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Monday, March 16, 2026
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Health

RFK Jr. Orders Health Providers and Insurers to Disclose Rates, Publicly Post Prices.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that healthcare providers and insurers must publicly post their prices for services.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement follows a February 25 Executive Order reimplementing Trump’s healthcare pricing policy from his first administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: The policy aims to increase transparency and drive down healthcare costs through competition.

IN FULL

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that doctors, healthcare providers, and insurers will be required to publicly post the prices of their services. The HHS action comes after a February 25 Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump that mandates enforcement of a pricing transparency policy enacted during the first Trump administration but saw limited enforcement under former President Joe Biden.

“The insurance companies… the doctors and the hospitals are going to have to tell you, before you go in there, exactly what their price schedule is,” Secretary Kennedy said in a clip posted to X (formerly Twitter). “So, now, we’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.”

“If you want an MRI, and you wanted to shop around and find… the cheapest MRI, you wouldn’t have been able to do that, but now you’re going to be able to do that,” Kennedy explained, adding, “You’re going to be able to shop around, and that’s going to drive down prices.”

Notably, the pricing transparency policy also extends to insurance companies, which will now be required to post what they compensate providers. “We’re also forcing the insurance industries to post what they compensate the providers, and that is going to drive down health care prices,” he said, adding that forcing transparency from insurers will allow companies to better negotiate with insurance providers.

The move builds on the Trump administration’s “Great Healthcare Plan,” launched in January 2026, which requires healthcare providers and insurers accepting Medicare or Medicaid to prominently display pricing and fees in their places of business.

In 2023, the former Biden government was sued in federal court for failing to implement the 2021 price transparency policy and was subsequently forced to reverse course and begin enforcement.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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40 minutes ago
War

Iran Claims to Be Receiving Military Support from China and Russia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran announced that Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Tehran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russia, China, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Araghchi revealed the Russian and Chinese cooperation in an interview over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well.” – Abbas Araghchi

🎯IMPACT: The cooperation is part of a broader strategic partnership challenging U.S. interests and affecting global oil markets.

IN FULL

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claims that both Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Iran amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic regime. The revelation came during an interview with Araghchi on MS NOW, where he emphasized the strategic partnership between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing.

“We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well,” Araghchi stated. He highlighted the comprehensive cooperation Iran maintains with these nations, spanning political, economic, and military realms.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump speculated on Friday about Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s involvement with Iran, suggesting, “I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” The United States has, since before Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, provided Kiev with lethal aid.

Meanwhile, Iran and Russia’s ties have grown stronger over the last decade. Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed drones, utilized in the Ukraine war, and has established drone factories within Russia. Both countries also previously supported the fallen Assad regime in Syria. China, meanwhile, has maintained a far more economically focused relationship with Iran, being the primary buyer of Iranian oil.

Araghchi also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil, gas, and fertilizer transport. He asserted that the Strait is closed to ships from nations attacking Iran, specifically American and Israeli vessels, yet remains open to others.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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1 hour ago
News

U.S. Mint Removes Olive Branch from Dime for America’s 250th Anniversary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Mint unveiled new coin designs for the nation’s 250th anniversary, omitting the olive branch from the newly designed dime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Mint, Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Designs reviewed in 2024, finalized in 2025, and released in 2026 to commemorate 250 years of American history.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty.” – Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally

🎯IMPACT: Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

IN FULL

The U.S. Mint has unveiled new designs for the country’s 250th anniversary, including a redesigned dime that notably omits the olive branch usually held in the talons of the bald eagle depicted on the coin. Instead, the reverse of the dime now features the eagle mid-flight holding arrows in its left talon, with the other talon empty, and the inscription “Liberty over Tyranny” beneath.

Historically, the olive branch has been a key element in American symbolism, representing peace. On the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, with its head turned toward the olive branch. This arrangement was meant to signify a preference for peace, though the nation is always prepared for war. Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

The redesign marks the first major overhaul of U.S. coinage since the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Authorized by Congress, the Semiquincentennial series includes changes to the dime, quarter, half dollar, penny, and dollar coin, each bearing the dates 1776–2026. Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally explained that the redesign’s goal was to allow Americans to “hold 250 years of history in their hands” and to celebrate the ideals of liberty.

“The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty,” McNally said, adding, “We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we Connect America through Coins.”

