Trump Eyes Decisive Strike: Seizing Iran’s Oil Lifeline on Kharg Island
President Donald Trump is weighing a bold move to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, the Persian Gulf outpost that handles roughly 90 percent of the regime’s crude oil exports and serves as Tehran’s economic lifeline.
According to Axios, administration officials are actively discussing a ground operation that would require American boots on the ground if Iran continues blocking tankers and choking off global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
This comes after U.S. forces already hammered military targets on the island with precision strikes, leaving oil infrastructure intact—for now. Trump has warned Tehran plainly: keep the strait open, or face far worse. He has floated hitting the oil facilities next, calling past restraint a deliberate choice to give the mullahs one last chance.
Kharg Island is no minor target. It funnels 1.5-1.6 million barrels per day, generating billions that fund Iran’s military, proxies, and nuclear ambitions. Cutting it off would starve the regime financially and force a reckoning.
Trump has made clear he has no interest in endless policing of the Gulf, but he is assembling allies to restore freedom of navigation and end Iran’s blackmail. If Tehran persists in economic warfare, America stands ready to end it—decisively and on our terms.
The message is simple: America protects its interests, secures global energy flows, and will not tolerate rogue regimes holding the world hostage.
Major US Allies UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan & China Officially Decline to Join Trump’s Naval Escort Operation in the Strait of Hormuz
In a significant diplomatic setback, key global powers have refused President Donald Trump’s urgent calls for warships to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint now largely blockaded by Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict.
Japan and Australia have explicitly stated they have no plans to deploy naval vessels. The UK (Britain) has rejected the request outright, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer declining to commit ships.
Germany has ruled out participation, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declaring the country will not become “an active part of this conflict.” France has given no firm commitments, offering only tepid responses. China has similarly provided no support, aligning with its calls for de-escalation
These refusals come despite Trump contacting multiple nations including warnings of consequences for NATO and highlight widespread allied reluctance to escalate involvement in the crisis that has already disrupted global energy supplies and driven oil prices sharply higher.
The US Navy has indicated that large-scale escorts are not currently feasible without broader coalition backing.
Roy Keane brutally explains why he wouldn’t appoint Michael Carrick as permanent Man Utd manager 😳
🗣️ “I think there’s better options out there. If Carrick had been mentioned three months ago to be the next United manager, you’d have been locked up. We would have said he wasn’t even the reckoning.
“He’s done a very good job. But there’s been no jeopardy in the games he’s managed. He’s had weeks to prepare for matches, there’s been good timing for him to go in there, and he’s done a very good job. I take my hat off to him. If he does get the job in the summer, you say, ‘Good luck,’ but I think there’s far better options out there for the next manager of Man Utd.
“To manage Man Utd, you need someone with a lot more experience in terms of winning trophies, competing in Europe, and he hasn’t got that. It might happen in a few years, and he might be in the mix then.
“Remember, this is the same group of players that finished 15th. So everyone else can get giddy about United being 3rd in the league. I don’t. I’m not one of them. There’s loads of options out there. You go and get the best. Carrick’s not the best option for Man Utd.”
Australia Rejects Trump’s Plea: No Warships for Strait of Hormuz
Australia has flatly turned down US President Donald Trump’s call for allied naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil chokepoint shut down amid the escalating US-Iran war.
Transport Minister Catherine King confirmed on March 16, 2026, that no Australian ships will deploy to the region. “We won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz,” she told ABC. “That’s not something we’ve been asked or we’re contributing to.”
The decision comes as Iran continues tanker attacks and threats, driving global oil prices sky-high and triggering fuel shortages and rationing fears in import-dependent nations like Australia. Despite heavy reliance on secure shipping lanes, Canberra cites limited naval capacity—strained by an aging fleet and Indo-Pacific priorities—as a key factor.
The announcement sparked sharp reactions online. Many mocked Trump’s coalition-building struggles, with comments like “Trump says he’s won the war and then starts begging for help—what a loser” and memes showing him isolated. Others criticized the Labor government for under-resourcing the navy, warning it leaves Australia vulnerable if tensions spread to the region.
Australia has limited its contribution to aircraft support for Gulf states and intelligence sharing, staying well clear of direct naval involvement in the dangerous waterway. As allies like Japan also hold back and others deliberate, Trump’s push for a multinational escort force faces growing hurdles.
Experts Warn: Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Bunker Defies Air Strikes, May Force Ground Action
National security analysts and nonproliferation experts are raising alarms over Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain facility, a deeply buried underground complex near Natanz carved into solid granite.
Satellite imagery reviewed by the Institute for Science and International Security shows ongoing fortification of tunnel entrances and heavy construction activity since late 2025.
This site, buried an estimated 80 to 100 meters deep, appears designed to withstand even America’s most advanced bunker-busters like the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator.
Intelligence assessments indicate the regime may have relocated a significant portion of its remaining highly enriched uranium stockpile—potentially around 400 kilograms at near-weapons-grade levels—to this hardened location.
Experts note that previous U.S. and Israeli strikes in 2025 severely damaged Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, but left Pickaxe Mountain untouched and accelerating in development.
The granite overburden provides natural protection far exceeding shallower sites, rendering conventional airstrikes insufficient to neutralize the threat.
Prominent voices in defense circles argue that air power alone cannot eliminate this final nuclear redoubt.
Reports from think tanks like the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and analyses in outlets such as the Jerusalem Post highlight the possibility that only ground operations—special forces raids or commando insertions—could secure or destroy the enriched material and disable the facility. With Iran’s Revolutionary Guard weakened by ongoing operations, some specialists see a window for decisive action to prevent breakout capability.
This development underscores the failures of past policies that allowed Iran’s program to advance unchecked. Under previous administrations, diplomatic concessions and limited responses emboldened Tehran to dig deeper and hide its ambitions. Strong leadership now recognizes that half-measures only prolong the danger, while resolute force through strength offers the path to ending the regime’s nuclear pursuit once and for all.
As the situation escalates, experts stress the urgency: Pickaxe Mountain represents Iran’s last major gamble to preserve its nuclear hedge. Neutralizing it fully may demand the kind of bold, boots-on-the-ground resolve that weaker approaches avoided. America has the capability and the will under current direction to finish the job and remove this shadow over global security.
Macron Demands Iran Halt Proxy Attacks Amid Middle East Chaos
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a sharp warning to Iran following a phone call with President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 15, 2026.
“I have just spoken with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian.
I called on him to put an immediate end to the unacceptable attacks Iran is carrying out against countries in the region, whether directly or through proxies, including in Lebanon and Iraq.
I reminded him that France is acting within a strictly defensive framework aimed at protecting its interests, its regional partners, and freedom of navigation, and that it is unacceptable for our country to be targeted.
The unchecked escalation we are witnessing is plunging the entire region into chaos, with major consequences today and for the years to come. The people of Iran, like those across the region, are paying the price.
Only a new political and security framework can ensure peace and security for all. Such a framework must guarantee that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, while also addressing the threats posed by its ballistic missile programme and its destabilising activities regionally and internationally.
Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be restored as soon as possible.
I also urged the Iranian President to allow Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris to return safely to France as soon as possible. Their ordeal has gone on for far too long, and they belong with their loved ones.”
Iran replaces US GPS with China’s BeiDou system to boost m!ssile accuracy.
Iran has begun replacing reliance on the U.S.-operated Global Positioning System (GPS) with China’s BeiDou in parts of its technological infrastructure, a move that could potentially improve the accuracy of its m!ssile systems.
Recently , Iran has explored alternatives to GPS by integrating BeiDou’s satellite navigation capabilities. Developed by China, BeiDou functions as a global positioning network similar to Europe’s Galileo and Russia’s GLONASS.
Like other global navigation satellite systems, BeiDou provides positioning, navigation, and timing services around the world.
It supports a wide range of civilian uses—including smartphones, shipping, and transportation—while also serving government and defense-related applications.
BREAKING: Netanyahu Orders Coffee on Screen Showing March 15, 2026 – Deepfake Claims Debunked
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in a new video today from Sataf cafe in the Jerusalem Hills, calmly ordering coffee while the point-of-sale screen clearly displays the date March 15, 2026.
