Summary

• US Navy: vessels seeking entry into Hormuz Strait now fair game for boarding, search, and outright seizure – including for suspicion of ‘contraband’.

• Hegseth: US forces are ready to restart combat if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal & a Strait blockade to continue for as long as it takes. Already, 13 ships have been turned around.
• Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, calls the ceasefire in Lebanon “as important as a ceasefire in Iran.”
• Heavy Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon, including the targeting of infrastructure and bridges.

*  *  *

Boarding, Search, & Outright Seizure

Ships seeking to enter the Hormuz Strait already sanctioned by the US just got a lot more vulnerable: under Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports, they’re now fair game for boarding, search, and outright seizure, per US Naval Forces Central Command.

“In addition to enforcing the blockade, all Iranian vessels, vessels with active OFAC sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, are subject to belligerent right to visit and search,” the notice said, referring to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure.”

The definition of “contraband” is broad and expansive. It spans weapons, ammunition, combat aircraft, and military electronics, WSJ has described. “Petroleum products and lubricants are conditional contraband due to their essential role in military operations and their contribution to Iran’s war-sustaining economy,” the advisory also said. “Contraband is defined as goods that are destined for an enemy, and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict.”

US Marine Corps image

 

Up until now, the blockade – initially rolled out Monday – was limited to ships moving in and out of Iranian ports, but the definition of who can be targeted just widened. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that in the first 48 hours, not a single ship made it past the blockade.

Hormuz Blockade: ‘As Long As It Takes’

The US will maintain a naval blockade of Iran for as long as it takes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has stated in a press briefing Thursday. He and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine say that US forces are ready to resume major combat operations at a moment’s notice, which suggests the initial two-week ceasefire could get extended, as was widely reported the day prior. But this also suggests that Washington likely has no appetite for resuming major aerial operations directly against Iran anytime soon.

On the question of resumption of major combat operations, Hegseth warned: “To Iran, choose wisely. I pray you choose a deal which is within your grasp for the betterment of your people and the betterment of the world.” He followed with, “In the meantime, the War Department is locked and loaded.” Additional main highlights to the Hegseth/Caine update and presser:

• Iran likes to say it controls Strait of Hormuz but it has no navy
• Energy industry not destroyed ‘yet’, US blockade shutting down exports
• For as long as it takes, we will maintain blockade
• Launching operation ‘economic fury’
• Iran is digging out bombed out launchers
• I hope you choose a deal which is within your grasp

But again, the chief takeaway is that the Pentagon and Trump administration are making clear that US forces are ready to restart combat if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal. On that front, US officials say future talks are likely to be held again in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Prior reports have indicated both sides have “agreed in principle” to engage in another round of talks.

Iran’s PressTV touting ability to inflict global economic pain…

Pentagon: 13 Ships Turned Around

Since the blockade went live, US forces have already turned around 13 ships, according to Gen. Caine in the same briefing. He underscored how far this reach extends, saying operations will take place “inside Iran’s territorial seas and in international waters.”

Officially, the Pentagon claims the blockade is limited – targeting Iran’s ports and coastal areas while sparing vessels simply passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In practice, however, the net is touted as much wider, as US forces “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” including so-called “dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil,” Caine added.

He confirmed that more than 10,000 service members are now involved in the blockade, but with more US servicemembers en route to the region.

Lebanon Still Bombed Heavily by Israel amid US Ceasefire Efforts

Israeli jets pounded Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon Thursday, unleashing one of the heaviest barrages there since the war began and sending black smoke billowing over the region. Strikes hit near the industrial zone and a supermarket on Nabih Berri Avenue, with nearby suburbs also taking damage, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Iran has signaled urgency on de-escalation, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf calling a ceasefire in Lebanon “as important as a ceasefire in Iran.” He described, “In the Islamabad negotiations and afterward, we have been seriously pursuing efforts to compel the adversaries to establish a permanent ceasefire in all areas of conflict.” Pakistan’s army chief is in Tehran mediating between Washington and Tehran.

