“The US has banned new foreign-made consumer internet routers over [fake] national security concerns. In an update on Monday to a list of equipment seen as not secure enough for use, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers made outside the US. … Any new router made outside the US will now need to be approved by the FCC before it can be imported, marketed, or sold in the country. In order to get that approval, companies manufacturing routers outside the US must apply for conditional approval in a process that will require the disclosure of the firm’s foreign investors or influence, as well as a plan to bring the manufacturing of the routers to the US.” [editor’s note: In other words, the US regime is suppressing price competition on behalf of some Trump crony – TLK] (03/24/26)
“Ukraine has struck Russia’s largest western export terminal in an effort to stifle Moscow’s windfall from rising global oil prices. A wave of drones targeted the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, which exports one million barrels of crude a day and serves as a hub for the Kremlin’s sanctions-busting ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers. Satellite images showed a huge fire and thick plumes of smoke above the facility near Finland, 570 miles from the Ukrainian border, after several fuel reservoirs were hit. Ukrainian drones struck Primorsk last September, but the considerably more explosive results of the latest attack have fuelled speculation missiles were used, specifically the new Flamingo weapon, which has a 1,150kg warhead. An oil refinery in the central Russian city of Ufa was also targeted and forced to suspend operations.” (03/23/26)
“At least 66 people have died and dozens of others have been wounded after a Colombian military plane with 125 people on board crashed after takeoff in the south of the country, officials have said. The Lockheed Martin-built C-130 Hercules aircraft went down on Monday shortly after it had departed from Puerto Leguizamo, near the southern border with Ecuador and Peru, strewing burning wreckage on the jungle floor.” (03/24/26)
“The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary on Monday, following a fiery hearing last week where Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) claimed his colleague was too angry for the promotion. In a 54-45 vote, the Oklahoma Republican senator was approved to lead the beleaguered Department of Homeland Security, where carrying out the president’s ‘mass deportations’ actions has led to low public approval in the second year of his term. … two Democrats — Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) — supported Mullin to helm DHS, along with 52 Republicans. Paul was the lone GOP ‘no’ vote on his confirmation.” (03/23/26)
“China took steps to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on Monday, increasing the regulated ceiling prices for retail gasoline and diesel but limiting the hike to about half what would normally be applied under the government’s pricing mechanism. The adjustments brought on by rising oil prices linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran were still the largest on record, however, lifting price limits close to levels seen in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. State planner the National Development and Reform Commission said on Monday it would raise the maximum retail prices for gasoline and diesel by 1,160 yuan ($168) per metric ton and 1,115 yuan per metric ton, respectively, starting from Monday midnight.” (03/23/26)
“Pfizer on Monday said it will seek regulatory approval for a Lyme disease vaccine candidate despite the shot failing a late-stage trial. Pfizer said the vaccine missed the trial’s statistical goal because not enough people in the study contracted Lyme disease to be confident in the results. Still, the company said the shot reduced the rate of infection by more than 70% in people who received the vaccine versus placebo, efficacy the company thinks is strong enough to take to regulators. … A vaccine for Lyme disease isn’t expected to become a best-seller for Pfizer …. But Pfizer had billed the Lyme vaccine results as one of its major catalysts this year, and it represented a chance to introduce the only human vaccine for Lyme disease.” (03/23/26)
“Zimbabwe has detained the leading opponent to planned constitutional amendments that would extend the rule of the country’s 83-year-old president and make the post elected by Parliament, not the people. Former finance minister Tendai Biti was set to appear in court on Monday. It’s the highest profile detention yet of critics of the attempt to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his rule, due to end in 2028, by two years. Police in recent months have banned meetings or arrested people for gathering to express opposition. Biti leads the Constitutional Defenders Forum, a group campaigning against the amendments. CDF spokesman Jacob Rukweza said Biti and programs director Morgan Ncube are accused of holding a public meeting without notifying police.” (03/23/26)
“The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an attempt by a citizen journalist to revive her civil rights claim after she was arrested for soliciting information from a police officer. At issue in the case brought by reporter Priscilla Villarreal was whether the officials in Laredo, Texas, could claim the legal defense of ‘qualified immunity,’ which would protect them from being sued. The court’s refusal to hear the case means her claim that the officials had violated the Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, cannot go forward.” (03/23/26)
“DoorDash is offering extra compensation to U.S. and Canadian drivers as part of a temporary program to help offset rising gas prices. The San Francisco-based delivery company announced the program Monday as the national average price for gas hit $3.96 per gallon in the U.S., according to AAA. That’s 35% higher than one month ago. DoorDash said U.S. drivers with a DoorDash debit card will earn 10% cash back on any gas purchase, up from the usual rate of 2%. More than half of DoorDash drivers have the card, the company said. The company said drivers who travel 125 miles or more while making deliveries will also receive a weekly fuel payment, starting at $5 and up to a maximum of $15. … It’s not yet clear if rivals will match DoorDash’s payments.” (03/23/26)
“Federal immigration officers have arrived at U.S. airports, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s pledge to deploy them to help the Transportation Security Administration during a partial government shutdown. The shutdown has caused long lines at security checkpoints across the country. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.” (03/23/26)
