March 11, 2026

Dems call for probe into 'troubling pattern' of legal wins for Pam Bondi's brother - ABC News

Two Democrats are calling on the DOJ internal watchdog to launch a probe into what they say is a "troubling pattern" of favorable outcomes for Brad Bondi's clients. ABC News' Olivia Rubin reports.

March 11, 2026

Total Nightmare - Joe Blogs

The war in Iran is entering a dangerous new phase, and the global economy is starting to feel the impact.

Over the last 24 hours we’ve seen further attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, including ships being struck and new concerns about naval mines that could keep the world’s most important oil shipping lane effectively closed.

But the disruption is no longer limited to shipping.

Across the Middle East, oil production is being cut as attacks continue on infrastructure and energy facilities, forcing major producers such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait to scale back output. Millions of barrels per day have already been removed from global supply, raising concerns about a prolonged energy shock.

At the same time, the economics of this war are becoming increasingly clear.

Iran is using relatively cheap drones and asymmetric tactics to disrupt shipping, infrastructure and regional stability, while the United States is being forced to deploy extremely expensive missile systems to intercept those threats. In the first two days alone, the US reportedly used $5.6 billion worth of missiles, and further funding of up to $50 billion may be required to sustain military operations.

This raises an important question:

Is the Iran conflict becoming an asymmetric nightmare for the United States and the global economy?

In this video I look at the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the growing disruption to Middle Eastern oil production, and why this conflict could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets.

March 11, 2026

Ukraine delivers most successful attack and destroys 5 Russian ships in unprecedented drone strike - RFU News

Today, the biggest news comes from Russia.

Here, Russian naval power is facing one of its most dramatic setbacks of the war, signaling another decisive turn in the Black Sea. However, the scale of Ukraine’s latest strike not only represents a major blow to the Russian Navy but also demonstrates how Ukraine, unlike Iran, can counter a large naval adversary.

While the world was distracted by US strikes on Iran, Ukraine launched a truly massive drone operation against Novorossiysk, targeting Russia’s most important Black Sea naval hubs. Russia had already relocated a substantial portion of its Black Sea Fleet to Novorossiysk after repeated Ukrainian strikes made its Crimean bases increasingly untenable, which meant the attack targeted the very port Russia had designated as its safer alternative. The attack unfolded as a coordinated strike involving both aerial and maritime drones, designed to saturate Russian defenses and force rapid depletion of interceptors before more assets could be moved in. Russian sources and independent monitoring channels reported that approximately 200 drones were deployed in successive waves. The scale of the attack far exceeded previous Ukrainian naval and aerial drone operations, proving overwhelming for Russian radar coverage and air defense systems.

In the first wave, Ukrainians destroyed the guidance radar of the S 300 air defense system, and a modern Pantsir S2 air defense unit meant to protect the port. With Russian defenses degraded and spent, subsequent waves were able to damage at least five moored Russian warships, marking one of the most successful Ukrainian naval operations of the war. Confirmed hits included the minesweeper Valentin Pikul, which sustained the heaviest damage, and the corvettes Yeysk and Kasimov. Satellite analysis by independent groups suggested additional damage to the frigate Admiral Essen, including impacts to its superstructure. Interestingly, judging by aftermath and satellite footage of the strikes, Ukrainians targeted electronic warfare systems, radars, and air defense systems onboard of the warships, before subsequent strikes focused on more structural damage to the vessels. Additionally, the strike triggered explosions all across the port area, including at the Sheskharis oil terminal, where six of seven Russian oil tankers present were hit, causing a fire that burned throughout the night and well into the morning. Casualty reports indicated that during the attack, three Russian servicemen were killed, and more than a dozen were wounded. The level of damage within a single night underscores the effectiveness of massed unmanned systems against traditional naval assets. Despite lacking a conventional navy, Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to damage Russia’s Black Sea Fleet through scalable and inventive drone warfare tactics and systems. The Novorossiysk strike reinforces this trend by showing that even Russia’s most heavily defended port is vulnerable when confronted with Ukraine’s coordinated drone swarms.

The scale of Russia’s losses prompts interesting comparisons with another recent episode involving Iran, whose fleet suffered heavy losses facing the United States. Both Russia and Iran position themselves as central actors within an informal axis of resistance to Western influence, yet both have experienced notable maritime vulnerabilities. However, the expectations between the two countries differ regarding the enemy they are facing. In fact, Iran losing ships to the United States aligns more with established power dynamics, while Russia losing approximately one-third of its Black Sea Fleet to a state without a navy represents a deeper strategic embarrassment. In both cases, the catastrophic losses of the axis of resistance suggest that they have both failed to adapt to the realities of modern warfare. Ukraine’s success therein is rooted not in parity of force but in exploiting Russian vulnerabilities through persistent innovation, rapid iteration of drone platforms, and the ability to coordinate large-scale strikes that bypass conventional naval deterrence.

Overall, the Ukrainian strike challenges again Russia’s presence in the Black Sea, whose remaining naval assets face increasing exposure to continued Ukrainian drone operations. The broader implication is that traditional naval power is becoming more difficult to sustain without rapid adaptation to emerging threats.

