đď¸ Cornyn Urges Senate Republicans to Scrap Filibuster for SAVE Act Passage
Senator John Cornyn, facing pressure in his Texas primary runoff and seeking President Trumpâs endorsement, has publicly supported changing Senate rulesâincluding potentially ditching or reforming the filibusterâto overcome Democratic obstruction and pass the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID to vote in federal elections. In a New York Post op-ed, Cornyn argues that Democrats have already weakened the filibuster through prior actions, leaving Republicans the choice to act now with their mandate or risk Democrats eliminating it later to push a radical agenda; he emphasizes broad public support for voter ID measures (citing 83% overall and 71% among Democrats) and ties passage to securing elections, national security, and homeland funding, suggesting options like a talking filibuster where obstructionists must actively defend their positions on the floor rather than silently block legislation.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The Hill
đď¸ Thune Proposes Ballot Harvesting Restrictions Amid Trump Pressure on SAVE Act
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has suggested tightening rules on ballot harvesting, calling it a real threat and temptation for election fraud, as he navigates pressure from President Trump to incorporate a near-total ban on mail voting into the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and voter ID to cast ballots in federal elections, has passed the House twice but faces challenges in the Senate due to Democratic opposition and slim GOP majorities. Thune indicated that Republicans are exploring ways to accommodate Trumpâs demands while noting that many states handle requested absentee ballots securely, distinguishing them from unsolicited mailings, and expressed caution about a blanket mail voting prohibition since 35 states allow designated individuals like family members to return ballots under varying restrictions. This comes as Trump has criticized Thuneâs leadership and urged swift passage of the bill with strong curbs on mail voting to protect election integrity ahead of the midterms.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, FOX News
â ď¸ The FBI Issues Alert on Alleged Iranian Drone Attack Aspiration Against California
The FBI circulated an internal bulletin to California law enforcement in late February 2026, warning that Iran had allegedly aspired, as of early February 2026, to launch a surprise attack using kamikaze drones from an unidentified vessel off the U.S. coast, targeting unspecified locations in California, should the United States strike Iran. The alert, reviewed by multiple outlets, emphasized a lack of further details on timing, method, specific targets, or perpetrators, and came amid escalating U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, with Tehran already responding via drone and missile strikes in the Middle East. A former DHS intelligence official noted Iranâs established presence in Mexico and South America, plus its drone capabilities, as reasons for vigilance, though the FBIâs Los Angeles office declined comment, and no concrete plot details emerged beyond the precautionary notice.
đłď¸ Trump-Backed Prosecutor Advances to Runoff Against Democrat in Georgiaâs Deep-Red District
In a special election held on March 10, 2026, to fill the U.S. House seat in Georgiaâs 14th Congressional District vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene earlier this year following her fallout with President Donald Trump, no candidate secured a majority, forcing a runoff. Republican Clay Fuller, a district attorney endorsed by Trump in February, and Democrat Shawn Harris, a retired brigadier general and cattle farmer who positioned himself as a moderate appealing to some disillusioned voters, emerged as the top two finishers and will face off on April 7. The heavily Republican northwest Georgia district, which Trump carried by a wide margin in prior elections, makes Fuller the clear favorite despite the unusual top-two advancement rule that allowed a Democrat to reach the runoff in a crowded field of candidates.