Lebanon’s leadership is, in the meantime, framing any truce as a gateway to talks, despite Hezbollah having rejected direct talks with Israel. The ceasefire it is “demanding with Israel” would be a “natural entry point for direct negotiations,” President Aoun said, adding: “Lebanon is keen to halt the escalation… so that the targeting of the innocents ceases, and the destruction of homes” stops.

Destruction of Al-Qasimia Bridge in Southern Lebanon

He stressed negotiations “are to be undertaken by the Lebanese authorities alone,” and said “the withdrawal of Israeli forces… is an essential step,” alongside redeploying the army “up to the international borders” to “end any manifestation of armed presence.”

And yet Israeli strikes are now hitting infrastructure. A key bridge over the Litani River near Qasmiyeh – linking Tyre and Sidon – was reportedly destroyed, though Israel said it only “struck adjacent to it.” The broader campaign is cutting off southern Lebanon, targeting chiefly Hezbollah positions, Israeli officials have claimed.

Introduction

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept – it is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful and disruptive forces shaping the future of humanity, according to a recent report. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has issued a stark warning, describing AI as “a supersonic tsunami headed toward humanity.” ^[1]

His concerns are echoed across the tech industry, with leaders predicting massive shifts in how people work, live, and think. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that AI is hitting the global labor market “like a tsunami,” with rising worker anxiety about job loss. ^[2] These developments are setting the stage for widespread economic displacement and intensifying geopolitical competition for control over the emerging technology.

Experts Warn AI Advancements Could Displace Millions of Workers

AI capabilities now threaten middle-class cognitive jobs previously considered secure – including clerical, administrative, and creative roles. A senior researcher from China’s leading AI firm, DeepSeek, has publicly warned that AI could eliminate most human jobs within the next decade. ^[3] Demonstrations of AI capabilities suggest that AI agents will replace at least 50% of remote jobs – including email management, customer service, and business operations – within the next one to three years. ^[4]

Economic analysts predict societal disruption without proactive policy responses. Studies indicate that automation threatens to displace over 300 million jobs globally by 2030. ^[5] In a conversation about AI’s implications, the Health Ranger Mike Adams highlighted that AI models have surpassed basic predictive tasks, demonstrating complex cognitive abilities and the potential to replace up to 50% of desk jobs in the coming years. ^[6] The integration of AI into various industries is expected to lead to widespread job displacement, collapsing economies and forcing reliance on government support systems. ^[7]

Corporate and Government Power Dynamics Intensify

Corporate concentration of AI development raises concerns about market monopolization and regulatory capture. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the SANDBOX Act, which aims to create a regulatory ‘sandbox’ for AI companies to bypass federal rules for up to 10 years. ^[8] The bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, prioritizing corporate innovation over government oversight. ^[8]

Governments worldwide are enacting competing regulations to assert control over the technology. Power struggles are emerging between tech firms, sovereign states, and international bodies.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a balanced approach to AI, advocating for less hype and fear while promoting human oversight. ^[9] Meanwhile, leading American and Canadian artificial intelligence companies have been engaged in discreet collaborations with Chinese AI experts to shape international AI policy. ^[10]

National Security and Geopolitical Competition Accelerate

Major powers view AI leadership as a core component of national security strategy. Adams has reported that energy serves as a critical limiting factor for AI research, driving an unprecedented arms race for superintelligence among nations like China, the United States and Russia. ^[11] The United States is lagging years behind China in the realm of robotic automation, a gap with profound implications for global manufacturing and trade dynamics. ^[12]

Intelligence officials warn of an escalating arms race in autonomous weapon systems. Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer of the technology, has compared the use of AI for military purposes to chemical weapons deployment, warning that “very nasty things” will occur before the global community arrives at a comprehensive agreement. ^[13] Export controls on AI hardware have become a focal point of international tension, as control over the physical supply chain for advanced computing is seen as a key strategic advantage.

