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MAGA Voices Split Over Trump’s Iran Strikes

Edward Saenz
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MAGA Voices Split Over Trump’s Iran Strikes

A growing divide has emerged within the MAGA movement after President Donald Trump ordered military strikes against Iran, with some of his most influential supporters warning the backlash could intensify if the conflict drags on.

Criticism has come from prominent conservative figures including Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly, all of whom played roles in amplifying Trump’s political message during his 2024 campaign.

Concerns Over a “Forever War”

Some voices within the movement say the military action risks contradicting a core MAGA promise: avoiding prolonged foreign conflicts.

Natalie Winters, a correspondent for Bannon’s “War Room,” warned that support could fade if the operation continues for weeks without clear goals.

“If this turns into another dragged-out conflict, that’s not what we voted for,” Winters said, noting that many supporters backed Trump specifically to avoid foreign intervention.

Officials in the administration have offered shifting timelines for the conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said the operation has “only just begun,” suggesting the war could last as long as eight weeks or more.

Generational Divide Among Supporters

Some commentators believe the reaction reflects a generational split within Trump’s base. Political activist Jack Posobiec said younger MAGA voters are far less supportive of overseas military involvement.

According to Posobiec, many younger supporters prioritize domestic issues such as economic relief, immigration enforcement and government transparency rather than foreign policy conflicts.

Pro-Trump Voices Push Back

Not everyone in the MAGA sphere agrees with the criticism. Far-right activist Laura Loomer has strongly defended the president’s actions and dismissed critics as disloyal to the movement.

Loomer said she personally congratulated Trump following the strikes and argued there is broad support among his base for the operation.

Meanwhile, podcaster Dan Bongino called the controversy exaggerated, claiming media coverage is attempting to divide Trump supporters ahead of upcoming elections.

Political Risks Ahead

Some conservative analysts warn that even a small drop in enthusiasm among Trump’s coalition could have political consequences, particularly in competitive races.

For now, the debate highlights a rare public disagreement within the MAGA movement over foreign policy — one that could deepen if the conflict with Iran continues.

For more on the U.S. military operations in Iran, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump Launches ‘Shield of the Americas’ Coalition to Combat Drug Cartels

Indira Zaldivar
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Trump Launches ‘Shield of the Americas’ Coalition to Combat Drug Cartels

President Donald Trump met with more than a dozen Latin American leaders in Miami on Saturday to launch a new regional security initiative aimed at combating powerful drug cartels across the Western Hemisphere.

The gathering, called the Shield of the Americas Summit, brought together leaders from Central America, South America and the Caribbean to sign a commitment to coordinate efforts against transnational criminal organizations.

A Hardline Approach to Organized Crime

Trump described the coalition as an aggressive campaign to confront drug trafficking groups that he said have taken control of parts of the region.

“Leaders in this region have allowed large swaths of territory in the Western Hemisphere to come under the control of transnational gangs,” Trump said during a speech lasting more than 30 minutes.

He also suggested that the United States could potentially use military force against cartel leaders if partner countries requested assistance.

Trump again pointed to Mexico as a central hub for cartel activity and claimed that political change in Cuba could be approaching.

Regional Leaders Join the Coalition

Among the leaders attending the summit were Javier Milei of Argentina, Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador. Many of the participants share Trump’s hardline stance on crime and migration, favoring aggressive crackdowns on gangs.

Bukele’s controversial anti-gang strategy, including the use of a massive prison complex for suspected gang members, has become a model for some governments in the region.

Geopolitical Tensions in the Background

While the summit focused on drug cartels, Trump also warned about “hostile foreign influence” in the Western Hemisphere — an apparent reference to China, which has rapidly expanded trade, infrastructure investments and loans throughout Latin America.

U.S. officials have increasingly viewed the region through the lens of strategic competition with Beijing, particularly regarding ports, energy projects and major shipping routes such as the Panama Canal.

The summit comes as the Trump administration also faces escalating tensions abroad, including a growing conflict with Iran, highlighting the administration’s push to project strength both globally and closer to home.

For more political news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

OpenAI, Oracle Cancel Texas AI Data Center Expansion

Edward Saenz
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OpenAI, Oracle Cancel Texas AI Data Center Expansion

OpenAI and Oracle have canceled plans to expand a massive artificial intelligence data center campus in Abilene, Texas, citing financing issues and uncertainty over computing demand. The move affects the companies’ ambitious Stargate Project, a multibillion-dollar initiative to build AI infrastructure across the United States.

The Abilene site is already under construction, with eight data centers slated for completion. The expansion would have nearly doubled the campus’ size, adding additional buildings and thousands of servers and high-performance GPUs used to train AI models.

