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# 🏛️ POLITICS
Story 1 of 8 (~3 min read)
James Comey Subpoenaed as DOJ Expands Investigation Into Trump-Era Investigations
Former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed by federal prosecutors in Miami as part of a widening Justice Department probe into how the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian interference was produced. The subpoena, issued last week, focuses on Comey's role in preparing the assessment that concluded Russia had interfered in the 2016 election. The investigation has produced more than 130 subpoenas since beginning last year and targets former Obama and Biden administration officials. The move marks an escalation in accountability efforts surrounding the origins of investigations into President Trump.
How it's being covered:
Axios reports that Comey has been subpoenaed in a case against ex-officials who investigated and prosecuted Trump, with sources noting the investigation has issued over 130 subpoenas targeting top officials from prior administrations. (link)
Fox News reports that the DOJ subpoenaed Comey over his role in the 2017 Russia election intelligence report, describing it as escalating a criminal probe into how the assessment was produced and whether officials misled Congress. (link)
Newsmax reports that federal prosecutors in Miami have subpoenaed Comey as part of an investigation into Obama-era intelligence officials, citing sources familiar with the probe. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that Comey has been subpoenaed as part of a case against Obama-Biden-era officials, focusing on Comey's role in the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. (link)
Story 2 of 8 (~2 min read)
Markwayne Mullin's DHS Nomination Advances Committee After Democrat Breaks Ranks
Senator Markwayne Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security advanced from committee Thursday in an 8-7 vote, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting in favor while Republicans voted unanimously to support him. The vote clears the path for a full Senate floor vote. Mullin will replace Kristi Noem, who is stepping down at the end of March. His nomination comes amid ongoing Democratic demands for DHS funding restrictions related to immigration enforcement, which has stalled the agency's full budget.
How it's being covered:
Axios reports that Mullin's Cabinet nomination advanced to the Senate floor Thursday despite opposition from Committee Chairman Rand Paul, with the 8-7 vote putting Mullin closer to confirmation to replace Noem. (link)
Daily Wire reports that Mullin's nomination cleared the committee in an 8-7 vote with Fetterman breaking ranks, and notes the question of how his tenure might change Trump's mass deportation campaign. (link)
Newsmax reports that the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to advance Mullin's nomination with an 8-7 vote, with the nomination now heading to a full Senate vote. (link)
Story 3 of 8 (~2 min read)
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Effort to Restrict Gender Care for Minors
A U.S. District Judge ruled Thursday that he would bar an effort by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to sharply restrict medical providers from offering gender-affirming care to minors after a group of Democratic states challenged the restrictions. Judge Mustafa Kasubhai indicated he would block the policy, which represented one of the Trump administration's early moves on the healthcare issue. The decision came after multiple states filed legal challenges to the restrictions announced by Kennedy.
How it's being covered:
Newsmax reports that a U.S. judge on Thursday said he would block an effort by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that would have sharply restricted medical providers from providing gender care to minors after Democrat states challenged it. (link)
# 🌍 WORLD
Story 4 of 7 (~3 min read)
Three Charged in $2.5 Billion AI Chip Smuggling Scheme to China
Federal prosecutors have charged a co-founder of Super Micro Computer and two associates with diverting approximately $2.5 billion in advanced Nvidia chips to China through a backdoor scheme. The indictment, unsealed Thursday, marks an escalation in Washington's efforts to police the flow of high-end artificial intelligence hardware to China. The charges target individuals reportedly tied to Super Micro Computer for helping to smuggle billions of dollars worth of cutting-edge AI chips, though the company itself was not named in the indictment.
How it's being covered:
MarketWatch reports that shares of Super Micro fell after the federal indictment charged co-founder Wally Liaw and two others with diverting Nvidia chips to China, though the company itself was not named in the charges. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that the US has charged men reportedly tied to Super Micro Computer for helping to smuggle billions of dollars worth of AI chips. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that federal prosecutors have charged a co-founder of Super Micro Computer and two associates with participating in a scheme to divert roughly $2.5 billion in advanced Nvidia chips to China. (link)
Story 5 of 7 (~3 min read)
Iran War Reaches Day 21 as US and Israel Reassure Allies on Energy Targets
The US-Israel war against Iran entered its third week with ongoing strikes across the region and threats of intensified Iranian retaliation. Netanyahu stated Thursday that Israel would cease targeting energy facilities after earlier strikes damaged Iran's South Pars gas field and Qatar's LNG plant, which state-run QatarEnergy said would wipe out 17% of its production capacity for up to five years. The conflict has killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesman and prompted Iran to warn of "zero restraint" if more energy infrastructure is attacked, while oil prices remain elevated and allies signal reluctant support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
How it's being covered:
Al Jazeera reports that Tehran has warned of zero restraint if energy facilities are attacked again, while Netanyahu points to ground operations on day 21 of the conflict. (link)
BBC reports that Netanyahu says Israel "acted alone" in the attack on Iran's gas field and that Trump had requested there be no further such attacks. (link)
Guardian reports that Japan's Prime Minister explained to Trump that her country cannot join his Iran war, as the Prime Minister met with Trump at the White House. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that Russia is benefiting from the US-Iran war while impacts on China are "complicated," according to analysts with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. (link)
Story 6 of 7 (~3 min read)
US Treasury Considers Lifting Sanctions on Iranian Oil at Sea to Control Prices
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Thursday that the administration may remove sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea within days in an effort to increase oil supply and bring down surging prices. The move represents an extraordinary step—easing economic pressure on an enemy nation during wartime—to combat oil price spikes driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. Brent crude has climbed to approximately $111 per barrel, nearly 60% higher than pre-conflict levels.
How it's being covered:
Guardian reports that Scott Bessent said the US may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, stating "In the coming days, we may un-sanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140m barrels." (link)
Axios reports that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Iranian oil that's at sea to keep oil prices down, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the action will happen in the coming days. (link)
Bloomberg reports that Iran continues Gulf strikes after Israel vows to spare energy sites, with updates on the ongoing conflict affecting oil markets and bond yields. (link)
# 📈 MARKET SIGNALS
Story 7 of 7 (~2 min read)
Central Banks Signal Rate Hikes Amid Oil-Driven Inflation Shock
European and British central banks signaled Thursday that interest rate increases are likely in the coming months as energy prices surge due to Middle East conflict damage to oil and gas infrastructure. The European Central Bank's Joachim Nagel stated the ECB would need to consider hiking rates as soon as April if price pressures build further, while the Bank of England warned that inflation will be higher in the near term due to the "new shock to the economy" from the Iran war. Economists are now pivoting to expect ECB hikes within months as inflation risks mount from sustained high energy costs.
How it's being covered:
Bloomberg reports that the European Central Bank is determined to meet its inflation goal, with Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau making the statement. (link)
Bloomberg reports that economists are shifting to align with the market view that European Central Bank interest-rate hikes are inevitable within months. (link)
Guardian reports that the Bank of England has left rates on hold and warned that CPI inflation will be higher in the near term as a result of the "new shock to the economy" from Iran war. (link)
# ⚡ QUICK HITS
⚡ Unilever Confirms Talks to Sell Food Business to McCormick in Historic Overhaul — Unilever is in talks to sell its food business to McCormick & Co., transforming the owner of Hellmann's mayonnaise into a maker of beauty and personal care products in the biggest overhaul since it was founded almost a century ago. (link)
⚡ César Chávez Statues and Streets Removed Across California Following Sexual Assault Allegations — Cities are rapidly removing statues and renaming streets honoring the labor leader as new reports emerge of sexual abuse allegations against him, with San Fernando removing a statue Thursday. (link)
⚡ Trump Administration Announces Transition of Student Loans to Treasury Department — The Education Department is transferring federal student loan management and the FAFSA process to the Treasury Department in a three-phase transition as the Trump administration works to dismantle the federal education agency. (link)
⚡ Denmark Reportedly Prepared to Demolish Greenland Runways to Block US Military Aircraft — Denmark secretly prepared contingency plans to destroy Greenland's runways if the US attempted to seize the territory, according to reports, amid tensions over Trump's statements about US control of Greenland for national security. (link)
⚡ Historic March Heatwave in US West Shattered Temperature Records — Scientists determined that a record-breaking heatwave scorching the US west this week, with temperatures up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit above average, would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change. (link)
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