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Friday, March 20, 2026
14 minutes ago
TECH

Social Media Causing ‘Massive’ Harm to Teens: Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new report has suggested that social media platforms are harming teens at a “massive scale” due to their algorithmic designs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Academics from New York University (NYU) and other researchers contributing to the World Happiness Report.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The findings were published on Thursday as part of the World Happiness Report, examining global social trends.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Combining all seven lines of evidence reveals consistent and converging evidence that the major social media platforms… are dangerous consumer products that harm adolescents at a massive scale,” the report states.

🎯IMPACT: The report’s findings may influence ongoing discussions in the United States and the United Kingdom regarding potential restrictions on social media use by minors.

IN FULL

A recent World Happiness Report has highlighted the substantial risks social media poses to teenagers, describing the impact as being on a “massive scale.” Authored by New York University academics, the study warns that algorithm-driven platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are “dangerous consumer products.”

The report cites “overwhelming evidence” of both direct and indirect harms. Direct effects include sextortion and cyberbullying, while indirect consequences involve higher rates of depression and anxiety. Researchers suggest that widespread adolescent use of social media in the early 2010s contributed to rising mental health issues by the mid-2010s in many Western countries.

“Combining all seven lines of evidence reveals consistent and converging evidence that the major social media platforms… are dangerous consumer products that harm adolescents at a massive scale,” the study states. The analysis draws on seven global studies, including empirical research, anecdotal evidence, and leaked internal company documents.

Governments are increasingly considering policies to protect minors. In the U.S., jurors are evaluating a landmark trial alleging that social media exacerbated mental health problems among young users. Reports also indicate that President Donald J. Trump has considered banning minors from social media altogether.

Concerns extend beyond social media. Google has reportedly provided instructions to minors on bypassing parental controls, and popular online games for children have been identified as potential havens for predators.

Image by Artem Podrez.

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11 hours ago
War

Netanyahu Calls for ‘Ground Component’ in Iran War.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “Iran is being decimated” as the U.S. and Israel target its missile and nuclear programs, while emphasizing the need for a ground component for regime change.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald J. Trump, and the Iranian regime.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Netanyahu’s remarks were made on March 19 during a press conference, following comments by President Trump in the Oval Office earlier that day.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You don’t want to replace one ayatollah with another. You don’t want to replace Hitler with Hitler.” – Benjamin Netanyahu

🎯IMPACT: Netanyahu’s comments underscore the complexities of addressing Iran’s regime, with potential implications for U.S.-Israel cooperation and regional stability.

IN FULL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on March 19 that “Iran is being decimated,” as Israel and the United States continue targeting the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. However, he emphasized that achieving real regime change in Iran would require a “ground component.” He warned, “You don’t want to replace one ayatollah with another. You don’t want to replace Hitler with Hitler.”

Netanyahu stressed that the Iranian people must ultimately drive change. “We can create the conditions, but they have to, you know, they have to exploit those conditions at a certain point,” he said. He further highlighted the limits of air campaigns alone, stating, “You can do a lot of things from the air, and we’re doing [them,] but… there has to be a ground component as well.” Although he did not specify what such operations might entail, he suggested there were “many possibilities.”

His remarks come amid a series of Israeli strikes targeting Iran, including the recent elimination of Iran’s intelligence minister, part of a broader campaign against Tehran’s political, military, and intelligence infrastructure.

Netanyahu also dismissed accusations that Israel had pressured the United States into confronting Iran, claiming that President Donald J. Trump was already aware of an Iranian nuclear threat. “He explained it to me, I didn’t explain it to him,” Netanyahu said regarding their discussions.

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12 hours ago
Lawfare

DOJ Warns Letitia James Over Threats Against Hospital that Stopped Transing Minors.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) warned New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) to back away from her fight with NYU Langone Health over its decision to stop providing certain irreversible transgender surgical and hormonal procedures to minors, arguing federal law does not require the hospital to offer these treatments.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and NYU Langone Health.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The DOJ’s letter was sent on Wednesday, addressing actions in New York regarding NYU Langone Health’s decision last month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “NYU Langone’s exercise of its sound discretion to not provide such services and procedures does not constitute discrimination on any of these grounds.” — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ’s warning sets the stage for a potential legal battle over the state’s authority and federal law regarding medical discretion for transgender treatments.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a warning to New York Attorney General Letitia James, urging her to step back from pursuing legal action against NYU Langone Health. In February, The National Pulse reported that the hospital had decided to discontinue certain transgender surgical and hormonal procedures for minors, a move James claims violates state anti-discrimination laws.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the DOJ disagreed with James’s interpretation of the law. He asserted that NYU Langone’s policy was not discriminatory, explaining that the hospital’s decision to stop providing these treatments was within its medical discretion and did not violate anti-discrimination statutes, which “[prohibit] discrimination based on, among other things, sex, gender identity, and disability.”