The coin designs underwent public review in 2024 and were finalized in 2025. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent approved the final designs, nixing some of the quarter concepts introduced under the former Biden government for focusing on “DEI and Critical Race Theory policies.”

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2 hours ago
News

Trump Says Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Has Breast Cancer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Susie Wiles and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made via Truth Social; Wiles to spend treatment period at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her.” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Wiles will continue her duties during treatment, maintaining her role as a key advisor.

IN FULL

Susie Wiles, a prominent figure in the White House, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She has chosen to tackle the challenge immediately, according to a post by President Donald J. Trump on Truth Social.

President Trump praised Wiles as an “incredible Chief of Staff” and highlighted her decision to continue her work during the treatment period, spending virtually full time at the White House.

“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,” Trump stated, emphasizing her dedication to serving the American people.

Wiles, described as one of Trump’s closest advisors, has a strong medical team and an excellent prognosis. Her decision to remain active in her role underscores her commitment to her duties.

President Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, expressed their support for Wiles, looking forward to working with her on future initiatives for the country. “She will soon be better than ever,” Trump assured.

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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News
UK

An Illegal Vape Store Burned Down a 175-Year-Old Landmark. Over a Dozen More Have Been Found Within a Mile of the Disaster.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thirteen unregistered vape stores have been found within a mile of Union Corner in Glasgow, Scotland, where another vape store caused a fire that burned down a 175-year-old city landmark.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vape store operators, historian Norry Wilson, Trading Standards, and Glasgow City Council.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Licensing and regulation of shops only works if it is enforced. And at the moment it feels a bit like the Wild West.” – Norry Wilson

🎯IMPACT: Vape stores, many of which are linked to organized crime and illegal immigration, pose a threat to many more historic buildings across Britain.

IN FULL

More illegal vape stores like the one that caused the fire that destroyed the 175-year-old Union Corner building in Glasgow, Scotland, last Sunday have been discovered within a short distance of the once-iconic landmark, leaving more historic buildings at risk. The shop at the centre of the Union Corner blaze had been under municipal government scrutiny, with repeated contacts over unpaid business rates and questions about its legal operation, but officials failed to act in time.

Local historian Norry Wilson has strongly criticised the unchecked explosion of vape stores across Britain, saying, “It is ridiculous vape shops have been allowed to spring up on almost every corner.”

“There are real concerns about the safety of other landmark buildings because of the fire risk posed to them… Trading Standards need to be proactive not reactive if we want to avoid another catastrophic loss to our built heritage,” he added.

Scotland currently has fewer than 250 Trading Standards officers, with a large proportion nearing retirement, leaving enforcement capacity badly stretched. There are 2,263 registered premises in Glasgow alone, and many more unregistered premises are feared to exist, with Scottish reporters finding 13 within a mile of the Union Corner disaster.

Many vape shops across Glasgow and the wider United Kingdom have been linked to organized crime, operating as fronts for money laundering, tax evasion, and the sale of illicit tobacco and counterfeit vapes. Multi-agency raids, involving Police Scotland, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and Immigration Enforcement, have found that these cash-heavy businesses are often tied to illegal immigration, too, using illegal workers and human trafficking victims to staff their operations.

Image by Clydiee.

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3 hours ago
War

Trump Warns U.S. Can Destroy Iran’s Critical Oil Island at Will.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump revealed that the United States is prepared to destroy Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub, but has opted not to act on it for now.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made on Sunday aboard Air Force One, following CENTCOM’s precision strikes on Kharg Island on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it.” — President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The destruction of Kharg Island would be crippling for both Iran and its strategic allies, like China, and would likely roil global energy markets.

IN FULL

The U.S. military is prepared to strike and destroy all of Iran‘s Kharg Island—the Islamic Republic’s key oil export hub—President Donald J. Trump warned on Sunday aboard Air Force One. President Trump added that he has thus far not chosen to act in such a decisive manner, but, notably, the U.S. military did take out radar and military infrastructure on the island on Friday.

“We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it,” Trump said of Kharg’s possible destruction, continuing, “We chose not to do it. I chose not to do it again. We’ll see what happens.”