Posted on his official channels, the clip shows Netanyahu saying he’s “dying for coffee,” thanking Israelis for their support, reminding everyone to follow Home Front Command guidelines, and deliberately holding up five fingers to counter earlier rumors and AI claims that he had six fingers in previous appearances.
The visible March 15, 2026 date on the cafe screen confirms the footage is fresh and current. Fake screenshots floating online that change the date to 2024 have been exposed as crude edits.
Some online analysts and AI detection software point to minor visual oddities—hand movements, coffee behavior, background elements—but experts note that sophisticated fakes usually start with real video and only tweak specific parts rather than generate everything from scratch.
Netanyahu’s relaxed, humorous response directly shuts down Iranian-backed death rumors spreading during the escalating conflict. The video has racked up millions of views, proving once again how fast misinformation moves in wartime—and how a simple cafe receipt screen can cut through the noise.
Israel Strikes Again: IRGC Commander Who Threatened Netanyahu Eliminated Within Hours
Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Karami issued a public vow this morning to hunt down and kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hours later, Israeli airstrikes reportedly took him out in Isfahan.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, remains very much alive—sipping coffee while the threat vanishes from the battlefield.
The strike fits a pattern of swift, precise Israeli operations that have steadily dismantled IRGC leadership since the conflict escalated. Official confirmation from Tehran or Jerusalem is still pending, but the message is unmistakable: threats against Israel are met with decisive action, not words.
Iran’s regime continues to bleed commanders as the IDF maintains the upper hand in this ongoing confrontation.
❝ President Trump was stunned to learn last week that US intelligence indicates new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay — and that his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability to rule the Islamic Republic for that reason, The Post can reveal.
Trump couldn’t contain his surprise and laughed aloud when he was briefed on the intel, according to sources.
Others in the room also found it “hilarious” and joined the president’s reaction, while one senior intelligence official “has not stopped laughing about it for days,” said one person familiar with the briefing.
The shocking claim was described to The Post by two intelligence community officials and a third person close to the White House.
All three sources say the implausible-sounding allegation is viewed as credible by US spy agencies, rather than false information intended to undermine Khamenei, 56, who was selected to replace his dead father as supreme leader on March 8.
Two of the sources said the intelligence indicated that Mojtaba, who earned the nickname “the power behind the robes” while serving as his aging dad’s gatekeeper, has had a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor.
The third source said the intelligence indicated the affair was with a person who formerly worked for the Khamenei family.
Mojtaba, who is believed to have been wounded in the same Feb. 28 airstrike that killed his father and other members of his family, has made “aggressive” sexual overtures to men caring for him, possibly while under the influence of heavy medication, one of The Post’s sources said.
US spy agencies do not have photographic evidence of Mojtaba Khamenei’s alleged sexual attraction to men, but the sources insisted the tip is solid, with one saying it was “derived from one of the most protected sources that the government has.”
“The fact that this was elevated to the highest of high levels shows you there’s some confidence in this,” added a second source.
Mojtaba’s purported sexual orientation had been whispered about inside Iran since at least the May 2024 helicopter crash that killed then-President Ebrahim Raisi, Ali Khamenei’s presumed favorite to be the next supreme leader, sources said.
Within the US government, “it’s been a pretty closely held piece of information,” one insider said.
Trump previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice to run Iran. The new supreme leader is widely considered to be someone who would not bend to US demands to abandon the nuclear and ballistic missile programs that prompted Operation Epic Fury.
Some elements of Mojtaba Khamenei’s sex life have been reported before and may lend credence to the allegation.
A classified US diplomatic cable from 2008, published by WikiLeaks, described Mojtaba being treated in the UK for impotence, though that report did not identify what may have caused the condition.
The State Department file says Mojtaba married “relatively late in life” — around age 30 — “reportedly due to an impotency problem treated and eventually resolved during three extended visits to the UK, at Wellington and Cromwell Hospitals, London.”
“Mojtaba was expected by his family to produce children quickly, but needed a fourth visit to the UK for medical treatment; after a stay of two months, his wife became pregnant,” the leaked file said.
Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra, and teenage son, Mohammad Bagher, reportedly died in the airstrike that killed his father. The new supreme leader has another son and a daughter.
The allegation of homosexuality was alluded to in a CBS News report on Sunday that said the elder Khamanei, who had ruled Iran since 1989, preferred a different successor in part because of unspecified “issues” in Mojtaba’s “personal life.”
“His father and others suspected he was gay and that was something that people were spreading to try to stop his ascension,” one of The Post’s sources explained.
Homosexual conduct is illegal in Iran, though the government does allow surgical sex change operations, which some gay men reportedly are pressured into undergoing to avoid criminal penalties.
Sodomy is a capital offense in the nation of 93 million people, with some gay Iranians infamously hanged from construction cranes as a warning to others.
“In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals,” former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is believed to be an ally of the younger Khamenei, claimed in 2007.
One of The Post’s sources said that although it’s generally frowned upon to out people against their will, there’s a clear case of hypocrisy to justify doing so against Mojtaba.
“If there was ever a time where it was OK to out somebody, it would be when it’s a leader of a repressive Islamic theocracy that hangs gay people by cranes,” this person said.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s current whereabouts and the status of his recovery from the Feb. 28 airstrikes remain murky. -New york Post
Former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s unresolved burial dispute took a harsher and more combustible turn on March 15, 2026, when governance advocate and UPND member Dennis Mutumba used a televised interview on Crown TV “The Hardball with Alfred Chimba” to level sweeping allegations against the late leader’s family, their spokesperson Makebi Zulu, and the handling of Lungu’s remains in South Africa.
In a discussion that repeatedly returned to one central question, Mutumba claimed the former president had already been buried secretly and said both Zambia and South Africa did not know where the body was. He also rejected claims that Lungu died of cancer, alleging instead that the former head of state was killed, though he offered no documentary proof during the interview and repeatedly framed his position as a demand for the body to be produced.
The interview stood out not only because of the gravity of the claims, but because Mutumba openly said he was prepared to be arrested, sued or jailed if he was proven wrong. Pressed by host Alfred Chimba on whether he was advancing facts or dangerous conspiracy theories, Mutumba insisted he was ready to defend his statements in court and said the only way to prove him false was to present Lungu’s body.
Chimba set the tone early by telling viewers the allegations were “strong” and describing them as claims that could shake political calm. He said Mutumba had alleged that the Lungu family had secretly buried the former president in defiance of a South African court process and that the official explanation surrounding Lungu’s death was false. From the outset, the programme treated the matter as one carrying major legal and national consequences.
Mutumba said his interest in the case arose from what he described as a prolonged and troubling standoff between the family and the Zambian state after Lungu’s death on June 5, 2025. He said the family had at one stage agreed to repatriate the remains, only for the matter to unravel. He argued that after months of court processes and failed negotiations, the continued refusal to return the body for burial had raised questions that, in his view, demanded a public answer.
Throughout the programme, Chimba repeatedly asked Mutumba for evidence. He wanted to know who his sources were, whether he had a single piece of proof that the body was no longer at a South African mortuary, and whether he was prepared to name the people he said were linked to Lungu’s death. Mutumba did not provide verifiable evidence on air. Instead, he pointed to public statements he said had been made by Makebi Zulu, arguing that those remarks, when pieced together, supported his suspicions.
Mutumba claimed Zulu knew far more than he had disclosed publicly because he was the family spokesperson and legal representative. He argued that a spokesperson could not credibly claim ignorance on matters of such sensitivity while continuing to address the nation on the family’s behalf. He said Zulu’s own public conduct, including political messaging and remarks attributed to him in the interview, had made him a central figure in the controversy rather than a distant messenger.
The strongest claim of the night came when Mutumba declared, more than once, that Lungu had already been buried secretly. He said those challenging him should simply produce the body if they wanted to disprove him. That refrain became the backbone of his argument: if the body still existed where the public had been led to believe it was being kept, then the matter could be settled by allowing it to be seen.
