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Wednesday, March 11, 2026

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June 30, 2025
War

EU Chief Explains How NATO Spending Will Shrink Trump Trade Deficit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: European leaders agreed to meet President Donald J. Trump’s five percent defense spending demand, with much of the funds going to U.S. arms, to ease trade tensions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President of the European Council António Costa, Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU member states

📍WHEN & WHERE: NATO summit in Brussels, late June 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “Of course, a large part of this 5% will be spent for sure buying American, and it helps to rebalance the trade relations.” – António Costa

🎯IMPACT: The defense pledge could avert a trade war, but has triggered internal EU disputes over debt, subsidies, and where defense money should go.

IN FULL

Europe’s need to meet President Donald J. Trump’s defense spending demands is being used as a bargaining chip to de-escalate a looming trade war with the U.S., according to European Council chief António Costa. The newly adopted five percent of GDP military expenditure goal—up from two percent, which most European NATO members were already failing to meet—will reportedly funnel billions toward the U.S. defense industry, helping rebalance the long-standing goods-trade deficit.

“This agreement in NATO paved the way to have an agreement as soon as possible on trade,” Costa said. Trump has threatened to jack up tariffs on EU imports to 50 percent unless a deal is secured by July 9. The U.S. currently runs a $236 billion goods-trade deficit with the European Union—an imbalance Trump frequently highlights in speeches.

The EU has attempted to calm tensions by proposing reduced tariffs on U.S. products and easing regulatory barriers. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pressuring Brussels to strike a deal quickly, citing the need for relief for key sectors like automotive manufacturing. But there’s no consensus on what concessions the EU will make—or how much defense cash should stay within Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a protectionist line, insisting that increased military outlays must benefit European industries. Costa, in contrast, suggests appeasing the Trump administration by buying American may be necessary. Meanwhile, the EU is loosening fiscal rules and creating a new €150 billion ($176B) defense fund to help member states keep up with NATO expectations.

Debate is raging among member states over how the defense pot should be spent. Wealthier nations like Germany and the Netherlands balk at the idea of subsidizing poorer, debt-laden members like Italy and Greece. The question of EU-wide defense grants will be revisited at an October summit, after leaders papered over divisions in Brussels last week.

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By Popular Demand.
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43 minutes ago
William Upton
Politics

WATCH: Cornyn Drops Panicked Attack Ad Claiming Ken Paxton Stole a Pen.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s (R-TX) reelection campaign has rolled out a panicked advertisement against his Republican primary runoff opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), accusing the latter of stealing a pen.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and attorney Joe Joplin.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The campaign ad first aired on Tuesday, March 10; the pen incident occurred in 2013.

🎯IMPACT: The incident saw attorney Joe Joplin leaving the pen in a tray as he rushed through courthouse security. Sometime after, Paxton also passed through security and mistakenly picked up the pen along with the other items he had placed in the tray. After courthouse security realized the error and contacted Paxton, it was returned to Joplin.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) reelection campaign has rolled out a panicked advertisement against his Republican primary runoff opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), accusing the latter of stealing a pen. While over-the-top and often hyperbolic campaign attack ads are nothing new, attempting to drive up an opponent’s negatives by claiming they pocketed another attorney’s pen may be a first.

The Cornyn campaign ad heavily focuses on the biblical theme of the Ten Commandments, with a booming, God-like baritone voice bellowing “Thou Shalt Not Steal” after claiming Paxton stole a $1,000 Montblanc pen, citing a 2023 New York Times article. However, Paxton never actually stole the pen.


Instead, the incident—which occurred in 2013—saw attorney Joe Joplin leaving the  Montblanc pen in a tray as he rushed through courthouse security. Sometime after, Paxton also passed through security and mistakenly picked up the pen along with the other items he had placed in the tray. After courthouse security realized the error and contacted Paxton, the Montblanc pen was returned to Joplin. Notably, and perhaps lost on the Cornyn campaign, is the Ninth Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

The National Pulse reported on Monday that new poll numbers from the Texas Senate Republican runoff indicate Paxton has regained his lead over Cornyn, with his electoral edge holding regardless of whether President Donald J. Trump endorses either candidate.