Trump stated that Iranian leaders want to “negotiate badly” but that the Islamist regime is not yet ready to meet U.S. demands. The destruction of Kharg Island would be crippling to Iran and to its chief ally, China. The island allows Iran to utilize a single deep-water port and petroleum facility for the export of its oil. A bulk of Iranian oil is destined for markets in China.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied that regime has made any requests for a ceasefire or negotiations. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” Araghchi said, adding, “[T]his is what we have done so far, and we [will] continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

On Friday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out a precision strike on Kharg Island as part of Operation Epic Fury. The attack targeted over 90 military sites, including naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers, while sparing the island’s oil infrastructure, according to CENTCOM.

It is believed that President Trump has discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island outright with military leaders, a move that one U.S. official described as potentially delivering “an economic knockout of the regime” by cutting off a key source of Iran’s oil revenue. However, such action could necessitate deploying U.S. troops and provoke further Iranian retaliation against Gulf oil infrastructure, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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4 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Trump Admin Imports Migrants to Take Agricultural Jobs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has turned to migrant workers on temporary visas to address a farm labor shortage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Trump administration officials, farmers, migrant workers, and agricultural labor unions.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, changes announced in recent months.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful.” – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins

🎯IMPACT: The changes have sparked debate over foreign labor, with potential wage reductions for both migrant and domestic farmworkers.

IN FULL

Facing a labor shortage in the agricultural sector, the Trump administration has turned to the H-2A visa program to allow farmers to hire cheap immigrant workers on temporary visas. The move comes after extensive lobbying from farmers who blame immigration raids and border crackdowns for exacerbating the U.S. agricultural labor shortage.

Notably, the tension lies primarily between immigration hawks who argue the farm labor shortage will improve over time as wages rise, and large-scale farmers who say they’ve had difficulty hiring American workers. Immigration hawks warn that the Trump administration’s decision to reverse course by increasing the share of foreign workers will harm native workers and suppress wages.

“The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins contends, while arguing that the administration is pursuing “real reforms to ease regulatory burdens and lower labor costs.”

The Department of Labor echoed these concerns in a filing announcing changes to the H-2A program. “The near total cessation of the inflow of illegal aliens combined with the lack of an available legal work force results in significant disruptions to production costs and threatening the stability of domestic food production and prices for U.S. consumers,” the department said.

Allowing the agriculture sector access to cheap foreign migrant labor is already drawing the ire of a unique coalition. The United Farm Workers of America (UFWA) is suing the Trump administration, arguing that the lower compensation proposal—which would allow for housing to be included in the compensation package and effectively lower hourly wages by between $1 and $7—will directly harm native-born American workers.

Meanwhile, Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies has concurred with the farm union, stating that the H-2A changes run counter to the Trump administration’s own stated goals of reducing reliance on foreign labor and increasing automation in the agricultural sector.

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4 hours ago
War

China and Others Refuse Trump’s Request to Send Ships to Help Reopen Hormuz.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: China dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for other countries to deploy naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, China’s Foreign Ministry, and Iranian officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Iran war has been ongoing since late February, with Trump urging other coutries to help secure Hormuz over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We once again call on all sides to immediately cease military actions, avoid tensions from further spiraling and escalation,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

🎯IMPACT: The Iran war has disrupted oil and fertilizer transport in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has cautioned that NATO faces a “very bad future” if it does nothing to assist.

IN FULL

China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that nations with strong navies should send warships to help secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This response comes amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has been disrupting global energy and fertilizer supplies as Iran targets vessels along the key shipping route and beyond.

Iran has prohibited ships flying U.S. or allied flags from passing through the strait, a major artery for global oil shipments. The Pentagon has sent extra military resources to the area, such as a Marine expeditionary unit, now that the fighting has reached its third week.

“China’s position is clear. We once again call on all sides to immediately cease military actions, avoid tensions from further spiraling and escalation, and prevent regional turbulence from having a large impact on global economic growth,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump pressed countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to contribute naval forces in order to “make the strait open and safe.” Yet several of those nations—including France, Japan, and Britain—have already signaled they have no intention of sending warships. Germany has stated outright that the Iran war “has nothing to do with NATO.”

Trump has cautioned that, “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response [to his calls for aid] I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”

As a close partner to Iran and one of the major purchasers of its oil, China has denounced the U.S.-Israeli military campaign and expressed worries about rising tensions in the area. However, China’s strategic reserves and access to other energy options may allow it to handle any supply interruptions more effectively than other countries.

