March 14, 2026 – Short News

Hormuz - Trump’s Risk Becomes Iran’s Strongest Card!

Before the attack on Iran, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, warned the president about a possible consequence of the war. An attack could drive Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran possesses an arsenal of sea mines, drones and missiles that could at least partially paralyze traffic through the strait. Donald Trump took note of the risk but assumed that Iran would give in beforehand. His assessment was that the military pressure would take effect quickly and that the United States could control a possible escalation. Two weeks after the attacks began exactly that has not happened. Tehran has not capitulated. Instead the attention of the entire world economy is turning toward the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. A large portion of global oil trade passes through this passage every day. The longer the war lasts, the greater Iran’s influence over this route becomes. What in Washington was considered a calculable risk is now developing into a decisive instrument of pressure for Tehran in the ongoing war. Public pressure from Europe currently appears like “silence in the forest.” This is less because European governments do not see the risk and more because they have significantly less political and military influence in this region than the United States and therefore act more cautiously. Europe must honestly ask itself whether this restraint is sustainable in the long term and how long it intends to watch while the consequences of such a conflict increasingly reach its own population.

Here is one of the many videos from our material that shows what has really happened in Tehran over the past weeks

More material will be published in our documentation or in topic-related articles.

Night of Bombing Over Tehran - Washington Announces “Busiest Day of Operations”n Tag“ an

Heavy bombardment can be heard over Tehran during the night. Several explosions shake the city while military aircraft and missile strikes are once again reported in the sky. In the morning the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, had said an unusually open sentence during a briefing at the Pentagon: “Today will be our busiest day.” A few hours later new attacks begin.

According to military information B-2 stealth bombers are launching missions against targets in Iran. These aircraft belong to the strategic long range bombers of the United States and are used for strikes against heavily defended targets. While the attacks begin it remains unclear which targets will be hit during the night. At the same time indications are increasing that the military operation is being expanded. Tehran belongs to the densely populated cities of the region. Every new wave of attacks therefore significantly increases the risk for the civilian population. Observers assume that this night could belong to the most intense attacks since the beginning of the war. In Washington people are openly saying that the operation is now entering a new phase. In Tehran itself one thing is heard above all: further explosions.

Trump’s “Golden Age” and the Numbers of Reality

The American economy is growing significantly more slowly than previously assumed. Growth of gross domestic product in the fourth quarter was revised downward from 1.4 percent to only 0.7 percent. This means the pace of the economy has practically been cut in half. At the same time price pressure remains high. Core inflation according to the measure of personal consumption expenditures stood at 3.1 percent in January. This value shows particularly clearly how strongly prices in everyday life continue to rise. For many households this means rising costs alongside weaker economic development. In Washington people nevertheless continue to speak of a “golden age.” Yet the current numbers paint a different picture. Growth is losing momentum, prices remain high and the economic situation is not becoming easier for many people. Behind Trump’s large promises there is little substance so far. What remains are unrealistic words and an economy that at best still provides entertainment through Trump’s daring statements.

Epstein’s Money Disappears - But the Story Catches Up With the Academy

Maria Farmer worked for Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s. She later reported that she had been sexually abused by him and by Ghislaine Maxwell. In 1996 she turned to the police and the FBI and described abuse as well as indications of a network, but her information did not lead to investigations at the time.

The art school New York Academy of Art has announced that it will return money that had once been donated by Jeffrey Epstein. A total of 65,900 dollars will now go to an organization that supports girls who were victims of human trafficking. Another 30,000 dollars from earlier donations had already been passed on previously. The trigger for the decision is new documents showing that Epstein’s connection to the school lasted longer and was closer than previously known. At the time his behavior had long already been publicly discussed. Epstein sat on the academy’s board in the early 1990s, was invited to events and was even supposed to support a scholarship program. He participated in major fundraising events, including the Tribeca Ball and the art auction “Take Home a Nude.”

Epstein together with Eileen Guggenheim. She is an art historian and long time cultural manager in New York. She was dean of the New York Academy of Art and later chair of the school’s board of trustees, giving her a central role for many years in donations, events and the strategic direction of the academy.

The school was founded in 1982 and quickly developed into a meeting place for artists, collectors and wealthy patrons. Its focus was deliberately on figurative painting at a time when abstract art dominated many galleries. It was exactly in this environment that Epstein appeared. A former student, Maria Farmer, was among the first women who alerted authorities to his behavior. She later reported that she had met him during her studies. According to her account the then dean Eileen Guggenheim introduced her to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at an exhibition. Farmer later worked temporarily for Epstein and obtained artworks for him. She later stated that Epstein and Maxwell attacked her at an estate in Ohio.