On the issue of cause of death, Mutumba dismissed the cancer explanation as false. Asked directly what had killed Lungu, he replied that the former president had been killed by “unknown people” and said more information was still being sought. Yet when Chimba pressed him to name those responsible or produce a medical record, Mutumba conceded he had not seen a certified death record himself. He said that was part of the reason he remained suspicious.
That exchange became one of the interview’s most revealing moments. Mutumba was emphatic in language, but thin on hard proof. Chimba repeatedly returned to that gap, challenging him on whether he was relying on facts or building a theory out of fragments, rumours and statements made by others. Mutumba responded that his conclusions were based on what had been said publicly by people close to the late president, what he called his own findings, and what he described as information from trusted contacts.
The interview also widened into politics. Mutumba suggested some people were seeking political mileage from Lungu’s death and repeatedly linked Makebi Zulu’s public posture to ambitions for future leadership. He questioned how anyone could move to inherit a political mantle before the late leader had been buried and portrayed that as culturally unacceptable and politically suspect. Those claims, too, were presented by him as personal conclusions rather than documented findings placed before viewers.
Chimba challenged him on whether his language amounted to defamation, whether he was traumatising the family, and whether he was exposing himself to legal action. Mutumba said he understood the risk and would apologise and resign from public advocacy if his claims were proved false. At the same time, he maintained that a defamation case would require the truth to be tested and said he was ready for that confrontation.
The programme then moved into phone calls, where viewers weighed in with mixed reactions. One caller said the family needed to be brought to the table to help resolve the issue. Another defended the view that a spokesperson must know what is happening if he speaks for the family. A third caller raised concerns about legal process and whether the Attorney General should be involved. Mutumba used the calls to restate his position that the central issue remained simple: produce the body.
Even as the interview drifted into election politics, mealie meal prices and the wider national climate ahead of the August 13, 2026 general election, the burial dispute remained the defining subject. Mutumba said the issue should not stop elections from taking place, but argued it was troubling for the country to move toward a national vote while the former president’s burial remained unresolved.
What the interview ultimately delivered was not proof, but escalation. It placed unverified allegations before a national audience in blunt, provocative language and attached names, motives and suspicions to one of the country’s most sensitive unresolved disputes. Chimba, to his credit during the exchange, kept returning to the same test: evidence.
That remains the hardest fact in the story. Mutumba made grave accusations. He said the family had secretly buried a former president. He said the official cause of death was false. He said key figures knew more than they had admitted. Yet in the interview itself, he did not produce documents, forensic records, court exhibits, mortuary confirmation or any publicly testable material to support those claims.
Mutumba also addressed criticism that he had been sponsored to make the claims. During the interview he said he was speaking in his personal capacity and rejected suggestions that he was a paid operative, explaining that he was both a governance advocate and a member and sympathiser of the UPND, but not acting on behalf of the party.
What the programme did show, plainly, is how far the Edgar Lungu burial impasse has moved from private grief into a fiercely contested public and political battleground, with accusation now overtaking restraint and the demand for proof hanging over every side involved.
UPND PANICKING, THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION – TONSE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT MUNDUBILE.
Monday, 16 March 2026 (News Diggers)
TONSE Alliance president Brian Mundubile says government is “panicking” by calling for his arrest because they have realised that they have competition in the opposition.
Recently, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa wondered why investigative agencies were not pursuing Mundubile after allegations of theft from Chishimba Kambwili.
Speaking on BM8 Unfiltered, Friday, Mundubile said Mweetwa’s remarks were reckless, adding that he had no right to instruct the police to arrest citizens. He added that Mweetwa as a Minister should understand how contracts are executed.
“It was a very, very reckless statement coming from a minister whom I would have expected to know better. First of all, it’s not his duty to instruct the police to arrest citizens.
If at all Cornelius Mweetwa, whoever he was referring to, had any evidence against honourable Brian Mundubile, he should have tendered that evidence to the Law Enforcement Agencies so that Law Enforcement Agencies could act.
Some of those claims have been meant to distract our trajectory, they’ve realised that Tonse Alliance, the BM8 project, big brother, is out there to get the vote, is out there to form the next government. So, the first thing they do in trying to distract this particular trajectory and the Tonse Alliance is to throw in statements like ‘no, he was given money but he did not do the work’, there’s no such a thing,” Mundubile noted.
“Not very long ago, Cornelius Mweetwa and President Hakainde Hichilema believed there was no opposition and they were basking in their joy that it would be a one-man race. We told them and we reminded them, we said to them that the real competition here, the real opposition are the Zambian people.
The Zambian people are the opposition, the Zambian people are the ones who are going through all these challenges, so it’s the Zambian people that will make the final decision. Now, they’ve suddenly realised that they actually have competition because in an environment where there’s no competition, why is there so much panic? There’s so much panic that Cornelius Mweetwa, whom I would expect to understand basic contracts and how contracts are executed, he now wants to go and say Brian Mundubile should be arrested, for what?”
Mundubile insisted that it was not possible for him to have been paid for work that was not properly executed.
“There’s been this issue, people playing around [saying], no, he was given contracts, he received advance payment. I must make it categorically clear, government contracts, at least in the government that I served, were properly structured and properly implemented. If our company was given a road contract, it was a road contract out of an open tender, a competitive tender, a tender of several companies, both local and international.
When the company was finally awarded that contract, a consultant was appointed to supervise the implementation of that contract. The supervision of that contract meant that the consultant was responsible for the quality, payments and all the supervision surrounding that particular contract. You have three parties; government is a client, their duty is to pay, they appoint a consultant who also signs a contract with government. The duty of the consultant is to make sure that government only pays for certified works, quality works. The contractor’s role is to implement and execute works,” said Mundubile.
“I want Cornelius Mweetwa, who may have some very average understanding about contracts to understand this. So, if there’s poor quality on a particular contract, it’s the responsibility of the consultant, who is equally paid by government, to correct that particular quality. In short, a poorly executed contract is a responsibility of the consultant, he assumes full responsibility if he certifies poorly executed work. This consultant lives on site, he’s called a resident engineer, he wakes up in the morning to inspect the gravel, cement, stone, inspects everything that is going to be used on that particular contract, that’s what they are paid for. So, if something goes wrong, the first point of call is actually the consultant. So, it’s therefore shocking for someone to come up and say honourable [Brian] Mundubile’s company was tendering fake invoices, there’s no such a thing. The way these contracts are executed, on a daily basis, the contractor is supervised and reports are written every day”.
Meanwhile, Mundubile condemned Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha’s remarks that if re-elected, UPND may undertake a complete repeal of the Constitution in 2027, arguing that the Constitution cannot be changed like bed sheets.
Chabinga and Ng’ona are still the office bearers, as shown in this latest reprint from the Registrar of Societies. Nothing has changed
ROBERT CHABINGA IS STILL TEACHING THE BORN AGAIN MILES SAMPA A LESSON- Hon. Chabinga posted on his Facebook page:
The official office bearers of the Patriotic Front Party (PF) as shown is the attached printout. There is no party official who can claim to have authority over the party than the Secretary General Mr Morgan Ng’ona under the presidency of Hon Robert Chabinga. The document speaks for itself.
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION/ PF ACTING PRESIDENT ROBERT M MAFINGA MP
…………
This is after Miles Sampa claimed to have removed Robert Chabinga and Morgan Ng’ona as PF’s office bearers.
Now, Given Lubinda and the team promised that they would have a convention to choose the party’s leader within 4 days: what would be the way forward? Are we expecting Given Lubinda and Miles’ faction to hold an illegal convention?
THEY BEAT HIM, THEY HUMILIATED HIM, THEN THEY FOUND OUT THEY WERE WRONG.
An elderly man in Chingola was seized, brutalised, and publicly shamed after drivers accused him of using juju to steal their Private parts (Samples/ Ujen) The crowd was convinced. The anger was real. The old man’s plea of innocence was Ignored.
After police investigations and inspection of the alleged victims, it was discovered that their private parts were as intact as Luchelenganga’s footprints on rocks.
Now the dust has settled, and we need to ask the uncomfortable questions: ❓ Who answers for the blood on that old man’s body?
❓ Who compensates him for the dignity they stripped from him in broad daylight? ❓ Do we arrest fear? Or do we arrest the people who acted on it? Mass hysteria is not a legal defence.
