Updated March 9, 2026, 6:46 a.m. ET
Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here’s what’s breaking this morning:
Nicole Fallert here. Catch up with USA TODAY’s News Quiz. We dive into Monday’s news, from the latest on the war in Iran to worries over safe spring break destinations for Americans. Plus: We cheer for USA’s paralympic hockey team.
More deaths to come in Iran war
A seventh American service member has died in the ongoing war with Iran, the U.S. military said on Sunday, more than a week after the conflict began. In Iran, the death toll from U.S.-Israeli strikes has exceeded 1,300, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. In Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Minister said Sunday nearly 400 people have been killed by Israeli strikes.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told “60 Minutes” that “there will be more casualties” in the war in Iran.
Is an end in sight? Trump said that he is not interested in negotiations. Instead, he raised the possibility that the war would continue until the Middle East country no longer has a military or leadership. Trump also said on Sunday high oil prices are a “small price to pay” for Americans. Meanwhile, Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei as its next supreme leader.
More news to know now
2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Another hockey medal for Team USA?
Team USA’s para ice hockey team defeated Italy 14-1 over the weekend, and now the Americans face Germany on Monday at 12:05 p.m. ET at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games. If the USA makes it to Sunday’s final and wins, it would be the third gold hockey medal for the country this year.
Travel
Spring break scramble
Rising geopolitical tensions are pushing some U.S. travelers have anxiety about spring break. In one instance, Mexico’s recent civil unrest also put some travelers on edge, with the travel insurance platform Squaremouth reporting a sixfold surge in customer calls specifically about Mexico. Here are a few spring break destinations safe for Americans.
Before you go
Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.
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