Meanwhile, the Cornyn campaign rolled out a Faith Advisory Council to boost the incumbent Texas Senator’s standing among evangelical Christian voters. However, several members of the group are well-known boosters of refugee resettlement and mass amnesty policies, with ties to the George Soros-backed Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT).

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1 hour ago
Economy
War

DATA: Inflation Stable in February, But Iran War Could Cause Spike.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New Department of Labor (DOL) data indicates that inflation has largely subsided, with the rate having largely stabilized at 2.4 percent for the moment.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), President Donald J. Trump, analysts, and energy market experts.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Data covers February 2026 and was released on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: While the threat of inflation has largely subsided for now, ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran have caused significant volatility in energy markets, which could temporarily push some prices higher for a short period.

IN FULL

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Wednesday that annual inflation remained steady at 2.4 percent in February, with monthly inflation ticking up to 0.3 percent from 0.2 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy categories, stayed at 2.5 percent year-over-year, while the monthly rate decreased to 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent. The BLS data suggests that—for now—the threat of inflationary pressure in the economy has largely subsided.

Housing costs were a significant driver of February’s price increases, rising by 0.2 percent. The food index climbed 0.4 percent, and the energy index saw a 0.6 percent increase, with gasoline prices rising 0.8 percent over the month. These figures align with January’s data, which analysts viewed as a sign of stability in the U.S. economy under the Trump administration.

However, the BLS data does not reflect the impact of current hostilities in the Middle East. Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury—with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran—on February 28, Brent crude oil prices surged, reaching nearly $120 a barrel, then plunging to $80, before settling at around $90. This volatility has been largely driven by the disruption of oil tanker traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz, with insurers refusing to underwrite the ships in the face of sporadic Iranian drone and missile attacks.

Retail gasoline prices have already risen sharply in March, now averaging $3.60 per gallon, the highest since at least 2024. Still, any inflationary pressure stemming from current energy price volatility is largely supply-driven and is expected to quickly subside once combat operations wind down.

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2 hours ago
News

Car Hits White House Barricade, Secret Service Investigating.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A vehicle crashed into a barricade near the White House early Wednesday morning, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The driver of the vehicle, U.S. Secret Service agents, and D.C. Metropolitan Police officers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Wednesday at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and H Street, near the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Various entrances and the streets are temporarily closed as teams conduct their work,” said Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service.

🎯IMPACT: Streets north of the White House were shut down, with police and security forces securing the area.

IN FULL

The United States Secret Service (USSS) detained an unnamed driver early Wednesday morning after they crashed their vehicle into an outer perimeter barricade near the White House. Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, stated that officers from the agency’s uniformed division are “looking into a suspicious vehicle.” He added, “Various entrances and the streets are temporarily closed as teams conduct their work.”

Notably, the crash occurred at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and H Streets, just outside Lafayette Square, according to the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). No injuries have been reported in connection with the collision.

The incident has resulted in streets north of the White House being temporarily closed as law enforcement and National Guard troops secured the area.

While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, tensions in Washington, D.C., and other major U.S. cities remain high as the Trump administration continues to carry out military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Over the weekend, in New York City, Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested for allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at right-wing protesters near the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who shares the same Twelver Shia faith as Iran’s ruling ayatollahs.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has described the attempted bombing as an “ISIS-inspired” attack.

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3 hours ago
Bonkers Britain

Britain to Remove Churchill from Banknotes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Bank of England plans to replace historical figures including wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on banknotes with pictures of animals.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Bank of England, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) Rachel Reeves, and Robert Jenrick, of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced March 11, 2026, in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It says it all that Rachel Reeves is replacing Winston Churchill on our banknotes with a squirrel.” – Robert Jenrick

🎯IMPACT: The decision ends over 50 years of featuring British historical figures on banknotes.

IN FULL

The Bank of England has announced a controversial plan to remove historic Britons, including wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and author Jane Austen, from banknotes. Instead, the new series will feature animals native to the United Kingdom.