March 11, 2026

Iran war: 3 ships struck in Strait of Hormuz - CNN

Three vessels were hit by unknown projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz today, the UK’s maritime agency said. Three crew members on board a Thai vessel remain unaccounted for after it was struck today. Sources told CNN Tehran had begun laying mines in the key waterway.

Meanwhile, Maersk's CEO warned of supply chain issues as the war continues, and a US diplomatic post in Iraq was hit by a suspected Iranian drone.

0:00 Thai-flagged cargo ship on fire in Strait of Hormuz
3:31 CNN's Richard Quest breaks down importance of key shipping lane
4:22 Maersk CEO forecasts supply chain problems if war drags on
5:38 Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by mines, attacks
7:15 US diplomatic support center in Iraq hit by suspected Iranian drone

March 11, 2026

Trump confronted over bombshell war crime report - Pondering Politics

Donald Trump was finally confronted to his face about the latest US military report that Trump bombed an Iranian school.

March 11, 2026

Let's talk about Trump's chicken and waffles on his signature threat almost immediately.... - Belle of the Ranch

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump chicken and waffles on his signature threat almost immediately.

Trump recently made a threat to withhold his signature from any legislation until the SAVE Act is passed. We talked about how Congress was secretly laughing at his nonsensical threat. If you don't know, Trump isn't a king. His ascent is not required. If he doesn't sign a bill, it becomes law after 10 days. It's not a threat.

The reaction to Trump's temper tantrum in the Senate was frankly pretty funny. Trump needs Senate Majority Leader John Thune to alter the rules of the Senate and nuke the filibuster to get the votes needed for Trump's bill aimed at making it harder to vote.

Thune said, and I'm not joking, this is a real quote. "Yeah, that's not going to happen." He went on, "The President clearly is very interested in getting the SAVE America bill up and voted on, although he wants a modified version of it and so, we'll do our best to do that. But the one thing I've said all along is and I've told him and others that I can't guarantee an outcome. I can't guarantee a result. If the result is only achieved by nuking the legislative filibuster, we don't have the votes to do that and so that's not a, that's just not a realistic option.”

As promised, Thune looks like he's moving forward with something next week without a rules change. But it gets better. People started pointing out the potential legislation he would be refusing to sign. Things like DHS funding or supplemental military funding for the war he started. Imagine being sent to fight a war to distract from a failing economy, failing policies, and the Epstein files only to get over there and the same guy who started the war refuses to sign the funding needed to fight it?

As soon as this was pointed out, the Trump administration had a full course meal of taco, chicken, and waffles and crow. An administration officials said, “The President was referring to other bills, not DHS funding.” Then went on to say that if that was sent to Trump's desk, “the President will of course fund the agency.”

So, in other words, his big threat is completely meaningless. It was a bunch of bluster aimed at people who haven't read the Constitution and who don't understand politics. What he really meant is that he wouldn't sign things he didn't agree with, which has always been the case. Trump's ultimatums to his own party are being laughed at. No wonder he hasn't gotten anywhere with Putin or Iran. When a President's own party is laughing at him and saying flat out, "Yeah, that's not going to happen." Well, how much lame could a lame duck lame if a lame duck could duck lame?

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

March 11, 2026

The War in Iran is Hurting Russia More Than We Thought - Paul Warburg

The Iran War is quickly changing the nature of Russia's war against Ukraine - in significant ways. From weapons supplies (Patriot missiles), to energy prices, much has been made of how Russia benefits from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But this may miss the mark. It turns out, Russia stands to lose far more than they stand to gain from the Iran War, and Ukraine is gaining meaningfully advantages. Whether it be in weapons sales or military expertise, Ukraine is proving it has a place in the global order. In this video, I talk about the full impacts of the Iran War on the Ukraine War, and why it could become a long term game changer for Ukraine.

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The following summary is AI-generated.

- Russia’s short-term gains are overstated: While higher oil prices and diverted Western weapons (like Patriots) may seem beneficial, Russia’s sanctions limit its ability to capitalize fully, and Ukraine wasn’t receiving significant quantities of those systems anyway.

- Iran’s degradation cripples Russia’s drone warfare: Russia relies heavily on Iranian-supplied Shahed drones (or critical components); with Iran under pressure, Russia’s drone production and stockpiles are likely to stall or shrink, undermining its key strategy of terrorizing Ukrainian cities.

- Ukraine gains long-term geopolitical leverage: As the global expert in countering cheap, mass-produced drones, Ukraine is now being sought by the U.S. and Gulf states for defense tech — positioning it as a future arms supplier and strategic partner.

- Ukraine’s drone tech offers cost-effective solutions: Ukraine’s 3D-printed, low-cost interceptors (thousands of dollars vs. Patriot’s $4M) are proving more sustainable against drone swarms — a model attracting global interest and investment.

- Increased international investment in Ukraine’s survival: As more nations depend on Ukrainian defense innovation, they’re more likely to fund Ukraine’s war effort — including loans (e.g., €90B from Europe) and potential future arms deals.

