by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, March 15.
- A superpower goes offline (“Silicon Valley is pulling the plug. The Kremlin is locking the doors. Inside the race to cut Russia off from the global internet — and what comes after.”)
- U.S. and China economic chiefs meet in Paris to clear path to Trump-Xi summit
- For Xi, Iran War Reinforces View of U.S. as Dangerous Superpower (“Trump’s military actions in Iran and Venezuela set tense stage for a coming superpower summit”)
- The reviews are in. It’s not looking good, America. (“Allies are giving the U.S. one-star and two-star ratings on its efforts to protect democracy and dependability in a crisis.”)
- Toxic Pollution From Iran War Will Spread and Last for Decades (UGH.)
- The Iran War Is Creating a Public Health and Environmental Crisis
- Trump claims international coalition will send war ships to reopen the strait of Hormuz (Spoiler: that’s not going to happen.)
- Trump Wants to Secure Hormuz. Here’s What It Would Take. (“Securing the strait on Iran’s long flank would mean big commitments of warships or a sizable ground operation”)
- Iran is receiving ‘military cooperation’ from Russia and China, foreign minister says (“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says his country will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused oil prices to soar.”)
- Videos and satellite images show Iran’s drone army puncturing U.S. and allied defenses (“An NBC News analysis of 30 videos and satellite images shows Iranian drones are presenting a new type of struggle for the U.S. and its allies.”)
- Trump says Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire but he’s not ready to make a deal (“The president said the ‘terms aren’t good enough yet’ to make a deal with Iran amid a widening war in the Middle East.”)
- Exclusive: Trump rejects efforts to launch Iran ceasefire talks, sources say
- How the Bombing of Schoolchildren Fits Into Trump’s War (“The administration has gone silent on its vague humanitarian reasons for attacking Iran.”)
- Why Iran Isn’t Breaking (“Iranian-American scholar Vali Nasr says Tehran believes time is on its side, and that a prolonged conflict can alter Washington’s calculus and strengthen nationalism at home.”)
- Trump Rejects Iran Deal on Current Terms as War Continues
- Trump says US may strike Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub ‘just for fun’ (“In comments to NBC News, US president also deflates hope of deal with Tehran, saying ‘terms aren’t good enough’”)
- ‘War leader’ Trump fixates on trivial matters as Iran death toll mounts (“Experts query ‘mix-up of priorities’ as president plays golf, posts old pictures and repeats details of Bill Maher feud”)
- The Trauma of Conflict in Iran Will Reshape the Gulf (“After the missiles, Arab states will rethink everything from defense and regional alliances to overseas investment and their role in global markets.”)
- How Iran’s tactics are complicating a quick declaration of victory for Trump (“The U.S. and Israel crippled Iranian forces in the war’s first two weeks. Tehran’s uranium stockpile and its ability to disrupt oil flows are frustrating the push to end it.”)
- ‘Worst nightmare’: anger and frustration as Gulf states bear brunt of war they did not start (“Closure of strait of Hormuz puts pressure on region’s economies amid growing resentment about conflict started by US and Israel”)
- U.S. Embassy in Baghdad again urges Americans to leave Iraq as Trump touts strikes on Iran
- Middle East crisis live: Israel hits Iran with ‘extensive strikes’ as Trump says US ‘not ready’ to make a deal to end war
- Swiss reject two flyover requests from US for flights related to Iran war, permits three others
- Scoop: French plan to end Lebanon war includes recognition of Israel
- Pentagon identifies six airmen killed in plane crash in Iraq (“The airmen are 33-year-old Maj. John A. Klinner of Auburn, Alabama; 31-year-old Capt. Ariana G. Savino of Covington, Washington; 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky; 38-year-old Capt. Seth R. Koval of Mooresville, Indiana; 30-year-old Capt. Curtis J. Angst of Wilmington, Ohio; and 28-year-old Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons of Columbus, Ohio.”)
- Protesters in Cuba set fire to Communist Party building; one person shot (For the record, I despise the Cuban regime and would love to see the Cuban people get rid of it – and replace it with a flourishing democracy. But that does NOT mean I think the U.S> should invade Cuba.)
- Germany misses climate targets as emissions barely fall in 2025 (“Greenhouse gases dropped just 0.1% last year as environment minister criticises lack of improvement”)
- French mayoral elections gauge far-right strength before presidential ballot
- Trump administration highlighted ‘mass deportations’ for months. Not anymore. (“A POLITICO social media analysis from major administration accounts shows only one mention of the phrase ‘mass deportations’ after Feb. 12.”)
- How Minnesota Beat Trump
- How the money spent on Trump’s Iran war could have helped Americans (“The federal government spent at least $11 billion in the first week of its war of choice on Iran.”)
- Two weeks into war with Iran, Trump has been knocked back on his political heels
- For Trump, a Promised Economic Boom Collides With the Costs of War (“President Trump had envisioned a growing economy and improving fortunes for American families in 2026. That appears at risk with the war with Iran.”)
- Senate Republicans worry they’re losing ground in the midterms (“GOP lawmakers are struggling to keep their affordability message front and center on the campaign trail.”)
