, 2026 “Operations have returned to normal. Please check with your airline for all flight-related questions,” the airport later stated. Operations have returned to normal. Please check with your airline for all flight-related questions. https://t.co/EVYVcfPLDz — Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 18, 2026 KDVR has more: One viewer told FOX31 that escalators were not working and trains were shut down, and travelers could not get from terminal to terminal. They said some stores had power, but can only accept cash payment. Around 11 a.m., users said that power was on, though there were still large crowds of people, and bathrooms were hit or miss. Xcel Energy’s outage map showed an unplanned outage near the airport. According to flight tracking tool FlightAware, there were 96 flights delayed and 6 canceled as of 10 a.m. That increased to 258 delays by 11 a.m., and is up to 474 delays as of 1:30 p.m. The airport said travelers should check with their airlines for information about the status of their flight, even after the power was restored.

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