03 World

Russia Seeks to Irk Trump with Cuba Move– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

The possibility of a showdown between the United States and Russia is looming as a Russian tanker laden with oil steams toward Cuba and a U.S. blockade.

The Anatoly Kolodkin has 730,000 barrels of oil aboard, according to Politico, and is heading for the Cuban port of Matanzas. It could arrive in two to three days, Michelle Wiese Bockmann, a senior maritime intelligence analyst at Windward AI, said.

The Kolodkin was escorted through the English Channel by the Russian navy, but since then the tanker has been on its own.

Politico reported that former Trump administration officials expect the tanker to be stopped, but that current administration officials are keeping quiet about what the U.S. will do.

Russia has not said for certain that it plans to test the blockade and create the biggest showdown since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, preferring to drop hints wrapped in bland statements of support for Cuba, which has been under an oil blockade ever since American forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Cuba relied on Venezuelan oil, which has been cut off since January.

French Authorities Raid Rothschild Bank in Epstein Investigation– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

The global Jeffrey Epstein scandal is detonating again as French financial prosecutors have launched raids on the prominent Roshchild banking family as part of the escalating investigations into the explosive revelations buried in the late child predator’s files.

Authorities confirmed searches were carried out across multiple locations, including the Paris branch of Swiss private bank Edmond de Rothschild, as part of a widening investigation into potential corruption linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s network.

The investigations are being led by France’s anti-corruption and financial crimes unit.

Shelter-In-Place Ordered After Vicious Explosion Rocks Texas Oil Refinery– wltreport.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

A horrific explosion at a Texas crude oil refinery prompted an immediate shelter-in-place order.

The blast occurred at the Valero Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

“At this time, numerous emergency crews are on the scene following a major explosion at a Valero refinery. Large flames are visible, with heavy smoke rising and seen for miles. Multiple witnesses reported feeling the ground shake at the time of the blast,” Rawsalerts wrote.

“A shelter-in-place order has been issued for nearby residents as a precaution while crews work to contain the situation. The cause of the explosion remains unknown and is currently under investigation,” the post added.

Amendments to Hong Kong National Security Law Allow Police To Demand Device Passwords in NatSec Probes– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

On Monday, the Hong Kong government gazetted amendments to the implementation rules of the National Security Law that would significantly expand the powers granted to law enforcement, including the ability to compel suspects in national security investigations to reveal their device passwords under threat of fines or jail time. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council was not consulted on the changes, but the government has announced that it will provide a public briefing on Tuesday.

Despite administration claims that the new rules “will not affect the lives of the general public” and that they were implemented to address “national security risks [… that] may arise suddenly and unexpectedly,” many legal experts and human rights groups have warned that the broadly defined amendments are “open to abuse” and represent a ratcheting up of the Beijing-imposed 2020 National Security Law that has long been used to undermine democratic freedoms and crush political dissent.

At Hong Kong Free Press, Hans Tse reported on the amendments, their potential penalties, and the expansion of who can be compelled to disclose password or decryption information—including even those with a “duty of confidentiality or any other restriction on the disclosure of information,” such as journalists, doctors, and lawyers):

Under the new rules, police can require people under national security investigation to provide passwords or help decrypt their electronic devices. Failure to do so can be punished by up to one year behind bars and a HK$100,000 [$12,760 U.S.] fine.

Providing a false or misleading statement can be punished by up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$500,000 [$63,815].

Police can also compel anyone believed to know of the password or the decryption method of a device under investigation to disclose such information. Similarly, those who own, possess, control, or have authorised access to a device, as well as current or former users, can be subject to such an order.

The new rules have also empowered customs officers to freeze or confiscate assets relating to national security crimes or to forfeit “articles that have seditious intention.” [Source]

Opposition to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide is Growing Stronger– www.lifenews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

Robert Clarke, a lawyer and the director of advocacy with ADF International was published in the Federalist on March 23, 2026 with his article: Around the World, Assisted Suicide Laws Are Losing Support. Clarke outlines how campaigns to legalize euthanasia and/or assisted suicide have lost their luster and a new direction has begun to begin rolling back laws that already exist.

Clarke writes:

Last week, Scotland resolutely rejected assisted suicide. Alberta announced major new legislation to protect individuals from the practice. And the clock is ticking in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords on a bill that would legalize the practice in England and Wales.

UK: Starmer Calls for More Muslims to Become MP– gellerreport.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

 

Yes, that is exactly what the UK needs, more jihad. More sharia. More antisemitism. More Jewish ambulance burnings.

Robert Spencer: He will get his wish. But as the transfer of power takes place, and shattered, staggering, dhimmi Britain comes under Muslim rule, no Muslims will ever call for greater non-Muslim representation in parliament.

WATCH: CNN Forced To Admit Trump Was Right, Iran Did Initiate Peace Talks– wltreport.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

I know you’re going to be shocked at this, but CNN was just forced to admit that Trump was right.  Again.