The hospital had announced last month that it would end its Transgender Youth Health Program, citing the departure of its medical director and the current regulatory environment. “Given the recent departure of our medical director, coupled with the current regulatory environment, we made the difficult decision to discontinue our Transgender Youth Health Program,” said NYU Langone spokesman Steve Ritea. Ritea emphasized that this policy change does not affect pediatric mental health care programs.

James responded to the hospital’s decision with a legal threat, giving NYU Langone 10 days to reinstate the program. She argued there was no federal mandate requiring the cessation of transgender healthcare, which included treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for minors—both of which can often produce irreversible physical changes.

Blanche noted the DOJ’s position aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which upheld Tennessee’s ban on certain transgender medical procedures for minors. He further clarified that NYU Langone’s policy does not bar transgender minors from accessing treatments like puberty blockers for conditions unrelated to gender dysphoria, reinforcing the hospital’s compliance with federal law.

Image by Freelancers Union.

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12 hours ago
Economy
TECH

Fed Chair Blames AI Data Centers for Rising Bills, Inflation Concerns.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the AI-driven data center boom is contributing to inflation rather than reducing it, as some anticipated.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Federal Reserve officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Remarks were made during a press conference on Wednesday following the Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In the short term, what’s happening is we’re building data centers everywhere, and that’s actually putting pressure on all kinds of goods and services that go into building these things.” – Jerome Powell

🎯IMPACT: Americans face higher costs, with electricity prices projected to rise and utilities seeking record rate increases due to the strain on the power grid.

IN FULL

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged yesterday that the surge in data center construction, fueled by artificial intelligence (AI), is contributing to inflation. He explained that the demand for goods and services required for these projects is driving prices upward, contrary to expectations of AI-driven productivity gains lowering costs. Notably, the concerning lack of productivity gains continues to fuel global economic fears that AI investments could be forming a deeply destructive financial bubble.

“In the short term, what’s happening is we’re building data centers everywhere, and that’s actually putting pressure on all kinds of goods and services that go into building these things,” Powell remarked during a press conference. He added that this trend is “probably pushing inflation up” rather than down.

Powell’s comments came in response to questions about whether the Federal Reserve’s revised long-term growth estimates, increased from 1.8 percent to 2 percent, were influenced by optimism surrounding AI-driven productivity. He noted that the current physical infrastructure demands of AI outpace any immediate productivity benefits, suggesting that the disinflationary effects of AI remain theoretical for now.

The strain on resources caused by the data center boom has real-world implications. Goldman Sachs recently warned that consumer electricity prices could rise by 6 percent between 2026 and 2027, partly due to the pressure data centers place on the power grid. Utilities have already requested a record $31 billion in rate increases for 2025, disproportionately affecting lower-income households.

Powell expressed surprise at the sustained high productivity levels in recent years and noted that the full impact of generative AI has yet to materialize. “We haven’t really started to see the effects of generative AI,” he said, adding, “And that should certainly contribute. But it’s an empirical question—is demand growing faster or slower than the supply side? We just don’t know.”

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13 hours ago
Politics

TSA Agents Resort to Selling Blood Amid Democrat Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are donating blood for cash to cover expenses during a partial government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TSA agents, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl, and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, across the United States at major airports.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our people are hurting. We have individuals sleeping in their cars.” – Adam Stahl

🎯IMPACT: Long security lines, missed flights, and financial struggles for TSA workers, with some airports at risk of closure.

IN FULL

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have begun selling blood for cash as the Democrat-led partial government shutdown leaves them without pay. The shutdown, which began on February 14, is due to Senate Democrats repeatedly blocking funding measures for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ongoing operations to enforce federal immigration statutes.

Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl revealed that some workers are “drawing blood to afford to pay for gas to get to work.” This marks the second time TSA agents have gone unpaid due to a shutdown, with many already missing a full paycheck. Stahl described the dire circumstances, stating, “Our people are hurting. We have individuals sleeping in their cars.” Though it remains unclear which blood products agents are donating for compensation, plasma donations typically offer cash payments, unlike whole blood donations. As the shutdown stretches beyond one month, increasing numbers of TSA agents are calling out of work, exacerbating long security lines at airports.

Major airports such as John F. Kennedy International in New York and Newark International in New Jersey have reported wait times up to 43 and 36 minutes, respectively. Spring Break travelers at destinations like Orlando and Honolulu are also encountering long delays, with some lines exceeding 45 minutes. At Atlanta‘s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest, roughly 36 percent of TSA workers failed to show up, resulting in hour-long waits for passengers.

