02 U.S. Politics

FTC Tells ‘Woke’ Christian School To Rethink Its Code Of Conduct– thefederalist.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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The nation’s leading consumer protection agency has entered the battle between a Nashville college preparatory school and parents who claim Lipscomb Academy has not only gone “woke” but is silencing speech.

In a letter obtained by The Federalist, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson encourages the private school’s leadership to rethink its new code of conduct, which prohibits parents, students, and staff from publicly “disparaging” the school or actions taken by its leadership.

“Families violate confidentiality requirements if they … Publicly speculate or criticize personnel decisions or school matters,” the code of conduct states.

Mamdani creates the Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs and appoints transgender-identifying male to lead it– www.theblaze.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani proudly announced the creation of the Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs and nominated a transgender-identifying male to lead it.

Mamdani said that New York City had the highest number of “queer” people of any city in the U.S. during the announcement Friday. Attorney Taylor Brown will be the first transgender person to lead an agency or office in New York City.

‘With Taylor Brown as director of the new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, the city’s queer community will not only be celebrated, but protected at every turn.’

9th Circuit Backs Access for Biological Men at Women’s Spa– www.dailysignal.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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An appeals court determined that biological men should be permitted to enter an all-female spa for ages 13 and up in Washington state—prompting a federal judge to issue a blunt dissent.

In Olympus Spa v. Armstrong, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that Washington state can enforce an anti-discrimination law to allow a biological man to enter the spa if he identifies as a woman.

The facility in question is a Korean-inspired women’s spa that limits admission to females only, because its services involve full nudity for Korean scrubs, communal bathing, saunas, and massages, according to the Pacific Justice Institute.

The Washington State Human Rights Commission alleged the spa violated the state’s public accommodation law and the Washington Law Against Discrimination.

People ‘high up’ in the White House are against war with Iran, Trump ally turned foe tells CNN– www.independent.co.uk

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Iranian foreign minister says “we don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans”– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that “we don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans” as President Trump has claimed Iran is seeking a deal to end the war between the U.S. and Iran.

“We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”

As the war entered its third week, Mr. Trump has claimed in recent days that Iran wants to reach a deal. The president said in a post on Truth Social late Friday that Iran “is totally defeated and wants a deal – But not a deal that I would accept!” On Saturday, he told NBC News that “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet.”

But Araghchi said “we are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” saying “this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

China urges US to correct ‘erroneous ways’ over trade probes ahead of Paris talks– www.france24.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Beijing said on Monday it has “lodged representations” and urged Washington to “correct its erroneous ways” after the US launched new trade probes last week, with negotiators from both countries meeting in Paris.

Washington’s trade investigations target 60 economies including China and will look into “failures to take action on forced labor” and whether these burden or restrict US commerce.

Those investigations came a day after a separate set of US probes centred on excess industrial capacity that target 16 trading partners including China, which Beijing’s foreign ministry criticised as “political manipulation”.

“We urge the US side to immediately correct its erroneous ways, meet China halfway… and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiations,” Beijing’s commerce ministry said in a statement.

Trump says talks with Cuba ongoing, action possible after Iran– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Mar 15) that the United States could soon reach a deal with Cuba or take other action, signalling that developments in the long-strained relationship may come quickly.

“Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” Trump said to reporters on Air Force One. “We’re talking to Cuba, but we’re going to do Iran before Cuba.”

The comments come as tensions between Washington and Havana remain elevated following years of sanctions, diplomatic friction and disputes over migration and security, with regional allies and investors watching closely for signs of a policy shift.

Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday that the country opened talks with the United States as the island faces one of its most severe economic crises in decades.

UK ‘will not be drawn into wider war’ over Iran, says Starmer as he announces £53m to help with heating oil costs – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Keir Starmer is speaking at his press conference.

The war is entering its third week, he says.

He says he has been clear in his objectives.

First, we will protect our people in the region.

Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.

And third, we will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops the Iranian threat to its neighbours.

Trump-Xi China summit may be delayed if Trump wants to stay in Washington for Iran war: Bessent– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping could be delayed for logistical reasons during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

Trump suggested on Sunday that the summit could be delayed as the U.S. pressures China to help the U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent walked those comments back on Monday, arguing the summit would be delayed if Trump chooses to stay in Washington to coordinate the war effort in Iran.