Decentralization Advocates Criticize Centralized AI Control

Critics argue centralized AI development threatens privacy and enables mass surveillance. The implementation of Universal Basic Income alongside Central Bank Digital Currencies could create a system where individuals are under constant surveillance and control, according to an interview with Marjory Wildcraft. ^[14] This aligns with broader criticisms that globalist initiatives like ‘The Great Reset’ represent a power grab that ties individuals to an electronic ID linked to their bank account and health records. ^[15]

Advocates for open-source models warn against control by a handful of large corporations. Adams envisions decentralized AI as a catalyst for American innovation and creativity, fostering a more democratic tech landscape away from corporate and government control. ^[16]

Some experts call for decentralized AI frameworks to distribute power and protect individual liberties. The plummeting cost of creating powerful AI models is leading to a proliferation of decentralized and ‘rogue’ systems that challenge centralized control. ^[17]

Conclusion

The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence is triggering concurrent crises in labor markets, corporate governance, and international relations. Experts consistently describe the coming impact as a “tsunami,” highlighting both the scale and suddenness of the disruption. Without coordinated and transparent policy responses that prioritize human welfare and decentralized control, analysts warn the technology could deepen global inequality and erode personal freedoms.

For those seeking analysis from perspectives skeptical of centralized institutions, sources like NaturalNews.com provide independent reporting on technology and its societal impacts. Platforms such as BrightAnswers.ai offer an uncensored AI engine for research, while BrightLearn.ai serves as a free library for generating educational materials on these complex subjects.

References

1. 1. AI Tsunami Ahead”: Experts Warn of Job Loss, Power Struggles, and a Global Race for Control. – YourNews.com. Gloria Ogbonna. March 19, 2026.
   2. AI is impacting the labor market ‘like a tsunami’ as layoff fears mount. – CNBC.
   3. An Ominous Warning from the Epicenter of AI. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. November 12, 2025.
   4. AI Takeover: 50% of Remote Jobs to Be Replaced Within 3 Years as Machines Outperform Humans in Fairness and Accuracy. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. September 01, 2025.
   5. AI’s Dual Revolution: Job Displacement, Decentralization, and Global Power Shifts. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. November 07, 2025.
   6. 2025 11 20 BBN Interview with Aaron Day. – Brighteon Broadcast Network. Mike Adams.
   7. China’s Expanding AI and Robotics Industry Raises Questions About Future Job Markets. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. November 06, 2025.
   8. Cruz’s SANDBOX Act Sparks Debate Over AI Deregulation and Technocratic Governance. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. October 09, 2025.
   9. United Nations Launches New IPCC for Artificial Intelligence, Bernie Sanders Issues Dire Warnings. – Watts Up With That. Gulam Jeelani. February 24, 2026.
   10. US Canadian AI companies COLLABORATE with Chinese experts to shape international AI policy. – NaturalNews.com. January 16, 2024.
   11. Health Ranger Report – SECURITY THREAT. – Brighteon.com. Mike Adams. January 13, 2025.
   12. Health Ranger Report – robotics. – Brighteon.com. Mike Adams. September 18, 2025.
   13. Godfather of AI warns of battle robots. – NaturalNews.com. April 10, 2024.
   14. 2025 11 28 BBN Interview with Marjory Wildcraft. – Brighteon Broadcast Network. Mike Adams.
   15. Why the ‘Great Reset’ Is a Power Grab of Unprecedented Magnitude. – Children’s Health Defense.
   16. Trump’s New Sheriff in Town: AI, Decentralization, and the Future of America. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. February 21, 2025.
   17. The Algorithmic Leviathan: How Cheap, Biased AI Threatens Democracy and Your Job. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. November 14, 2025.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation, according to the Associated Press News (AP News). Bessent called the measure the “financial equivalent” of the bombing campaign.

U.S. President Donald Trump also claimed that China has agreed not to supply Iran with any weapons to be used in the current war. China’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports that Beijing has considered transferring arms.

While Trump claims the war is close to over, the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is ongoing.