Sources: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reuters
âď¸ Smartmatic Claims Vindictive Prosecution in DOJ Bribery Case
Voting machine company Smartmatic has filed a motion in federal court in Miami to dismiss criminal bribery and money laundering charges against its parent firm SGO Corporation Limited, arguing that the Trump administrationâs Justice Department is pursuing a vindictive and selective prosecution driven by political payback over the companyâs role in 2020 election disputes. The charges, originally brought against two executives in 2024 under the prior administration without indicting the company itself, were expanded in late 2025 to include the parent entity on six counts related to alleged foreign bribery in Philippine elections. Smartmaticâs lawyers contend the timing and escalation reflect retribution against perceived enemies who challenged claims of a rigged 2020 vote, pointing out that the only major change since the initial charges is the change in presidency and DOJ leadership, now prioritizing such targets.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, The Washington Post
đ¸ Over 50 Charged in Major Crackdown on EBT Theft Rings Targeting California Welfare Benefits
More than 50 defendants, many linked to organized theft crews with Romanian connections, face federal charges in Californiaâs Southern District for allegedly ripping off millions in public assistance from vulnerable low-income families through skimming devices, cloned EBT cards, and unauthorized ATM cash-outs that drain CalFresh food aid and CalWORKs housing support right after deposits hit accounts. This long-running enforcement push has already seen sentenced participants collectively accountable for at least $4 million stolen from hundreds of victims, including many in San Diego County, while statewide EBT thefts from mid-2022 through early 2026 topped $310 millionâleaving families short on basics while taxpayers foot the reimbursement bill for the governmentâs lax security setup.
Sources: US Dept of Justice, US Dept of Health & Human Services
đ° Gavin Newsom Misuses Taxpayers' Funds for $19 Million Image Polish Campaign
Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing a $19 million taxpayer-funded marketing effort through the stateâs Office of Business and Economic Development to spruce up Californiaâs battered national reputation. The campaign, with bids open recently and up to $14 million earmarked for actual ads, aims to tout the state as an economic powerhouse, top tourism spot, and innovation hub while pushing back against negative stories about crime, costs, and other woes that critics say are all too real and amplified in media and online. A spokesperson insists itâs about setting the record straight for businesses, workers, and residents, but skeptics point out the timing amid a multibillion-dollar budget hole and Newsomâs obvious White House ambitions, calling it little more than polished PR on the publicâs dime.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The New York Post
âŞď¸ The Alavi Foundationâs Iranian Government Ties Spotlighted in NYC Mayorâs Mosque Visit
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended Ramadan prayers on February 20, 2026, at the Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Queens, a site linked to the Alavi Foundation, which the U.S. Department of Justice has long identified as a front for the Iranian government. The foundation, originally established in 1973 as the Pahlavi Foundation under the Shah and restructured after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, provides financial support to various Shia institutions in the U.S., including mosques and schools. Federal authorities have accused it of funneling funds and services to Iran in violation of sanctions, with past civil forfeiture actions targeting properties like a Manhattan skyscraper and several mosque sites, though some rulings faced reversal on procedural grounds, and no wrongdoing was alleged against the tenants or users themselves. During the service Mamdani attended, the imam recited a traditional Shia prayer invoking the Mahdi to overcome non-believers, documented by MEMRI as part of ritual liturgy rather than a direct call to violence. The Alavi Foundation denies direct Iranian control, but its history includes a former presidentâs conviction for document destruction amid investigations.
Sources: JFeed.com, The New York Post
âď¸ Wyoming Codifies Strict Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban Despite Reservations on Rape and Incest Exceptions
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law on March 9, 2026. This measure prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable, typically around six weeks of pregnancy and often before many women realize they are pregnant. The law allows an exception only when the procedure is necessary to prevent imminent peril that substantially endangers the womanâs life or health. It does not provide exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. Gordon affirmed his pro-life commitment and the sacredness of life while expressing concern that the absence of rape and incest exceptions represents an unfortunate flaw. He described the legislation as well-intentioned but legally fragile, predicting potential court challenges under Wyomingâs constitution following a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down prior bans. Abortion providers have indicated they plan to contest the new law in court.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, CBS News
âď¸ Scientists Dump 65,000 Liters of Sodium Hydroxide in Gulf of Maine Geoengineering Test
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution conducted a controversial ocean alkalinity enhancement experiment last August, releasing 65,000 liters of sodium hydroxide (lye, dyed red for tracking) into the Gulf of Maine as part of the LOC-NESS project. The trial aimed to increase ocean pH and boost CO2 absorption from the atmosphere by mimicking natural weathering processes that turn CO2 into bicarbonate, with initial results showing uptake of up to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide and no detectable harm to measured marine life like plankton, fish larvae, and lobster. Critics question the ecological unknowns, scalability issues requiring massive chemical volumes, and whether such tinkering distracts from real emission cuts, especially in a fishing-heavy region.