Victoria Cleland, the chief cashier at the Bank of England, claimed that while the main goal is to improve counterfeit resilience. “Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective,” she said, although it is unclear why a banknote featuring a picture of a badger should be harder to counterfeit than a banknote featuring a picture of Churchill.

This change marks the end of more than 50 years of showcasing historic Britons on currency. Robert Jenrick, Shadow Chancellor for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, criticized the decision, saying, “It says it all that Rachel Reeves is replacing Winston Churchill on our banknotes with a squirrel,” in reference to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury Secretary).

Notably, Starmer removed around five portraits of Churchill from the parliamentary estate after entering office, including a picture of the wartime leader standing next to the Cenotaph, Britain’s main national war memorial, in 1945.

Churchill is a frequent target of far-left protesters and academics, who portray him as a “racist” and a “white supremacist.”

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4 hours ago
William Upton
Bonkers Britain
Crime

London Knife Crime is So Bad They Now Need ‘Bleed Kits’ on Every Bus.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Knife crime in the United Kingdom’s capital city has become so commonplace that the London Assembly is backing a plan to install bleed kits at every major bus station and along bus routes experiencing sustained levels of violent crime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The London Assembly, the London Ambulance Service (LAS), Transport for London (TfL), and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, of Britain’s governing Labour Party.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early March, 2026, in London, England.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The current advice from the NHS is that standard first aid kits are sufficient for the majority of bleeding wounds. The NHS also highlights that the effective use of bleed kits requires appropriate training and there is a risk of significant harm if tourniquets, which are usually included in bleed kits, are not used correctly.” — TfL spokesman

🎯IMPACT: Over the weekend, the London Assembly passed a non-binding resolution asking the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to coordinate with Transport for London (TfL) to distribute the stab wound kits across the bus system.

IN FULL

Knife crime in the United Kingdom‘s capital city has become so commonplace that the London Assembly is backing a plan to install bleed kits at every major bus station and along bus routes experiencing sustained levels of violent crime. Over the weekend, the assembly passed a non-binding resolution asking the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to coordinate with Transport for London (TfL) to distribute the stab wound kits across the bus system.

Notably, the motion is non-binding, meaning the London Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, is not obligated to act on it. Additionally, TfL—citing National Health Service (NHS) guidance—says it does not plan to publicly advertise the availability of the bleed kits should they be installed.

“The current advice from the NHS is that standard first aid kits are sufficient for the majority of bleeding wounds,” a TfL spokesman said. “The NHS also highlights that the effective use of bleed kits requires appropriate training and there is a risk of significant harm if tourniquets, which are usually included in bleed kits, are not used correctly.”

Khan has been a regular target of President Donald J. Trump—and vice versa—with the America First leader saying of the London mayor in December, “I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.”

“He’s got a totally different ideology to what he’s supposed to have… he gets elected because so many [immigrants] have come in,” Trump added.

Image via East London Mosque.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Culture
News

Trump Pulls Biden-Era Grants for LGBT Comics Research and ‘Multiethnic’ Studies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration halted $120,000 in grants for “LGBTQ” and “multiethnic” research projects.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Margaret Alice Galvan, and Maite Urcaregui.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Grants were terminated in April 2025, originally awarded at the end of 2024.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Both grants were awarded at the end of 2024, under the Biden administration, and terminated in April 2025.” – NEH

🎯IMPACT: NEH took steps to ensure future awards are merit-based and do not promote far-left ideology.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has withdrawn $120,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) tied to projects focused on LGBTQ-themed comics and multiethnic studies. The move affects grants originally approved under the former Biden regime.

One of the canceled grants was a $60,000 award to Margaret Alice Galvan, an English professor at the University of Florida. Her research project, “Comics in Movement,” aimed to examine “LGBTQ+” cartoonists in the 1980s and 1990s.

Another $60,000 grant had been awarded to Maite Urcaregui, an assistant professor at San José State University. Her book project, “Seeing Citizenship,” was intended to explore the relationship between race, citizenship, and political belonging within multiethnic graphic literature.