Company officials said the decision does not affect the existing eight data centers, which will continue as planned. Reports indicate the companies struggled to secure funding for the expansion and were unsure about near-term demand for AI computing.

The unused space may attract other tech giants. Meta Platforms is reportedly exploring leasing capacity at the campus, while Nvidia has invested in GPU infrastructure at the site.

Texas has become a hub for large-scale AI projects because of relatively low energy costs, abundant land, and state incentives. The Stargate initiative overall could invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure by 2029.

The Abilene campus illustrates the rapid growth and volatility of the AI sector, where companies are constantly adjusting strategies for computing capacity and site locations.

McCarty Off the Bench, Cougars Rally to Close Regular Season: Houston 82, Oklahoma State 75

Michael Esparza
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McCarty Off the Bench, Cougars Rally to Close Regular Season: Houston 82, Oklahoma State 75

It wasn’t clean. It wasn’t easy. And for most of the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena, it didn’t look like it was going to go Houston’s way.

But when reserve guard Chase McCarty caught fire in the second half — scoring 14 of his 20 points after the break — No. 7 Houston rallied past Oklahoma State 82–75 on Saturday to close the regular season on a winning note. Milos Uzan’s go-ahead three-pointer with 14:35 remaining gave the Cougars their first lead of the afternoon, and Houston never trailed again. The win pushed Houston’s final regular season record to 26–5 overall and 14–4 in the Big 12, locking in the No. 2 seed heading into next week’s conference tournament.

Oklahoma State Came to Play

If the Cowboys were playing spoiler, they came close to pulling it off. Oklahoma State — honoring seniors Christian Coleman, Parsa Fallah, Robert Jennings II, and Anthony Roy before tip-off — jumped on Houston from the opening possession. Anthony Roy and Jaylen Curry connected on back-to-back triples early, and the Cowboys built a lead they would hold for most of the first 20 minutes.

Houston got out to a 5–0 start but OSU answered with a run of their own, and the Cowboys’ three-point shooting kept them in front throughout the half. The Cougars chipped away and closed the half on a big run — McCarty hit two three-pointers in the final 90 seconds of the half, including one off a Uzan steal with 11 seconds left — to cut the deficit to 41–37 at the break. Without those back-to-back threes at the buzzer, this might have been a different game entirely.

McCarty Changes the Game

The second half belonged to Chase McCarty. The reserve guard had been a reliable contributor all season, but Saturday was his statement game. He scored 14 points after halftime — knocking down multiple threes, attacking off the dribble, and giving Houston a spark off the bench that Oklahoma State had no answer for.

Uzan’s three-pointer with 14:35 left gave Houston its first lead of the game at 50–49, and McCarty immediately extended it with a three on the next possession to make it 53–49. With 4:27 remaining, McCarty’s three extended the margin to 73–64 — what looked to be a comfortable cushion.

Oklahoma State Made It Interesting Late

The Cowboys, to their credit, kept scrapping. Andrija Vukovic’s layup cut the Houston lead to 74–73 with under two minutes to play, and the raucous Gallagher-Iba crowd was firmly back in it. Then Emanuel Sharp — steady as ever in big moments — silenced the building with a cold-blooded three-pointer to push the lead back to 77–73. Houston converted its free throws down the stretch to close it out at 82–75.

Roy finished with 27 points to lead the Cowboys. Kanye Clary added 23. Curry and Coleman each contributed 16. On another day, those numbers win a lot of games. But Houston found a way.

Context and What’s Next

This was Houston’s final road game of the regular season, and they won it the hard way — trailing most of the afternoon in a building where they were 2–8 all-time before this run. Kingston Flemings, who had put up 21 points and seven assists in Wednesday’s senior night win over Baylor, was solid throughout Saturday as well alongside Sharp, Uzan, and Chris Cenac Jr.

The Cougars enter the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will open play Thursday in quarterfinal action. The bracket and opponent are set. Houston finished the regular season 26–5.

March is here. The Cougars are ready.

Cornyn, Paxton head to GOP runoff in Texas Senate primary

Edward Saenz
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Cornyn, Paxton head to GOP runoff in Texas Senate primary

John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are headed to a Republican runoff in Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate primary after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in Tuesday’s election.

With most ballots counted, Cornyn, a four-term U.S. senator, led the field with roughly 42% of the vote, while Paxton, the state’s attorney general, trailed closely with about 41%. U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt finished third with about 13%, according to preliminary results.

Under Texas election law, a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Because no candidate reached that threshold, Cornyn and Paxton will advance to a runoff election scheduled for May 26.

The contest has become one of the most closely watched Republican primaries in the country, pitting an establishment conservative with decades of experience in Washington against a hardline challenger popular with the party’s more populist wing.

Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002, has emphasized his experience and seniority in Washington. Paxton, first elected attorney general in 2014, has campaigned as a staunch conservative and outspoken ally of former President Donald Trump.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election in a race that could draw national attention as both parties compete for control of the Senate.

Texas A&M launching $200M space institute near NASA’s Johnson Space Center

Edward Saenz
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Texas A&M launching $200M space institute near NASA’s Johnson Space Center

Texas A&M University is developing a $200 million research complex near NASA Johnson Space Center designed to help scientists and engineers prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The Texas A&M Space Institute will be built on roughly 32 acres near the entrance to the NASA campus in Houston and is expected to open in 2026. University officials say the four-story facility will bring together researchers, students, private aerospace companies and government agencies to collaborate on space exploration technologies.

One of the institute’s most distinctive features will be large indoor simulation environments that replicate the terrain and conditions of the Moon and Mars. The climate-controlled testing areas will allow scientists to experiment with lunar rovers, robotic vehicles and astronaut mission scenarios year-round.

The facility will also house robotics and engineering laboratories, classrooms, offices and industrial-scale testing spaces where researchers can assemble and evaluate spacecraft equipment.

Officials say the project is intended to strengthen Houston’s role as a center of human spaceflight and innovation. Several aerospace companies are expected to partner with the institute, including Houston-based Intuitive Machines, which develops lunar landers for NASA missions.

The institute will be the first major development in NASA’s planned Exploration Park, a 240-acre area designed to attract private aerospace companies and research institutions next to the space agency’s Houston campus.

University leaders say the collaboration between academia, industry and NASA will help accelerate technologies needed for future exploration, including missions under NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon and eventually sending humans to Mars.

Once completed, the institute is expected to serve as a hub for space research, workforce training and commercial partnerships, further expanding Texas’ growing role in the global space industry.

Inter Miami Eyes Antoine Griezmann Move, Challenging Orlando City for MLS Transfer

Edward Saenz
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Inter Miami Eyes Antoine Griezmann Move, Challenging Orlando City for MLS Transfer

MIAMI, Florida — Inter Miami CF is reportedly exploring a summer move for French star Antoine Griezmann, potentially disrupting a long-anticipated transfer to Florida rivals Orlando City SC.

According to reports from L’Équipe, the 34-year-old forward has decided to remain with Atlético Madrid through the end of the European season. That decision delays any potential move to Major League Soccer until the league’s summer transfer window in July.

Orlando Still Holds Signing Priority

Orlando City currently holds Griezmann’s MLS discovery rights, giving the club priority to negotiate a deal. Earlier reports suggested the French striker was close to joining the team before the league’s primary transfer window closes on March 26.

However, Orlando’s offer reportedly depended on Griezmann joining immediately this spring, rather than waiting until the summer. With the forward choosing to finish the season in Spain, other MLS teams have entered the conversation.

Both Inter Miami and CF Montréal have now added the veteran forward to their list of potential summer signings.

Atlético Madrid Pushes for Season Finish

Griezmann remains a key figure for Atlético Madrid and is the club’s all-time leading scorer. Manager Diego Simeone recently emphasized the player’s importance to the team.

The club is also still competing for the Copa del Rey, which could represent one of Griezmann’s final chances to win a major domestic trophy with Atlético.

Possible Reunion With Lionel Messi

A move to Inter Miami could reunite Griezmann with Lionel Messi, his former teammate at FC Barcelona from 2019 to 2021.

Miami has already brought several of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates to South Florida, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez.

If the club pursues Griezmann, it could create another high-profile reunion in MLS. However, Miami may need to adjust its roster or salary structure to make the transfer financially viable.

For now, Orlando City remains the favorite if the French star ultimately decides to make the move to MLS.

For more on the MLS, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Woman shot and killed in Houston Heights, person in custody after hours long standoff, HPD says

ABC13 Houston
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Woman shot and killed in Houston Heights, person in custody after hours long standoff, HPD says

By Brianna Willis, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man is now in custody after an hours-long standoff near Southwest Freeway was connected to a shooting in the Heights overnight that left one woman dead, according to Houston police.

The Houston Police Department said the shooting happened around midnight on 20th Street near Lawrence Street.

Lt. Khan with HPD said the woman parked her vehicle, heading to a friend’s home, and may have been robbed before the shooting. Houston police later told ABC13 that it appears that the suspect stole the woman’s vehicle.

When officers arrived, they said they found the woman lying on the sidewalk after being shot. Officials said first responders took her to the hospital, where the victim was later pronounced dead.

Later on Saturday morning, police said they were involved in a pursuit involving the victim’s stolen vehicle that turned into a standoff along the Southwest Freeway feeder near Buffalo Speedway.

