Responding to a journalist’s query about potential Iran sleeper cells within the U.S., Donald Trump asserted that individuals entered the country via “open border” policies attributed to President Biden. Trump claimed that authorities are aware of and monitoring these individuals, suggesting a belief that their locations are known. He further characterized the current prosecution of a war as unprecedented.
Commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf have begun declaring themselves as China-linked, according to marine traffic data. This tactic appears intended to mitigate the risk of being targeted during ongoing regional conflicts. Vessels have manually altered their destination signals to messages such as “CHINA OWNER,” suggesting an effort to leverage China’s generally neutral stance and economic ties with Iran to avoid attacks. While the effectiveness of this declaration is uncertain, a similar strategy was observed with ships in the Red Sea during earlier Houthi attacks.
Senate Democrats blocked a House-passed bill aimed at reopening the Department of Homeland Security and ending the 27-day shutdown. The motion to proceed failed due to Democratic opposition, as the bill included funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agencies Democrats argued require reform. Despite attempts by both parties to find a compromise through short-term funding resolutions for specific agencies like the TSA and Coast Guard, disagreements over the inclusion of ICE and CBP funding prevented progress.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, has launched a new “verified” account on X, the social media platform. Through this account, Khamenei issued a series of posts discussing the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, emphasizing the need for continued defense and the strategic use of the Strait of Hormuz. He also called on regional neighbors to declare their allegiances and close any U.S. military bases within their borders.
Information from ordinary Iranians has been crucial in identifying targets within Iran for Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict. Civilians are reportedly relaying potential targets to Israel through Persian-language social media accounts. This intelligence is then rigorously reviewed and verified by Israeli authorities before being utilized operationally, as demonstrated in a recent drone strike on Basij checkpoints in Tehran.
The White House has dismissed a United Nations committee report that expressed concern over President Trump’s “racist hate speech” toward immigrants and its contribution to human rights violations. A White House spokesperson called the assessment “useless” and cited a decline in the murder rate as evidence of the country’s safety under Trump’s leadership. Despite the UN committee’s recommendations to suspend enforcement, repeal discriminatory measures, and ensure due process, the administration appears unswayed, continuing its aggressive immigration policies.
Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first statement via a state TV presenter, fueling speculation about the severity of his injuries sustained in an Israeli strike that killed his family. The statement vowed to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and continue attacks on U.S. bases, though the absence of Khamenei in person has led experts to question his condition and who is truly in charge of the state. This lack of public appearance, coupled with his father’s death and his own reported injuries, has raised concerns that Khamenei may be more gravely injured than officials admit, or even in hiding due to security threats.
Venezuela’s National Assembly has initiated a new mining law, allowing foreign and domestic companies to extract gold, diamonds, and rare earth elements. This legislation, extending concessions to 30 years and permitting international arbitration, follows a U.S. delegation visit and a U.S. license authorizing gold transactions with the state miner Minerven. The mineral-rich Orinoco Mining Arc, targeted for investment, has historically been controlled by illicit groups, leading to documented human rights abuses and environmental devastation.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has officially stepped forward, demanding an apology from Iran following a rather unsettling incident where a Thai vessel was struck by a projectile in the critical Strait of Hormuz. The impact, unfortunately, led to a fire, forcing the crew to make the difficult decision to abandon their ship. It’s a serious matter, and Thailand is clearly seeking answers and accountability.
This diplomatic push is taking place on March 12th, with Thailand’s ministry engaging Iran’s ambassador on March 13th to gain clarity on the precise facts surrounding the attack. The request for an apology underscores the gravity with which Thailand views the incident and the damage inflicted on its maritime interests.… Continue reading
Unsealed trial exhibits reveal internal communications from Live Nation executives discussing fans and pricing in blunt terms. Messages show executives referring to fans as “stupid” and admitting to “gouging” and “robbing them blind” on ancillary items like premium parking and VIP access. These add-ons are presented as a significant revenue driver for the company, with discussions about maximizing profits from such offerings. The internal chatter, viewed alongside statements from Live Nation’s CEO, suggests a deliberate corporate strategy of monetizing venue power through aggressive upsells, impacting fan experience.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood