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Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:05:00 +0000 US Cities Face Water Stress Amid Crumbling Infrastructure
US Cities Face Water Stress Amid Crumbling Infrastructure
US Cities Face Water Stress Amid Crumbling Infrastructure
Authored by Autumn Spredemann via The Epoch Times,
Across large swaths of the United States, drought conditions and the explosion of data centers have brought renewed attention to the future of the water supply. But the biggest concern may be something local governments have known about for years: aging pipes and other decaying infrastructure that could threaten supply even when water is abundant.
More U.S. cities have been facing water stress in recent years. Drought conditions affected more than a third of the nation last year, with almost 30 million Americans living in areas with high water stress, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
At the same time, data centers can consume upward of 5 million gallons of water per day. That’s the equivalent usage of a town with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 people. The number varies, but an estimated 4,149 data centers are currently operational in the United States, with another 2,788 announced or under construction.
But while drought and data center-related water consumption continue to make headlines, an estimated 6.75 billion gallons of treated drinking water are slipping through the cracks in America’s pipes every single day.
It’s a problem U.S. officials have seen coming for more than a decade.
A 2014 U.S. Government Accountability report found 40 out of 50 state water managers anticipated supply shortages in their states under “average conditions” within 10 years.
Fast forward to last year, when 75 percent of U.S. city officials and more than half of business executives said they expect water risks to outpace all other infrastructure threats, according to a Schneider Electric study.
“Water is not just essential for life—it’s the backbone of America’s economic strength—yet today the U.S. is facing a major water crisis, driven by dwindling supply and outdated infrastructure,”
A general view of the Google Midlothian Data Center in Midlothian, Texas, on Nov. 14, 2025. Data centers can consume more than 5 million gallons of water per day, adding pressure in regions already facing water shortages that threaten residential access, industrial growth, and long-term urban resilience. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Most U.S. water pipes are between 45 and 100 years old, and many contain toxic elements such as lead and copper, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In its 2025 infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. drinking water a C- score and wastewater management a D+ due to the ongoing battle to replace U.S. water pipes.
“The nation’s water infrastructure is aging and underfunded. More than 9 million existing lead service lines pose health concerns,”
The study authors also noted that “funding shortfalls” remain a problem in state-level funding for the necessary upgrades to drinking water pipes. They also observed that only an estimated 30 percent of these utility companies have fully implemented a water asset management plan, and less than half are even trying to implement one.
In October 2024, the EPA announced its final rule on replacing lead piping nationwide, with compliance required to begin that year. The ultimate goal was to replace all aging and leaking drinking water pipes nationwide within 10 years. The agency stated that the country’s drinking water systems would need $625 billion for pipe replacement, treatment plant upgrades, and additional assets.
“[With] the latest data from 2025, EPA estimates that there are 4 million lead service lines across the country, down from 9 million previously estimated,” an EPA spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
The spokesperson said an additional $3 billion in state funding is available to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
“EPA is committed to Making America Healthy Again by ensuring that all Americans can rely on clean and safe drinking water,” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency’s free water technical assistance program is available to “help drinking water systems identify, plan for, and replace lead pipes in the communities they serve.”
Workers use giant pumps to move sewage around a broken section of the Potomac Interceptor in Cabin John, Md., on Feb. 16, 2026. An estimated 6.75 billion gallons of treated drinking water are slipping through the cracks in America’s pipes every single day. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Doing the Math
Presently, water lost to faulty pipe infrastructure is costing U.S. utilities $6.4 billion annually. So why is this decades-in-the-making problem still ongoing? Some say it’s because the math doesn’t work.
“While the $6 billion loss of 2 trillion gallons of treated drinking water—nearly 20 percent of the drinking water consumed in the U.S.—to old pipes and crumbling infrastructure sounds large, it must be put in perspective,” Jeff Stollman told The Epoch Times.
As an economist and technology futurist, Stollman prepares impact forecasts for industries, government, and the environment. He said the cost of replacing leaky water pipes ranges from $1 million to $4 million per mile, depending on pipe size, location, and installation method.
“The United States has over 2.2 million miles of underground drinking water pipes, with a significant portion reaching the end of their 75 to 100 year life. The cost of replacing half of these pipes at the lower range cost of $1 million per mile would therefore require municipalities to come up with $1.1 trillion. And this estimate is certainly low,” he said.
“Losing $6 billion a year, it would take nearly 200 years for the current losses to equal the cost of replacement.”
Compounding this, many older municipalities are “cash-strapped” as it is, he said.
A pipe diverts water into the C&O Canal in Cabin John, Md., on March 5, 2026. Most U.S. water pipes are between 45 and 100 years old, and many contain toxic elements such as lead and copper, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Heather Diehl/Getty Images
Outside of federal assistance, Stollman said, state and municipal officials will likely need to raise utility prices to cover the improvements.
“This doesn’t mean that this [pipe changing] shouldn’t be done. But utilities will likely have to raise the cost of water more than 7 cents [per] gallon,”
The soaring cost of water bills is already a concern for many. Since 2022, water bills have increased across the board.
In the Midwest, bills were higher than the national average, but the Mid-Atlantic region saw the greatest year-over-year increase in 2024 at 9.5 percent, according to a Bank of America analysis.
Bluefield Research observed in 2025 that U.S. water and sewer bills had risen 24 percent over the previous five years.
“The cost of maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure continues to rise, and these costs are being passed down to ratepayers,”
Workers with the East Bay Municipal Utility District install a new water pipe in Oakland, Calif., on April 22, 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule in 2024 requiring water systems nationwide to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Down The Drain
Neno Duplan, CEO of Locus Technologies, said recent federal infrastructure funding “is helpful but insufficient to fully modernize century-old networks nationwide.”
Duplan has extensive experience with surface and subsurface hydrology. He told The Epoch Times that the full elimination of U.S. pipe leakage is neither “technically feasible nor economically rational.”
He said utilities optimize around what he called an “economic level of leakage,” balancing repair costs with water value.
He believes the most pressing investment need isn’t leaky water pipes, but resilient source protection, advanced treatment, and contamination mitigation.
That said, Duplan said the trillions of gallons seeping from American water pipes come at a high price tag.
“The direct impact of leakage is economic: higher operating costs, rate pressure, and occasional localized service interruptions,”
Water lost from pipes isn’t gone entirely, but generally finds its way back into the hydrologic cycle via soil infiltration, aquifer recharge, or surface flow.
“The real issue is not physical loss of water molecules. The real issue is loss of treated, pressurized, potable water service and the economic and energy waste associated with producing water that never reaches a paying customer,” he said.
