Trump mulls risky Kharg Island takeover to force Iran to open strait  —  The Trump administration is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, four sources with knowledge of the issue tell Axios. … In the meantime, global energy prices are surging.

US Mint can begin producing Trump commemorative gold coin after arts commission approves design  —  A federal arts commission on Thursday approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing President Donald Trump's image to help celebrate America's 250th birthday on July 4.

Republicans balk at going it alone on Iran war funding … “It's such a contortion to make things fit in reconciliation that there's probably a preference for regular order,” Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said in an interview.  —  The fresh doubts come on top …

The Worst-Case Economic Outcome of Trump's Iran War  —  THE IRAN WAR HAS BROUGHT the dreaded r-word—recession—back into play amid a deeply fractured global energy market.  To be clear, a massive downturn is not inevitable, nor can we even say it's more likely than not.

Denmark was ready to blow up Greenland runways if US invaded  —  Danish soldiers sent to Arctic island in January were also given blood supplies in case of combat  —  The Danish military sent explosives and blood supplies to Greenland in January as part of contingency planning for a US attack …

Father of service member killed in Iran war said he never told Pete Hegseth to ‘finish’ the job  —  Hegseth said “family after family” of service members killed urged the administration to “not stop until the job is done.”  President Donald Trump made a similar claim earlier this month.

Arrested Nashville journalist released from ICE custody on bond  —  Estefany Rodriguez, a Nashville Noticias journalist whose March 4 arrest drew nationwide attention, has been released from custody while the deportation case against her proceeds, according to an immigrants' rights group.

Bluesky announces $100M Series B after CEO transition  —  Social network Bluesky is gearing up for big changes with today's news that the company raised $100 million in Series B funding.  The round, led by Bain Capital Crypto, was closed in April 2025 but had not been disclosed until now.

James Comey subpoenaed in alleged “grand conspiracy” against Trump  —  Former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed in the wide-ranging “grand conspiracy” case against the ex-officials who investigated and prosecuted President Trump, two sources with knowledge of the situation tell Axios.

Judge Rules That R.F.K. Jr. Overstepped on Transgender Care  —  The ruling provides temporary relief for 21 states seeking to stop the Trump administration from ending federal funding to hospitals that provide gender-transition care.  —  A federal judge in Oregon ruled on Thursday …

Trump Told Inner Circle Some Mass Deportation Policies Went Too Far  —  President directs a new approach as some advisers believe immigration is no longer as strong a political issue for Trump  —  WASHINGTON—President Trump is seeking to lower the profile of his mass deportation effort …

Chuck Norris Hospitalized After Medical Emergency  —  EXCLUSIVE  —  Chuck Norris has been hospitalized in Hawaii ... TMZ has learned.  —  Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... some medical emergency occurred in the last 24 hours on the island of Kauai that landed Chuck in the hospital.

Trump Announces Extended 4-Day Weekend in Palm Beach  —  Trump will enjoy the amenities of his Mar-a-Lago resort as prices continue to rise  —  The White House announced that Donald Trump will depart Friday afternoon for another extended trip to Palm Beach, marking a four-day stretch away from Washington.

Pete Hegseth's Christian rhetoric draws renewed scrutiny after the US goes to war with Iran  —  Since becoming defense secretary, Pete Hegseth has found no shortage of ways to bring his strand of conservative evangelicalism into the Pentagon.  He hosts monthly Christian worship services for employees.

TSA official: Airport security problem ‘going to get worse before it gets better’  —  A senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official warned Thursday that the growing backlog at airport security checkpoints nationwide is likely “going to get worse before it gets better” …

What everyday life is like for Iranians right now  —  Iranians are still trying to work, study, and parent under the constant threat of both airstrikes and regime violence. … The war in Iran will enter its fourth week on Saturday, with no real end in sight.

People of Twin Cities awarded JFK Profile in Courage Award over resistance to ICE surge  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  The people of Minneapolis-St. Paul are being honored with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their response to the federal immigration enforcement operation this winter …

U.S. War Planes and Helicopters Kick Off Battle to Reopen Hormuz  —  Effort takes on new urgency nearly three weeks into the war with Iran as oil prices soar

House Republicans are heading for the exits  —  PN is supported by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  📜 Subscribe to PN 📜  —  Earlier this month, four more Republicans announced their pending retirements from the House of Representatives: Darrell Issa …

Pentagon plans to keep National Guard in DC into 2029, 2 US officials say  —  The plan is awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's final approval.  —  Members of the National Guard respond to reports of a bomb threat near One Franklin Square on March 13, 2026, in Washington …

An Underdog Trump Ally in Latin America Becomes an Investor Magnet  —  Entrepreneurs flock to Paraguay from across the region as sleek towers rise above the once-sleepy capital and its conservative president cozies up to the US.  —  Wedged between South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil …

How New Mexico Became an Obamacare Success Story  —  Affordable Care Act enrollment has dropped across the United States since the enhanced federal subsidies expired.  But New Mexico has record numbers of people signing up.  —  When Congress did not extend the Obamacare subsidies …

3/20/26☀️ AM: … Everyone in the House Republican Conference is publicly confident that the GOP will keep the majority despite the many problems they face, including the Iran war.  But privately, the candid assessment is much more grim — Republicans are likely to lose their razor-thin majority.

The Trump Administration Is Turning the U.S. Census on Its Head  —  The changes could cloud the government's understanding of what the United States population looks like and the resources it needs.  — Copy  —  The 2030 U.S. census is poised to look very different than the one released in 2020.

Handcuffs, Tents and Pleas for Medical Care: Pregnant in ICE Detention … Candy Castillo Collantes was six months pregnant when she stepped inside the giant tent where she would live for the next 47 days.  —  Her enclosure at the South Texas detention center held dozens of bunk beds, she said, with one tiny slit for a window.