Union leaders have highlighted the financial hardships faced by TSA employees. Aaron Baker, president of a union representing Georgia’s TSA workers, stated, “Many are coping with eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, empty refrigerators, and overdrawn bank accounts.” He added, “Every available financial option has been exhausted,” during a press conference outside Hartsfield-Jackson. Hundreds of agents have already quit, leaving only 50,000 TSA workers nationwide.

The crisis has prompted Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, to urge Congress to resolve the funding impasse. “We have to get DHS funded,” Mullin said during his confirmation hearing.

Image by Michael Ball.

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13 hours ago
News
War

Denmark Made Military Preparations to Resist Greenland Takeover.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Danish preparations to resist a forcible U.S. takeover of Greenland have been revealed, including the transport of explosives to the territory to blow up runways and prevent potential U.S. military landings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Danish government and military, European allies, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 2026, Greenland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The U.S. would have to carry out a hostile act to get Greenland.” – Danish defense source.

🎯IMPACT: Background tensions over Greenland between the U.S. and Europe remain elevated.

IN FULL

Danish soldiers were deployed to Greenland with explosives and blood supplies to prepare to resist a U.S. takeover, sources have revealed. The Scandinavian country made active preparations to destroy runways to prevent U.S. military aircraft from landing, according to sources in Denmark, France, and Germany.

Sources also revealed that Denmark sought political support from European allies, including France and Germany, to oppose U.S. demands for control over Greenland. The Danish initiative aimed to create a European political alliance, while avoiding further escalation with the U.S.

The situation escalated in January 2026 when news broke of the U.S. raid on Venezuela. This prompted Denmark to accelerate the deployment of soldiers to Greenland. Elite forces from Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden were flown to Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, accompanied by Danish fighter planes and a French warship.

The deployment was part of a plan to deter the U.S. from attempting to occupy Greenland militarily. Danish soldiers were prepared to fight if necessary, despite acknowledging that they could not withstand an American attack. The operation was presented as an exercise called ‘Arctic Endurance,’ but it was a serious defense effort.

The Greenland crisis prompted Europe to reassess its security strategies. Denmark, along with other European countries, announced a strategic nuclear cooperation with France.

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14 hours ago
NatSec
War

Drones Reportedly Seen Over Military Base Housing Rubio, Hegseth.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Unidentified drones were allegedly detected above Fort Lesley J. McNair, prompting increased security measures and White House discussions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and senior administration officials, alongside Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., over a single night in the last 10 days.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible.” – Sean Parnell

🎯IMPACT: Officials considered relocating Rubio and Hegseth, though they remain at Fort McNair. Heightened security measures have been implemented at various U.S. military installations.

IN FULL

Unidentified drones were reportedly spotted above Fort Lesley J. McNair, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reside. The sightings, which occurred on a single night within the past 10 days, have prompted increased security measures and discussions at the White House about how to respond.

Officials were unable to determine the origin of the drones, and two sources revealed that relocating Rubio and Hegseth was briefly considered. However, the two secretaries remain at the base, which also houses the National Defense University and some of the Pentagon’s most senior officials.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to comment on the drones or the secretaries’ movements when asked by The Washington Post, stating, “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible.” Fort McNair, located near Capitol Hill and the White House along the Anacostia River, has not traditionally housed political leaders, though it has recently been home to several officials.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide. Earlier this week, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, which hosts U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was placed under lockdown after a suspicious package was discovered. A second security incident at the base led to a shelter-in-place order for several hours.

Additionally, a leaked State Department cable ordered all U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide to conduct immediate security evaluations, citing potential spillover effects from the developing situation in the Middle East. Reports of unidentified drones near high-profile locations are not new and have been a recurring issue since 2020, following the U.S. operation that eliminated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

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15 hours ago
News
War

U.S. Stealth Jet Struck by Iranian Fire for First Time.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An American F-35 stealth fighter made an emergency landing after reportedly being struck by Iranian fire during a combat mission.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. military, Iranian forces, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins.

📍WHEN & WHERE: During a combat mission over Iran in March 2026, the emergency landing occurred at a base in the Middle East.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation.” – Capt. Tim Hawkins

🎯IMPACT: Marks the first time Iran has reportedly struck a U.S. aircraft in the ongoing conflict, and is the first time an enemy combatant has been able to target a F-35 stealth fighter successfully.