After spending most of the day yesterday claiming that President Trump was lying when he said Iran reached out to initiate talks on Sunday night, now they’ve just gone on the air to reverse that story.

See here:

Longer clip here:

Majority Of Republicans Say Israel Influences US Foreign Policy Too Much, Weeks Into Iran War– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

A bare majority of likely Republican voters say Israel has too much influence over U.S. foreign policy weeks into the Iran War, a poll shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation shows.

Just over half — 51% of Republicans — answered “yes” when asked “Does Israel have too much influence over American foreign policy?” compared to 43% who said “no,” according to a Democracy Institute national survey of U.S. likely voters released Monday. Meanwhile, 63% of all voters, including 74% of Democrats, agreed that Israel has too much influence.

The poll’s release came just under a month after the U.S. and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other officials of the Islamist regime.

The ongoing war in Iran has killed at least 13 U.S. service members and ranks among one of the least popular conflicts in modern U.S. history at its relative point in time. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released the day after the strikes found that only 27% of U.S. adults approved of them.

Several Middle Eastern Countries Giving Iranian Officials The Boot– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

Lebanon kicked out Iran’s ambassador-designate Tuesday, making it the fourth Arab country in a week to oust Iranian officials as Tehran’s grip on the region rapidly weakens.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced on X that Mohammad Reza Shibani must leave the country by March 29. Beirut also ousted its Iranian ambassador Tuesday, the Washington Examiner reported.

Shibani took over the post earlier this year after his predecessor, Mojtaba Amani, suffered injuries during the September 2024 pager attack that devastated Hezbollah’s ranks. The Lebanese government had already banned Hezbollah military operations on March 2, Reuters reported. The government reportedly ordered the arrest of any IRGC members operating in the country days later.

Raggi appeared at a gathering of regional officials in Riyadh last week, where he accused Iran of exploiting Arab nations for its own strategic ends, the Jerusalem Post reported.

“By targeting Arab and Islamic countries, Iran is attempting to hijack their security and peace and trade them for its own opportunistic objectives,” Raggi said. Lebanon also voiced support for Kuwait and the UAE after both countries uncovered Hezbollah terror cells on their soil, the outlet reported.

UK Catholic bishops decry House of Lords vote to decriminalize abortion up until birth– www.lifesitenews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom are condemning a recent House of Lords vote on a proposal that would decriminalize abortion in certain cases, including up until birth.

The plan, which passed the House of Commons last summer, would remove criminal penalties for women who seek abortions beyond the legally permitted time frame.

Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, the lead bishop for life issues in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, immediately condemned the vote, expressing his deep “distress.”

“I am deeply distressed by the decision by the House of Lords to reject Baroness Monckton’s amendment to remove clause 208 from the Crime and Policing Bill,” wrote Archbishop Sherrington.

“The clause decriminalises on-demand abortion up to birth in England and Wales in some circumstances. This move is likely to lead to more late-term abortions putting pregnant women and their babies at risk. Many women could likely also face even greater risks of isolation, coercion, and pressure.”

Iran Appoints Hardline Security Veteran To Key Post After Deadly Strike– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

Iran moved quickly Tuesday to install a new top security official, appointing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council following the killing of Ali Larijani in last week’s strike.

The announcement, shared by the Iranian president’s deputy of communications on X, marks one of Tehran’s most significant leadership reshuffles in the wake of escalating turmoil at the highest levels of government.

Zolqadr, a longtime insider with deep roots in Iran’s security establishment, steps into a position that sits at the center of the country’s most critical decisions. A former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he is widely viewed as a hardline figure with decades of experience across multiple pillars of the regime.

His appointment comes at a moment when Iran’s leadership is under intense pressure, both internally and across the region. By elevating a figure closely tied to the Revolutionary Guard and the broader security apparatus, Tehran appears to be signaling a focus on continuity, discipline and control following a series of high-profile losses.

The Supreme National Security Council plays a central role in shaping Iran’s military and foreign policy strategy. Chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the council includes senior officials from across the government, military and intelligence sectors. While it helps coordinate key decisions, ultimate authority still rests with the country’s supreme leader.

Iran Threatens to Unleash ‘New, Secret Weapon’ to Immediately ‘End’ Conflict– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Iranian regime is issuing a stark warning to the world, threatening to unleash a “new, secret weapon” that it claims will immediately “bring an end” to the conflict in the Middle East.

The threat comes after President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure following what he described as “very good” peace talks with Tehran.

Regime Issues Ominous Warning

Iranian Major General Abdollahi delivered the regime’s warning in blunt terms:

“The use of a new, secret weapon will begin soon and it will bring an end to the enemy’s operations.”

The statement was amplified by Iran’s state-aligned Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An Iranian official speaking to the outlet rejected any suggestion of diplomacy with President Trump:

“There is no direct or indirect contact with Trump.”