Neighbors described hearing a crash before the standoff began.

“The car that crashed. I came out and saw that the police were out there with their guns in their hand, and they started screaming ‘He’s in there, he’s in there.'” one neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear for their safety, told ABC13.

“My apartment was right next to them. Around 2 in the morning, I heard banging. ‘This is the police, come out right away.’ And then eventually they shut out all the lights, they had people in SWAT gear. Like I was terrified,” another neighbor described.

Homicide detectives later told ABC13 that they believe there was a pursuit leading up to the standoff.

The standoff reportedly ended at about 7 a.m., with detectives confirming that the scene was connected to the deadly shooting in the Heights. Authorities added that they have a man in custody in connection with this incident.

For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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Bodycam Videos Raise Questions in Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen by Federal Agent in Texas

Indira Zaldivar
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Bodycam Videos Raise Questions in Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen by Federal Agent in Texas

Newly released body camera and surveillance videos are raising questions about the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent during a beach trip in Texas last year.

The footage, released Friday after public records requests by The Associated Press and other media outlets, shows the moments leading up to the death of Ruben Ray Martinez, who was shot by a federal agent during a traffic incident on March 15, 2025.

Incident During Traffic Scene

According to investigators, Martinez and his friend Joshua Orta were driving through South Padre Island shortly after midnight when they encountered police directing traffic around a crash. Three agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were also at the scene assisting officers.

Bodycam footage shows Martinez’s car slowly approaching the intersection before stopping for pedestrians. As agents approached the vehicle and shouted commands, the car began moving slowly forward while turning left.

One agent, identified as Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens, fired three shots through the driver’s side window within seconds. Martinez was struck by all three bullets and later died from his injuries.

Conflicting Accounts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously stated that the driver intentionally ran over an agent, prompting the shooting. However, the newly released videos do not clearly show the vehicle striking an officer.

In a statement to investigators, Stevens said he fired to protect fellow agents and believed the vehicle could be used as a weapon, fearing a potential mass-casualty attack.

A passenger in the car, Orta, told investigators Martinez had panicked because he feared being arrested for driving while intoxicated.

“He definitely didn’t want to go to jail,” Orta said, adding he did not believe Martinez intended to harm officers.

Investigation Closed

The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting, but a grand jury declined to file criminal charges against Stevens.

An autopsy found Martinez had a blood alcohol level of 0.12%, above the legal driving limit in Texas.

Attorneys representing Martinez’s mother said the newly released footage suggests the car was barely moving when the shots were fired and are continuing to push for more transparency in the case.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

ABC13 Weather Watch Saturday night and Sunday as strong storms impact Houston

ABC13 Houston
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ABC13 Weather Watch Saturday night and Sunday as strong storms impact Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A storm front will blow into Southeast Texas, leading to multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms Saturday night and Sunday as it stalls out overhead. We have an ABC13 Weather Watch for that timeframe to account for the possibility of street flooding and strong storms that could produce severe hail and wind gusts.

Most of today will be storm-free, and we have lowered our daytime rain chance down to 20-30% to account for a few passing showers. The storm front blowing in from North Texas should generate a fairly solid line of showers and thunderstorms that will push into Southeast Texas Saturday evening. That’s when we’ll have the greatest risk of any storms producing severe hail and winds, but the chance you’re near a severe storm is only 15%. Meanwhile, your rain chance is much higher at 70% Saturday night and Sunday. The storms should outrun the front Saturday night, leaving the front stalled somewhere in Southeast Texas. Multiple rounds of storms are possible Sunday along that stalled front, especially in the morning, and street flooding will be possible.

How much could we pick up this weekend?

At this time we expect the average rainfall total to be around 1 inch, but locally higher amounts are possible. There will also be some pockets that pick up less than an inch of rain.

When could it rain during Spring Break?

A more powerful storm system will plow through Texas around Wednesday, bringing another round of high rain chances. This weather system will pose a greater risk of severe weather, which includes the possibility of tornadoes. After it clears out, we should have delightful weather for the remainder of Spring Break with lots of sunshine, low humidity, and temperatures more in line with March than May.

Are we expecting any more frosty mornings this winter season?

Not at this time. While we can’t 100% rule out another run at frosty weather later in March or even April, odds favor those who want to start tending to their garden beds. We might make it into the 40s behind the cold front arriving during Spring Break, but that shouldn’t pose a threat to tropical plants.

Are we expecting any more frosty mornings this winter season?

Not at this time. While we can’t 100% rule out another run at frosty weather later in March or even April, odds favor those who want to start tending to their garden beds. We might make it into the 40s behind the cold front arriving during Spring Break, but that shouldn’t pose a threat to tropical plants.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

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