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'Profound idiot': Nicolle Wallace struggles to process Trump's shock joke to Japanese PM
MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace had a frank reaction on Thursday after President Donald Trump made a jaw-dropping comment that shocked people inside the Oval Office during a White House meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.Wallace was visibly stunned after discussing Trump's attempted joke that clearly left the room uncomfortable when a reporter asked why Trump hadn't warned his allies that the U.S.-Israeli military strikes were coming. "One thing, you don't want to signal too much when we go in," Trump said. "We went in very hard and we didn't tell anyone about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"Wallace watched the video playback and commented on Trump, asking her panel to share their thoughts. "I struggle every minute of every day with platforming him, one, I should do it all day because it shows what a profound idiot he is," Wallace said. "But but two, we were on other sides. This is a question about why didn't you read in your allies? And he says, we didn't know what our adversary was going to do. I mean, David Frum, what do you even, how's your brain doing?"Frum, a Canadian-American commentator and former speechwriter, described why Trump's words shocked the Japanese leader and dignitaries visiting America. "So first, there's probably no society on earth where good manners count for more than Japan, a country that has been — and we're talking about 80 years since the end of World War II, that has been a staunch and loyal ally of the United States for 80 years, where the warmth of person to person ties," Frum said. "But the one big cultural difference has always been the emphasis on decorum and decency and respect in Japanese culture, whereas American culture can be a little more boisterous. For the president of the United States to insult them, and you can watch it, sort of figuring out 'No one is amused by what I just said. Maybe if I say it again, it'll get more amusing the second time. And what if I say right, right, right. And give them a little jab in the ribs? Maybe it'll be funny then.'"Frum described why it was so surprising — and why it left them silent. "And it's just horrifying. One more thing that needs to be pointed out in this analogy that he's drawing between the United States and Japan, who's doing the sneak attack?" Frum added. "Oh, yeah. He's comparing the United States to the Japanese sneak attack. He wanted to do a Pearl Harbor on Greenland. Now he wants to do a Pearl Harbor on Iran. He is comparing himself to the people whom Americans normally condemn, and then elbowing the Japanese that they don't think the whole thing is terribly amusing."
One magic number would likely tip US into recession: Wall Street economists
Economists cautioned whether surging oil prices and soaring tariffs amid the ongoing Iran war could tip the United States into recession and what signs could point to an economic downslide, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The Journal polled 50 economists between March 16-18 from different sectors, including Wall Street banks and small consulting firms and universities, for a survey about what they expect the economic fallout might look like amid the military conflict in the Middle East. Experts did identify one important metric that could show potential signs of economic difficulty. "Economists put the probability of a recession in the next 12 months at 32%, up modestly from 27% in January," The Journal reported. "Asked how high crude oil would need to climb to tip the recession probability above 50%, economists gave a range of responses: from $90 a barrel to $200, with an average of $138. Asked how long oil prices would need to be at an elevated level, they said from four weeks to 55 weeks, with an average duration of 14 weeks. U.S. oil futures closed at $96.32 a barrel Wednesday, compared with a February average of about $65."Robert Fry of Robert Fry Economics predicted that the probability of an economic downturn was at 40 percent, explaining that "$125 oil for eight weeks is his make-or-break point.""My forecast is contingent on the assumption that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open to tanker traffic by mid-April," Fry said. "If it isn’t, oil prices will go much higher, and I will put a recession in my forecast."