Trump: Iran War Is “Very Close To Being Over”

The commander of Iran’s joint military command on Wednesday threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. No vessels have made it past U.S. naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade, according to the U.S. Central Command. Even so, Trump said Wednesday the war in Iran was “very close to over.” –AP News

The U.S. also said it has not agreed to formally extend the ceasefire that Iran already claims Israel, and by proxy, the U.S. has violated.

Iran Accused Israel and The U.S. Of Violating The Ceasefire

Israel’s continued raid on Lebanon is being blamed for the ceasefire violation. The Israeli aerial and ground war in Lebanon has resulted in more than 2,100 people being killed. The country’s National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling throughout southern Lebanon on Wednesday, where Israeli forces have encircled fighters with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Just one day ago, the two nations held their first direct talks in decades.

For all intents and purposes, this war does not look like it’ll be over soon, as neither side appears to want to make concessions that will make the other happy. It could be a long, drawn-out “peace” process that results in more financial damage being done to everyday Americans than anything else.

Around 191,200 birds were part of the affected flock at the Clay County farm.

First Human Bird Flu Case In 9 Months: Person Was Infected With A New Strain

According to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (ADA), the farm was placed under quarantine, and containment measures were underway. While officials didn’t say what happened to the affected commercial poultry flock, its website said depopulation is “the only effective control method.”

Dr. Meryl Nass: Culling Poultry in Response to Bird Flu is a Failed Strategy and Should Cease

“Poultry growers in the region are urged to stay alert for signs of [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI] and continue following strict biosecurity practices to protect their flocks,” ADA said.

The avian influenza is still a problem, as war wages all around the globe. Rising fuel prices, coupled with inflation, are staring American consumers in the face, causing them to forget about issues that could linger long after a peace deal is reached.

USDA said over 1.5 million birds have been affected by bird flu in the past 30 days, and that spring is a peak season as migrations take place.

“Detections are higher in the fall and spring, because we continue to see wild birds spreading the virus as they migrate to their seasonal homes. [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] continues to work closely with state animal health officials on surveillance efforts to look for the virus in commercial, backyard, and wild birds,” USDA said, according to THV11. 

The dominant H5N1 strain looks be sticking around, and will likely become endemic.

Starting in 2024, severe infections from avian influenza were reported in North America. Every severe case was caused by this newly dominant D1.1 strain, though at the time, the disparate geographical locations of those cases made the source of the infections unclear, according to PR Newswire. 

A Biosecure Facility in Texas is Creating Bird Flu Vaccines For Humans

Vaccines could be readily available in the near future, as Kansas State University works on one for chickens. The research team at the College of Veterinary Medicine previously developed a vaccine designed to guard cattle against bovine parainfluenza and bovine viral diarrhea, then adjusted it so it could protect against bird flu, too.

According to a report by Reuters, the source did not clarify whether Iran would allow all ships, including those linked to Israel, to pass freely. A Western source confirmed that the proposal to allow vessels to sail through the Omani side had been in the works, but did not say whether there had been any response from the U.S. ruling class on it.

The proposal appeared to be more of a gesture than a move that would, on its own, offer an immediate breakthrough for hundreds of ships waiting to pass through the key waterway, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. –Reuters

“We welcome any moves to permit safe transit of ships through the established traffic separation scheme,” said a ⁠spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the United Nations’ shipping agency.

US Says ‘No Ships Made It Past Blockade’ As Iran Mulls Hormuz Shipping Pause To Preserve Talks

The American military said the goal of the blockade was to cut off Iran’s trade in an attempt to force a peace deal. “Ten vessels have now been turned around, and zero ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday,” US Central Command said on Wednesday. However, a large Maltese-flagged tanker, the Agios Fanourios I, passed through Hormuz the same day, according to maritime tracking websites.

Rival Vessel Passes Through Strait of Hormuz Despite Trump’s Blockade

Both sides have been using this vital waterway to make life more difficult for its civilians. The cost of fuel has skyrocketed, forcing people who have nothing to do with this war to pay for it.

Over the last year, the precious metal markets have seen historic increases and then decreases in price. This, of course, is the result of the workings of supply and demand, but there have also been cries of market manipulation.