IN FULL

For the first time, an American F-35 stealth fighter was hit by an enemy combatant. The F-35 was struck by Iranian fire while flying a combat mission over Iran. While the $100 million aircraft was slightly damaged in the attack, it landed safely at a U.S. base in the Middle East, and the pilot is reported to be in stable condition.

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said, adding, “This incident is under investigation.”

This marks the first time Iran has reportedly hit a U.S. aircraft during the conflict, which began in late February. Both the U.S. and Israel are utilizing the F-35, a stealth aircraft, in the ongoing war. Notably, the incident is reminiscent of—though likely less costly than—the 1999 shootdown of a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth ground-attack aircraft in Buđanovci, Serbia. The F-117 was hit by shrapnel from an S-125 Neva/Pechora surface-to-air missile, though the warhead did not directly impact the aircraft itself.

The Iran war has already resulted in significant air losses for the U.S. military. Early in the operation, three jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces, though all six crew members successfully ejected and were later greeted by locals in viral videos. Additionally, six service members lost their lives when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed. Investigators have not yet determined whether enemy fire contributed to that incident.

In total, 13 U.S. service members have died in the ongoing war.

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15 hours ago
War

Japan and Some European Allies Now Say They Will Help Reopen Strait of Hormuz.

ULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Five European nations and Japan have expressed readiness to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Iran, following calls for support from President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The statement was issued on Thursday, addressing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks in the Persian Gulf region.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf,” the nations said in a joint statement. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”

🎯IMPACT: The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil and fertilizer supplies, with disruptions threatening energy and food security worldwide.

IN FULL

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan released a joint statement on Thursday expressing their willingness to support initiatives aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as the Iran war continues to escalate. “We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the statement said.

The countries voiced deep concern about the war and urged Iran “to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.” They also indicated their preparedness to participate in measures to guarantee secure navigation through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil and fertilizer transit route and has experienced significant interruptions after U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran prompted the Islamic Republic to target shipping in the waterway. Earlier this week, President Donald J. Trump urged nations that depend heavily on Middle Eastern oil—including China, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and France—to provide naval assistance in safeguarding the strait.

“We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours,” Trump stated. “We want them to come and help us.” Trump also cautioned NATO members about potential repercussions if they do not contribute to protecting this essential maritime passage, arguing that the alliance cannot be a “one-way” street in which America provides support but receives none in return.

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16 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
War

U.S. National Gas Average Hits Biden-Era Levels.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: American gas prices have hit their highest levels since 2023, with the national average now at $3.88 per gallon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The oil and gas industry, President Donald J. Trump, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Gulf States, and American consumers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, March 19, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The last time U.S. gas prices approached $4.00 per gallon was in September 2023, when, under former President Joe Biden, the price per gallon hit $3.83. Still, the current peak price has a ways to go to reach its highest point over the past 30 years, which occurred in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gas cost $4.92.

IN FULL

American gas prices have hit their highest levels since 2023, with the national average now at $3.88 per gallon. The cost of energy, especially oil and natural gas, has surged in recent weeks after President Donald J. Trump authorized the U.S. military to strike political and military targets in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In retaliation, the Iranian regime has effectively forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint in the Persian Gulf through which over 20 percent of global oil flows—and targeted oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring Gulf States.

The last time U.S. gas prices approached $4.00 per gallon was in September 2023, when, under former President Joe Biden, the price per gallon hit $3.83. Still, the current peak price has a ways to go to reach its highest point over the past 30 years, which occurred in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gas cost $4.92.

Concerningly, the 2022 peak price was predominantly driven by a breakdown in global supply chains and the shutdown of oil refineries worldwide. The current global energy crisis is rooted in similar factors, including a supply crunch caused by the closure of Gulf State oil and gas facilities and the cessation of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This suggests gas prices could climb higher unless supply pressure is alleviated.

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that the Iran conflict is wreaking havoc on Asian energy markets, forcing a number of countries to implement extraordinary measures to prevent runaway prices and shore up domestic petroleum reserves. In the Philippines, government officials have imposed a four-day workweek to cut electricity use and fuel consumption. Additionally, companies have been told their employees should shut off computers when not in use and keep the work area air conditioning set at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Vietnam, meanwhile, is pressing refiners to work in overdrive to keep up supply, while Thailand is attempting to stretch its two-month fuel reserve well past its anticipated depletion date. Both Thailand and Vietnam have implemented emergency subsidies to shield most households from spiking energy costs in the short term.

Asia’s two most populous nations, China and India, are being hit especially hard. India is focusing on keeping prices down for residential consumers, mainly through subsidies. China, however, which accounted for 80 to 90 percent of Iran’s oil sales, has been forced to increase its price cap on gasoline and diesel. The new cap marks the highest increase since 2022.

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