“If the meetings are delayed, it wouldn’t be delayed because the president demanded that China police the Strait of Hormuz,” Bessent said in an interview with CNBC’s Brian Sullivan in Paris. “If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.”

Why Does the Supreme Court Treat Trump Like a “Regular” President?– www.thenation.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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The emperor is stark naked, but thanks to a misguided legal doctrine, the Republican justices keep insisting he’s fully clothed.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” Apparently, this famous quote was written by the 19th-century French poet Charles Baudelaire, but I first heard the line in the movie The Usual Suspects. I think about it often, as it encapsulates Donald Trump’s relationship with the Republicans on the Supreme Court.

The Donald Trump who exists in the real world—the racist, fascist sexual predator who happily tweets out the illegal and unconstitutional motivations for his policies—does not exist according to the Supreme Court. Instead, the court has invented a different Trump, one who does not speak, does not lie, and adheres to the well-established norms regarding the use of executive power. It has dreamed up a normal US president, grafted this creation onto Trump’s legal filings, and then ruled as if this fiction were reality.

Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran’s ‘Crown Jewel’: ‘Locked & Loaded’– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump has warned that the United States has the capability to wipe out the Iranian regime’s most critical oil export hub within minutes, and the U.S. military is “locked and loaded” and ready to do so with a moment’s notice.

However, Trump says he has deliberately chosen not to pull the trigger – yet.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said U.S. forces are fully prepared to destroy Kharg Island, the regime’s primary oil export terminal and a vital economic lifeline for Tehran.

“We can do that on five minutes’ notice,” Trump said.

“We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it.”

Trump Issues Warning to NATO Allies: Help Secure Strait of Hormuz or Face Consequences– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), urging allied nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and cautioning that failure to do so could have serious implications for the alliance.

Speaking in an interview with The Financial Times, Trump said NATO members that rely on the critical shipping route should share responsibility for protecting it.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said.

“If there’s no response, or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”

New Report Shows Massive Hospice Fraud Scheme In California– www.louderwithcrowder.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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If you thought the fraud in Minnesota was bad, you have not checked in on what is going on in the Golden State.

According to Fox News, “healthcare fraud in Los Angeles is big business, with taxpayer losses estimated at $3.5 billion.”

One doctor, who does not even live in the state, reveals that his identity was used to file 76,000 claims “on behalf of thousands of patients. Records also link him to 18 hospice providers, which he denies.”

“Between 2021 and 2024, home health agencies linked to this physician, who lives outside of California and is in their 80s, billed nearly $600 million to Medicare, including nearly $210 million in 2024 alone, a 124 percent increase from 2021, with 95 percent of those payments concentrated in Los Angeles County. Beneficiary patient count rose from 9,693 in 2021 to 29,527 for home health agencies associated with this physician.”

 

Trump Presses Allies and China to Secure the Strait of Hormuz – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump wants the world to act quickly to stop Iran from threatening shipping in the Straits of Hormuz. Iran has used mines, drones, and naval harassment to disrupt traffic through the narrow channel between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. About one-fifth of global oil shipments travel through that route, and a shutdown would send fuel costs climbing across the world within days. Trump’s message to allies and rivals alike remains simple: help reopen the waterway and keep global commerce moving.

Trump already ordered American forces to strike all remaining Iranian maritime assets and energy facilities tied to the effort to block shipping. U.S. forces destroyed over 30 Iranian mine-laying vessels and carried out strikes against an oil hub on Kharg Island. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth supports the campaign and has kept naval forces in the region on alert.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded with warnings that Iran would increase retaliation if attacks continue. Trump still calls on allied navies to join the effort and escort tankers through the strait.

Blue State Targets ICE Agents With Discriminatory Bill– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser March 16, 2026 0

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Rhode Island Democrats are pushing a new bill that would block local police departments from hiring certain ICE agents, ramping up the state’s resistance to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The proposal, dubbed the ICE OUT Act, would bar Rhode Island law enforcement agencies from employing anyone hired as a sworn officer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after Jan. 20, 2025. Supporters say it’s about trust and standards. Critics call it political discrimination dressed up as “reform” at a time when recruiting is already a struggle.

“A law enforcement agency… shall not employ any individual who was hired as a sworn officer of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency on or after January 20, 2025,” the bill reads.

The companion bills in the Rhode Island House and Senate would amend the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process Accountability and Transparency Act to add the restriction. The policy would take effect in October 2026 and would not apply to officers already hired out of ICE’s ranks.