ABC cancels 'The Bachelorette' after disturbing leaked video surfaces
ABC has cancelled its upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" after a shocking video emerged of Taylor Frankie Paul in an explosive fight with her ex-boyfriend and child's father, TMZ reported on Thursday. The star of the show, who is also a main cast member in Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," was seen in video footage from 2023 putting Dakota Mortensen in a headlock, hitting him and throwing metal chairs, one of which hit their child sitting on a sofa. Mortensen and Paul have been in an ongoing custody battle. They have been ordered to undergo a psych evaluation as domestic abuse allegations surfaced this week, just ahead of "The Bachelorette" air date on Sunday. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" had announced it had paused production in response to the allegations. Disney Entertainment released the following statement about the decision: “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of 'The Bachelorette' at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
'It's subjective!' MAGA rep whines over meaning of 'imminent' when grilled on Iran war
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) refused to acknowledge that there was not an "imminent" nuclear threat before President Donald Trump struck Iran by insisting that the word was too "subjective" to debate.During a Thursday interview on CNN, host Boris Sanchez noted that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had deflected a question about an imminent Iranian nuclear threat by arguing that only the president could define what "imminent" means."I'd say it's a persistent threat," Crenshaw dodged. "I mean, everyone's really getting hung up on the word imminent. And let's be clear about the word imminent. It's a subjective word.""Everyone's getting hung up on this, and I'm not sure why," he complained. "I don't view this conflict with Iran as just a rash decision by the president. I view it as something that was much more inevitable."Sanchez pointed out why Crenshaw, as a member of Congress, should be concerned with the definition of "imminent.""I guess, Congressman, part of the concern is that the president is only supposed to act unilaterally without input from Congress if there's going to be an imminent strike on Americans," the CNN host observed. "In other words, if there is an immediate danger to American lives, that's different than saying that Iran has a persistent threat or eventually may have the capacity to harm Americans on the mainland, no?""I don't think it's different at all," Crenshaw disagreed. "I think you phrased the same thing in two different ways.""What is imminent is the idea that you might have another North Korea," he added. "You're at a point in history where you either decide that you're not going to have another North Korea or you are. And right now, the only way to prevent that, the second North Korea, a madman with a bomb, is to use conventional means."U.S. law defines "imminent threat" as "the imminence of any natural, technological, or other occurrence which, in determination of a Federal Agency Head, because of its size or intent, seriously degrades or threatens the national security of the United States such that an emergency action would be impeded if the Federal Agency were to concurrently meet its historic preservation responsibilities under section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended."
Some of the world’s poorest countries to lose UK aid due to 56% budget cut
UK’s bilateral aid to African countries, which funds areas such as schools and clinics, to be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29Some of the world’s poorest countries will lose out on UK aid that funds programmes such as schools and clinics, due to budget cuts set out by the foreign secretary.The UK’s bilateral aid to African countries will be reduced by almost £900m by 2028-29 – a 56% cut – as part of more than £6bn in cuts which are funding an increase in defence spending. Continue reading...
'Not going well': MAGA author warns Steve Bannon Trump's war spiraling out of control
Right-wing author Brandon Weichert warned MAGA influencer Steve Bannon that President Donald Trump's war in Iran was "not going well."During a Thursday interview on the War Room podcast, Bannon insisted that the U.S. had to "win" the war, even though the goals were unclear."Regardless of how we got in here, and we can debate that, and I'm sure that even in the next couple days are coming up, we are where we are, we have to win, right?" Bannon told Weichert. "The President of the United States gave a very clear order out to the public, to the country, to everybody, that Iranian infrastructure, oil infrastructure was not to be hit. These gas fields were hit deliberately.""Now we're in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, all of it. And it's rattling, whether you like it or not, whether you support President Trump or not," he continued. "It's rattling the world's economy and President Trump's economic plan.""Clearly, there is a severe breakdown in communication not only between the U.S. and its purported allies in the region, but also between — within the administration itself," Weichert agreed. "And I would encourage everybody in the administration, get on the same page now. Because this is not — this is not going well. The American people do not understand what's going on.""Furthermore, whatever the Pentagon and Centcom and the intel community is saying publicly, behind the scenes, the Iranians are still popping these missiles off," he added. "And you asked about Israel. And I would just say that I don't think we have any idea who is running Israel right now. I have seen no confirmation as to whether or not Netanyahu is still alive or in command.""I have seen no confirmation that anyone has succeeded him. I've been hearing rumors from people.""Hang on!" Bannon interrupted, annoyed with rumors of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demise. "That can't be the internet slop that says he's an AI figure or anything like that. It's got to be more definitive.""It's a mess in Israel right now," Weichert said."Besides internet slop, why do you say that?" Bannon demanded. "Well, because the entire Israeli system seems to be in confusion," the author insisted. "There is clearly a problem right now. And then also you have these intelligence failures going on in Lebanon with Mossad, where they're blowing up targets that are clearly not military.""I think they're operating off of bad intelligence because Mossad's capabilities have been degraded."Before signing off, Weichert made it clear that he stood with Joe Kent, a former Trump intelligence official who resigned over the war in Iran."This show and me personally have been the biggest backer of Joe Kent," Bannon remarked.