After returning to New York Farmer contacted the police and the FBI as early as 1996. It was among the earliest known indications about Epstein for investigative authorities. However no consequences followed at the time. Farmer also said that she had spoken within the academy about the encounter. Eileen Guggenheim later stated that she could not remember such an account and had seen no indication of an assault.

Despite these early warning signs Epstein remained connected with the academy years later. Documents show that he continued to be invited to events, visited studios and purchased artworks. In emails from later years Guggenheim thanked him for his commitment and invited him again to events. The academy now acknowledges that its handling of Epstein was a serious mistake. In a statement to students and alumni the leadership speaks of grave misjudgments in dealing with donations and contacts.

At the same time the chair of the board of trustees, Eileen Guggenheim, announced that she would step down earlier than planned. Officially her resignation had already been scheduled, but now it will occur one month earlier. Yet even that does not end the story. Because the central question remains: If warnings already existed in the 1990s, why did it take decades before consequences were drawn.

Seven at the Table, One Goes His Own Way

At the meeting of the group of seven industrialized nations the growing divide in dealing with Russia became visible once again. Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained that six of the seven states had clearly taken the position that sanctions against Russia should not be lifted. Little surprisingly the morning afterward followed. The American government decided on a different course. A central part of the common line is therefore once again on shaky ground. For Europe this means more than just a diplomatic irritation. Sanctions are intended to create economic pressure, but their effect depends on them being carried jointly and implemented consistently. This is exactly where the problem begins. Again and again indications appear of circumventions, intermediaries and new trade routes through which goods and raw materials continue to find their way. Anyone who looks more closely regularly encounters new examples. We could almost publish a new story about such violations every day. We do so from time to time as well. In the end an uncomfortable question remains. If sanctions are politically decided but their enforcement remains fragile, how effective are they really.

Maduro Suddenly Supposed to Explain America’s Elections - Washington Continues to Search for Evidence

In Washington another tale appears that has wandered through American politics for years. This time Nicolás Maduro is supposed to explain how Venezuelan voting machines manipulated American elections. A meeting with intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard is supposed to show how software from Venezuela allegedly altered votes in favor of the Democrats. That is in any case a good entertainment program. Concrete evidence for this has not been presented so far because it simply does not exist. Nevertheless the accusation persists stubbornly in parts of the political debate. Already after the 2020 election it was claimed that Venezuelan technology had altered votes. Investigations, technical analyses and court proceedings were unable to confirm these claims. Yet the story returns again and again whenever political camps search for explanations for election results. Instead of verifiable facts accusations once again circulate that are meant to nourish doubts about the election system. In the end it is less a new revelation than an old tale. America 2026 - one can only shake one’s head.

Two Trillion “Burned” - and Trump Keeps Dancing

Since the beginning of the war with Iran the American stock market has lost more than two trillion dollars in value. Investors are reacting nervously to the military escalation in the Middle East and to the growing uncertainty about energy prices and trade routes. When oil prices rise and trade routes in the Persian Gulf are endangered this affects not only individual companies but entire sectors. The consequences are already visible on the stock exchanges. Prices fall, capital disappears and investors withdraw money. For many American households this means declining pension funds and uncertain savings. At the same time the political leadership in Washington conveys a different picture. While billions disappear in the markets Donald Trump continues to present himself as the architect of a new phase of economic success. Yet the reality in the markets speaks a different language. Two trillion dollars are not a marginal event. It is a massive loss of confidence and wealth. And while investors nervously watch the next news from the war the political staging in Washington almost appears like a dance beside reality.

Last Iran War Update: Rocket Strikes U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

The war with Iran once again reaches the center of Baghdad. A rocket struck the helicopter landing pad within the grounds of the American embassy. Security officials confirmed that the projectile hit inside the walls of the complex after reaching the so called Green Zone. This heavily secured government district houses Iraqi authorities as well as numerous foreign embassies. Footage shows smoke rising from the compound. The American embassy in Baghdad is one of the largest diplomatic facilities of the United States worldwide and for years has been a target of rocket and drone attacks. Many of these attacks are carried out by militias close to Iran. In recent days these groups have intensified their attacks on bases with American and international troops. At the same time several Gulf states report new attacks from the air. Saudi Arabia shot down drones over the northern province of al Jawf as well as over the oil rich eastern region. In Qatar air defense systems responded to a rocket attack. In Dubai debris from an intercepted rocket struck the facade of a building in the city center. The damage remained limited, but the events show how far the war has now spread across the region.