A mob is not a court. An accusation is not a conviction. This man was someone’s father. Someone’s grandfather. A human being reduced to a punching bag because of panic, superstition, and zero critical thinking.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu says the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration has demonstrated credible leadership by delivering on most of its 2021 campaign promises.
Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview, Nkandu said credibility in leadership is measured by fulfilling promises made to the people, adding that government has achieved this through initiatives such as free education, the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and expanded social cash transfer programmes.
Nkandu also noted that the government restored meal allowances for students as promised.
“Number one, we said when we come into office, we are going to give our young people the meal allowances. That has been done,” he said.
He further stated that the administration has promoted national unity under President Hakainde Hichilema.
“In 2021, we said we are going to unify this country, and the President has just done that. Every region is represented in Cabinet,” Nkandu said.
The minister also cited reforms in markets and bus stations, saying the government had fulfilled its commitment to ensure fair management of public trading spaces.
“We said there will be no capitalism in markets and bus stations, and we have stuck to what we said. The people are really appreciating that,” he said.
Nkandu added that the increase in CDF allocations is another example of the government delivering on its promises.
“We said CDF will be one million dollars. In fact, we have even multiplied it by two. So that has also been done,” he said.
He further pointed to the introduction of free education, noting that it is one of the major promises that has been implemented.
“Everyone knows, including our critics, that there is free education,” Nkandu said.
He also said the settlement of retirement benefits for former public service workers is another indication that the government has honoured its commitments to the people of Zambia.
🇿🇲 ANALYSIS | UPND Moves to Rein in MPs as Constituency Battles Begin Early
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has moved to caution its Members of Parliament against prematurely shifting their political activities to other constituencies before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the 2026 general election. The warning, delivered by Deputy Secretary General Gertrude Imenda, highlights growing anxiety within the ruling party over early campaigning and internal competition among its own lawmakers.
Speaking in an interview with Kalemba, Imenda questioned the logic behind sitting MPs abandoning the constituencies that elected them while they are still serving their mandates.
“I wonder what they will deliver where they are going that they have not delivered where they are. What are they running away from, and why are they in such a hurry?”
Her remarks reflect a broader concern within the party leadership that early political manoeuvres could undermine the authority of sitting MPs and create unnecessary tensions within the party ahead of the election cycle.
Under Zambia’s constitutional framework, Members of Parliament remain fully responsible for their constituencies until Parliament is dissolved. Active campaigning in another constituency during this period raises questions about representation and commitment to the electorate that originally voted them into office.
Imenda emphasised that the party does not prohibit members from expressing interest in contesting other seats. However, she insisted that active campaigning should only begin once Parliament has been dissolved.
“Let them wait for Parliament to dissolve then they can make those moves. What they can only do now is declare interest and not getting into campaigns. This is not right.”
The warning also extends beyond MPs themselves. The UPND leadership has observed that some party members have already begun campaigning in constituencies where fellow party members currently serve as MPs, a practice Imenda said risks destabilising party structures on the ground.
“Do not go to an area where your fellow UPND member is serving to campaign. It is not right because you are disturbing and indirectly telling the constituents that the sitting MPs have failed.”
Her statement touches on a deeper political reality that is beginning to shape Zambia’s electoral landscape. Across the country, voters are becoming more demanding and politically aware, increasingly questioning the performance of their elected representatives rather than simply voting along party lines.
Across many constituencies, public expectations around development delivery, accessibility of MPs and responsiveness to local concerns have grown significantly since the last election cycle. As a result, MPs who have struggled to maintain visibility or demonstrate tangible results may face a more difficult path to re-election.
The temptation to relocate to another constituency can therefore be interpreted as a strategic calculation by some politicians seeking politically safer terrain. But such moves also carry risks. Constituents in new areas may view late entrants with suspicion, particularly if the move appears motivated by political survival rather than genuine commitment to the community.
For the ruling party, managing these ambitions has become an organisational challenge. Internal competition, if left unchecked, can quickly evolve into factional disputes that weaken party cohesion during an election year.
As Zambia approaches the dissolution of Parliament in May ahead of the August 2026 general election, political positioning within parties will inevitably intensify. What the UPND leadership is attempting now is to impose order on that process before it spills into open rivalry.
At the same time, the warning carries an unspoken message to MPs themselves: the electorate is watching more closely than before.
In a political environment where voter awareness continues to rise, non-performing MPs may find that switching constituencies does not necessarily provide an escape from accountability.
The People’s Brief is a reader-built publication. Follow us for verified reporting, share our stories, and contribute your analysis or commentary by writing to us at editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
NKULUKUSA DISMISSES CLAIMS UPND HAS OVER-BORROWED, SAYS DEBT UP BY ONLY $4.3BN
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa has disputed suggestions that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has contracted excessive debt since 2021, stating that the country’s total debt stock has only increased by 4.3 billion dollars, from 24.6 billion dollars to 28.9 billion dollars during the period.
Mr Nkulukusa said the increase is significantly lower compared to the rate at which debt grew under the Patriotic Front (PF) administration.
He explained that Zambia’s total public debt stood at 4.33 billion dollars in 2011 and rose to 10.1 billion dollars by 2015 adding that debt further increased from 10.1 billion dollars in 2015 to 24.6 billion dollars in 2021, representing a sharp rise during that period.
Mr Nkulukusa revealed that between 2011 and 2015, Zambia’s debt grew by 5.77 billion dollars, while between 2015 and 2021 it increased by about 14.5 billion dollars.
Speaking when he featured on ZNBC’s Government Forum, Mr Nkulukusa said it is not true that the UPND government has grown the debt portfolio unsustainably revealing that the country’s current debt remains sustainable, with the majority of it being concessional loans.
He disclosed that of the 4.3 billion dollars contracted since 2021, 1.7 billion dollars was obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at zero interest, with a five-year grace period and a 10-year repayment period.
Mr Nkulukusa further explained that the remaining loans were sourced from institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank, as well as other lenders offering concessional interest rates of about 2.6 percent.
He said Zambia is on the right economic trajectory, adding that debt is not necessarily bad if it is contracted for investment and national development.
🇿🇲 EXPLAINER | What the World Bank’s US$45 Million Support Really Means for Zambia
The World Bank has approved US$45 million in budget support to Zambia under the Second Zambia Climate and Economic Resilience Development Policy Financing (DPO). While the figure may appear modest in the context of national budgets, the significance of this financing lies less in its size and more in what it represents.
This is not a traditional loan tied to building a specific road, dam or school. Instead, it is policy support financing. In simple terms, the World Bank is providing funds directly to the national treasury to support economic reforms that the Zambian government has committed to implement. The money therefore becomes part of government’s general budget and can be used to sustain broader economic programmes.
This type of financing works differently from project loans. Under a Development Policy Operation, funds are released only after a government implements agreed reforms. In Zambia’s case, the World Bank is supporting policy changes aimed at strengthening economic management, attracting private investment and improving resilience to climate shocks.
Practically, the funding signals international confidence in Zambia’s reform programme, particularly the fiscal reforms that have accompanied the country’s debt restructuring process. Since Zambia defaulted on its external debt in 2020, restoring credibility with international financial institutions has been one of the government’s central economic objectives.
The World Bank support is structured around three main reform pillars.
The first pillar focuses on fiscal management and economic resilience. Zambia is strengthening transparency in the management of national resources, particularly revenues generated from the mining sector. Reforms include clearer disclosure of fiscal balances, improved management of copper revenue projections and broader public financial management reforms. These measures are designed to ensure that government finances remain stable and predictable as the country continues its debt restructuring programme.
The second pillar targets private-sector investment and infrastructure development. Zambia is revising regulatory frameworks and implementing green economy policies to attract new investment into sectors such as energy, agriculture and industrial development. The intention is to create conditions where private capital can expand infrastructure, generate employment and drive economic growth without relying solely on government spending.
The third pillar addresses disaster risk management and climate resilience, an area that has become increasingly important following recent droughts and climate-related shocks across southern Africa. Zambia is working to strengthen early warning systems and establish a National Social Registry that will help government identify and support vulnerable households during climate emergencies. Legislative reforms to the Disaster Risk Management Act are also part of this process.