Reverse osmosis pressure vessels treat wastewater at the Groundwater Replenishment System, the world’s largest wastewater recycling plant, in Fountain Valley, Calif., on July 20, 2022. In its 2025 infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. wastewater management a D+ due to the ongoing battle to replace U.S. water pipes. Mario Tama/Getty Images
While Duplan doesn’t expect the water hemorrhaging from America’s pipes to create scarcity on its own, he said it creates problems with delivery reliability and pressure management.
“Infrastructure failure can prevent treated water from reaching customers even when the raw water supply is adequate,”
California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois account for more than one-third of all infrastructure-related water losses, according to Bluefield Research.
While states including California and Texas have taken steps to standardize reporting and validation requirements for utility companies, many “still lack accurate, validated data—hindering transparency, performance benchmarking, and corrective action,” Bondar said in a press release.
Contamination is also a growing concern, which can increase water stress by reducing available freshwater.
“A far larger systemic threat to U.S. water security is contamination, because contaminated water requires energy-intensive treatment before it can be returned to beneficial use,” Duplan said. “Treatment, remediation, and advanced purification are capital and energy-intensive processes. That is where the true risk and cost lie.”
Duplan believes U.S. water supplies face the cumulative challenges of “aging assets, energy-intensive treatment, contamination risks, and allocation management under climatic variability.”
A car passes a burst water pipe damaged by strong winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, N.C., on Sept. 14, 2018. Replacing aging water pipes can cost between $1 million and $4 million per mile, depending on pipe size, location, and installation method, according to experts. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
In January, the United Nations said the current state of water “crisis” in many countries and cities has become the new normal.
“The patterns observed around the world are not those of a system struggling through a temporary crisis,”
Cities Take Action
Since 2016, new federal rules and local investment programs have reshaped how cities track and upgrade water infrastructure. Revisions to the EPA’s lead and copper rule finalized in 2021 required utilities to inventory service line materials by October 2024, shifting the focus toward identifying pipe materials—especially lead—rather than documenting pipe age.
Cities have also expanded replacement efforts. In Baltimore, where pipes average roughly 75 to 80 years old, about 15 miles of mains are replaced or rehabilitated each year.
Milwaukee maintains about 2,000 miles of mains dating to 1873 and plans to replace 65,000 lead service lines by 2037.
In Philadelphia, where some pipes date back to 1824, about 20 miles are replaced annually.
Meanwhile, Phoenix reported more than 480,000 waterline services in a 2024 inventory and no lead lines, while San Antonio is shifting toward condition-based pipe replacement across its roughly 9,000-mile network.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 18:05 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:40:00 +0000 North Korean Operatives Infiltrating U.S. Companies Through Remote Tech Jobs
North Korean Operatives Infiltrating U.S. Companies Through Remote Tech Jobs
North Korean operatives are quietly working inside U.S. companies through remote technology jobs, funneling millions of dollars back to Pyongyang and poten
Read more.....
North Korean Operatives Infiltrating U.S. Companies Through Remote Tech Jobs
North Korean operatives are quietly working inside U.S. companies through remote technology jobs, funneling millions of dollars back to Pyongyang and potentially gaining access to sensitive corporate systems, according to investigators and U.S. officials, according to NBC News .
The scheme relies on workers posing as American job applicants using stolen identities and fake credentials to secure high-paying remote roles, particularly in software development and artificial intelligence. Authorities warn the tactic allows the regime to bypass international sanctions while embedding operatives inside Western companies.
An investigation by the Virginia-based cybersecurity firm Nisos found that suspected North Korean IT workers apply to thousands of jobs using fabricated résumés and multiple online personas. Once hired, the workers often operate from overseas — frequently from China — while U.S.-based facilitators help maintain the illusion that they are located domestically.
These facilitators run so-called “laptop farms,” where company-issued computers are physically kept in the United States and remotely accessed by workers abroad. Investigators say the workers also coordinate applications, interviews, and references within tightly organized teams to increase their chances of being hired.
NBC News writes that the scheme has expanded rapidly since the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it easier for overseas workers to obtain jobs without appearing in person. Authorities say the salaries — sometimes exceeding $300,000 per worker — are largely sent back to the regime of Kim Jong Un, helping fund North Korea’s weapons and ballistic missile programs.
U.S. officials estimate the operation now affects hundreds of companies and generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the North Korean government.
Investigators say some operatives hold multiple jobs simultaneously, applying to dozens of roles a day and coordinating through organized networks that track applications and interviews. In some cases, the workers are accused of stealing proprietary data, cryptocurrency, or sensitive technical information while employed. Officials warn that even after the workers are discovered and fired, they may leave behind hidden system access that could later be exploited, raising broader national security concerns.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 17:40 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:15:00 +0000 The Greatest Risk For The Global Economy Is Stagflation Driven By Governments, Not Oil
The Greatest Risk For The Global Economy Is Stagflation Driven By Governments, Not Oil
The Greatest Risk For The Global Economy Is Stagflation Driven By Governments, Not Oil
Authored by Daniel Lacalle,
The current oil price forward curve shows that the current global energy shock may be significant but short-lived. The forward curve presents a steep disinflationary trend to $80 per barrel by the end of 2026. Markets are discounting a short war with limited impact on supply but immediate ripple effects on markets and importing economies.
In the worst case, a new energy shock triggered by war with Iran would bring stagflation pressures across the global economy , especially in the economies that have been unable to strengthen their energy supply chains since 2022, like the European Union, which is still in a low-growth environment subject to significant impact from energy shocks. Even if the conflict is short-lived, the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf infrastructure has made the oil market go from an oversupply of 4 million barrels per day, according to the IEA, to a tight balance, as shipping routes come under pressure.
The Strait of Hormuz carries almost 25% of seaborne oil exports and a large share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, which makes it the most sensitive energy route. However, 80% of the traffic through the strait goes to Asia, mostly China. That is why the Chinese government has halted all refined product exports from China, trying to limit the risk of supply constraints.
We must also remember that $100 a barrel today is not equivalent to $100 per barrel in 2008 . In current dollar terms, the 2008 oil crisis would only trigger at $190 per barrel. Adjusting for inflation is important.
VIDEO
Non-OPEC supply is also a differential factor from other crises, as it has increased significantly since 2008, contributing to a more stable market despite rising prices. The current energy shock is entirely different from 2008 for the United States.
In 2008, the United States production stood at barely 5 million barrels per day. Today, the US is the largest oil producer in the world at 13.7 million barrels per day.
In 2008, dry natural gas output was around 56 billion cubic feet per day. It is projected to reach 106 billion cubic feet daily in 2026. Natural gas energy independence exists in the US, and with the inclusion of Canada and Mexico, North America’s oil independence is nearly complete.
Even considering all these differences compared with other instances, an energy shock would immediately increase fuel prices at the pump but also raise the cost of electricity, heating, fertilizers, plastics, chemicals, and many manufactured goods that depend on petrochemical inputs.
