Trump administration says Anthropic refusal was 'not protected speech' in US court In a new filing, the Trump administration backs Hegseth's designation of Anthropic as a national supply chain risk. TechRadar · Mar 18
Despite Republicans controlling three branches of government, Trump blames Dems for shutdown Shutdown comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement operations, with Democrats calling for changes to use of ID-obscuring masks, and how arrest warrants are obtained The Independent UK · Mar 18
Joe Kent Is the First Iran War Crack in the Trump Admin The top intelligence official resigned because there was no “imminent threat” from Iran and blamed Israel for starting the war. Reason · Mar 18
Idaho lawmakers order investigation of sexual assault in women’s prisons Idaho lawmakers have ordered an independent review of how the state handles sexual misconduct claims against prison staff in women’s facilities The Independent UK · Mar 18
What to know about the resurgent war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon Israel and Hezbollah are rapidly escalating a new war that is hitting Beirut and pushing toward a wider ground fight The Independent UK · Mar 18
Fed keeps rates on hold, Powell says he will remain in place until successor confirmed The Iran war's oil shock is creating uncertainty for Fed policymakers. Axios · Mar 18
Gabbard defers to Trump when asked if Iran posed "imminent threat" The resignation of a top aide intensified the spotlight on Gabbard. Axios · Mar 18
Conservatives hint they will oppose bipartisan housing bill designed to make homes more affordable House members have balked at provisions barring large institutional investors from owning homes The Independent UK · Mar 18
Top Pentagon Official Doesn't Rule Out Using Ground Forces To Take On Cartels A top Pentagon official didn't rule out the possibility of using ground troops to take on cartels in Latin America. Latin Times · Mar 18
Markwayne Mullin's History of Condoning Murder and Resisting Transparency Makes Him Ill-Suited To Run DHS The Oklahoma senator, nominated to replace Kristi Noem, is blasé about the use of deadly force. Reason · Mar 18
PM warns of supply issues after Qatar gas plant attacks Anthony Albanese has criticised attacks in LNG plants in Qatar by Iran, as he indicates he can see the conflict reaching a conclusion. AAP · Mar 18
Trump’s DHS pick, Markwayne Mullin, stokes fears of more Fema cuts Senator backs restructuring disaster agency but dodges questions on staffing, leaving officials uneasy over readiness and leadership The Guardian - US · Mar 18
Democrats are eyeing a midterms wave and Republicans are feeling blue over this recent voting trend ANALYSIS: Democratic voters can’t wait to kick out the Republicans in this November’s congressional races, primary turnout indicates. Eric Garcia explains why that is a terrible sign for the GOP The Independent UK · Mar 18
Tour bus for comedian Bert Kreischer goes up in flames in Minnesota during his tour A tire on the blue blew out just hours before the vehicle caught fire The Independent UK · Mar 18
The Independent UK · Mar 18 Mexico arrests suspect wanted in the 2023 killing of Ecuadorian candidate and sends him to Colombia Mexican authorities have arrested an Ecuadorian fugitive accused of helping organize the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio
We Got This Covered · Mar 18 Lindsey Graham tells Trump there’s ‘no reason’ to invade Iran, but then immediately demands he seize a crucial Iranian territory He believes it can seal the fate of this war.
Latin Times · Mar 18 Republican Rep. Warns The Party Will Go Through 'Civil War' If Trump Seeks To Pull Out Of NATO: 'It Would Implode' Republican Rep. Don Bacon warned that the party would go through "civil war" if President Donald Trump seeks to pull out of NATO, saying it is imperative to strengthen relations with European allies damaged during the administration.
The Guardian - UK · Mar 18 Canada in push for joint G7 and Middle East effort to de-escalate Iran war Foreign minister Anita Anand says she has drafted principles to reduce risk of regional spillover and wider shocks
The Guardian - US · Mar 18 The US right wing can forgive Trump for anything – except his deeply unpopular war Iran war has split some Maga conservatives from Trump and alienated young voters. What will it mean in the midterms?
Fortune · Mar 18 The Fed holds rates steady and punts on the Middle East: 'uncertain' The infamous dot-plot shows sharper-than-ever divisions between Fed officials.
The Independent UK · Mar 18 White House offers limitations on ICE raids in ‘sensitive areas’ and more body cams as it works to get Homeland Security funded Republicans still have not budged on Democrats’ biggest demands that are needed to fund DHS
The Guardian - UK · Mar 18 As Trump shows lack of direction on Iran, even Badenoch distances herself Steady UK opposition to the war and the US president’s insults mean MPs are finding it easier to point out the obvious
The Times of India · Mar 18 'Not aware': Tulsi Gabbard says she does not know Trump said he was shocked by Iran's strike on Gulf countries Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she was not aware of President Donald Trump's reaction that he was shocked when Iran decided to strike US allies in the Gulf region. As Gabbard testified before Congress, she was asked whether she provided any intelligence to the POTUS that a counterattack…
Roll Call · Mar 18 ‘Consider this our filibuster’: House GOP doesn’t buy Thune’s ‘show’ Less than 24 hours after Senate Majority Leader John Thune kicked off his attempt to satisfy those demanding passage of a voter identification bill, House Republicans were already saying they weren’t fooled. “What’s happening right now in the Senate is a SHOW VOTE,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a leader…
The Independent UK · Mar 18 Vance warns Americans of ‘rough road ahead’ as gas prices soar but promises it’s a ‘temporary blip’ Vance’s remarks come as cost of gas in the U.S. continues to rise due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz