5 Big News Stories Overnight - Thursday, March 26, 2026

Middle East: Iran Rejects Trump's Peace Plan

Bloomberg reports:

Iran said it rejected a US ceasefire proposal and maintained attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab states, delivering a blow to Washington’s efforts to end a war the Trump administration started alongside Israel almost a month ago.

America’s 15-point peace plan stipulates that the Islamic Republic dismantle its main nuclear facilities and use a reduced missile arsenal in self-defense only, according to several people familiar with the matter. Iran would get certain concessions in return, including sanctions relief.

But Tehran has its own conditions for a ceasefire. Iran wants guarantees that the US and Israel won’t resume their attacks, alongside reparations for war damages and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, it said.

The White House insisted that peace talks with Iran are ongoing, even as Tehran publicly rejected US overtures. Vice President JD Vance may travel to Pakistan for Iran talks this weekend, CNN reported. Trump has said he hopes to reach an agreement by the end of the week.

U.S.: Meta and YouTube Lose Landmark Social-Media Addiction Trial

Wall Street Journal reports:

A 20-year-old woman prevailed in a landmark social-media trial against Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube in which the companies were accused of designing their apps to be addictive and harmful to adolescents.

A jury found Instagram’s owner Meta and YouTube negligent for operating a product that harmed kids and teens and failed to warn about those dangers. The decision dealt a blow to the companies that have historically been shielded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

The jury ordered the companies to pay $3 million to the plaintiff, named Kaley G.M., who testified that social-media use that started before she was a teenager had dominated her life for years and had contributed to mental health issues including anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia. The jury also said Meta and YouTube should pay another $3 million in punitive damages.

Middle East: Russia set to arm Iran with drones

Telegraph reports:

Russia is set to send a shipment of drones to Iran in what would mark the first known transfer of lethal munitions from Moscow to Tehran since the war began.

Senior Iranian and Russian officials began discussing drone deliveries just days into the conflict, two officials briefed on Western intelligence reports told the Financial Times (FT).

The shipment is expected to be processed by the end of March.

Russia is one of Iran’s closest allies and has provided crucial satellite, targeting and intelligence data, along with humanitarian aid.

Iran has fired more than 3,000 drones in its retaliatory attacks against Israel and Gulf states in the past four weeks. 

U.S.: 'TSA staffing shortage and upcoming World Cup will create ‘perfect storm’, warns acting head'

The Guardian reports:

The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Wednesday that airports across the country are experiencing the “highest wait times in TSA history”, as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its sixth week.

At a House homeland security committee hearing, Ha Nguyen McNeill said her agency has been shut down for 50% of the fiscal year so far – a stretch that includes last year’s record-breaking 43‑day lapse in federal funding. She told lawmakers that by Friday, TSA employees will have missed $1bn in paychecks as a result of the closures.

“Many in our workforce have missed bill payments, received eviction notices, had their cars repossessed and utilities shut off, lost their childcare, defaulted on loans, damaged their credit line, and drained their retirement savings,” she said. “Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet.”

Philadelphia: 4 AM Closing Time

Bars in Philadelphia can stay open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup and America’s 250th under bill headed to Shapiro

Many Philadelphia bars will likely get to stay open until 4 a.m. this summer during the FIFA World Cup and the nation's 250th anniversary celebration under state legislation approved Wednesday afternoon.

The bill, which is supported by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration, has been passed by the Senate and House, and is slated for final approval by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Supporters of the legislation say it will help the city welcome the thousands of visitors expected to travel to Philadelphia this summer. But not all are happy about the possibility of later last calls.