Tulsi Gabbard refuses to support Trump's Iran war during Congress grilling
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say that President Donald Trump's war in Iran was legal or constitutional.During a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday, Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) reminded Gabbard of her 2020 remarks about Trump's strikes against Iran's leadership."President Trump has committed an illegal and unconstitutional act of war, pushing our nation headlong into a war with Iran without any authorization from Congress," Gabbard said at the time. "A war that would be so costly and devastating, it would make our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic.""This war has already been costly and devastating," Bera said of Trump's current war. "Thirteen American service members have lost their lives, including Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan from my home of Sacramento, California. Approximately 200 service members have been wounded."Bera noted that the war was also costing nearly $2 billion per day."Director Gabbard, do you still believe that strikes against Iran that don't have congressional authorization constitute an illegal and unconstitutional act of war?" the lawmaker asked."The cost of war weighs very heavily upon me and my colleagues here, especially for those of us who have experienced and seen the cost of war firsthand," Gabbard replied. "My own personal and political views, as I mentioned earlier, I was asked and required by Congress and by the president in this role as the Director of National Intelligence to check those views at the door to ensure that the intelligence assessments are not colored by my personal views.""And that's exactly what I am responsible to deliver," she added."Do you still believe the war with Iran would be so costly and devastating that it would make our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic?" Bera pressed. "Once again, in this role, it is essential that I do not allow any of my personal views on any issues to color or bias the intelligence reporting that we deliver to you and to the president," Gabbard responded.
Maga media forces Hegseth to walk tightrope over surprise Israel attack
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was forced to walk a tightrope lest he alienate the only military ally he has in the war on Iran — and he was put in that spot Thursday by a MAGA media reporter.Late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump was less than diplomatic when he criticized Israel on Truth Social over a new front in the Middle Eastern war.On Truth Social, the president wrote, “Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran. A relatively small section of the whole has been hit. The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen. "Unfortunately, Iran did not know this, or any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack, and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG Gas facility.“I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar’s LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so.”With that post in mind, Jordan Conradson of the conspiracy-minded, far-right website Gateway Pundit asked Hegseth, “So with this strike yesterday on South Pars gas field, you know, if the U.S. didn't know about it or didn't approve of it, it kind of seems like a trend of Israel apparently pursuing their own objectives over U.S. objectives. I'm not sure if you agree with that, but the president has said he doesn't want to hit Iran's oil infrastructure right now.”Hegseth replied with a defensive, “We hold the cards, we have objectives. Those objectives are clear. We have allies pursuing objectives as well.”“I mean, President Trump was very clear about that,” he continued. “Iran has weaponized energy for decades; Israel clearly sent a warning and POTUS has made it clear, very clear, Iran knows when you hit Kharg Island and you hit military capabilities on Kharg Island, which is the only thing we hit, we can hold anything at issue, anything.“The United States military controls the fate of that country. Iran has the ability to make the right choices. It should not, going forward, target Arab allies, Arab countries trying to create pain, the pain that they created themselves." - YouTube youtu.be
'I'm thinking': Tulsi Gabbard falls into awkward silence over Iran war objectives
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) was met with silence when he asked Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about the objectives of the war with Iran.During a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday, Castro noted that Israel had struck Iran's energy infrastructure despite President Donald Trump telling the country not to."So my question is, what does the intelligence community assess Israel's goals in this war to be?" Castro asked. "And are those goals aligned with the goals of the United States?"Despite having a working microphone, Gabbard was unable to respond for several moments."I'm thinking carefully here," she finally said, "about what can be said in this open setting versus a closed setting.""Are the goals aligned?" Castro repeated."The objectives that have been laid out by the President are different from the objectives that have been laid out by the Israeli government," Gabbard admitted. "We can see through the operations that the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership and taking out several members, obviously, beginning with the Ayatollah and the supreme leader. And they continue to focus on that effort.""How does that differ from our goals?" the congressman wondered. "The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missile launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their Navy, the IRGC Navy, and mine-laying capability."Castro observed that "death and destruction continues, the economic costs to the United States, to Israel, to the Gulf states, and to the world continues to increase."He then asked CIA Director John Ratcliffe: "Do you know why Israel decided to strike that infrastructure despite the fact that the president said it should be off limits?""I wouldn't speak for Israel," Ratcliffe replied."What do you guys know? We're at war. What do you guys know?" Castro demanded as his time ran out."Let's take that for the record," the chair said.