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24 hours ago
News

‘I Don’t Know That to be a Fact,’ Trump Says of Cornyn’s Claim to be the Best Texas Senate Candidate.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald Trump has cast doubt on Senator John Cornyn’s campaign claim that he is better positioned to defend the Republican Senate seat against far-left Democrat candidate James Talarico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Democratic nominee James Talarico.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the comments during a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday. The Senate runoff is scheduled for May 26.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ll let you know that over the next week or so,” Trump said about a potential endorsement.

🎯IMPACT: Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton are vying for Trump’s endorsement, which may influence the outcome of the runoff and the passage of the SAVE America Act.

IN FULL

President Donald Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he is still deciding who to endorse in the competitive Republican primary for a Senate seat in Texas. Sen. John Cornyn is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff after a close contest in the first round.

“I’ll let you know that over the next week or so,” Trump said when asked if he would endorse Cornyn. “A lot has to do with the SAVE America Act. A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country,” Trump explained.

The news has caused another shock inside the Cornyn campaign, led by former Trump advisor Chris LaCivita, who recently had to perform a humiliating climbdown from a lawsuit he filed against a left-wing publication, over how much money he had extracted from the Trump 2024 campaign.

Both Cornyn and Paxton have sought Trump’s endorsement, with Paxton backing the abolition of the legislative filibuster to pass the Trump-supported election bill.

Cornyn – who has vehemently opposed Trump and his MAGA agenda for a decade – recently reversed his stance on the Senate filibuster, now supporting changes to Senate rules to ensure the SAVE America Act’s passage. Trump acknowledged Cornyn’s shift, saying, “I very much appreciate that he is” in favor of ending the filibuster, though he did not confirm if this had secured his endorsement. “I don’t know, but we have to get it passed,” Trump stated.

Trump expressed uncertainty about whether Cornyn is the GOP’s strongest candidate to hold the Senate seat, saying, “I’ve heard that. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know that to be a fact… I like both candidates very much.”

He also dismissed concerns about Paxton’s electability, stating, “No, I think they both win,” while calling Democratic nominee James Talarico “so weak.”

In fact, recent polling shows Paxton could win even if Trump endorses Cornyn, which presents the possibility of a rebuke against Trump from his own MAGA base.

The SAVE America Act, which has passed the House, is set for Senate consideration next week. The legislation faces significant hurdles, as Republicans lack sufficient votes to eliminate the filibuster or bypass the 60-vote threshold. The bill would overhaul election laws nationwide, requiring proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to vote. “In addition to that, it’s no men playing in women’s sports, which is very important. No mail-in voting. You have to have ID for voting, a picture ID for voting,” Trump added.

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March 15, 2026
News

Iranian Regime Supporters Descend on London, Declaring Loyalty to Ayatollahs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thousands of demonstrators gathered in London in support of Iran’s Islamic regime, despite a ban on marching through central London.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Protesters waving Iranian flags, counter-protesters carrying Israeli and pre-revolution Iranian flags, and over 1,000 police officers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sunday at Albert Embankment, London, with Lambeth Bridge closed to traffic.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Officers will act swiftly against any behavior that crosses into criminality during the demonstrations.” – Metropolitan Police

🎯IMPACT: Authorities prevented a full-blown march but allowed a static gathering, while deploying significant police resources to maintain order.

IN FULL

Thousands of protesters assembled in London on Sunday to show support for Iran’s Islamic regime during the annual al-Quds Day event. Participants waved Iranian flags and displayed images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming he was on the “right side of history.” The event, which opposes the British, American, and Israeli governments, was restricted to a static gathering after a planned march was prohibited by the Home Secretary.

Counter-protesters gathered on the north bank of the River Thames, displaying Israeli flags and pre-revolution Iranian flags. To prevent clashes, Metropolitan Police commanders used the entire river as a physical barrier between the groups, even closing Lambeth Bridge to all but emergency vehicles.

Over 1,000 police officers, including reinforcements from other forces, were deployed to the area. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley cited significant concerns about potential public disorder in his request to prohibit the march, which was subsequently approved by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

While authorities can ban marches, current laws do not permit the prohibition of static assemblies. This allowed organizers to call on supporters to gather in London. Police have been instructed to act decisively against any criminal behavior, including support for proscribed terrorist groups, hate speech, or calls for a global intifada.

The Metropolitan Police emphasized their commitment to maintaining public safety during the demonstrations, stating, “Officers will act swiftly against any behavior that crosses into criminality during the demonstrations.”

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