Although both grants still appear on the NEH website, the agency said they were terminated in April 2025 as part of staffing reductions and funding cuts tied to broader federal cost-cutting measures. The NEH said it is also taking steps to ensure future awards are merit-based and aligned with projects that promote an understanding of America’s founding principles.

“Both grants were awarded at the end of 2024, under the Biden administration, and terminated in April 2025,” the agency said.

The funding cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scale back federal support for woke diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Federal officials have pushed agencies and institutions to review or eliminate DEI-related programming tied to taxpayer funding.

Recent actions include threats to cut funding to the Smithsonian Institution if it refuses to comply with a federal review of DEI programs, as well as plans by the State Department to reduce university research funding connected to DEI initiatives. The Department of Justice has also redirected grants previously allocated to transgender and DEI-related programs toward strengthening law enforcement resources.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Economy
War

American Farmers Struggle as Iran War Sparks Fertilizer Crisis, Surge in Fuel Costs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S.–Israeli bombardment of Iran has disrupted global fertilizer and oil supplies, putting economic strain on American farmers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: American farmers, the U.S. and Israeli governments, Iran, and global fertilizer and oil markets.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The conflict began a week ago, impacting the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. farms.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You can’t even buy it right now if you wanted to,” said Chet Edinger, a South Dakota farmer, on the fertilizer situation.

🎯IMPACT: Rising costs for fertilizers and diesel, potential farm bankruptcies, and increased consumer prices for food.

IN FULL

The ongoing U.S.–Israeli military operation against Iran is beginning to disrupt global supply chains, with American farmers already feeling the impact. A major concern is the near-shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s daily oil supply and a quarter of global nitrogen fertilizer supplies.

With maritime traffic slowing dramatically due to security threats and rising insurance costs, shipments of fuel and agricultural inputs have tightened. For farmers preparing for planting season, the timing could not be worse. Fertilizer prices have surged and supplies have become difficult to secure. About a quarter of globally traded nitrogen fertilizer typically moves through the Strait of Hormuz, meaning disruptions quickly ripple through the agricultural economy.

South Dakota farmer Chet Edinger said he anticipated possible shortages and purchased a final shipment of urea fertilizer earlier in the season, though it cost him 22 percent more than the previous year. Since then, the market has effectively stalled. “You can’t even buy it right now if you wanted to,” Edinger said.

The fertilizer market is described by analysts as nearly frozen, with significant price increases already recorded at the Port of New Orleans. With production disrupted in both Iran and Qatar, major exporters of nitrogen-based fertilizers, the global urea supply faces growing pressure. Linville warned that prices are likely to continue climbing until demand drops or supply routes stabilize.

Fuel costs are also rising, further squeezing farm operations that rely heavily on diesel for equipment and transportation. Financial pressure across the agricultural sector is increasing, with farm bankruptcies on the rise and concerns growing that prolonged instability could accelerate consolidation as large corporations acquire struggling farms.

The White House has emphasized that the disruptions are temporary and says the administration remains committed to supporting farmers. President Donald J. Trump recently unveiled a $12 billion aid package to help farmers manage economic shocks and previously promised that farmers would receive a share of tariff revenues from new trade policies.

Meanwhile, Trump has stated he will only accept “unconditional surrender” from Iran in order to end the conflict.

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17 hours ago
1A
TECH

Musk’s X Censors GOP Congressman for Anti-Islam Tweet.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) censored a post by Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Congressman Andy Ogles, Elon Musk, and the European Union (EU).

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 10, 2026, on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The EU has SILENCED my X post that called pluralism a lie and kindly stated that Muslims don’t belong in America.” – Andy Ogles

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights ongoing issues with free speech on social media platforms, and the influence of foreign censorship laws on American citizens, including elected officials.

IN FULL

Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has censored a post by U.S. Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN) in Europe on behalf of the European Union (EU), on grounds that it constitutes “Illegal or Harmful Speech.” Ogles had written, “Muslims don’t belong in America. Pluralism is a lie.”

“The EU has SILENCED my X post that called pluralism a lie and kindly stated that Muslims don’t belong in America,” Ogles posted on Tuesday. “Muslims run their government, and they are silencing free speech. We must not cower to these barbarians. Free speech must win. Share this everywhere,” he added, attaching a message from X.

