5 Big News Stories Overnight - Saturday, March 14, 2026

U.S.: Trump's Latest Claim

Trump posted to social media:

Donald J. Trump

Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island. Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision. During my First Term, and currently, I rebuilt our Military into the Most Lethal, Powerful, and Effective Force, by far, anywhere in the World. Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

Los Angeles: Oscars Security Tighter Than Ever: 1-mile Police Buffer Amid Iran War

LA Times reports:

Security has been tighter at the Oscars every year since 9/11. While law enforcement officials don’t publicly share all of the safeguards in place, sources have told The Times that even the air around the event is constantly checked for potential hazards, including radiation.

Middle East: F1 to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Races

Telegraph reports:

Formula One will cancel next month’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races in the next 48 hours, with the season set to be dropped to 22 races.

There was no official confirmation from the sport on Friday, but Telegraph Sport understands a decision has already been made with the conflict in the Middle East not going away any time soon.

Freight would need to start being shipped to the Middle East in the next week or so, which has focused minds. But the final decision has looked obvious for the last week or so.

Formula One had looked at replacing the Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi (April 19) races with venues such as Istanbul, Portimão or Imola. But at such short notice those replacement venues would be unlikely to pay a hosting fee, so it became a question of whether it was worth shipping all the freight and organising all the logistics.

PHOTO: Wyatt Simpson, Unsplash

U.S.: U.S. DOJ Blocked

Wall Street Journal reports:

A federal judge threw out a pair of subpoenas the Justice Department issued to the Federal Reserve, handing a victory to the central bank and dealing a heavy blow to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s criminal investigation into Chair Jerome Powell.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled the subpoenas were improper, in a 27-page opinion unsealed Friday that highlighted President Trump’s repeated public attacks on Powell.

“There is abundant evidence that the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the President or to resign and make way for a Fed Chair who will,” wrote Boasberg, an appointee of former President Barack Obama.

The judge said the government had produced “essentially zero evidence” that Powell had committed a crime.

U.S.: Kennedy Center Exit

New York Times reports:

Richard Grenell, a close ally of President Trump, is leaving his position as head of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after a tumultuous year that included an exodus of artists and audiences from the Washington cultural institution.

Mr. Trump announced Mr. Grenell’s departure from the center, which will soon close for two years of renovations, in a post on social media on Friday afternoon.

“Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done,” Mr. Trump wrote.

PHOTO: Tom Small CC: 2.0