The reforms are also linked to lessons Zambia is drawing from international development experiences. Recently, a Zambian delegation visited Vietnam to study how that country transformed its agricultural sector, strengthened private-sector investment and built resilience to climate risks. Vietnam’s use of agricultural cooperatives, climate-smart farming techniques and public-private partnerships has been cited as an example Zambia hopes to adapt to its own development strategy.
For ordinary citizens, the implications of the World Bank financing may not appear immediately visible, but the long-term objective is clear. These reforms are intended to strengthen Zambia’s economic foundation so that the country can sustain growth, attract investment and respond more effectively to climate shocks that threaten agriculture and food security.
Additionally, the funding helps the government maintain fiscal stability while implementing reforms that affect sectors such as mining governance, agriculture, climate adaptation, energy and private-sector development.
Ultimately, the US$45 million package should be understood less as a standalone financial injection and more as a signal that Zambia’s economic reform programme continues to receive backing from international development partners.
For a country emerging from debt distress and attempting to rebuild investor confidence, that signal carries weight far beyond the dollar figure itself.
The People’s Brief is a reader-built publication. Follow us for verified reporting, share our stories, and contribute your analysis or commentary by writing to us at editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
Trump Issues Blunt Warning to NATO “Very Bad Future” Awaits Unless Allies Help Open Strait of Hormuz; Ex-NATO
Chief Does Not Rule Out Alliance Collapse During His Term In a sharp escalation of transatlantic tensions amid the ongoing Iran conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO faces a “very bad future” if member states fail to assist in reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route disrupted by Iranian actions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Trump demanded that key allies including those heavily reliant on Gulf oil shipments contribute warships or support to secure the strait, stating that beneficiaries must step up or risk severe consequences for the alliance. “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” he told the Financial Times.
This comes as oil prices surge and global shipping faces major disruptions.
Adding to the uncertainty, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a March 14 interview with CBC News explicitly stated he does not rule out the complete collapse of the alliance during Trump’s current presidential term.
Stoltenberg noted there are “no guarantees” NATO will survive, citing ongoing frustrations over defense spending and U.S. commitment, while urging European nations to rapidly increase investments to 5% of GDP. These developments highlight deepening rifts within NATO at a time of heightened geopolitical crisis.
Sources: Financial Times, Reuters, The Guardian, New York Post, Associated Press, The Independent, and CBC News.
UK Refuses to Deploy Warships for Strait of Hormuz Escorts Amid Escalating Iran Conflict, Rejects Trump’s Call for Allied Naval Support
In a significant diplomatic stance, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly declined to send Royal Navy warships to escort commercial vessels through the critically blocked Strait of Hormuz, despite urgent appeals from US President Donald Trump for international naval support to reopen the vital oil shipping route.
The decision comes as the US-Israel-Iran war enters its third week, with Iran having largely halted tanker traffic through the strait via mines, drones, and missile threats, driving global oil prices sharply higher and raising fears of wider economic fallout
UK officials, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, have emphasized exploring non-combat alternatives such as aerial minesweepers, unmanned drone systems for mine detection, and diplomatic efforts to restore freedom of navigation. However, they have explicitly ruled out deploying manned warships, citing risks of further escalation in the volatile region.
This position aligns the UK with other key US allies like Japan and Australia, who have also stated they have no plans to dispatch naval vessels for escort duties. Reports indicate even the US Navy has not yet committed to routine escorts due to the high threat levels.
The refusal has drawn attention amid Trump’s public demands for a multinational team effort to secure the strait, with some sources noting potential strains in US-UK relations.
This development underscores Europe’s cautious approach to deeper military involvement in the Middle East crisis, prioritizing de-escalation over direct confrontation.
U.S. Intel Drops Bombshell: Khamenei Thought His Son Was Too Dumb to Lead Iran
Just days into the escalating U.S.-Israel war with Iran, American intelligence briefed President Trump that the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei privately doubted his son Mojtaba’s fitness to succeed him. According to sources speaking to CBS News, the elder Khamenei viewed Mojtaba—now 56 and Iran’s interim supreme leader—as intellectually unqualified, not very bright, and weighed down by personal problems that made him unsuitable for the role.
The leak surfaced March 15, 2026, right as Mojtaba’s legitimacy faces intense scrutiny. He hasn’t appeared publicly since his rushed appointment by clerics on March 9, following his father’s assassination in late February strikes. U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claim Mojtaba was wounded in the opening attacks—possibly disfigured—and remains in hiding or incapacitated. Trump himself has mused that the new leader is “probably alive but damaged,” while offering rewards for intel on him and top IRGC figures.
Online reaction was swift and savage: many called the report obvious propaganda meant to erode Mojtaba’s authority during the conflict.
Skeptics mocked it as recycled palace gossip from anonymous “sources familiar with the matter,” timed perfectly to weaken Iran’s hardline succession amid missile exchanges, oil price chaos, and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Whether it’s sharp psychological warfare or genuine insider dirt, the briefing adds fuel to an already chaotic power vacuum in Tehran.
🚨IRAN WAR – SHIPS TRADING IN CHINESE YUAN WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, SHIPS TRADING IN US DOLLARS WILL BE ATTACKED-Iran just fired the most dangerous shot of this entire war.
It wasn’t a missile.
It was this sentence.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Not a military threat. A financial one.
And in 52 years of American global dominance — nothing has come closer to hitting America where it actually hurts.
Here’s what most people don’t understand about American power.
America’s military is extraordinary. Aircraft carriers. Stealth bombers. The ability to project force anywhere on earth within hours.
But the real source of America’s power isn’t the aircraft carrier.
It’s the Petrodollar.
After World War II, America engineered one of the most brilliant financial systems in history.
In 1974, a deal was struck with Saudi Arabia — all oil sold globally would be priced in US dollars.
Every country on earth that needed oil would first need to acquire dollars. That created permanent, structural global demand for the American currency.
It’s called the petrodollar system.
And it has been the invisible foundation of American economic dominance for over 50 years.
Iran just put a knife in it.
20% of the world’s oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz every single day.
That’s 20 million barrels. Every. Single. Day.
Iran has now effectively said: if you want to pass through — trade in yuan, not dollars.
And it is the single most consequential development of this 15-day war.
It’s a direct thread to the petrodollar system.
I won’t be surprised if China’s fingerprints are all over this.
Iran has sent at least 11.7 million barrels of oil to China through the Strait since the war began on February 28th.
Every barrel. Untouched. Unmolested.
Not a single Chinese ship has been fired upon.
Beijing publicly says it had nothing to do with Iran’s yuan proposal.
A professor of economics at Beijing’s University of International Business called the arrangement “very hard to enforce technically.”
China is playing the oldest game in geopolitics.
Distance yourself publicly. Benefit privately.
China has spent years trying to get the world to buy oil in yuan. Saudi Arabia has resisted. The Gulf states have resisted. The entire global system has resisted.
Iran just handed China what decades of quiet diplomacy couldn’t deliver.
A chokepoint. With conditions.
Here’s what this means for the world going forward.
Every country that depends on Gulf oil — India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, the entire developing world — now faces a choice.
Do you buy oil in dollars as you’ve always done and risk your ships being attacked?
Or do you quietly approach China, arrange to trade in yuan and get safe passage through Hormuz?
I think there’ll be a solution to this, don’t think all trade will be in Yuan as the days go by and we start getting more info.
And here’s what it means for your money.
My poor dad never understood why the dollar mattered.
My rich dad explained it simply:
“America can print dollars and the world accepts them because the world needs dollars to buy oil. The day that stops — America loses its most powerful economic weapon.”
That day hasn’t arrived yet.
But Iran just moved it closer than anyone thought possible 15 days ago.
Oil is at $104. The Strait is closed. And the world’s most critical shipping lane is now operating on a new rule — one written not in Washington but in Tehran.
ISRAEL IS RUNNING CRITICALLY LOW ON BALLISTIC MISSILE INTERCEPTORS-Iran War, Day 16. Here are the 10 latest updates you should probably know…
1. Israel is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors.
This is the most alarming military development of the war so far.
