POLITICS

Mar 20 2026POLITICS

French Navy Seizes Tanker Tied to Russian Shadow Fleet

The French navy stopped a ship in the western Mediterranean on Friday. They say the tanker is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a group that moves oil when sanctions are in place. The vessel, called Deyna, flew a false flag and was headed from Murmansk. French officials said they boarded the s

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

Trump Criticizes NATO Allies Over Iran Conflict Support

President Trump took to social media to slam NATO partners for not backing U. S. and Israel in the fight against Iran. He called the allies “cowards” after they declined to help secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The president argued that without U. S. leadership, NATO is ineffective. T

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A Major Shift in Student Loan Management Raises Questions

The federal government is making a big change in how it handles student loans. Starting now, the Treasury Department will take charge of loans where borrowers haven’t made payments in months. This covers about $180 billion of the government’s $1. 7 trillion student debt. Eventually, the Treasury wi

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

EU pushes for peace, not strikes, in Middle East energy fight

EU leaders want no more attacks on energy and water plants in the Middle East. They worry these strikes could hurt global oil prices and make the Iran war worse. In a meeting in Brussels, the 27 countries agreed to ask everyone to stop fighting near these important buildings. They also want civil ri

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Mar 20 2026POLITICS

A new plan for handling student loans shifts focus to the Treasury

The government just announced a three-step plan to move control of student loans to the Treasury Department. First, it will focus on loans that are already in default. Next, it will handle loans that are not yet in default, as long as it’s legally possible. Finally, the Treasury will help make sure

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Kharg Island: A Hot Spot in the Middle East War

The U. S. has been hitting Kharg Island, a key oil hub in Iran’s Gulf coast, during its fight with Tehran. President Trump says the island’s oil facilities were left alone, but he warned that could change if Iran blocks ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a major oil route; about 20 million

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Temporary Rule Break Helps U. S. Shipments Flow

The United States has lifted a long‑standing shipping law for 60 days. The rule, known as the Jones Act, usually keeps all U. S. domestic cargo on American‑built and -crew vessels. President Trump said the change will let foreign ships move oil, gas, fertilizer and coal between U. S. ports. The Jon

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

TSA Workers Face Pay Cuts While Politicians Argue

The TSA has seen its employees work without pay for more than a month, a result of repeated funding gaps that have turned these workers into bargaining chips in Washington. In the last six months, three separate budget stalls have left TSA staff unpaid, with many of them struggling to cover re

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Japan Leader Heads to Washington Amid Middle East Tensions

The Japanese prime minister will visit the White House for the first time since a former U. S. president asked Japan to help patrol a vital sea route in the Middle East. She arrives as the U. S. faces a new conflict involving Iran, and her trip is meant to strengthen ties with Washington while ke

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Citizenship Proof Bills Heat Up in Several States

A new bill called the SAVE America Act is being discussed in the U. S. Senate. The plan would require voters to show proof that they are U. S. citizens before they can register. President Trump supports the measure because he says non‑citizens are voting too much, even though evidence shows that is

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