Sources: The New Scientist, ZeroHedge
đĽ U.S. Forces Destroy 16 Iranian Minelayers Near Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command announced on March 10, 2026, that American forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz. This action aims to prevent Iran from mining the critical waterway, through which about 20% of global oil passes, amid an ongoing conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets starting February 28. President Trump stated via Truth Social that forces destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying boats initially, with more to follow, and warned of severe consequences if Iran attempts to block shipping. CENTCOM released video footage of the strikes. Iran has reportedly begun laying some mines in retaliation, though no widespread disruption has occurred yet, while shipping traffic has dropped sharply and oil prices have risen due to heightened risks.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, FOX News
đ˘ Three Commercial Vessels Struck by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions
Three commercial ships were hit by unknown projectiles in and near the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, escalating disruptions in the vital waterway that carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. One Thailand-flagged bulk carrier, the Mayuree Naree, suffered a fire in its engine compartment after an explosion at the stern approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, leading to the evacuation of most of its crew with 20 Thai nationals rescued by Omani forces and three others reported missing; the other two incidents involved a bulk carrier about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai with no major damage or injuries reported, and a container ship that sustained projectile damage while all crew remained safe. These attacks follow U.S. strikes that destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels the previous day and come as part of broader Iranian retaliatory actions against U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iranâs nuclear capabilities since late February, with maritime authorities urging extreme caution in the region.
Sources: The Epoch Times, BBC News
đŻ Iran Declares U.S. and Israeli-Linked Banks and Companies Legitimate Targets in Escalating War
Iranâs Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters, tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced on March 11, 2026, that economic centers, banks, and offices belonging to the United States and Israel in the region are now fair game as the Middle East conflict enters its second week. This declaration follows an overnight Israeli strike on a Tehran bank branch that killed several employees, which Iran labeled an illegitimate act that justifies retaliation against financial and tech infrastructure. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency released a list naming U.S. tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, and Oracle as potential targets due to their technologyâs alleged use in the war, while a spokesman warned regional residents to stay at least one kilometer from banking sites. The move comes amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone barrages on Gulf states, prompting evacuations such as Citigroupâs from its Dubai headquarters over security fears, and signals Tehranâs intent to broaden the fight into economic and infrastructure domains in response to perceived Western aggression.
Sources: The Washington Times, The Wall Street Journal
đ§ IEA Coordinates Record Release of 400 Million Barrels From Oil Reserves
The International Energy Agencyâs 32 member countries have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles, marking the largest such coordinated action in the organizationâs history since its founding in 1974. This move aims to counteract severe supply disruptions and surging crude prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, which has severely hampered oil flows through the Strait of Hormuzânormally carrying about 20% of global demandâwith exports from the region dropping sharply due to insurance issues, vessel hesitancy, and related risks. The release, larger than the 182-183 million barrels tapped in 2022 amid Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine, comes after an extraordinary IEA meeting on March 10, 2026, with actual market delivery expected to unfold gradually given logistical hurdles like drawing from storage sites. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol described the challenges as unprecedented and praised member solidarity, while oil prices eased somewhat from recent highs above $100 but remained elevated around $85-$90 per barrel for benchmarks.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The International Energy Agency
đ US Designates Taliban-Run Afghanistan as State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has designated Afghanistan under Taliban control as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, citing the regimeâs ongoing use of hostage diplomacy to unjustly hold Americans and other foreign nationals for ransom or policy concessions. Announced on March 9, 2026, the move follows an executive order signed by President Trump in September 2025 that created this new blacklist, similar to state sponsors of terrorism designations. Rubio specifically demanded the immediate release of detained US citizens Dennis Coyle and Mahmoud Habibi, warned that travel to Afghanistan remains unsafe for Americans due to these tactics, and called for the Taliban to end such practices permanently. The Taliban rejected the label as regrettable, insisting detentions stem from legal violations rather than leverage-seeking, and pointed to recent releases of some US nationals as goodwill gestures amid Qatar-mediated talks.
Sources: The Straits Times, US State Dept