US officials confirmed to Semafor that Israel informed Washington this week it is running critically low on the interceptors that shoot down Iran’s ballistic missiles.
Israel entered this war already depleted — they fired heavily during last summer’s 12-day conflict with Iran.
And Iran just made it worse. By adding cluster munitions to its missiles — which scatter dozens of submunitions — Israel has to fire multiple interceptors per attack instead of one.
Israel’s government held an emergency late-night vote and immediately approved an additional $826 million in emergency defense procurement.
The IDF publicly denied the shortage. But you don’t approve $826 million in emergency funds at midnight if everything is fine.
2. The IDF says it still has “thousands of targets” left to hit in Iran.
Despite the interceptor concerns — Israel is not slowing down offensively.
The IDF confirmed it has thousands of targets remaining and is planning at least three more weeks of its campaign.
Day 16. Three more weeks minimum. From the people executing the mission.
That is the most honest timeline we have.
3. US and Israel struck Isfahan overnight — at least 15 people killed.
In the early hours of Day 16, US and Israeli forces struck Iran’s Isfahan city.
At least 15 people were killed.
Isfahan is Iran’s third largest city and a major industrial and cultural hub — home to historic UNESCO-listed monuments and significant military infrastructure.
Residential areas in Shiraz — the capital of Fars province — were also struck simultaneously.
The strikes are expanding deeper into Iran’s heartland.
4. Dubai International Airport was temporarily shut down after a drone hit a fuel tank.
A drone struck a fuel tank in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport on Day 16.
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights as a precautionary measure.
Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the terminal.
Dubai Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports — handling over 87 million passengers a year.
5. President Trump says Iran wants a deal — but he’s not ready.
Trump told NBC News on Day 16 that Iran “wants to make a deal.”
But he added: “I’m not ready for one because the terms aren’t good enough yet.”
He also floated postponing his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for March 31 — saying he wants to know if China will help unblock the Strait of Hormuz before the meeting happens.
Trump told NATO allies publicly in a Financial Times interview on Day 16:
“If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”
He also said: “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there.”
When asked what kind of assistance he wanted — he said “whatever it takes — including minesweepers.”
Iran’s foreign minister responded on CBS News — saying the Strait would only be closed to Iran’s enemies.
Two sides. Still no overlap.
6. The Pope personally called for a ceasefire — by name addressing those who started the war.
Pope Leo XIV made his strongest statement yet on Day 16.
Speaking to pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square he said directly: “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will — I appeal to those responsible for this conflict.
Cease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened.”
He referenced the school strike that killed over 165 children in the opening days of the war.
7. Ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen from 150 a day to single digits.
Before the war: over 150 ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz daily.
Today: single digits.
According to shipping monitoring firms, the effective closure is now near total.
The Wall Street Journal confirmed Iran is suspected of mining sections of the Strait — adding a new threat that persists even after missiles stop flying.
8. The UAE has now intercepted 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,606 drones since Day 1.
Six people killed. 142 injured despite that extraordinary intercept rate.
The cost of running those air defense systems 24 hours a day for 16 consecutive days — in money, manpower and materials — is staggering and not being talked about.
9. India’s CBSE board cancelled all school exams across 7 Middle East countries.
The Central Board of Secondary Education cancelled all Class XII board exams for students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
All exams from March 16 through April 10 cancelled.
This war has now disrupted the academic future of hundreds of thousands of Indian students living in the Gulf.
10. Oil hit $105.66 a barrel on Day 16. The biggest oil disruption in recorded history.
Brent crude rose to $105.66 on Sunday evening — its highest level since July 2022.
Up over 60% from $65 before the war began on February 28.
The US-Israel war in Iran has now officially caused the biggest oil supply disruption in history — larger than the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Larger than the 1990 Gulf War. Larger than anything recorded.
Goldman Sachs projects if oil averages $110 through April — US inflation hits 3.3% and stays.
The Fed cannot cut rates. Mortgages stay expensive. Business investment slows.
. .
This is Day 16.
– Israel running low on interceptors and approving emergency funds at midnight. – Thousands of targets still remaining says Israel. – Isfahan struck. – Dubai Airport shut down. – The Pope demanding a ceasefire. – Ship traffic through Hormuz in single digits. – The UAE intercepting 1,900+ missiles and drones. – Indian students losing their exams. – And oil at $105.
Stay informed. Turn on notifications, this affects all of us.
BREAKING: Trump MELTS DOWN when female journalist REFUSES to be SHUSHED by him.
A reporter’s persistence forced Trump to show his total disregard for the troops.
Or Air Force One, Trump has been getting soft ball questions. Then a female reporter from ABC asked him one he didn’t want to hear.
Reporter: Your PAC sent out a fundraising email trying to make money off the dignified transfer. Do you think this is appropriate?
Trump: Well I was at the transfer.
Reporter: But was it appropriate to raise money off it?
Trump: I do. I didn’t see it. I mean somebody puts it…. I mean look at the kind of votes we get. Look at the poll numbers.
Reporter: But what about
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC
Trump: ABC. I think… it’s maybe… I think it’s maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet. I think they’re terrible. I don’t want any more from ABC.
She let someone else ask a question. Then a minute later, she came RIGHT BACK AT HIM.
ABC: Can you explain why we’re sending 5,000 Marines and sailors?
Trump looked at her put a finger to his mouth. She kept asking.
Trump: Shush! Hey!
He pointed a finger at her.
She looked at his finger, looked at him, and paused. Then looked him right in the eye, and repeated the question America deserved to have answered.
ABC: WHY are we sending 5,000 Marines and sailors?
Trump just shook his head at her persistence.
Trump: You’re a very obnoxious person.
Trump then pivoted to another member of the press pool, desperate for a softball question.
But the main event was already caught on camera — her questions exposed his disgusting disrespect for American troops he sends to die for a war with no clear purpose.
Now, his splintering MAGA base is going to see it, and there’s NOTHING he can do.
EVERY reporter should follow her lead — keep pushing, keep cornering him. Never give in to his bullying, and never stop demanding answers.EAKING: Trump MELTS DOWN when female journalist REFUSES to be SHUSHED by him.
A reporter’s persistence forced Trump to show his total disregard for the troops.
Or Air Force One, Trump has been getting soft ball questions. Then a female reporter from ABC asked him one he didn’t want to hear.
Reporter: Your PAC sent out a fundraising email trying to make money off the dignified transfer. Do you think this is appropriate?
Trump: Well I was at the transfer.
Reporter: But was it appropriate to raise money off it?
Trump: I do. I didn’t see it. I mean somebody puts it…. I mean look at the kind of votes we get. Look at the poll numbers.
Reporter: But what about
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC
Trump: ABC. I think… it’s maybe… I think it’s maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet. I think they’re terrible. I don’t want any more from ABC.
She let someone else ask a question. Then a minute later, she came RIGHT BACK AT HIM.
ABC: Can you explain why we’re sending 5,000 Marines and sailors?
Trump looked at her put a finger to his mouth. She kept asking.
Trump: Shush! Hey!
He pointed a finger at her.
She looked at his finger, looked at him, and paused. Then looked him right in the eye, and repeated the question America deserved to have answered.
ABC: WHY are we sending 5,000 Marines and sailors?
Trump just shook his head at her persistence.
Trump: You’re a very obnoxious person.
Trump then pivoted to another member of the press pool, desperate for a softball question.
But the main event was already caught on camera — her questions exposed his disgusting disrespect for American troops he sends to die for a war with no clear purpose.
Now, his splintering MAGA base is going to see it, and there’s NOTHING he can do.
EVERY reporter should follow her lead — keep pushing, keep cornering him. Never give in to his bullying, and never stop demanding answers.-
Israel Officially Responds to South Africa’s Genocide Case at the International Court of Justice — Pretoria Says It Has Taken Note of the Submission as the Historic Legal Battle Over Gaza Continues
The South African government has confirmed that Israel has formally submitted its written response to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the high-profile case filed by South Africa over the situation in Gaza.