Nancy Mace launches renegade Middle East mission — and the White House is seething
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is once again thumbing her nose at the Trump administration, this time by mounting her own freelance rescue operation for Americans stranded in the Middle East — a move that's infuriating White House officials trying to control the Iran war narrative.According to the Guardian, Trump administration officials are seething over Mace's decision to travel to the region and conduct unauthorized evacuation missions, directly undermining State Department coordination efforts.The South Carolina Republican has already been a thorn in the side of the White House with her insistence that the entire Jeffrey Epstein files be released.The congresswoman engaged with foreign governments — including Saudi Arabia — without informing the State Department, then audaciously asked the administration to requisition a Saudi commercial plane to transport 300 people, The Guardian reported. The unilateral diplomacy has become a persistent headache for an already chaotic evacuation process, the newspaper wrote."If members of Congress want to be helpful they should work with the administration instead of trying to exploit the situation for political gain," fumed one White House official speaking anonymously about the operational details.Some diplomats and travelers have accused the Trump administration of moving too slowly on evacuations in the first place — a criticism Mace's intervention has highlighted, according to the report. Her willingness to act independently exposed the administration's sluggish response.Still, Mace's rescue efforts have descended into controversy. Grey Bull Rescue, the private group handling some evacuations, suspended operations Wednesday after an American mother accused them of extorting $1 million to return to the U.S.The State Department, by contrast, claims relative success: 60 completed flights as of Wednesday evening, with direct or indirect assistance provided to 42,000 people requesting help. However, according to sources familiar with the matter, many charter flights have increasingly been flying empty. Some Americans have rejected State Department-arranged connections through Greece, citing preference for direct routes.You can read more here.
Woman has sentence quashed by Tanzania court after over a decade on death row
Lemi Limbu, who has severe intellectual disabilities, remains in prison and will now face retrial for the murder of her daughterA woman with severe intellectual disabilities in Tanzania has had her conviction and death sentence quashed after spending more than a decade in prison awaiting execution.Lemi Limbu, now in her early 30s, was convicted of the murder of her daughter in 2015. On 4 March, a court in Shinyanga, northern Tanzania, declared she can appeal. She will face a retrial, but a date has yet to be set. Continue reading...
‘Waiting for days’: India feels impact of gas supply chain disruption amid Iran conflict
People struggle to cook and businesses bear brunt as closure of strait of Hormuz slows imports of liquefied petroleum gasFor four days, Maya Rani, 36, has been arriving each morning at a gas distributor’s office in Delhi, her six-month-old daughter in her lap, waiting for hours. And each day she returns home empty-handed, told that a cooking gas cylinder may not be available for at least another week. Around her, the queue keeps growing, people clutching forms and documents, hoping to secure a cylinder.The flame in her kitchen began to fade last week and her husband, as he always does, took their 5kg cylinder to a local refiller. This time, there was nothing. The only option left was to apply for a government-subsidised supply, a process that has meant repeated visits, long waits and no certainty. Continue reading...