Iran war’s latest casualty: Christian celebrations of Holy Week in the Holy Land– www.theblaze.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

 

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem has announced that at least some traditional Holy Week observances have been canceled or postponed as the military conflict in the Holy Land rages on.

On Sunday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa issued a statement to note that the ongoing war in the region and the “restrictions” imposed as a result will not permit the faithful “to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem.”

‘The empty tomb is the seal of the victory of life over hatred, of mercy over sin.’

In particular, the traditional Palm Sunday procession from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives has been canceled, he said. The Chrism Mass, a Mass traditionally offered during Holy Week, during which a bishop consecrates sacred oils, has been “postponed to a date to be determined.”

China is mapping the ocean floor as it prepares for submarine warfare with U.S.– japantoday.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

China is conducting a vast undersea mapping and monitoring operation across the Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, building detailed knowledge of marine conditions that naval experts say would be crucial for waging submarine warfare against the United States and its allies.

In one example, the Dong Fang Hong 3, a research vessel operated by Ocean University of China, spent 2024 and 2025 sailing back and forth in the seas near Taiwan and the U.S. stronghold of Guam, and around strategic stretches of the Indian Ocean, ship-tracking data reviewed by Reuters shows. In October 2024, it checked on a set of powerful Chinese ocean sensors capable of identifying undersea objects near Japan, ‌according to Ocean University, and visited the same area again last May. And in March 2025, it criss-crossed the waters between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, covering approaches to the Malacca Strait, a critical chokepoint for maritime commerce.

‘The US Media Believes the Iranians’– www.newsbusters.org

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

The U.S. media instinctively trust Iran, instead of their own country’s president, Co-Host Jesse Watters said on Fox News Channel’s “The Five” on Monday.

Watters said he saw the reports earlier in the day after returning from “a news blackout”:

“And, I get back and I see that Trump’s announced he’s negotiating with the Iranians and the Iranians say, ‘No, we’re not.’”

“And, the U.S. media believes the Iranians. Just like that,” Watters said.

Saudi Arabia ‘ready to attack Iran’ with UAE ‘preparing troops’ to back Trump | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to join the war against Iran and could even launch strikes as Tehran continues to target Gulf neighbours.

According to Israel-based Ynet News, Gulf states are helping the United States carry out airstrikes and are targeting Iran’s economy, though they have not yet deployed troops. The same outlet also said recently agreed to allow U.S. forces to use King Fahd Air Base, on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula, to strike Iran.

This marks a change in Saudi Arabia’s stance, as Ynet News added that “before the war, Riyadh said it would not allow its facilities or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran, in an effort to stay out of the conflict”. According to the Israeli outlet, however, that position shifted after Iran launched missiles and drones at key Saudi energy facilities.

Iran war a ‘disastrous mistake,’ says German president in rare rebuke – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Iran war is a “disastrous mistake” that breaches international law, Germany’s president said on Tuesday in an unusually blunt rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s foreign policy, which he said marked a rupture for German ties with its biggest post-war ally.

In a scathing verbal attack, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose largely ceremonial role allows him to speak more freely than politicians, took a far more critical line than Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has skirted questions on the war’s legality.

“Our foreign policy does not become more convincing just because we do not call a breach of international law a breach of international law,” Steinmeier, a former foreign minister from the center left Social Democratic Party, said in a speech at the foreign ministry.

Ukraine peace talks stall as Russia begins its spring offensive– www.euronews.com

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

After a few rounds of trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia, the diplomatic process aimed at putting an end to Moscow’s full-scale invasion has largely stalled with no clear progress in sight.

Kyiv’s delegation returned from two days of meetings in Miami with few tangible results, following what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a discussion over “the key points, opportunities and challenges”.

“The most important thing is to work out security guarantees in such a way that they bring us closer to ending the war. Security is the key to peace.”

China: Sichuan public security detain journalists Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao– www.nchrd.org

pgnewser March 24, 2026 0

Blurb:

On February 1, Chengdu Public Security Bureau officers detained renowned journalist Liu Hu while he was traveling to Beijing. On February 2, Liu’s family learned that Chengdu authorities had placed Liu under criminal detention on suspicion of “making false accusations” and conducting “illegal business operations,” according to Chinese-language site Rights Defense Network (RDN).

Also on February 1, Chengdu public security officers traveled over 1,300 kilometers to Hebei Province to detain Liu’s colleague, Wu Yingjiao. RDN reported that authorities could be targeting Liu and Wu over an article they published on January 29 on their WeChat public account. The article alleged abuse of power and corrupt behavior by a Sichuan county party secretary. Wu faces the same charges as Liu.

“The detentions illustrate a familiar pattern: instead of investigating allegations of official wrongdoing, Chinese authorities persecute the journalists who expose abuses,” said Shane Yi, researcher at CHRD. “Authorities should immediately release Liu and Wu, and investigate the allegations of corruption.”