These secondary price effects may quickly feed into consumer and producer inflation, even if other disinflationary factors mitigate the overall CPI impact.
In energy-importing economies such as the EU, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, and parts of Latin America, higher fuel bills will likely hit households that are already suffering from persistent inflationary pressures due to uncontrolled government spending and money printing.
VIDEO
For countries like Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported LNG, and several Southeast Asian nations, the shock could trigger a relevant balance-of-payments stress, currency depreciation, and even the risk of rationing as fiscal buffers are exhausted.
The current level of US dollar reserves of emerging economies is elevated, but not enough to entirely offset the impact of an energy crisis on the purchasing power of their currencies.
If governments decide to “combat” the energy crisis by increasing spending and subsidies, which is the same as printing money, the macroeconomic impact would be stagflationary: higher inflation with weaker or no growth.
The biggest risk for inflation will not be the impact of energy prices only, but the response from governments if they decide to spend and print their way out of the war’s impact.
The most significant risk for the global economy would come if central banks decided to hike rates due to energy price spikes. Hiking rates would halt investment, consumption, and job creation and have no impact on prices driven by an external geopolitical factor.
If the war continues for an extended period, it could lead to a revision in global growth forecasts, which were already weak for 2026. The IMF had already estimated a slowdown to around 3% or less, and the Iran-related shock may mean tighter financial conditions.
A long war could lead to a domino of recessions in energy-importing regions, while resource-rich exporters would see an economic boost that would not counterbalance the impact on the largest economies, primarily importers.
The greatest risk now is, as always, a domino of policy mistakes.
Developed economies’ governments may feel tempted to spend and print, ignoring the lack of fiscal space and the already persistent inflation created by the errors made during Covid-19 and the political response.
Governments might intensify their deficit spending, and central banks might repeat their mistakes from 2021-2024 by raising rates at the most inopportune time.
Stagflation is an unlikely outcome, but if it arrives, it will be entirely created by policy mistakes from governments and central banks.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 17:15 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000 "We Got A War Going On": Trump Requests Trump-Xi Summit Delay By "A Month Or So"
"We Got A War Going On": Trump Requests Trump-Xi Summit Delay By "A Month Or So"
"We Got A War Going On": Trump Requests Trump-Xi Summit Delay By "A Month Or So"
Summary:
Trump asks for delay of "a month or so" for Trump-Xi Summit
China and US end trade talks
Bessent notes that any delay would be due to "prosecuting war"
* * *
Update (1700ET)
“Because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel,”
The meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies is currently set to begin later this month.
“And so we requested that we delay it a month or so, and I’m looking forward to being with him,”
“We got a war going on. I think it’s important that I be here. So it could be that we delay a little bit, not much.”
As Rabobank pointed out earlier it's tricky because Trump wants Hormuz open again. Xi wants guarantees that Gulf oil will continue to flow to Chinese refineries, Chinese industrial producers will have markets to sell to, and Chinese consumers will have food to import.
Trump thinks he has the upper hand in this negotiation and so on Sunday night he told media that he could seek to delay the Beijing summit and that he expected China to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
He is playing hard to get, and trying to put all of the pressure on Xi to force a resolution. To paraphrase Nixon’s Treasury Secretary John Connally: “it’s our war, but it’s your problem.”
So, could the upcoming summit be the moment where we see Beijing issue the directive to its allies in Tehran to end the blockade?
For Xi it may be a choice between that, or suffering the wrath of Kharg on the Chinese industrial economy.
* * *
Update (0911ET): South China Morning Post concluded moments ago in Paris.
SCMP's title for the update is rather ominous: "China and the US end trade talks as doubts form over Trump visit."
The report states that both sides discussed a possible extension of existing tariff and non-tariff measures, as well as bilateral investment.
China's top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, said the two sides held "deep, frank, and constructive" talks and agreed to "continue to maintain the stability of tariffs."
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC's Brian Sullivan in Paris that any delay in the Trump-Xi meeting later this month would not be due to Beijing declining to assist the U.S. in reopening the Strait of Hormuz with a naval coalition, but rather because of logistics: "If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics."
"I don't think the meeting is in jeopardy, but it's quite possible the meeting could be delayed ," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News moments ago.
Leavitt said, "These are leader-to-leader conversations that are currently taking place," adding that if the trip is delayed, the White House will provide the new dates very soon.
SCMP quoted the Chinese foreign ministry as saying both sides at the negotiating table were in contact over Trump's state visit.
* * *
Update (0800ET):
"If the meetings are delayed, it wouldn't be delayed because the president demanded that China police the Strait of Hormuz ," Bessent told CNBC's Brian Sullivan in Paris. "If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics ."
Bessent headlines from the interview:
FALSE TO SAY IF CHINA DOESN'T OPEN HORMUZ, TRIP DELAY
US-CHINA TRADE MEETINGS IN PARIS' VERY GOOD'
IF TRUMP DELAYS CHINA, WOULD BE DUE TO PROSECUTING WAR
MARKETS SHOULD 'ABSOLUTELY NOT' REACT TO TRIP DELAY
It's clear that Iran-US conflict adds yet another layer of tension ahead of the Trump-Xi summit. Bessent wrapped up talks in Paris with the Chinese today, with reports earlier stating potential areas of agreement in tariffs, agriculture, energy purchases, fentanyl, and Taiwan.
* * *
Brent crude futures are trading around $103 a barrel early Monday morning amid U.S. strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub. Concerns about tanker congestion in the Strait of Hormuz, however, appear to be easing.
A flurry of weekend headlines suggests that the Trump administration is racing to reopen the Hormuz chokepoint and avert a further energy shock in global markets. According to a new Axios report, plans for a multinational naval coalition could be unveiled as soon as this week.
Hormuz Tanker Traffic
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. and allied countries would send warships to the Hormuz area to reopen commercial shipping lanes. He called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the U.K. to help.
On board Air Force One later that day, he told reporters he "demands" that NATO countries and other nations heavily dependent on Gulf crude oil and other product imports help with the naval operation.
"We are talking to other countries about policing the straits. It will be nice to have other countries policing with us. We will help. We are getting a good response," Trump said.
In a Sunday interview with the Financial Times , the president warned that he could delay his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping if Beijing does not participate in the naval coalition.
Trump told FT, "It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there."
"If there's no response or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO," he added.
While Beijing has yet to publicly respond to Trump's request, the state-run Global Times rejected Trump's plan to spread the risk "of a war that Washington started and can't finish." GT explained on Sunday night why Beijing wouldn't join the naval coalition.
"Crowding a volatile waterway with warships from multiple nations doesn't create security. It creates flashpoints. If any single vessel were struck, the consequences could rapidly spiral beyond anyone's control," GT said. This is "more a carefully structured transfer of risk."