I have laid out the supply and demand conditions both in the pure free market and under current conditions in the real world on this podcast and in several interviews reproduced here.

Several forms of manipulation, such as changing margin requirements, are expected, and other forms of manipulation, such as mysterious shutdowns and slowdowns, can be anticipated. Above all else, organized markets and political actors will act to save themselves first.

As a result, I have declared several times over the last year that when prices began to reach record levels—particularly when silver approached $50 per ounce—that precious metal markets are going to experience “growing pains.”

Of course, all market activities manipulate the market in terms of changing prices and quantities exchanged, but in this case, commentators are often pointing to alleged illicit activities.

Our primary understanding of these markets is that—in a total free market model, where gold is literally money—it has a remarkable stability of purchasing power over the long haul, and that major alterations of price or purchasing power are the result of government interventions, and that deviations of price from long-run trends in inflation are the result of real world short-run adjustments in supply and demand, such as changing expectations, the outbreak of war, and developments in the business cycle.

Prior to the bull market in gold and silver, some commentators, myself included, have pointed out several reasons to suspect that gold might experience an increase in demand and that the realities of precious metal supply in terms of mine output would amplify price adjustment to those increases in demand. Those commentators turned out to be correct.

Prior to the recent, sharply lower prices, some commentators pointed out that any decrease in demand could also have sharp negative effects on prices. Those commentators were also correct. However, it is important to list some examples of those who decreased their demand, becoming suppliers, how that worked for them, and establish that these markets work. Will everyone decrease their demand to hold precious metals entirely, and will the prices fall to zero?

Precious metals have 24/7 global markets, but let us start in the US. Among all the various reasons why precious metals have been sold domestically—shifting demanders into suppliers are the following:

1. Speculators and traders: They rode the markets up and then decided to take profits and switch to other markets, notably oil, even before the outbreak of hostilities. This type of trading is dependent on the valuation of relative performance and speculation of future conditions, including inside information. Meanwhile, “manipulators” were also helping to push the markets up in anticipation of taking advantage of shorting the markets.
2. Liquidity crunches: We know that certain investments—notably private equity and private credit—are experiencing so-called liquidity issues because the Fed started an emergency program in December, and redemptions of this “sequestered” capital category (not openly traded in markets) have been blocked by the gatekeepers. This means that these assets are not generating enough revenues to cover expenses and debt obligations, and cannot be readily redeemed for cash. The Fed’s $40 billion a month program of Reserve Management Purchases (RMPs) seems to have been sufficient in December of 2025. Maybe not, more recently. If this is a significant ongoing problem, then expect this program to be expanded.

In both of these cases, precious metal markets performed as expected. People shifted currency into precious metals as a risk-off monetary asset and then shifted back out to address liquidity problems and to address changing market conditions.

Outside of the US, the primary event has been the Israelis’ attack on Iran with the notable support of the US. Without going into the details, so far, this war has destroyed a great deal of capital and business activity.

It is important to note that this has harmed the global population in terms of the consumption of petrochemicals, all the derivative products, and the decrease in supply of just about everything consumed, because it drives up costs of production generally. The disruption of trade has put hundreds of millions of people at particular risk, and of course, the situation could get much worse.

However, if we focus our attention on those in the conflict zone itself, the states surrounding the Persian Gulf and the Levant: Syria, Lebanon, Judea/Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus—the original land of the rising Son. We would note that the Persian Gulf states have been large liquidators of gold due to the destruction and idling of their oil-related assets/their primary income stream, and the desire to exit the region.

This selling of gold is indicated by the discount price it is selling at in Persian Gulf markets, and gold has undoubtedly served its primary role as a monetary asset for deeply troubling times, just as it would for others during hyperinflation.

It is important to remember that crises, crashes, and war have negative effects that can be contagious, but they nonetheless impact groups of people differently inside the global context.

