NTD News Today

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured, questioning Khamenei's ability to lead. Khamenei has not been seen by Iranians since his selection by a clerical assembly on Sunday, and his first comments came in a statement read out by a television presenter on Thursday.
All six crew members aboard a U.S. military refuelling aircraft have been confirmed dead after it crashed in western Iraq, U.S. Central Command said on Friday. CENTCOM ruled out the cause of the crash as either hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the deceased service members are being withheld until next of kin have been notified.

Oil prices jumped back toward the $100-per-barrel mark on March 12 despite a coordinated release of strategic reserves by the United States and its allies, as Iranian attacks on oil and transport infrastructure across the Middle East intensified fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and a prolonged regional conflict.
The Trump administration has launched new trade investigations under the Trade Act. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the probes will examine excess industrial capacity in 16 major trading partners.
The countries include China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico. The investigations will determine whether foreign policies and practices are unfairly displacing U.S. manufacturing and restricting commerce.
A second investigation will focus on imports produced with forced labor, targeting roughly 60 countries. These inquiries could lead to new tariffs or import restrictions.

Members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) agreed on March 11 to release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves. This is the largest withdrawal on record as governments attempt to mitigate the spike in global energy prices.
Major storms whipped up tornadoes that killed at least two people in northwest Indiana and leveled buildings in Kankakee, Illinois, authorities said Wednesday, as another round of rain, hail and strong winds made its way through the region.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on March 10 that U.S. airstrikes against Iran will reach their most intense level on Tuesday. He said the operation is focused on three main objectives: destroying Iran’s missile stockpiles and launch systems, eliminating its naval capabilities, and preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons. Hegseth also said President Donald Trump will make the decision on when to end the war.
U.S. stocks are rising after President Trump indicated that the war against Iran could be short-lived. Oil prices briefly shot to their highest level since 2022, but later fell on the news that the war may not last much longer.

President Donald Trump says in a March 8 post on Truth Social that higher oil prices are “a very small price to pay” for safety and peace, as the Iran war continues.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said improvised explosive devices were ignited and thrown outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence over the weekend. The devices did not explode.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Monday that the department is investigating the incident as an "ISIS-inspired" terrorist act.