Bloomberg noted, "A delay to the summit could suit Beijing. China had previously proposed that Trump arrive at the end of April to allow more time for preparations, according to a person familiar with the matter," adding, "Such a postponement would allow for more discussion on security and diplomatic issues, including self-ruled Taiwan, which have so far not featured prominently on the planning agenda."
The Iran-US conflict adds yet another layer of tension ahead of the Trump-Xi summit. Both sides are expected to wrap up trade talks in Paris on Monday, with potential areas of agreement in tariffs, agriculture, energy purchases, fentanyl, and Taiwan.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 17:00 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:50:00 +0000 Armor-Piercing Ammo Metal Up 557% As China Chokes Supply, War Demand Surges
Armor-Piercing Ammo Metal Up 557% As China Chokes Supply, War Demand Surges
Tungsten, used in missiles, tank rounds, armor-piercing ammunition, and some smaller-caliber munitions, has surged in price over the last year as Read more.....
Armor-Piercing Ammo Metal Up 557% As China Chokes Supply, War Demand Surges
Tungsten, used in missiles, tank rounds, armor-piercing ammunition, and some smaller-caliber munitions, has surged in price over the last year as China curbed exports and global supplies tightened.
This is a major concern, as multi-front conflicts - from the Middle East to Eastern Europe - are depleting interceptor missile supplies.
Bloomberg cites new data from commodity price reporting agency Fastmarkets showing tungsten prices have surged to $2,250 per metric ton this month, up 557% since Beijing added certain tungsten products to its export control list in February of last year.
"In my 12 years working across the commodity space and dealing with a lot of weird and wonderful metals, I have never seen a market as tight as tungsten is right now, aside from maybe lithium in 2021," George Heppel, vice president of commodity research, told Bloomberg.
He warned, "This isn't like lithium, where there was a huge pipeline of projects that could come online."
The problem with rare earth metals is that China dominates the global market. It controls roughly 79% of global tungsten mined output, which Western companies rely on heavily.
According to Project Blue, a London-based commodity research firm, manufacturers have been searching for alternative supplies since China significantly tightened export controls last year. Chinese shipments of restricted tungsten products were down about 40% last year, the firm said.
The tungsten squeeze highlights why the Trump administration has been furiously rewriting global supply chains away from China, especially with the push to build out domestic rare earth supply chains critical for the military and semiconductor industries.
"The industrial base is desperate for material ," said Almonty Industries CEO Lewis Black, whose firm is set to begin commercial production at the site of an idled mine in South Korea and is seeking to develop the first U.S. tungsten mine in a decade.
"We've never been in a situation where the market is determining the price," Black said. "So we don't really know where it's going to settle."
One year ago, Black warned his customer base was in a "state of disbelief " amid China's tightening of global supplies.
"It's the warning shot, because we cannot exist without it," Black told Bloomberg's Annie Lee in an interview at the time.
He noted: "Our economy, manufacturing, defense, everything, is so dependent on it. And yet, Russia, China and North Korea have about 90% of the output."
Shares of Almonty in the U.S. are up 127% this year, as the market is waking up to the fact that this company is expected to become one of the largest tungsten producers outside China.
Almonty is also developing a U.S. tungsten project in Montana that it says could become the first U.S. tungsten mine in about a decade.
Military-related tungsten demand is set to surge this year because the metal is used in missile components and other weaponry deployed in the conflict zones of the Middle East and eastern Ukraine. Major U.S. defense companies have already signaled to the Trump administration that missile production will quadruple , putting even more pressure on critical metals.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 16:50 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:25:00 +0000 "...The Entire Internet Has Doomer Fatigue"
"...The Entire Internet Has Doomer Fatigue"
"...The Entire Internet Has Doomer Fatigue"
Authored by James Howard Kunstler,
"I can tell the entire internet has doomer fatigue."
- Catturd on X
The mysterious financial repo markets - which practically no one outside of banking understands (and even some banking insiders don't) - started showing some signs of stress recently (forward rates spiking: 1Y1Y SOFR has risen nearly 50 bps in two weeks, signaling growing concern among dealers and investors about future funding costs) ; though not near the level they did in September 2019, just before You-Know-What sucker-punched the world with lockdowns, stolen elections, and fake vaccines. Half of America still hasn’t got its head straight... and here we go again.
The private equity outfits, like giant BlackRock, are wobbling so hard that they had to “gate redemptions” — meaning, investors can’t pull their money out of funds going dark with dubious collateral. It’s exactly what sparks panics. Money can only stand so much unreality. The Rube Goldberg machine of finance — a scaffold of insane complexity designed to bamboozle the rubes — is threatening to fly apart. The world only needs so many pre-owned yachts.
Plus, there’s a war on, which has disrupted the regular flow of the world’s primary resource: oil.
That’s the really-real side of the picture. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
You’ve got to wonder how much additional pounding the lunatic state of Iran can take.
It’s not clear who is even in charge there . Iran’s supposed foreign minister, one Aras Araghchi, is suddenly offering to give up those 440 kilos of 60-percent enriched uranium that are at the heart of this quarrel.
Sounds a little surrender-ish, though he made the offer with a certain defiant bluster. Let’s see where that goes.
Maybe the war will be over sooner than you thought.
Watch and listen starting at 13:00-minute Mark:
VIDEO
With all this in motion, things slip-sliding all over the place, the week ahead may be one in which nobody can think straight or get a straight answer.
Here’s something to chew on: do you think Great Britain is our dear friend because we speak the same language? Great Britain has been allowing Iran’s ruling Revolutionary Guard to park its money in London for half a century while Lloyd’s offers jacked-up insurance rates to all those tankers faring through the Strait of Hormuz.
This dynamic has made world oil up to 15-percent more expensive since the 1970s, and Britain’s banks have been creaming off the premium all the while. Trillions. Mr. Trump is putting an end to that racket while he also terminates Iran’s ability to export Jihad thuggery throughout the Middle East. That’s the meaning behind the Abraham Accords and the new Board of Peace set up to figure out Gaza — and probably to replace the broken United Nations as a mediating force in the region’s long-running conflicts.
Mr. Trump is also sending a message to China: the US will have something to say about the flow of oil going there out of the Persian Gulf, which is to say most of China’s imported oil. (The US imports relatively little oil out of the Persian Gulf, two to three percent of total US oil consumption which is 20-million barrels a day.) This is pretty serious power politics, but notice that China has not started World War Three over it. Mr. Trump and Xi are still talking, and are scheduled to meet in Beijing in April. Meanwhile, Xi is having plenty of trouble of his own with twitchy PLA generals, a staggering deflationary export economy, and a lot of angry young people thrown out of work.