As liquidity conditions in world asset markets are still very uncertain and war conditions in the Middle East are ongoing, precious metal markets will continue to experience a decrease in demand and an increase in supply until those balances approach exhaustion or relief. At that point, markets may shift their attention to issues such as credit crises, asset overvaluation in the face of rising interest rates, and increasing costs of maintaining government spending and debt obligations, specifically inflation and interest rates. Most critically, what will central banks do next?

Over the last year, the precious metal markets have seen historic increases and then decreases in price. This, of course, is the result of the workings of supply and demand, but there have also been cries of market manipulation.

I have laid out the supply and demand conditions both in the pure free market and under current conditions in the real world on this podcast and in several interviews reproduced here.

Several forms of manipulation, such as changing margin requirements, are expected, and other forms of manipulation, such as mysterious shutdowns and slowdowns, can be anticipated. Above all else, organized markets and political actors will act to save themselves first.

As a result, I have declared several times over the last year that when prices began to reach record levels—particularly when silver approached $50 per ounce—that precious metal markets are going to experience “growing pains.”

Of course, all market activities manipulate the market in terms of changing prices and quantities exchanged, but in this case, commentators are often pointing to alleged illicit activities.

Our primary understanding of these markets is that—in a total free market model, where gold is literally money—it has a remarkable stability of purchasing power over the long haul, and that major alterations of price or purchasing power are the result of government interventions, and that deviations of price from long-run trends in inflation are the result of real world short-run adjustments in supply and demand, such as changing expectations, the outbreak of war, and developments in the business cycle.

Prior to the bull market in gold and silver, some commentators, myself included, have pointed out several reasons to suspect that gold might experience an increase in demand and that the realities of precious metal supply in terms of mine output would amplify price adjustment to those increases in demand. Those commentators turned out to be correct.

Prior to the recent, sharply lower prices, some commentators pointed out that any decrease in demand could also have sharp negative effects on prices. Those commentators were also correct. However, it is important to list some examples of those who decreased their demand, becoming suppliers, how that worked for them, and establish that these markets work. Will everyone decrease their demand to hold precious metals entirely, and will the prices fall to zero?

Precious metals have 24/7 global markets, but let us start in the US. Among all the various reasons why precious metals have been sold domestically—shifting demanders into suppliers are the following:

1. Speculators and traders: They rode the markets up and then decided to take profits and switch to other markets, notably oil, even before the outbreak of hostilities. This type of trading is dependent on the valuation of relative performance and speculation of future conditions, including inside information. Meanwhile, “manipulators” were also helping to push the markets up in anticipation of taking advantage of shorting the markets.
2. Liquidity crunches: We know that certain investments—notably private equity and private credit—are experiencing so-called liquidity issues because the Fed started an emergency program in December, and redemptions of this “sequestered” capital category (not openly traded in markets) have been blocked by the gatekeepers. This means that these assets are not generating enough revenues to cover expenses and debt obligations, and cannot be readily redeemed for cash. The Fed’s $40 billion a month program of Reserve Management Purchases (RMPs) seems to have been sufficient in December of 2025. Maybe not, more recently. If this is a significant ongoing problem, then expect this program to be expanded.

In both of these cases, precious metal markets performed as expected. People shifted currency into precious metals as a risk-off monetary asset and then shifted back out to address liquidity problems and to address changing market conditions.

Outside of the US, the primary event has been the Israelis’ attack on Iran with the notable support of the US. Without going into the details, so far, this war has destroyed a great deal of capital and business activity.

It is important to note that this has harmed the global population in terms of the consumption of petrochemicals, all the derivative products, and the decrease in supply of just about everything consumed, because it drives up costs of production generally. The disruption of trade has put hundreds of millions of people at particular risk, and of course, the situation could get much worse.

However, if we focus our attention on those in the conflict zone itself, the states surrounding the Persian Gulf and the Levant: Syria, Lebanon, Judea/Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus—the original land of the rising Son. We would note that the Persian Gulf states have been large liquidators of gold due to the destruction and idling of their oil-related assets/their primary income stream, and the desire to exit the region.

This selling of gold is indicated by the discount price it is selling at in Persian Gulf markets, and gold has undoubtedly served its primary role as a monetary asset for deeply troubling times, just as it would for others during hyperinflation.