- Structural shift in global warfare philosophy: The war exposes the limits of expensive, high-tech Western systems and Soviet-style mass production — creating space for Ukraine to fill a new niche as the leader in affordable, scalable drone warfare.

March 11, 2026

Ukraine Just Hit Something Very Important in Crimea. - The Russian Dude

Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign against Russia took another significant step as Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a critical aircraft repair facility in occupied Crimea along with two Russian Pantsir-S2 air-defense systems, potentially weakening defenses protecting key military infrastructure on the peninsula. Around the same time, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed damage to two Russian Black Sea Fleet warships — the frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov — near the Novorossiysk naval base, highlighting how Ukrainian drone and precision strike capabilities are increasingly reaching targets hundreds or even more than a thousand kilometers away from the frontline. These developments suggest a growing Ukrainian strategy focused not only on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine but also on disrupting Russian logistics, maintenance hubs, air defense networks, and naval assets supporting operations across the Black Sea and southern Ukraine.

While the frontline fighting in the Donbas remains largely a war of attrition with small territorial shifts measured in hundreds of meters, Ukraine’s strikes in Crimea and Novorossiysk reveal how the geography of the war is expanding. Crimea continues to serve as one of Russia’s most important military hubs, hosting naval facilities, radar systems, airfields, ammunition depots, and aircraft maintenance infrastructure that sustain Russian operations. By targeting the aircraft repair plant and Pantsir-S2 systems — advanced short-range air defenses designed to protect critical installations from drones and missiles — Ukraine may be attempting to gradually degrade Russia’s ability to maintain air operations and defend key assets in the region.

At sea, the reported damage to the guided-missile frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov near Novorossiysk further demonstrates how Ukrainian drone warfare and long-range strike technology are reshaping the conflict. These Admiral Grigorovich-class warships are capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles and conducting air defense and anti-submarine operations, making them valuable components of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Their presence in Novorossiysk was originally intended to protect them from earlier Ukrainian attacks in Sevastopol, but the latest strikes suggest that even bases located on the Russian mainland are no longer guaranteed safe havens.

Beyond the battlefield itself, analysts increasingly highlight how Ukraine’s expanding long-range strike capabilities are forcing Russia to stretch its air-defense systems across a much wider territory. Airfields, radar stations, logistics hubs, command centers, ammunition depots, and naval bases deep inside Russian territory are now potential targets. Even when individual strikes cause limited damage, the cumulative effect can disrupt operations, complicate logistics, and force Russia to devote more resources to defending rear areas that were previously considered secure.

Rising energy prices are once again putting sanctions and global energy markets at the center of political debate. Western governments continue using economic sanctions against Russia to restrict technology imports, financial access, and energy revenues that support Moscow’s war effort. However policymakers in the United States and Europe are increasingly discussing how to balance long-term pressure on Russia with the need to maintain economic stability and avoid energy shocks that could affect global markets.

Across Europe, governments are also debating how to sustain support for Ukraine while managing domestic economic pressures and energy security challenges. Since the start of the war, European countries have significantly reduced dependence on Russian pipeline gas by increasing liquefied natural gas imports, building LNG terminals, and accelerating renewable energy projects. Yet differences in infrastructure, industrial exposure, and energy systems mean some European economies remain more vulnerable to price fluctuations, creating ongoing discussions about sanctions policy, energy coordination, and the long-term strategy toward Russia.

March 11, 2026

Kimmel: Harrison Ford on Working with Michael J. Fox on Shrinking & Making Love to His Own Film Soundtracks

Harrison talks about receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Actor Awards last week, Woody Harrelson presenting him with it, not running his speech by anyone, which one of his movies is his favorite, being nominated for an Oscar in 1986, living on a boat on Belize while filming Witness, his friendship with Jimmy Buffett, Michael J. Fox being on this season of “Shrinking,” whether or not he has ever made love to one of his famous soundtracks, sending a note to Jason Segel after seeing his nude scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and an amazing old photo of him with Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.

March 11, 2026

Trump gets nightmare news amid Iran war - Another Day - Brian Tyler Cohen

Due to the length of the video and the transcript on YouTube being in a different format I am not providing the transcript as I usually do since it would require well over an hour to edit and prepare for posting.

The following summary is AI-generated.

- War costs $1 billion per day, driven by expensive weapons like Tomahawk missiles ($2.2M each), with Trump seeking a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027.

- Senators criticize the lack of justification for the Iran war, calling it unwanted by the public and questioning why funds are available for war but not for domestic needs like healthcare or childcare.

- Oil prices surge due to disrupted shipping routes (e.g., Strait of Hormuz), pushing U.S. gas prices up to $5/gallon in some areas and risking broader inflation via higher diesel and transport costs.

- Trump’s administration claims the war is “temporary” and will lower gas prices long-term — a claim met with skepticism as Americans struggle to afford fuel and essentials.

- Troop deployment remains ambiguous — Trump “does not rule out” ground troops or a draft, despite framing the conflict as limited and air-focused, raising fears of mission creep.

- Critics accuse Trump of breaking campaign promises to lower costs and avoid war, instead prioritizing military action that strains the economy and contradicts “America First” rhetoric.