One thing our country will not get a straight answer on this week is the SAVE Act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune made noises over the weekend about staging a half-assed “debate” on the floor, a demi-filibuster. . . then holding a guaranteed-to-fail cloture vote. . . making it impossible to reach a place where the bill might be subject to a simple majority vote. The procedural bullshit at issue is surely a challenge for the general voting public to understand. The bottom line is that Majority Leader Thune is entirely in-charge of the filibuster process and could make it work to advantage the SAVE Act if he wanted to. He could call for a full, “standing” filibuster that would require the bill’s opponents to explain themselves — that is, to explain why they prefer election fraud.
So, for now, the Save Act will fail to pass. The public will register the failure, if not the twisted route that got it there, and they will be mighty pissed-off. The really interesting part is what happens after all this is acted out, especially Senator Thune’s comic attempt to explain why he did this. And especially if, in the weeks just ahead, the nation watches federal indictments rain down for election fraud in Georgia, Wisconsin, and other states where so many weird things happened right before our eyes in November, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Sometime after that, the SAVE Act will come up for a vote again, and with a vengeance!
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 16:25 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:59:00 +0000 Iran Denies Talks Taking Place As Drone Smashes Into Landmark Baghdad Hotel Hosting EU, Saudi Diplomats
Iran Denies Talks Taking Place As Drone Smashes Into Landmark Baghdad Hotel Hosting EU, Saudi Diplomats
Iran Denies Talks Taking Place As Drone Smashes Into Landmark Baghdad Hotel Hosting EU, Saudi Diplomats
Summary:
The Pentagon confirmed Monday some 200 US service members have been wounded in the Iran war.
Iran's FM Aragchhi says his last contact with US envoy Witkoff was before the American attack .
Trump says 'I don't think so' when asked if war will be wrapped up soon , notes 'not this week'.
Iconic Baghdad hotel and home to EU, Saudi missions struck by drone, fire ensues.
Trump is regularly presented with options to end the war in Iran : NBC.
Iran has rejected prior reports of diplomatic contacts with the US , calling them "false": state media
Iran FM Araghchi and US envoy Witkoff have been in contact via text messages in recent days: Israeli media
Trump speculates on Iran's leadership, talks: Said "we don’t even know their leaders" - top Iranian officials - possibly even Ayatollah Khamenei - may be dead, while also claiming "they are negotiating" but may not yet be ready for deal.
Trump asked about Israeli nukes and escalation: "Israel wouldn't do that."
Trump reiterates military campaign continuing in full force , main efforts to Iran's threat to shipping
Trump presses for multinational Hormuz escort coalition as allies hesitate ; Bessent says US allowing limited Iranian, Chinese, and Indian tanker transits “for now” to stabilize global supply.
Headlines, rumors fly on new Ayatollah's personal life & whether he's actually in charge .
Bessent downplays link to Trump-Xi summit , calling any potential delay “logistical” due to Iran war coordination needs.
Trump floated delaying March 31–April 2 Beijing meeting unless China helps reopen Strait fully, citing Beijing’s heavy reliance on Gulf oil.
Europe reluctant to join Hormuz operation, Germany outright rejects it alongside Italy and Greece: Trump warned of a "very bad" future for NATO if allies don't help reopen the strait. UK also says it won't be 'NATO-led'.
Iran rejects ceasefire, vows prolonged defense; selective Hormuz policy continues, with traffic still down 70-90% and only “friendly” vessels passing safely.
Gulf energy infrastructure under ongoing attack ; regional proxies (Houthis, others) threaten further disruptions to bypass routes.
* * *
Pentagon: 200 Service members wounded after two weeks of war
The Pentagon announced Monday that some 200 American service members have been wounded since the US and Israeli war with Iran broke out, and the casualties occurred spanning bases and sites in seven countries .
The statement noted that "vast majority" of these injuries have been "minor" and that over 180 troops have already returned to duty, per CENTCOM. The official troop death toll stands at 13 as the US enters the third week of the conflict.
Iconic Baghdad Hotel & Home To EU, Saudi Missions Struck By Drone; Iran Denies US Talks
A drone slammed into the Al-Rasheed Hotel in central Baghdad Monday evening, triggering a massive fire and sending thick smoke pouring from the upper floors of the landmark building in what's widely being seen as one of the most symbolic and significant strikes on the Iraqi capital since the US-Iran war erupted more than two weeks ago.
The strike hit the 18-story hotel mid-evening, with eyewitness videos also confirming the attack. So far, no group has claimed responsibility, and Iraqi authorities have yet to confirm who launched the drone. US bases in Iraq have lately come under attack allegedly by pro-Iran Iraqi paramilitary groups, and not just directly from Iran.
The famous Al-Rasheed hotel in the Green Zone. Image source: Tripavisor. Al Jazeera reports on a state of panic at the scene :
The last two floors of the Al-Rasheed Hotel, home to the European Union and Saudi diplomatic missions , were hit by a drone. Western workers are also based at the hotel, including oil company employees.
We do not know for certain who is responsible for the attack, but it is worth noting the hotel lies within the Green Zone , so it’s not far from the US embassy, which was also hit less than 48 hours ago.
Security forces deployed to the area right after the explosion. They say the blast only caused material damage and no casualties were reported.
Earlier in the day Iran warned that US companies, interests, and industrial zones across the region could be attacked. It warned bystanders to flee these places, which are all potential targets. Iran has also said it would hit the 'hiding places' of US forces, even if they be in hotels.
Also of note late in the day Monday is that Iran has rejected prior reports of diplomatic contacts with the US , calling them "false" - according to state media. Oil rallied on that denial. Additionally, from President Trump today:
Iran FM Araghchi, US envoy Witkoff have been in Contact via Text Messages in Recent Days
Israel's Channel 12 is reporting this apparently lone line of Washington-Tehran communication , but at least it is something. President Trump seems to have referenced it while speaking with reporters earlier, saying the warring sides are "talking" - but it's unclear whether Tehran is ready for a lasting Truce. Indeed Tehran has lately been stating it wants to exact more of a cost on the United States.
This apparent confirmation of contact between Witkoff and Arachchi sent oil prices falling on the newswire headline:
Speculation, Propaganda Abounds on Khamenei's Sexuality, Ability to Lead
It is to be expected that during wartime, propaganda and psychological warfare will fly between warring enemies. That appears to be happening as more and more questions surround the mysterious supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. There's an avalanche of speculation and headlines on Monday. For example :
President Trump has reportedly been briefed on intelligence that Iran’s regime’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who earned the nickname “the power behind the robes” while serving as his aging dad’s gatekeeper , has had a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor and is probably gay.