- ‘Everything is going up’: Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump’s claims (“US workers are finding it difficult to afford basic necessities as the president claims ‘the economy is roaring back’”)
- Trump Administration Approves Ultra-Deepwater Oil Drilling Plan (“The $5 billion project in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to help produce up to 10 billion barrels of oil by the end of this decade. Critics say it could endanger people and marine life” Ah yes, the ol’ “critics say” formulation, instead of the newspaper just TELLING ITS READERS which “side” is correct. FAIL.)
- The biggest change to voting in Republican election bill could become a burden for many US voters
- This DHS Official Oversees the Security of Federal Elections. He Wants to Ban Voting Machines. (“David Harvilicz, who co-founded a firm with a 2020 election denier, oversees voting machine security for the Department of Homeland Security while the Trump administration is relitigating the president’s baseless claims that the 2020 vote was stolen.” INSANE.)
- Trump’s FCC Chairman Threatens Broadcasters’ Licenses After POTUS’ Tirade Over Iran War News Coverage (VERY dangerous – and fundamentally unAmerican.)
- FCC chair threatens TV networks amid Iran war coverage — but his warning rings hollow
- White House Puts RFK Jr.’s HHS on Tighter Leash After MAHA Setbacks (“Administration officials have been frustrated with his department, but the secretary continues to be in good standing with Trump”)
- Pentagon tightens controls over Stars and Stripes after calling it “woke” (“Woke” has become a pretty much all-purpose word that the right wing uses to attack literally ANYTHING they don’t like. As such, it’s lost its original meaning, and pretty much all meaning.)
- The Solar Industry Has Been Bogged Down by Red Tape. Digital Tools Are Changing That.
- Who will be the first to take off their shoes?
- The Removed DOGE Deposition Videos Have Already Been Backed Up Across the Internet (“On Friday, a judge ordered those who uploaded the videos to YouTube to remove them. By Saturday, a backup of the videos was available online as a torrent and on the Internet Archive.”)
- How Epstein lured girls to his Zorro Ranch and kept authorities away (“At least 10 women and girls say they were groomed at what was once Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.”)
- Why Trump Got Sick of Ric Grenell (“The outgoing president of the Kennedy Center leaves the institution renamed, nearly closed, and wildly unpopular.” BTW, one of the most appalling moments for the PBS NewsHour I’ve ever seen was its pathetically bad interview with Grenell. I’m not even going to link to that crap, but you can find it on YouTube if you want to watch it. Totally cringe-inducing.)
- Richard Grenell’s scorched-earth term at Trump’s Kennedy Center
- UF disbands College Republican chapter, citing antisemitic activity
- Sen. Tim Kaine says Hegseth, Pentagon not prioritizing civilian safety in Iran
- Video: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) Says He Doesn’t Know If Jeffrey Epstein Committed Suicide, But Wants to Know If Prison Guards Were Complicit in His Death (“The IG did not have or did not report knowledge of those payments. We need to understand that.”)
- Virginia Senate, House Dems Celebrates Passage of Robust Affordability Agenda as General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die (Send nearly 700 bills to Gov. Abigail Spanberger…)
- General Assembly gavels out 2026 session without budget agreement (You can frame this session in a negative way, focusing on the lack of a budget agreement so far, or in a positive way, on the hundreds of bills passed to make Virginians’ lives better.)
- The 2026 General Assembly session wraps with no budget, special session on the horizon (“The legislature will reconvene April 23 to deal with the budget. Among the bills that passed on the final day: Cannabis sales legalized, ‘skill’ games legalized, task force to study VMI established, collective bargaining for state employees authorized.”)
- The 10 most important things that happened in Virginia’s 2026 legislative session (“Democrats used their new trifecta to push a wide-ranging agenda on affordability, civil rights and gun policy, while a late dispute over data center tax breaks left lawmakers without a final budget deal.”)
- Virginia Immigration, ICE Restriction Bills Pass General Assembly, Head to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Desk (“Together, these measures move Virginia toward a future where immigrant and refugee families can live, work, and learn without fear.”)
- Photos, Reels: Workers Deliver More than 20,000 Petitions from Virginians Calling for a Paid Family and Medical Leave Program on Day of Legislation’s Passage
- Commentary: Virginia should stop subsidizing data centers
- VIDEO THREAD: Armed gun owners in Virginia showed up outside the State Capitol in Richmond this afternoon to rally against new gun control measures awaiting signature from Governor Spanberger such as bans on the sale of “assault weapons” and large capacity magazines in the state.
- Judges pass on chance to appoint a U.S. attorney for Western Virginia
- Editorial: Amid our sorrow, ODU attack highlights need for awareness, readiness (“Many questions remain, but Thursday’s tragedy at Old Dominion shows the potential threats facing our region at a time of international conflict.”)
- Court documents reveal ODU shooter’s movements in days before he opened fire in classroom (“An Isle of Wight man was charged in federal court on Friday with selling Mohamed Jalloh the gun that was used in the attack at Old Dominion University.”)
- Casino or not: What to do about Roanoke’s civic center?
- If redistricting passes, here’s how Chesapeake neighborhoods would reshuffle between congressional districts
- SERIOUS SEVERE WEATHER: The Storm Prediction Center has UPGRADED to a rare Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk for Monday in the Mid-Atlantic. This includes Washington D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte and part of South Carolina!
- CWG Live: In the 50s today, with a sprinkle? Strong to severe storms possible tomorrow. (“After a chance of scattered showers tonight, a strong cold front could spark storms Monday midafternoon into evening.”)