The case was launched by South Africa under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, arguing that Israel’s military operations in Gaza could amount to violations of international law.
According to officials, Israel has now delivered its official legal reply to the arguments and evidence previously submitted by South Africa to the court.
The case, titled South Africa v. Israel, is being heard at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is the main judicial body of the United Nations responsible for settling disputes between countries.
South Africa approached the court saying urgent action was needed to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. Israel, however, strongly rejects the accusations and argues that its actions are part of its right to defend itself following attacks by Hamas.
Earlier in the proceedings, the ICJ ordered provisional measures, calling on Israel to take steps aimed at preventing acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in Gaza.
Legal experts say the case could take months or even years before a final judgement is delivered, as both countries will continue submitting evidence and legal arguments.
The outcome could have major consequences for international law and global diplomacy, as the world closely watches how the court handles one of the most politically sensitive cases in recent years.
Iran’s Top General Demands U.S. Pay Billions and Flee the Persian Gulf to End the War
In the middle of a losing fight, a senior Iranian figure and former IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezaee, went on state television to deliver one of the most delusional ultimatums of the conflict.
“The end of the war is in our hands,” Rezaee declared. He then laid out Iran’s non-negotiable terms for any ceasefire: full compensation from the United States for all damages Iran has suffered, plus a 100% guarantee for the future security—which he insisted “is not possible without the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Persian Gulf. Therefore, the second condition is the U.S. withdrawal from the Persian Gulf.”
This comes as Iran reels from strikes, clings to the closed Strait of Hormuz as leverage, and watches its economy and military take heavy hits. Yet here is a regime official, amid widespread destruction and global oil chaos partly of Tehran’s making, demanding the world’s superpower cough up reparations and abandon a vital strategic region—like the aggressor suing for peace on winner’s terms.
The statement is pure fantasy. No serious observer expects Washington to pay a dime or pull out its forces on Iran’s say-so. It’s laughable bluster from a regime cornered and desperate, trying to spin weakness as strength while the real pressure keeps mounting.
The United States has now formally intervened in the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
South Africa took Israel to court, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza following the devastating war that began after the October 7 attack. The case is based on the 1948 Genocide Convention — one of the most important international laws created after the horrors of World War II.
Now the United States has stepped in.
Washington argues that the accusations against Israel are false and warns that ruling against Israel could weaken international law by lowering the standard required to prove genocidal intent.
But for millions around the world watching the destruction in Gaza, the question remains deeply emotional and painfully human:
What is justice?
Israel says it is fighting Hamas and that it tries to minimize civilian casualties. It also argues that Hamas operates within civilian areas and uses people as human shields.
South Africa argues the scale of civilian suffering cannot be ignored.
And now the world is watching as the highest court on Earth prepares to examine one of the most controversial and sensitive cases of our time.
This case will not end tomorrow.
It could take years.
But when the judges finally deliver their decision, it may shape the future of international law, war accountability, and global justice for decades to come.
Germany Refuses U.S.-Led Naval Escort in Strait of Hormuz as Trump Announces Coalition Talks with Seven Nations
In a significant split among allies amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran, Germany has explicitly ruled out participation in any American-led operation to escort commercial ships through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated he is “very sceptical” about expanding the EU’s Operation Aspides to the Gulf waterway, noting that the mission has already proven ineffective in the Red Sea and would not deliver greater security. Chancellor Friedrich Merz reinforced Berlin’s position: “Germany is not a party to this war and has no intention of becoming part of it.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States has demanded support from approximately seven countries heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil to join a naval coalition aimed at reopening and securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump named potential partners including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, declaring on Truth Social that “many countries” will send warships “in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.”
No firm commitments have been received so far, with nations such as Australia and Japan already declining to deploy vessels. The development comes as Iranian actions have disrupted one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, sending global energy prices surging.
Sources: Associated Press (AP News) ,Reuters ,Politico, Deutsche Welle (DW), Official statements from the German Foreign Ministry and President Trump’s Truth Social posts
IRAN CONFIRMS IT. RUSSIA AND CHINA ARE IN. MILITARY COOPERATION OFFICIAL. THIS IS GOING GLOBAL.
The alliance is no longer speculation. It’s confirmed. Iran has officially announced ongoing military cooperation with Russia and China—calling both nations “strategic partners” in a declaration that signals this conflict is becoming something much bigger.
This is how global conflicts begin. What Iran confirmed:
Active military cooperation with Russia Active military cooperation with China Both labeled “strategic partners” Coordination is ongoing, not future
What this means:
Russian equipment flowing to Iran Chinese systems already deployed Intelligence sharing operational Three nations coordinating against US
The alliance in action:
Russia: protecting Mojtaba, sharing US positions China: envoy in region, supplying technology North Korea: testing rockets, offering support Iran: fighting with full backing
The US position:
370+ service members gone Troops evacuating Gulf bases $8 gas, $100 oil Trump accused of AI propaganda Inner circle demanding exit
What “strategic partners” really means:
Not just friends—military allies Shared enemies: United States and Israel Coordinated response to any escalation Attack one, face all three
This is no longer US vs Iran. This is US vs the Eastern bloc. Russia. China. Iran. Cooperating militarily. Officially. The word no one wants to say: global conflict. But that’s what this is becoming.
Hollywood’s favorite wellness guru, Gwyneth Paltrow, stepped onto the 2026 Oscars red carpet in a custom white Giorgio Armani Privé gown featuring sky-high side slits and a braless design that left little to the imagination. The revealing look has conservatives and everyday Americans calling it out for what it is: a sad bid for attention from a fading star.
From X (formerly Twitter), where the clip posted by @usanewshq racked up thousands of views and hundreds of replies, the reaction was swift and brutal.
One user summed it up perfectly: “She is just craving attention. She hasn’t been relevant in years.”
Another fired off: “Omg, she can’t afford a whole dress and panties?”
Others piled on with sharp jabs like “Her new candle scent must be called desperation,” “Why do they always have to look so trashy,” and “Too revealing. Decent wears would have earned her a lot of respect instead.”
One mom hit the nail on the head: “Why would that be the message you’d want to put out as a mother over 30yrs old?”
Even more called it outright gross or questioned if she’s trying to compete with younger stars in a losing battle.
In an industry obsessed with pushing boundaries and calling it “bold,” Paltrow’s choice screams the opposite: insecurity wrapped in overpriced fabric.
When elegance and class used to define Hollywood glamour, this kind of exhibitionism just looks desperate. Americans see right through it.
Breaking News : Trump Administration to Announce Major International Coalition to Escort Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz
In a significant development amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, the Trump administration plans to announce as early as this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a multinational coalition to escort commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The move aims to safeguard global oil shipping routes after Iran’s attempts to disrupt the passage. It follows President Trump’s recent public call for nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to contribute warships and keep the strait “open and safe.”
The White House has not yet issued an official comment, but U.S. officials confirmed the upcoming announcement to reporters.
Israeli F-35I Jets Strike Deep Inside Iran as Campaign Intensifies
The Israeli Air Force released footage today showing F-35I “Adir” stealth fighters taking off for strike missions against Iranian military targets.
The customized Israeli variant of the F-35 has played a key role in the ongoing conflict, which began late February. Its low-observable design allows penetration of defended airspace with minimal detection.
The IDF has highlighted the aircraft’s effectiveness in operations across Iran, including a historic first on March 4 when an F-35I downed an Iranian Yak-130 jet over Tehran—the first air-to-air kill by any F-35 against a manned fighter.
From the released video, cockpit and ground audio includes pilots’ concise exchanges:
“Adir flight, cleared for takeoff.”
“Runway heading confirmed, gear up.”
“Stealth profile active, proceeding to target area.”
“Package inbound, weapons hot.”
The strikes target regime infrastructure, missile sites, and command centers. Recent IDF statements indicate significant degradation of Iran’s defenses, with over 70 percent of ballistic missile launchers and 80 percent of air defense systems reportedly eliminated.
The footage underscores Israel’s sustained air superiority in the theater. Operations continue with no immediate signs of de-escalation.
UN Security Council Delivers Historic Rebuke to Iran
The United Nations Security Council has handed Iran its most severe diplomatic setback in years, adopting Resolution 2817 on March 11, 2026, with overwhelming international backing.
