Thursday, March 19, 2026

​ March 19, 2026 Good morning, Welcome to the news for independent thinkers ​ Leading the News . . . ​ Trump slams Israel strike on South Pars as Iran hits Gulf energy sites . . . President Donald Trump blasted Israel for striking Iran's massive South Pars gas field, stressing the U.S. had no role as tensions spiraled. The hit triggered swift retaliation, with Iran targeting key energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. What began as a single strike is now rippling through global energy arteries, raising the stakes in an already volatile region and exposing fractures among uneasy allies. Washington Examiner​ ​ ​Trump says Israel will stop attacking Iranian gas field, but US will attack it if Iran strikes Qatar​ ​ ​Trump threatens to 'massively blow up' Iran gas field if they launch another retaliatory attack over Israel's strike​ ​ FBI is probing ex-counterterrorism chief Joe Kent over leaks . . . The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent for allegedly leaking classified information, sources say. The probe predates Kent's resignation Tuesday, which he framed as a moral stance against the U.S. war on Iran. Kent claimed the conflict was unnecessary, disputing any imminent Iranian threat, and criticized the administration's departure from prior caution in Middle East engagements, turning his exit into a politically charged defection. Fox News​ ​ Did he resign on principle or get out of town ahead of the posse? ​ UN's top nuclear expert says air strikes alone can't eliminate Iran nuclear program . . . The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog says heavy Israeli and U.S. strikes haven't erased Iran's nuclear capabilities, with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warning enriched uranium and key infrastructure likely remain untouched. Buried deep underground, much of the program is beyond the reach of air power, leaving diplomacy as the inevitable next step. Just the News​ ​ This is why the introduction of ground trooops is likely if the regime is not toppled and a more compliant leadership is installed. We don't know exactly where the stuff is or how much of it they have. Politics Sparks Fly Between Rand Paul and Markwayne Mullin at DHS Confirmation Hearing . . . Sens. Rand Paul and Markwayne Mullin got into a heated exchange on Capitol Hill Wednesday as Mullin refused to apologize for previously calling the Kentucky Republican a "freaking snake." "I'm not apologizing for pointing out your character," Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, told Paul. Mullin testified before the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Daily Signal​ ​ ​ DSA Cuba trip draws crackdown threat . . . A planned trip by the Democratic Socialists of America to Cuba is triggering scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, with Rep. Randy Fine leading calls to revoke the group's tax-exempt status. Citing the visit as open alignment with a hostile regime, Fine argues the "solidarity" effort may violate nonprofit rules. Daily Signal​ ​ ​Fetterman says Democrats governed by Trump Derangement Syndrome​ ​ Mamdani wife's first lady's teen posts praised Palestinian terrorists . . . A review of Rama Duwaji's old social media accounts reveals the New York City first lady celebrated terrorist violence in her teens and early 20s, posting images of PFLP operatives and the First Intifada. At 20, she shared a photo of Palestinian militant Leila Khaled, echoing the extremist's famous rhetoric. Washington Free Beacon​ Culture School counselor group pushes woke agenda . . . A new report alleges the American School Counselor Association, which influences 130,000 counselors nationwide, is promoting a program steeped in transgender ideology and critical race theory. Critics warn the guidance could reshape how schools handle gender and race issues, despite growing public pushback. The controversy raises fresh concerns over ideology filtering into classrooms through counseling frameworks. Daily Signal​ ​ Florida keeps first cousin marriages legal despite GOP pushback . . . First cousins can still marry legally in Florida, though State Rep. Dean Black says it's time to ban the practice, citing outdated population patterns. While relatives like parents, grandparents, and siblings remain off-limits, Florida stands out as one of the 18 states that allow cousin unions, even as 32 others impose strict restrictions. Action News Jax​ National Security Drones over base where Rubio, Hegseth live raise security concerns . . . U.S. officials detected multiple unknown drones over Fort Lesley J. McNair, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reside, raising alarms amid heightened tensions from U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The origin of the drones remains unknown, prompting tighter security and a White House meeting. The incidents underscore growing vulnerability of domestic military sites as Middle East conflict spreads closer to home. Washington Post​ ​ Israel calls Iran's new supreme leader an "empty entity" . . . Israeli security sources dismiss Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, as a hollow figure with little real control over the regime, following the targeted killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts describe the leadership as "misfunctioning," signaling internal chaos and weakened authority. The assessment portrays Iran's succession not as a smooth transfer of power, but as a crisis point that could further destabilize the already volatile regime. Fox News​ ​ Ratcliffe cites Iran's rapid arms buildup as U.S. moves escalate . . . CIA Director John Ratcliffe told senators the U.S. acted against Iran due to the regime's accelerating production of missiles and weapons capable of striking Americans or allies. He warned the pace of development was "alarming," outstripping U.S. defensive capacities, and framed Trump's approach as urgent and preemptive. Daily Wire​ ​ This is meant to counter Joe Kent's stated reason for resigning, that Iran did not pose an imminent threat. Trump in fact went to war because of the long-term threat of Iran's nuclear program. Trump has said so, and he was right that this was the best moment to strike, before Iran progressed further with it's program and while the regime was at its weakest point International Nairobi grants menstrual leave . . . A casual discussion inside Nairobi's county leadership has morphed into a precedent-setting workplace policy, with Governor Johnson Sakaja rolling out two days of monthly menstrual leave for female government employees starting December 2025. Framed as a boost to productivity and well-being, the move is already drawing interest from Kenya's national government and other counties. Associated Press​ Money US banking regulators set to ease capital requirements . . . U.S. banking regulators are poised to vote on easing capital requirements after years of industry pressure, with Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman indicating the rewrite will let banks hold less cushion against losses. Trade groups are cheering, while critics like Sen. Elizabeth Warren warn the rollback could reopen the door to financial instability. The clash sets up a familiar fight between deregulation advocates and those fearing the next crisis is being quietly invited back. Semafor​ ​ This is the kind of thing that cause the 2008 crash. ​ Powell digs in at Fed amid Trump pressure . . . Jerome Powell signaled he won't be pushed out quietly, saying he plans to stay at the Federal Reserve until a Justice Department probe concludes, even as Donald Trump ramps up calls for his exit. With his chair term ending in May, Powell could still remain on the board until 2028, a rare move that underscores rising tensions. Wall Street Journal ​ You should also know AI resurrects Val Kilmer for indie film role . . . Following Val Kilmer's death from throat cancer, the actor will appear via AI in "As Deep as the Grave," director Coerte Voorhees confirmed. Originally written around Kilmer's heritage and love of the Southwest, the role became impossible when illness prevented him from filming. Daily Wire​ Guilty Pleasures Possum hides out among toy animals in Australian airport gift shop . . . Travelers at Hobart Airport got a bizarre sendoff when a real brushtail possum was found wedged among plush toys in a departure terminal shop. Perched between stuffed kangaroos, bilbies, and Tasmanian devils, the wide-eyed intruder blended right in. Associated Press​ ​ ​ Help CTTN reach more people by forwarding it to your family and friends. 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