“We have received a complaint regarding your account, @RepOgles, for the following content,” the message from X to Ogles read, linking to his offending tweet. “In accordance with applicable law, X is now permanently withholding the reported content in the EU, specifically for the following legal grounds: Illegal or Harmful Speech,” the message added.

Despite Musk claiming he would uphold free speech after purchasing X, users are still regularly and often arbitrarily sanctioned for their posts on the platform, and it does not hesitate to enforce foreign censorship regimes overseas, going so far as to ban Turkish opposition figures during protests last year.

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18 hours ago
Immigration
News

White House Abandons ‘Mass Deportations’ Campaign Pledge, Demands GOP Congress Does Same.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair advised House Republicans to shift focus from “mass deportations” to targeting violent criminals.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: James Blair, House Republicans, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 10, 2026, at the House Republicans’ annual retreat in Doral, Florida.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I voted for no new wars & mass deportations. Why are we stopping the mass deportations and starting a new war?” – Caroline Sunshine, Deputy Communications Director of the Trump 2024 campaign

🎯IMPACT: The potential sea-change in White House and GOP strategy on immigration could alienate much of the MAGA movement.

IN FULL

In a private meeting, James Blair, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, encouraged House Republicans to adjust how they discuss immigration. He suggested shifting away from talk of “mass deportations” and narrowing the administration’s efforts to deport only confirmed dangerous criminals.

This guidance arises from worries that Democrats are effectively painting Trump’s immigration approach as excessively sweeping, despite President Donald J. Trump campaigning on an ambiguous promise to deport all illegal aliens. Blair reportedly shared these thoughts in a policy discussion at the yearly House Republican retreat held in Doral, Florida.

Blair appeared to implicitly confirm these reports in a social media post on Tuesday, emphasizing that “Republicans want to keep deporting the violent/criminal illegals” and “Republicans will get the violent criminals out”—with references to removing illegals who have not yet been convicted of a violent crime conspicuously absent.

The change follows the abandonment of a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, following revelations of large-scale Somali fraud in the state. This operation was wound down in the face of aggressive pro-illegal immigrant rhetoric and agitation from state Democrats and leftist activists. The administration appeared to get “the yips” after two anti-ICE activists were killed by federal immigration enforcement, one after hitting an officer with her car and the other, who had a known violent history, after starting a confrontation with officers while in possession of a firearm.

The shift is drawing sharp criticism from many in the President’s MAGA base, some of whom were already unhappy with the administration’s embrace of neoconservative foreign policy by launching the ongoing war in Iran. “I voted for no new wars & mass deportations. Why are we stopping the mass deportations and starting a new war?” asked Caroline Sunshine, who acted as deputy communications director for the Trump 2024 campaign.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
War

Pentagon Confirms 140 U.S. Military Casualties in Iran War.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded since the U.S. war with Iran began last month.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. service members, Pentagon, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The injuries have occurred over ten days of sustained attacks since late last month, during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded over ten days of sustained attacks.” – Sean Parnell

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. military has experienced casualties and incurred significant costs.

IN FULL

The Pentagon has confirmed that roughly 140 American troops have sustained injuries since the U.S.-Israeli “Operation Epic Fury” mission against the Islamic Republic of Iran at the end of February. Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon, disclosed that, “Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded over ten days of sustained attacks.”

Parnell stressed that most of these wounds are not serious, and 108 troops have already resumed their roles. That said, eight individuals are still dealing with critical injuries and are receiving top-tier medical treatment. These injury statistics emerge alongside accounts of seven American troops losing their lives in battle, which includes fatalities from an assault on a temporary U.S. military hub in Kuwait.

Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, revealed plans to ramp up American offensives against Iran, declaring on Tuesday, “Today will be, yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran. The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes. Intelligence is more refined and better than ever.”

The ongoing hostilities have incurred substantial expenses, with the Pentagon having allocated approximately $5.6 billion for ammunition in the conflict’s initial 48 hours alone.

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