Cosponsored by a record 135 nations, the measure condemns Tehran’s missile and drone strikes on civilian areas and infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.
The resolution passed 13-0, with only China and Russia abstaining—marking a clear break from their usual defense of Iran. It brands the attacks “egregious” and a breach of international law, demands an immediate halt, and affirms the targeted states’ right to self-defense.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz delivered the message bluntly in a CNN appearance: “135 nations — a UN record — sided with the Gulf Arab countries in condemning Iran for attacking civilians.
This shoot-in-all-directions strategy is backfiring. Even Russia and China have backed away. Iran has never been more isolated on the world stage.”
The mullahs’ reckless escalation has united former fence-sitters against them. After years of proxy wars, terror funding, and regional intimidation, Iran’s direct aggression has finally crossed a red line.
The Gulf states, long patient despite repeated provocations, now stand firm with broad global support.
Tehran’s miscalculation is complete: its attempts to intimidate neighbors and fracture alliances have instead isolated the regime further. Strength and resolve—from Washington to the Gulf—have exposed Iran’s bluster for what it is. The world is watching, and the ayatollahs are running out of friends.
Iran’s Security Forces Cracking: Desertions, Executions, and Deep Mistrust Signal Regime Weakness
Reports from inside Iran point to a serious breakdown within the Islamic Republic’s security apparatus.
Desertions are rising sharply, especially in key provinces like Isfahan and Tabriz, affecting ranks from foot soldiers to higher levels. Executions of deserters and punishments for disloyalty are becoming common as the regime fights to hold its forces together.
Field accounts describe chaos: poor communication between units, widespread confusion, and a growing sense among personnel that they are mere cannon fodder while senior commanders shield themselves.
Severe pay delays and economic misery add fuel to the discontent, with many soldiers unpaid for months.
Mistrust runs deep across the IRGC and other security branches. Security sources report large numbers of IRGC members fleeing or attempting to flee, prompting search operations and house arrests of deserters’ families. Infiltration and internal fractures have reached critical levels.
Analysts warn the regime’s once-formidable repression machine is eroding fast. When the dust settles, the extent of the damage may shock even its opponents. Collapse from within could come sooner than expected.
Bahrain Busts IRGC Spy Ring Feeding Missile Targets to Iran
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has arrested five men, ages 25 to 39, for espionage on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The suspects photographed vital sites, hotels, and other key locations, then transmitted precise GPS coordinates via encrypted channels to IRGC handlers. This intelligence directly aided Iranian missile strikes on Bahraini targets.
One detainee received intensive training in IRGC camps in Iran. A sixth suspect remains at large, believed to have fled abroad. Authorities say the group also attempted to recruit others for terrorist operations inside the kingdom.
Home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, Bahrain faces heightened threats from Tehran’s proxies and direct aggression.
These arrests expose Iran’s ongoing campaign to destabilize Gulf allies through internal subversion and precision-guided attacks. Strong security measures are essential to counter this clear and present danger from the regime in Tehran.
Iran’s Security Forces Cracking: IRGC and Police Defections Surge in Key Cities
Fresh reports from Israel’s Channel 14 reveal growing defections within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and police forces, now reaching beyond lower ranks into higher levels in cities like Isfahan and Tabriz.
A source cited by senior Iran analyst Dror Balazada described the trend as significant and accelerating. Key drivers include the collapse of organized command from Tehran following recent disruptions to central leadership.
“There have already been a significant number of defections in Isfahan and Tabriz, and not just among lower-ranking personnel,” the segment reports.
The source highlighted a breakdown in communication: “one of the main reasons is a lack of organized communication from the main command in Tehran.” With Tehran leadership effectively disrupted, troops feel abandoned and directionless.
Resentment is rising as rank-and-file personnel recognize their role. “More and more security personnel realize they are effectively serving as human shields for the elite who are hiding deep underground.”
Economic collapse adds fuel to the fire. Severe cash shortages have left many security force members unable to meet basic needs. “Many members of the security forces are struggling to pay bills and even buy food.”
These cracks in the regime’s enforcers come amid ongoing strikes and a leadership vacuum in Tehran, signaling deepening instability in the Islamic Republic’s core security apparatus.
Iran’s Regime Crumbles: Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi Says People Inside Ready to Act
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi appeared on Fox News’ “My View with Lara Trump” amid Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israeli campaign that has devastated Iran’s military leadership and command structure.
Lara Trump asked what Pahlavi has heard from Iranians in Tehran and worldwide about the unfolding events and what a stable transition requires.
Pahlavi responded: “First, thank you so much for having me. And what you are highlighting is the complete breakdown of command and control in the Iranian government with U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting the leadership. […] We see more and more elements of the regime crumbling. A lot of people at home are ready to step in, and this is exactly what will be required for a successful and stable transition.”
The crown prince emphasized widespread domestic readiness to move against the weakened regime, signaling momentum toward a post-mullah Iran.
With Supreme Leader Khamenei eliminated and fractures widening, Pahlavi’s message underscores that real change depends on Iranians themselves seizing the moment for a free, democratic future.
Iran Deploys Sejjil Missile in Combat for First Time
Iran has used its solid-fuel Sejjil ballistic missile against Israel for the first time, according to state media and open-source reports from March 15, 2026.
The two-stage missile, with a range of about 2,000 km, allows rapid launch compared to Iran’s older liquid-fueled systems that require hours of preparation and are vulnerable to preemptive strikes under constant Israeli and U.S. surveillance.
Footage shows quick successive launches with bright plumes visible in daylight, marking a shift after dozens of prior attack waves in the ongoing conflict.
Analysts view the move as a sign of strain: Iran likely conserved solid-fuel stocks earlier and is now drawing on them after depleting quicker-launch options. While the capability adds pressure on defenses, the smaller inventory of such missiles limits sustained escalation.
This development comes amid heavy mutual strikes, with no indication of immediate strategic breakthrough for either side.
Florida Imam Celebrates Iran’s New Supreme Leader While Trashing Trump as “Stupid and Crazy”
An imam speaking at the Islamic Education Center in Orlando, Florida, openly cheered the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the U.S.-Israeli strike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a Ramadan gathering on March 6, 2026, Sheikh Ibrahim Yassine congratulated Shiite Muslims and the Iranian people, calling the selection “a very important and blessed step taken by the Assembly of Experts and the people of Iran.”
He then turned his fire on President Trump: “Look at this man who thinks he can interfere in our affairs, who thinks he can decide who becomes the Jurisprudent Ruler. Trump is a stupid and crazy man, surrounded by thugs and smugglers. He thinks the Jurisprudent Ruler is one of the gangs of those thugs and smugglers he lives with.”
Yassine contrasted the two: “Look at the leadership here [in America], and look at the leadership there [in Iran].” He praised the late Khamenei as “a humble man. Everybody loved him. He didn’t do anything bad to anybody.”
The remarks, captured in a MEMRI TV clip from the IEC Florida YouTube channel, highlight the brazen anti-American sentiment coming from a U.S. mosque amid escalating tensions with the Iranian regime.
Many Americans are asking why such rhetoric is tolerated on American soil from someone glorifying a terrorist-sponsoring dictatorship that just lost its leader to U.S. action.
Iranian Armed Forces Issue Urgent Evacuation Warning for Specific Areas in Dubai and Doha Over Alleged U.S. Military “Hideouts”
In a major escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict, Iran’s joint military command and Media Operations Centre have warned residents in designated parts of Dubai (UAE) and Doha (Qatar) to evacuate immediately. The Iranian Army claims U.S. military personnel are using civilian areas and “hideouts” in these locations as bases, making them potential targets for impending Iranian strikes in the coming hours.
The warning specifically references ports, docks, and urban zones in the UAE (including Dubai’s Jebel Ali port area) where the U.S. is alleged to have launched attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal. Iranian officials state they will exercise caution to avoid populated civilian zones but insist these sites are now “legitimate targets” in retaliation.
This development comes amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure, with no independent verification of U.S. personnel hiding in civilian areas provided by Iranian sources.