DEVELOPING: KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Goes Down in Iraq– wltreport.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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This is a developing story.

A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft has gone down in Western Iraq.

Recovery efforts are underway.

Right now, it is not believed that the crash was caused by hostile or friendly fire.

Here’s what we know so far:

Iran may be losing militarily — but the propaganda war just began– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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There is little doubt that U.S. and Israeli strikes on military targets inside Iran have dealt a severe blow to the country’s capacity to wage war. The campaign has eliminated the first and second tiers of Iran’s leadership, destroyed more than 60 naval vessels, degraded its weapons stockpiles, and dismantled key air-defense systems — leaving large portions of the regime’s political and command infrastructure in disarray.

Yet despite the devastation, Iran’s leadership shows no sign of capitulation. Instead, it remains defiantly entrenched. As the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps exhausts its remaining military options, it has increasingly turned to another weapon: a coordinated propaganda campaign waged through its state-controlled media. And, as so often happens, the anti-American foot soldiers of the U.S. legacy press have proven more than willing to amplify it.

Trump Says New Ayatollah Still Alive ‘In Some Form’– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump said the replacement for the deceased Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, hasn’t been killed, although he implied he was seriously injured.

The statement, made in an interview with Fox News set to air on Friday morning, was first reported by Fox and other sources on Thursday night.

The announcement comes after much speculation that the new supreme leader had also been killed in one of the airstrikes that led off the joint U.S./Israeli campaign against Iran on Feb. 28.

MIKE CONAWAY: As China’s Espionage Threat Widens, America Must Lock Down Its Own House– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stands a respectable 5’8”, but during his recent visit to China he was — as the kids say — “mogged.”

Soldiers of the People’s Republic’s honor guard, all more than six feet tall, towered over him on both sides.

The optics were hard to miss. The empire that once humiliated China into opening its ports and surrendering Hong Kong now approached Beijing like Oliver Twist asking for more gruel.

Precision Strikes, Clear Objectives, and a Swift Return to Peace › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump campaigned on ending endless wars, not starting them. Just over a year into his second term, he is delivering this on his terms. The U.S.–Israeli 2026 military campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which began following Iran’s reckless provocations in the wake of the 12-Day War, has already achieved its strategic goals. With only a small number of remaining nuclear facilities left to neutralize and the Strait of Hormuz on track to be fully secured within the coming weeks, the United States stands ready to proclaim mission accomplished and swiftly conclude major combat operations.

DHS Reveals More Information on Michigan Synagogue Attacker – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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In addition to the attack in Virginia on Thursday that left one dead and two injured at the hands of an ISIS-sympathizing gunman who the FBI says shouted “Allahu Akhbar” prior to opening fire, there was an attack in Michigan involving a rifle-wielding madman who crashed his car into a synagogue in a “targeted act of violence against Jewish community,” according to the FBI.

 

Education Department sits on nearly 400 college discrimination complaints from one activist– www.thecollegefix.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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Civil rights activist Mark Perry said the Department of Education has ignored more than 70 requests for updates

The U.S. Department of Education has not been responding to questions about a backlog of complaints, including nearly 400 from civil rights activist Mark Perry alleging race and sex-related discrimination in higher education.

Some disability rights organizations have also expressed frustration with the office, agreeing its response time is slow.

Perry flags programs that are open only to female students, or only to students of color, in violation of federal civil rights laws.

Trump says US is ‘destroying’ Iranian regime and warns ‘watch what happens’ today– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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President Donald Trump blasted the New York Times early Friday morning for its coverage of Operation Epic Fury, claiming that it showed that the U.S. was “not winning.” The president provided a list of military accomplishments so far and teased that something would be occurring “today.”

“We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise, yet, if you read the Failing New York Times, you would incorrectly think that we are not winning,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth.”

New Poll: Only 23% of Americans Agree With Democrats on Abortions Up to Birth– www.lifenews.com

pgnewser March 13, 2026 0

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A new national survey released by the Pew Research Center underscores that Americans remain deeply divided on abortion and far from united behind the abortion industry’s push for unlimited abortion.

“Despite efforts to portray abortion as a settled issue, Americans remain deeply conflicted about abortion and continue to recognize the humanity of the unborn child,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Only a small minority of Americans support abortion without limits. Millions believe that unborn children deserve legal protection.”