It is important to remember that crises, crashes, and war have negative effects that can be contagious, but they nonetheless impact groups of people differently inside the global context.

As liquidity conditions in world asset markets are still very uncertain and war conditions in the Middle East are ongoing, precious metal markets will continue to experience a decrease in demand and an increase in supply until those balances approach exhaustion or relief. At that point, markets may shift their attention to issues such as credit crises, asset overvaluation in the face of rising interest rates, and increasing costs of maintaining government spending and debt obligations, specifically inflation and interest rates. Most critically, what will central banks do next?

• • A peer-reviewed study details a rare case of dual blood cancers in a healthy woman following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, proposing biological mechanisms for a potential link.

• • The authors faced significant publication barriers, with the paper rejected 16 times by 15 journals over two years before final acceptance.

• • Researchers argue the difficulty in publishing findings that challenge the mainstream narrative poses a grave threat to scientific integrity and public knowledge.

• • The study suggests lipid nanoparticles could give vaccine components “unfettered access” to bone marrow, potentially disrupting blood cell formation and immune surveillance.

• • The incident raises urgent questions about censorship in scientific publishing and the completeness of long-term vaccine safety data available to the public.

A battle for publication

In February 2026, a peer-reviewed journal finally published a case study exploring a potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and blood cancers. For the authors, however, the two-year struggle to get their research into print—alleging widespread rejection by journals unwilling to challenge the mainstream narrative—may be the more significant story. This episode casts a long shadow over scientific transparency, raising critical questions about what the public truly knows about the long-term effects of rapidly deployed medical technologies and the integrity of the systems meant to vet them.

A rare and severe case

The study, published in Oncotarget, centers on a previously healthy, athletic woman in her late 30s. The morning after her second dose of Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine, she developed severe symptoms including a locked jaw, tinnitus and diffuse pain. Her condition deteriorated over subsequent months, leading to a startling diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma simultaneously—a highly unusual occurrence. The woman endured years of intense treatment, including a bone marrow transplant. The paper also reviewed 30 similar published cases where blood-related cancers appeared soon after vaccination, with several noting the first signs of disease at or near the injection site.

Proposing a biological pathway

The researchers did not claim definitive causation but outlined a plausible biological mechanism. They highlighted that the lipid nanoparticles used to deliver the mRNA have “unfettered access” throughout the body, including to the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. The paper suggests that the synthetic spike protein produced by the vaccine may persist longer than its natural counterpart and could potentially disrupt cellular processes. The authors theorize that such disruption, combined with a possible weakening of immune surveillance, could allow abnormal cells to proliferate. They cited global reports of rising and aggressive cancers as a trend that “cannot be ignored.”

An “uphill battle” against editorial barriers

A companion paper detailed the “censorship” the authors faced. Lead author Panagis Polykretis, Ph.D., stated the original manuscript was submitted to 15 journals and rejected 16 times over two years. Most rejections came from editors without peer review. In one instance, a journal accepted the paper after revisions, then suddenly rejected it for “experimental flaws”—despite it being a case report, not an experimental study. After appeal and re-review, it was accepted again, only to be rejected once more. Polykretis called this pattern “outrageous and grave for the integrity of science,” suggesting a “political will or an agenda” to block inconvenient findings.

The broader implication: A filtered scientific record

The implications extend far beyond a single paper. If studies raising safety questions are systematically hindered, the published scientific record becomes incomplete and artificially homogeneous. This shapes subsequent research, medical guidelines, and public health policy based on a potentially skewed evidence base. Polykretis raised a chilling question: “Can you imagine how many scientists like us are facing this censorship?” The result, he warned, is a loss of critical information, leaving doctors and the public in the dark about potential risks.

