A shooting at Old Dominion University’s Constant Hall on Thursday morning left two people critically injured and the gunman dead, prompting an immediate lockdown and suspension of classes. Law enforcement, including the Norfolk Police and ATF agents, responded swiftly to neutralize the threat, while the university and state officials emphasized their commitment to campus safety and ongoing support. Students described chaotic evacuations, and authorities continue to investigate the incident as they provide updates to the community.
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The U.S. Senate remains deadlocked over funding the Department of Homeland Security due to sharp disagreements between Democrats and Republicans on immigration enforcement reforms, resulting in a partial government shutdown lasting nearly a month. Democrats demand reforms such as body cameras and identification for immigration agents following fatal shootings, while Republicans resist these changes and accuse Democrats of stalling negotiations. The impasse has caused operational disruptions, including TSA workers missing paychecks and increased absenteeism, with no clear resolution in sight as both parties continue behind-the-scenes talks amid mounting pressure.
The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has led to significant military casualties, economic costs exceeding $11.3 billion in the first six days, and disruptions to global oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Democratic Senator John Fetterman supports the U.S.-Israel military campaign, citing Iran’s limited ability to inflict damage and emphasizing the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions despite intelligence reports indicating no active nuclear weapon development. Meanwhile, the war’s human toll includes thousands of deaths across the involved nations, and President Trump has expressed uncertainty about the conflict’s duration as the U.S. seeks additional funding to sustain military operations.
The Trump administration has launched multiple trade investigations into over a dozen countries, including the EU, China, and Mexico, focusing on "structural excess capacity" in manufacturing that may harm U.S. wages and market access. These probes, conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act, aim to determine whether new tariffs should be imposed before the current global 10% tariff expires in July, with potential increases to 15% also under consideration. Additionally, separate investigations will target forced labor compliance in about 60 countries, raising concerns among U.S. trading partners and threatening recent trade agreements.
Inflation in the United States remained steady in February, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.4% annually, slightly below expectations, before the recent surge in oil prices caused by the Iran conflict. The war has sharply increased gasoline prices and disrupted global oil supply via the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that energy cost spikes could reverse progress in controlling inflation. As the Federal Reserve prepares for its March interest rate decision, economic uncertainties—including weakening job growth and inflation risks—have led analysts to anticipate a cautious approach amid heightened uncertainty.
An internal U.S. military investigation preliminarily found that outdated intelligence led to a missile strike on an elementary school in Iran, killing over 170 civilians, mostly children, during a coordinated U.S.-Israeli operation. The strike mistakenly targeted the school, which had been inaccurately identified as a military site based on old intelligence, with evidence pointing to an American Tomahawk missile. Meanwhile, Iran retaliated with attacks killing six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers in Kuwait, escalating the ongoing conflict that the U.S. administration expects to continue for several weeks.
The U.S. government, through the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), has launched a new initiative to provide political risk insurance for ships navigating the Persian Gulf amid escalating attacks and rising insurance premiums. This program, in partnership with insurer Chubb, aims to ensure the continued flow of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz by covering losses up to $20 billion, addressing the withdrawal of private war risk coverage. The move responds to recent vessel attacks that have drastically reduced maritime traffic and driven up global oil prices, though it raises concerns about potential financial risks for American taxpayers and the scope of coverage for non-U.S. ships.
Podcaster Joe Rogan criticized President Trump’s military strikes against Iran, calling the action contradictory to Trump’s campaign promises and questioning the unclear rationale behind the operation. Public opposition to the conflict is widespread, with polls showing a majority of Americans disapprove and even some conservative voices expressing skepticism about the war’s alignment with the “America First” agenda. The administration’s inconsistent messaging has deepened political divisions and eroded support within Trump’s base, raising concerns that continued opposition could pressure the president to reconsider the conflict.