Apparently his father harbored serious doubts about the younger Khamenei's abilities , and worried that he was "unqualified". Time wrote that "Khamenei was also aware of problems in Mojtaba’s personal life that reinforced his doubts about succession." Seizing on these reports and all the speculation, NY Post sourcing that "Trump couldn’t contain his surprise and laughed aloud when he was briefed on the intel, according to sources." Whether any of this is true or not is another matter, and America's Middle East wars over the last two plus decades have shown during intense times of conflict, Western public audiences get inundated with all kinds of sensationalist claims. There are also persistent rumors the new Ayatollah could be dead after two weeks of heavy US-Israeli bombardment.
Trump says Iran Wants To Make Deal & they are "Talking"; Israel Won't Use A Nuke
President Trump said Monday that "numerous countries have told me they’re on the way" to help fully open the Strait of Hormuz - but at this moment it's unknown who these countries are . He has said Secretary of State Rubio will soon announce, but with no date given.
Trump has also freshly stated of Iranian leadership after the initial decapitation strikes followed by two weeks of heavy bombing that "We don't even know their leaders," stressing that they might all be dead. He specifically mentioned that new Ayatollah Khamenei might be dead, but it's ultimately unknown. He further claimed "They are negotiating" but Trump doesn't know if Tehran is ready yet for some kind of deal to bring an end to the conflict. Oil prices immediately dropped on these headlines. And on this front, he reiterated that "when this is over, oil prices are going to go down very, very rapidly" once the war concludes.
Another couple of interesting points included mention of the Iranian opposition: "they can be brave but they are not stupid," Trump said. Also on Israel, Trump assures it would not use a nuclear weapon . When asked about Israeli nuclear weapons and escalation, Trump responded, "Israel wouldn't do that."
Trump says US "Hammering Iran" to Ease Shipping Concerns
President Trump has provided an update on the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran, describing it as continuing in full force over the past several days .
He claimed significant successes, including striking more than 7,000 targets across Iran, decimating the country's anti-aircraft equipment, and achieving a 95% reduction in Iran's drone attack capabilities.
Trump emphasized that Iran's missile and drone manufacturing plants have been heavily targeted, leaving the country with few missiles remaining and severely hampered ability to produce more: "hammering Iran's ability to threaten shipping."
Trump highlighted specific actions against Iran's naval and strategic assets, noting the destruction of more than 30 mine-laying ships and strikes on Kharg Island - described as largely destroyed except for the oil pipes area.
He warned that with one simple order, the remaining oil infrastructure there could be eliminated, underscoring efforts to undermine Iran's capacity to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
He expressed uncertainty about whether mines have already been deployed in the strait and strongly urged other nations, including China and Japan, to assist in securing the waterway, noting that some countries have shown little enthusiasm for helping.
These comments reflect Trump's portrayal of a highly effective and intensifying operation amid the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, while shifting some responsibility for regional stability to international partners.
Hormuz 'Selected Disruption'
The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis remain in a tense selective-disruption phase rather than full closure, with Brent crude pulling back today (around $102 after earlier spikes) as markets digest weekend strikes and fresh US comments. The US precision bombing on Kharg Island hit only military assets (mines, missiles, air defenses) - leaving the oil export terminal (up to 90% of Iran’s loadings) untouched and operational. As Rabobank notes, “Trump was at pains to be clear that oil infrastructure was not targeted, but the implicit threat that it could be is an unsubtle one ,” with Trump later joking about further strikes “just for fun.”
Tanker crossings via the Hormuz with AIS transponders. Now we've reported that some tankers have been turning off their transponders to go stealth through the waterway.
Latest Bloomberg ship-tracking data shows the Strait, on either side, is a massive parking lot of tankers . This could take weeks, if not longer, to unclog.
The USS Tripoli (light carrier with ~2,500 Marines and F-35Bs) has been redeployed to the Persian Gulf, fueling speculation about potential boots-on-ground roles (securing Kharg or clearing northern approaches), which Rabobank flags as a “major escalation.” Limited Iranian attacks hit US-aligned Gulf oil assets over the weekend, and Fujairah port saw fresh strikes today. Iran’s selective policy holds: traffic is still down 70-90%, but “friendly”/neutral vessels (Iranian, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani) continue limited transits. The standout today remains the Pakistan National Shipping Corp tanker Karachi (Abu Dhabi crude) safely crossing with full AIS active — the clearest non-Iranian success yet.
Diplomacy & China
On the diplomatic front, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC’s Squawk Box this morning that the US is deliberately “allowing Iranian oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz” and is “fine” with some Indian and Chinese ships moving through “for now… to supply the rest of the world.” He highlighted “more and more of the fuel ships start[ing] to go through” and a possible “natural opening” the Iranians are permitting - a tactical concession to stabilize global supply while full escorts remain “militarily” off the table for now.
Bessent said crude oil prices should fall "much lower" than $80 per barrel after the war is over, adding that when the war is over, the "world will be safer and we will be better supplied."
Some Hormuz context:
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De-Escalation?
Glimmers of de-escalation persist , per Rabobank: Hamas (an Iranian proxy) called for Iran to cease attacks on neighbors (speculated as an off-ramp signal), Iran struck passage deals with India/Bangladesh , and FM comments framed the strait as “not closed to anyone other than the US, Israel and their allies.” Yet counters are loud - Houthis threaten Red Sea escalation (risking Saudi’s 5-7 mn bbl/day bypass pipeline), Trump rebuffs ceasefire (Iran demands US withdrawal + reparations), and prediction markets price ceasefire odds before month-end at just 14%. The WSJ reports the US is forming an international naval escort coalition , with Trump demanding “about seven” countries help.
That said, by the looks of it most of Europe wants to avoid what's looking like a recipe for another quagmire in the Middle East. Ironically, Iran is bordered by two countries which were subject of over two decades of US-led war and occupation.
For example, after Italy had earlier made very clear it will have no involvement, Al Jazeera reports :
The ?war ?in Iran has nothing to do with NATO, ?a German government spokesperson says, adding that Germany ?would not take part in the war nor in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open through ?military means.
"As long ?as this war continues, there will be no participation, ?not even in ?any effort ?to keep the Strait of Hormuz open by military ?means," the spokesperson said. Greece ?also will not ?engage in ?any military operations ?in the Strait of Hormuz, ?Greek government spokesman ?Pavlos ?Marinakis said.
And Britain too while signaling openness says it won't be NATO-led :
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies on a "viable collective plan" to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, though he acknowledged that would not be a simple task.
...Starmer told a press conference that reopening the strait was the only way to stabilize energy markets, and that he was talking to allies in Europe, the Gulf and the U.S. on a plan to secure freedom of navigation. He said it would not be a NATO-led mission .