A crisis of trust and transparency

This case arrives amid ongoing public and legal debates over pandemic-era policies, vaccine mandates, and data integrity. Historically, medical progress relies on rigorous, open debate and the careful examination of adverse outcomes. The alleged barriers to publishing this study strike at the heart of that process. They fuel public skepticism and undermine trust in health authorities at a time when clear communication is paramount. Whether one views the study’s conclusions as compelling or preliminary, the difficulty in airing them for scientific scrutiny presents a fundamental challenge. Restoring faith in public health requires a commitment to transparent science where all evidence, comfortable or not, can be evaluated on its merits, free from fear of censorship. The integrity of future medical innovation may depend on it.

JD Vance Says “We’ve Accomplished Our Objectives” In Iran

Iranian Professor Says Israel Is “Desperate” To Destroy The Ceasefire

The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush deployed Tuesday and is slated to go to the Middle East along with three destroyers, two U.S. officials said. The carrier strike group consists of more than 6,000 sailors.

This news comes as thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have also begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two other U.S. officials, who, like the others, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

A U.S. Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines recently arrived in the Middle East, and another 2,500 Marines are also being deployed from California.

According to a report by The Associated Press News (AP News), the majority of those troops are part of a rotation of forces planned before the war, and some are among roughly 1,500 paratroopers the Trump administration decided to surge into the region last week.

The Trump administration has not yet said what these troops are going to be used for, but the 82nd Airborne is specifically trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key lands and airfields.

Defense Secretary, otherwise known as the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and other administration officials have avoided questions about whether or not the U.S. military will deploy ground troops against Iran.

“You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do to include boots on the ground,” Hegseth told reporters Tuesday. “Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are.”

“We don’t want to have to do more militarily than we have to,” claiming that the U.S. is looking for a diplomatic solution, not a military one.

In its half-yearly update, the IMF said the UK would suffer the sharpest growth downgrade and the joint highest inflation rate in the G7 this year, even if the fallout from soaring energy costs can be contained by the middle of 2026, according to a report by The Guardian. 

The IMF added that if a worst-case “severe scenario” unfolds, involving a drawn-out war and persistently higher energy prices, it said the world would face “a close call for a global recession” for only the fifth time since 1980.

 The IMF chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, warned that the continuation of the war meant the world was moving closer to an “adverse scenario” in which oil prices would remain close to $100 this year before falling back to $75 in 2027.

“Of course, every day that passes, and every day we have more disruption in energy markets, we are drifting more towards the adverse scenario,” Gourinchas said.

Oil Prices Hit Multi-Year High Amid Persian Gulf Tensions

Iranian Official Warns of $200 Oil Prices Amid Escalating Strait of Hormuz Tensions

“The war in Iran is not our war, but it will come at a cost to the UK. These are not costs I wanted, but they are costs we will have to respond to,” said UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves in a rebuke of United States ruler Donald Trump and his war-mongering policies.

 “To start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve,” Reeves added.

Trump called for a naval blockade of the vital waterway on Monday, which led to a new intensification of the war. But he claims that the war is close to being over, as the ceasefire seems to be holding in spite of Iran saying the U.S. and Israel have violated it.

Iran Accused Israel and The U.S. Of Violating The Ceasefire

“I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over,” Trump told FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo in an interview that will air on “Mornings with Maria” on Wednesday.

Peace talks between U.S. officials and Iranian negotiators are reportedly expected to restart Thursday following stalled weekend talks in Pakistan.

Vance Fails In Iran: No Peace Deal

While Vance says that the war could be over anytime because the U.S. has accomplished its objectives, the nuclear issue still appears to be a bone of contention.

JD Vance Says “We’ve Accomplished Our Objectives” In Iran

In fact, just recently, Trump justified his entrance into the Middle East conflict, telling “Mornings with Maria” it was necessary to disarm Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “I had to divert because if I didn’t do that, right now, you’d have Iran with a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “And if they had a nuclear weapon, you’d be calling everybody over there ‘sir,’ and you don’t want to do that.”

President Trump has boasted about the degradation of Iranian leadership and military capabilities, frequently declaring that U.S. forces have “decimated” Tehran’s military capabilities.

The U.S. has admitted to the deaths of 13 servicemembers. Thousands have lost their lives in the Middle East during the conflict.