Saturday, March 14, 2026
Geopolitics
Reuters · AP · BBC
Trump said the US would strike Iran's Kharg Island—the hub for most of Tehran's oil exports—if Tehran does not stop attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran signaled defiance, warning that parts of the United Arab Emirates were legitimate targets. A fire erupted at Fujairah port in the UAE after a drone attack, highlighting the escalating risks to regional energy infrastructure. [BBC]
Geopolitics
AP News
The Iran war enters its third week with 2,500 additional US Marines being sent to the region. Oil prices have rocketed following the escalating conflict, adding to global economic uncertainty. The US has been striking Iranian targets while Tehran retaliates against shipping in the Persian Gulf. [Reuters]
Geopolitics
Reuters
Four people were killed in a Russian air attack on the Kyiv region, Ukrainian officials said. The strike is part of ongoing hostilities as Russia's war in Ukraine continues despite the wider regional instability caused by the Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said the US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is "not the right decision." [AP]
Tech & Science
BBC News
A landmark lawsuit claims Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive, with one plaintiff spending up to 16 hours per day on the platform. The case will set the stage for thousands of others who say social media platforms are intentionally designed to maximize engagement at the cost of mental health. The jury will decide if Meta is to blame. [Ars Technica]
Tech & Science
AP News · BBC
A federal judge dismissed subpoenas in the Justice Department's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying there was "no evidence" to justify the probe. The case marks a significant setback to the administration's efforts to investigate the independent central bank. The Fed has remained a bedrock of US financial stability amid global uncertainty.
Geopolitics
Reuters · BBC
An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam in what the mayor called "a deliberate attack." Security had been increased at Jewish public institutions following an earlier incident in Rotterdam. The attack comes amid heightened tensions across Europe following the Iran war's spillover into global markets.