The dominant pressure point is US-China leverage. Rabobank nails it: “Trump wants Hormuz open again. Xi wants guarantees that Gulf oil will continue to flow to Chinese refineries, Chinese industrial producers will have markets to sell to, and Chinese consumers will have food to import. ” Speaking with FT on Sunday, Trump floated delaying the March 31–April 2 Beijing summit unless China helps reopen the strait, paraphrasing Connally: “it’s our war, but it’s your problem.” Bessent walked this back today as purely “logistical” (Trump may need to stay in DC for war coordination), not direct pressure — but the linkage and China’s heavy Gulf-oil dependence remain crystal clear. For Xi, the summit could become the moment Beijing quietly directs Tehran to ease restrictions… or risk Kharg-style escalation hammering China’s import-dependent industrial economy.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment of hardliner Mohsen Rezaei as military adviser adds hawkish continuity on the Iranian side. Overall, markets see a bullish crude tone from risks but “glimmers” of hope; the situation stays highly fluid — watch for coalition announcements, next tanker flows, or any Iranian response in the coming hours.
Polymarket odds on whether "Kharg Island no longer under Iranian control by March 31?"
More Strait News
Tanker traffic on the key shipping lane in the Strait remains paralyzed. Last week, tankers began broadcasting "Chinese " on AIS as one way to transit the waterway.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported earlier that a Pakistan-flagged Aframax called "Karachi" hugged the Iranian coast in the Strait unscathed. It sailed from Fujairah in the UAE last month and now has a port call in Pakistan, according to ship-tracking data.
Overnight, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier transited the waterway, adding to signs that the chokepoint may be unclogging.
President Trump stated earlier that the "war will end soon."
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol commented on the 32-nation emergency SPR dump and how it has begun to have a "calming" effect on energy markets to begin the week:
Iran's Kharg Island export hub is a major focus for us , and what happens next, including what the Trump administration decides to do with it, remains in focus.
Rabobank analysts offered their take on Hormuz events:
The Strait of Hormuz stays under selective Iranian disruption rather than full closure. Traffic is down 70-90%, but vessels tied to "friendly" or neutral countries — especially China, Pakistan, India, and Turkey — continue limited transits.
Hormuz is all about transit flows at the moment , with some unclogging clearly underway and energy markets moving lower in direct response. The key question now is whether this is sustainable, and whether China joins Trump's naval coalition to fully reopen the Strait (read here ).
EARLIER... President Trump and his top officials spent the weekend on the one hand touting the Iran campaign a decisive military win and supposed success, while on the other racing to assemble a naval coalition to force open Tehran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, all the while imploring other countries for help. Europe appears deeply reluctant, with some key NATO countries already slamming the door on this prospect.
"As far as I’m concerned, we have essentially defeated Iran ," President Trump said in some of latest remarks aboard Air Force One. "They want to negotiate badly, as they should, but I don't think they're ready to do what they have to do... We will finish the job ," he claimed.
Ceasefire Rejected
But then on Monday Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected calls for a ceasefire , insisting Tehran intends to impose steep and bloody costs on the aggressors. "The reason we say we do not want a ceasefire is not because we are seeking war, but because this time this war must end in such a way that our enemies never again think of repeating these attacks ," Araghchi said at a press conference.
Site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran, AFP/Getty Images "I think they have already learned a good lesson and understood what kind of nation they are dealing with." He also dismissed reports that Iran had quietly sought negotiations: "As we have said many times and I reiterated last night in an interview with an American network, we have sent no messages and do not request a ceasefire."
Still, Trump is pressing forward on plans for NATO to send allied ships. According to US officials cited in The Wall Street Journal
And separately per Axios , the White House is simultaneously considering the far more aggressive option of seizing Iran's main oil export hub on Kharg Island, after much of it has been subject of heavy US bombing, which started overnight Friday, but reportedly left oil terminals and vital export infrastructure in place.
Boots on the Ground
There remains widespread speculation that this is what the multi-thousand strong Marine Expeditionary Force currently en route is all about, raising the states even higher.
A direct Kharg Island seizure would require American boots on the ground - already as Iran's retaliatory blockade of the narrow strait has sent oil and gas prices climbing as a major share of global crude supply remains effectively frozen.
Allies on the Sidelines
This is apparently what's behind Trump's growing urgency - and some might day desperation - for allies to step up, with the US president having told European leaders there could be a "very bad" future for NATO if member states fail to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz , according to Financial Times
Military Attacks
Iran meanwhile continues to send missile and drones on America's gulf allies and energy infrastructure, with Saudi Arabia saying it intercepted 61 drones over its territory since midnight , though potential impact sites of projectiles what got through weren't immediately disclosed.
Flights at Dubai International Airport have been suspended after a fuel take went up on flames. "An Iranian drone attack ignited a fuel tank at Dubai International Airport early Monday, authorities said, as Tehran continued to strike civilian infrastructure across the Persian Gulf," Washington Post
The Israeli military has said Monday it has begun “wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure” in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz simultaneously. It has vowed to keep hitting Iran "as long as needed" - suggesting no quick end amid the war's third week .
But Israel also faces unprecedented bombardment by Iran's sophisticated missile and drone arsenal. Israel’s Health Ministry has newly announced that at least 3,369 people, including civilians and military personnel, have been wounded and injured - with many hospitalized - since the war's start. At least a dozen people have been killed , but the true numbers could be significantly higher as Israel's military has censored a lot of wartime information.
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 15:59 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:45:00 +0000 Guess What Ireland's President Said About St. Patrick's Day...
Guess What Ireland's President Said About St. Patrick's Day...
Guess What Ireland's President Said About St. Patrick's Day...
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
Irish President Catherine Connolly marked her first St. Patrick’s Day in office with a message that reframed Ireland’s patron saint as a symbol for open borders and ‘global citizenship’, urging the Irish to embrace migrants amid ongoing surges in arrivals that have sparked nationwide tensions.
In a video address, Connolly drew parallels between St. Patrick’s enslavement and modern migration, calling for hospitality toward those displaced by war and persecution—conveniently overlooking how mass influxes of economic migrants have overwhelmed Irish communities and resources.
The full message, delivered against a backdrop of Irish and other flags, emphasized St. Patrick’s story as “a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants, the invaluable contributions that they have made, and continue to make, to the countries they now call home, sometimes even in the face of great adversity.”
Connolly went on: “Patrick’s story speaks not only to the Ireland of the 5th century, but to the millions still subjected to trafficking, forced labour and displacement today .”
She added, “As we recall the life of Patrick, we invoke his spirit and acknowledge our shared responsibilities as global citizens. We stand in solidarity with those who find themselves in vulnerable and dangerous circumstances. ”
The president wrapped up by stressing, “Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement, those fleeing their countries because of persecution or violence .”
This pivot comes as Ireland ramps up immigration reforms in 2026, including higher salary thresholds for work permits, digitalized processes, and faster citizenship paths for those granted international protection—moves that critics say prioritize foreigners over native Irish struggling with housing shortages and cultural erosion.
The government’s Budget 2026 poured funds into modernizing the system, aiming to streamline legal access for more migrants while protests against accommodation centers continue to simmer across the country.
