by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, March 22.
- Why water is vital to decarbonization and the energy transition
- ‘The stakes are enormous’: how a prolonged Iran war could shock the global economy (“Donald Trump’s ‘little excursion’ is likely to have long-term effects, from oil prices to inflation to growth, say experts”)
- Even the best-case scenario for energy markets is disastrous (“Whatever happens, high prices will outlive the Iran war “)
- Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened (“Iranian media reports Tehran will strike US infrastructure in the region if its plants are hit.”)
- Trump at a crossroads as US weighs tough options in Iran
- Trump says US will ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz not open before 48-hour deadline
- Iran strikes near Israeli nuclear research center as Trump threatens attacks on Iranian power plants
- Trump Is Finally Eyeing an Exit From Iran. But Will He Take It?
- Trump’s team game planning for potential Iran peace talks
- Over 150 injured, 11 seriously, in Iranian missile strikes on southern cities of Arad, Dimona (“Two children in serious condition after air defenses fail to intercept missile fire apparently aimed at nuclear research facility near Dimona; Iran claims salvo was retaliation for US strike on Natanz”)
- The Mojtaba mystery: CIA searches for signs of Iran’s new leader
- Iran strikes near Israeli nuclear research center as Trump threatens attacks on Iranian power plants (“The developments signaled that the war – going into a fourth week – was moving in a dangerous new direction.”)
- Weird War (“What is the endgame here? The question assumes there is one.”)
- A Battlefield Map of Critical Energy Assets Damaged in the Gulf (“Refineries, gas plants and other types of infrastructure have been struck, worsening an oil-and-gas crisis”)
- Things the Money for Trump’s Iran War Could Have Paid for That Aren’t … War (“The administration has claimed it’s all about cutting costs — except when it wants to start wars”)
- Tulsi Gabbard’s Iran pivot comes with contradictions (“The DNI who once sold shirts that read ‘No War With Iran’ is now apparently all in on Donald Trump’s war of choice”)
- Strike on Sudan hospital kills at least 64 and wounds 89 more, WHO reports (The Sudan horror show continues to get only a fraction of the media and public attention that it should.)
- Israeli settlers smash cars and set fires in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank (Israel SHOULD crack down on this – hard! But their far-right government won’t do so, and that’s both highly revealing and completely f’ed up. Also, if a Democrat were in the White House, they wouldn’t put up with this crap.)
- Ukraine war briefing: US, Ukrainian negotiators meet in Florida as Russian attacks kill more civilians (“White House says talks ‘constructive’ but Russian negotiators not present; more civilians killed in country’s south-east by Moscow attacks. What we know on day 1,488”)
- Italy is voting on whether to change its constitution. What does this mean for Meloni?
- Paris and Marseille in focus as French vote in local election runoffs (“French voters went to the polls on Sunday to elect mayors in Paris, Marseille and more than 1,500 other cities and towns, in a test of the far right’s strength and the resilience of mainstream parties ahead of next year’s presidential election.”)
- Trump Thinks Cuba is Another Venezuela. Here’s Why He’s Wrong (“As protests grip Cuba, some in D.C. see a replay of Caracas — but the reality is far more complicated.”)
- Cuba’s power grid collapses leaving it without electricity for the 3rd time this month
- Mullin Explored Bipartisan Deal to Rein in Immigration Crackdown (“Senator Markwayne Mullin, whom President Trump chose to lead the Department of Homeland Security, privately discussed concessions the White House has rejected.”)
- Trump threatens to deploy ICE to airports as TSA shortages drive delays (As usual, Trump is COMPLETELY f’ed up.)
- Republicans reject Democrats’ effort to pay TSA by suspending Senate rules
- Cruz proposes splitting ICE from Homeland Security funding bill to end airport chaos
- More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began (“TSA, which is under DHS, has around 65,000 employees. Of that number, 50,000 are front-line officers who are is responsible for security at the nation’s airports.”)
- The Supreme Court Could Make It Harder to Vote by Mail in the Midterms
- ‘It’s not sustainable’: US farmers reeling as Iran war pushes fertilizer costs up
- One gas station, two drivers and three fill-ups: The Iran war hits home
- Speaker Mike Johnson faces potential attendance problems as major bills loom (“For Johnson, every GOP vote is critical. He can afford to lose only one member on any party-line vote, assuming full attendance from both parties.”)
- Trump’s DOJ Shredded ‘Huge’ Pile of Epstein Docs After Death
- Democrats block SAVE America Act amendment to bar transgender athletes in women’s sports
- G.O.P. Bid to Target Transgender Athletes Falls Flat in the Senate (“In moving to bar transgender women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports, Republicans sought to put Democrats in an awkward political spot on a sensitive issue ahead of the midterm elections.”)
- Donald Trump Is Nothing Like Robert Mueller (“The absurdity of a man who avoided Vietnam due to ‘bone spurs’ dancing on the grave of a decorated combat veteran”)
- Robert S. Mueller III, 81, Dies; Rebuilt F.B.I. and Led Trump Inquiry
- ‘Vile’ Trump condemned for gloating over Robert Mueller death (“Outrage mounts after president posted on Truth Social he was ‘glad’ former FBI director and special counsel had died”)
- Democrats pile on Trump for post celebrating Mueller’s death (“The president has long attacked Robert Mueller and Democrats, whom he says perpetuated a Russia collusion hoax.” This headline and subheard are totally FUBAR “framing” by Politico. Also, in the subheader, they SHOULD say, “whom he FALSELY says perpetuated…” But apparently that’s too difficult for the “journalists” – in air quotes – at Politico.)
- Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies
- ‘Good, I’m glad he’s dead’: Trump’s insensitive comments about the dead hit a new level
- Trump Plumbs New Depths by Celebrating the Death of a True American War Hero (“The draft-dodging president couldn’t resist celebrating the death of a decorated combat veteran.”)
- Underground Railroad museum sues Trump administration alleging it canceled grant on the basis of race
- Sen. Kaine cosponsors bill aimed at improving veterans’ access to medication
- The 2026 VA General Assembly’s “Long-Overdue Wins,” “Timely Responses”…and “Missed Opportunities” (There’s a bunch of stuff in each of those categories)
- VCU falls to Illinois after losing star Nyk Lewis in opening minute; Illini advance to Sweet 16 to take on Houston
- Women’s Basketball: Virginia upsets #7 seed Georgia in OT, 82-73
- Williams: Richmond opens a new ballpark amid the same old drama
- CWG Live: Spring warmth continues today; showers and storms possible tonight (“Tonight’s cold front brings in cooler air to start the workweek.”)