The message quickly drew fire on X, where users slammed it as a betrayal of Irish identity in favor of globalist talking points.
One poster fired back: “The spirit is St Patrick? Wasn’t he the guy who ‘Chased the SNAKES out of Ireland?!?’ Don’t you see the similarity here?”
Another echoed: “St. Patrick chasing the snakes out of Ireland is not a metaphor for being friends and surrendering Ireland to foreign invaders.”
These reactions highlight growing frustration with leaders who seem more eager to virtue-signal on the world stage than protect their own country’s sovereignty and traditions.
Connolly’s address also touched on Ireland’s neutral stance and commitment to peace, claiming the nation is “uniquely placed” to address global challenges due to its history of famine and migration. But such rhetoric rings hollow as domestic unrest over immigration boils over, with recent changes easing pathways for newcomers while native concerns go unheeded.
This address reeks of complete capitulation. St. Patrick’s Day is supposed to honor Irish patriotism, not serve as a platform for diluting national pride under the guise of “hospitality.” If Ireland wants to preserve its heritage, it’s time to chase out the globalist snakes eroding it from within.
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch . Follow us on X @ModernityNews .
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 15:45 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:32:11 +0000 Nvidia Shares Pump & Dump After CEO Jensen Expects "At Least" $1 Trillion In Revenue By 2027
Nvidia Shares Pump & Dump After CEO Jensen Expects "At Least" $1 Trillion In Revenue By 2027
Nvidia Shares Pump & Dump After CEO Jensen Expects "At Least" $1 Trillion In Revenue By 2027
Summary:
CEO Jensen began discussing all things AI around 1520 ET.
CEO Jensen said the data center AI opportunity will grow from half a trillion dollars to $1 trillion by 2027. CEO Jensen said, "Computing demand has increased by 1 million times in the last two years."
A graphic on screen indicated that 60% of the business is hyperscalers.
CEO Jensen said, "We are now a computing platform that runs all of AI."
CEO Jensen said, "Our cost per token is the lowest in the world."
Nvidia unveiled the new Vera Rubin program.
* * *
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is speaking at the GTC 2026 in San Jose, California, about the company's AI expansion.
Huang said the data center AI opportunity is growing from about half a trillion dollars to more than $1 trillion by 2027 . He said that 60% of the company's business comes from hyperscalers, adding that 40% is everything else, clouds, enterprise, robotics, gaming, supercomputing, etc.
The graphic shows that much of the demand is driven by model builders and AI companies such as Anthropic, xAI, Gemini, and OpenAI.
"We are now a computing platform that runs all of AI, " the CEO said.
The presentation initially sent Nvidia shares up as much as 4.8%, while the Nasdaq also moved higher, but most of those gains have now been erased.
A round trip for Nvidia shares.
This.
Other highlights of Jensen's presentation include...
Jensen says, "computing demand has increased by 1 million times in the last 2 years." Hints at the current memory shortage created by the AI buildout of data entry.
On Tokens per watt: Jensen said, "Nvidia AI GPUs that can quickly get through more tokens than the competition." He noted, "This is your revenue. Our cost per token is the lowest in the world."
Nvidia unveils the New Vera Rubin program. It's the company's latest AI platform for AI data centers that is "vertically integrated completely with software."
Watch Jensen live here:
VIDEO
Developing...
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 15:32 Close Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:25:00 +0000 Cuba Suffers "Total Disconnection" Of Power Grid; Trump Says Deal With Havana 'Pretty Soon'
Cuba Suffers "Total Disconnection" Of Power Grid; Trump Says Deal With Havana 'Pretty Soon'
Cuba Suffers "Total Disconnection" Of Power Grid; Trump Says Deal With Havana 'Pretty Soon'
Summary:
Cuba's National Electrical System suffered a "total disconnection " on Monday afternoon.
Trump said on Sunday that he expects a U.S.-Cuba deal very soon.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted on Friday that talks between Havana and Washington are underway .
Cuban fuel supplies are dangerously low amid Trump's crude import blockade.
* * *
Cuba's National Electrical System has suffered what the country's Energy Ministry called a "total disconnection," and the causes are being investigated. This comes as Trump's blockade of crude oil imports to the Caribbean island has reduced fuel stockpiles to dangerously low levels.
"A total disconnection of the SEN has occurred. The causes are being investigated, and protocols for restoration are being activated, " the Energy Ministry said on X around 1400 ET.
Earlier, we reported that Trump is in talks with Cuba and that a deal could be reached soon .
Over the weekend, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly admitted for the first time that Havana was in talks with Washington.
* * *
As Aldgra Fredly detailed earlier for The Epoch Times , the United States is in talks with Cuba and expects to reach a deal with the communist-ruled country soon.
Tourists ride in an old American car used as a taxi along a quiet avenue in Havana on Feb. 8, 2026.Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that "something will happen with Cuba pretty quickly ," and that Washington will decide on Cuba after dealing with the war in Iran.
Trump on Jan. 11 told Cuba to strike a deal after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a Jan. 3 operation. Cuba has long been a close ally of Maduro's regime and has relied on Venezuela's oil supply for decades.
After Maduro's ouster, interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez redirected oil deliveries to the United States.
"Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we ?have to do," Trump told reporters on March 15. "And so, we're talking ?to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba."
On Jan. 29, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on any country that "directly or indirectly provides oil to Cuba," a move that exacerbated fuel shortages in the Caribbean island nation.
In his order, Trump accused the Cuban regime of aligning itself with "hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors," including Russia, China, and Iran, as well as U.S.-designated foreign terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez said on March 13 that his government has been negotiating with U.S. officials to identify and resolve any bilateral issues between the two nations.
"These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions, through dialogue, to bilateral differences that exist between the two nations ," Bermúdez said, according to a statement posted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on social media. "There are international factors that have facilitated these exchanges."
A man pushes a tricycle past a jeep sporting a wheel cover featuring an image of the US flag in Havana on Jan. 23, 2026. Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images Bermúdez said his officials have expressed that negotiations must be held "on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states," as well as their sovereignty.
"This is a matter that unfolds as part of a very sensitive process that is conducted with seriousness and responsibility, as it affects the bilateral relations between the two nations and requires enormous efforts to find solutions and create spaces for understanding that allow us to move away from confrontation," he said.
Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel consoles relatives of some of the 32 Cuban soldiers killed during the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, during their funeral at Colon cemetery in Havana on Jan. 16, 2026. Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images Trump said last week that Cuba currently faces severe humanitarian challenges amid disruptions in imported oil and is eager to negotiate with the United States. He also said there could be a "friendly takeover" of the nation, but also said that "it may not be a friendly takeover."
Tyler Durden Mon, 03/16/2026 - 15:25 Close
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